1. Computer Science and Programming: Brief History
Instructor
Dr. Ricardo Vilalta

2. A Brief History of Computer Science
Initial Stages
First-Generation Computers
Second-Generation Computers
Third-Generation Computers
Fourth-Generation Computers
Computer Networks
Quantum Computing
What is machine learning?

3. Brief History of Computer Science: Initial Stages
Charles Babbage – London, England 1800s
He created the “Difference Engine” to perform calculations.
The machine would punch out calculations on metal plates and was
powered by steam (1822).
He created the “Analytical Engine” (1837).
The calculations were based on “instructions”
(it could be programmed).
It could solve mathematical problems.
It already had a CPU and memory.
The machine was never completed.
What is machine learning?

4. Brief History of Computer Science: Initial Stages
Ada Lovelace – London, England 1800s
Apprentice of Charles Babbage.
She is considered the first computer programmer.
She helped Charles Babbage with the Analytical Engine.
She predicted computers could process not just numbers,
but also encoded information.
The Ada programming language bears her name.
What is machine learning?

5. Brief History of Computer Science: Initial Stages
More developments:
Boolean Algebra (mid 1800s) – George Boole
Vacuum Tube (1883) – Thomas Edison
Nikola Tesla patented the “electronic logic gate” (1903)
These gates compute logical operators
using vacuum tubes.
What is machine learning?

6. Brief History of Computer Science: Initial Stages
Electronic Digital Logic Circuits:
George Stibitz built the first digital electronic logic circuit in 1937.
They are called Combinatorial Circuits because they
are made of a combination of logical gates.
He built the “binary adder”.
These circuits provided the “foundations” of
modern computers.
What is machine learning?

7. Brief History of Computer Science: Initial Stages
Information Theory: Claude Shannon
In 1948 Claude Shannon wrote a paper that
laid the foundations of “information theory”.
All information can be represented using bits:
“0” or “1” (binary digits).
The stage was set for the electronic
binary digital computer.
What is machine learning?

8. A Brief History of Computer Science
Initial Stages
First-Generation Computers
Second-Generation Computers
Third-Generation Computers
Fourth-Generation Computers
Computer Networks
Quantum Computing
What is machine learning?

9. A Brief History of Computer Science: First-Generation Computers
The first programmable computer was the Z3 created by German scientist Konrad Zuse (1941). His machines used binary digital computing (as opposed to decimal).
The German military turned down
his proposal to build a fully electronic
machine.
He wrote his own programming
language called Plankalkul.
What is machine learning?

10. A Brief History of Computer Science: First-Generation Computers
The first computer project in the US was the Mark I (1943) by Howard Aiken (electro-mechanical not fully electronic).
The first fully electronic computing device was made by John V. Atanasoff and Clifford Berry in 1942 (Iowa State Univ.).
The name was ABC.
It could do simple mathematical
operations, used binary encoding.
It weighted 700 pounds and was
the size of a desk (a mile of wire).
What is machine learning?

11. A Brief History of Computer Science: First-Generation Computers
In World War II The British tried to decode
messages sent by Germans. The goal was to break
The Enigma code.
This was achieved with the Collosus machine, an electronic binary computer competed in Info. from this computer
influenced the decision to go ahead with D day (June 6, 1944).
What is machine learning?

12. A Brief History of Computer Science
Initial Stages
First-Generation Computers
Second-Generation Computers
Third-Generation Computers
Fourth-Generation Computers
Computer Networks
Quantum Computing
What is machine learning?

13. A Brief History of Computer Science: Second-Generation Computers
A revolution came in 1947 with the development of the
transistor (by Bardeen, Brattain, and Shockley). It is a
solid state semi-conductor that can switch electric circuits.
They do not burn (like vacuum tubes) and occupy less
space.
First transistor computer came in 1953.
What is machine learning?

14. A Brief History of Computer Science: Second-Generation Computers
In the mid-50s we only had assembly language.
Assembly language is machine code:
Example: “add” represented as “1001” stands for addition.
The first programming languages came in the 1950s.
An influential person was Grace Murray Hopper (Naval Admiral).
She proposed the “compiler”
that serves to translate high-level programming
languages into machine code.
Later came FORTRAN, LISP, BASIC.
What is machine learning?

15. A Brief History of Computer Science: Second-Generation Computers
What is a computer bug?
A bug is known as a flaw in a machine (term coming from
American engineers). But there is a funny anecdote behind
the name…
In 1947, a moth was found inside the Mark II computer (Harvard University). This was recorded as the first “actual” case of a real bug found
in a computer.
What is machine learning?

16. A Brief History of Computer Science
Initial Stages
First-Generation Computers
Second-Generation Computers
Third-Generation Computers
Fourth-Generation Computers
Computer Networks
Quantum Computing
What is machine learning?

17. A Brief History of Computer Science: Third Generation Computers
In 1958 the problem of how to wire many transistors
together remained a problem. The solution was the
Integrated Circuit.
The inventors were Jack Kilby who was awarded
The Nobel Prize in Physics for that invention
in the Year 2000, and Robert Noyce, who came
up with the manufacturing principles.
Robert Noyce then founded Intel in 1968
(for “Integrated Electronics”).
What is machine learning?

18. A Brief History of Computer Science: Third Generation Computers
Microprocessor
In 1969 Marcian Ted Hoff came up with the idea
of developing a general-purpose chip
that could be programmed to do any logical
task. This marked the birth of
the microprocessor.
The first microprocessor was
developed in 1971, called 4004.
What is machine learning?

19. A Brief History of Computer Science: Third Generation Computers
Mainframes and Supercomputers
In response to a high demand for “commercial
computing” large computers were
developed under the name of
“mainframes”.
Mainframes could easily take up
an entire room.
What is machine learning?

20. A Brief History of Computer Science
Initial Stages
First-Generation Computers
Second-Generation Computers
Third-Generation Computers
Fourth-Generation Computers
Computer Networks
Quantum Computing
What is machine learning?

21. A Brief History of Computer Science: Fourth Generation Computers
Microcomputers
The first microcomputer was developed in Many developments followed after that.
In 1975 Paul Allen and Bill Gate founded Microsoft Corporation.
What is machine learning?

22. A Brief History of Computer Science: Fourth Generation Computers
In 1977 Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak created
the Apple II (very successful personal computer) and
founded the Apple Computer Company.
What is machine learning?

23. A Brief History of Computer Science: Fourth Generation Computers
By the 1980s IBM enters into the microcomputer market.
IBM comes up with the IBM-PC, which was used by
millions of customers by the end of the decade.
What is machine learning?

24. A Brief History of Computer Science
Initial Stages
First-Generation Computers
Second-Generation Computers
Third-Generation Computers
Fourth-Generation Computers
Computer Networks
Quantum Computing
What is machine learning?

25. A Brief History of Computer Science: Computer Networks
Wide Area Networks
In the early 1960s Leonard Kleinrock proposed a mechanism
to enable communication among computers. He suggested
dividing the message into packets, and then reassembling
them when reaching their destination. This began the
Internet Technology.
What is machine learning?

26. A Brief History of Computer Science
Initial Stages
First-Generation Computers
Second-Generation Computers
Third-Generation Computers
Fourth-Generation Computers
Computer Networks
Quantum Computing
What is machine learning?

27. A Brief History of Computer Science: Quantum Computing
Quantum computing deals with the problem of computing
using quantum-mechanical phenomena. Principles such
as entanglement and superposition are used to manipulate
data. Here we use quantum bits which can be in more
than two states.
What is machine learning?