History of Computer

How Does Computer Work?

As we discussed in above topics, computer has three sections. These are input, processing and output. It works through these three stages with the help of computer program. A computer program guide the computer system by using set of step by step instructions that instruct the computer what to do with input to generate the required output.

We can explain each step as follows:

Step 1: It accepts the input devices like keyboard, mouse, scanners etc.

Step 2: It processes the data according to the input instructions. Processing include calculations, sorting, arranging the list of words or numbers and modification of documents.

Step 3: It stores or holds data. It must hold or store data for further processing.

Step 4: It produces output. The output is available in terms of information, it is available in the form of reports, graphs, tables, documents, and etc. It can be displayed on the visual unit or printed on paper.

Evolution of Computer

• Early development mechanical devices
• Electro-mechanical computers
• Electronic computers

Early Development of Computer: Mechanical Calculating Devices

Abacus:

It is the first counting device, developed by Chinese and Egyptians, 2500 years ago. It performs mathematical concepts and arithmetical operations. It is a rectangular box, divided into two parts by mid bar , upper part is called heaven, consists of two beads and each bead equal to value 5 and lower part is is called earth, consists of five bead and each bead equal to value 1. While calculating, beads are brought near to mid bar.

Napier's bones:

Another interesting invention is Napier's bones, a cleaver multiplication tool invented in 1614 by mathematical John Napier of Scotland. The bones are a set of vertical rectangular rods, each one divided in 10 squares. John Napier is also the inventor of logarithms, a concept used to change multiplication into addition. Napier's bones was very successful and was widely used in Europe until mid 1960's. It is mainly used for multiplication table.

Slide Rule:

The Slide Rule is an analog device for performing mathematical computations. The first slide rule was created by British mathematician, William Oughtred in 1620. His device was based on the log arithmetic scale created by British astronomer, Edmund Gunter in 1620, Gunter's work, in turn, was based on the principal of logarithm set forth by Scottish mathematician John Napier in 1614. A simple slide rule consists of two graduated scales, one of which slips upon other. The scales are devised in such a way that suitable alignment of one scale against the other makes it possible to obtain products, quotients or their function by inspection.

Pascaline:

Blaise Pascal had a father who was an overworked and harassed tax commissioner. The young Pascal developed a mechanical calculator to help him with his work. Pascal started to build it in 1632 when he was 19 and three years later he had developed a machine called Pascaline. In this machine, numbers were entered by dialing a series of numbered wheels, and a series of toothed wheels. Each wheel is printed with the numbers from 0 to 9. When the first wheel made a completed turn from 0 to 9, it automatically caused the second wheel to advance to the next number and so on. It could add and subtract by the movement of wheels. The number of calculating capacity of Pascaline was 9, 99, 99, and 999. It could not be used for division and multiplication.

Difference Engine:

Charles babbage in 1823 developed difference engine. Difference engine was first programmable machine ever made. This device was used for solving differential equations. This device has different sections for input, output and storage media. The machine can give results and process it. There are different parts of engine:

• Input
• Mill (processing)
• Memory
• Output ( Results)

Stepped Reckonor:

Stepped Recknor is a calculating device developed by Gottrified Wilhem Von Leibnitz in 1671. It was modified to produce higher efficiency and was based on pascal's principle. The stepped Reckonor could multiply, add, subtract and even find square roots.

Analytical engine:

Charles Babbage developed this device in 1833. This machine used the binary digit concept. This machine was designed to solve up upto 20 decimal places but due to mechanical difficulties it was never completed. This device was also an automatic calculator.

Lady Augusta Ada Lovelace:

Lady Ada suggested using binary numbers instead of decimal number in Analytical Engine. Lady Ada also wrote a program to be used in Analytical Engine. She is also known as the "First Programmer"in the history of computer science because this was the first program ever written.

Dr Herman Hollerith:

The first person to use punched card practically is Dr. Herman Hollerith. Using the punched card, he developed the tabulating machine or census machine which proved to be very efficient. In 1896, he also established Tabulating Machine Company (TMC). he later founded the International Business Machine Company By merging it with other companies in 1933.

Things to remember

• Abacus is the first counting device, developed by Chinese and Egyptians, 2500 years ago.
• Napier's bones, a cleaver multiplication tool invented in 1614 by mathematical John Napier of Scotland.
• The Slide Rule is an analog device for performing mathematical computations.
• The young Pascal developed a mechanical calculator to help him with his work.
• Stepped Recknor is a calculating device developed by gottrified Wilhem Von Leibnitz in 1671.
• Charles Babbage is known as father of computer.

• It includes every relationship which established among the people.
• There can be more than one community in a society. Community smaller than society.
• It is a network of social relationships which cannot see or touched.
• common interests and common objectives are not necessary for society.

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