Architecture of the IBM System/360

The work

TitleArchitecture of the IBM System/360
AuthorsGene M. Amdahl; Gerrit A. Blaauw; Frederick P. Brooks Jr.
Typearticle
Year2000
Citekeyamdahl2000architecture

Where it appeared

Published inIBM Journal of Research and Development
PublisherIBM
Volume44
Issue1.2
Pages21--36

Identifiers

DOI10.1147/rd.441.0021
OpenAlexW2159082626

Access

Landing pagehttps://doi.org/10.1147/rd.441.0021

Abstract

The architecture of the newly announced IBM System/360 features four innovations: 1. An approach to storage which permits and exploits very large capacities, hierarchies of speeds, read-only storage for microprogram control, flexible storage protection, and simple program relocation. 2. An input/output system offering new degrees of concurrent operation, compatible channel operation, data rates approaching 5,000,000 characters/second, integrated design of hardware and software, a new low-cost, multiple-channel package sharing main-frame hardware, new provisions for device status information, and a standard channel interface between central processing unit and input/output devices. 3. A truly general-purpose machine organization offering new supervisor facilities, powerful logical processing operations, and a wide variety of data formats. 4. Strict upward and downward machine-language compatibility over a line of six models having a performance range factor of 50. This paper discusses in detail the objectives of the design and the rationale for the main features of the architecture. Emphasis is given to the problems raised by the need for compatibility among central processing units of various size and by the conflicting demands of commercial, scientific, real-time, and logical information processing. A tabular summary of the architecture is shown in the Appendices.

Where this came from

How it got herethe agent went looking · found via openalex
First seen2026-08-04
Standingendorsed
Approved2026-08-07
In: IBM Journal of Research and Development venue

Cite it as

@article{amdahl2000architecture,
  title = {Architecture of the IBM System/360},
  author = {Gene M. Amdahl and Gerrit A. Blaauw and Frederick P. Brooks Jr.},
  year = {2000},
  journal = {IBM Journal of Research and Development},
  volume = {44},
  number = {1.2},
  pages = {21--36},
  publisher = {IBM},
  doi = {10.1147/rd.441.0021},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1147/rd.441.0021},
}

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