Features, Components and uses of ENIAC, EDVAC, and UNIVAC 1 - SS1 ICT Lesson Note

ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer)

ENIAC, developed in the mid-1940s, was one of the earliest general-purpose electronic digital computers. ENIAC was a massive machine that occupied a large room and consisted of thousands of vacuum tubes, which were the primary electronic components used for computation at that time. 

ENIAC was designed to perform a wide range of calculations, including numerical calculations, simulations, and complex scientific computations.

Source:(fr.wikipedia.org)

 

Key features 

 

1. Vacuum Tubes: ENIAC used around 17,468 vacuum tubes to perform calculations. Vacuum tubes acted as switches, allowing the computer to process and manipulate data.
2. Programmability: ENIAC was not a stored-program computer like modern computers. Instead, it was programmed using a combination of patch cables and switches. This made programming and reprogramming a time-consuming and labor-intensive task.
3. Speed: ENIAC was significantly faster than previous mechanical computing devices. It could perform calculations at a speed of about 5,000 additions per second and was particularly useful for calculations required for scientific research, cryptography, and engineering.
4. Versatility: While its initial purpose was to perform calculations for artillery trajectory calculations during wartime, ENIAC's versatility allowed it to be used for various applications, including weather prediction, nuclear research, and simulations.
5. Size and Power Consumption: ENIAC was immense, taking up a substantial amount of space and consuming a significant amount of power. Its operation required regular maintenance and troubleshooting due to the delicate nature of vacuum tubes.

Components

ENIAC had around 18,000 vacuum tubes, 70,000 resistors, 10,000 capacitors, and hundreds of thousands of soldered joints. It used punched card readers for input and output.

Uses

ENIAC was primarily used for scientific and military calculations, such as performing calculations for the development of hydrogen bombs and artillery trajectory calculations.

 

EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer)

EDVAC, proposed by John von Neumann in the mid-1940s, laid the foundation for modern computer architecture and was designed to address some limitations of ENIAC. EDVAC was developed by John von Neumann and his colleagues at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey, and it laid the groundwork for the architecture of modern computers.

EDVAC, which stands for "Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer," was another significant milestone in the development of early computers. It was designed as an improvement over ENIAC's limitations, particularly its lack of stored-program capability. 

Source:(primacyebooks.com)

 

Key features 

1. Stored-Program Architecture: EDVAC was one of the first computers to introduce the concept of storing both program instructions and data in the same memory. This innovation allowed programs to be easily modified and reused without the need for physical rewiring, as was required with ENIAC.
2. Von Neumann Architecture: The architecture of EDVAC is often referred to as the "von Neumann architecture" in honor of John von Neumann. This architecture consists of a central processing unit (CPU), memory for storing instructions and data, input and output units, and control mechanisms for executing instructions in sequence.
3. Binary Representation: Like other early computers, EDVAC used binary representation for data and instructions. This is the foundation of modern digital computing, where data is represented using a sequence of 1s and 0s.
4. Serial Processing: EDVAC executed instructions sequentially, one at a time. While modern computers often execute instructions in parallel, EDVAC's serial processing was a common approach in early computing.
5. Programming Languages: While EDVAC did not have a high-level programming language like we have today, it marked the transition from physical rewiring to symbolic programming. Instructions and data were represented in binary code, which made programming more flexible and efficient compared to ENIAC's patch cable and switch-based programming.

Components

EDVAC utilized a stored-program concept, where both data and instructions were stored in the same memory. This concept is fundamental to modern computers.

Uses

EDVAC was used for scientific and research calculations, serving as a precursor to more versatile and programmable computers.

 

UNIVAC 1 (Universal Automatic Computer 1)

UNIVAC 1 was one of the first commercially produced computers and was introduced in the early 1950s. It marked the transition from experimental computers to practical business applications.

The UNIVAC 1 (Universal Automatic Computer 1) was one of the earliest commercially produced computers and is often recognized as the first computer designed for general-purpose data processing and business applications. It was developed by J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly, the same individuals who were involved in the creation of ENIAC, and it marked a significant advancement in the field of computing.

Source:(thoughtco.com)

 

Key features 

1. Commercial Use: Unlike its predecessors like ENIAC and EDVAC, which were primarily developed for scientific and military purposes, UNIVAC 1 was designed with business applications in mind. It was intended to handle tasks such as data processing, calculations, and generating reports for businesses and government agencies.
2. Stored-Program Architecture: Similar to EDVAC, the UNIVAC 1 employed a stored-program architecture. This allowed users to store both program instructions and data in the computer's memory, enabling greater flexibility and ease of programming.
3. Magnetic Tape Storage: The UNIVAC 1 featured a magnetic tape storage system, which was used for storing and retrieving data. This was a significant improvement over earlier computers that relied on punch cards or manual input for data storage.
4. High-Speed Processing: The UNIVAC 1 was faster and more reliable than its predecessors. It could perform around 1,000 operations per second, making it well-suited for various data processing tasks.
5. Commercial Success: The UNIVAC 1 was the first computer to be produced and sold commercially. It gained attention for its potential to automate business operations, and several units were sold to government agencies and corporations.
6. Census Application: One of the notable early applications of the UNIVAC 1 was its use in the 1950 United States Census. It played a significant role in tabulating and analyzing census data, demonstrating its capabilities for large-scale data processing.

Components

UNIVAC 1 employed vacuum tubes and magnetic tape storage. It had a central processing unit (CPU), memory, input/output devices, and a separate console for operators.

Uses

UNIVAC 1 was used for a range of applications, including scientific calculations, business data processing, and military simulations. It gained recognition for accurately predicting the outcome of the 1952 U.S. presidential election.

These computing devices played crucial roles in shaping the evolution of computer technology. They laid the groundwork for subsequent generations of computers by introducing concepts like stored-program architecture and expanding the practical applications of computing beyond scientific research into business and industry.