Introduction
Software and hardware are the main elements of modern computers and information technologies architecture. Hardware includes motherboard which is often referred to as computer’s heart and includes in its turn central processing unit (CPU), RAM – random access memory, firmware, various ports and controllers (USB, parallel ports, PS/2, etc.), power supply, video display controller which produces an output for computer’s display, various removable devices, sound card, networking apparatus, periphery (including mouse and keyboard). Software is an environment for using computer technologies and includes system software, programming software, and application software. It is created by means of using certain programming and machine languages and provides the user with a friendly interface for performing various tasks and operations.
History of software evolution
Software developed steadily beginning from late 1940-th. Its evolution was strongly dependent on the changes in informational technologies and the need for improving productivity and quality for its users. At the first stages of software development, it was difficult to predict when a project will be finished and difficult languages of programming such as FORTRAN, ALGOL, and COBOL were elaborated. Software companies didn’t provide customers with software packages but made tailored software with the possibility for reuse. This is particularly the case for IBM company. The process of software development was started during NATO Science Committed conferences held in 1969 in Germany where the importance of software engineering was discussed. The 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s are often called the decades of software crisis which was caused by the lack of qualified programmers and low cost-effectiveness of software engineering. For instance, OS/360 operational system was a long and technically difficult project but coherent programming architecture was not developed thus the project proved to be inefficient. Property damage is caused by poor software technologies since hackers and other intruders have a chance of unauthorized access to valuable information. At the end of the 80s, the structural solution was found to software problems represented in such methods as object-oriented programming, structured programming, various CASE tools, Java, standards, and Unified Modeling Language. The problem of the discipline of programmers and formal methods was also tackled. Such issues as licensing, code of ethics, and professionalism were also addressed.
The 90-s was a real breakthrough in software development and it was mainly connected with the development of the Internet. Now programmers were required to address the issues of photographs, maps, illustrations, simple animations on a scale never seen before (Tonry, 2000). The growing scale of HTML and browser usage changed deeply the way of information exchange and display, raised the issue of interface and crossplatformity. Software engineering addressed such issues as search engines, spam, web design, etc. Starting from 2000 new methodologies for creating simple software that can be used for the realization of specific tasks as ‘extreme programming’ were developed. The general trend in software engineering as it is presented today is the development of more flexible interfaces and programming languages oriented at different tasks.
History of hardware evolution
The history of hardware evolution begins in 1960 with the elaboration of the integrated circuit which created a basis for the first computer kits and personal computers such as Apple 2, Commodore PET, MITS Altair, and others. The gradual development of hardware and processors led to the significant dissemination of commercial personal computers. In the 90s this market was dominated by Compaq, HP, IBM over Macintosh. In general, the mass use of computers began with Jack St. Claire Kilby developing the integrated circuit or microchip in IBM/366 hybrid circuits (3-rd generation).
‘Fourth generation’ of hardware development started with the invention of the microprocessor by Hoff which was directed at a different market. When in 1971 the first commercial microprocessor was created by Intel the process of computerization quickly unraveled (Freiberger, Swaine, 2000). Such new models of computers as Xerox Alto, MITS Altair 8800
Apple Computer etc. were developed. IBM entered the market of personal computers after Apple 2 became very popular with its first model IBC PC (1981). It has a CPU running at 4,77 MHz and contained 29000 transistors. Thus, as we can see hardware development was very rapid and today there are many computer hardware companies operating in the informational industry providing the customer with effective decisions.
Computer company’s past and future practices
The dominant software policy of IBM for a long period was standardized and open mainly to Microsoft corporation products. But not so long ago a far-reaching change in this policy was made. IBM announced the launching of the new software package – ‘Open Client Offering’ which can be run on Linux, Apple Macintosh, and Microsoft windows. This means that crossplatformity becomes one of the main interests of this company that helps it to widen the market for its products. Moreover, there will be no need for other computer companies to pay Microsoft for its licenses.
Apple was also a notable example of changing its software-hardware strategy. For a long period, it works only with its own operating system Macintosh but several years ago he started to use Intel hardware and thus reconfigured its platform for interoperability with Windows. This allowed strengthening its positions in the world computer market.
References
Freiberger, Paul, Swaine, Michael Fire in the Valley: The Making of the Personal Computer, 2nd edition. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2000.
Tonry, Michael, ed. The Handbook of Crime & Punishment. New York: Oxford University Press, 2000.