Marilyn

History of the Computer

Who invented the computer? — Nobody knows for sure when the first computer was invented, though there are many precursors to the modern computer. Many of them operate on mechanical rather than electronic principles. The history of computers can be traced as far back as 3000 BC. The computers invented prior to the 20 century were not digital and most were not programmable. However, Charles Babbage invented the concept of a programmable computer in 1856.

Function A computer has four basic functions. •

Input

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Output

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Storage

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Processing

In older computers, data was typically stored on removable media such as punch cards or magnetic tape. The same media were used to input the information into the computer. Early computers could output data through mechanical dials or print-outs. The first electrical computers processed data using vacuum tubes. These were later replaced with transistors, which were more efficient and took up less space.