Computing device - Revision history

Jnc: /* Further reading */ +Automatic Digital Calculators

2026-09-19T22:52:20Z

Further reading: +Automatic Digital Calculators

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	* William Aspray (editor), [https://ed-thelen.org/comp-hist/CBC.html ''Computing Before Computers''], Iowa State University Press, Ames, 1990		* William Aspray (editor), [https://ed-thelen.org/comp-hist/CBC.html ''Computing Before Computers''], Iowa State University Press, Ames, 1990
	* Brian Randell (editor), [https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-642-96145-8 ''The Origins of Digital Computers: Selected Papers''], Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1973, 1982 (3rd edition)		* Brian Randell (editor), [https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-642-96145-8 ''The Origins of Digital Computers: Selected Papers''], Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1973, 1982 (3rd edition)
			* Andrew D. Booth, Kathleen H. V. Booth, ''Automatic Digital Calculators'', Butterworths Scientific Publications, London, 1953 - has fairly good coverage of pre-computer devices

	<!-- ==External links== -->		<!-- ==External links== -->

	[[Category: Early Computing Devices]]		[[Category: Early Computing Devices]]

Jnc: Link first instance

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Link first instance

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	'''Computing devices''' (not a standard term in the field) are a class of devices which could perform complicated calculations, but are not [[computer]]s (i.e. 'stored-program computing devices'); instead, they are members of a more general class. I.e. all devices which can perform complex calculations, but are not 'computers', fall in this class. (A good example is the [[Atanasoff-Berry Computer]], which was hard-wired to only be able to solve systems of simultaneous equations.)		'''Computing devices''' (not a standard term in the field) are a class of devices which could perform complicated calculations, but are not [[computer]]s (i.e. 'stored-[[program]] computing devices'); instead, they are members of a more general class. I.e. all devices which can perform complex calculations, but are not 'computers', fall in this class. (A good example is the [[Atanasoff-Berry Computer]], which was hard-wired to only be able to solve systems of simultaneous equations.)

	Complex computing devices (i.e. things considerably more complex than a simple adding machines) generally preceded the creation of computers. Note that the operation of these devices often did proceed through a list of more basic operations (the definition of a [[program]]) - e.g. the operations controlled by the timing cams in [[Charles Babbage‎‎]]'s [[Difference Engine]]. However, true computers are designed so that they can be easily changed to run ''any'' program.		Complex computing devices (i.e. things considerably more complex than a simple adding machines) generally preceded the creation of computers. Note that the operation of these devices often did proceed through a list of more basic operations (the definition of a program) - e.g. the operations controlled by the timing cams in [[Charles Babbage‎‎]]'s [[Difference Engine]]. However, true computers are designed so that they can be easily changed to run ''any'' program.

	==See also==		==See also==

Jnc: Split out 'computer' definition

2023-12-07T13:22:24Z

Split out 'computer' definition

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	'''Computing devices''' are a ~~more general~~ class of devices which could perform complicated calculations ~~than 'computers'~~, ~~the meaning of which is generally now~~ 'stored-program computing ~~device~~' ~~- i~~.e. ~~the [[program]] (~~which, ~~it must be emphasized~~, is a specified series of elementary steps, stored in the device in some form, not simply the ability to make physical changes to the device to change what calculation it performs - even if those changes are instantiated in something that was added to the device for that exact purpose, like the [[~~plug~~-~~board~~]]~~s of the [[ENIAC]])~~ - ~~is stored in [[memory]] that the computer can modify, allowing the program~~ to ~~change itself if it desires~~).		'''Computing devices''' (not a standard term in the field) are a class of devices which could perform complicated calculations, but are not [[computer]]s (i.e. 'stored-program computing devices'); instead, they are members of a more general class. I.e. all devices which can perform complex calculations, but are not 'computers', fall in this class. (A good example is the [[Atanasoff-Berry Computer]], which was hard-wired to only be able to solve systems of simultaneous equations.)

	Whether or not the ability to modify its own program is important, for something to be classified as a 'computer', can be debated; modern computers almost always run [[pure code]] (in part because [[self-modifying code]] can be difficult to understand and [[debug]]), so it is probably not critical; indeed, [[embedded system]]s usually use [[read-only memory\|ROM]] for their program storage. On the other hand, program modifiability is a key aspect of classical [[Turing machine]]s; but it might be possible for a machine running out of ROM to [[emulator\|emulate]] a Turing machine, thereby making such a machine a Turing machine. It is also possible that having the ability to do [[conditional branch]]es could be an alternative to being able to modify the program, for [[Turing complete]]ness.		Complex computing devices (i.e. things considerably more complex than a simple adding machines) generally preceded the creation of computers. Note that the operation of these devices often did proceed through a list of more basic operations (the definition of a [[program]]) - e.g. the operations controlled by the timing cams in [[Charles Babbage‎‎]]'s [[Difference Engine]]. However, true computers are designed so that they can be easily changed to run ''any'' program.

	Complex computing devices (i.e. things considerably more complex than a simple adding machines) generally preceded the creation of computers (~~as defined above~~)~~; although as Michael Williams observed~~, ~~"If you add enough adjectives to a description you~~ can ~~always claim [a particular machine~~ to ~~be the~~ '~~first~~']."

	==See also==		==See also==
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	* William Aspray (editor), [https://ed-thelen.org/comp-hist/CBC.html ''Computing Before Computers''], Iowa State University Press, Ames, 1990		* William Aspray (editor), [https://ed-thelen.org/comp-hist/CBC.html ''Computing Before Computers''], Iowa State University Press, Ames, 1990
	* Brian Randell (editor), [https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-642-96145-8 ''The Origins of Digital Computers: Selected Papers''], Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1973, 1982 (3rd edition)		* Brian Randell (editor), [https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-642-96145-8 ''The Origins of Digital Computers: Selected Papers''], Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1973, 1982 (3rd edition)
	* Nicholas Metropolis, Jack Howlett, Gian-Carlo Rota (editors), [https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780124916500/a-history-of-computing-in-the-twentieth-century ''A History of Computing in the Twentieth Century''], Academic Press, New York, 1980
	* Raúl Rojas, Ulf Hashagen (editors), ''The First Computers: History and Architectures'', MIT Press, Cambridge, 2002

	~~==External links==~~

	* [https://www.gleech.org/first-~~computers Disambiguating the first computer]~~		<!-- ==External links== -->
	* [http://www.inf.fu-~~berlin.de/inst/ag~~-~~ki/rojas_home/documents/1997/Universal_Computer.pdf How to Make Zuse's Z3 a Universal Computer]~~ - ~~it tuns out one doesn't even need conditional branching to have a UTM~~

	[[Category: Early Computing Devices]]		[[Category: Early Computing Devices]]

Jnc: /* External links */ +How to Make Zuse's Z3 a Universal Computer

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External links: +How to Make Zuse's Z3 a Universal Computer

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	* [https://www.gleech.org/first-computers Disambiguating the first computer]		* [https://www.gleech.org/first-computers Disambiguating the first computer]
			* [http://www.inf.fu-berlin.de/inst/ag-ki/rojas_home/documents/1997/Universal_Computer.pdf How to Make Zuse's Z3 a Universal Computer] - it tuns out one doesn't even need conditional branching to have a UTM

	[[Category: Early Computing Devices]]		[[Category: Early Computing Devices]]

Jnc: Further tweak to program/configure distinction

2023-12-04T23:32:41Z

Further tweak to program/configure distinction

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	'''Computing devices''' are a more general class of devices which could perform complicated calculations than 'computers', the meaning of which is generally now 'stored-program computing device' - i.e. the ~~control~~ [[program]] (which, it must be emphasized, is a specified series of elementary steps, not simply the ability to make physical changes to the device to change what calculation it performs - even if those changes are instantiated in something that was added to the device for that exact purpose, like the [[plug-board]]s of the [[ENIAC]]) - is stored in [[memory]] that the computer can modify, allowing the program to change itself if it desires).		'''Computing devices''' are a more general class of devices which could perform complicated calculations than 'computers', the meaning of which is generally now 'stored-program computing device' - i.e. the [[program]] (which, it must be emphasized, is a specified series of elementary steps, stored in the device in some form, not simply the ability to make physical changes to the device to change what calculation it performs - even if those changes are instantiated in something that was added to the device for that exact purpose, like the [[plug-board]]s of the [[ENIAC]]) - is stored in [[memory]] that the computer can modify, allowing the program to change itself if it desires).

	Whether or not the ability to modify its own program is important, for something to be classified as a 'computer', can be debated; modern computers almost always run [[pure code]] (in part because [[self-modifying code]] can be difficult to understand and [[debug]]), so it is probably not critical; indeed, [[embedded system]]s usually use [[read-only memory\|ROM]] for their program storage. On the other hand, program modifiability is a key aspect of classical [[Turing machine]]s; but it might be possible for a machine running out of ROM to [[emulator\|emulate]] a Turing machine, thereby making such a machine a Turing machine. It is also possible that having the ability to do [[conditional branch]]es could be an alternative to being able to modify the program, for [[Turing complete]]ness.		Whether or not the ability to modify its own program is important, for something to be classified as a 'computer', can be debated; modern computers almost always run [[pure code]] (in part because [[self-modifying code]] can be difficult to understand and [[debug]]), so it is probably not critical; indeed, [[embedded system]]s usually use [[read-only memory\|ROM]] for their program storage. On the other hand, program modifiability is a key aspect of classical [[Turing machine]]s; but it might be possible for a machine running out of ROM to [[emulator\|emulate]] a Turing machine, thereby making such a machine a Turing machine. It is also possible that having the ability to do [[conditional branch]]es could be an alternative to being able to modify the program, for [[Turing complete]]ness.

Jnc: /* Further reading */ +Reckoners

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Jnc: typo

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typo

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	'''Computing devices''' are a more general class of devices which could perform complicated calculations than 'computers', the meaning of which is generally now 'stored-program computing device' - i.e. the control [[program]] (which, it must be emphasized, is a specified series of elementary steps, not simply the ability to make physical changes to the device to change what calculation it performs - even if those changes are instantiated in something that was added to the device for that exact purpose, like the [[plug-board]s of the [[ENIAC]]) - is stored in [[memory]] that the computer can modify, allowing the program to change itself if it desires).		'''Computing devices''' are a more general class of devices which could perform complicated calculations than 'computers', the meaning of which is generally now 'stored-program computing device' - i.e. the control [[program]] (which, it must be emphasized, is a specified series of elementary steps, not simply the ability to make physical changes to the device to change what calculation it performs - even if those changes are instantiated in something that was added to the device for that exact purpose, like the [[plug-board]]s of the [[ENIAC]]) - is stored in [[memory]] that the computer can modify, allowing the program to change itself if it desires).

	Whether or not the ability to modify its own program is important, for something to be classified as a 'computer', can be debated; modern computers almost always run [[pure code]] (in part because [[self-modifying code]] can be difficult to understand and [[debug]]), so it is probably not critical; indeed, [[embedded system]]s usually use [[read-only memory\|ROM]] for their program storage. On the other hand, program modifiability is a key aspect of classical [[Turing machine]]s; but it might be possible for a machine running out of ROM to [[emulator\|emulate]] a Turing machine, thereby making such a machine a Turing machine. It is also possible that having the ability to do [[conditional branch]]es could be an alternative to being able to modify the program, for [[Turing complete]]ness.		Whether or not the ability to modify its own program is important, for something to be classified as a 'computer', can be debated; modern computers almost always run [[pure code]] (in part because [[self-modifying code]] can be difficult to understand and [[debug]]), so it is probably not critical; indeed, [[embedded system]]s usually use [[read-only memory\|ROM]] for their program storage. On the other hand, program modifiability is a key aspect of classical [[Turing machine]]s; but it might be possible for a machine running out of ROM to [[emulator\|emulate]] a Turing machine, thereby making such a machine a Turing machine. It is also possible that having the ability to do [[conditional branch]]es could be an alternative to being able to modify the program, for [[Turing complete]]ness.

Jnc: Configurability is not programmability

2023-12-04T09:49:30Z

Configurability is not programmability

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	'''Computing devices''' are a more general class of devices which could perform complicated calculations than 'computers', the meaning of which is generally now 'stored-program computing device' (i.e. the control [[program]] - which it must be emphasized is a specified series of elementary steps - is stored in [[memory]] that the computer can modify, allowing the program to change itself if it desires).		'''Computing devices''' are a more general class of devices which could perform complicated calculations than 'computers', the meaning of which is generally now 'stored-program computing device' - i.e. the control [[program]] (which, it must be emphasized, is a specified series of elementary steps, not simply the ability to make physical changes to the device to change what calculation it performs - even if those changes are instantiated in something that was added to the device for that exact purpose, like the [[plug-board]s of the [[ENIAC]]) - is stored in [[memory]] that the computer can modify, allowing the program to change itself if it desires).

	Whether or not the ability to modify its own program is important, for something to be classified as a 'computer', can be debated; modern computers almost always run [[pure code]] (in part because [[self-modifying code]] can be difficult to understand and [[debug]]), so it is probably not critical; indeed, [[embedded system]]s usually use [[read-only memory\|ROM]] for their program storage. On the other hand, program modifiability is a key aspect of classical [[Turing machine]]s; but it might be possible for a machine running out of ROM to [[emulator\|emulate]] a Turing machine, thereby making such a machine a Turing machine. It is also possible that having the ability to do [[conditional branch]]es could be an alternative to being able to modify the program, for [[Turing complete]]ness.		Whether or not the ability to modify its own program is important, for something to be classified as a 'computer', can be debated; modern computers almost always run [[pure code]] (in part because [[self-modifying code]] can be difficult to understand and [[debug]]), so it is probably not critical; indeed, [[embedded system]]s usually use [[read-only memory\|ROM]] for their program storage. On the other hand, program modifiability is a key aspect of classical [[Turing machine]]s; but it might be possible for a machine running out of ROM to [[emulator\|emulate]] a Turing machine, thereby making such a machine a Turing machine. It is also possible that having the ability to do [[conditional branch]]es could be an alternative to being able to modify the program, for [[Turing complete]]ness.

Jnc: Programmed is not 'configurable'

2023-12-03T21:22:51Z

Programmed is not 'configurable'

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	'''Computing devices''' are a more general class of devices which could perform complicated calculations than 'computers', the meaning of which is generally now 'stored-program computing device' (i.e. the control [[program]] is stored in [[memory]] that the computer can modify, allowing the program to change itself if it desires).		'''Computing devices''' are a more general class of devices which could perform complicated calculations than 'computers', the meaning of which is generally now 'stored-program computing device' (i.e. the control [[program]] - which it must be emphasized is a specified series of elementary steps - is stored in [[memory]] that the computer can modify, allowing the program to change itself if it desires).

	Whether or not the ability to modify its own program is important, for something to be classified as a 'computer', can be debated; modern computers almost always run [[pure code]] (in part because [[self-modifying code]] can be difficult to understand and [[debug]]), so it is probably not critical; indeed, [[embedded system]]s usually use [[read-only memory\|ROM]] for their program storage. On the other hand, program modifiability is a key aspect of classical [[Turing machine]]s; but it might be possible for a machine running out of ROM to [[emulator\|emulate]] a Turing machine, thereby making such a machine a Turing machine. It is also possible that having the ability to do [[conditional branch]]es could be an alternative to being able to modify the program, for [[Turing ~~completeness~~]].		Whether or not the ability to modify its own program is important, for something to be classified as a 'computer', can be debated; modern computers almost always run [[pure code]] (in part because [[self-modifying code]] can be difficult to understand and [[debug]]), so it is probably not critical; indeed, [[embedded system]]s usually use [[read-only memory\|ROM]] for their program storage. On the other hand, program modifiability is a key aspect of classical [[Turing machine]]s; but it might be possible for a machine running out of ROM to [[emulator\|emulate]] a Turing machine, thereby making such a machine a Turing machine. It is also possible that having the ability to do [[conditional branch]]es could be an alternative to being able to modify the program, for [[Turing complete]]ness.

	Complex computing devices (i.e. things considerably more complex than a simple adding machines) generally preceded the creation of computers (as defined above); although as Michael Williams observed, "If you add enough adjectives to a description you can always claim [a particular machine to be the 'first']."		Complex computing devices (i.e. things considerably more complex than a simple adding machines) generally preceded the creation of computers (as defined above); although as Michael Williams observed, "If you add enough adjectives to a description you can always claim [a particular machine to be the 'first']."

Jnc: /* Further reading */ New editor syntax

2023-12-03T15:06:10Z

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	==Further reading==		==Further reading==

			* Paul E. Ceruzzi, [https://ed-thelen.org/comp-hist/Reckoners.html ''Reckoners: The Prehistory of The Digital Computer, From Relays to the Stored Program Concept, 1935-1945''], Greenwood, Westport, 1983
	* William Aspray (editor), [https://ed-thelen.org/comp-hist/CBC.html ''Computing Before Computers''], Iowa State University Press, Ames, 1990		* William Aspray (editor), [https://ed-thelen.org/comp-hist/CBC.html ''Computing Before Computers''], Iowa State University Press, Ames, 1990
	* Brian Randell (editor), [https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-642-96145-8 ''The Origins of Digital Computers: Selected Papers''], Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1973, 1982 (3rd edition)		* Brian Randell (editor), [https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-642-96145-8 ''The Origins of Digital Computers: Selected Papers''], Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1973, 1982 (3rd edition)

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:06, 3 December 2023
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	==Further reading==		==Further reading==

	* ~~Editor -~~ William Aspray, [https://ed-thelen.org/comp-hist/CBC.html ''Computing Before Computers''], Iowa State University Press, Ames, 1990		* William Aspray (editor), [https://ed-thelen.org/comp-hist/CBC.html ''Computing Before Computers''], Iowa State University Press, Ames, 1990
	* ~~Editor -~~ Brian Randell, [https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-642-96145-8 ''The Origins of Digital Computers: Selected Papers''], Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1973, 1982 (3rd edition)		* Brian Randell (editor), [https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-642-96145-8 ''The Origins of Digital Computers: Selected Papers''], Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1973, 1982 (3rd edition)
	* ~~Editors -~~ Nicholas Metropolis, Jack Howlett, Gian-Carlo Rota, [https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780124916500/a-history-of-computing-in-the-twentieth-century ''A History of Computing in the Twentieth Century''], Academic Press, New York, 1980		* Nicholas Metropolis, Jack Howlett, Gian-Carlo Rota (editors), [https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780124916500/a-history-of-computing-in-the-twentieth-century ''A History of Computing in the Twentieth Century''], Academic Press, New York, 1980
	* ~~Editors -~~ Raúl Rojas, Ulf Hashagen, ''The First Computers: History and Architectures'', MIT Press, Cambridge, 2002		* Raúl Rojas, Ulf Hashagen (editors), ''The First Computers: History and Architectures'', MIT Press, Cambridge, 2002

	==External links==		==External links==