【Chapter 1】【Objective】History of the Computer

OBJECTIVE

After reading this chapter,you should be able to:

differentiate among the generations of computers according to their technological advance

explain some of the problems of first generation computers

explain the importance of transistors and microprocessors in the development of modern computers

explain the importance of the discovery that made personal computers possible

    As we review the history of computer,we become aware of a tremendous simplification in operation:a vast improvement of the machine/human interface and dramatic reduction in equipment size.Both of these elements contribute significantly to the expanding computer utilization in society in general.

    Since its inception,the computer has gone through several stages of development.Generally,writers classify these technological advances in generations,a marketing term.Even though there is some overlap,it is convenient to view the computer's technological development in this manner.

objective
[Eb5dVektiv]
adj.
客观的; 真实的
(作品)如实的; (人)无偏见的
目标的
【语】宾语的
【医】(病状)除本人外也为他人感觉到的, 他觉的

differentiate
[7difE5renFieit]
vt.
区分, 区别
辨别
【数】求...的微分
使分化; 使变异

transistor
[trAn5zistE]
n.
[电子]晶体管

microprocessor
[maIkrEJ5prEJsesE(r)]
n.
[计]微处理器

tremendous
[tri5mendEs]
adj.
极大的, 巨大的

simplification
[7simplifi5keiFEn]
n.
简化

dramatic
[drE5mAtik]
adj.
戏剧性的, 生动的

significant
[si^5nifikEnt]
adj.
有意义的; 意味深长的
表明... 的(of)
重要的, 重大的, 值得注意的
有效的, 有影响的
非偶然的
【语】有区别的; 有实义的

expanding
[iks5pAndiN]
adj.
展开的, 扩大的

utilization
[7ju:tilai5zeiFEn]
n.
利用

inception
[in5sepFEn]
n.
起初, 获得学位

inception
in.cep.tion
AHD:[¹n-sµp“sh…n]
D.J.[!n6sep.*n]
K.K.[!n6sWp.*n]
n.（名词）
The beginning of something, such as an undertaking; a commencement.See Synonyms at origin
起头，开端：某事的开始，比如一项任务；开端参见 origin

classify
[5klAsifai]
vt.
分类, 分等

classify
clas.si.fy
AHD:[kl²s“…-fº”]
D.J.[6kl#s*7fa!]
K.K.[6kl#s*7fa!]
v.tr.（及物动词）
clas.si.fied,clas.si.fy.ing,clas.si.fies
To arrange or organize according to class or category.
分类：按等级或类别组织安排
To designate (a document, for example) as confidential, secret, or top secret.
归入机密级别：指定（如文件）为机密、秘密或绝密的

term
[tE:m]
n.
学期, 期限, 期间, 条款, 条件, 术语

term
term
AHD:[tûrm]
D.J.[tT8m]
K.K.[tPm]
n.（名词）
A limited period of time.
期限：一段限定的时间
A period of time that is assigned to a person to serve:
任期：某人任期内的一段期限：
a six-year term as senator.See Synonyms at period
作为议员的六年任期参见 period
A period when a school or court is in session.
学期，开庭期
A point in time at which something ends; termination:
期限：一段时间内某事结束的时间点；终结：
an apprenticeship nearing its term.
学徒生涯将满
The end of a normal gestation period:
足月：正常妊娠期的终结：
carried the fetus to term.
临近产期
A deadline, as for making a payment.
付款日：付款的最后期限
Law
【法律】
A fixed period of time for which an estate is granted.
地产租用期：租用地产的一段确定时间
An estate granted for a fixed period.
有限期租用的地产：一段固定时期内租用的地产
A word or group of words having a particular meaning:
专用名词：一个或一组具有特殊意义的词：
had to explain the termgridlock. 
必须解释gridlock（交通全面大堵塞） 这个词
terms Language of a certain kind; chosen words:
 terms 词语：某种语言；选用的词：
spoke in rather vague terms; praised him in glowing terms.
用相当隐晦的词讲述；用炫丽的词语称赞他
Often terms One of the elements of a proposed or concluded agreement; a condition:
 常作 terms 条款：计划或确定的协定的一个要素；条件：
offered favorable peace terms; one of the terms of the lease; the terms of a divorce settlement.
提出良好的和平条件；一项租赁条款；达成离婚协议的条件
terms The relationship between two people or groups; personal footing:
 terms 关系：两个人或团体间的关系；个人关系：
on good terms with her in-laws.
与她婆家的人相处得很好
Mathematics
【数学】
One of the quantities composing a ratio or fraction or forming a series.
项：组成比率或分式或者构成一数列的一个量
One of the quantities connected by addition or subtraction signs in an equation; a member.
项：等式中用加号或减号连在一起的量；一项
Logic Each of the two concepts being compared or related in a proposition.
【逻辑学】 项：一命题中相比较或相关的两个概念之一
A stone or post marking a boundary, especially a squared and downward-tapering pillar adorned with a head and upper torso.
界标：标志一边界的石头或柱子，尤指一圆柱形、底部渐细、上饰有胸像的柱子
v.tr.（及物动词）
termed,term.ing,terms
To designate; call.
把…称为：称为；叫做

in terms of
As measured or indicated by; in units of:
用…衡量或表示；用…的措辞：
distances expressed in terms of kilometers as well as miles; cheap entertainment, but costly in terms of time wasted.
用公里和英里来表示距离；低廉的娱乐，但就浪费的时间来说却极昂贵
In relation to; with reference to:
根据：按照；就…而言：
“facilities planned and programmed in terms of their interrelationships, instead of evolving haphazardly”(Wharton Magazine)
“按照其内在的关系来营造设施以防止其产生灾难性的进展”(沃顿杂志)

overlap
[5EuvE5lAp]
v.
(与...)交迭

overlap
o.ver.lap
AHD:[½”v…r-l²p“]
D.J.[7*&v*6l#p]
K.K.[7ov+6l#p]
v.（动词）
o.ver.lapped,o.ver.lap.ping,o.ver.laps
v.tr.（及物动词）
To lie or extend over and cover part of.
重叠：位于或延至…上面且遮住…的一部分
To have an area or a range in common with.
与…部分相同：有一个共同的区域或范围
v.intr.（不及物动词）
To lie over and partly cover something.
互搭，重叠：位于某物上且部分地遮盖住它
To correspond in character or function:
部分相同：在特性或功能上相似、相当：
Their duties overlap.
他们的职责相同
Mathematics To have one or more elements in common. Used of sets.
【数学】 有与…共同的某物：有一个或更多相同的元素，用于指集合
n.（名词）
AHD:[½“v…r-l²p”]
A part or portion that overlaps or is overlapped.
重叠部分：重叠或被重叠的部分
An instance of overlapping.
重叠的事例

in this manner
如此, 照这样