panek@hp-and.HP.COM (Jon Panek) (11/11/89)
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to expose the students to a complex, real-world computer SYSTEM, then the 370 is a better foundation (albeit slightly out-of-date).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