history and development of computers

HISTORY OF COMPUTER: Early computing machine and inventers: DARK AGES: ABACUS: The abacus, may be considered the first computer. This device allows users to make computations using a system of sliding beads arranged on a rack. Early merchants used the abacus to keep trading transactions. In 1642, Blaise PascAl, invented what he called a numerical wheel calculator. This brass rectangular box, also called a Pascaline, used eight movable dials to add sums up to eight figures long. Pascal's device used a base of ten to accomplish this. The drawback to the Pascaline, of course, was its limitation to addition. LEIBNIZ CALCULATOR: In 1964, Gottfried Wilhem von Leibniz (1646-1716), improved the Pascaline by creating a machine that could also multiply. Like its predecessor, Leibniz's mechanical multiplier worked by a system of gears and dials. Partly by studying Pascal's original notes and drawings, Leibniz was able to refine HIs machine. COLMAR 's MECHANICAL CALCULATOR: Charles Xavier Thomas de Colmar, invented a machine that could perform the four basic arithmetic functions. Colmar's mechanical calculator, the arithometer, presented a more practical approach to computing because it could add, subtract, multiply and divide. CHARLE 'S BABBAGE: . By 1812, Babbage noticed a natural harmony between machines and mathematics: machines were best at performing tasks repeatedly without mistake; while mathematics, particularly the production of mathematic tables, often required the simple repetition of steps. Babbage's first attempt at solving this problem was in 1822 when he proposed a machine to perform differential equations, called a Difference Engine. Powered by steam and large as a locomotive, the machine would have a stored program and could perform calculations and print the results automatically. After working on the Difference Engine for 10 years, Babbage was suddenly inspired to begin work on the first general-purpose computer, which he called the Analytical Engine. Babbage's assistant, Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace (1815-1842) , was instrumental in the machine's design. One of the few people who understood the Engine's design as well as Babbage, she helped revise plans, secure funding from the British government, and communicate the specifics of the Analytical Engine to the public. MIDDLE AGE: HERMAN HOLLERITH: Herman Hollerith (1860-1929), also applied the Jacquard loom concept to computing. His first task was to find a faster way to compute the U.S. census. Hollerith's method used cards to store data information which he fed into a machine that compiled the results mechanically. Each punch on a card represented one number, and combinations pof two punches represented one letter. Hollerith brought his punch card reader into the; business world, founding Tabulating Machine Company in 1896, later to become International Business Machines (IBM) VANNEVAR BUSH: Vannevar Bush (1890-1974) developed a calculator for solving differential equations in 1931. The machine could solve complex differential equations.The approach was based on the mid-19th century work of George Boole (1815-1864) who clarified the binary system of algebra, which stated that any mathematical equations could be stated simply as either true or false. By extending this concept to electronic circuits in the form of on or off, Atanasoff and Berry had developed the first all-electronic computer by 1940. DEVELOPMENT OF COMPUTER MODERN AGES: THE FIRST GENERATION: Howard H.Aikin, a Harward engineer working with IBM, succeeded in producing an all-electronic calculator by 1944. The Harward IBM automatic sequence controllled calculator (ASCC) or MARK I for short, was a electronic relay computer. The next development was the UNIVERSAL AUTOMATION COMPUTER I, UNIVAC I. This computer, like all computers of the first generation, used vacuum tubes. Eckert and Mauchlay began development of UNIVAC I. THE SECOND GENERATION: The second generation of computers (1959-1969) used transisters instead of tubes. Transisters were smaller, faster and more reliable and produce far less heat during operation. The second generation Of computers marked the common use of high -level languages.FORTRAN and COBOL were being used for bussiness applications. In 1964, john kemeny and Tom Kurtz developed and release the BASIC programming language. THE THIRD GENERATION: The third generations of computers starte with the introduction of the IBM 360 in about 1965. Transistors gave way to integrated and miniaturized circuits. In 1969, Dr Grace Hopper was named the first computer sciences Man-of-the-year for her work in developing language translators. THE FOURTH GENERATION: From the third generation on, it becomes very dificult to classify future generations of computers. In early 1970's, two development led to what many call ths fourth generation of computers. First of all, many companies started to use LARGE SCALE I NTEGRATION (LSI). An example is the IBM 370 series.. THE FIFTH GENERATION: Fifth generations of computers heavily depend on the major advances with very large scale integration (VLSI) . Artificial inteligence and expert systems are important part of these newer fifth genration computers. Because of their power and ability to deal and symbols as well as numbers, they are ideal in analyzing problem that require judgment and expertise.Logic oriented programming languags such as PROLOG, developed in Europe, could be popular on those computers. fifth generation computers are more powerful and easier to use.