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IBM System/360

Also Known As S/360
Mainframe Family

The IBM System/360 is a family of computer systems announced by IBM on 7 April 1964 and delivered between 1965 and 1978. It was the first family of computers designed to cover both commercial and scientific applications and a complete range of sizes, so a customer could change models as needs grew without losing the programs already running. Its chief architect was Gene Amdahl and the project was managed by Fred Brooks; the compatible family idea it proved organized the computer industry for decades. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Facts
Year
1964 1
Announced 7 April 1964; delivered from 1965.
Significance
The first family of computers covering commercial and scientific work across a full range of sizes, with compatibility that let customers grow without abandoning their programs. 1
Status
Status
Discontinued 1
FAQs

Why is the IBM System/360 called a platform and not just a mainframe?

It unified a family of computers under a single architecture and made the computer a platform rather than a set of separate parts.

IBM's own history of the machine says the family introduced in 1964 ushered in a new era of compatibility, in which computers were no longer thought of as collections of individual components but as platforms. The System/360 unified a family of computers under a single architecture, and IBM describes this as establishing the first platform business model, one that technology companies still use today.
Connections

In Field

Computer Architecture, Fields

Invented By

Gene Amdahl, Pioneers

Gene Amdahl was chief architect of the IBM System/360, the unified mainframe family launched in 1964.

Source Wikipedia: Gene Amdahl

Predecessor Of

IBM System/370, Systems

IBM System/370, introduced in 1970, was the direct architectural successor to the System/360, completing the mainframe lineage that already connects System/370 through System/390 to IBM Z in this atlas.

In the Other Atlases

Developed By

IBM

Also in Business Atlas: the developer of this subject.

Sources
1. Wikipedia: IBM System/360
Wikipedia
  • Introduction and Background sections
    The IBM System/360 (S/360) is a family of computer systems announced by IBM on April 7, 1964, and delivered between 1965 and 1978.
  • Introduction
    The IBM System/360 (S/360) is a family of computer systems announced by IBM on April 7, 1964
  • Infobox: discontinued
    1978
  • In Group: IBM Mainframe and Midrange Systems, announced by IBM on 7 April 1964
View the Source
Wikidata: IBM System/360
Wikidata Q609843, resolved via en.wikipedia pageprops (wave rule R-L)View the Source
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