SUMMARY

This chapter has presented information on the history and classification of computers. It introduced you to electronic digital computers, their uses and operation. The information that follows summarizes the important points of this chapter.

Early computers were MECHANICAL or ELECTROMECHANICAL. ELECTRONIC COMPUTERS came into use in the 1940s.

ANALOG COMPUTERS are special-purpose computers designed to measure continuous electrical or physical conditions.

DIGITAL COMPUTERS are special- or general-purpose computers designed to perform arithmetic and logic functions on separate discrete data. They are generally used for business and scientific data processing.

Digital computers have evolved through four generations: vacuum tubes, transistors, miniaturized circuits, and integrated circuits.

WORD PROCESSING is one of the most widespread uses of desktop computers.

ACCOUNTING AND RECORDKEEPING are also major uses of computers. Included are order entry, inventory control, accounts receivable, accounts payable, general ledger, and payroll.

The Navy's SHIPBOARD NON-TACTICAL ADP PROGRAM (SNAP) consists of computers used by work center supervisors for logistic and administrative support. This system expedites the storage and retrieval of information the Navy has about its ships.

A DESKTOP (PERSONAL) COMPUTER is a microcomputer with at least a display screen, keyboard, floppy disk drive, and printer. It may also have additional devices such as a second floppy or a hard disk drive.

An OPERATING SYSTEM is loaded into the computer to let you and other programs use the computer. It also provides common functions like read, write, and print.

You can direct the computer to run an APPLICATION PROGRAM by telling the operating system the name of program to run. Common application programs are word processing, accounting, and recordkeeping.

You will probably be using FLOPPY DISKS for data storage and backup. To ensure you don't damage a disk, use care in handling, labeling and storing the disks.