diff --git a/.zk/notebook.db b/.zk/notebook.db index 54d9dd5..fc569de 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 8c4f9f7..d21ec05 100644 --- a/zk/The_History_of_Computing_Swade.md +++ b/zk/The_History_of_Computing_Swade.md @@ -40,6 +40,12 @@ First three phases of digital electronic computers: ## Terms +| Term | Definition | +| --------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | +| automatic | can execute programs, process data and perform functions on its own once it has been started. Can monitor its own processes and make adjustments without human intervention | +| general-purpose | | +| programmable | | + ## Mechanical calculating devices in the 17th century Focus was chiefly on creating a desktop calculator capable of four-function @@ -255,3 +261,25 @@ 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. + +### Colossus (1943-1945) - Tommy Flowers/ Max Newman + +Designed and built at the Post Office Research Station at Dollis Hill. Used for +cracking the Lorenz messages of the German high command. + +Mainly important (beyond its role in the War) for establishing the viability of +vacuum-tubes over relays. It comprised 2.4 thousand tubes. + +Debatable the extent to which the Collosus can be called the _first digital +computer_ since it was not general purpose and not fully programmable. + +Furthermore it was not even a complete solution in its context of application. +The codebreakers would be given a certain advantage using the Collosus +(narrowing the field of possible deciphering keys) but still need to use manual +methods to break the code. It made decipher time shorter rather than executing +the full diciphering. In contrast to, say, the Bombe computer that would +identify the key for the days transmissions. + +It's actual influence is also hard to gauge because of the secrecy that remained +in place after the War. Apart from those who worked on it, its technical +advancements were not public knowledge until the late 1970s.