Final answer:
Mainframe systems are powerful computers known for their ability to handle multiple users, reliability, substantial processing power, vast storage, and robust security measures. They have a significant role in enterprise-level computing despite the evolution of technology and competition from smaller systems.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mainframe systems are a type of large and powerful computer systems designed for large-scale computation and data processing tasks. Historically, these systems required complex data management systems, as seen in the earlier use by the U.S. Census Bureau for rapid processing of census data on microfilm. Over time, mainframes have evolved but they retain certain core features. These features generally include:
- The ability to support simultaneous usage by many users, often through the use of time-sharing systems.
- High levels of reliability and stability, with architecture built for fault tolerance and error recovery.
- Substantial processing power capable of handling large-scale processes and an immense volume of transactions.
- Vast storage capabilities to house extensive databases and transaction records.
- Robust security measures to protect sensitive data processed and stored on these systems.
While mainframe technology has faced competition from minicomputers and later personal computers, it still plays a crucial role in enterprise-level computing. IBM was a major player in the field, historically controlling a significant market share with its mainframe solutions. However, the landscape of computing expanded with the introduction of smaller scale systems that were more accessible to the general public and businesses.
Today's mainframes are incredibly sophisticated and can perform complex tasks like those handled by NASA's supercomputers, such as tracking the motion of over a million objects. Nonetheless, the legacy of early computing and the competition between open and commercial software still influence the technologies and networks we use today.