computer science
Origin and Uses of Computers
The computer is one of the most wonderful products of modern science. It plays a significant role in modern life. A computer works with fantastic speed, precision and accuracy. It can make thousands of calculations per second. It is an electronic calculating machine that can count, write and solve highly complex problems. Computers have made in roads into every human activity. It is a friend of students, businessmen, industrialists, scientists and others.
The word computer comes from the word compute meaning to calculate. We find computers in offices, business houses, laboratories and on spaceships. We do not need to wait in the queue for a long time today. Tickets are issued by computers. Computers have made life easier and more perfect.
The neolithic structure Stonehenge near Salisbury in England is considered to be the oldest computer. It is supposed to have been built about 4000 years ago. It consists of a circular structure of stones supposed to have been temple dedicated to the sun god. It was used to predict the astronomical phenomena like the orbits of various planets. John Napier (1552 – 1617) developed logarithm with which multiplication and division become easier. Slide rule was an extension of logarithm. It was in fact a scientist by name Charles Babbage invented the modern computer in the nineteenth century. In the early stages computers used vacuum tubes. A few years later Dr. Howard Alken of Harward University designed the automatic sequence controlled calculator – the first mechanical computer.
There are two models of computers namely Analogue and Digital – the former measures and the latter calculators. Today digital computers are more popular. Digit in Latin means finger. In earlier days fingers were used to count. Computers are used to perform very sophisticated tasks. They are used to control the direction of rockets and missiles. Such computers were used in the second world war. A lot of researches have been done in order to improve upon the existing ones. Read the rest of this entry »
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The Basics of Programming – The Basis of Our Computerized World
We live in a digital age where practically everything now has some computerized component. The basis of all of that hyper functionality is founding in programming. If you ever wondered what makes the engine run, here are the basics.
A computer program is a set of instructions, known as the source code, which gives instructions to a computer. It basically takes a code written in a human readable format and translates it into actually computer operations. What is programming? It is the writing of these codes and instructions. It is also the testing, debugging, and even the long term maintenance of them. To really understand programming, it is necessary to realize that all four operations are involved.
A computer program that does not function is useless. Testing and debugging, which is the removal of errors, are essential parts of programming. Even the upkeep or maintenance of the source codes is a role of the programmer. Programming requires a great deal of knowledge. They must understand the domain. This refers to the actual mechanical workings of the computer hardware. The must understand complex algorithms and comprehend basic logic. Interestingly, computer programmers are one of the rare technical professions that do not require any type of formal certification.
There is always debate as to the exact nature of programming. Is it and art or is it a craft? Perhaps, as many contend, it is really an engineering discipline. The truth most likely lies somewhere between them all. The good programmer can be a bit of an artist, but one grounded in some very basic principles. The true test of a program is not its originality, but rather its ability to function. Regardless of how imaginative a program might be, it is useless if it does not work. Read the rest of this entry »
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Information and Guide on Engineers
Without engineers, everything in the world would not operate as smoothly as it does. Engineers are responsible for creating clever solutions to man different problems, simply by applying an arsenal of precise knowledge coupled with mathematics and scientific methods. In fact the word “engineer” has Latin roots meaning “cleverness.” Since we live in a technologically advanced world that changes more and more every day, engineers will never be out of a job because they are the ones helping the world advance further and further from where it was previously. Without the aid of engineers, we would not have all the absolutely amazing machines that we do today.
The term “engineer” is a pretty broad topic; meaning that there are many different types of engineers. There is not just one type of engineer, although engineers all pretty much have the same job which is to come up with practical ways to solve different problems. However, most engineers work with one specific category meaning that some engineers may be genetic engineers while others may be aerospace engineers or chemical engineers. The list of different types of engineers goes on and on, with different types including industrial, topographic, civil, environmental, systems, materials, electrical, mechanical, structural and more.
Usually, a specific type of engineer will obtain schooling for the one specific type of engineering that they will be doing; for example, an electrical engineer will go to school strictly to learn the tricks and trades of electrical engineering. There are so many different types of engineers merely because it would be almost impossible to obtain all the engineering knowledge needed to work all the different types of engineering. Mechanical engineers strictly work with mechanical engineering, electrical engineers work with electrical engineering and so on and so forth; this is the most practical way to go about engineering. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: computer engineering, computer science