Computer revolution impacts

• Computers are a product of the IT industry, which is known for its rapid innovation.
• The introduction of new computers has often revolutionized the computing industry.

Revolution

• Computers are a catalyst for the information revolution, alongside the agricultural and industrial revolutions.
• Computers have profoundly affected daily lives and changed approaches to seeking knowledge.
• Computational scientists are now exploring new frontiers in various fields, including astronomy, biology, chemistry, and physics.
• Applications that were previously impractical have become feasible, such as computers in automobiles, cell phones, the human genome project, the WWW, and search engines.

Impact

• Advances in computer technology have impacts across our society.
• Hardware advancements enable the creation of useful software
• Emerging technologies include glasses that augment reality, cashless societies, and self-driving cars.

Classes of Computing Applications

• A common set of hardware technologies is used in various computers.
• Different design requirements exist across different applications.
• Computers are used in PCs, servers, and embedded computers.

Personal Computers (PCs)

• PCs are designed for individual use and incorporate a graphics display, keyboard, and mouse.
• They emphasize good performance for single users at a low cost.
• PCs have driven the evolution of computing technologies for about 35 years.

Servers

• Servers run larger programs for multiple users simultaneously and are typically accessed via a network.
• Servers are built from the same technology as desktop computers.
• Servers vary widely in cost and capability, from basic file storage to complex business tasks.
• The cost of servers can range from a few thousand dollars.

Supercomputers

• Supercomputers are a class of computers with top-tier performance and cost, often configured as servers.
• Supercomputers consist of tens of thousands of processors and many terabytes of memory.
• The cost can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars.
• They are used for massive computations in areas like weather forecasting and oil exploration.

Embedded Computers

• Embedded computers are inside other devices, running a specific application.
• They represent the largest class of computers, with a range of applications and performance.
• These include microprocessors in cars, TV sets, and networks controlling airplanes or cargo ships.
• They are designed to run specific applications integrated with hardware, delivered as a single system.
• Many users are unaware they are using an embedded computer.

Post-PC Era

• Generational changes in computer hardware are shaking up the IT industry.
• Personal mobile devices (PMDs) are replacing PCs, with associated implications.

PMDs

• PMDs are small, wireless, battery-operated devices for internet connectivity.
• They typically cost hundreds of dollars.
• Software is installed on PMDs by downloading apps.
• Users can download apps to run on PMDs, similar to PCs.
• Unlike PCs, PMDs often lack a keyboard and mouse, relying on touch screens or speech input.
• Current PMDs include smartphones and tablets, with electronic glasses as a future possibility.
• Tablets are the fastest growing category.

Cloud Computing

• Cloud computing involves large server collections providing services over the Internet.
• Some providers rent varying server numbers as a utility.
• Cloud computing relies on Warehouse Scale Computers (WSCs).
• Companies like Amazon and Google build WSCs with potentially 100,000 servers.
• Cloud computing enables companies to rent server portions for their needs.
• Cloud computing provides software services to PMDs without the need to build WSCs.

SaaS

• Software as a Service (SaaS) is deployed via the cloud.
• SaaS delivers software and data as a service over the Internet.
• It typically uses a thin program like a browser on local devices, rather than installed binary code.
• Examples include web search and social networking.
• Modern software developers often split applications between PMDs and the cloud.