brief history of computer systems, software, …（简史的计算机系统、软件、u2026）.pdf

Brief History of Computer Systems, Software, and Programming The first modern computer came into existence in the 1940s. No single person invented the computer—the credit goes to the many inventors who have worked on different pieces of the computer over the years. Man’s quest to simplify mathematical computations has led to extensive research, algorithm development, and other innovations. Laptops, tablets, smartphones, and many other devices are a product of these innovations. This article will detail the history of these innovations in mathematics, programming, and software and computer system design. What Is a Computer? A computer is an electronic device that stores and processes data. It comprises both hardware and software. The term hardware refers to the physical aspects of the computer and comprises the following main components: 1. central processing unit (CPU); 2. memory; 3. storage devices (disks, CDs, and tapes); 4. input and output devices (monitors, keyboards, mice, and printers). All these components are connected to each other through the system bus. The figure below provides a visual overview of the main parts of the computer. Figure 1: The main components of a computer. Computer programs are written by programmers, and they guide the computer through an orderly set of actions to perform some operation. The term software refers to these programs that instruct hardware to perform specific tasks. The instructions to the /courses/cs101/#1.1 The Saylor Foundation S Page 1 of 9 computer can