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Computer Origin and Definition || Brief History of Computer



Meaning of the word computer
Computer word derived from a Latin word "compute" which means "to calculate" "to count" "to sum up" or "think together". so, in short, the word computer means a device that performs computation". According to Wikipedia computer was first used in a book called "the young mans gleanings" in 1613.
Definition - What does Computer mean?
A computer is an electronic device or machine that can perform arithmetic operations (like addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, etc as well as logical operations (like comparisons).
A computer is capable of receiving data or information in the form of input and perform a sequence of operations on it and give output to the user. In simpler words, computers accept data to store it manipulates it and gives a result.

A computer is a programmed device with a set of instructions to perform specific tasks and generate results at a very high speed.




The computer as we acknowledge it now had its foundation with a 19th-century English mathematics professor name Charles Babbage.

He designed the Analytical Engine and today's basic framework of computer is base on this design. 

Generally, computers can be categorized into three generations. Every generation lasted for a certain period of time. And each provides us a unique and enhanced computer or an addition to the old computer.

First-generation: 1937 – 1946 - 

In 1937 the first electronic digital computer was built by Dr. John V. Atanasoff and Clifford Berry in 1937. It was named the Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC). In 1943 an electronic computer name the Colossus was made for the army. Additional improvements continued until in 1946 the first general-purpose digital computer was built. It is named the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC). It is told that this computer system weighed 30 tons, and had 18,000 vacuum tubes. Vacuum tubes were used for processing. When this computer system was switched on for the first time lights dim in localities of Philadelphia. Computers systems of this period could just do a single job, and they had no operating system.

Second generation: 1947 – 1962 - 

This generation of computers used transistors rather than vacuum tubes for processing. The first commercial purpose computer system was introduced to the public in 1951. This system named the Universal Automatic Computer (UNIVAC 1). The International Business Machine (IBM) 650 and 700 series computers made their impression in the computer world in 1953. Throughout this generation of computers above 100 computer programming languages were developed. Also this generation of computer systems had memory and operating systems. Storage media like disk and tape were in use used n the system. Also printers for output.

Third generation: 1963 - present -

 The integrated circuit invented in the third generation of computers. With this invention computer became smaller, more powerful more secure. Also, they are able to run various systems at the same time. In 1980 Microsoft Disk Operating System (MS-Dos) was introduced. And in 1981 IBM launched the personal computer (PC) for home and office use. Three years later Apple introduces the Macintosh computer with its icon drove interface. And the 90s gave us a Windows operating system.

As a consequence, the development of computers we have seen the computer being used in all areas of life. It is a very valuable machine that will continue to experience new improvement as time moves.


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