Introduction to the History of Computing: A Computing History Primer (Undergraduate Topics in Computer Science) - Softcover

O'Regan, Gerard

Softcover

ISBN 10: 331933137X ISBN 13: 9783319331379

Publisher: Springer, 2016

Synopsis

Tracing the story of computing from Babylonian counting boards to smartphones, this inspiring textbook provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of computing, together with discussion exercises to stimulate deeper investigation into this fascinating area. Features: provides chapter introductions, summaries, key topics, and review questions; includes an introduction to analogue and digital computers, and to the foundations of computing; examines the contributions of ancient civilisations to the field of computing; covers the first digital computers, and the earliest commercial computers, mainframes and minicomputers; describes the early development of the integrated circuit and the microprocessor; reviews the emergence of home computers; discusses the creation of the Internet, the invention of the smartphone, and the rise of social media; presents a short history of telecommunications, programming languages, operating systems, software engineering, artificial intelligence, and databases.

About this title

Review

“The work is conceived of as a text for an undergraduate computer science class. Basic definitions are covered, and the book is more comprehensive than other standard history of computing works because it covers analog and pre-digital computing innovations. The text then is written for a basic student introduction, which includes an abstract, key topics, review questions, and summary for each chapter. Also included are abundant pictures, illustrations, graphics, and references for each topic reviewed.” (G. Mick Smith, Computing Reviews, November, 2016)

From the Back Cover

Tracing the story of computing from Babylonian counting boards to smartphones, this inspiring textbook/reference provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of computing, together with discussion exercises to stimulate deeper investigation into this fascinating area.

Topics and features:

• Provides chapter introductions, summaries and key topics, as well as review questions and a glossary
• Includes an introduction to analogue and digital computers, and to the foundations of computing
• Examines the contributions of the ancient Babylonian, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Islamic civilisations to the field of computing
• Covers the first digital computers, and the earliest examples of commercial computers, mainframes and minicomputers
• Describes the invention and early development of the integrated circuit and the microprocessor
• Reviews the emergence of home computers, and the introduction of the IBM personal computer
• Discusses the technological revolutions initiated by the creation of the Internet, the invention of the smartphone, and the rise of social media
• Presents a short history of telecommunications, programming languages, operating systems, software engineering, artificial intelligence, and databases

This engaging and easy-to-read work serves as an introductory textbook for students of computer science interested in the historical basis of the field. The curious reader will also find the book to be ideal as a self-study primer on the origins of the fundamental theory and early applications of the technology which has now become ubiquitous in modern society.

About this edition

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 331933137X
• ISBN 13: 9783319331379
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 317