The Innovation in Computing Companion

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This encyclopedic reference offers an engaging overview of the pivotal inventions and innovations that have shaped computing and modern technology. Each entry is alphabetically ordered, providing a brief account of significant innovations and the visionary minds behind them, covering a diverse range of topics. It details the development of Babbage’s computing machines, Leibniz’s binary arithmetic, Boole’s symbolic logic, and Von Neumann architecture. Historical analog and digital computers, significant mainframes, and pioneering personal computers are reviewed. The text discusses various programming languages and operating systems, key concepts in software engineering, and commercial computing. It also examines the invention of the transistor, integrated circuit, and microprocessor, alongside developments in personal computing such as the mouse, GUI, Atari video games, and Microsoft Office. Innovations in communications, including mobile phones, WiFi, the Internet, e-commerce, smartphones, social media, and GPS, are surveyed. Additionally, topics on artificial intelligence, ATMs, digital photography and music, robotics, and Wikipedia are covered. With self-test quizzes and a helpful glossary, this compendium appeals to general readers interested in the milestones of the digital age and students of computer science seeking a primer on their field. Dr. Gerard O'Regan, a CMMI software process improvement consultant, has aut