This lively and fascinating text traces the key developments in computation from 3000 B.C. to the present day in an easy-to-follow and concise manner. Topics and features: ideal for self-study, offering many pedagogical features such as chapter-opening key topics, chapter introductions and summaries, exercises, and a glossary; presents detailed information on major figures in computing, such as Boole, Babbage, Shannon, Turing, Zuse and Von Neumann; discusses the earliest computers developed in the United States, Germany and Britain; discusses the development of the IBM 360 family of computers and its importance; discusses the invention of the transistor and integrated circuit; discusses the birth of the software industry and the evolution of human-computer interaction; reviews the history of programming languages, operating systems and software engineering; discusses the progress of artificial intelligence; discusses the invention of the microprocessor and the development of home and personal computers; examines the impact on society of the introduction of the personal computer, the World Wide Web, and the development of mobile phone technology; discusses smart phones and social media and the challenge of fake news; reviews a miscellany of innovations in the computing field such as cloud computing, the Internet of Things, and Quantum Computing; discusses legal aspects of computing and the professional responsibilities of computer professionals.

Offers a comprehensive account of the history of computing Traces the beginnings of computation from 3000 B.C. through to modern times Includes helpful pedagogical elements such as exercises and chapter summaries Does not require studies in computer science in order to be understood and appreciated

Autorentext

Dr. Gerard O'Regan is a CMMI software process improvement consultant with research interests including software quality and software process improvement, mathematical approaches to software quality, and the history of computing. He is the author of such Springer textbooks as Concise Guide to Formal Methods, Concise Guide to Software Engineering, Guide to Discrete Mathematics, and Introduction to Software Quality

Inhalt

1. What is a Computer ?.- 2. Early Civilisations.- 3. Foundations of Computing.- 4. The First Computers.- 5. Early Commercial Computers.- 6. Transistors and Semiconductors.- 7. Early Mainframes.- 8. The IBM 360 and later Mainframes.- 9. DEC and Minicomputers.- 10. The Microprocessor.- 11. Home Computers.- 12. The IBM Personal Computer.- 13. History of Operating Systems.- 14. The Birth of Software Industry and Human Computer Interaction.- 15. History of Programming Languages.- 16. History of Software Engineering.- 17. A Short History of Telecommunications.- 18. The Internet Revolution.- 19. The Smart Phone and the Facebook Revolution.- 20. A Miscellany of Innovations.- 21. History of Databases.- 22. History of Artificial Intelligence.- 23. Ethics and Professional Responsibility.- 24. Legal Aspects of Computing.