What is Microcomputer

8/6/2019 What is Microcomputer

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What is microcomputer

A microcomputer is a computer with a microprocessor as its central processing unit. Anothergeneral characteristic of these computers is that they occupy physically small amounts of space

when compared to mainframe and minicomputers. Many microcomputers (when equipped with akeyboard and screen for input and output) are also personal computers (in the generic sense)

The abbreviation "micro" was common during the 1970s and 1980s, but has now fallen out ofcommon usage.

History & Devolopment

A collection of early microcomputers, including a Processor Technology SOL-20 (topshelf, right), an MITS Altair 8800 (second shelf, left), a TV Typewriter (third shelf, center), andan Apple I in the case at far right.

Although they contained nomicroprocessors but were built around TTLlogic, Hewlett-Packard Calculators as far backas 1968 had various levels of programmabilitysuch that they could be calledmicrocomputers. The HP 9100B (1968) hadrudimentary conditional (IF) statements,statement line numbers, Jump statements (Goto), registers that could be used as variables,and primitive subroutines. The programminglanguage resembled Assembly language inmany ways. Later models incrementally addedmore features, including the BASIC

programming language (HP 9830A in 1971).Some models had tape storage and small

printers. However, displays were limited to asingle line at a time. The HP 9100A was

referred to as a personal computer in anadvertisement in a 1968 Science magazine butthat advertisement was quickly dropped. It issuspected that HP was reluctant to call them"computers" because it would complicategovernment procurement and export procedures

The Datapoint 2200, made by CTC in 1970, is perhaps the best candidate for the title of"first microcomputer". While it contains no microprocessor, it used the 4004 programminginstruction set and its custom TTL logic was the basis for the Intel 8008, and for practical

purposes the system behaves approximately as if it contains an 8008. This is because Intel was the

contractor in charge of developing the Datapoint's CPU but ultimately CTC rejected the 8008design because it needed 20 support chips.


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Another early system, the Kenbak-1, was released in 1971. Like the Datapoint 2200, itused discrete TTL logic instead of a microprocessor, but functioned like a microcomputer in mostways. It was marketed as an educational and hobbyist tool, but was not a commercial success;

production ceased shortly after introduction. Another system of note is the Micral-N, introducedin 1973 by a French company and powered by the 8008; it was the first microcomputer sold allassembled and not as a construction kit.

Virtually all early microcomputers were essentially boxes with lights and switches; onehad to read and understand binary numbers and machine language to program and use them (theDatapoint 2200 was a striking exception, bearing a modern design based around a monitor,keyboard, and tape and disk drives). Of the early "box of switches"-type microcomputers, theMITS Altair 8800 (1975) was arguably the most famous. Most of these simple, earlymicrocomputers were sold as electronic kits--bags full of loose components which the buyer hadto solder together before the system could be used.

The period from about 1971 to 1976 is sometimes called the first generation ofmicrocomputers. These machines were for engineering development and hobbyist personal use. In

1975, the Processor Technology SOL-20 was designed, which consisted of a single board whichincluded all the parts of the computer system. The SOL-20 had built-in EPROM software whichelimated the need for rows of switches and lights. The MITS Altair just mentioned played aninstrumental role in sparking significant hobbyist interest, which itself eventually led to thefounding and success of many well-known personal computer hardware and software companies,such as Microsoft and Apple Computer. Although the Altair itself was only a mild commercialsuccess, it helped spark a huge industry.

1977 saw the introduction of the second generation, known as home computers. Thesewere considerably easier to use than their predecessors, whose operation often demandedthorough familiarity with practical electronics. The ability to connect to a monitor (screen) or TV

set allowed for visual manipulation of text and numbers. The BASIC programming language,which was easier to learn and use than raw machine language, became a standard feature. Thesefeatures were already common in minicomputers, which many hobbyists and early manufactureswere familiar with.

1979 saw the launch of the VisiCalc spreadsheet (initially for the Apple II) that first turnedthe microcomputer from a hobby for computer enthusiasts into a business tool. After the 1981release by IBM of their IBM PC, the term Personal Computer became generally used formicrocomputers compatible with the IBM PC architecture (PC compatible).

Major time line for microcomputer development as follows

1971 Nov 1971 - InNovember 1971, the 4000 family, now known as MCS-4 (forMicrocomputerSystem 4-bit), was officially introduced with an advertisement inmajor trade publications. The main caption read, "Announcing a new era ofintegrated electronics"--a very prophetic ad.

1972 1972 - Kildall briefly returned to UW and finished his doctorate in computer

science in 1972, then resumed teaching at NPS. He published a paper thatintroduced the theory of data-flow analysis used today in optimizing compilers, [4]and he continued to experiment with microcomputers...


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1973 1973 - The MCM/70 was a pioneering microcomputerfirst released in 1973,making it one ofthe first microcomputers in the world, the first to be shipped incompleted form, the first portable computer, and arguably the first truly usablemicrocomputersystem. Nevertheless ...

1974 1974 - In 1974, the first microcomputer, the MITS Altair, was offered as a kit forhobbyistsan event that changed the computing world forever. It was soonfollowed by the IMSAI, the NorthStar, and Apple. Even Radio Shack introducedthe TRS-80 in the mid-70s.

Dec 1974 - InDecember 1974, Popular Electronics magazine described the firsthome computer. It was the first micro computing machine called the Altair 8800and boasted 256 bytes of memory. And, it had no software that would make it do

anything. In the nearly three ...

1975 Apr 1975 - Processor Technology Corporation was a microcomputercompanyfounded by Bob Marsh inApril 1975. Contents: 1.History 2. Making Standards 3.Products 4. External links 1.History.

Jul 22, 1975 - Today inHistory July 22, 1975 Bill Gates and Paul Allen signMicrosoft's first official contract licensing their BASIC to MITS, the makers ofthe

Altair kit computer. The young entrepreneurs had hit upon a revolutionary newconceptthe idea that a ...

1976 Dec 31, 1976 - ComputerHistory Museum | Exhibits | This Day inHistory: ... ...CROMEMCO Z-2DDecember 31, 1976. MicrocomputerPioneer CROMEMCO isIncorporated. Harry Garland and ...

1977 Jun 26, 1977 - At Intel, the leader In microcomputers, we believe that an training isSomeone apart - a prn who enjoys . ,ng and then that knowledge. ... for immediateconsideration, send your resume with salary history in confidence to IntelEmployment, 3065 Bowers Avenue, Santo. Clara, CA 95051. ...

1978 Aug 21, 1978 - The owner will explain what he wants his microcomputerto do.The programmer will develop the program for a mutually agreeable fee. a customer... Ten to IS years ago the price was about 100000 Tandy's Roach says that repairsto the microcomputershould not cost more than repairs to a ...

1979 Oct 28, 1979 - In the last three or four years, however, technological advances withsocalled minicomputers and microcomputers have brought the prices down to a ...And it can spew forth reports on a tenant s history, a building s profit and lossstatement and a company s status, and prepare bills, ...


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Nov 15, 1979 - Jade Computer Products in Hawthorne is a company which hasgrown up with microcomputers. It has become one ofthe largest suppliers ofmicrocomputercomponents and ... gan manufacturing a microcomputersystem,

based on the Intel 8008, which was featured in Popular Electronics magazine. ...

1980 May 31, 1980 - The Good Hope School has recently purchased two microcomputers, with a third on order. One of these is already in use in some middleschool classrooms, where students were introduced to the history of computers,how they work and flowcharting, prior to the computers arrival. ...

1981 Aug 31, 1981 - Thomas E. Schatzel, Peter W. Gumaer, Law Offices of Thomas E.Schatzel, Santa Clara, Cal., for defendants Personal Micro Computers, ... If anydoubt is left by the wording ofthe statute, the legislative history makes clearthe

all-inclusive nature ofthe definition of "fixed" form: ...

1982 Sep 7, 1982 - Mr Walter said junior high student will be introduced to the microcomputers in one-week seminars Microcomputers will also be placed in each of...At Genoa Junior High School Ohio history will be dropped from the curriculum,and civics will be added to replace the history course Greg ...

1983 Jan 9, 1983 - Indianapolis, for example, has only 250 microcomputers for its 56000pupils, but is in the process of ordering several thousand more. ... One computerprogram in use in some history classes, for example, simulates a wagon train trip inthe It asks the student to plan such a journey. ...

Jan 21, 1983 - The NCR Corporation displayed a new line ofmicrocomputers anda network for resource sharing and announced new software licensing agreements... The Decision Mate V series ofmicrocomputers are designed for personal

business use, NCR said. Its Decision Net system would link personal ...

Mar 7, 1983 - Nearly one million micro computers were sold In the United StatesIn 1982 This was about as many as had been previously sold In the history ofmicro-computers. It's expected that more than two million units will be . sold In1983 Before 1982 the giants ofthe Industry were Radio Shack. ...

May 1, 1983 - The program is part of a history unit on the westward movement.The children have to make decisions as they go-how much food to take, ... Thecomputer is good for more than just rote learning, Hyde contended. "If that s allthe microcomputerdoes, then why not use flash cards? ...

Sep 11, 1983 - For confidential consideration, send detailed resume and salaryhistory to:. Pereonnel Manager .Homart Development Co ... for first time


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microcomputer; the Chicago area. Training will Include Introduction/oper-' ationof IM PC, Zenith 100 & ApVe Ml- as well as applicat ons & la such ...

1984 Feb 27, 1984 - Just as in the United States, leading computer companies in Britainare homing in on the booming microcomputermarket. ... ''Our objective forthe

next three years is to be the No. 1 microcomputercompany in Europe and in the top20 worldwide,'' Mr. Leftwich said. ...

Feb 27, 1984 - DISPLAYING ABSTRACT ]Just as in the United States, leadingcomputer companies in Britain are homing in on the booming microcomputermarket. In the process, solid homegrown competitors, several of which ... Historyvs. Modernity in German Opera Season Revenge ofthe MetroCard Machines ...

Apr 1984 - Acting Commissioner Martha McStean inApril 1984, added this

program to develop management information systems software, automate andmodernize administrative practices, and encourage end-user development of newapplications. An agencywide survey was completed to ...

Aug 19, 1984 - Qualitied candidates should send resume and salary history to: G.Glttleson, Wallpapers To Go, 3131 Corporate Place, Hayward, CA 94545. ...Utilize yourmicrocomputerinstruments background to the fullest, with KontronElectronics, a dynamic company on the grow. ...

Oct 1984 - In October 1984, the Company entered into an agreement withRockwell pursuant to which the Company was licensed to manufacture theseproducts. The Company currently designs, manufactures, distributes and marketsmore than 250 products or product variations ...

1985 Jul 23, 1985 - Subtitled ''The History, Corruption and Future ofthe Language,'' thisvolume is both a brief sociological history ofthe evolution of what was originallythe most popular... Very few new programs seem to be written using what manyclaim was the microcomputerlanguage ofthe 1970's. ...

Sep 30, 1985 - The classes will be held at mu's microcomputerlab in the Center forContinuing Education, 1981 Wis consin Ave. ... Oct 28 Topics will include thehistory of computing, current uses of computing machines and techniques, thevocabulary of computing and the abilities and costs of various ...

1986 Apr 29, 1986 - SecretiveHistory. In the nine months ended Nov. 30,MicrocomputerMemories lost $4.5 million on revenue of $4.9 million. Assets asof Nov. 30 stood at $5.4 million and liabilities were $4.15 million. Since then,Kupetz. said, the firm has lost another $1.5 million, and liabilities now ...

1987 Sep 1987 - In September 1987, the first microcomputerversion of RAT-STATS


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was developed to run on IBM compatible computers using Microsoft's DiskOperating System (MS-DOS).

1988 Jan 1, 1988 - It was founded by Frank Odasz and Regina Odasz, both educationprofessors at Western Montana College, with grants from US West and the MJ

Murdock Charitable Trust. OnJanuary 1, 1988, BST went online to offertelecommunications remotely to Montana school ...

1989 Jul 30, 1989 - The Intel Corporation is well known for its family ofmicroprocessors, which are the heart of every IBM-compatible microcomputer,including those made by AT& T. ... Combining their individual strengths, the twocompanies have teamed up to produce a series of powerful microcomputers. ...

1990 Jun 1, 1990 - Technology forthe '90s: Microcomputers in Libraries. ... findComputers in Libraries articles. Technology forthe 90s: Microcomputers in ...Geoffrey A ShortHistory ofthe Twentieth Century Chicago, IL: Ivan R. Dee,Publisher...admission wrote frugally about the twentieth century. ...

1991 Nov 1991 - InNovember 1991, I published an article titled "HyperHistory: A NewWay of Seeing and TeachingHistory" (Collegiate Microcomputer. 9: 4). I used aDOS-based hypertext program called XText to prepare several documents such asWright describes. The...

1992 Mar 22, 1992 - One ofthe most striking examples of this phenomenon is themicrocomputerindustry.(9) By looking in some detail at the history of thisindustry, I hope to be able to shed some light on the circumstances under whicheconomic growth proceeds through the generation of external rather...

1993 Dec 8, 1993 - National Microcomputerwas founded by Jafar a former electricalengineer with Unisys (then e-systems and his wife, Cindy, one-time head of accounting at a large computer deal ership in Salt Lake City Two ofthe company's

23 employees work primarily in research and development. here ...

1994 Mar 14, 1994 - The large installed base of Mac applications will run on the PowerMacs.History is not forgotten, merely amplified. Any pioneer venture carriesgenuine risks. Apple must be applauded for moving into territory that no othermainstream desktop maker was willing to enter. ...

1995 Apr 1995 - InApril 1995, a curriculum revision meeting was held in Islamabadwith representatives from all Pakistani library schools. Included in the newcurriculum are various information science-related courses: eg, Fundamentals ofcomputerized information storage ...


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1996 Jul 15, 1996 - REPORT ON THEASTRONOMICAL DATA SERVICE INCHINA Guo Hongfeng and Ke Darong Beijing Astronomical Observatory,Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100080, PR China ReceivedJuly 15, 1996.Abstract. We describe the history and ...

1997 Feb 11, 1997 - In 1980 MicrocomputerTechnology Institute (Micro Tech) wasestablished in Houston to train in electronics, especially high-level vocationaltraining. In 1987 Micro Tech attained ... Overthe history ofthe program, the

percentage ofthe costs paid by the grant ranged from 50% to 75%. ...

1998 Feb 5, 1998 - The test unit 304 may be implemented as servo-activated telephoneresponse module, implementing functionality such as that described in co-pendingapplication entitled "Interactive Telephone Response Module" which was filed on

Feb. 5, 1998, application number 09 ...

2001 Aug 7, 2001 - Rememberthe Apple II? It was the tan, boxy little desktop machinethat introduced microcomputers to the world in 1977. ... Apple's machines werelater overshadowed by the proliferation ofthe IBM PC and its clones. But theywon't be written out ofhistory. ...

2002 Feb 1, 2002 - OCLC COMPLETES PURCHASE OF NETLIBRARY. ... findOnline Libraries & Microcomputers articles. The sale of netLibrary assets toOCLC was finalized at ... 2001 issues of 'Online Libraries and Microcomputers' for

more complete details on the history of netLibrary,their bankruptcy and sale).

2003 Sep 1, 2003 - And then, the authorized testing products are microcomputer, server,Portable computers, computer supply and printer on Sept 1st, 2003. NCTC wasauthorized to be the China Quality Certification Center (CQC) 3C Contract TestLaboratory.

2007 Nov 1, 2007 - While maintaining all the history and charm ofthe place A- whichincludes a leather-bound book with the day's losses written out with ... But though

business practices may have changed since Hambling's days with microcomputers,

the underlying mindset ofthe entrepreneur is a constant. ...

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What is Microcomputer