Introduction and overview of the multics system

ABSTRACT

Multics (Multiplexed Information and Computing Service) is a comprehensive, general-purpose programming system which is being developed as a research project. The initial Multics system will be implemented on the GE 645 computer. One of the overall design goals is to create a computing system which is capable of meeting almost all of the present and near-future requirements of a large computer utility. Such systems must run continuously and reliably 7 days a week, 24 hours a day in a way similar to telephone or power systems, and must be capable of meeting wide service demands: from multiple man-machine interaction to the sequential processing of absentee-user jobs; from the use of the system with dedicated languages and subsystems to the programming of the system itself; and from centralized bulk card, tape, and printer facilities to remotely located terminals. Such information processing and communication systems are believed to be essential for the future growth of computer use in business, in industry, in government and in scientific laboratories as well as stimulating applications which would be otherwise undone.

References

1. E. L. Glaser, J. F. Couleur and G. A. Oliver, "System Design for a Computer for Time-Sharing Application," this volume.
2. V. A. Vyssotsky, F. J. Corbató and R. M. Graham, "Structure of the Multics Supervisor," this volume.
3. R. C. Daley and P. G. Neumann, "A General Purpose File System for Secondary Storage," this volume.
4. J. F. Ossanna, L. E. Mikus and S. D. Dunten, "Communications and Input/Output Switching in a Multiplex Computing System," this volume.
5. E. E. David, Jr., and R. M. Fano, "Some Thoughts About the Social Implications of Accessible Computing," this volume.
6. "IBM Operating System/360, PL/I: Language Specifications," File No. S360-29, Form C28-6571-1, I.B.M. Corp.
7. C. Strachey, "Time Sharing in Large Fast Computers," Proceedings of the International Conference on Information Processing, UNESCO, June 1959, paper B. 2. 19.
8. J. C. R. Licklider, "Man-Computer Symbiosis," IRE Transactions on Human Factors in Electronics, vol. HFE-1, no. 1, pp. 4--11 (Mar. 1960).
9. J. McCarthy, "Time-Sharing Computer Systems," Management and the Computer of the Future (M. Greenberger, ed.), M.I.T. Press, Cambridge, Mass, 1962, pp. 221--236.
10. F. J. Corbató, M. M. Daggett and R. C. Daley, "An Experimental Time-Sharing System," Proceedings of the Spring Joint Computer Conference, 21, Spartan Books, Baltimore, 1962, pp. 335--344.
11. F. J. Corbató et al, The Compatible Time-Sharing System: A Programmer's Guide, 1st ed., M.I.T. Press, Cambridge, Mass., 1963.
12. J. Schwartz, A General Purpose Time-Sharing System, Proceedings of the Spring Joint Computer Conference, 25, Spartan Books, Washington, D.C., 1964, pp. 397--411.
13. J. B. Dennis, "A Multiuser Computation Facility for Education and Research," Comm. ACM, vol. 7, pp. 521--529 (Sept. 1964).
14. S. Boilen et al, "A Time-Sharing Debugging System for a Small Computer," Proceedings of the Spring Joint Computer Conference, 23, Spartan Books, Baltimore, 1963, pp. 51--58.
15. H. A. Kinslow, "The Time-Sharing Monitor System," Proceedings of the Fall Joint Computer Conference, 26, Spartan Books, Washington, D.C., 1964, pp. 443--454.
16. "The Dartmouth Time-Sharing System," Computation Center, Dartmouth College, Oct. 19, 1964.
17. "PDP-6 Time-Sharing Software," Form F-61B, Digital Equipment Corp., Maynard, Mass.
18. W. W. Lichtenberger and M. W. Pirtle, "A Facility for Experimentation in Man-Machine Interaction," this volume.
19. G. J. Culler and R. W. Huff, "Solution of Nonlinear Integral Equations Using On-line Computer Control," Proceedings of the Spring Joint Computer Conference, 21, Spartan Books, Baltimore, 1962, pp. 129--138.
20. G. J. Culler and B. D. Fried, "The TRW Two-Station, On-Line Scientific Computer: General Description," Computer Augmentation of Human Reasoning, Washington, D. C, June 1964, Spartan Books, Washington, D.C., 1965.
21. "Carnegie Institute of Technology Computation Center User's Manual."
22. J. C. Shaw, "JOSS: A Designer's View of an Experimental On-Line Computing System," Proceedings of the Fall Joint Computer Conference, 26, Spartan Books, Washington, D.C., 1964, pp. 455--464.
23. T. M. Dunn and J. H. Morrissey, "Remote Computing--An Experimental System," Part 1; J. M. Keller, E. C. Strum and G. H. Yang, Part 2, Proceedings of the Spring Joint Computer Conference, 25, Spartan Books, Washington, D.C., 1964, pp. 413--443.
24. J. I. Schwartz, "Observations on Time-Shared Systems," ACM Proceedings of the 20th National Conference, p. 525 (1965).
25. "Time-Sharing System Scorecard, No. 1 (Spring 1965)," Computer Research Corp., 747 Pleasant St., Belmont, Mass.
26. R. M. Fano, "The MAC System: The Computer Utility Approach," IEEE Spectrum, vol. 2, pp. 56--64 (Jan. 1965).
27. P. M. Morse, "Computers and Electronic Data Processing," Industrial Research, vol. 6, no. 6, p. 62 (June 1964).
28. T. Kilburn, "One-Level Storage System," IRE Transactions on Electronic Computers, vol. EC-ll, no. 2 (Apr. 1962).
29. A. W. Holt, "Program Organization and Record Keeping for Dynamic Storage Allocation," Comm. ACM, vol. 4, pp. 422--431 (Oct. 1961).
30. J. B. Dennis, "Program Structure in a Multi-Access Computer," Tech. Rep. No. MAC-TR-11, Project MAC, M.I.T., Cambridge, Mass. (1964).
31. J. B. Dennis, "Segmentation and the Design of Multiprogrammed Computer Systems," IEEE International Convention Record, Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, New York, 1965, Part 3, pp. 214--225.
32. J. B. Dennis and E. L. Glaser, "The Structure of On-Line Information Processing Systems," Information Systems Sciences: Proceedings of the Second Congress, Spartan Books, Washington, D.C., 1965, pp. 1--11.
33. J. W. Forgie, "A Time- and Memory-Sharing Executive Program for Quick-Response On-Line Applications," this volume.
34. M. N. Greenfield, "Fact Segmentation," Proceedings of the Spring Joint Computer Conference, 21, Spartan Books, Baltimore, 1962, pp. 307--315.
35. "The Descriptor," Burroughs Corp., 1961.
36. "Univ. of Mich. Orders IBM Sharing System," EDP Weekly, vol. 6, no. 5, p. 9 (May 24, 1965).
37. B. W. Arden et al, "Program and Addressing Structure in a Time-Sharing Environment" (submitted for publication).
38. Computing Report for the Scientist and Engineer, Data Processing Division, I.B.M. Corp., vol. 1, no. 1, p. 8 (May 1965).
39. W. T. Comfort, "A Computing System Design for User Service," this volume.
40. "Proposed Revised American Standard Code for Information Interchange," Comm. ACM, vol. 8, no. 4, pp. 207--214 (Apr. 1965).
41. P. A. Crisman, ed., The Compatible Time-Sharing System: A Programmer's Guide, 2nd ed., M.I.T. Press, Cambridge, Mass., 1965.