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Definition for: mainframe |
Definition for: mainframe |
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A "mainframe" originally meant the cabinet containing the central processor unit of a very large computer. |
A "mainframe" originally meant the cabinet containing the [[CPU|central processor unit]] of a very large [[computer]]. |
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After minicomputers became available, the word mainframe came to refer to the large computer itself. |
After minicomputers became available, the word mainframe came to refer to the large computer itself. |
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The older computers used many large vacuum tubes and generated a lot of heat, thus requiring specially air-conditioned rooms. |
The older computers used many large vacuum tubes and generated a lot of heat, thus requiring specially air-conditioned rooms. |
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[[Category:Computer]] |
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[[Category:Definition]] |
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as a mainframe computer that once filled a whole room. |
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Revision as of 19:59, 11 February 2005
Definition for: mainframe
A "mainframe" originally meant the cabinet containing the central processor unit of a very large computer.
After minicomputers became available, the word mainframe came to refer to the large computer itself.
The older computers used many large vacuum tubes and generated a lot of heat, thus requiring specially air-conditioned rooms.
A single computer might have hundreds of users at a time.
Today, because the large vacuum tubes have given way to transistors, a desktop personal computer can have as much poweras a mainframe computer that once filled a whole room.
Mainframes in use now often have smaller computers as front end processors.