Present and Future State-of-the-Art in Computer Memories

This paper presents a survey of the present state-of-the-art and anticipated future developments in read/write internal memories and on-line auxiliary memories. Functional uses of storage are discussed and advanced memory technologies are categorized by their applicability to each functional level in the storage hierarchy. Eight types of advanced solid-state memories are discussed briefly. Characteristics anticipated for these memories by 1970 in high speed control and scratch-pad memory, main internal memory, and solid-state on-line auxiliary storage applications are compared. Characteristics anticipated by 1970 for seven types of electromechanical auxiliary storage are also compared. The system implications of advanced memory technologies are considered from the standpoints of machine organization, programming, system organization, and computer users. Problems in the selection, utilization, and application of advanced memory capabilities are identified. The major contenders in each functional category for future memory systems are listed.