History of computing

GS-IIIIT, Space, Robotics, Biotech & IPR

Note

Computational machines evolved from Babbage's Difference Engine and vacuum-tube ENIAC through transistor-based systems, integrated circuits governed by Moore's Law, and modern microprocessors to quantum computing prototypes and artificial intelligence. Alan Turing formulated the Turing machine and computability theory; Ada Lovelace made foundational algorithmic contributions. Successive generations — defined by core switching technology — mark discrete leaps in processing speed, miniaturisation, and energy efficiency. This trajectory contextualises India's IT policy and Digital India infrastructure, and shows how hardware constraints shaped the feasibility boundaries of each software paradigm.