Though I learned how to code without much knowledge on the computer science, I want pause and look back on the history, hardware and logic that founded the software I use everyday.
Logic Gates Theory to Computer Hardware
The development of logic gates dates back to the mid-19th century, with George Boole’s formulation of Boolean algebra and to the 1930s, with Claude Shannon’s link between Boolean algebra and electrical circuits. However, they only provided the theoretical basis to logic gates. It was not until the 1940s when electronic switches known as transistors were implemented to construct digital logic gates. Advancements in semiconductor technology through the decades allowing for more compact integrations, such as microchips and microprocessors, and higher computing power.
Logic gates are now fundamental, system-building components, responsible for handling binary (the primary language of computers). To achieve this, when given one or more binary inputs, logic gates follow specific rules that result in a binary output. I think of the types of logic gates as simple one, more intricate ones, and special ones with each types playing different roles in making sure computers understand and process information correctly.
Hardware and Software:
Computer hardware encompasses the physical elements of a computer — from the keyboard to the microchips to the monitor — that execute the system’s functions based on the software’s instructions. On the other side, computer software tells the hardware how to operate, process data and perform tasks through a set of instructions. Logic gates are the blueprint to programming logic, establishing instruction sequencing, conditional statements, iterations (loops) and functions within code.
It’s important to acknowledge here that code is written with different languages and code languages differ in syntax, semantics, and purpose. However, the programming logic is similarly applied to each language. Software developers who understand how this logic have the ability to wield different languages to craft solutions to specific computational challenges.
Conclusion
Within a couple of weeks, the more I learn about computer science, the more details emerge and the more questions I have. Though I am both overwhelmed and enthusiastic, I look forward to gaining deeper knowledge and understanding as I progress in my career.
Sources
8 Standard Computer Components and What They Do
Build a Modern Computer from First Principles: From Nand to Tetris
Building an 8-Bit Breadboard Computer!
Comparing Programming Languages
Computer Science — Hardware and Software
Computers and the Internet — Logic gates and circuits
Electronics 101: History of (NAND n AND) Logic Gate
Logic Gates and their Applications
Logic Gate — Definitions, Types, Uses
Long before Gates or Jobs, 6 women programmed the first digital computer
The Mathematics of Boolean Algebra
What are the main characteristics and examples of logic programming paradigms?
link