The word "computer" is common these days; however many people, if asked, would be hard pressed to say what exactly a computer is. The answer is simple: a computer is a machine whose main use is to process a set of information through a pre-designed program. From such humble-sounding aspirations, however, springs the huge range of current devices that we now classify as "computers." The history of the computer really begins in the first half of the 20th century, when gigantic "supercomputers" took up entire university buildings. Since then, however, two trends have predominated: one, towards increasingly small computer hardware, and the other, towards an exponentially increasing level of computing power. This combination has produced the efficient and portable computers that we now use. Most of today's computers are built up of a series of intricate hardware parts, including some familiar pieces (such as the mouse), and other, less visible ones (the Central Processing Unit, or CPU). In general, however, the initial definition of an "information processing machine" remains unchanged. What's changed is the type and complexity of the information being processed. Whereas the clunky supercomputers of the '40s and '50s were mostly dealing with abstract formulas readable by experts and specialists, today's computers have sleek, graphic interfaces, which allow users to manipulate written documents, images, songs, and even video clips or movies, as easily as they would move, say, a pencil-sharpener from one side of their desk to the other. This combination of versatility and ease has made it possible for people all over the world to harness the power of computer technology. |
