mainframe computer

Definition

Largest data processing system employed in controlling very complex industrial processes, crunching extremely large numbers at extremely high speeds, storing massive amounts of data, generating life-like animation, processing millions of real-time transactions, and serving thousands of simultaneous users. Mainframes use proprietary operating systems, most of which are based on unix, and a growing number on Linux. Over the years they have evolved from hall-sized dinosaurs to fully IP-networked machines that are extremely competitive and cost effective platforms for e-commerce development and hosting. According to a year 2002 estimate “70 percent of the world's data is on the mainframes, and 85 percent of all business transactions are still processed on mainframes.”