[comp.unix.wizards] last word

bob@Iago.Caltech.EDU (Robert S. Logan) (07/30/87)

Really re: why the lgp30 had 31 bits.

From: Maintenance Manual for the Royal Precision Electronic Computer

	In the case of a word used only for storage of data to be
	operated on, one bit indicates the algebraic sign, 30 bits
	the magnitude, and one bit a spacer bit for engineering
	reasons.

On the head switching matrix schematic it is called the 'goof bit'!
--
Robert S. Logan
Campus Computing Organization, 158-79 Caltech, Pasadena, CA, 91125
818-356-4631
rslogan@caltech.bitnet
bob@iago.caltech.edu
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