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CS Professional · Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics and Cyber Security - Laws and Practice · Computer Hardware and Software

A bank's data centre in Mumbai runs a large, highly reliable machine that handles thousands of concurrent users and millions of transactions per day, with strong emphasis on throughput, security and uptime. Which computer type is this, and which feature best distinguishes it from a minicomputer?

The machine is a mainframe. It handles very large volumes of transactions and thousands of simultaneous users with high reliability and security, which sets it apart from a minicomputer that supports fewer users at lower throughput. Supercomputers focus on scientific calculation instead.

  1. AMainframe; far greater transaction throughput and number of simultaneous users supportedCorrect
  2. BMicrocomputer; it uses a single-user operating system
  3. CSupercomputer; it is optimised for floating-point scientific calculations only
  4. DEmbedded computer; it is built into a single appliance

Explanation

Large-scale transaction processing with thousands of concurrent users and high reliability is the hallmark of a mainframe. A minicomputer supports far fewer users and lower throughput. A supercomputer targets scientific computation rather than transaction volume, so it is wrong here.

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