Computer Engineering Essays - Computing, Classes Of Computers

Computer Engineering Computer technology has advanced dramatically over the past ten years. Technology has advanced from computers the size of a room that can only perform one particular task, to personal computers (PC's) that will fit on a desk and perform multiple tasks. Understanding computers and their programs and being able to apply that knowledge is very important in today's workplace. Engineering is a field that requires an extensive background in computer technology. Future engineers will benefit dramatically from having a strong background in computer technology. In order to understand why computers are important, we have to understand what a computer is and what it does. A computer is a device capable of performing a series of calculations or logical operations without human intervention. The computer is characterized by the number and complexity of operations it can perform and by its ability to process, store, and retrieve data ("Computers" 1). The development of computers began in the 19th century by British mathematician Charles Babbage (Eadie 3). Babbage designed, but did not build, a mechanical digital device capable of processing information as a modern computer does (4). In 1930 American scientist Vannevar Bush built a mechanically operated device, called a differential analyzer (4). It was the first general-purpose analog computer. Analog computers will be discussed later in this paper. The first information-processing digital computer actually built was the Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator, or Mark I computer (4). Completed in 1944, this electromechanical device was designed by American engineer Howard Aiken (5). In 1946 the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer, or ENIAC, was put into operation (5). Using thousands of electron tubes, it was the first electronic digital computer. In the late 1950s transistors replaced electron tubes in computers, allowing a reduction in the size and power consumption of computer components (5). In the 1960s hybrid computers were tried that connected analog computers to digital ones. Later integrated circuits were developed that allowed further reduction in component size and increase in reliability. The introduction of a relatively easy to use PC in 1981 began a period in the rapid growth of the computer industry. The computer industry is still thriving today with the introduction of faster processors such as the Pentium II and now the Pentium III, high tech printers, scanners, and of course the Internet. There are two types of computers, analog and digital. An analog computer is designed to process data in which the variable quantities vary continuously; it translates the relationships between the variables of a problem into analogous relationships between electrical quantities, such as current and voltage, and solves the original problem by solving the equivalent problem, or analog, that is set up in its electrical circuits (Eadie 9). Because of this feature, analog computers are useful in the simulation and evaluation of certain complex situations. Analog computers do not play a role in engineering today, but without the introduction of analog computers PC's would not be what they are today. Digital computers are referred to as PC's. PC's are used everyday in the workplace, at school, and at home. Many programs can be accessed and loaded into a digital computer. Most technical jobs, including engineering, require experience and understanding of PC's and the programs that are related to the field in which the PC is being used. A digital computer is designed to process data in numerical form; its circuits perform mathematical operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The numbers operated on by a digital computer are expressed in the binary system. Binary digits, which are also known as bits, are 0 and 1, so that 0, 1, 10, 11, 100, 101, etc. correspond to 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc. A series of eight bits, called a "byte", is the basic data unit of computers. A digital computer can store the results of its calculations for later use, can compare the results with other data, and on the basis of such comparisons can change the series of operations it performs ("Computers" 2). PC's would not be useful if it were not for the information that we enter into them. Input to a computer can come directly from people. Human beings can directly communicate with the computer terminals, entering instructions and data by means of keyboards or by using a mouse and receiving the information through a printer. Entering data into a computer can be extremely complicated for someone who is not experienced in downloading. In engineering understanding how to download a program is not as important as knowing how to run a program unless, of course, you are

Sample Personal Essay - A Simple Guide

Sample Personal Essay - A Simple GuideIn my experience, finding a quality sample personal essay is often a challenge. Finding the right sample essay is often more challenging because there are so many to choose from, and since all of them are based on some version of 'first person' the selection process can be quite subjective.Writing research papers is one of the most difficult things to do, and research papers are often the only thing that are left for those writers who have had little success with other areas of writing. While researching for a research paper, I have seen countless examples of a research paper that was of very poor quality because the writer did not have an example to follow. Sometimes the research paper itself was of good quality, but the writer lacked an example to follow, which is a basic requirement for any writer.The true sample personal essay should contain at least three examples of research papers that the writer has chosen to follow. These examples should be carefully chosen to make the reader understand what type of research paper the writer is attempting to write. Even though the examples might be used in the introduction, I would recommend that the writer include all three examples in the body of the paper, or at least the first paragraph.My personal favorite example of a sample personal essay is The Tale of Eight Gloves. This is an excellent example of a research paper that has been correctly described by the example and the first paragraph. Each example shows the reader just what the writer is trying to accomplish and why they are following the example.In addition to providing examples of research papers, I also like to read through the sample personal essay for just a few minutes. This allows me to see the outline and the style and gives me a good idea of how good the writing is.The good news is that I do not always have to take my time with this step, as many writers these days use online editors to grade their writing. When I grade an essay, I do not read it from top to bottom, or even at the beginning.If the sample personal essay is not written well, there is usually a quick correction given in the online editor that I use, so in most cases, if the writer is determined enough, they can correct the errors quickly and return the essay to the place where they should be. A quality sample personal essay should be used throughout the essay and only then removed if necessary.