The first computer that I did any serious programming on was an IBM 1401. The memory was 16k - 8-bit characters - 6 data bits, 1 word mark bit, and 1 parity bit - on magnetic cores. There were tape drives, a card reader/punch (80 col), and a 600 lpm printer. There was a disk unit avalable (1405 RAMAC) which had fixed multiple disks, but only one read/write head which could slide up and down (as well is in and out) to select different disk platters.

One became very adept at shoe-horning quite large programs into the tiny memory and the instruction set contained feature like instruction "chaining" which helped save space. It seems quite incredible how complex many of the programs could be within these restrictions.

I wonder what people of those days, would make of my PDA which has 320 mb available !