Editing BINAC (section)

==Architecture==
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The BINAC was a [[bit-serial]] [[binary numeral system|binary]] computer with two independent [[Central processing unit|CPU]]s, each with its own 512-[[Word (data type)|word]] acoustic [[delay-line memory#Mercury delay lines|mercury delay-line]] [[computer storage|memory]]. The CPUs continuously compared results to check for errors caused by hardware failures. It used approximately 700 [[vacuum tube]]s. The 512-word acoustic mercury delay-line memories were divided into 16 channels, each holding 32&nbsp;words of 31&nbsp;[[bit]]s, with an additional 11-bit space between words to allow for circuit delays in switching. The clock rate was 4.25&nbsp;MHz (1&nbsp;MHz according to one source), which yielded a word access time of about 10&nbsp;[[microsecond]]s. The addition time was 800&nbsp;microseconds, and the multiplication time was 1200&nbsp;microseconds. Programs or data were entered manually in [[octal]] using an eight-key keypad or were loaded from magnetic tape.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |url=http://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102646200 |title=The Binac: A Product of the Eckert-Mauchley Computer Corp. |website=Computer History Museum |language=en |access-date=2018-05-17}}</ref> BINAC was significant for being able to perform high-speed arithmetic on binary numbers, with no provisions to store characters or [[decimal]] digits.{{Citation needed|date=May 2018|reason="with no provisions to store characters or decimal digits"}}