HISTORY OF COMPUTING

 

History of computing

Computing is the study of how computers and computer system works and how they are constructed and programmed. Its primary aspects of theory, systems and its application are drawn from the disciplines of Technology, Design, Engineering, Mathematics, Physical sciences and social sciences.

Computing is a process of utilizing computer technology to solve a problem or complete a task. Computing may involve computer hardware or software, but must involve some forms of computing every day whether they realize it or not. Sending an email, using a cell phone can be considered as forms of computing. While computing is intimately tied to the representation of numbers.

• CONCEPT OF NUMBER SYSTEM IN COMPUTER

Most computers operate using Binary Logic meaning computer represents data and information as Binary Numbers i.e. 0s and 1s. the binary number works like the decimal number system excepts that the binary number systems uses base 2, which consist of only the digits 0 and 1. The common number system used in computing are:

1. Decimal Number system (Base 10)

2. Binary number system (Base 2)

3. Octal number system (Base 8)

4. Hexadecimal Number system (Base 16)

All types of information in computers can be represented using the binary code. Some examples are:

1. Number

2. Letters of the alphabet and punctuation marks

3. Microprocessor instruction

4. Graphics / videos

5. Sound files

Common terms of number systems

a. Base: the base of a number indicates how many absolute many values are used in the system. E.g. in decimal number systems there are only 10 absolute values represented by the digits 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9. In binary number system there are two absolute values and they are (0, 1) and octal has eight absolute values (0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7) and so on.

b. Absolute value: this denotes the whole number represented by a symbol e.g.6,7,8,4,5 etc.

c. Position: in the decimal number system the zero position has the positional value 100 or 1.

Assignment

In summary form, explain the concept of the number system the four (4) basic number system used in computer.