W1 History Flashcards
what was the main purpose of earliest computing device?
aid numeric computation
what was the first computing device? where and when it was developed?
Babylonia, over 5000 years ago and still used today in some parts of the world
another name of abacus?
finger-powered pocket” calculator
what is algorithm?
a finite set of unambiguous instructions to solve a problem
the name of algorithm came after who?
Muḥammad ibn Mūsā al-Khwārizmī
give 2 examples for algorithm usage?
- Euclidean algorithm for finding the greatest common divisor of two numbers
2.the sieve of Eratosthenes for finding prime numbers
2 types of calculating machines and examples?
1.manual–>slide ruler(replaced by pocket calculators)
2.mechanical–>mechanical calculators
jacquard loom?
used punch cards to define complex patterns woven into textiles
(punch cards were later used to code computer programs)
**George boole?
1.Boolean algebra
2.laid logical foundations of
digital computing circuitry
**Claude Shannon?
1.introduced the application of Boolean Logic in creating digital computing machines
2.ublished “A mathematical theory of communication” which establishes the principles for encoding information so it might be reliably transmitted electronically
3.he is the father of the modern information age
**Von Neumann Architecture
1.stored program
2. binary internal coding
**3.CPU-Memory-I/O organization
**4.”fetch-decode-execute” instruction cycle
***5.Basis for modern computers
Alan Turing?
1.led the World War II research group that broke the (encrypted) code for the (Germany) Enigma machine
2.proposed a simple abstract universal machine model for defining computability – The Turing Machine
3.devised the “Turing Test” for Artificial Intelligence
the Enigma machine ?
it was the most sophisticated code system of its day, and a priority for the Allies to break it as the Germans believed it was unbreakable
the 1st electronic general-purpose
computer?
ENIAC: Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer
1.massive scale
2.redundant design
3.used vacuum tubes: to control the flow of electrical signals
4.decimal internal coding
5.manual programming of boards, switches and “function table”
* Not “Von Neumann Architecture”
function of vacuum tubes:
control the flow of electrical signals
they are are large, generate a lot of heat and are prone to fail
