IBM Advanced Computer Systems project: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 00:26, 26 April 2024

Revision as of 00:31, 26 April 2024

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Using the simulator, Conway benchmarked a number of high-performance computing workloads against the [[IBM 7090]], 6000 and [[IBM System/360 Model 91|S/360 Model 91]]. In comparison to the 7090, IBM's older scientific offering, ACS-1 would perform the Lagrangian Hydrodynamics Calculation (LHC) 2,500 times faster. On the more complex Neutron Diffusion (ND) code, it outperformed the 7090 by almost 1,300 times, and was about 60 times as fast as the 6600.{{sfn|Smotherman|2016|pp=62, 66}}

Allen, Cocke, and Jim Beatty led the development of the compilers for the machine. This represented a significant effort as the system was to be highly advanced and aggressively optimize code. Among its features was the ability to unwind loops, schedule instructions around the [[basic- block]] concept, and separate those optimizations that were code-based vs. platform-based. The compiler would be used by both a [[PL/1]] front-end as well as an expanded version of [[Fortran IV]]. {{sfn|Smotherman|2016|p=63}}

In a November 1967 project review, Herb Schorr outlined a delivery plan that would ship the first machine in 1971.{{sfn|Conway|2011|p=20}} The plan estimated that over 100,000 lines of Fortran and assembly code would be needed for the [[operating system]] and nearly 70,000 lines for the compilers, assembler, and library routines. He estimated the cost of development to be $15 million ({{USDCY|1515000000|1967}}) for the software alone.{{sfn|Smotherman|2016|p=63}}

===Design "shootout"===