60-bit computing
| Computer architecture bit widths |
|---|
| Bit |
| Application |
| Binary floating-point precision |
| Decimal floating-point precision |
In computer architecture, 60-bit integers, memory addresses, or other data units are those that are 60 bits wide. Also, 60-bit central processing unit (CPU) and arithmetic logic unit (ALU) architectures are those that are based on registers, address buses, or data buses of that size.
Examples
Computers designed with 60-bit words are quite rare with Control Data Corporation (CDC) being perhaps the only manufacturer to use this size. Examples include the CDC 6000 series,[1] the CDC 7600, and the CDC Cyber 70 and 170 series.[2]
Early design documents for the IBM 7030 Stretch tentatively specified its word length as 60 bits; the final design used 64.[3]
Emulator
Museum examples of 60-bit CDC machines exist. There also exists an emulator for the series which will simulate the CDC 60-bit machines on commodity hardware and operating systems.[2]
References
- ^ "CDC 6000 Hardware". 60bits.net. Central Memory. Archived from the original on 28 February 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
- ^ a b "Welcome to cray-cyber.org - home of Cray Research and CDC computer". Desktop Cyber. Archived from the original on 28 February 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
- ^ Werner Buchholz, "Memory Word Length", STRETCH Memo no. 40, July 31, 1956, archived at the Computer History Museum