Proton BASIC Community

Very interesting article.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZpULxlPrks

It all depends on how you define "Computer". There were relay machines in the 1930's and mechanical versions possibly before that. The modern definition is electronic, has an electronic stored program, no relays, wheels or drums of rotating capacitors. This rules out both ENIAC and Colossus. Colossus ran before ENIAC, in 1944.

The first electronic, stored program machine was the Manchester Baby, at Manchester University, England. It first ran in June 1948. It was inspired by Max Newman (ex Bletchley Park) and Alan Turning, who first wrote down the design for such a machine in 1936, since called The Turing Machine. There is no doubt that the Americans were not far behind the UK.

Charlie

Hi Charlie,
You can't let the facts get in the way of youtube (probably AI slop) rubbish.

Last time you asked how I was, I got back from my woodturning trip to Newark and am now in hospital with Campolybacter not sure how I got it. If you have never had it, you don't want it.

If you have never been, I can recommend a trip round IWM Duxford, most interesting.

Regards,
Bob

Yikes Bob! Google says: "Campylobacter is most commonly contracted by eating raw or undercooked poultry, unpasteurized milk, or contaminated water". How did you get it? No one of those fast-food joints in down-town Newark is it?

Take care and get well soon. We can't do without you on the forum.

With respect to "The first computer", ENIAC takes it every time so what's the point of chasing the truth? It seems that if you say something often enough then that is then TRUTH. ChatGPT says:

First electronic digital computing machine: Atanasoff–Berry Computer (1939)
First programmable electronic digital computer: Colossus (1943)
First general-purpose electronic digital computer: ENIAC (1945)

But ABC had the capacitor mechanical drum, so it doesn't count.
Colossus wasn't programmable in the true sense.
ENIAC wasn't programmable in the same way either.

Strange that Manchester Baby (that was programmable) doesn't get a look-in.

Take care.
Charlie

Hi,
And then there's Donald Trump's "Truth"  

Funny how ChatGPT show the American ones as the first which shows it is not intelligent and only knows the crap that it is fed in.

Hopefully not offended anyone, just my warped sense of humour.

Hi Charlie,
I have a couple of ideas, but probably my own packed lunch for the journey :-(

Have you asked ChatGPT where the Manchester baby come in the list?

Bob

Good idea! Here's what he/she/it says:

"Year                 Computer                                  Key significance
1939–1942   Atanasoff–Berry Computer       Early electronic digital computer (not programmable)
1943–1944   Colossus                                    First programmable electronic digital computer (special-purpose)
1945           ENIAC                                    First general-purpose electronic digital computer (programmed manually with cables/switches)
1948           Manchester Baby                   First stored-program computer to run a program
1949           Manchester Mark 1                   First practical stored-program computer"

Well that's a little bit better.  I suppose another part of the definition of "Computer" should be "..and it actually does something of general practical use..."

Charlie