The Importance of Terminology's Quality

[John W Kennedy]

Martin Gregorie wrote:
> On Sat, 23 Aug 2008 00:06:28 -0400, John W Kennedy wrote:
> 
>> Martin Gregorie wrote:
>>> Not necessarily. An awful lot of CPU cycles were used before microcode
>>> was introduced. Mainframes and minis designed before about 1970 didn't
>>> use or need it
>> No, most S/360s used microcode.
> 
> I never used an S/360.
> 
> I thought microcode came into the IBM world with S/370 and Future Series 
> (which later reappeared as the AS/400, which I did use). Didn't the S/370 
> load its microcode off an 8 inch floppy?

Some did, but not all. The 370/145 was the first, and made a big splash 
thereby.

As to the 360s:

  20  (Incompatible subset)      I don't know
  22  (Recycled end-of-life 30)  CROS
  25                             Loaded from punched cards
  30                             CROS
  40                             TROS
  44  (Subset)                   None
  50                             CROS
  60, 62, 65                     ROS
  64, 66, 67                     ROS
  70, 75                         None
  85                             I don't know
  91, 95                         I don't know -- probably none
  195                            I don't know

CROS used plastic-coated foil punched cards as the dielectrics of 960 
capacitors each.

TROS used little transformer coils that might or might not be severed.

ROS means it was there, but I don't know the technology.
-- 
John W. Kennedy
  "Those in the seat of power oft forget their failings and seek only 
the obeisance of others!  Thus is bad government born!  Hold in your 
heart that you and the people are one, human beings all, and good 
government shall arise of its own accord!  Such is the path of virtue!"
   -- Kazuo Koike.  "Lone Wolf and Cub:  Thirteen Strings" (tr. Dana Lewis)