The Heart of the System—and of the Problem

Abstract

The functional characteristics are chief issues around which revolve definition, distinctions, and discussions of LANs, multitasking, multiuser systems, office automation, and other allegedly different approaches to automation of and by integrated computer systems. If confusion arises, it is due in no little part to the difficulties in grasping the implications and differences among such designations as central computers, host computers, nodes, work stations, and terminals, or among such functional terms as multi-user, multitasking, multiprogramming, and multiprocessing. But the differences lie more in the area of semantics than in functional realities—than in real capabilities, to be blunt. However, since the familiar ailment of words meaning what the user wants them to mean plagues all elements of the computer industry, it is difficult to be guided even by semantic implications. (Nor should we overlook that unfortunate but well-known reluctance of the computer industry to ever agree on a single set of standards, let alone definitions.) Suffice it for the moment to recognize that at the heart of any system of integrated work stations is, on the one hand, what we might call the command element, that element that is charged with control, coordination, and integration of communication channels and functions among the several users.