The technical aspects of computers.

Abstract

This chapter is concerned with the technical aspects of computers. It is therefore concerned with how computers came about in the way they did, and who were the people who pioneered their development--what they were like in the early years, what they are like now, and what are likely to be the future developments. The emphasis is always on giving information to the readers so that they may know what questions to ask of the experts and, equally important, which experts to spend time with. In consequence of this last statement it becomes necessary to present a panorama showing the range of computers both size-wise and cost-wise; such scenario will therefore cover the vista from large main-frames (which must inevitably be needed in District Health Authorities and District General Hospitals) to the desk-top personal computers which all clinicians of the future will find essential. Because readers will be experiencing the impact and, hopefully, the benefits of the computer at the lower end of the size and price scale, considerable space has been devoted to explaining the various items (disc drives, monitors, printers) that pervade the microcomputer scene. New terminology must be introduced to readers if they are to discuss intelligently their computer needs to the providers of such facilities. Just as an automobile is no use without oil, petrol, water and a competent user, so the computer hardware needs computer software and a competent user. The chapter therefore continued with some considerable space being devoted to software (operating systems, programming languages, utilities and expert systems) so that the user will have clear guidance as to which path to follow in order to become a competent user of the present and future technology. Because of the rapid advances in data storage, in networking and in computer programs, the clinicians of tomorrow will have vast sources of information at their disposal. This latter will include not only patient records, but also drug data-sheets, textbooks, journals and research reports. Finally, lack of space has prevented some topics receiving more than a cursory mention. This is known but, like real life, one has to make judgements as to the relative importance of the topics and include those which come out top. It is hoped that the readers will not be too disappointed: if they absorb all that is here they will be very knowledgeable indeed.