Fundamentals of Computers

Contents: Foreword. 1. History of computers. 2. Computer architecture. 3. Computer software concepts. 4. Application softwares for computers. 5. Database management system. 6. Data communications. 7. Internet basics. 8. Bluetooth. 9. Thinkpad. 10. Windows XP editions. 11. Computer recycling. 12. Green computing. 13. Computer security. Bibliography. Index.

"The history of computers dates back to 500 BC, when the ABACUS, a device of counting beads, string or rods, was used to calculate and store the intermediate results of mental arithmetic. Although the abacus is still widely used, it does not provide long-term storage of information. In using the abacus one must destroy the results of past calculations. As a result, most information processing has to occur orally.

This device satisfied most calculating requirements until the development of western societies, which required assistance in managing the large volumes of calculations needed to keep track of complex commercial and economic transactions. The first such aid was the introduction of logarithms. John Napier who published his first long tables in 1614 developed these. They provided a method by which multiplication and division could be achieved through addition and subtraction. In 1620, William Oughtred developed he Slide-Rule based on the concept of logarithms.

The word logarithm is combination of two Greek words: LOGOS means ratios and ARTHMOS means numbers. Both these inventions were widely used until the development of small electronic calculators in ate 1960s.

Two further significant developments took place in the seventeenth century. The first was the production of a mechanical calculator--Pascaline--by Blaise Pascal in 1642. This could perform only addition and subtraction. The second was a more effective calculator, produced by Gottfried Leibnitz in 1694, which can also perform multiplication and division.

This calculator, the Leibnitz Wheel was succeeded by a mechanical calculator, the Thomas Arithometer, in 1820.

This book will be of immense help to all those contemplating to acquire expert knowledge of computers." (jacket)