The world of technology has become an integral part of our daily lives. We use it for entertainment, communication, education, and business, among other things. However, not everyone is aware of the full form of the term ‘Computer’.
In this blog, we will explore the history, full form, and evolution of computers, along with their importance in our daily lives.
Origin of the term ‘Computer’
The Latin word ‘computare’, which means to calculate, derived the term ‘Computer’. In the early 17th century, people used the term ‘Computer’ to describe a person who performed calculations. This person was usually a mathematician or an astronomer, who was responsible for calculating astronomical positions and charts.
In the mid-19th century, people used the term ‘Computer’ to describe a machine that can perform arithmetic operations after the invention of the mechanical calculator. Charles Babbage invented the first mechanical computer known as the ‘Difference Engine’. However, funding issues prevented its completion.
Full form of Computer
The full form of ‘Computer’ is “Common Operating Machine Purposely Used for Technological and Educational Research“. This definition was given by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) in 1967. This definition highlights the main purpose of a computer, which is to provide a platform for technological and educational research.
Evolution of Computers
The evolution of computers can be divided into five generations, each representing a significant technological advancement. Let’s take a closer look at each generation:
First Generation: The first generation of computers was developed in the 1940s and used vacuum tubes as the primary electronic component. These computers were large and expensive, and could only perform basic calculations.
Second Generation: The second generation of computers was developed in the 1950s and used transistors as the primary electronic component. These computers were smaller, faster, and more reliable than the first generation computers.
Third Generation: The third generation of computers was developed in the 1960s and used integrated circuits as the primary electronic component. These computers were even smaller and faster than the second generation computers.
Fourth Generation: The fourth generation of computers was developed in the 1970s and used microprocessors as the primary electronic component. These computers were smaller, faster, and more powerful than the previous generations.
Fifth Generation: The developers created the fifth generation of computers in the 1980s using artificial intelligence and parallel processing as the primary technologies. They designed these computers to emulate human intelligence and perform complex tasks.
Importance of Computers in our daily lives
Today, computers are an integral part of our daily lives. From personal use to business and industries, computers have revolutionized the way we work, communicate, and store information. Here are some of the important areas where computers are widely used:
Education: Computers have become an essential tool in education. They are using them for research, writing, and presentation purposes. Online courses and e-learning have also become popular due to the widespread use of computers.
Business: Computers have become an essential tool in business. They are using them for communication, data storage, and analysis, and automation of various tasks. E-commerce has also become popular due to the widespread use of computers.
Entertainment: People widely use computers for entertainment purposes, including gaming, streaming movies and music, and social media.
Healthcare: People widely use computers in healthcare for research, diagnosis, and treatment purposes.Electronic health records have become popular due to the widespread use of computers.
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