Analog Computing
Analog computing involves using continuous physical quantities such as electrical, mechanical or hydraulic phenomena to model the problem being solved . Analog computers are very good a computing tasks. They simulate difficult functions as well. Analog computers also simulate mechanical systems and other physical systems such as thermal and hydraulic systems. It was for these systems that analog computers were originally designed. Analog computers can simulate a lot of mega bytes per second and display results on a large cathode ray tube. This allows the user to compare the output of variable much easier .
Analog computers do have several weaknesses. It is very difficult to compute with full accuracy. Also, they are very expensive and hard to maintain and calibrate. Programming is also difficult. When they were introduced a lot of prior knowledge of technology was required to successfully operate .
It is said that the clock was the very first analog computer and since the clock there have been several contributors to the field of analog computers. Blaise Pasquale created the first mechanical adding machine in the seventeenth century. Jacquard created the Programmable Loom, which introduced the early idea of binary operations and reusable media. Charles Babbage came up with the plans and idea of the Difference Engine in 1823 and the Analytical Engine in 1840. Finally, Herman Hollerith created the hole punch census card and reader and formed the Tabulating Machine Company that is now known as IBM.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analog_computer
http://electronicdesign.com/Articles/ArticleD/1449/1449.html
Analog computers do have several weaknesses. It is very difficult to compute with full accuracy. Also, they are very expensive and hard to maintain and calibrate. Programming is also difficult. When they were introduced a lot of prior knowledge of technology was required to successfully operate .
It is said that the clock was the very first analog computer and since the clock there have been several contributors to the field of analog computers. Blaise Pasquale created the first mechanical adding machine in the seventeenth century. Jacquard created the Programmable Loom, which introduced the early idea of binary operations and reusable media. Charles Babbage came up with the plans and idea of the Difference Engine in 1823 and the Analytical Engine in 1840. Finally, Herman Hollerith created the hole punch census card and reader and formed the Tabulating Machine Company that is now known as IBM.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analog_computer
http://electronicdesign.com/Articles/ArticleD/1449/1449.html