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A human computer, with microscope and calculator, 1952. It was not until the mid-20th century that the word acquired its modern definition; according to the Oxford English Dictionary, the first known use of the word computer was in a different sense, in a 1613 book called The Yong Mans Gleanings by the English writer Richard Brathwait: "I haue [] read the truest computer of Times, and the best ...
In this usage, "human computer" refers to activities of humans in the context of human-based computation (HBC). This use of "human computer" is debatable for the following reason: HBC is a computational technique where a machine outsources certain parts of a task to humans to perform, which are not necessarily algorithmic.
Names of many computer terms, especially computer applications, often relate to the function they perform, e.g., a compiler is an application that compiles (programming language source code into the computer's machine language). However, there are other terms with less obvious origins, which are of etymological interest.
Computer simulation, one of the main cross-computing methodologies. Computing is any goal-oriented activity requiring, benefiting from, or creating computing machinery. [1] It includes the study and experimentation of algorithmic processes, and the development of both hardware and software.
CAD—Computer-aided design; CAE—Computer-aided engineering; CAID—Computer-aided industrial design; CAI—Computer-aided instruction; CAM—Computer-aided manufacturing; CAP—Consistency availability partition tolerance (theorem) CAPTCHA—Completely automated public Turing test to tell computers and humans apart; CAT—Computer-aided ...
The term was coined by the programmers at MIT's Project MAC.According to Fernando J. Corbató, who worked on Project MAC around 1963, his team was the first to use the term daemon, inspired by Maxwell's demon, an imaginary agent in physics and thermodynamics that helped to sort molecules, stating, "We fancifully began to use the word daemon to describe background processes that worked ...
A personal computer, often referred to as a PC or simply computer, is a computer designed for individual use. [1] It is typically used for tasks such as word processing, internet browsing, email, multimedia playback, and gaming. Personal computers are intended to be operated directly by an end user, rather than by a computer expert or technician.
Because computer parts contain hazardous materials, there is a growing movement to recycle old and outdated parts. [67] Computer hardware contain dangerous chemicals such as lead, mercury, nickel, and cadmium. According to the EPA these e-wastes have a harmful effect on the environment unless they are disposed of properly.