Computing
The basic principles of general purpose computers have not changed since they were first conceived by Charles Babbage sometime before 1833. (His design was not actually built until sometime around 1990 -- yes those dates are correct.)
Computer principles don't change because they are as fundamental as mathematics, which of course don't change either. We're now close to the 60th anniversary of the first electronic computer, which was based on Babbage's original design. The big difference is they are powered by electricity, not steam.
Computer principles are embodied in the primary elements of a computer: input device(s), store (memory), processor, instructions and output device(s). In the beginning there were no hard drives, keyboards or monitors, much less mice. But they fundamentally worked in the same way.
Computer operation is straightforward -- data goes in (input) -- operations on the data are performed, results are stored (intermediate and final) -- the results come out (output). All of this is under the control of instructions (program), which are just another form of data.
For example -- [(2+4) divided by 3]. First the two numbers <2> and <4> are go in. They are added together and the temporary results are stored. The number <3> is then goes in. Next the temporary results <6> are divided by <3> and the results <2> come out. And it's all done in less than a millionth of a second.
The confusing thing about a PC is the multiplicity of input devices, memories, instruction sets, processors and output devices -- most of which are themselves used for multiple functions and tasks in turn. The keyboard, mouse, CD drives, modems and cameras are all input devices. Speakers, printers, the monitor, and modems (again) are common output devices.
Memory is used not only for data and results, but also for instructions. That's where it really gets confusing. The processor can't perform an instruction unless both the current data and the current instruction are in memory.
PCs work with much more data than memory can hold. That's why hard drives were invented. They "store" the data of the past (results), the data of the future (input), and instructions not currently being used. The processor goes to the hard drive to "fetch" data and instructions it needs next, and to "store" results it has completed.
The basic principles of general purpose computers have not changed since they were first conceived by Charles Babbage sometime before 1833. (His design was not actually built until sometime around 1990 -- yes those dates are correct.)
Computer principles don't change because they are as fundamental as mathematics, which of course don't change either. We're now close to the 60th anniversary of the first electronic computer, which was based on Babbage's original design. The big difference is they are powered by electricity, not steam.
Computer principles are embodied in the primary elements of a computer: input device(s), store (memory), processor, instructions and output device(s). In the beginning there were no hard drives, keyboards or monitors, much less mice. But they fundamentally worked in the same way.
Computer operation is straightforward -- data goes in (input) -- operations on the data are performed, results are stored (intermediate and final) -- the results come out (output). All of this is under the control of instructions (program), which are just another form of data.
For example -- [(2+4) divided by 3]. First the two numbers <2> and <4> are go in. They are added together and the temporary results are stored. The number <3> is then goes in. Next the temporary results <6> are divided by <3> and the results <2> come out. And it's all done in less than a millionth of a second.
The confusing thing about a PC is the multiplicity of input devices, memories, instruction sets, processors and output devices -- most of which are themselves used for multiple functions and tasks in turn. The keyboard, mouse, CD drives, modems and cameras are all input devices. Speakers, printers, the monitor, and modems (again) are common output devices.
Memory is used not only for data and results, but also for instructions. That's where it really gets confusing. The processor can't perform an instruction unless both the current data and the current instruction are in memory.
PCs work with much more data than memory can hold. That's why hard drives were invented. They "store" the data of the past (results), the data of the future (input), and instructions not currently being used. The processor goes to the hard drive to "fetch" data and instructions it needs next, and to "store" results it has completed.
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