ENIAC

Definition

ENIAC, or Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer, was one of the first general-purpose electronic digital computers, developed during World War II and completed in 1945. It marked a significant advancement in computing technology, paving the way for modern computers and influencing the fields of science and technology in profound ways.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. ENIAC was designed by John W. Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert at the University of Pennsylvania and was funded by the U.S. Army.
2. This computer weighed about 30 tons, occupied a space of roughly 1,800 square feet, and consumed a significant amount of electricity.
3. ENIAC was initially designed to calculate artillery firing tables for the Army but later proved capable of performing a wide variety of complex calculations.
4. It used approximately 18,000 vacuum tubes for its operations, which contributed to its size and heat generation, making it prone to frequent failures.
5. The programming of ENIAC was done manually through plugging and rewiring connections rather than using software, reflecting the early stages of computer programming.

Review Questions

• How did ENIAC represent a significant leap forward in computing technology compared to previous calculating machines?
  • ENIAC was groundbreaking because it was one of the first electronic computers that could perform a wide range of calculations quickly and automatically, unlike earlier mechanical calculators. It utilized vacuum tubes instead of gears and levers, allowing for faster computations. This marked the transition from mechanical devices to electronic processing, leading to increased efficiency in scientific research and military applications.
• Discuss the implications of ENIAC's programming method on the development of future computer programming languages.
  • ENIAC's programming required extensive manual intervention through physical rewiring and plugging, which was cumbersome and time-consuming. This limitation highlighted the need for more efficient programming methods, leading to the development of assembly languages and high-level programming languages. The challenges faced with ENIAC's programming paved the way for advancements in software engineering practices that would ultimately shape how computers are programmed today.
• Evaluate the impact of ENIAC on both military applications and civilian technological advancements in the years following its development.
  • ENIAC significantly influenced military applications by providing quick and accurate calculations for artillery firing tables, directly impacting World War II strategies. Its success demonstrated the potential of electronic computers, encouraging investments in computing technology that extended beyond military use. This resulted in a technological revolution that fostered innovations in various fields such as finance, science, engineering, and data processing in civilian industries, ultimately shaping the modern digital landscape.

Related terms

Vacuum Tube: A key component in early electronic devices that controlled the flow of electricity and served as a switch or amplifier in computers like ENIAC.

Binary Code: A system of representing numbers or data using two symbols, typically 0 and 1, which is foundational to computer programming and operation.

Programming: The process of designing and building executable computer software to perform specific tasks, which became more structured with advancements following ENIAC.