IBM 632

IBM 632

The IBM 632 was a valve-and-relay driven basic (very basic) accounting machine, introduced in 1958, that was available in seven different models. It consisted of an IBM Electric typewriter and at least a punch card unit (like the IBM 024) that housed the "electronics" in two gates (a relay gate and an electronic gate). Some machines also had a card reader unit (like the IBM 026). A small core memory provided storage for 8 numeric 12 digit words.

The machine was programmed primarily with a plastic tape that moved synchronously with the typewriter carriage. Each tape would typically handle one application. The tape mechanism was mounted behind the carriage in the typewriter unit. Further programming was provided in the card machines program drums. Programs were only executed as the machine typed or spaced over a column - tabbing or carriage returning was not recognised.

As the typewriter carriage moved from field to field three program entries were available in the last three columns of each field - as I recall they were Calc1, Calc2, and Pgm. One calculation was allowed in each Calc column. The PGM field allowed a program instruction - a jump in the form of a "jump" to a new column then auto printout of a calculated field (including decimal place control) as well as punch card control, etc. The PGM column was actually the column the typewriter would space to after typing the last character in the field (either under operator or PGM control).

For example after entering "price" then tabbing and entering "qty", the machine could automatically space through a dummy field, calculate the $amount on the way and then continue to print it out. The PGM field could then have dictated a carriage return, ready for the next entry.

Two programs were allowed on each tape: primary and alternate. But by resetting the tab-stops it was possible to overlap programs in amazingly complex ways.

Adding was carried out electronically, but multiplication was electro-mechanical. The machine gave off a characteristic kerr-ick-kit-i-tic, kerr-ick-kit-i-tic sound as the relays worked furiously. Multiplication took 3 or 4 seconds, addition, on the other, hand was immediate.

Most machines were used for some type of order-entry/invoicing application, providing a hard-copy invoice and a punch card that could be processed further on some other system. Those with a card reader could do some of that processing themselves, especially if augmented with a sorter.

Cost, price and rental rates

Maintenance/service was included in all monthly rental prices.Maintenance/service for purchased machines was additional.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • List of IBM products — The following is a list of notable products from the International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation and its predecessor corporations, beginning in the 1890s, and spanning punched card machinery, time clocks, and typewriters, via mainframe… …   Wikipedia

  • Unit record equipment — Before the advent of electronic computers, data processing was performed using electromechanical devices called unit record equipment, electric accounting machines (EAM) or tabulating machines. Unit record machines were as ubiquitous in industry… …   Wikipedia

  • Trade fair — IBM stand during CeBIT 2010 at the Hanover fairground, the largest exhibition ground in the world, in Hanover, Germany. A trade fair (trade show, trade exhibition or expo) is an exhibition organized so that companies in a specific industry can… …   Wikipedia

  • TOP500 — Общая вычислительная мощность 500 наиболее мощных компьютерных систем в мире с 1993 по 2012 год …   Википедия

  • Economic Affairs — ▪ 2006 Introduction In 2005 rising U.S. deficits, tight monetary policies, and higher oil prices triggered by hurricane damage in the Gulf of Mexico were moderating influences on the world economy and on U.S. stock markets, but some other… …   Universalium

  • Prodigy (online service) — This article refers to the now defunct Prodigy Communications Corporation that was purchased by SBC Communications, Inc. in 2001. For information on SBC s current status, see AT T. Infobox Company company name = Prodigy Communications, L.P.… …   Wikipedia

  • High performance computing — Superordinateur Le superordinateur JET Un superordinateur (ou supercalculateur) est un ordinateur conçu pour atteindre les plus hautes performances possibles avec les technologies connues lors de sa conception, en particulier en termes de vitesse …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Super-ordinateur — Superordinateur Le superordinateur JET Un superordinateur (ou supercalculateur) est un ordinateur conçu pour atteindre les plus hautes performances possibles avec les technologies connues lors de sa conception, en particulier en termes de vitesse …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Supercalculateur — Superordinateur Le superordinateur JET Un superordinateur (ou supercalculateur) est un ordinateur conçu pour atteindre les plus hautes performances possibles avec les technologies connues lors de sa conception, en particulier en termes de vitesse …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Supercalculateurs — Superordinateur Le superordinateur JET Un superordinateur (ou supercalculateur) est un ordinateur conçu pour atteindre les plus hautes performances possibles avec les technologies connues lors de sa conception, en particulier en termes de vitesse …   Wikipédia en Français

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”