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From: panek@hp-and.HP.COM (Jon Panek)
Newsgroups: comp.arch
Subject: Re: Learning envirorment for CS/EE undergrads in Organization
Message-ID: <6960001@hp-and.HP.COM>
Date: 10 Nov 89 17:21:57 GMT
References: <13178@s.ms.uky.edu>
Organization: HP Andover Division (Massachusetts)
Lines: 18

I would point out that the PC environment is very different from an
IBM 370 environment.  The multi-tasking, large OS, varied I/O and huge
disk space of the 370, not to mention security issues are simply not
present to the same degree in a PC.

If the students are *learning* assemblers, then the PC environment is
certainly more friendly.  The learning task would be much simpler.  If,
on the other hand, the point is to expose the students to a complex,
real-world computer SYSTEM, then the 370 is a better foundation (albeit
slightly out-of-date).  Even if they're still learning assemblers, the
job of transferring their knowledge from a complex machine to a simple
one is much easier than the other way around.

There are advantages to each approach.

Jon Panek
Hewlett-Packard, Andover, MA
panek@hp-and.HP.COM