3 ms·

The distinctions between volatile and non-volatile memory weren't always so distinct! "Another interesting property of core was that it is a non-volatile syste

The distinctions between volatile and non-volatile memory weren't always so distinct! "Another interesting property of core was that it is a non-volatile system, unlike most of its predecessors. The magnetic field in each ferrite bead is quite durable, and unless the core system is exposed to a strong magnetic source, the state of the memory should last almost indefinitely, even with no power. That means that all those old computers in storage somewhere, in museums, in landfills or wherever they may be, likely still contain the last program they ever ran. And If you could find a way to power one on, that code could actually run again. Spooky."

JoeAltmaier 5y ago
Not really. I had a core plane in a desk drawer for years. Each time I got it out to show someone, bits of core would shake out onto the floor. See, the little ceramic cores decay over time and fall apart. By now (if I hadn't gotten rid of it) it would have no cores left. Literally, 'bitrot'.
gumby 5y ago
When the power went out in Cambridge (MA) the computers in tech square would all crash. But when the power returned the old KA-10s would continue. The only semiconductor memory was the machine registers (in DTL, not TTL, logic). So the program running at the time would crash, but unless the machine was in the monitor (kernel in today’s parlance) everything else could continue just fine.