< computer > An IBM minicomputer for small business and departmental users, released in 1988 and still in production in October 1998.
Features include a menu-driven interface, multi-user support, terminals that are (in the grand IBM tradition) incompatible with anything else including the IBM 3270 series, and an extensive library-based operating system .
The machine survives because its API layer allows the operating system and application programs to take advantage of advances in hardware without recompilation and which means that a complete system that costs $9000 runs the exact same operating system and software as a $2 million system. There is a 64-bit RISC processor operating system implementation.
Programming languages include RPG , assembly language , C , COBOL , SQL , BASIC , and REXX . Several CASE tools are available: Synon , AS/SET , Lansa .
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(1999-07-26)