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Line 1: + + + + − The world's first computer was built by the [[British]] mathematician [[Charles Babbage]] in 1833, which he called the '''Analytical Engine'''. It was powered by steam and could perform basic arithmetic calculations with accuracy up to six decimal places. It also featured a 'bit bucket' in the back that collected discarded and malformed bits resulting from the calculations; this bucket had to be emptied on a weekly basis. Charles Babbage's wife [[Ada Augusta]], whom operated the Analytical Engine, is considered to be the world's first [[computer programmer]]. − Prior to the advent of computing machines, the definition for ''computer'' was a human being who performed complex mathematical calculations.+
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A '''computer''' is a machine that is designed to perform [[mathematical]] calculations. Most computers manipulate data in the form of [[binary|binary code]], which consists of 1s and 0s.
A '''computer''' is a machine that is designed to perform [[mathematical]] calculations. Most computers manipulate data in the form of [[binary|binary code]], which consists of 1s and 0s.
Prior to the advent of computing machines, the definition for ''computer'' was a human being who performed complex mathematical calculations. This was accomplished with the aid of a manual counting device, such as an abacus or a slide rule, and was mainly used by traders and early bankers to keep a reliable record of funds
Charles Babbage, an English scientist who lived in the 19th century, has been credited as the designer of the original computer, the Analytical Engine, a programmable machine set to do calculations reliably up to six decimal places. However, the Engine was never constructed, being deemed as "had derived no emolument whatsoever from the government" by a member of parliament. His other prototype, the Difference Engine, was built after his death by his son.[http://ei.cs.vt.edu/~history/Babbage.html]
[[Image:Babbage.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Charles Babbage's Analytical Engine.]]
[[Image:Babbage.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Charles Babbage's Analytical Engine.]]
The first computer comparable to the modern day computer, an electronic calculation machine, was the ENIAC. Built as a artillery support machine, it was unveiled in early 1946.[http://ftp.arl.army.mil/~mike/comphist/]
==References==
==References==