In the history of high performance computing, which machine is widely recognised as the world’s first successful supercomputer?

Introduction / Context:
Supercomputers are extremely powerful machines designed to perform very large numbers of calculations per second, often used for scientific simulations, weather forecasting and complex research. The concept of a supercomputer emerged in the 1960s, and one particular machine is widely regarded as the first successful supercomputer in computing history. This question asks you to identify that machine from a list of options, some of which are unrelated to supercomputers.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We are focusing on the first widely recognised supercomputer, not the first computer ever built.
• The correct answer is a specific machine built for high performance computing.
• Some options, such as USENET and Commodore VIC-20, are not supercomputers at all.
• PARAM-10000 is a later Indian supercomputer, not the first in the world.

Concept / Approach:
The CDC 6600, designed by Seymour Cray and released in the 1960s by Control Data Corporation, is often cited as the first successful supercomputer. At the time, it was dramatically faster than other computers and became famous for its performance. It introduced architectural innovations that influenced supercomputer design for years. USENET, by contrast, is a distributed discussion system, not a machine. The Commodore VIC-20 is an early home computer aimed at consumers, not a high performance scientific system. PARAM-10000 is a supercomputer developed in India but much later, so it cannot be the first in the world. ENIAC is an early general purpose electronic computer, but it predates the specific classification of supercomputers and is typically not labelled as the first supercomputer in standard exam answers. Thus, CDC 6600 is the correct choice.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Historical overviews of supercomputing almost always cite CDC 6600 as the first successful supercomputer, noting that it held the title of the world's fastest computer for several years. Biographies of Seymour Cray describe the CDC 6600 as the machine that established his reputation as the father of supercomputing. In contrast, USENET is covered in topics about early Internet communication, and the VIC-20 appears in discussions of home computing. PARAM-10000 is mentioned in the context of India's own supercomputing efforts in the 1990s, not as a worldwide first. These distinctions in historical accounts confirm CDC 6600 as the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• USENET: A distributed discussion system for users to post and read messages; it is a network service, not a computer.
• Commodore VIC-20 home computer: An early 8 bit home computer aimed at personal use, with far lower performance than supercomputers.
• PARAM-10000: A notable Indian supercomputer from a much later period, not the first in global history.
• ENIAC mainframe: One of the earliest general purpose electronic computers, but typically not labelled in exam keys as the first supercomputer.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse oldest computer with first supercomputer and may select ENIAC simply because it is widely known as an early machine. Others may pick PARAM-10000 when thinking about Indian computing achievements, forgetting that the question is about the first supercomputer of the world. Another trap is not recognising USENET and thinking any unfamiliar word might refer to a supercomputer. To avoid these mistakes, remember the name CDC 6600 as the classic answer for the first successful supercomputer in general knowledge questions.

Final Answer:
The machine widely recognised as the world’s first successful supercomputer is the CDC 6600.