The computer is one of the most influential inventions in the modern world. It has changed the way we work, communicate, and play. No wonder it has become one of the most popular topics for research.
Computers have completely transformed the way we do many things today. From scheduling a doctor’s appointment to streaming music, computers have made our lives much easier. Even if you are not aware of it, you use computers every day.
The invention of the computer has been attributed to many people, but it was a American, Preserved Huffman, who is credited with the invention of the first the first digital computer. His invention, the ‘Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator’, became the first computer. In later years, a computer would be built to perform specific tasks. These computers were designed for one specific task and were not programmable. It was not until the development of the so-called ‘general-purpose computers’ that computers became programmable.
As we all know, the first computers were gigantic, bulky machines that took up a lot of space. They were also very expensive and only large companies could afford them. However, in the last few decades, the advent of the personal computer has changed the way we use computers. The computer has become smaller, more affordable, and more accessible to the general public. It has also become a part of our everyday
What is a Computer?
A computer is a device that can take data as an input and process it according to a set of instructions. This set of instructions is contained within a computer program. A computer can be connected to other computers or devices through wired or wireless networks. It can also connect with other computers and devices through various online services.
The modern computer dates back to the 1940s. Before that, there were computers that could be considered ‘general purpose’. These computers could be connected to various devices, could process different types of data, and were programmable. However, they were very large and very expensive.
What are the different types of Computers?
A computer can be either a desktop computer or a laptop computer. A desktop computer is a larger and more expensive version of a laptop computer. It is often used for serious work. A laptop computer is smaller, lighter, and more mobile than a desktop computer. However, it does not have the same processing power or storage capacity as a desktop computer. In general, laptops are used for more frequent travel and mobile work.
A mini computer is a computer that is slightly larger than a USB flash drive. They are very portable and can be used for both personal and commercial uses. There are also ‘ Always-on ’ computers that are designed to be always connected to the internet. They are great for businesses that need to be connected to the web at all times.
How Computers Work
Computers work by processing data or instructions according to a set of instructions contained within a computer program. All computers are made up of three main parts: the input, the processing, and the output. Data is processed according to instructions contained within a computer program and is then either stored or outputted.
To be able to process data, a computer needs to be connected to an external source of data. This could be a data storage device, an internet connection, or a database. Data is broken down into smaller units and then each unit is processed according to instructions contained within a computer program.
The computer's processing power is measured in terms of ‘floating-point operations per second’ (FLOPS). FLOPS are a measure of how fast a given computer can perform mathematical calculations.
To display information, the computer needs to process data as well as generate output. The speed at which the computer can process data is measured in terms of ‘data operations per second’ (DOPS). DOPS are a measure of how fast a computer can display information.
Computer History
The computer has come a long way in its short history. In the last few decades, it has become a key player in our everyday lives. It has also become more accessible to the general public.
In the early 1900s, computers were extremely large, bureaucratic, and only government organizations could afford them. They were also very expensive and difficult to understand. The only uses for computers at this time were to perform strategic bomber calculations or to perform military strategy.
In the 1950s, the first portable computers were developed. They were known as ‘tape systems’ and they were designed to process data and store it on magnetic tape.
In the 1960s, the first programmed computers were developed. These were known as ‘digital computers’. They could be programmed to solve specific problems like finding the maximum or minimum value in a given set of data.
In the 1970s, the first microprocessor-based computers were developed. They were smaller, more affordable, and more accessible to the general public.
In the 1980s, the first online computers were developed. These were known as ‘ Bulletin Board Systems ’ (BBS) and they were very popular in the US.
In the 1990s, the first Internet-connected computers were developed. These were known as ‘worldwide web browsers’.