burroughs 205 User manual

HANDBOOK
OF
Bulletin 3034-A
Revised June, ~ 960
OPERATING PROCEDURES
FOR THE
BURROUGHS
ELECTRONIC DATA-PROCESSING SYSTEMS
Burroughs Corporation
DETR 0 IT, MICHIGAN

Section
1
1-1
1-3
1-5
1-8
1-11
1-14
1-18
1-21
1-24
2
2-1
2-3
2-6
2-9
2-19
2-21
2-26
2-32
2-42
2-43
2-45
2-47
2-52
2-53
2-60
3
3-1
3-4
3-5
3-7
3-9
3-11
3-13
3-18
3-21
3-26
3-31
3-33
3-38
3-39
3-42
3-47
4
4-1
4-3
4-4
4-8
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title
INTRODUCTION
General .................................................................. .
Description ............................................................... .
The Computer .......................................................... .
The Control Console ..................................................... .
Supervisory Printer ..................................................... .
Paper-Tape System ...................................................... .
Punched-Card System .................................................... .
Magnetic-Tape System ................................................... .
Scol?e of Handbook ........................................................ .
THE COMPUTER
General .................................................................. .
Supervisory Control Panel .................................................. .
DC On-Off Indicator and Buttons .......................................... .
Register Displays .. · ...................................................... .
Clear Push Button ....................................................... .
Timing Toggle .......................................................... .
Operation Controls ...................................................... .
Computer-Stop Indicators and Controls ..................................... .
Sub-Maintenance Control Panel .............................................. .
General ................................................................ .
D-to-C Push Button ...................................................... .
Ignore-Sign-Column Switch ............................................... .
Operating Procedures ...................................................... .
Manual Operation ....................................................... .
Continuous Operation .................................................... .
CONTROL .CONSOLE ..................................................... .
General .................................................................. .
Control Panel ............................................................ .
General ................................................................ .
Register Displays ........................................................ .
Clear Push Button ....................................................... .
Timing-Toggle Indicators ................................................. .
Operation Controls and Indicators .......................................... .
Breakpoint Controls ..................................................... .
Input Selector .......................................................... .
Output Selector ......................................................... .
P. 0. Suppress .......................................................... .
Computer-Stop Indicators and Control ...................................... .
Decimal Keyboard ......................................................... .
Characteristics .......................................................... .
Operation .................. · ............................................ .
Consolette ................................................................ .
PHOTOELECTRIC READER AND HIGH-SPEED PAPER-TAPE PUNCH ........ .
General .................................................................. .
Photoelectric Reader ....................................................... .
Characteristics .......................................................... .
Mounting the Loop Adapter ............................................... .
Page
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-2
1-2
1-2
2-1
2-1
2-1
2-1
2-1
2-4
2-4
2-4
2-4
2-6
2-6
2-6
2-6
2-6
2-6
2-7
3-1
3-1
3-1
3-1
3-1
3-1
3-1
3-1
3-1
3-2
3-2
3-3
3-3
3-3
3-3
3-4
3-4
4-1
4-1
4-1
4-1
4-1

Section
ii
4-12
4-16
4-18
4-20
4-21
4-23
5
5-1
5-2
5-5
5-15
5-17
5-18
5-21
5-32
5-37
5-38
5-40
5-42
6
6-1
6-3
6-4
6·16
6-21
6-24
6-27
6-29
6-30
6-34
6-39
6-41
6-42
6-44
6-49
6-52
6-53
6-55
6-57
7
7-1
7-2
7-6
7-10
7-14
7-15
7-26
7-35
7-47
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Cont)
Title Page
Mounting the Reel Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Reading Paper Tape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Rewinding Paper Tape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
High-Speed Paper-Tape Punch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Loading Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4
SUPERVISORY PRINTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Flexowriter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Keyboard and Controls, Standard Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Keyboard and Controls, CARDATRON-Code Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Typewriter Control Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Patch Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Operating Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Format Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Tape Preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Tape Duplication and Listing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
THE PAPER-TAPE PREPARATION SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Controls and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Control Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Tape Punch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Tape Reader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Tape Punching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Tape Verification and Correction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Verification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Error Correction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Verification of Special Tapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Tape Duplication and Correction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Duplication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Error Correction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Duplication of Special Tapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Miscellaneous Operating Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Marking Tape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Power Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Resetting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
THE CARDATRON SYSTEM................................................ 7-1
Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 -1
CARDATRON System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Card-Handling Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Designation of CARDATRON Input-Output Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Controls and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Control-Unit Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Output-Unit Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
Input-Unit Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4
Operating Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-6

Section
7-48
7-50
7-52
7-58
7-60
8
8-1
8-2
8-4
8-9
8-10
8-12
9
9-1
9-5
9-6
9-10
9-15
9-20
9-25
9-31
9-38
9-46
9-47
9-58
9-60
9-61
9-62
9-64
9-66
9-68
9-83
9-85
9-87
9-89
10
10-1
10-5
10-6
10-11
10-14
10-15
10-19
11
11-1
11-3
11-6
11-7
TABLE OF CONTENTS <Cont)
Title
Preparation of Card-Handling Units ........................................ .
Clearing the CARDATRON ............................................... .
Starting the Card-Handling Machines ....................................... .
Run-Out Procedure for the 089 Collator ..................................... .
Clearing Card Jams ..................................................... .
THE PUNCHED-CARD CONVERTER ....................................... .
Characteristics ............................................................ .
General ................................................................ .
Control Switches ........................................................ .
Operating Procedures ...................................................... .
Pre-Start ............................................................... .
Start ........................................ · · ·. · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·
THE MAGNETIC-TAPE SYSTEM .......................................... .
General .................................................................. .
Magnetic-Tape Control Unit ................................................. .
Physical Description ..................................................... .
Read Subpanel ........................................................... .
Designate Subpanel ...................................................... .
T Register ............................................................. .
Control Subpanel ........................................................ .
Write Subpanel ......................................................... .
Operating Controls ...................................................... .
Tape Storage Unit ......................................................... .
Control Panel ........................................................... .
Unloading Procedures .................................................... .
Loading Procedures ........................................... , ......... .
DATAFILE .............................................................. .
Designated Indicator ..................................................... .
Not-Ready Indicator ..................................................... .
Not-Write Indicator ...................................................... .
Control Panel .......................................................... .
File-Protect Tabs ........................................................ .
Designate Switch ........................................................ .
Drive-Roller Retracting Handles ........................................... .
Preparing for Remote Operation ........................................... .
MAGNETIC-TAPE CALIBRATION .......................................... .
General .................................................................. .
Tape Storage Unit ......................................................... .
Even Lane ............................................................. .
Odd Lane .............................................................. .
DATAFILE .............................................................. .
All Odd Lanes .......................................................... .
All Even Lanes .......................................................... .
OPERATING SUGGESTIONS .............................................. .
General .................................................................. .
Before and After Operation ................................................. .
The Computer ............................................................ .
Checking Manually Stored Words .......................................... .
Page
7-6
7-6
7-6
7-8
7-8
8-1
8-1
8-1
8-1
8-1
8-1
8-1
9-1
9-1
9-1
9-1
9-1
9-1
9-2
9-2
9-3
9-4
9-4
9-4
9-5
9.7
9.9
9.9
9-9
9.9
9-9
9-12
9-12
9-12
9-12
10-1
10-1
10-1
10-1
10-2
10-2
10-2
10-3
11-1
11-1
11-1
11-1
11-1
iii

Section
11-9
11-11
11-13
11-15
11-19
11-20
11-23
11-31
11-32
11-34
11-36
11-37
11-39
11-41
11-43
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Cont)
Title Page
Storage Drum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-1
Power Failure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-2
Air-Conditioning Fail-are . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-2
Cycling Down the Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-2
The Magnetic-Tape System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-2
DATAFILE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-2
Tape Storage Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-3
Paper-Tape System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-4
Manually Rewinding Paper Tape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-4
Splicing Paper Tape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-4
Sample Forms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-4
Computer Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-4
Control Console Stop Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-4
Pre-Run Check Sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-4
Console Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-4
TABLES
Table Title Page
2-1 Effects of Various Settings of the Lock-Normal and Continuous-Step Switches. . . . . . . . . 2-5
5-1 Patch-Panel Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
7-1 CARDATRON System Row-Counter Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5
Figure
2-1
2-2
2-3
2-4
iv
3-1
3-2
3-3
3-4
4-1
4-2
4-3
4-4
4-5
5-1
5-2
5-3
5-4
5-5
5-6
6-1
6-2
FIGURES
Title
Burroughs 205 Computer ................................................... .
Supervisory Control Panel .................................................. .
Neon Indicators and Set Buttons ............................................. .
Sub-Maintenance Control Panel .............................................. .
Control Console ........................................................... .
Control-Console Control Panel ............................................... .
Decimal Keyboard ........................................................ .
The Consolette ............................................................ .
Photoelectric Reader ....................................................... .
Loop Adapter ............................................................. .
Reel Adapter ............................................................. .
Position of Paper Tape in Photoelectric Reader ................................. .
High-Speed Paper-Tape Punch ............................................... .
Flexowriter and Typewriter Control Unit ...................................... .
Flexowriter Keyboard, Standard Model ....................................... .
Flexowriter Keyboard, CARDATRON-Code Model .............................. .
Typewriter Control Unit Panel .............................................. .
Patch Panel .............................................................. .
Mechanical Reader and Punch ............................................... .
Tape-Preparation System ................................................... .
Control Unit .............................................................. .
Page
2-2
2-3
2-4
2-6
3-2
3-3
3-3
3-4
4-2
4-3
4-3
4-4
4-4
5-2
5-3
5-4
5-5
5-5
5-7
6-2
6-2

TABLE OF CONTENTS (Cont)
figure Title Page
6-3 Tape-Preparation System Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
6-4 Tape Punch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
6-5 Tape Reader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
6-6 Verified Tape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
7-1
7-2
7-3
7-4
7-5
7-6
8-1
9-1
9-2
9-3
9-4
9-5
9-6
9-7
9-8
11-1
11-2
11-3
11-4
CARDATRON System ...................................................... .
CARDATRON Unit Designation ............................................. .
CARDATRON Control Unit Control Panel .................................... .
CARDATRON Output Unit Control Panel ..................................... .
CARDATRON Input Unit Control Panel ...................................... .
089 Control Panel ......................................................... .
Punched-Card Converter Control Panel ........................................ .
Reel-Type Tape Storage Units ............................................... .
DATAFILE's ............................................................. .
Tape Control Unit Control Panel ............................................. .
Tape Storage Unit Control Panel ............................................. .
Indicators Above Control Panel .............................................. .
DATAFILE Control Panel .................................................. .
File-Protect Tabs .......................................................... .
Vacuum Manifold and Drive-Roller Assembly .................................. .
Sample Computer Log ..................................................... .
Console Stop Sheet ........................................................ .
Control Console and Supervisory Control Panel Set-Up Sheet ..................... .
Peripheral-Equipment Set-Up Sheet .......................................... .
7-2
7-3
7-4
7-4
7-7
7-7
8-2
9-2
9-3
9-4
9-5
9-10
9-10
9-11
9-12
11-5
11-6
11-7
11-8
v

TYPICAL BURROUGHS 205 COMPUTING SYSTEM INSTALLATIONS
BOSTON NAVAL SHIPYARD
MINNESOTA MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, AT ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA
vi

INTRODUCTION
1-1 • GENERAL
1-2. The Burroughs 205 Electronic Data-Processing Sys-
tem is a medium-scale computing system. Burroughs 205
systems may consist of one of a number of different
configurations, since a variety of input-output equipment
is available and not every installation has all of this
equipment. It is not the purpose of this handbook to
discuss possible variations of the system configuration,
but, rather, to describe each of the units available. The
operator will, of course, select the information he needs
from that which is presented here.
1-3. DESCRIPTION
1-4. A maximum Burroughs 205 Electronic Data-Proces-
sing System includes the computer, the Control Console,
a supervisory printer, paper-tape and punched-card input
and output systems, and magnetic-tape auxiliary storage.
1-5. THE COMPUTER
1-6. The computer is the data-processing and control
center of the Burroughs 205 system. (Refer to section 2.)
It automatically executes internally stored, sequential pro-
grams of single-address instructions. Instructions and
data are stored in static registers and on a magnetic
drum. The computer accepts data and instructions from
punched paper tape, or-through the CARDATRON* sys-
tem or the Punched-Card Converter-from punched cards,
or from magnetic-tape auxiliary storage. It is also pos-
sible to insert data and instructions manually.
1- 7. The supervisory control panel on the computer con-
tains indicators which show the operator the contents
of the static registers, the mode in which the computer
is operating, and some of the reasons for computer stops.
The controls enable him to place the computer under
program control or to operate it manually when he
wishes to make insertions in storage, inspect data, com-
pare words, and so forth. The operator may also use a
few of the controls on the sub-maintenance control panel
on the computer, although most of these controls are
intended for the use of the field engineer (paragraphs
2-45 through 2-51).
1-8. THE CONTROL CONSOLE
1-9. The computer may also be operated from the Con-
trol Console, a separate desk-sized unit (section 3) . The
Control Console includes a control panel and a decimal
keyboard for manual entry of information into storage.
*TradP-mark of thP Burroughs Corporation
Many of the controls and indicators duplicate those on
the supervisory control panel. There is provision on the
Control Console, however, for breakpoint control, the
suppression of printout, and the selection of one of three
devices for providing input in response to a PAPER·
TAPE READ instruction, as well as selection of printout
or punchout in response to a PAPER-TAPE WRITE
instruction. None of these facilities is available at the
supervisory control panel.
1-10. The operations of the supervisory control panel and
the Control Console are closely interdependent, and the
operator is cautioned that he must be familiar with the
implications of this interdependence before attempting
to operate the system. Refer to sections 2 and 3.
1-11. SUPERVISORY PRINTER
1-12. The supervisory printer is used to print out small
quantities of data, such as interim results of program
runs and program-control information (program identi-
fication, date, and so forth) . It may also be used to
print out directions to the operator coincident with error
or program-control stops.
1-13. The supervisory printer used with the Burroughs
205 system is a Flexowriter modified to operate under
control of the Typewriter Control Unit (section 5). Under
program control, the supervisory printer can type or
punch-or simultaneously type and punch-numeric or
alphanumeric information from the computer. The Flexo-
writer is also used off-line to duplicate a paper tape
or to punch a new tape. The mechanical reader that is
part of the Flexowriter can be used as an input device to
the computer, but rarely is, in actual practice, since it
is relatively slow.
1-14. PAPER-TAPE SYSTEM
1-15. PHOTOELECTRIC READER AND HIGH-SPEED
PAPER-TAPE PUNCH. The Photoelectric Reader and
the High-Speed Paper-Tape Punch are the primary paper-
tape input and output devices used with the Burroughs
205 Data-Processing Systems (section 4). The Photo-
electric Reader reads information from paper tape under
the control of instructions from the computer. It is
selected as the paper-tape input device from the Control
Console.
1-16. The High-Speed Paper-Tape Punch operates through
the Control Console to reproduce information from the
computer in paper tape.
1-1

Introduction
1-17. PAPER-TAPE PREPARATION SYSTEM. The
Paper-Tape Preparation System is an off-line device used
to punch, verify, and duplicate paper tape for later use
as input to the computer through the Photoelectric
Reader. It consists of a control unit, a keyboard, a tape
punch, and a tape reader (section 6) .
1-18. PUNCHED-CARD SYSTEM
1-19. CARDATRON SYSTEM. Punched-card input and
output to the computer is from and to standard IBM
card-handling equipment through the CARDATRON sys-
tem, which consists of a CARDATRON Control Unit and
up to a total of seven CARDATRON input and output
units (section 7). Each of the input and output units is
connected to an IBM device. Input usually is from an
IBM card reader and output is to a card punch or line
printer. The CARDATRON input and output units pro-
vide buffering of information passing between the com-
puter and the card-handling devices. This buffering en-
ables simultaneous multiple-input-output operation.
1-20. PUNCHED-CARD CONVERTER. Card input to
the computer may also be through the Punched-Card
Converter. This is a relatively slow device, which pro-
vides no buffering and can handle only numeric in-
formation. However, it provides an economical means
of communication between card-handling machines and
the computer. The punched-card converter will handle as
many as 40 positions of alphabetic printed output, when
it is coupled with the Type 407 line printer and special
plugboard wiring is employed.
1-21. MAGNETIC-TAPE SYSTEM
1-22. Magnetic tape is used as auxiliary storage for the
Burroughs 205 Electronic Data-Processing Systems. In-
formation is written on or read from magnetic tape
under computer control. It may consist of data or in-
structions, or both.
1-23. Two types of magnetic-tape storage units may be
used with the computing system, a conventional reel-
type unit or the multiple-tape bin-type DATAFILE*.
The DATAFILE is a large-capacity storage device con-
taining 50 tapes and having a total capacity of 100,000
*Trade-mark of the Burroughs Corporation
1-2
20-word blocks, as opposed to the 20,000 20-word block
capacity of the reel-type units. Up to ten DATAFILE's
or reel-type storage units-or any combination totaling
ten-may be used with a single Burroughs 205 system.
Refer to section 9. One tape control unit is necessary to
control and operate each ten-unit group or any part
thereof.
1 -24. SCOPE OF HANDBOOK
1-25. This handbook is intended for the use of two types
of persons: first, the operator; and second, the pro-
grammer and coder, who must understand system opera-
tion in order to provide intelligent instructions to the
operator. Instructions are given for operating the units
of the system-procedures for starting and stopping, for
entering information into storage, for examining in-
formation in storage, and for loading and unloading
paper tape and magnetic tape, and so forth. No attempt
is made to describe the IBM equipment in detail, since
IBM manuals are available which contain this informa-
tion (paragraph 7-9).
1-26. The book was written on the assumption that the
logic and coding of the program have been checked
out as co"mpletely as possible by the coder before the
operating instructions for the program are given to the
operator and that the operator has been supplied with
stop listings (error stops, breakpoint stops, program stops,
and so forth), a pre-run check sheet, Control Console
and supervisory control panel set-up sheets, peripheral-
equipment set-up sheet, and other standard operating aids.
It is suggested that the operator compile a console note-
book to organize this material (paragraphs 11-44 through
11-54).
Please address queries or comments concerning this hand-
book to:
Manager, Product Support, 205
Burroughs Corporation
6071 2nd Ave.
Detroit 2, Michigan

2-1 • GENERAL
2-2. The Burroughs 205 is a general-purpose stored-
program electronic digital computer. It is the central
controlling and processing unit of the data-processing
system. The computer is designed to solve a wide variety
of data-reduction and data-handling problems. It stores
information on a magnetic drum and in static registers
(groups of bi-stable electronic devices commonly called
flip-flops or toggles). It automatically carries out sequen-
tial programs of single-address instructions.
2-3. SUPERVISORY CONTROL PANEL
2-4. The supervisory control panel is located in the top
third of the central section of the computer (figure 2-1) .
It is used by the operator, for program checking and for
operating the computer, and by the field engineer for
maintenance purposes. (The system may also be operated
from the Control Console. Refer to section 3.)
NOTE
When the supervisory control panel is to be used
for operating the system, the stop button on the
Control Console must first be depressed.
2-5. The supervisory control panel has five register dis-
plays and one control display, plus test-system, d-c, com-
puter-stop, clear, timing-toggle, operation, and memory-
control subpanels (figure 2-2). The operator is concerned
only with the following displays and subpanels:
Registers (paragraphs 2-9 through 2-18)
D-c (paragraphs 2-6 through 2-8)
Computer-stop (paragraphs 2-32 through 2-41)
Clear (paragraph 2-19)
Timing-toggle (paragraphs 2-21 through 2-25)
Operation (paragraphs 2-26 through 2-31)
He uses the zero push button on the test system subpanel
for one operation only (paragraph 2-13) . Otherwise, the
test-system, control, and memory-control subpanels are
solely for the use of the field engineer.
2-6. DC ON-OFF INDICATOR AND BUTTONS
2-7. Depressing the DC ON button causes direct current
to be supplied to the computer and the d-c indicator to
come on, provided that the field engineer has started the
computer from the Power Control Unit. Depressing the
OFF button causes de to be cut off.
CAUTION
In using any of the controls near the DC buttons
(figure 2-2) , be very careful not to press the
ER
red DC OFF button accidentally, since all infor-
mation in the quick-access bands will be lost,
and the program currently in operation must be
restarted from the first restart point which does
not require retention of data in the quick-access
bands.
2-8. If de should be cut off accidentally, wait 4 or 5 sec-
onds and then proceed as follows:
1. Turn off the CARDATRON core-voltage switches.
(These switches are located inside the input, output,
and units on the side panels.)
2. Press the DC ON pushbutton.
3. Press the clear buttons on the supervisory control
panel and the Tape Control Unit.
4. Turn on the CARDATRON core-voltage switches.
5. Restart the program from the first restart point
which does not require retention of data in the
quick-access bands.
2-9. REGISTER DISPLAYS
2-10. GENERAL. The static registers of the Burroughs
205 use flip-flops as the principal numerical and logical
elements. These electronic devices are always in one of
two stable states; the logic of the machine uses one state
to indicate zero and the second state to indicate one. The
two states are sometimes spoken of as off (zero) and on
(one), because when a flip-flop is in the zero state, the
corresponding neon on the control panel is off, and when
the flip-flop is in the one state, the corresponding neon is
on. Actually, the bi-stable devices themselves are never
off.
2-11. The registers are represented on the supervisory
control panel by banks of neon lamps. Each vertical col-
umn of neons represents the four bits of a decimal digit;
the value of this decimal digit is the sum of the values of
the lighted neons. Reading from top to bottom, the neons
repres~nt the values 8, 4, 2, and 1. No value greater than
9 should appear in any decade. For example:
Decades
8 0 • 0 0
4 • 0 0 0
2 • 0 0 0
1 • • 0 •
Legend: I on
0 off
7 9 0 1
Decimal-digit values
2-1