Harvard mark-I and the bug, Computer Engineering

Assignment Help:

The next important effort in the direction of devising an electromechanical computer was made at Harvard University mutually sponsored by IBM and Department of UN Navy, Howard Aiken of Harvard University created a system known as Mark I in 1944. Mark I was a decimal machine means that computations were performed employing decimal digits.

Some of you should have heard a term known as 'bug'. It is mostly used to denote errors in computer programs. This term was invented when one day a program in Mark-I didn't run accurately because of a moth short-circuiting the computer. Since then moth or bug has been linked with problems or errors in computer programming. So process of eliminating error in a program is termed as 'debugging'.

The common shortcomings of these electromechanical and mechanical computers were: 

  • Inertia/Friction of moving components limited speed.
  • Data movement using liners and gears was very unreliable and difficult.

Change was to have a storing and switching mechanism with no moving parts. The electronic switching device 'triode' vacuum tubes were used so first electronic computer was born.


Related Discussions:- Harvard mark-I and the bug

Identify which stores most no. of bits in memory store, Which of the memori...

Which of the memories stores the most number of bits ? Ans. 5Mx8 = 5 x 220 x 8 = 40M (max).

EME, How can i made Carnot engine

How can i made Carnot engine

Difference between the specparam and parameter constructs, What is the diff...

What is the difference between the specparam and parameter constructs? Specparam is a special kind of parameter which is intended to specify only timing and the delay values. K

Define external variable declaration, Summarize the distinction between an ...

Summarize the distinction between an external variable definition and an external variable declaration. When we have ''declared'' a variable, we have meant that we have told th

Give the truth table of S-R and D-flipflops, Give the truth table of S-R an...

Give the truth table of S-R and D-flipflops. Ans: The Truth Table for S-R Flip-Flop is illustrated in Fig.(a) and truth table of D Flip-Flop is illustrated in Fig.(b)

Operator, write algorithm and draw flowchart for exchange the values of two...

write algorithm and draw flowchart for exchange the values of two variables.

Microcontrollers (mcu), Main Objectives: Uploading codes into the mi...

Main Objectives: Uploading codes into the microcontrollers Interfacing between both microcontrollers via I 2 C Reading and writing into various ports on the MCU Int

What are cosmic rays, Q. What are cosmic rays? The ionising radiation s...

Q. What are cosmic rays? The ionising radiation several times stronger than γ-rays entering the earth from all the directions from cosmic or interstellar space is known as cosm

What is a cooperation model, What is A cooperation model A cooperation ...

What is A cooperation model A cooperation model defines the way interdependencies are established by cooperative interactions. We recognize two basic roles services can play: c

Digital electronics, design a ciruit which can work as a 4-bit binary adder...

design a ciruit which can work as a 4-bit binary adder as well as subtractor

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd