Difference between revisions of "History of Computers - Analytical Engine"
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
| − | The idea of the Analytical Engine was created in 1837 by Charles Babbage. Although Charles Babbage invented the idea he was unable to execute his idea before his death in 1871 because of insufficient funds and materials. The Analytical Engine was anticipated to be one of the first mechanical and digital computer's that would pave the way for future technology and computers. Before Babbage began trying to invent the Analytical Engine he built the Difference Engine. The Difference Engine was an automatic, mechanical calculator, who's purpose was to make a chart of polynomial functions.<ref name= "wiki">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Difference_engine</ref> The Difference Engine ultimately was not completed successfully, yet the failure of the engine caused Babbage to come up with the idea of the Analytical Engine. | + | The idea of the Analytical Engine was created in 1837 by Charles Babbage. Although Charles Babbage invented the idea he was unable to execute his idea before his death in 1871 because of insufficient funds and materials. The Analytical Engine was anticipated to be one of the first mechanical and digital computer's that would pave the way for future technology and computers. Before Babbage began trying to invent the Analytical Engine he built the Difference Engine. The Difference Engine was an automatic, mechanical calculator, who's purpose was to make a chart of polynomial functions.<ref name= "wiki">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Difference_engine</ref> The Difference Engine ultimately was not completed successfully, yet the failure of the engine caused Babbage to come up with the idea of the Analytical Engine. The Analytical Engine was different from the differenc engine because it was |
| − | Both logarithmic and trigonometric functions can be approximated by polynomials, so a difference engine can compute many useful sets of numbers.<ref = "wiki"> | + | The Analytical Engine was not only automatic but also general purpose i.e. it could be `programmed’ by the user to execute a repertoire instructions in any required order. |
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| + | Both logarithmic and trigonometric functions can be approximated by polynomials, so a difference engine can compute many useful sets of numbers.<ref = "wiki">[Difference Engine in Wikipedia]</ref> | ||
==Significance== | ==Significance== | ||
Revision as of 10:01, 2 September 2009
The idea of the Analytical Engine was created in 1837 by Charles Babbage. The Analytical Engine was a mechanical digital computer showed the large
Overview
The idea of the Analytical Engine was created in 1837 by Charles Babbage. Although Charles Babbage invented the idea he was unable to execute his idea before his death in 1871 because of insufficient funds and materials. The Analytical Engine was anticipated to be one of the first mechanical and digital computer's that would pave the way for future technology and computers. Before Babbage began trying to invent the Analytical Engine he built the Difference Engine. The Difference Engine was an automatic, mechanical calculator, who's purpose was to make a chart of polynomial functions.[1] The Difference Engine ultimately was not completed successfully, yet the failure of the engine caused Babbage to come up with the idea of the Analytical Engine. The Analytical Engine was different from the differenc engine because it was
The Analytical Engine was not only automatic but also general purpose i.e. it could be `programmed’ by the user to execute a repertoire instructions in any required order.
Both logarithmic and trigonometric functions can be approximated by polynomials, so a difference engine can compute many useful sets of numbers.[2]
Significance
References
- ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Difference_engine
- ↑ [Difference Engine in Wikipedia]
