VDict mobile



jargon In computer folklore, an ill-defined period from
ENIAC (ca. 1943) to the mid-1950s; the great age of
electromechanical dinosaurs. Sometimes used for the entire
period up to 1960-61 (see Iron Age); however, it is more
descriptive to characterise the latter period in terms of a
"Bronze Age" era of transistor-logic, pre-ferrite corememory machines with drum or CRT mass storage (as opposed
to just mercury delay lines and/or relays).
More generally, the term is used pejoratively for ancient
hardware or software, even by survivors from the Stone Age.
(2003-09-27)