We explain what computing is and what its most important areas of study are. Also, history of computing, and evolution.
Faster computers with better capabilities are being created every day.What is computing?
The concept computation comes from Latin computation, this refers to the computation, as counts. Computing is the science in charge of studying the systems, more precisely computers, that automatically manage information.
Within computer science, different areas of study can be distinguished:
- Structure of data Y Algorithms. An important study in computing is that of the structure of data and the algorithms. For this, these last two are analyzed to be able to solve the precise problems. In this area the analysis Mathematical is elementary.
- Operating systems. The operating systems they are also considered one of the most important areas. They are created and continually updated to improve the operation, improving faults and adapting them to new market needs.
- Computer architecture. With regard to the area of computer architecture, new computers are created, faster and with better capabilities. Attention is usually focused on certain components, such as memories, CPU and peripherals (input and output).
- Programming languages. Another elementary area in the study of computing is that ofprogramming languages. The goal is to create new programming languages that are more efficient and faster, with superior functionalities and capabilities.
History of computing
At Harvard University, the computer called Mark I.
While the use of computers and its study has been massive in recent decades, computer science has a long history. Since ancient civilizations, such as the Romans and Greeks used mechanical instruments to account.
However, the first computer was created during the nineteenth century, this was called the analytical machine. This machine arose with the objective to elaborate mathematical tables. Some years later the government English would use them to do accounts. At the end of the 1940s, the computer called Mark I was created at Harvard University. Attempts would continue throughout the United States with the support of the government.
When the number of designs began to increase, they began to be classified by their characteristics in generations:
- First generation. Throughout the fifties, they were characterized by their programming using machine language and designed with vacuum tubes. They also occupied entire rooms due to their large size and were too expensive. As in the second generation, the information that entered the machine was through punched cards.
- Second generation. This generation spanned the 1960s. During this generation, computers could process more data and were slightly smaller. It was during these years that the communications between machines. At the same time, the first personal computers emerged, in any case they were very complex to use that it was necessary to know the programming.
- Third generation. It was during the third generation when production began to be serial. Computers could be managed through operating systems. Many of the techniques used in those years became standards that are used to this day.
- Fourth generation. The fourth generation is recognized by the appearance of microchips. This was a milestone in computer science. The circuits not only began to be much smaller and faster, but in turn they were much cheaper. That is why production increased significantly and many more people had access to them. This generation is also known as the Computing Revolution.
The impact on everyday life
Book printing became digital publishing and publishing.
Currently the technologies Computational techniques have allowed the re-elaboration of the traditional concepts of the activities, in this way the technologies began to transform the life of people deeply and in all their activities:
- Traditional mail was replaced by sending and receiving email.
- The art of the cartoonist underwent modification and became the production of digital drawings.
- The audio editing is fully digitized.
- The printing of books was transformed into the publication and digital edition in computerized supports that are at the same time commercialized via Internet, among many other processes.
That is to say, the scope of computing is incalculable, the modification in the processes of the activities has already taken place and continues its advance in an unusual way, constantly transforming our lives and creating new personal requirements that demand that we be aware of these new resources. , both to know and know about their use, as well as to know how to take advantage of them in pursuit of a better personal and social well-being.