History and Evolution of Computers
Computer is an electronic device created for calculation purpose. But before the computer there were many more calculating devices as explained below:
Abacus
History of computers began with abacus
Invented almost 5,000 years ago (1,100 BCE)
Used for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
Is a wooden tool with wires and beads attached to it
Napier’s Bones
Invented in 1617 by John Napier
Apart from the 4 basic calculations, it also finds square roots
Consists of a set of rectangular rods made up of carved bones
Pascaline
Invented in 1642 by Blaise Pascal
First mechanical device used for calculations
Performs addition and subtraction
It consists of wheels and gears which rotate to perform calculations
Difference Engine
Designed by Charles Babbage in 1822
Designed to perform polynomial functions
Expected to be 8 ft tall and had about 25,000 different parts
Analytical Engine
Built by Charles Babbage in 1844
Has 2 input streams, 3 output streams, a processing unit and memory
Was first machine to have a set of programming instructions
Punched Card Machine
Invented by Herman Hollerith
Unlike earlier devices, this machine had facility to store data
E N I A C
Designed by Mauchly and Presper Eckert
Stands for Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer
Performs 5,000 instructions per second
Von Neuman
Invented by John Von Neuman
Is a stored program concept
Programs and data are stored in separate storage units called memories
Mark I
Invented by Howard Aiken in 1944
Based on Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine
Programmed to handle logarithms and trigonometric functions
For input and output, it uses paper tape readers, card readers, card punch and typewriters
Generations of Computer
Types of computers
Supercomputer
Mainframe Computer
Mini Computer
Workstation Computer
Personal Computer (PC)
Server Computer
Analog Computer
Digital Computer
Hybrid Computer
Tablets and Smartphones
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Informative..