Computer science is a branch of information and computer science. It studies the processes of collecting, storing, processing, transferring and disseminating digital data.The term arose from the combination of the words information and automatic and can be summarized as the process of automatic information processing.
Computers, their innovations and devices are part of all areas of our lives and serve as tools for work, study and entertainment.
What is basic computing?
Basic computer skills teach the fundamental concepts of computers, which make life and work easier. Understanding them is a common prerequisite for many job openings. Having basic computer skills means knowing:
- use a computer;
- access the internet;
- use browsers and search engines;
- create and save files;
- organize folders;
- create basic spreadsheets and graphs;
- connect devices via USB cable;
- have knowledge about the computer’s operating system.
The most important basic concepts
Understanding the difference between software and hardware is essential. The term hardware refers to all the physical items of a device, that is, everything that can be touched.
Keyboard, mouse, monitor, video card, memory and motherboard and the other parts that make up a computer, tablet or smartphone are hardware.
Software, on the other hand, concerns aspects that are not physical, such as the operating system and programs installed on the machine.
Other basic computer concepts are:
- Operating system : This is the most important software that makes the computer work and allows other programs to be installed and run. The most popular ones for PCs are Windows, macOS and Linux. Android and iOS are the most used on smartphones;
- CPU : acronym in English that means Central Processing Unit. It is one of the most important components of the machine, being responsible for processing data and transforming it into information;
- Hard disk (HD) : location where all computer data is stored, such as files, programs, photos, etc.;
- Portable data storage device : external devices used to store files of different formats outside the computer. They also allow you to transfer them to other devices. These include pen drives and external hard drives;
- RAM memory : stores information that will be used by the CPU temporarily. Its function is to make processes faster by storing data that was used recently and may be needed soon;
- Monitor : is the computer screen;
- Browser : program used to access websites and surf the internet. Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Opera are among the most used;
- Cloud : refers to programs and services that work based on the internet. In other words, they do not take up space on your device, but rather on online servers. Among the most popular cloud services are photo and other file storage, text editors, spreadsheets, presentations, etc.;
- Peripherals : These are auxiliary devices that add extra functions to the main device, such as a keyboard, mouse, printer, webcam, headset, etc.
- Motherboard : responsible for connecting all components together. It is also where the CPU, HD, RAM, video card, among others, are installed.
What is information technology for?
Computer science puts technology at the service of people by ensuring greater agility in dealing with information. Thanks to it, it is possible to create, access, store, process and distribute large volumes of data quickly.
To make it clearer, just think about electronic voting machines. Before them, the vote counting process in Brazil took days (or even weeks, depending on the case). Nowadays, the results of an election are released in just a few hours. In addition, it prevents vote counting fraud, voting errors, and other common problems with printed voting.
As a science that deals with the automatic processing of information, computer science covers many areas of activity, such as:
- schedule;
- systems analysis;
- hardware development;
- information technology (IT);
- computer maintenance;
- artificial intelligence.
Learn a little more about information technology and artificial intelligence .
How did computing come about?
The history of computing begins before the first prototype of a computer appeared in the 1830s. The principle that led to the development of this type of technology is much older. It arose from the need to create a device that could perform calculations quickly.
1642: La Pascaline
The world’s first mechanical calculator, created by the French mathematician Blaise Pascal (1623-1662). Also known as an arithmetic machine, it was recognized as the first creation of computing .
1830s: Analytical Engine
Charles Babbage (1791-1871) designs the Analytical Engine, which would be considered the world’s first mechanical digital computer .
The device would work without any human intervention, controlled only by programs. The project had four basic characteristics, found in computers to this day.
The mill was responsible for performing the four arithmetic operations and the memory for storing up to a thousand 50-digit numbers. The data was interpreted by a punched card reader, while the printer printed the results of the operations performed.
Known as the father of computing , Babbage died without completing the construction of the equipment.
1936: Universal Turing Machine
The English mathematician Alan Turing (1912-1954) creates the model known as the Universal Turing Machine.
Although hypothetical, its invention served as the basis for the theory of computation as it is known today. The first concepts of computer science and the use of algorithms were addressed .
1946: ENIAC: world’s first electronic digital computer
The world’s first electronic digital computer, the Electronic Numeral Integrator and Computer (ENIAC), is completed.
Created by John Mauchly (1907-1980) and John Eckert (1919-1995), it was commissioned by the American army to process data on tactical research during World War II.
It worked with a manual card punching system and could perform up to 5,000 additions, 357 multiplications or 38 divisions per second. Despite weighing around 30 tons and taking up a space of 167 m2 , it could only store 20 words in its memory.
ENIAC was decommissioned in October 1955.
1950 to 1970: Third Industrial Revolution
It represents a fundamental moment in the history of computing. At that time, advanced technologies emerged that later gave rise to and popularized personal computers, digital files, the Internet and the virtual communication we know today.
Evolution of computing in four periods
The history of computing can be told through the evolution of computers. It is divided into four stages, called generations:
- First generation (1951/1959): the first computers had many problems, such as high power consumption, low processing speed and little memory. Even so, they represented the advancement of computing in the 1950s. ENIAC is part of this first generation.
- Second generation (1959/1965): second generation computers became a little smaller and consumed less energy, but they still took up a lot of space and had similar problems to the first generation. They were the first computers used in commercial activities.
- Third Generation (1965/1975): computers became even lighter and smaller and were enhanced with important technological innovations, such as the chip. These were faster devices with greater processing and storage capacity. It was during this period that the first personal computers appeared.
- Fourth generation (1975 onwards): from the 1970s onwards, the evolution of computing has been rapid, with the creation of countless technologies and devices that are increasingly faster, smarter and more efficient, and the commercialization of computers has grown like never before. The Internet and robotics are two areas that emerged during this period.
