Development of Computers
HISTORY OF COMPUTING Before 1900, most data processing was done manually using simple tools like stones & sticks to count and keep records. Around 2000 years ago, Asian merchants came up with a special calculating tool called Abacus that could be used to calculate large figures. An Abacus is made up of a rectangular frame and a crossbar at the middle. It is fitted with wires or strings running across from the frame to the crossbar. How to represent a number using an Abacus. Each bead in the lower row has a value of 1, while each bead in the upper row has a value of 5. To represent a number, the bead is moved to the crossbar. Those beads away from the crossbar represent zeros. The Figure below represents the number 6908 (Six thousand nine hundred and eight). After Abacus, the first machine that is usually regarded as the forerunner of modern computers was named the Analytical Engine, and was developed by an English mathematician called Charles Babbage....