26 Nov
2007
26 Nov
'07
8:24 p.m.
Brent Hilpert wrote:
I haven't had time to read the article, but given the year and application
(log tables) it sounds like what the reporter saw was Babbage's difference
engine rather than analytical engine. The d-e was a calculator of a form
and was completed (or largely so), but it was not programmable. The a-e was
Babbage's uncompleted machine that looks more computer-like in modern terms.
The a-e (was going to) use punch cards, the d-e did not. A little googling
should bring up a lot more info to elaborate between the two.
..Correcting myself for the sake of accuracy: A little refresher reading
indicates I overstated the state of completion of the difference engine.
It was not completed. If I have it right this time, a functional portion of
it was and this is presumably what the reporter saw.