ABSTRACT
Microcomputers range from what might be called powerful personal computers on the low end to small minicomputers on the high end. In the middle range, microcomputers offer more computing power and internal memory than the typical PC. Minicomputers are powerful enough to perform all facilities-related tasks, including the structural analyses of computer-aided engineering. Minicomputers and mainframes are sufficiently complex to require proprietary operating systems. All types of hardware can be used--from personal computers to mainframes--the key determinants being the amount of good data already stored in an existing system, and the ultimate storage capacity required to accommodate the data. A growing number of PCs can act as terminals to larger computers--micros, minis, or mainframes. They can also be linked in networks with other PCs to share files and programs, as well as printers.
