問59
頻出度★☆☆
メインフレームとも呼ばれる汎用コンピュータの説明として, 適切なものはどれか。
平成26年度 春期 ITパスポート試験 問59
This question's explanation and your answers so far.
解説
問 59
Incorrectア
“An ultra-small computer that integrates the CPU, main memory, interface circuits, and so on into a single chip” describes a microcomputer (single-chip microcontroller). It refers to the central component of embedded systems built into home appliances, cars, industrial equipment, and the like. It is the exact opposite of a mainframe, which is large in scale and handles core business operations, both in size and in purpose.
- イ
正解 The correct answer is イ. A mainframe (general-purpose computer) is a large-scale computer that supports core business operations such as accounting systems and sales management in enterprises, government offices, financial institutions, and so on. As its name suggests, general-purpose means that its use is not limited to one area: it can handle a wide range of work, from data processing such as payroll calculation and voucher processing (batch processing and transaction processing of large volumes of data) all the way to scientific and technical computation, and this is its greatest characteristic. Choice イ says exactly that it is “a large-scale computer used in enterprises and similar organizations, mainly for core business operations and across a wide range of uses from data processing to technical computation”, which matches this definition exactly, with nothing missing and nothing extra. In addition, keep in mind that because a mainframe is required to keep running 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, it is designed with emphasis on high reliability, availability, and serviceability (RASIS) and on the performance needed to process large volumes of data, and it is operated over a long period with a dedicated OS.
Incorrectウ
“The server side manages the resources, and the client has only minimal functions such as input and display” describes a thin client. This term refers to the form of the terminal side in a client/server system, and it is used in the context of preventing information leaks and reducing operation and management costs. It is not the mainframe itself but the terminal side that uses such a system, so it is incorrect.
Incorrectエ
“It fits in the palm of the hand and provides functions such as schedule management, an address book, and e-mail” describes a PDA (portable information terminal). It is a small personal terminal that an individual carries and uses, and it belongs to a completely different category from a mainframe, which is a large-scale computer that centrally processes the core business operations of an enterprise.
ここがポイント
- General-purpose computer (mainframe) = a large-scale computer that handles the core business operations of an enterprise. The core of the definition is its general-purpose nature, meaning its use is not limited to one area and it covers everything from data processing to technical computation, together with high reliability, high availability, and the ability to process large volumes of data.
- Organize the classification of computers by scale and purpose: supercomputer (specialized in scientific and technical computation) / general-purpose computer, mainframe (a large machine for core business operations) / server, PC / microcomputer (single-chip microcontroller, for embedded use) / thin client (a dedicated terminal with limited functions) / PDA, portable information terminal.
用語