How was colossus programmed?

Answer 1

Colossus, the world's first programmable digital computer, was programmed using a series of plugboards and switches to configure its circuits for specific tasks. It utilized a system of Boolean logic and was primarily designed to break encrypted German messages during World War II. Operators would set up the machine for different cryptographic algorithms by manually adjusting connections and using punched tape to input data, allowing Colossus to perform complex calculations efficiently. Its programming was a precursor to modern computing techniques, blending hardware configuration with algorithmic processes.