SELECTION AND ACQUISITION OF IBM 7090 COMPUTER

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84-00780R000200010039-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 13
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 18, 2006
• Sequence Number: 39
• Publication Date: April 10, 1963
• Content Type: MF

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IT
10 April 1963
RAM" FOR: Deputy Director, Support
SUEJECT : Selection and Acquisition of IBM 7090 Computer
This paper is in three parts ;
Part I - Reasons for Selecting the IBM 7090 Computer
Part II - CIA Tasks for the IBM 7090 Computer
Part III - Imidiate Steps to Procure and Install an IBM
7090 by July 1963
Part I - Reasons for Selecting the IBM 7490 Computer for
CIA's Scientific Cc utir Requirements
r
I.
Many of the Agency's scientific computing applications may
be characterized as follows :
large-scale
tight real-time constraints
short deadlines
relate to external computing activities
involve advanced levels of decision theory.
/
ORI/CDF
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The most i diete of the Agency's scientific computing
support needs are those of the DD/R. The DD/R has requested an
initial operational capability of August 1963. To achieve a
scientific computing production capability within the next few
months, it is necessary to choose an appropriately configured
computer with large proven reliability, a computer already pro-
gramed by a large number of scientists/mathematicians, and,
most important of all, a computer having extensive software in
the fields most significant to the Agency. The IBM 7090 meets
these specifications in far fuller measure than any other
machine on the market.
II. Hardware Considerations
A. Mininnu` specifications (with some possible trade-offs)
should he as follows :
1. Arithmetic rather than character type.
Minimum add time of 10 microseconds.
3. Minimum. of 25k word memory. (Leas memory throws many
matrix programs onto auxiliary storage, thus blowing
process time.)
(Most of the externally-generated source
data which CIA will use in its various
scientific computing applications will
have been generated on 36-bit word ms.-
chines, If CIA processes these data on
other than 36-bit word equipment, dis-
crepancies will occur between CIA results
and the results obtained on the original
36-bit word equipment.)
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Indirect addressing (real-time consideration).
5. Floating point.
6. Tape transmission speed of at least 50,000 characters
per second. (Real-time considerations might raise this
to 100-300 numerics per second.)
Several large-scale computers (not to count such ver r
large-scale machines as STRETCH, LARC, and CDC-6600) meet
the above specifications; e.g., Burroughs-B5000, CDC-1604,
M H-1800, IPM-W44, PIIILCO-2000, UNIVAC-1107, CDC-3600 and
IBM 7090/94
Reliability
The basic engineering of 1962-63 models of the above
computern probably is top level. However, in an operational
environment the reliability of a computer system will also
be determined by (1) the compatibility of the central pro-
eesser with its on-line peripheral gear, (2) the extent to
which the reliability of all component parts has been proven
through extensive and varied usage, and (3) experience and
competence of the maintenance engineers.
(1) The IBM 7090 system contains only IBM peripheral
equipment. Thus, maxi compatibility is assured.
(2) The IBM 7090 alone s does about 60% of all scienti-
fic computing in the world and consequently is by
far the most thrroughly checked out scientific
computer available.
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(3)
(This is a particularly important consideration
when an early operational capability is required.
other less seasoned computers, although having
features perhaps indicative of the next computer
generation--such as, the Burroughs B5000 with its
list,, stack, and Polish notation features--art not
acceptable an initial computers in a "crash"
environment. Such machines should be analyzed
carefully for possible subsequent incorporation,
however., into an operating center.)
As for maintenance, there are more experienced main-
tenance engineers for the IBM 7090 than for any other
seachine. Also, the earlier workhorse for scienti-
fic computing, the IBM 704, is basically an IPM 7090
prototype. Thus, not only do more trained engi-
neers exist, but the average scientific computer
experience level per IBM 7090 engineer is greater.
C. Special Hardware Considerations for CIA
The IBM 7090 is an excellent data processor and is an
ideal complement to the IBM 1410 which is now servic-
Ing may CIA. computing requirements. The IBM - 090 can run
IBM 1410 programs through an available simulator W35!ROTJT
B FR?GRAN , and can share the SAME 01301 disc file.
(Solving of real-time problems within predicted future con-
straints may well depend on such sharing to provide manipu-
lation of pre-computed tables.)
T
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Software C2ns i.derattone
Software may be divided into four categories : (A) Systems
Program, (B) Manufacturer's Library, (c) Users' Libraries,
and (D) Customer's Library.
As for systems program, the IBM 7090 has the most sophie-
ticated and thoroughly debugged programs of any large computer
in the world. In the other three software categories, ISM 70g0-
type programs comprise about of all available scientific
software in the free world. Yeray hundreds of man-years of pro-
gramming effort are available to the Agency if an IBM 7090 is
acquired, And the machine costs for debugging and testing these
programs can be considered equivalent to the labor coats. Thus,
the IBM 7090 gives the Agency free access to millions of dollars
of s oftware . --In short, the software resources of the IBM 7090
are so great relative to comparable emehines as to overwhelm any
and all other considerations, given the nature of the Agency's
needs, present and anticipated.
Most scientific programming in the U. S. is done in some
version of FORTRAN (sometii ss intermixed with symbolic mchine
code) which is the most used algebraic compiler language for
the IBM 7090. Most unbiased students of machine scientific com-
piler languages consider FORTRAN somewhat inferior to AIZOL or
AILQL-type languages such as MELIAC, JOVIAL, MAD, etc. Academic
circles commonly use ALL#OL as the standard form of algebraic
expression and communication. Yet when they actually run their
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Problem on the machine, they use MMRM. Thus, do facto,
MM!W as used on the IBM 7090 =a be accepted as the scienti-
fic n-machine language standard, at least for the immediate
and intermediate future.
A. 8ysteg Fr2paps
To reiterate, the IBM 7090 System Program posture is
without con,are. These program are too numerous to list.
One excels ; the IBSYS Executive Processor monitors debug-
ging and production and l supplies all utility programs
J RTPAA IV, COBOL,, and 9PAC (Report Generator which sorts
before generating) are included in the IBSYS package.
B. Msfuctuxeer es Library
The 8IM library contains approxin*tely 1200 program
(tr*inly scientific) which will run on an IBM 7090. Most of
these require modification to run on other machines.
C. Other 43 s 'Libraries
1. NSA has the largest library of stream processing pro-
gr in the U. S., most of which are for the IBM 7090.
Subroutines and techniques from this library are avail-
ablee and will be used in the Agency. Also, NSA has
automatic ELM processing program for the 7090 which
can be used in support of OEL, M /R.
use to I. CIA also has extensive intelligence files
SA has 7090 trajectory analysis programs of possible
h are created, maintained, and retrioved by Togo
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NASA, STL, NORAD, and SAC have 7090 programs of present
use or possible future use to 081 and to other Agency
components.
eas s ing , The 7090 version has had extens ijre use.
(used on IBM 70 /709/70 0) which is used for
string processing and symbol manipulation.
probably the most powerful existing compiler for re-
search in machine translation of natural lanes (of
interest toll
6.
7. Naval Electronics Tab (DEL) has written LIAC, which is
a self-compiler and fast. This language and its trans-
lator, accepted only in limited circles, has had two
years of shakedown on the 7090. NMTAC, while no great
improvement over older lam set, incorporates some
advanced features and will probably be used more exten-
sively in research environments in the near future. Pew
if any, machines other than the IBM 7090 can be consid-
Bred to have seasoned production reliability in this
language.
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W (Air Yorce Weather Central, Omha) has a vast
collection of DM 7090 prpgrww which concern orbital,
trajectory, and geographic-space analysis. Some of these
program will produce answers for the Agency and In =L y
cases, modifications or extractions will give adequate
Initial answers.
has programs similar to WW n (plus extensive
tracking programs) which feed data auto aticaa.l ly into
an IBM 7090. Since =at of these programs were written
under U. S. Government contract, they are presumed avail-
able to the Agency.
D. Customer's Libr CIA
1. OSI/i /I - External contractors are using 709/7090 pro-
gram in support of 05I' 5 scientific interests. Pro-
gram written in Project
for 08I have been written
for the 1410 and the 709/7090 (all of which can be run
on the 7090 without change).
2. Col /DD/B - A,DPS has Just completed. 74 hours of pro-
duetion runs on a 7090 at NSA for CQMI"d3's radio propa-
gation J ob . This tank will require henceforth two hours
of 7090 time weekly. The 7090 Program for this applica-
tion are on hand, of course. Other identified CONM
Problem not yet progrua d will borrt r heavily from
the 7090 subroutine library at XBA.
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DD/P ? The programs for a special DD/P application are
nay being written in FO1 RAN-II...which is compatible
with the IBM 7090.
4. DD/R - All programs existing outside the Agency but
being studied now for the DD/R applications can be run
he IBM 7090. (They have been written in either
F=RAM or 7090 vachine code.) All DD/R Prograims con-
25X1 vented b to the IBM 1410 are written in Ft?R1'RAN
an will also run on the IBM 7090.
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- aft for the tear
ects have been identified to te:
Operutieanal support to M. (Seespecial ObSOUe18
*eaeo an Zr t the /R to the M/0.9 dtd 4 AVril
1963, aitiug critical Heed for 7090 support to this
ftvmt.
(2) Xcperi station with gem l-purpose conputer proces-
?i of data for r using pw*4pmm developed
at W.
principal require :t vithin the /I for 709o support.
was to set up in-rouse Ceamputing capabilities to
back on produr-tim-type a puting now being done under
cu is and (b) provide more ima3ediate and flexible
wqn=rt to 001 atia3,ysts.
The W or areas of /r interest are a
There are four 7090-type areas of interest presently identified
in t /s
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(1) i'redicti.vns of Useful Radio Frequencies (0000)
ftdia PMWtim Graphs and Charts
$up orted)
suitable l gtenoies (c)
(3) Cryptographic bipport (cm4W)
ring support to COW Isboratary
IV. w
3ftvjeat Il i.e being programed to er external contract in
IAW%OMPM .,
ern #[ 7090. . Although a eau scientific
ill be used during the laboratory devel nt of Project
er teQU414tea and proeed a have been,
net.
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rte st to rcure !Ed PWtaU
25X1
?
Almeni 44d Ant =" ixat ioa
Agency nt must approve priority acquisition of an iJ
7090 and authorize AID to place a priority order with the
Corporation now.
Order
A Must determine suitable bad coufiguratjc. and place a
fob order with Ii[ for priority delivery in July 1963. 2 he
James pres tative has indicated that the Corporation
*M deliver a TM to CIA in July 1963 order is placed
xi ME, by .30 ^ itriii9l.
ovex'ationally Interdependent /ally excepted)
A suitable site in the headquarters Building for the cputer
Owter must be designated. This house the 7090, the
l0/1 01, and tae i ec a ers. These machines
Computer rcxu
Tape Library
lies
5,750 sq. ft.
700
400
t ations ersonne2, 600
Key Punch FJon 1,2DO
131 Service &igineers Room ICA
___ _
9,000 sq. ft.
The present Computer center (11lO/l401) nov occupies Eoams
X418, 18A, and =D4 30A.. totaling 2700 square feet.
The site for the meter Center must be designated by W&
so that site prep rat n (false floors, power, air duiing
can be aopleted in Jay 1963.
Peel
B use the A I f can draw on ski3ls already an board to staff
in per for this major extension of CIA cOputing capabilities, only
twenty-five additional ceiling positions will be required.
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MMIN"ut $$kill$ will be dram (rasa on-baerd waLU.)
Programers go
IBi 7090 Operators -4 ' couing Vositions
w ,y'sis, ar ditia l p 3 aa#~ting
data mration acrd
ftsids Mist be eked for this acquiaeition as fol3gr4ss
TM ? . r r
site Preparati+
Perscaaa r . . . . . . . . . 225,000
(23 0$9, )
100,0 0
AME3W ? ,
f on
Xuste3.x it in ter Center of the IM 7090, and
~tien of 14.0/1401. (already in HODAquarters
DA11ding) should be .eted in July 1963.
Reoz ;itMeut 8t;s3 _ in rr
A will cantiaue its recr ui nt and training of skills
reed for scientific wing cm the IN 7090.
,3-
i 4 T",000
? i r 50,000
sift 75,000
vhw
tcmatic beta Prooessing staff
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