Where is technology taking us in data processing systems?

During the past decades progress in LSI for logic and storage implies the following for data processing systems: (i) Cost reduction for a given function; (ii) Complexity increasing which also implies Capability and Performance increase; (iii) Reliability increase; (iv) Mass production capability handled by automated processes; and (v) Reduction in physical size. Similarly, in magnetic recording technological progress toward an increase in areal density of storage has the following implications: (i) Cost reduction per bit stored; (ii) Mass on-line storage is possible and practical; (iii) Performance improvement; and (iv) Reduction in physical size.