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Week 2 Computing Note

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soni Okomah
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24 views7 pages

Week 2 Computing Note

Uploaded by

soni Okomah
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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TOPIC: HISTORY OF COMPUTER

Early counting devices


Before the invention of the computer, counting was done with fingers, and
also the use of toes. Then later on man shifted to the use of stones. The stones often
became a problem sometimes, then other means such as sticks, writing on the wall
was used until mechanical and electronic devices were discovered.
Mechanical devices
Computer Mechanical devices are these devices that handle their task without
making use of electricity. Examples are;
Abacus
Abacus was developed in china. It is a wooden frame with string on which
colourful beads are strung on.
Slide Rule
Slide rule is used for performing calculations which involve multiplication and
division. The use of the slide rule is accurate to 3 or 4 decimal places. It is also
used for operation that involves raising number to a given power 2

Electronic Devices
These are devices that use low voltage to power, supply and also to perform
their task. Such as
Napier Logarithm (Napier Bones) In 1617, John Napier (a mathematician)
invented a device called Napier bones. He used it to simplify lengthy
calculations by first reducing them to addition and also simplifying them.
Pascal Line
In 1642 blasé Pascal invented the first true adding machine. He invented it to
reduce the numerical labour involved in his father's work. These devices are
basically used for arithmetic operations such as adding and subtraction.
Joseph Jacquard’s Loom
The Jacquard machine is a device fitted to a loom that simplifies the process
of manufacturing textiles with such complex patterns as brocade, damask and
matelassé. The resulting ensemble of the loom and Jacquard machine is then
called a Jacquard loom.

Gottfried Leibniz, Machine


Leibniz invented the Stepped Reckoner, a machine that could perform the
four basic arithmetic operations. The Reckoner was an early digital mechanical
calculator and the first to be able to multiply and divide, operations that
Pascal and Schickard's calculators could not perform

Charles Babbage Analytical Machine


In 1832, Sir Charles Babbage built a machine called DIFFERENCE ENGINE. He
later designed another machine called ANALYTIC MACHINE IN 1833. He
invented this machine (analytical machine) for more complex calculation but
he died and could not complete the task. His friend ADA LOVELACE showed
how the machine could be used to do some particular calculation. It is often
thought that sir Charles Babbage is the inventor of the computer, while ADA
LOVELACE is the first programmer.
Electronic Counting Device and Modern computer
Electronic devices are devices that function using electronic principles. After electro-
mechanical devices, the electronic devices took the centre stage. These devices
include:

1. Herman Hollerith’s machine

2. John Von Neumann Machine


3. Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator (ENIAC)

4. Mini Computers
5. Micro Computers
6. Personal Computer

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