03 Epochs Flashcards
1
Q
What does Programmability mean?
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A
- the computers hardware can be used for different duties (playing games, calculate numbers, …)
- by installing other programs, the behaviour can be changed, while the hardware is unchanged
- clear seperation of hardware and software (ability to execute and install software)
2
Q
What are the different Epochs of IT?
A
- Epoch -1: First Ideas
- Epoch 0: On the way to the computer (-> 1960)
- Epoch 1: Mainframe and Minicomputer (1959 - today)
- Epoch 2: Personal Computer (1981 - today)
- Epoch 3: Client Server (mid 80´ties - today)
- Epoch 4: Internet Computing (90´ties - today)
- Epoch 5: Cloud Competing (since 2000 - today)
3
Q
Key aspects about Epoch -1: First ideas
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- charles babbage (- 1871) and ada lovelace (-1852)
- sketching of mechanical computers, but due to lack of technolofy, the implementation of these machines failed (first machine build in 1989)
- development of first concepts of programming
4
Q
Key aspects to Epoch 0: On the way to the computer (-1960)
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- electronic accounting machines (simple calculations, programs are fixed wired, so no free programmability)
- no operation system, system components controlled by human operators
- input and output through punch cards
- no monitor and no keyboard (in today´s understanding)
5
Q
Key aspects to Epoch 1: Mainframe- and Minicomputers (1959-today)
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- in 1959 start of commercial usage of mainframes (development of IBM 1041 and IBM 7090)
- univeral uage, programmable -> computer
- high-level computer lanuages (cobol. fortran)
- in the following years, the mainframes became powerful enough to handle thousands of terminals
- ALL of the components including software and infrastrucutre were offered by ONE company
- 1965: DEC introduced mini computer
- mini computers wehre powerful and much cheaper than IBM-Mainframes
- IT could be decentralized bc of minis: now also in departments rather than companies
6
Q
What impact did mainframes and mini computers have on IT?
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- providing the ability for organizations to centralize data processing and automate business operations
- more efficient and effective data management and decision-making
- leading to increased productivity and profitability
- introduction of computer networks, enabling data sharing and communication between different departments and locations
(- foundation for the development of more advanced technologies such as client-server architecture)
7
Q
Key aspects of Epoch 2: personal computer (1981-today)
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- first models already used in 70ties (apple, alto, …)
- first PC by IBM in 1981
- large distribution in the US, later as well in Europe
- DOS-operating system, then Windows (dev. by microsoft)
- later Windows PC based in intel processor (WINTEL-PCS)
- PC changes from computer to desktop (word processing, spreadsheet calculation)
- later: PCs no longer stand-alone but connected to the internet
8
Q
What kind of transformation was enabled by stand-alone Pcs? (Epoch 2)
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- making computing power and personal computing accessible to a wider range of individuals and organizations
- prior to the PC, computers were large, expensive, and only accessible to a limited number of people within large corporations and government institutions
- PC made it possible for people to have a computer in their homes and small businesses, enabling them to be more productive and innovative
- paved the way for the development of new software applications and growth of the personal computing industry
- key role in the rise of the internet and the creation of the World Wide Web, leading to the proliferation of information and communication on a global scale
9
Q
Key aspects to Epoch 3: Client Server (mid 80´ties - today)
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- serveral clients connected to one server through a LAN (today also through internet)
- server offers different services to clients (DNS, WWW, Database)
- in todays network, multiple services are offered from different servers
- by client-server-computing, companies can distribute computing services on several small and cheap servers (these servers offer services to the connected PCs, the clients)
- beginning: Novell NetWare as driving company
- Today: microsoft leading role
- today, compley multi-layered-server-architecture (n-tier architecture) -> offered services distributed on different servers on different levels
10
Q
What kind of transformation was enabled by client-server- architectures? (Epoch 3)
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- allowing the creation of more centralized and efficient computing systems
- prior to client-server architectures, most computing was done on standalone PCs or mainframes, with limited data sharing capabilities
- introduced concept of distributing computing tasks between clients and servers (server performs central processing - clients provide a graphical interface for users)
- more effective data management, enhanced security, improved scalability
- paved the way for the development of new applications, such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) systems
- have since become the standard for modern IT systems and have been critical in supporting the growth of businesses and organizations of all sizes
11
Q
Key aspects to Epoch 4: internet computing (90´ties - today)
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- success of client- server architecture leads to increasing networks, which are interconnected
- distribution of TCP/IP standard -> global internet
- WWW offers easy access to network and its services
- most PCs are connected to the internet
- company wide networks enable introduction of company wide software (not only seperated business functions but ntegrated functions)
- enterprise resource planning systems were introduced (ERPs) - SAP and oracle
12
Q
What kind of transformation was enabled by the internet? (Epoch 4)
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- connecting people, organizations, and computing devices globally, leading to the creation of a new era of digital communication and commerce
- before widespread of internet, communication/ information sharing limited to local networks
- made it possible to send and receive information and communicate instantly and inexpensively with people anywhere in the world
- new forms of digital commerce (businesses could reach a global market and for individuals to buy and sell goods and services online)
- growth of knowledge-sharing platforms and cloud computing
- key enabler of innovation, allowing for the development of new technologies and services that were previously not possible
- enormous impact on society and the economy
13
Q
Key aspects to Epoch 5: Cloud Computing (2000-now)
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- data no longer stored nor processed on local hardware
- storage and processing services offered through internet
- new business models offerinf scalable and flexible cloud-services
- services that have been executed within the own company can now be taken from the internet through cloud computing
14
Q
What transformation is enabled by cloud-computing?
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- providing organizations with flexible, scalable, and cost-effective computing resources
- Prior to widespread of cloud computing, businesses had to invest in expensive hardware and IT infrastructure to run their applications and store their data
- allows organizations to access computing resources and data storage on an as-needed basis, eliminating the need for large upfront investments in IT infrastructure
- changing the way applications are built, deployed, and managed
- organizations can quickly deploy new applications and services
- …enabling businesses to be more agile and responsive to changing market conditions
- driving new innovations in areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning
- enabling organizations to analyze and gain insights from massive amounts of data and to create new products and services
