Representation of Data in Modern Digital Computers,
Abstract
The article describes the evolution in computers from 1st-generation to second and third generation computers. It dwells in particular on the development from the use of the word as the basic unit of data addressing to the byte as the basic unit of addressing. Thus, units smaller than words can be addressed. Bytes are made up of bits, and different numbers of bits can form a byte, but for convenience the 8-bit byte is used. Its 256 different combinations can represent Arabic numerals 0-9, all upper and lower case characters of the Russian and Latin alphabets, and various special characters used in different fields of human activity. Particular attention is paid to the IBM 360 3rd-generation computer, which has the field-length feature, very convenient in the development of the progression of data-representation units - bit-byte-word-field-file (array). (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 19, 1972
- Accession Number
- AD0747578
Entities
People
- E. M. Sinelnikov
- V. M. Kupaev
- V. O. Golubintsev
Organizations
- National Air and Space Intelligence Center