A computer is a machine that can be programmed to carry out sequences of arithmetic or logical operations automatically. Modern computers can perform generic sets of operations known as programs. These programs enable computers to perform a wide range of tasks. A computer system is a "complete" computer that includes the hardware, operating system (main software), and peripheral equipment needed and used for "full" operation. This term may also refer to a group of computers that are linked and function together, such as a computer network or computer cluster.
A broad range of industrial and consumer products use computers as control systems. Simple special-purpose devices like microwave ovens and remote controls are included, as are factory devices like industrial robots and computer-aided design, as well as general-purpose devices like personal computers and mobile devices like smartphones. Computers power the Internet, which links hundreds of millions of other computers and users.
Early computers were meant to be used only for calculations. Simple manual instruments like the abacus have aided people in doing calculations since ancient times. Early in the Industrial Revolution, some mechanical devices were built to automate long tedious tasks, such as guiding patterns for looms. More sophisticated electrical machines did specialized analog calculations in the early 20th century. The first digital electronic calculating machines were developed during World War II. The first semiconductor transistors in the late 1940s were followed by the silicon-based MOSFET (MOS transistor) and monolithic integrated circuit (IC) chip technologies in the late 1950s, leading to the microprocessor and the microcomputer revolution in the 1970s. The speed, power and versatility of computers have been increasing dramatically ever since then, with transistor counts increasing at a rapid pace (as predicted by Moore's law), leading to the Digital Revolution during the late 20th to early 21st centuries.
Conventionally, a modern computer consists of at least one processing element, typically a central processing unit (CPU) in the form of a microprocessor, along with some type of computer memory, typically semiconductor memory chips. The processing element carries out arithmetic and logical operations, and a sequencing and control unit can change the order of operations in response to stored information. Peripheral devices include input devices (keyboards, mice, joystick, etc.), output devices (monitor screens, printers, etc.), and input/output devices that perform both functions (e.g., the 2000s-era touchscreen). Peripheral devices allow information to be retrieved from an external source and they enable the result of operations to be saved and retrieved.
There are a lot of electronics kits available. Lego has a couple and there are things like the arduino, the PIC, etc.
Which kit should I use that looks best on my resume? I should probably avoid Lego products as those might appear as toys.
Hi, I am a high school senior and I am really having a hard time deciding what I should major in. I absolutely love Physics and Computer Science, but I am worried about majoring in Physics, because many people tell me that it is only worth getting if you attend one of the big ivy league schools...
Okay in class we performed a lab consisting of a Helmholtz pair and we need (to compare to experimental values) to model the magnetic field through a computer simulation. Most of the class is probably going to use MATLAB but I do not have it nor know how to use it. So in this case the teacher...
Hi, So I'm studying Chemistry and biology and I'd like to hear your advice on notetaking. Perhaps some of you can help me find some good software for taking notes faster? First let me paint the picture for you:
Whenever I learn a new subject such as electrochemistry or Entropy etc., I like...
I am recently very interested in computer algebra systems and was thinking about the maths in it.
Basic things that CAS does is algebra(solve set of equations), integration, limits, series etc.
Various algorithms are used for such operations. For e.g.:- for integration there is an algorithm...
I'm a high school senior and I'm going to tech school in the Fall. I applied and was admitted as an EE major, but I am also interested in possibly getting a degree in computer science or Physics instead. I always thought that EE was cool, but I also would be interested in being a computer...
I'm not a physics student and haven't done any physics work since high school. I've since then forgot most of what I knew and although while researching this problem, everything looks familiar. It just doesn't fit together in my head. This isn't a marked piece of the coursework it's just...
Homework Statement
I am trying to model a water rockets motion using a computer programme in order to compare it to my experimental data. I am studying physics at degree level but I have no knowledge of programming and am finding this particularly difficult. I have thought about using...
What do you think about computer science? Do you think outsourcing could be a reason not to pursue this career? Online education is perhaps making it too accessible?
Thanks.
Hi, I would appreciate if someone can check my answers about three questions about computer science and if they are not, what it is missing.
Homework Statement
1)Proof that the following languages aren't regular. You can use the pumping lemma and the closing of the class of the regular...
I understand that giant magnetoresistance is the effect that you can change the conductivity by a magnetic field and the basics of how it works in terms of spin etc.
But how is this exactly used to store memory?
I am new to the world of computer science. I learned C language last year in my university. I also have a basic knowledge of OOP concepts and C#
I want to learn Computer Graphics. I found this book named "Computer Graphics Using OpenGL by F.S. Hill" in the Library. The copyright year of the...
So currently I'm in first year university about to begin my second semester. I know for certain I'm going to be majoring in physics (with possibly the potential to go to graduate school in condensed matter). However, there is also the possibility that I may just want to go straight into...
Ok so I'm reading up on quantum computers , and I want to ask some question to clear some things up.
So in simple terms a quantum computer or the chip itself would have to be made of something , a enclosure somekind that can hold single particles seperated, that have spins (most common probably...
sth is wrong with my computer.when i start it after a few minutes everything stops, mouse pointer turns into a turning blue circle, folder and icon disappears from desktop. I am using some old version softwares ,for example MATLAB 2008, with windows 8.Is it related with old version...
Can anyone recommend a good book on computer hardware/architecture covering things like boolean algebra, logic gates, components etc? Principles of computer hardware by clements is too challenging. I am considering Fundamentals of computer by rajaraman. Thanks
Also, how much electrical...
What are the most efficient ways to trace/track down a stolen computer, if you don't have any spy/anti-theft programs installed? What can you do on your own individual/personal level to trace/track your computer apart from informing police and all that.
Hey guys. I'm a senior in high school and I was recently accepted into Carnegie Mellon's computer science program for undergrad early decision (so that's where I'll attend). I'm pretty confident I'll stick with computer science, but I'm also interested in math and physics. I have a few...
In my country, entrance exams for colleges include topics in physics, chemistry and math. For someone who takes computer science as his branch, why is the student being tested in physics and chemistry?
Being knowledgeable in physics and chemistry is useless if someone takes computer science...
Right now I'm applying to schools, and trying to decide what path I'm going to take.
I think it would be very exciting to help develop newer, better, faster computer components. What major(s) should I be looking at? And what sort of classes are involved in that path?
I am a computer science major and we are required to take two semesters of physics. First semester is based on mechanics and the second semester is focused on electricity and magnetism. I was wondering how these topics are used in computer science and in what specific area? I have tried looking...
I'm finishing my third semester in computer engineering next week. I have taken four classes with the math department (you know, Calculus I-III and Differential Equations), and only Linear Algebra remains*. I have really enjoyed my experiences with the math department so far, and am strongly...
After taking a couple classes on programming (I know, CS isn't just programming) and an upper division intro to combinatorics, I'd like to get more into the area of discrete mathematics. I hope to pursue a PhD at some point, but I'm not sure how strong of a school I can get into since currently...
All,
Forgive me if this is not the right area of the forum, but it seems like it might reach the broadest audience here.
I am looking for an introduction to computer hardware (and perhaps more generally, modern electronics) for a scientist. I am looking for something beyond what one might...
Lately I'm interested in questions like this: -
Given a set of commands, what all computation problems can be done?
For e.g.: - SQL has a fixed set of instructions like select, from, where etc. You can only do a limited amount of things with this language. Since there are no for loops and...
Hello,
Homework Statement
I get this question from Mathematical Methods by Boas page 74 problem 25. The question states:
"Use a computer to find the three solutions of the equation ##x^3-3x-1=0##. Find a way to show that the solutions can be written as ##2cos(\frac{\pi}{9})##...
Hello all, I am a new member here, but I have come upon Physics forums many times before. So, I have a question: Is it possible for me to gain a Bachelors in computer science and then move on to a Masters in an engineering field? I am presently a CS major, which I love, but I don't know if I...
Hello Guys,
I am a computer engineer (B.Sc in Computer Engineering)
I am 31 years old now.
After this period, I discovered that I want to study physics not computer engineering.
i want to ask you if i can now apply for masters of physics ? and if so, what subjects should i have before...
Homework Statement
I have an assignment for Data communication module but the assignment is based on networking.
we were given two tables, which we have to fill in. table no -1 is https://www.dropbox.com/s/2mo4faeuau9mw6m/Screen%20Shot%202013-10-31%20at%2018.54.09.png
Homework Equations
The...
So I know an awful lot about computers. Currently at work they have me on this older Core2 with Ubuntu 12.04 and 2GBs of ram. The computer itself is fast and fine, UNTIL you have some programs open.
When looking at "htop" (a better version of "top" in unix) I see that if I have mathematica open...
Not sure where to post it, but perhaps EE will be OK.
I have problems recording sound on my computer, and I have these problems for as long as I remember - using several microphones and several computers in the last 20 years. I always thought reasonable quality mic and reasonable quality...
I'm doing problem section 15 chapter 1 by Boas. I don't want to ask about a particular problem in there but she often gives this kind of instruction, "By computer or tables, find the exact sum of each of the following series." My question is, what kind of table she is referring to? I take it...
I am currently at the point where I am deciding what major to apply for for university and have narrowed my choices down to these two majors. However, I am torn on which one to choose.
I am interested both in the design of chips for computers, missiles, etc. but also in some of the...
Has anyone here completed undergrad or grad degree in one field and then decided to go physics?
I have a bachelor's in CS and I'm wondering would i have to go full undergrad again if i would like a degree in physics. I've always loved physics and have completed couple of physics and math...
Greetings Physics formus, I am a high school learner currently in my final year of schooling. I have decided that pursuing a double major in math and computer science would be a good option for my tertiary studies, as, my passion lies in the Mathematical Sciences. However, I have not decided on...
Homework Statement
Hi, I am currently a high school freshman enrolled in an Engineering program for the next 4 years. I applied for this program because I've been fascinated by Science and Technology for practically my whole life. There isn't a day that goes by where I don't use some sort of...
What do Ph. D student's learn after a bachelors? I mean, I understand that a Ph. D is research oriented, but what do you learn, what would you research? I'm curious about the field and was wondering if there were any Computer Science Grads who could help me out with this, from a first hand...
I got my new computer with Win 8 and the Mcafee and another program keep popping up. I went on the control panel and deleted a few of the programs. Now it won't connect to the internet anymore because there is no wireless connection. I might have deleted that accidentally.
How do I recover...
Hey guys! I made an account finally, I've been on here forever, but it is finally time for me to ask this question now that I am in college...
For a few years now, almost everyone I have talked to tells me that single majors in engineering are useless, and that double majors are the way to...
I just realize my new laptop has no CD or DVD drive. I need to load anti virus and other programs in. I know all I need is to go and buy a USB DVD drive. But is there any way for me to copy the content of the DVD or CD into a USB flash drive using another computer. Then plug the flash drive into...
Hi everyone, this year i'll get my Bachelor Degree in Computer Engineering, i have some doubts about the master course to get; actually my university offers these courses in accordance with my Bachelor Degree: (i'll write only those who catched my interest)
- Computer Engineering ...
I have this one question. When you have Master's degree in mathematics, can you do a second Master's degree in computer science without doing the bachelor's degree in computer science first?
I am about to start my undergrad physics degree and have every intention of having some sort of career in physics whatever that may be, however I am concerned that it seems most modern day physicists spend large portions of time writing computer code, which is something I am pretty bad at...