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Computer Science 4960History of Electronic Computing

Geoff Draper

University of Utah

University

of Utah

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Questions

• Before going further, please feel free to interrupt at any point and ask questions.

• If I don’t call you by name, please state your name before your question.

University

of Utah

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Instructor's background

• Notable machines I've used:- Sinclair ZX81 (1 kilobyte of memory)- Commodore 64 (64 kilobytes of memory)- 386 PC (1 megabyte of memory)

University

of Utah

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Why study history?

• Learn what's been done- What worked, what didn't- Avoid making same mistakes

• Be able to support legacy systems

• Know warning signs if your company is going down!

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of Utah

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Where we're going

BIG PICTURE: Electronic computing from 1940s to present

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of Utah

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Where we're going

Briefly review “pre-history” (i.e. anything before the 1940's)

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of Utah

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Where we're going

ENIAC: first fully-electronic programmable Turing-complete computer.

UNIVAC: first commercial electronic computer

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of Utah

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Where we're going

Technological progress:Vacuum tubes

Transistors

Integrated Circuits

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of Utah

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Where we're going

Technological progress:Delay line memory

Drum memory

Magnetic core memory

Semiconductor memory

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of Utah

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Where we're going

Technological progress:Punched cards

Paper tape

Magnetic tape

Magnetic disc

Teletype (keyboard)

Video displays

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of Utah

1111

Where we're going

Corporation games:IBM

DEC

Intel

Microsoft

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of Utah

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Where we're going

Courtroom shenanigans:UNIVAC vs Honeywell (1970's)

IBM vs everyone (1970's)

Microsoft vs Netscape (1990's)

SCO vs everyone (2000's)

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of Utah

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Where we're going

Main classes of computers:Custom-built systems

Mainframes

Minicomputers

Workstations

PC's

Handhelds

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of Utah

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How we're getting there

Classroom mechanics:Lecture, demo, discussion

Guest speakers

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of Utah

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How we're getting there

GradingParticipation / citizenship

Short written assignments

Short programming assignments

Long written assignment

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of Utah

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Participation

Daily Test QuestionsDuring the last minute of each class session,

write a question that encapsulates one essential point from the presentation.

Turn it in before you leave.

Bonus points if I use your question on an exam!

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of Utah

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Participation

• I would like to meet with each of you individually at least once this semester- During office hours, or by appointment- Get to know you better- Get your thoughts on the course- How can I tailor the course to best suit you?

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of Utah

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Citizenship

Ask questionsAnswer questionsBe here physically and mentally:

No laptops / texting / iPods / PDAs

(consequence: lose points)

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of Utah

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How to Succeed

• Read the textbook

• Go to all the lectures• Have questions for in class• Check (and send) EMAIL!!!!

University

of Utah

2020

Why are you here?

University

of Utah

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Show and tell