diff --git a/.zk/notebook.db b/.zk/notebook.db index d107e93..54d9dd5 100644 Binary files a/.zk/notebook.db and b/.zk/notebook.db differ diff --git a/zk/The_History_of_Computing_Swade.md b/zk/The_History_of_Computing_Swade.md index 5f0b494..8c4f9f7 100644 --- a/zk/The_History_of_Computing_Swade.md +++ b/zk/The_History_of_Computing_Swade.md @@ -38,6 +38,8 @@ First three phases of digital electronic computers: - Transistor era up to 1963 - First microchip era ending in early 1970s +## Terms + ## Mechanical calculating devices in the 17th century Focus was chiefly on creating a desktop calculator capable of four-function @@ -158,8 +160,6 @@ the Philips Computer it was general enough to be used to solve problems from different contexts. Examples of these contexts: heat flow, ballistics, mechanics, population growth, chemical interactions, astronomy. - - ![Differential Analyser](../img/differential_analyser_bush.jpg) It was about the size of a room and used shafts, motors, discs and wheels to @@ -194,10 +194,8 @@ Their key components were: - punched cards or paper tape for input instructions and outputs They were slower than fully digital computers as they were limited by the speed - -- [ ] of moving components rather than the flow of electric charge. In addition - the various mechanical parts were prone to wear and needed frequent - replacement. +of moving components rather than the flow of electric charge. In addition the +various mechanical parts were prone to wear and needed frequent replacement. ### Examples of electro-mechanical computers @@ -227,3 +225,33 @@ than cards or paper tape. It comprised a panel (the calculating unit) and teletype (the input). One could remotely access the computer from the teletype in another location, providing it was connected to Bell Lab's telephone network. + +#### Z3 (1941) - Konrad Zuse + +![Z3](../img/Zuse-Z3.jpeg) + +First designed in 1938 and completed in 1941. Considered the first fully +automatic, programmable digital computer although relay-based. Programs were +stored on external punched tape and binary was used as the number system. +Destroyed by Allied bombing in the War but a replica (pictured) was built +in 1998. + +## Vacuum-tube devices + +Vacuum-tube devices were the first fully electronic digital devices as they used +vacuum-tubes for implementing binary logic rather than relay switches. + +Canonical examples from this era are the ABC computer, the Collossus and most +famously, the ENIAC. + +### The Antanasoff-Berry Computer (1939 - 1942) + +![ABC Computer](../img/abc-computer.jpg) + +Fully automatic, digital electronic computer but not programmable or really +general-purpose, being created to do linear equations. It took decimal input and +output but operated internally using binary arithmetic. The input was punched +cards and the output was via a front-panel display. + +Its importance stems from the fact that it was the first to use vacuum-tubes for +the arithmetic calculations of the processor.