Customer Reviews

A History of Computing Technology, 2nd Edition

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book focuses on early machines up to the development of the IBM 360. It covers both the technology and the personalities involved. It contains startling facts such as the Z4 (a mechanical computer) could reorder instructions to improve speed (circa 1948). It outline some of the most brilliant work in computer science. I wish it had more technical detail, however it does have an extensive bibliography. I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in a deep understanding of computers. and where they are going.

This history gives a decent coverage of computing, up to somewhere in the 1960s. Look elsewhere if you want anything about workstations or personal computers. Instead, the book devotes space to explaining not just 20th century computers, but calculators and other mechanical devices, from earlier eras.

An astrolabe is explained! Which may be a little surprising. But it can be argued that that is indeed a computing device. Totally analog of course. Then, we get a view of the development of mechanical caculators in the 19th century. Plus Babbage's computing engine.

The book's discussion of the modern computer - from the Manhattan Project's MANIAC onwards - could perhaps be read in other more comprehensive treatments.