the Difference Engine, which
worked on the principle of
finite differences, or making
complex mathematical
calculations by repeated
addition without using
multiplication or division. He
secured government funding in
1824 and spent eight years
perfecting his idea. In 1832, he
produced a functioning
prototype of his table-making
machine, only to find his
funding had run out.
But, as you might have
guessed, the story doesn't end
there.
A computer is a generalpurpose device that can
be programmed to carry out a
set
of arithmetic or logical operati
ons automatically. Since a
sequence of operations can be
readily changed, the computer
can solve more than one kind
of problem.
Conventionally, a computer
consists of at least one
processing element, typically
a central processing
unit (CPU), and some form of
memory. The processing
element carries out arithmetic
and logic operations, and a
sequencing and control unit
can change the order of
operations in response to
stored information. devices
allow information to be
retrieved from an external
source, and the result of
operations saved and retrieved.
Mechanical analog
computers started appearing in
the first century and were later
used in the medieval era for
astronomical calculations.
In World War II, mechanical
analog computers were used
for specialized military
applications such as calculating
torpedo aiming. During this
time the first
electronic digital computers
were developed. Originally
they were the size of a large
room, consuming as much
power as several hundred
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