With the collaboration of so many brilliant mathematicians and scientists, computers have become increasing more productive and efficient. Calculations have gone from counting on our fingers, to using high speed electronic computers. They have become essential to the functioning of our everyday lives. We have Schikard, Pascal contract law term paper topics, Babbage, Gates, and many more to thank the computers we use today. The history of the computer dates back all the way to the prehistoric times. The first step towards the development of the computer, the abacus, was developed in Babylonia in 500 B.C. and functioned as a simple counting tool. It was not until thousands of years later that the first calculator was produced. In 1623, the first mechanical calculator was invented by Wilhelm Schikard, the “Calculating Clock,” as it was often referred to as, “performed it’s operations by wheels, which worked similar to a car’s odometer” (Evolution, 1). Still, there had not yet been anything invented that could even be characterized as a computer. Finally, in 1625 the slide rule was created becoming “the first analog computer of the modern ages” (Evolution, 1). One of the biggest breakthroughs came from by Blaise Pascal in 1642, who invented a mechanical calculator whose main function was adding and subtracting numbers. Years later, Gottfried Leibnez improved Pascal’s model by allowing it to also perform such operations as multiplying, dividing, taking the square root. The History of Computers Jump forward ten years and we enter the competitive race between Apple and Microsoft. These two major companies provided us with more affordable, user friendly computers that paved the way for the machines in our homes today. This is the time where you find games and internet communication shaping the purpose for consumer computers; a time where someone could speak to their friend in a separate location via their computer, or play a game. Computers have been an integral part of society for as long as many people can remember. Nowadays, it’s very rare for an average household to not have a single computer. They help businesses run smoothly, coordinate strategic strikes in the military buy an essay online cheap, and also help a mother find a new recipe to cook her family dinner; all in the blink of an eye. Let’s take a look at how things have changed since 1975 to where we are now. A second very important development was the invention, in 1948 science essay, of transistors. These were first used in computers in the early 1960's to replace the thermion valves and diodes used in the earlier machines. This resulted in a considerable reduction in the size and a great increase in the power of computers. WORD is the basic unit in which information is stored and manipulated in a computer. Each word normally consists of a fixed number of bits, the number of which may vary from computer to computer. Digital and analog computers can be interconnected in such a way that data can be transferred between them. They are usually designed for specific tasks and are used mainly in scientific and technical fields. It is accomplished by data-processing systems which sort out and organise the information applying several mathematical statistical operations. Programming Languages: Computer programmes, called the software, are the means of communication between the computer and the user. Computer programmes are written in the following main languages. COBOL or Common Business Oriented Language, a computer language used mainly for business work, is essentially used in commercial data processing. Each of these circuits contains a number of components such as transistors, resistors and capacitors connected together with their in reconnections, in film-like layers. Digital Computers: These are used in commerce and industry for extensive arithmetical calculations which would otherwise require enormous clerical effort. Such computers carry out mathematical operations with the variables expressed in the computer as numbers, usually in the binary system (given below). The first real mechanical calculating machine, working with wheels, gears and dials, was made by a Frenchmen essay business ethics, Blaise Pascal, in 1642. This machine used a number of wheels mounted parallel to each other, with 10 teeth mounted round the circumference of each. A carry-over mechanism was incorporated so that when one wheel made a complete revolution, the wheel to its immediate left was turned through one segment-representing one ' 10'. The machine was operated by turning the wheels backwards and forwards a cover letter for phd position, thus performing addition and subtraction. The first electronic digital computer, known as the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer or NIIAC was developed at the University of Pennsylvania in 1947 by J. Prespher Eckert and John. W. Mauchly. In modern digital computer, desired circuits prearranged to duplicate mathematical processes perform the desired operations on the binary numbers. These numbers are recorded in the computer electronically, as a series of temporary magnets, each magnetized in one of the two possible directions. The two magnetization direction corresponds two numbers of the binary system. Perhaps the earliest device for working out sums was the abacus. This began as a clay tablet into which grooves were cut. Pebbles were then placed or taken away from grooves to perform addition and subtraction. (Our word calculation comes from the Latin word calculus meaning 'pebble'). It is particularly useful for complex numerical calculations and solving engineering analysis problems. They can for example, be used to simulate the behavior of an aircraft in response to the actions of crew members. Using analog computers, apparent equipment failures or other emergencies can be introduced for proper training of the crew. The first automatic analog computer designed to solve complex differential equations, was described in detail in 1876 by the English Scientist William Thomson. A word may represent an instruction to the computer or some data. A word processor is used for creation, storage or retrieval of the written word by the type writer terminals which use the magnetic type for storage, automatic control, editing and retyping of words.
As people can see, it took quite a large amount of intelligence and fortitude to come to the 1990's style and use of computers. People have assumed that computers are a natural development in society and take them for granted. Just as people have learned to drive an automobile literature review in master thesis, it also takes skill and learning to utilize a computer. If you use part of this page in your own work, you need to provide a citation, as follows: The history of computers started out about 2000 years ago, at the birth of the abacus, a wooden rack holding two horizontal wires with beads strung on them. When these beads are moved around, according to programming rules memorized by the user, all regular arithmetic problems can be done. Another important invention around the same time was the Astrolabe, used for navigation. Essay UK offers professional custom essay writing, dissertation writing and coursework writing service. Our work is high quality written application letters for employment, plagiarism-free and delivered on time. The internal workings and mechanics of personal computers primarily consisted of a central processing unit case study examples social work, a keyboard, a video monitor and possibly a printer unit. The central processing unit is the heart and brains of the system. The functions of the central processing unit were based on a unit called the Von Neumann computer designed in 1952. As stated in the book The Dream Machine my personal goals as a student, the Von Neumann computer consisted of an input, memory free personal essay papers, control, arithmetic unit and output as basic processes of a central processing unit. It has become the basic design and fundamental basis for the development of most computers (Palfreman and Swade 48). Palferman, Jon and Doron Swade. The Dream Machine. London: BBC Books case study examples social work, 1991. The volume and use of computers in the world are so great, they have become difficult to ignore anymore. Computers appear to us in so many ways that many times, we fail to see them as they actually are. People associated with a computer when they purchased their morning coffee at the vending machine. As they drove themselves to work, the traffic lights that so often hampered us are controlled by computers in an attempt to speed the journey. Accept it or not, the computer has invaded our life. The United States was attributed the title of pioneering the computer. It was not until the early 1970's that nations such as Japan and the United Kingdom started utilizing technology of their own for the development of the computer. This resulted in newer components and smaller sized computers. The use and operation of computers had developed into a form that people of average intelligence could handle and manipulate without to much ado. When the economies of other nations started to compete with the United States, the computer industry expanded at a great rate. Prices dropped dramatically and computers became more affordable to the average household. Like the invention of the wheel, the computer is here to stay.
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