Computing is a digital information area, which includes the processes of collecting, storing, processing, transferring and disseminating data.
The term is the combination of the words information and automatic, so it can be summarized as information handled by automatic means.
Information technology, its innovations and its devices are part of all areas of our lives and serve as a work, study and entertainment tool.
What is basic computing?
Basic computing teaches the fundamentals of computers, important notions that make life and work organization easier.
Nowadays, basic computer knowledge is a common requirement for many job openings. Having basic computer knowledge means knowing:
- use a computer;
- access the Internet;
- use browsers and search engines;
- create and save files;
- organize folders;
- create basic spreadsheets and charts;
- connect devices on USB cable;
- have notions about the computer's operating system.
The most important basic concepts
To understand the basics of computing, you need to know that there are two basic types of devices: hardware and software.
O hardware it is the machine, formed by electronic components and all the parts and peripherals that are part of the computer. It can be a desktop (desktop) or laptop (notebook) computer.
You softwares they are as important as the hardware, they are the programs designed to make the computer work and perform activities.
Other basic computer concepts are:
- operating systeml: is the most important software, which makes the computer work and allows other programs to be installed and run;
- CPU: another very important part, responsible for processing the data stored in the computer;
- monitor: is the computer screen;
- RAM memory: memory used for storage, has different capacities according to the type of computer;
- hard disk (HD): device where all data and computer programs are stored;
- motherboard: responsible for the joint operation of the computer;
- processor: device that processes computer data;
- external hard drive: Large-capacity portable data storage device, connected by cable with USB input;
- USB: is the cable input port for connecting to other devices such as printers or chargers;
- pen drive: is a portable data storage device, it is used to save documents and transfer them to other computers.
What is information technology for?
As it is a very vast area, which encompasses research and the creation of different technologies, information technology facilitates the lives and activities of people and society as a whole. It puts technology at the service of people and simplifies work and study activities, in addition to being a source of entertainment (movies and games, for example).
Information technology ensures more ease and agility to deal with information. Creating, improving, accessing, storing and distributing data or any type of information is easier and faster.
Information technology covers many areas of expertise, such as:
- schedule;
- systems analysis;
- hardware development;
- information technology (IT);
- computer maintenance;
- artificial intelligence.
These are just a few examples, as information technology is present in our daily lives and in almost all activities we do daily.
Know a little more about Information Technology and Artificial intelligence.
How did information technology come about?
The history of information technology begins before the appearance of the first prototype of a computer, which was only created in the early 1930s. The principle that led to the development of this type of technology is much older, when the need arose to create a device that could perform calculations quickly.
The creation of the first calculator, which was based on mathematical algorithms and was invented by the French mathematician Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) in 1642 is recognized as the first creation of informatics. Pascal's creation was called pascaline.
The Third Industrial Revolution (between the 1950s and 1970s) represents a pivotal moment in the history of computing. At that time, advanced technologies emerged that later originated and popularized personal computers, digital files, the internet and the virtual communication we know today.
The English mathematician Alan Turing (1912-1954) created the first concepts of computer science and the use of algorithms.
ENIAC: the first digital computer
The Computer and Electronic Numerical Integrator (Electronic Numeral Integrator and Computer - ENIAC) was the world's first digital computer, but it was nothing like the computers we know today.
It weighed about 30 tons and occupied a space of 150 m2 and despite its size, it had only 200 bits of memory.
It was developed during World War II (1939-1945) and began operating in 1947. Was created by John William Mauchly (1907-1980) and John Presper Eckert (1919-1995).
It was commissioned and used by the US Army to process data on tactical research. It operated with a manual card punching system and had the capacity to do up to 5000 operations per second and was in operation for ten years.
Ruth Teitelbaum (1924-1986) and Marlyn Meltzer (1922-2008), US Army employees, operating the ENIAC.
Summary of the evolution of computing in four periods
The history of computing can be told by the evolution of computers. It is divided into four stages, called generations:
- First generation (1951/1959): The first computers had many problems, such as high power consumption, low processing speed and low memory. Still, they represented the advance of computing in the 1950s. ENIAC is part of this first generation.
- Second generation (1959/1965): second generation computers got a little smaller and already consumed less energy, but still occupied large spaces and had problems similar to the first generation. They were the first computers used in commercial activities.
- Third generation (1965/1975): Computers became even lighter and smaller and were enhanced with important technological innovations, such as the chip. They were faster devices with more processing and storage capacity. It was during this period that the first personal computers appeared.
- fourth generation (1975 onwards): from the 1970s onwards, the evolution of information technology has been rapid, with the creation of numerous faster, smarter and more efficient technologies and devices, and the commercialization of computers has grown as never. Internet and robotics are two areas that emerged at that time.
To understand more about the evolution of computing, see the article on Third Industrial Revolution.