On 2014-03-05, Alister <alister.w...@ntlworld.com> wrote: >> >>> Why are you creating an ABC? >> >> Because it was the first binary computer that did calculations with >> electronic switching elements (gates), and it would be really cool to >> have one! The ABC also pioneered the use of capciators as regenerative >> storage elements (it's how DRAM still works today). >> >> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atanasoff%E2%80%93Berry_Computer >> >> It predated ENIAC, and it's clear that some of the features of ENIAC >> were inspired by the ABC after John Mauchly visited Iowa State and saw >> the ABC. > > But it was not programmable
True. It had only one program that was hard-wired into it when it was built as opposed to the external patch-cords and switches that were used on machines like Colossus and ENIAC to alter the wiring. > the first programmable electronic computer was 'Colossus' which was > developed during WWII but remained classified by the UK govt for many > years afterwards > > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colossus_computer -- Grant Edwards grant.b.edwards Yow! Hmmm ... A hash-singer at and a cross-eyed guy were gmail.com SLEEPING on a deserted island, when ... -- https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
