The Ever-Evolving Computer

The human race doubled its technological knowledge — which is another way of saying the creation of new technology tools — from the year 1 A.D. to the year 1750. But then, in just 150 years — by 1900 — that technological knowledge doubled again, and once again between 1900 and 1950. Since then, we have made more progress than in the preceding 10,000 years.

The computer is part of our expanding technological knowledge, but it is also a tool used to advance that knowledge. One reason is that the computer, unlike a plow or an airplane, can be used for many different things. Back in the 1940s and 1950s, no one imagined we would have computers in wristwatches or cash registers. No other technology has grown so fast, nor provided us with so many benefits, as the computer.

What is the next great challenge for computer hardware? Today, it appears to be portable computers that have no keyboards, known as pen-based computers. They use an electronic stylus to draw simple characters when issuing instructions. Pen-based computers are currently being used to fill out forms or complete reports that only require writing in block letters. This includes salespeople who must collect data in the field or at the job site — for example, sales representatives taking orders in grocery stores; construction site supervisors, who must evaluate drawings and reports; equipment maintenance, public utility, or safety workers; and a variety of data collectors, such as census takers. But in time these computers will be able to "learn" our handwriting, opening up the use of computers to a large population that cannot or will not type on a keyboard.

Summary

1. Describe the difference between general-purpose computers and special-purpose computers.

A general-purpose computer is one used for a variety of tasks without the need to modify or change it as the tasks change. A common example is a mini or mainframe computer used in business that runs many different applications. A special-purpose computer is designed and used solely for one application. It may need to be redesigned, and certainly must be reprogrammed, if it is to perform another task. Special-purpose computers range from the smallest hand-held device to the largest supercomputer.

2. Explain the difference between the various types of portable computers.

A portable computer is used by a single individual; the difference is that it can be used in many different places. It is not confined, by its size or weight, to a desktop. It has the same components as a desktop machine, but in most cases the monitor and keyboard are integrated. The three most popular portables are laptops, notebooks, and palmtops.

3. Describe the different types of workstations and how each is used.

A workstation, like its personal computer counterpart, is a computer that fits on a desktop. It is most commonly used by a single individual, but it may also be shared among users. The workstation combines the ease of use and convenience of personal computer with some of the power and functions of larger computers, and thus often costs more. Workstations are characterized by their microprocessor, their easy-to-use interface, and their multitasking capabilities. They are used in science and engineering, office automation, and education.

4. Describe the characteristics of the minicomputer and its three different uses. The minicomputer, or mini, is a versatile special- or general-purpose computer designed so that many people can use it at the same time. Special-purpose minis can be used in places that would be inhospitable to mainframes. Companies whose data storage and processing needs are smaller than those of large banks or government agencies find they can do the job with one or perhaps a few minis. In these situations, the minicomputer works much like a mainframe, although the volume of the usage is lower. An OEM mini is a system offered by a company that develops special software that runs on the minicomputer, along with any of their own special hardware for publishing.

5. Describe the characteristics and uses of the mainframe computer.

The mainframe is the largest general-purpose computer. It is designed to be used by hundreds or even thousands of people. Most mainframes are used when there is continual, heavy processing and many users. Most mainframe computers are general-purpose machines. General-purpose mainframe computers play a major role in virtually every aspect of business and organizational life.

6. Describe the characteristics and uses of the supercomputer.

Supercomputers are known best for their sheer power and massive storage capabilities. Their task is to process large, complex problems at high speed – foe example, calculating a prime number (one that divisible only by 1 and itself) or the distance between planets. We often refer to supercomputer performance in FLOPS, for floating point operations per second. But computers permit, such as molecular modeling, geographic modeling, and image processing.