Wordmark (computer hardware)
Encyclopedia
In computer hardware, a wordmark is a bit in each memory location on some variable word length computers (e.g., IBM 1401
, IBM 1620
) used to mark the end of a word. Sometimes the actual bit used as a wordmark on a given machine is not called wordmark, but has a different name (e.g., flag on the IBM 1620, because on this machine it is multipurpose).
IBM 1401
The IBM 1401 was a variable wordlength decimal computer that was announced by IBM on October 5, 1959. The first member of the highly successful IBM 1400 series, it was aimed at replacing electromechanical unit record equipment for processing data stored on punched cards...
, IBM 1620
IBM 1620
The IBM 1620 was announced by IBM on October 21, 1959, and marketed as an inexpensive "scientific computer". After a total production of about two thousand machines, it was withdrawn on November 19, 1970...
) used to mark the end of a word. Sometimes the actual bit used as a wordmark on a given machine is not called wordmark, but has a different name (e.g., flag on the IBM 1620, because on this machine it is multipurpose).