Model 204 Explained

Model 204 (M204) is a database management system for IBM and compatible mainframe computers developed and commercialized by Computer Corporation of America. It was announced in 1965,[1] and first deployed in 1972. It incorporates a programming language and an environment for application development. Implemented in assembly language[2] for IBM System/360 and its successors, M204 can deal with very large databases[3] and transaction loads of 1000 TPS.

Product description

Model 204 relies on its own type of bitmap index, originally devised by Bill Mann, and combines the use of hash table, B-tree, and partitioned record list technologies to optimize speed and efficiency of database access.[4] [5]

It has been described as "one of the three major inverted-list [database systems] ... the other two being" ADABAS and ADR's Datacom/DB.[6]

Although M204 is a pre-SQL (and pre-relational) database product, it is possible to manually map the files of an M204 database to approximate SQL equivalents and provide some limited SQL functionality using Model 204 SQL Server.[7]

Users

Model 204 is commonly used in government and military applications.[8] [9] [10]

It was used commercially in the UK by Marks & Spencer. It was also used at the Ventura County Property Tax system in California,[11] the Harris County, Texas, Justice Information Management System,[12] and in the New York City Department of Education's Automate The Schools system. An informal list of past and present Model 204 users, compiled in 2010, identified more than 140 organizations worldwide.[13] Beginning in 1986, it was used by the US Navy Fleet Intelligence Center Europe and Atlantic (FICEURLANT).[14]

Model 204 has been a central part of Australian social security for decades. Services Australia have used it for their ISIS system that pays over $110 billion in welfare payments to around 6 million Australians.[15] A 1.5 billion Australian dollar project to replace ISIS was expected to be completed in 2022 but was delayed.[16] [17] [18] The project was scrapped in July 2023 having spent AUD 191 million, since the replacement system (based on Pegasystems business process automation software) took minutes to complete tasks Model 204 could complete in seconds.[19]

In a 2014 media interview, then Treasurer of Australia Joe Hockey stated that the Australian social security system and the Pentagon were the only remaining active Model 204 customers in the world.[20]

Corporate information

Add-on products for Model 204 database were formerly available from Sirius Software, Inc.[21] Sirius, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, was acquired by Rocket Software in 2012.[22]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Scinta . Gina . Model 204 v6r1: Opening New Doors . Computer Corporation of America . 2012-10-26 . 2005-10-10 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130124071824/http://sirius-software.com/sug05/m20461.pdf . January 24, 2013 .
  2. Web site: Model 204, A Novel DBMS and Application Platform. Sirius Software. 2012-10-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20121010113029/http://sirius-software.com/m204.html. 2012-10-10. dead.
  3. "with Model 204 you get excellent performance, even with large databases and ... of America's largest companies— for financial applications, inventory control." ComputerWorld . December 1980 . 36. Model 204 database .
  4. O'Neil . Patrick . Model 204 Architecture and Performance . Proceedings of the 2nd International Workshop on High Performance Transaction Systems . 40–59 . Springer-Verlag . 1987 .
  5. Web site: What is Model 204? . 11 January 2008 . Sandy Stanhope, Database Administrator . The Youngstown State University Computing Newsletter . Department of Computer Services . 18 November 2002 . https://web.archive.org/web/20021118225714/http://www.cc.ysu.edu/ComputerServices/Newsletter/link0102/model204.htm . dead .
  6. Web site: ADABAS was .. one of the three major inverted-list DBMS, the other two being Computer Corporation of America’s Model 204 and ADR’s DATACOM/DB.. Software AG memories. March 25, 2011 .
  7. Web site: Rocket Model 204 SQL Server Users Guide. Rocket Software. May 2012. 2012-10-27. https://archive.today/20130201101715/http://www.rocketsoftware.com/m204/products/index/documentation/v7r4/M204-SQL-Server-UG/view. 2013-02-01. dead.
  8. "Model 204 is commonly used in government and military applications. Among other things,it runs Australia's social security system." Web site: What is Model 204?. December 17, 2013.
  9. Web site: Centrelink ups IT reform, keeps Model 204 'legacy' . 9 February 2011 . Rodney Gedda (Techworld Australia) . May 2009 .
  10. Web site: Sterrenberg calm in the face of an uphill battle . 11 November 2013. IT News Australia . November 2013 .
  11. Web site: County of Ventura Technology Infrastructure Strategic Plan. Gartner. 2012-10-25. 43. 2005-07-13.
  12. Web site: Model 204 Civil Inquiry Manual. Harris County, Texas. 2012-10-25. June 2007.
  13. Web site: M204 Client List. 2012-10-28. Paul Keshvari. 2010. etal. https://web.archive.org/web/20131111082934/http://www.dptoolkit.com/M204ClientList.xls. 2013-11-11.
  14. Book: Fleet Intelligence Center Europe and Atlantic: Command History: 1 January 1986 – 31 December 1986 . United States Navy . III-B-3, III-B-7 . 2016-05-02 .
  15. Web site: System Redevelopment — Managing Risks While Planning Transition. 30 June 2018.
  16. Web site: Centrelink's mainframe due for costly update. ZDNet.
  17. Web site: Centrelink to replace crucial mainframe welfare calculator.
  18. Web site: Billion-dollar IT project likely to miss key goal. 28 September 2020.
  19. Web site: Centrelink's canned $191m engine took minutes to do what existing system did in seconds. Crozier. Ry. 11 Sep 2023. IT News. 12 Sep 2023.
  20. Web site: Cowan . Paris . 24 Apr 2014 . Hockey flags billion-dollar Centrelink mainframe replacement . 2024-06-03 . iTnews.
  21. not to be confused with the video-game publisher described at Sirius Software that opened and folded in the 1980s.
  22. News: Seiffert . Don . Rocket Software buys fifth company this year . Boston Business Journal . 2012-11-29 . 2016-05-02 .

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