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@ -38,6 +38,8 @@ First three phases of digital electronic computers:
- Transistor era up to 1963 - Transistor era up to 1963
- First microchip era ending in early 1970s - First microchip era ending in early 1970s
## Terms
## Mechanical calculating devices in the 17th century ## Mechanical calculating devices in the 17th century
Focus was chiefly on creating a desktop calculator capable of four-function 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, different contexts. Examples of these contexts: heat flow, ballistics,
mechanics, population growth, chemical interactions, astronomy. mechanics, population growth, chemical interactions, astronomy.
<img src="../img/differential_analyser_bush.jpg" />
![Differential Analyser](../img/differential_analyser_bush.jpg) ![Differential Analyser](../img/differential_analyser_bush.jpg)
It was about the size of a room and used shafts, motors, discs and wheels to 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 - punched cards or paper tape for input instructions and outputs
They were slower than fully digital computers as they were limited by the speed 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
- [ ] of moving components rather than the flow of electric charge. In addition various mechanical parts were prone to wear and needed frequent replacement.
the various mechanical parts were prone to wear and needed frequent
replacement.
### Examples of electro-mechanical computers ### 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 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 remotely access the computer from the teletype in another location, providing it
was connected to Bell Lab's telephone network. 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.