Early digital computers inspired by Howard Aiken’s Mark 1 were huge, sometimes filling an entire room. That was because thousands of switches were needed to compute his binary number system.
In the binary number system, only two digits are recognized by the computer: 0 when a switch is off, and 1 when the switch is on. Different combinations of those two digits can represent thousands of letters and numbers.
The binary number system is still used in today’s computers. The difference is that the thousands of electrical switches have been replaced by one tiny, solid-state chip that does the translations electronically. That’s why your computer only fills up part of your desk, not your whole bedroom.
Составьте 5 во к тексту.
1. Why were digital computers huge?
2. What were the first digital computers?
3. What numerals is recognized by the computer?
4. How many letters and numbers can combinations represent?
5. Is the binary system used in a modern computer?