The SWAC-Design Features and Operating Experience

The SWAC is an ultra-high-speed digital computer utilizing a Williams tube memory, an auxiliary magnetic drum memory and a punched card input-output system. A general description of the functional organization of the computer is given together with a brief discussion of the various commands and how they are executed. Some of the special engineering features of the computer are described, in particular those relating to the electrostatic and magnetic drum memories. Finally a short survey of the types of problems solved by the computer during the last year is presented.