Jump to content

IBM 1460

From Alfawiki
IBM 1400 series
Company typeProduct line
IndustryComputer hardware
PredecessorIBM tabulating machines (e.g., IBM 407)
Founded1959
FounderInternational Business Machines (IBM)
Defunctearly 1970s
FateDiscontinued, succeeded by IBM System/360 and later systems
SuccessorIBM System/360, IBM System/3, System/32, System/34, System/36, System/38, AS/400
Headquarters
Armonk
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide
ProductsIBM 1240, 1401, 1410, 1420, 1440, 1450, 1460, 7010; peripherals including card readers/punches (1402, 1442, 1444), printers (1403, 1404, 1443, 1445), magnetic tape drives (729, 7330, 7335), disk storage devices (1301, 1311, 1405 RAMAC), check processing units (1210), paper tape I/O and console typewriters (1407, 1447)
OwnerInternational Business Machines Corporation
ParentInternational Business Machines Corporation

The IBM 1400 series represents a line of second-generation mid-range business decimal computers utilizing transistor technology, introduced by IBM in the early 1960s. These machines were engineered to succeed tabulating machines such as the IBM 407. They employed magnetic core memory to hold data as variable-length character strings, which were identified by "wordmarks" and "record marks." Arithmetic operations were carried out on a digit-by-digit basis. Available input/output devices encompassed punched card readers, magnetic tape units, high-speed line printers, and early forms of disk storage.

Many systems within the series functioned either as independent computers, as extensions to IBM's punched-card machinery, or as auxiliary processors supporting other computer systems. Some were optimized or most economical when used as standalone machines.

History

The debut model, the IBM 1401, was released on October 5, 1959, becoming the most widely adopted with sales exceeding 10,000 units. The IBM 1410 followed with an expanded address range but maintained a similar architectural design. The IBM 1460 introduced doubled processing speeds alongside increased memory capacity of 16,000 characters. Tailored for banking applications, the IBM 1240 incorporated MICR technology, while the IBM 7010 mirrored the logic of the 1410 but operated at twice the speed.

Notable models in the series include:

  • IBM 1240 (1963) – Banking system equipped with MICR capabilities
  • IBM 1401 (1959) – Mid-range business-oriented computer
  • IBM 1410 (1960) – Expanded address capacity
  • IBM 1420 (1962) – High-speed bank transit system processing up to 50,000 checks per hour
  • IBM 1440 (1962) – General-purpose business system
  • IBM 1450 (1968) – Banking data processing solution for smaller financial institutions
  • IBM 1460 (1963) – Upgraded speed and memory enhancements
  • IBM 7010 (1962) – Accelerated version of the 1410

Supporting peripheral equipment included:

These computers were instrumental in facilitating the shift from punched-card operations to electronic data processing within businesses, solidifying IBM’s dominance in the mid-range computing sector.

Compatible systems

Several IBM models were either fully or partially compatible with the IBM 1401:

  • IBM 1460 offered double the speed and included numerous standard features from the 1401.
  • IBM 1440 served as a cost-effective option but lacked full compatibility.
  • IBM models 1240, 1420, and 1450 were developed with a focus on banking applications.
  • The IBM 1410 provided increased memory capacity (up to 100,000 characters), fifteen index registers, additional instructions, and featured a "compatibility mode" that allowed execution of unmodified 1401 programs.
  • The IBM 7010 was a faster model fully compatible with the 1410.
  • The IBM System/360 Model 30 could be equipped with microprogramming to support compatibility with the 1401; several peripherals from the 1400 series were adapted for use with System/360 machines.

Additionally, Honeywell’s Honeywell 200 offered approximate compatibility with the IBM 1401 through similar architecture and software support.

Field and character encoding

Within the 1400 series, the fundamental addressable unit in core memory consists of a character. These characters are encoded in binary-coded decimal (BCD) format using six bits (BA8421). Operation codes and the initial characters of fields incorporate an extra "word mark" bit, while an odd parity bit, known as "C," is also included.

The arithmetic system operates on decimal principles using a big-endian approach, where the least significant digit is positioned at the lower memory address. Instruction address fields have a fixed length that corresponds to the storage size, whereas numeric operands may vary in length. The word mark facilitates flexible access from either end of a field, enhancing operand manipulation efficiency. Consequently, compilers must modify operand addresses appropriately to accommodate arithmetic processing.

Programming languages

The 1400 series supported several programming languages such as Symbolic Programming System (SPS), an assembly language; Autocoder, which is a more advanced assembler; COBOL; FORTRAN; Report Program Generator (RPG); and FARGO.

Retirement

Following the 1400 series, IBM introduced the System/360, which was later complemented by smaller models including the IBM System/3, System/32, System/34, System/36, System/38, and AS/400.

Despite being officially discontinued in the early 1970s, some peripherals designed for the 1400 series remained available alongside third-generation computing systems.

Two fully restored 1401 machines are currently operational at the Computer History Museum.

References

External links

Retrieved from "https://www.alfawiki.org/index.php?title=IBM_1460&oldid=28445"