Contents

Computer Evolution


A brief overview on the history and evolution of computers, from vacuum tube computers to modern technologies.

Overview

The evolution of computer technology is often divided into 5 generations.

Generation Timeline Hardware
First 1940s-1950s Vacuum tube based
Second 1950s-1960s Transistor based
Third 1960s-1970s Integrated circuit based
Fourth 1970s-present Microprocessor based
Fifth present and future Artificial intelligence based

Glossary

  • Vacuum tube - An electronic device that controls the flow of electrons in a vacuum. It used as a switch, amplifier, or display screen in many older model devices.
  • Transistor - An electronic component that can be used as an amplifier or as a switch. It is used to control the flow of electricity.
  • Integrated circuit - A small electronic circuit printed on a chip (usually made of silicon) that contains many its own circuit elements such as transistors, diodes and resistors.
  • Microprocessor - An electronic component held on an integrated circuit that contains a computer’s CPU and other circuits.
  • Magnetic drum - A cylinder coated with magnetic material, on which data and programs can be stored.
  • Magnetic core - Uses small magnetised rings called cores to store information.
  • Machine language - A low level language comprised of binary digits that make up instructions understood by a computer.
  • Assembly language - A low level language comprised of abbreviated words such as ADD, SUB, DIV that is recognised by a computer.
  • High level language - A language that enables a programmer to write programs independent of the type of computer.
  • RAM(random-access memory) - A type of data storage used in computers that temporary stores of programs and data. Its contents are lost when the computer is turned off.
  • ROM(read-only memory) - A type of data storage used in computers that permanently stores data and programs. its contents are kept when the computer is turned off.

Generations of computers

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  • Main electronic component: vacuum tube
  • Main memory - magnetic drums and magnetic tapes
  • Programming language - machine language
  • Examples: ENIAC, UNIVAC1, IBM 650, IBM 701
  • Main electronic component: transistor
  • Main memory - magnetic core and magnetic tape
  • Programming language - assembly language
  • Example: IBM 1401, IBM 7090 and 7094, UNIVAC 1107
  • Main electronic component: integrated circuits
  • Main memory - large magnetic core and magnetic tape
  • Programming language - high level language
  • Example: IBM 360, IBM 370, PDP-11, UNIVAC 1108
  • Main electronic component: Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits and microprocessor
  • Main memory - semiconductor memory(RAM, ROM,etc.)
  • Programming language - high level language
  • Examples: IBM PC, STAR 1000, APPLE II, Apple Macintosh
  • Main electronic component: Ultra Large-Scale Integration (ULSI) and parallel processing(two or more microprocessors)
  • Main memory - semiconductor memory(RAM, ROM,etc.)
  • Programming language - high level language
  • Examples: desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones

Moore’s Law refers to Gordon Moore’s perception that the number of transistors on a microchip doubles every two years. It is mainly used to highlight the rapid change in information processing technologies. /images/post/CSC1201/moores-law.png

Embedded systems are a combination of computer hardware and software as well as additional mechanical or other parts, designed to perform a dedicated function.

  • Some examples are printers, microwaves and coffee machines.
  • IoT(Internet of Things) devices are embedded within other devices in order to provide enhanced functionalities.

Cloud computing is the delivery of on-demand computing services such as servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, and intelligence over the Internet (“the cloud”).

It allows users to manage resources without owning their a computing infrastructure or data centres and it typically uses a “pay-as-you-go” model.

Quantum computing is a type of computation that harnesses the principles of quantum physics.

  • Instead of bits, quantum computers use something called quantum bits, ‘qubits’ for short. While a traditional bit can only be a one or a zero, a qubit can be a one, a zero or it can be both at the same time. This means that a quantum computer does not have to wait for one process to end before it can begin another, it can do them at the same time.

  • When two quantum particles are entangled, they form a connection to each other no matter how far apart they are. This means that you can move information around, even if it contains uncertainty.


References:

  1. Computer generations - BC Open Textbooks
  2. Cloud computing - Wikipedia
  3. Quantum computing - Mark Smith, 2022