The term computation comes from Latin, according to the RAE of «computatĭo», but other sources formulate that it derives from the Latin voice «computare» formed by the prefix «com» equal to «con» and «putare» which means «compute, evaluate". The definition of computing is the science that deals with the study of computers, encompassing their design, operation, and use in data processing. In other words, computing refers to the scientific study that is based on automatic systems for information management, which can be carried out by means of tools designed for this purpose.
Computing combines certain theoretical and practical elements from the field of engineering, mathematics, logic, information theory, etc.
What is computing
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Computing is the science or automatic treatment of information, which can be made up of a set of symbols, numbers or words, which in general is called an alphanumeric expression.
In addition, it can be said that computing is the technology that allows studying the treatment of information through automatic computer machines, for this reason, it is conceptualized as the science that studies the operation of computers, as well as their design and use in the information management.
History of computing
It has a history of no more than a century, although sources state that its beginnings can be traced back to when machines or devices guided to different calculation tasks began to be made; By 1623, the first mechanical calculator was invented by a famous German mathematician named Wilhelm Schickard.
It was not until the 1940s that certain artifacts began to appear that make it possible to carry out multiple processes, that is, they were not limited to mathematical calculations; in the '80s personal computers or PCs emerged; and it was for the twentieth century where the development of the computer had a greater boom and continued to develop to this day.
Charles Babbage (1791-1871) was a British mathematician and computer scientist. He designed and partially implemented a steam engine of mechanical differences, to calculate numerical tables. He also designed, but never built, the analytical engine for executing tabulation or computer programs. According to these inventions, he is considered one of the first people to conceive the idea of what is now known as a computer, which is why he is seen as the father of computing. Parts of its unfinished mechanisms are on display at the London Science Museum. Part of his brain preserved in formalin is exhibited at "The Royal College of Surgeons of England", located in London.
The first generation machines were characterized by their size since they occupied a complete room, in addition their programming was by means of a language of machines designed by empty tubes, and they were very expensive.
The second generation arose in the 1960s, these machines had the capacity to process more data and were smaller in size, and the information entered was through punched cards.
Third-generation machines were characterized by using operating systems such as IBM's, in addition integrated circuits were used, and by then minicomputers were integrated.
And the fourth generation characterized by the appearance of microchips, something that had great importance in computing, little by little was decreasing its size and taking more speed as well as being cheaper.
Elements of computing
Computing and informatics are equivalent terms, both are disciplines that are responsible for the study and treatment of information automatically and allow the storage, processing and manipulation of a large amount of information in devices that are increasingly smaller. It is composed of two essential elements that are the Hardware and the Software.
Software development
It is the logical part of the computer and includes application programs, operating systems, utilities and everything that makes it possible for the machine to respond satisfactorily to user demands. The software is usually classified into two large blocks, one basic and the other application. The most well-known basic element is the operating system, but translators, utilities or utility programs and the assembler are also part of it.
Within the application software there is a part dedicated to the logical organization of the data. For a computer to perform its functions, it must be supplied with a program or set of instructions that are understandable by that machine. Communication is carried out through different programming languages, of which the most used are called high-level, which are the most synthetic, the easiest to use or the most similar to a natural language.
For the development of a software, the intervention of several people is required, such as the client who, for example, has problems in his company and needs to be resolved, in this situation the help of a systems analyst is requested, who is responsible for sending it to all the requirements and needs of said client, finally the programmers intervene, who are responsible for coding and designing the system and then testing and installing it in the company.
The phases of the process for the development of a software are:
1. Analysis of requirements: to create a software, the first step is to extract the requirements of the product, for this it is necessary to have skill and experience in software engineering or computer technician, to recognize ambiguous, incomplete or contradictory requirements.
The System Requirements Specification document (ERS) is the site where the result of the analysis of the client's requirements is reflected, whose structure is defined by various standards such as the CMM-I. Relationship, in which the main entities that participate in the development of the software are reflected.
2. Design and architecture: the generality in the operation must be determined without specifying details. This is done through the incorporation of technological implementations, such as the network, hardware, among others.
3. Programming: this stage is the longest in terms of duration and complexity, and is also closely linked to the programming languages used. This phase is developed by a computer engineer.
4. Testing: this phase consists of checking if the developed software performs correctly all the specified tasks. This is a technique that is responsible for carrying out the tests separately, of each of the software modules and then making the verification in a comprehensive way to reach the objective. It is estimated that for a good test phase to be carried out correctly, it must be carried out by a programmer other than the developer who programmed it.
5. Documentation: It refers to everything concerning the documentation generated in the development of the software and in the management of the project. From modeling (UML), tests, diagrams, technical manuals, user manuals, etc. All this for the purpose of eventual usability, future maintenance, corrections and extensions to the system.
6. Maintenance: Through this process, the software is maintained and improved in order to stop discovered errors and new requirements. It is estimated that about ⅔ of computer engineers are involved in maintenance and a very small part of this work is dedicated to correcting errors.
Hardware
It is a set of physical elements, (machines and circuits), that can hardly be modified unlike the software that can be altered to carry out each task.
The hardware of a computer is made up of various elements. The most important are:
- The core of the computer: It is made up of the CPU and memory. The CPU is the central data processing unit that includes the control and arithmetic-logic unit.
- Control unit: It is in charge of the central management function. Perform the Interpretation of the program instructions. He is in charge of making the indications of the actions to be carried out in each case and assigns the tasks to the different parts of the group.
- Arithmetic-logical unit: It is the place where all the processes are carried out, using the indications of the control unit. Performs mathematical or logical relation operations on the supplied data.
- Memory: This is the place where all data and programs are stored, recorded and made available to the central processing unit (CPU).
As for memory, it consists of millions of small circuits that only memorize two physical types of information, if the current passes or if it does not. Each electrical impulse implies the memorization of the digit 1 and the interruption of the current determines the memorization of a zero "0". All coding plays in a binary system, which can be exemplified depending on the physical device taken as a model, in various ways open / closed, connected / disconnected, 1/0. The binary system differs from the one that is normally used, which is decimal or base ten.
There are two types of memory, ROM and RAM. ROM memory, whose initials correspond to the English expression Read Only Memory, which means read-only memory. This cannot be altered, it is physically preset by the manufacturer, it contains the necessary programs (included in the expression of the operating system) so that the machine knows how to operate with the programs and data that are introduced and can relate the languages of high level with machine language. RAM, its English acronym Random Access Memory, that is, random access memory, is what the user can use freely.
- Peripherals: These are the elements that are part of the physical system and that fulfill additional but necessary functions.
Information management
The internal structure of the computer performs the function of processing and preserving information. The peripherals that are coupled provide two more stages that precede and follow the central stage. Information input and output are produced through peripherals, which is why they are also known by the name of input and output devices or I / O.
Study computing
These sciences are incorporated into practically all activities of daily life, so it is very important that people learn to use this tool to take advantage of its advantages, increase productivity and efficiency in the tasks performed. For young people, communicating by email, using a computer, working, browsing, or expressing ideas on the Internet should be as natural as reading and writing.
At present, studying this type of career allows one to develop in different areas of the growing industry. This profession has established itself as one with more demands in the current job market and this is a great corporate advantage that provides better employment opportunities.
Another advantage of your study is related to the amount of options it involves. For example, if you plan to become a professional in the area of computer science, then you have the option of being a technician or an engineer. In the case of both, they will get good salaries, the difference lies in the type of functions and tasks that they must fulfill.
Many people believe that computing only has to do with things like technical support programs or running a business; But the truth is that, today, many companies, if not all, use different information tools, for example, email, accounting systems and they also have the need to create their own web pages to be able to market their products.
Computer Engineering
Computer engineering is one of the careers with the greatest job opportunities worldwide, this is due to the needs of companies in the current digital age.
This career is highly valued at the labor level for its contribution to the development of society and the ability to resolve, acquired by these professionals in the sector to which they belong.
Computer school graduates and engineering graduates have the ability to enter the job market immediately and in a variety of companies. The field of action for these professionals is very broad and they can be employed in economic, health, communication, education and other careers that require computer technology for their performance.
Computer courses
The main objective of the courses is to make the user or student lose their fear of computers and learn from scratch to handle it in a natural way. In general, the most important aspects when studying computing are, the software packages that can be used, the operating system, how to navigate in reliable sites, learn how to open a new email account, how to handle social networks, among others. be the case.
Cloud computing is the technology that facilitates and allows the storage of information and files on the Internet, without running the risk of not having enough memory capacity of the computer or mobile devices.
Computing for kids
It is part of our lives and its learning can promote the development of certain skills related to attention, memory or coordination in children. Its use will depend on the supervision of a trained teaching adult. It should be understood that children's computing should always be guided by a trained adult to explain its usefulness.
By taking a computer course, the child will learn to use the Internet correctly to research, learn to create and print monographic documents in Word, make PowerPoint presentations for exhibitions at school and university, as well as present using the presentation.
