History Of The Computer

We have made reference to computer memory several times in this series

, history of the computer, now it is time to look at how it has developed, and is still developing. A look at a block diagram of a modern PC will show how the memory is central to the way a computer operates. Everything passes through it. Many would say the processor, or CPU is the most important part, but you can see that everything depends on the memory.We are looking at general purpose commercial computers here, which means that, within reason, anyone can buy a computer and use it for their business. For example an oil company might use it to analyse survey results carried out in the South Atlantic. An Airline could use it to schedule freight shipments between Caracas and other South American Airports. The same computer could be used to run a bank's ATM network.

Several different techniques have been used to multiply using logic elements, as before these are usually described in a logic diagram as a 'black box' labeled multiplier. In an even more sophisticated logic diagram, this would be combined with other 'black boxes' such as adders, dividers, square roots, etc. to make one big 'black box' the ALU (arithmetic logical unit). The actual 'works' inside this unit are irrelevant to the overall design of the computer.Mainframe systems have used cache for many years. The concept became popular in the 1970s as a way of speeding up memory access time. This was the time when core memory was being phased out and being replaced with integrated circuits, or chips. Although the chips were much more efficient in terms of physical space, they had other problems of reliability and heat generation. Chips of a certain design were faster, hotter and more expensive than chips of another design, which were cheaper, but slower.

The outrageous tale we are concerned with here refers to the time when he fell into a swamp, but was able to save himself by pulling himself out by his hair. Later versions of this tale had him lifting himself up by his own bootstraps. This expression 'pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps' was common at one time. It meant to get yourself out of your own problems.A medium used since the 1800s was adapted for use with computers, the punch card. These were accurately specified in terms of dimension and thickness and where the holes were punched. They had to be capable of being read at high speed. A common tool of the computer engineer was a 'card gauge'. A punched card could be placed on the gauge, and checked for accuracy.For example a home electric circuit for house wiring to operate a lamp. The supply is controlled by a circuit breaker, when it is available at the outlet where the lamp is plugged. This can be compared to plumbing, where the water supply is controlled by a valve or tap on entering the home, then pipes carry the water to the kitchen, where the supply can be turned on or off by a tap or faucet, and is immediately available.

by: roger jakson

POST COMMENT

Itok Computer Support Is The Best Tips For Keeping A Good Performance For Your Computer Monitor virus Removal - Which One is the Best? The Way to Get the Most Suitable Baby Monitor HP deskjet F4488: Thermal Inkjet Printer Remove Uninstall Program to Clean Up Your Computer Memory foam mattress can help your posture Printer Cartridges: It Is Better To Dispose Of Or Remanufacture Patient Monitoring Devices - Emerging Markets Bric (brazil, Russia, India, China) --- Aarkstore HP Photosmart C4588: Home and Office Printer Laptops For Sale What brand of laptop is the best for me? Best Disk Optimizer Virus Removal-remove Disk Optimizer-how To Remove It?