Computer CurrentsMiguel Rebollo

Introduction to Computer Science2009-2010

4626. Introd to Computer Science

Aims• What is a computer and what it does

• Study current trends in the evolution of modern computers

• Analyse the fundamental differences between computers and other machines

• Know the relationship between hardware and software

• Classify the different kinds of computers

• Understand the social and ethical impact of information technology on our society

4626. Introd to Computer Science

General perspective• Computers are machines that converts

input data into output information

• Computer’s versatility is built upon its software

4626. Introd to Computer Science

Computers in perspective

• 1939: first programmable, general-purpose, digital machine (Konrad Zuse)

• 1943: first electronic, digital computer (Alan Turing)

• 1944: IBM develops Mark I (based on Babbage’s analytical machine)

• 1946: ENIAC, Univ. Pennsylvania

• 1951: UNIVAC, first commercial computer

4626. Introd to Computer Science

Computer’s evolution

vacuumtubes

integratedcircuits

transistors

micro-processor

60 years of transistor (1947-2007)

4626. Introd to Computer Science

Computers today

• Supercomputers

• Servers

• Workstations

• Personal computers

• Portable computers

• Specific purpose computers

4626. Introd to Computer Science

Mainframes and supercomputers

• cost: 1,000,000 €

• used by large organisations

• huge computations tasks

• time sharing: to give short time periods to each user

• supercomputers: intensive calculus

4626. Introd to Computer Science

Servers

• provide services (sw resources) to several users among a network

• servers are specifically designed to this work

4626. Introd to Computer Science

Workstations

• high-end desktop computers

• for users who need massive computer power

• scientific applications

4626. Introd to Computer Science

Personal computers

• serve a single user at a time

• powerful enough for common applications, and cheaper

• IBM PC is not the only personal computer (PC)

4626. Introd to Computer Science

First IBM PC

4626. Introd to Computer Science

Portable computers

• machines that are not tied to the desktop (less than 3 kg)

• same power as PC

• in the border line: handheld computers and PDAs (personal digital assistant)

4626. Introd to Computer Science

Specific purpose

• dedicated computers that performs specific tasks

• their programs cannot be changed easily, because they’re stored in their circuits

• embedded computers: integrated in a lot of devices (as electronic equipment or household appliances)

4626. Introd to Computer Science

Is this a computer?

4626. Introd to Computer Science

And these?

4626. Introd to Computer Science

Computer connections

• They appear when terminals are substituted by PC (60s) →LAN

• Allow to share resources among computers and to communicate

• Joined forming bigger networks (WAN)

• use of standard telephonic lines

• extended to domestic users in 90s

4626. Introd to Computer Science

Internet revolution

• Born for educational and research instit.

• Closely related with WWW development

• Current alternatives to connections:

• network computers (NC)

• household appliances

• games and set-top boxes

• cell phones

4626. Introd to Computer Science

Main applications

• Productivity tools

• Graphics and digital photography

• Digital sound and video. Multimedia

• Telecomm. and networks

• Artificial intelligence

• Entertainment

• General problem resolution

4626. Introd to Computer Science

Social and ethic problems

• Threat to personal privacy

• Difficulty to keep data secure

• Difficulty to protect property

• Risk to failures

• Threat to work automation and deshumanisation

• High dependence of tech

does technology have to change?

...or is the people who has to change?