A computer is a device that accepts information (in the form of digital data) and manipulates it for some result based on a program or sequence of instructions on how the data is to be processed. Complex computers also include the means for storing data (including the program, which is also a form of data) for some necessary duration. A program may be invariable and built into the computer (and called logic circuitry as it is on microprocessors) or different programs may be provided to the computer (loaded into its storage and then started by an administrator or user). Today's computers have both kinds of programming.
Most histories of the modern computer begin with the Analytical Engine envisioned by Charles Babbage following the mathematical ideas of George Boole, the mathematician who first stated the principles of logic inherent in today's digital computer. Babbage's assistant and collaborator, Ada Lovelace, is said to have introduced the ideas of program loops and subroutines and is sometimes considered the first programmer. Apart from mechanical calculators, the first really usable computers began with the vacuum tube, accelerated with the invention of the transistor which then became embedded in large numbers in integrated circuits, ultimately making possible the relatively low-cost personal computer.
[...] The time taken to access a given byte of information stored on a hard disk is typically a few thousandths of a second, or milliseconds. By contrast, the time taken to access a given byte of information stored in random access memory is measured in thousand-millionths of a second, or nanoseconds. This illustrates the very significant access-time difference which distinguishes solid-state memory from rotating magnetic storage devices: hard disks are typically about a million times slower than memory. Hard disk is the primary on line secondary storage device for most computer system today. [...]
[...] data that are part of the same overall project can be distributed over a network and embody the Sun Microsystems slogan: "The network is the computer." Hardware Introduction Hardware is a general term that refers to the physical artifacts of a technology. It may also mean the physical components of a computer system, in the form of computer hardware. Hardware historically meant the metal parts and fittings that were used to make wooden products stronger, more functional, longer lasting and easier to fabricate or assemble. [...]
[...] Mainframe and minicomputer manufacturers of the time launched proprietary IC development programs to upgrade their older computer architectures, and eventually produced instruction set compatible microprocessors that were backward-compatible with their older hardware and software. Combined with the advent and eventual vast success of the now ubiquitous personal computer, the term "CPU" is now applied almost exclusively to microprocessors. Previous generations of CPUs were implemented as discrete components and numerous small integrated circuits (ICs) on one or more circuit boards. Microprocessors, on the other hand, are CPUs manufactured on a very small number of ICs; usually just one. [...]
[...] Unfortunately, it was rare that one hardware vendor could supply all of an organizations need for hardware and consequently the environment entertained many hardware vendors per organization, and likewise, many software vendors over time. Systems and their environments evolved, complexity increased, data requirements grew year by year. The IT Problem queue was dealt with on a day-to-day basis. Database storage technology itself needed to evolve. The task of managing constantly growing data structures was becoming an occupational hazard for IT management and operational staff. [...]
[...] This kind of memory loses all the information on it when the power is turned off, so cannot be used as a permanent store for information. For this reason information like your documents need to be written to the hard disk so they have a permanent storage space. ROM A special type of RAM, called read only memory is non-volatile memory chip, in which data is stored permanently and can not be altered by programmer. In fact, storing data permanently in to this kind of memory is called “Burning of the because in such memory is stored by using fuse-links. [...]
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