Abstract
This chapter presents a summary of the panel discussion that took place at the workshop on algorithmically specialized computer organizations. The panel discussion was centered on whether general purpose means good for nothing. The chapter also presents a more philosophical perspective on some of the issues and questions that remain to be addressed in the field. Much of the discussion that followed centered on the distinctions between general and special purpose systems. In an attempt to distinguish between special and general purpose systems, parameters such as programmability, flexibility, marketability, performance, and general applicability all seemed relevant to some extent. In the discussion, it was pointed out that there are as yet no criteria with which a majority of the participants could agree that categorize machines as special purpose versus general purpose.
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