1
COMPUTER THEIR ORIGIN AND
APPLICATIONS
The word computer comes from the word “compute” which
means to calculate. Computer is also meant for calculation but it is
much more than just a
calculating machine. A computer accepts the input through various
input devices. After receiving the input data, computer performs
different operations
required by the user on these input. Finally, computer generates
the resultant of the
processed data as the output through various output devices. A
computer is an electronic device, which is used for means of
communication,information gathering,data processing,high -speed
mathematical calculation, computation and accuracy.
ORIGIN OF COMPUTERS
1.ABACUS
Nearly 5,000 years ago, the “abacus” was developed in China in
3000 B.C. The word
abacus means calculating board. The “abacus” may be considered
the first computer and
it has been used since ancient times by a number of civilizations for
basic arithmetical
calculations. The abacus is also called a counting frame, which is a
calculating tool for performing
1
, 2
arithmetic operations. The Chinese abacus has a frame holding
vertical wires, with seven
beads on each wire. A horizontal divider separates the top two
beads from the bottom
five, sometimes referred to as the heaven and the earth beads. The
arithmetic calculations
are performed by manipulating the beads by using the principle of
positional weight of
beads on a rack. Abacus is used even today to teach small children
how to count. A
skilled abacus operation can be as fast as a hand held calculator.
2.Napier’s Bones
John Napier was a mathematician who became famous for his
invention of logarithms.
The used of "logs" enabled him to reduce any multiplication
problem. John Napier built a
mechanical device for the purpose of multiplication in 1617 A.D.
The device was known
as Napier‟s bones. His "bones" are set of eleven rods side by side
products and quotients
of large numbers can be obtained. The sticks were called "bones"
because they were
made of bone of ivory.
3 Slide Rule
English mathematician E. Gunter developed the slide rule. This
machine could perform
2
COMPUTER THEIR ORIGIN AND
APPLICATIONS
The word computer comes from the word “compute” which
means to calculate. Computer is also meant for calculation but it is
much more than just a
calculating machine. A computer accepts the input through various
input devices. After receiving the input data, computer performs
different operations
required by the user on these input. Finally, computer generates
the resultant of the
processed data as the output through various output devices. A
computer is an electronic device, which is used for means of
communication,information gathering,data processing,high -speed
mathematical calculation, computation and accuracy.
ORIGIN OF COMPUTERS
1.ABACUS
Nearly 5,000 years ago, the “abacus” was developed in China in
3000 B.C. The word
abacus means calculating board. The “abacus” may be considered
the first computer and
it has been used since ancient times by a number of civilizations for
basic arithmetical
calculations. The abacus is also called a counting frame, which is a
calculating tool for performing
1
, 2
arithmetic operations. The Chinese abacus has a frame holding
vertical wires, with seven
beads on each wire. A horizontal divider separates the top two
beads from the bottom
five, sometimes referred to as the heaven and the earth beads. The
arithmetic calculations
are performed by manipulating the beads by using the principle of
positional weight of
beads on a rack. Abacus is used even today to teach small children
how to count. A
skilled abacus operation can be as fast as a hand held calculator.
2.Napier’s Bones
John Napier was a mathematician who became famous for his
invention of logarithms.
The used of "logs" enabled him to reduce any multiplication
problem. John Napier built a
mechanical device for the purpose of multiplication in 1617 A.D.
The device was known
as Napier‟s bones. His "bones" are set of eleven rods side by side
products and quotients
of large numbers can be obtained. The sticks were called "bones"
because they were
made of bone of ivory.
3 Slide Rule
English mathematician E. Gunter developed the slide rule. This
machine could perform
2
