Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
mainframe
English answer:
central computer with many users
Added to glossary by
David Knowles
Apr 9, 2004 13:41
20 yrs ago
English term
atxp (X)
mainframe / ordinateur central
English
Tech/Engineering
Computers: Systems, Networks
computer
could you tell me whether it is the main computer in the network or something else?
also please explain what is the mainframe system and the mainframe network?
thank you very much for your assistance :)
also please explain what is the mainframe system and the mainframe network?
thank you very much for your assistance :)
Responses
+4
7 mins
David Knowles
Native in English
&
English
Works in field
Specialist in Civil Law & Contracts
Native in: English 
Works in: Russian to English, English, Ukrainian to English
Related KudoZ points
:
4
Selected
central computer with many users
This is the way computers used to be before PCs! Also, many companies that require a central database with many users use mainframes. Typical examples are banks and airlines. You may access information on the mainframe from a PC, but the important point is that the mainframe holds the information. Mainframe operating systems are also far more reliable than Windows - they may only be rebooted once a year!
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thank you all"
+1
10 mins
English term (edited):
mainframe
a mainframe isn't a network, but a single very large computer
traditionally, they are much bigger (in capacity & power as well as physically) than microcomputers, and other classification(s?) of computers in between.
With the increasing power of even microcomputers though, the distinctions are more blurred, and for some purposes networks of microcomputers may be used for tasks that once would have been allocated to a mainframe.
A mainframe might be in a network with other computers - mainframes, micros or other.
I don't know anything about ordinateur central - I presume that is a French term (I can guess at that bit, but others will know so that is better:-)
With the increasing power of even microcomputers though, the distinctions are more blurred, and for some purposes networks of microcomputers may be used for tasks that once would have been allocated to a mainframe.
A mainframe might be in a network with other computers - mainframes, micros or other.
I don't know anything about ordinateur central - I presume that is a French term (I can guess at that bit, but others will know so that is better:-)
16 mins
for your information
MAINFRAME:[n] (computer science) the part of a computer (a microprocessor chip) that does most of the data processing; the CPU and the memory form the central part of a computer to which the peripherals are attached
[n] a large digital computer serving 100-400 users and occupying a special air-conditioned room
*CPU stands for central processing unit
the network refers to the set of hardware (printers, other computers) which are connected to/ and usually dependent upon the mainframe
[n] a large digital computer serving 100-400 users and occupying a special air-conditioned room
*CPU stands for central processing unit
the network refers to the set of hardware (printers, other computers) which are connected to/ and usually dependent upon the mainframe
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