System/370 facts for kids
The System/370, also known as S/370, was a special type of powerful computer called a mainframe. The company IBM created these machines in the 1970s. These computers were very similar to IBM's older System/360. This meant that many computer programs from the System/360 could still work on the new S/370. A big new feature of the S/370 was its ability to use virtual memory. This helped the computer manage its memory better. The S/370 used tape drives and hard drives to store lots of information. Later, in the 1990s, the System/390 replaced the System/370.
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What Was the System/370?
The System/370 was a very important computer for businesses and governments. These large machines could handle huge amounts of data and many tasks at once. They were not like the personal computers we use today. Instead, they filled entire rooms and were used by many people at the same time.
How Did It Improve on Older Computers?
One of the best things about the S/370 was its "virtual memory." Imagine your computer needs more memory than it actually has. Virtual memory lets the computer use parts of its hard drive as if it were extra main memory. This made the S/370 much more powerful and able to run bigger programs. It was a big step forward in computer design.
Storing Information: Tapes and Disks
The System/370 used two main ways to store information for a long time.
- Tape drives: These were like giant cassette players for data. They stored information on long magnetic tapes.
- Hard drives: These were similar to the hard drives in modern computers, but much larger. They stored data on spinning metal disks.
These storage devices were essential for keeping all the important data safe and ready to use.
The Legacy of the System/370
The System/370 was a very successful computer series for IBM. It helped many organizations manage their information and operations. The ideas and technologies developed for the S/370 influenced how computers were built for many years. It paved the way for even more powerful mainframes that came after it.
Images for kids
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System/370-145 3D Rendering
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System/370-145 3D Rendering
