Let's say you built a computer, where each bit of memory was one
electron, 8 bits to the byte, and 2**128 bytes of memory. According
to my calculation, just the electrons would weigh in at 2,733,522
tons. That's not going to be a pocket computer. A 256 bit address
space would start getting us in to planet sized computers, just like
in Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.
Bruce
On Oct 8, 2009, at 1:29 PM, Mark L. Gaubatz wrote:
Agreed. But remaining in a 2**n definition makes it easy. Some of us
have had real "fun" and challenges over the years. How about 36->32,
24->36, 24->18, decimal to 2**n and 2**n to decimal? Or having to
recreate some of the plug-board, 710, 1620 and 70x0 programs? To add
to the list of ponderings and ignoring other various issues, 2**128
bytes of storage in the original vacuum tube storage counters used
in the Mark I (ASCC) would require...
Mark
-----Original Message-----
From: Rick McGuire <[email protected]>
Reply-to: Open Object Rexx Developer Mailing List <[email protected]
>
To: Open Object Rexx Developer Mailing List <[email protected]
>
Subject: Re: [Oorexx-devel] Groan!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Date: Thu, 8 Oct 2009 15:37:57 -0400
About 8-9 years ago, I saw a presentation from Intel that claimed
memory requirements were growing at a rate of 1 1/2 bits of address
space per year. So the extra 32 bits of address space in 64-bits
would be enough for about 20 years. I'm not sure how far we were into
that memory cycle, but it is possible that processor developers are
looking ahead to 128-bit addressing. I've already been through 24-31,
8-16, 16-32, and 32-64 conversions in my career...what's one more :-)
Rick
On Thu, Oct 8, 2009 at 3:23 PM, Mike Cowlishaw <[email protected]> wrote:
>> I seriously wasn't expecting to see 128-bit processors in my
lifetime
>> (or at least before my retirement).
>
> Similarly, I was quite surprised when developing the IEEE decimal
formats
> to find that -- almost without exception -- everyone in the
industry has
> gone for the 128-bit format (34 digits). That length (quad) is
also now
> in the standard for binary, too (and of course is already in IBM
> processors, for both binary and decimal). So -- at least for
arithmetic
> -- 128-bit processors are here already.
>
> So maybe this is more about arithmetic sizes rather than address
space.
>
>> Just for the giggle factor, 2*128 bytes would require a stack of
punch
>> cards approximately 1.37x10**17 LIGHT YEARS tall!
>
> <chuckle> But it's the holes that matter ....
>
> Mike
>
>
>
>
>
> Unless stated otherwise above:
> IBM United Kingdom Limited - Registered in England and Wales with
number
> 741598.
> Registered office: PO Box 41, North Harbour, Portsmouth, Hampshire
PO6 3AU
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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