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Introduction to Computer History

The document provides an overview of the history of computers and their components. It discusses how computers have evolved from early mechanical calculating devices used in ancient times like the abacus, to modern electronic digital computers. It then describes the key components inside a computer's system unit that process data, like the processor, memory, ports, and expansion slots. The processor contains a control unit and arithmetic logic unit to carry out instructions. Memory is used to store instructions and data. Expansion slots allow additional functionality through adapter cards.

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45 views19 pages

Introduction to Computer History

The document provides an overview of the history of computers and their components. It discusses how computers have evolved from early mechanical calculating devices used in ancient times like the abacus, to modern electronic digital computers. It then describes the key components inside a computer's system unit that process data, like the processor, memory, ports, and expansion slots. The processor contains a control unit and arithmetic logic unit to carry out instructions. Memory is used to store instructions and data. Expansion slots allow additional functionality through adapter cards.

Uploaded by

Ahn
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTING

HISTORY OF COMPUTER

COMPUTER – originally meant a person capable of performing basic numerical


calculation with the help pf mechanical computing device.
- Started 1930’s
- History of computer dates to the invention of a mechanical adding
machine in 1642.
Current Definition
COMPUTER – electronic device that accepts data from the user, processes, produces
results, displays, and stores the result for future usage.
DATA – collection of unorganized facts and figures
INFORMATION – structured data, organized and meaningful and processed data.

ANCIENT TIMES
Early Man - relied on counting on his fingers and toes (basis for our base 10 numbering
system)
- Also used sticks, stones and markers.
- Later used notched sticks and knotted cords
- Came symbols written on hides, parchment and later paper
- Man invents the concept of number, then invents devices to help keep up
with the numbers of his possessions.
Abacus – also called “counting frame”
- Used primarily in parts of Asia for performing arithmetic process
- Developed by Ancient Romans
- The first machine for calculating
- Counters in the lower groove are 1 x 10n, those in the upper groove are
5x10n
Abacist – user of an abacus who slides the beads by hands

INDUSTRIAL AGE – 1600


John Napier – Scottish nobleman and politician
- Devoted much of his leisure time to the study of mathematics
- Interested in devising ways to aid computations
- Invented logarithms
- He inscribed Napier’s Bones (1614)
-
NAPIER’S BONES - logarithmic measurements on a set of 10 wooden rods and thus was
able to do multiplication and division by matching up numbers on the rods.

EDMUND GUNTER– invented the logarithmic scales (lines etched on metal or wood)
WILLIAM OUTGHTRED – invented the sliderule (1621) (a mechanical device for
approximating multiplication and division, raising to powers and other simple)
- He used the concept of Napier’s bones, and inscribed logarithms on strips
of wood
- He invented the calculating “machine” which was used up until mid-1970s
- 1970s – when the first hand-held calculators and microcomputers
appeared.
BLAISE PASCAL’S PASCALINE (1645)
- French Mathematical Genius
- He invented a machine at the age of 19 (Pascaline)
- PASCALINE – could do addition and subtraction, and automatically
carrying and borrowing from column during 1645
- - His machine consisted of series of gears with 10 teeth each, representing
the numbers 0 to 9.
- Each gear made one turn it would trip the next gear up to make 1/10 of a
revolution
- His principle remained the foundation of all mechanical adding machines
for centuries after his death
- The Pascal programming language was named in his honor
GOTTFRIED WILHELM VON LEIBNIZ ( 1646 – 1716)
- He invented differential and integral calculus independently of Sir Isaac
Newton
- Invented calculating machine that could add, subtract, multiply, and
divide
- He also invented the binary arithmetic
BASILE BOUCHON - THE BOUCHON LOOM (1725)
- Adapted the idea as a way of “programming” after he observed the paper
rolls with punched holes
JEAN-BATIST FALCON – FALCON LOOM (1728)
- He substituted a deck of punched cardboard cards for the paper roll of
Bouchon’s loom.
- Much more durable but the deck of cards tended to get shuffled, and it
was tedious to continuously switch cards.
- He ended up collecting dust next to Bouchon’s loom
JOSEPH MARIE JACQUARD (1752 -1834)
- He brough together Bouchon’s idea of a continuous punched roll, and
Falcon’s ideas of durable punched cards
- He produced workable programmable loom
CHARLES BABBAGE ( 1791 – 1871)
- British mathematician and inventor
- The “Father of Computers”
- He has impressive designs for the Difference Engine and Analytical Engine
- He foreshadowed the invention of the modern electronic digital compuer
COMPONENTS OF THE SYSTEM UNIT
 THE SYSTEM UNIT – the case that contains electronic components of the
computer use to
Process data
- Drive Bay(s)
- Power Supply
- Sound card
- Video card
- Processor
- Memory

 MOTHERBOARD – main circuit board of the system unit


 COMPUTER CHIP – contains integrated circuits

 PROCESSOR – the central processing unit (CPU)


- interprets and carious basic instructions that operate a
computer
- contain a control unit and an arithmetic logic unit (ALU)

 CONTROL UNIT – component of the processor that directs and


coordinates most operations in the computer
 ARITHEMETIC LOGIC UNIT (ALU) – performs arithmetic, comparison
and other operations

- for every instruction, a processor repeats a set of four basic


operations (a machine cycle)

- most current personal computers support pipelining


- processing begins fetching a second instruction before it completes
the machine cycle for the first instruction

 PROCESSOR
- most current personal computers support pipelining
- processing begins fetching a second instruction before it completes
the machine cycle for the first instruction
- contains registers, that temporarily hold data and instructions

SYSTEM CLOCK – controls the timing of all computer operations


CLOCK SPEED – pace of the system clock
GIGAHERTZ (GHz) – the measurement used

INTEL AND AMD – leading manufacturers of personal computer processor


chips

 PROCESSOR
PROCESSOR CHIP - generates heat that could case the chip to burn up
- require additional cooling (heat sinks, liquid cooling
technology)
- parallel processing uses multiple processors simultaneously to
execute a single program or task
- massively parallel processing involves hundreds or thousands of
processors

DATA REPRESENTATION – analog signals are continuous and vary in strength and
quality
- digital signals are in one of two states: on or off
- most computers are digital
BINARY SYSTEM – uses two unique digits ( 0 and 1) (Bits and Bytes)
 MEMORY – consists of electronic components that store instructions waiting
to be executed by the
processor, data needed by those instructions, and the results of
processing the data
- Stores three basic categories of items:
 MEMORY
- the amount of RAM necessary in a computer often depends on the types of
software you plan to use.

 MEMORY
- MEMORY CACHE – speeds the processes of computer
- stores frequently used instruction and data

 MEMORY
FLASH MEMORY – can be erased electronically and rewritten.
CMOS – technology provides high speeds and consumes little power
 MEMORY
ACCESS TIME – the amount of time it takes the processor to read from
memory
- measured in nanoseconds

 EXPANSION SLOTS AND ADAPTER CARDS

EXPANSION SLOTS – socket on the motherboard that can hold an adapter


card
ADAPTER CARD – enhances functions of a component of the system unit
and/or
provides connections to peripherals
e.g: sound cards and video cards
 EXPANSION SLOTS AND ADAPTER CARDS
PLUG AND PLAY -the computer automatically can configure adapter
cards and other peripherals as you install them
REMOVABLE FLASH MEMORY – memory cards, USB flash drives, and PC
Cards/ExpressCard modules
 PORTS AND CONNECTORS
 \

 PORTS AND CONNECTORS


USB PORT – can connect to 127 different peripherals together with a
single connector
- you can attach multiple peripherals using a single USB port
With a USB hub

Common questions

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Joseph Marie Jacquard's innovation of the programmable loom used punched cards to control weaving patterns, prefiguring later developments in computer programming by establishing the concept of programming instructions into a machine to automatically perform complex tasks. This method of punched cards to control machinery laid an important foundational element for programming languages and machine instructions in computers, influencing figures such as Charles Babbage in the design of his Analytical Engine, which also used punched cards for input .

Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz's development of binary arithmetic was foundational to computing as it introduced the use of a two-state (0 and 1) number system, which is fundamental to digital computing. Binary arithmetic simplifies the design of digital circuits and computer algorithms, as these systems can operate on a series of on-off states that perfectly correspond to switches, transistors, and digital processors .

The introduction of the sliderule by William Outgthtred was significant because it provided a practical and efficient manual tool for approximating multiplication, division, roots, and powers, reducing the need for lengthy calculations. The sliderule's application of logarithmic scales marked a substantial improvement in computational efficiency prior to the advent of electronic calculators, making it a critical instrument for scientists, engineers, and mathematicians throughout the pre-digital era until the mid-1970s .

The invention of digital signals and binary systems profoundly impacted memory and processing technologies by simplifying the design and operation of computer circuits and storage. Digital signals, which switch between two states, align perfectly with binary systems (0 and 1), allowing for reliable data representation and processing. Binary systems enable efficient use of bits and bytes for computation and memory storage, leading to the development of rapid, accurate digital processors and large-scale memory capable of handling complex instructions autonomously .

The advent of memory cache and flash memory technology significantly enhanced the performance capabilities of computers post-1970s by substantially increasing speed and efficiency. Memory cache speeds up processing by storing frequently accessed data and instructions close to the CPU, reducing access time. Flash memory, being non-volatile and erasable, allows for quick data storage and retrieval, increasing the reliability and versatility of computing systems used in a wide array of portable devices and applications .

Babbage's Analytical Engine and modern electronic computers share core principles such as having a central processing unit (CPU), control flow mechanisms, and integrated memory. The Analytical Engine featured a physical representation of components akin to an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), conditional branching, loops, and memory for storing data and instructions. Modern computers build on these principles, using electronic technology to vastly increase speed, capacity, and efficiency, with complex software systems enhancing functionality. While Babbage's Engine entirely relied on mechanical components, modern computers use silicon-based electronic circuits .

Charles Babbage, known as the 'Father of Computers,' designed the Difference Engine and the Analytical Engine, which laid the groundwork for modern computing. The Difference Engine was intended to automatically compute polynomial functions using a method of finite differences, and the Analytical Engine incorporated an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), control flow in the form of conditional branching and loops, and integrated memory. These designs foreshadowed modern computers, incorporating components that form the basis of today's electronic digital computers .

Early computing devices such as the abacus and Napier's Bones influenced later mechanical and electronic computers by introducing basic principles of arithmetic calculation and manual data manipulation. The abacus, a counting frame, was one of the first tools to enable manual arithmetic processes, setting the stage for more complex mechanical calculators like Pascaline. Napier's Bones introduced a mechanical approach to multiplication and division, employing logarithms, which influenced the design of slide rules and log tables used in subsequent computing technologies .

The main technological challenge associated with processor heat generation in modern digital computers is avoiding overheating, which can damage components and decrease performance. Solutions like heat sinks, liquid cooling technologies, and efficient architecture designs have been implemented to mitigate heat production. These methods enhance processor longevity and performance by maintaining optimal operating temperatures, allowing for higher clock speeds and reduced thermal-related errors, thus supporting the reliability and efficiency of computing systems .

The evolution of expansion slots and adapter cards has expanded the functionality of modern personal computers by allowing users and manufacturers to enhance and customize a computer's capabilities. Expansion slots enable the addition of adapter cards, such as sound cards and video cards, which augment the computer's native functions or provide new ones. This modularity supports broader connectivity with peripherals, improves processing and graphical performance, and ensures that users can continually upgrade systems as technological advancements occur .

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