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The very first computers were built for a specific purpose - that is to perform one task only. Essentially, the way they were built was the programming that we know of today and there was no 'software' to speak of. Later, people set about creating a general purpose computer that could serve more than one purpose. The functionality was changed again through modifications to the hardware but this only took days, in comparison to the years it would have took to build the single purpose equivalent.
Eventually computers could be programmed to use software with no changes in the hardware required. These computers contained an instruction set, memory, clock rates and a lot of other things we find in computers used today. Programming was carried out in pure binary (1's and 0's) at first until human friendly equivalents were created. A command of 1101 would equate to LDA (load accumalator). This method was used in majority until the 80's (and still is now, though not as much) when high level languages were introduced that focused on problem oriented tasks.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago- ABC, no; electronic
- Harvard Mark 1, yes; electromechanical
- Zuse Z-3, yes; electromechanical
- Colossus, yes; electronic
- ENIAC, yes; electronic
- Manchester Baby, yes; electronic
- EDSAC, yes; electronic
- EDVAC, yes; electronic
- etc.
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Who create computer last century?
Early computers created in the first half of the 20th century, such as the 1946 University of Pennsylvania's Moore School of Electrical Engineering's ENIAC computer, were built based on theories set forth by Alan Turing, but these computers were large, unwieldy, and limited in their ability to be programmed. The first personal computer commercially available which resembles modern personal computers was the 1977 Apple II, created by Steve Wozniak.
What does freely programmable computer mean?
A freely programmable computer is a computer that can be programmed and reprogrammed by the user. Almost all modern computers are freely programmable.
Why did the first computer have so many cords?
if you are talking about ENIAC, that is how it was programmed.
Define computer Briefly describe classification of computers?
A computer is a machine that is able to be programmed to perform tasks. Classification is based on application, size, brand, and model.
What type of limitations did the first home computers have?
The main limitation the first home computers had was the same as the first mainframe computers had: not enough main memory (RAM) and not enough external storage.
Who programmed first generation computers?
Mathematicians and scientists were the first programmers.
Does a genetic engineered human remember if it was made by computers?
If programmed to, yes, but if programmed not to, then no.
Why do computers have no IQ?
Takes a brain to have one. Computers are not living, but machines and are programmed .
What is grace Murray hopper known for?
She was one of the first programmers of one of the first computers. See the related link for more information.
What can computers do now vs the first computers ever made?
This is a very good question, The very first actual computers made were designed to be programmed manually by swiches and tubes being changed very frequently unlike the most recent computers made which can be programmed by software being proccesed by its very own thinking device (the CPU). Yes we must write this program but the computer can actually conduct proccessing on its own with the CPU with just a few keystrokes or cliks.
Can computers communicate in natural language?
Yes, if they are programmed to do so.
Why is all computers in American English?
Because Americans programmed the computers. The british programmers didn't mind copy-and-pasting the program for british computers.
Why do computers manipulate binary data and executive binary instructionsWhy binary?
it is the only language programmed and understandable by the computer processor because it is programmed in it.
Computers are distinguished from other computing devices by their ability to?
Assuming that computers a subset of the higher class of "computing devices" then the first question is what belongs in the computing devices higher class that doesn't belong in the computers subclass. It's difficult to say because everything that belongs in the computing devices class could be classified as a "computer" as well, because it computes by definition of being a computing device. Typically when we refer to computers, we specifically mean main frame computers, mini-computers, or personal computers. We don't typically mean cell phones, calculators, or personal data assistants (PDA's) though all of these undoubtedly compute. What distinguishes computers from these devices, in general, is their ability to be programmed to do custom tasks that they were not originally developed to do. Most of the other computing devices can not be programmed in and of themselves to do other tasks they were not originally designed to do, however there are exceptions. Cell phones can run custom applications (though you cannot typically write the applications on the cell phone itself. The same goes for PDAs and calculators. Some of the more complex calculators are not unlike some of the first personal computers in their ability to be programmed, but their programming power is rather limited. In short, computers can be programmed, but so can many of the other computing devices, but still it does distinguish them from many of the other computing devices because ALL computers can be programmed, whereas only a subset of the other computing devices can be programmed.
How does computers know the right answer?
They don't.They only execute commands that they are programmed to carry out.
What language do computers read from robotics?
Whatever language they have been programmed to read.
What are three limitations of computers?
Computers can only operate by how they are programmed. Computers don't understand nuances of thought, feeling, or action. Computers can record verbatim, but can never capture subtle meanings-- unless we write out the subtleties.
