Changes

===Mainframe===

===Mainframe===

[[File:NASAComputerRoom-1962.gif|250px|thumbnail|NASA's Mainfram computer (1962)]]

[[File:NASAComputerRoom-1962.gif|250px|thumbnail|NASA's Mainfram computer (1962)]]

Mainframes were the first kind of commercially used digital computers, and always used to be the fastest option.  They had the ability to process much more information at a faster rate than any other kind.<ref name="WorldBook01"/> However, with the rapid advancement of technology in recent years, these have fallen behind.  They consume an enormous amount of space, and use much more electricity than modern computers.  In many cases, they have since been replaced with the client-server architecture.<ref>"mainframe." Encyclopaedia Britannica. Britannica Academic. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2016. Web. 31 May. 2016. <http://0-academic.eb.com.www.consuls.org/EBchecked/topic/358715/mainframe>.</ref> However, mainframes (mainly the IBM System Z) are still used by a number of companies.  Although outdated, they are still powerful, durable, and reliable systems.  Some have been in fault-tolerant operation for at least forty years.<ref name="interview with DavidB4">Personal interview of an anonymous individual with [[User:DavidB4]]</ref><br />

Mainframes were the first kind of commercially used digital computers, and always used to be the fastest option.  They had the ability to process much more information at a faster rate than any other kind.<ref name="WorldBook01"/> However, with the rapid advancement of technology in recent years, these have fallen behind somewhat.  They consume an enormous amount of space, and use much more electricity than modern computers.  In many cases, they have since been replaced with the client-server architecture.<ref>"mainframe." Encyclopaedia Britannica. Britannica Academic. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2016. Web. 31 May. 2016. <http://0-academic.eb.com.www.consuls.org/EBchecked/topic/358715/mainframe>.</ref> However, mainframes (mainly the IBM System Z) are still used by a number of companies.  Although an older technology, they are still powerful, durable, and reliable systems.  Some have been in fault-tolerant operation for at least forty years.<ref name="interview with DavidB4">Personal interview of an anonymous individual with [[User:DavidB4]]</ref><br />

Manufacturers of mainframes included Burroughs, CDC, Univac, and IBM.  IBM mainframes were the most commonly used mainframes in the world.<br />

Manufacturers of mainframes included Burroughs, CDC, Univac, and IBM.  IBM mainframes were the most commonly used mainframes in the world, and are still being manufactured today.<br />

Most mainframes, including the IBM System Z, use the [[Cobol|COBOL]] language (short for COmmon Business-Oriented Language).  This is a very easy to understand programming language.  For example, a line of this code is, <code>MULTIPLY HOURLY-RATE BY TOTAL-HOURS GIVING TOTAL-PAY</code>.<ref>https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110121224151AAaIkmF</ref>  Although not used exclusively by mainframes, this is one of the main ways it is used.  In 2009, 70-75% of the world's business transactions and 90% of global financial transactions were processed by COBOL.<ref>https://cis.hfcc.edu/faq/cobol</ref>  In 2016, it was estimated that at least 60% of business systems still used it, much of which was running on mainframes.<ref name="interview with DavidB4"/> Although now an outdated technology, mainframes are still a vital part of many systems.<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/apr/09/cobol-internet-programming</ref><ref>http://www.mainframes.com/COBOL.html</ref><ref>http://www.eweek.com/servers/ibm-mainframe-keeps-major-chinese-bank-up-and-running</ref>

Most mainframes, including the IBM System Z, use the [[Cobol|COBOL]] language (short for COmmon Business-Oriented Language).  This is a very easy to understand programming language.  For example, a line of this code is, <code>MULTIPLY HOURLY-RATE BY TOTAL-HOURS GIVING TOTAL-PAY</code>.<ref>https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110121224151AAaIkmF</ref>  Although not used exclusively by mainframes, this is one of the main ways it is used.  In 2009, 70-75% of the world's business transactions and 90% of global financial transactions were processed by COBOL.<ref>https://cis.hfcc.edu/faq/cobol</ref>  In 2016, it was estimated that at least 60% of business systems still used it, much of which was running on mainframes.<ref name="interview with DavidB4"/> Although now an outdated technology, mainframes are still a vital part of many systems.<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/apr/09/cobol-internet-programming</ref><ref>http://www.mainframes.com/COBOL.html</ref><ref>http://www.eweek.com/servers/ibm-mainframe-keeps-major-chinese-bank-up-and-running</ref>

===Supercomputer===

===Supercomputer===

{{main|Supercomputer}}

{{main|Supercomputer}}

Supercomputers are the most powerful computers available, which have replaced mainframe computers.  These computers, which generally fill large rooms like mainframes, are generally used by government agencies and large corporations.  Since these computers are so expensive, they are reserved for important and complicated computations such as nuclear simulations and weather modeling.<ref name="Britannica">"Computer." Encyclopaedia Britannica. Britannica Academic. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2016. Web. 30 Apr. 2016. <http://0-academic.eb.com.www.consuls.org/EBchecked/topic/130429/computer>.</ref>  Quantum computers are also often considered supercomputers, due to their extensive capabilities (and size).

Supercomputers are the most powerful computers available, which have replaced mainframe computers.  These computers, which generally fill large rooms like mainframes, are generally used by government agencies and large corporations.  Since these computers are so expensive, they are reserved for important and complicated computations such as nuclear simulations and weather modeling.<ref name="Britannica">"Computer." Encyclopaedia Britannica. Britannica Academic. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2016. Web. 30 Apr. 2016. <http://0-academic.eb.com.www.consuls.org/EBchecked/topic/130429/computer>.</ref>  [[Quantum computer]]s are also often considered supercomputers, due to their extensive capabilities (and size).

===Minicomputer===

===Minicomputer===