The PDP-8 was
one of the first computers purchased by end users. Because of their low cost and portability, these machines
could be purchased to fill a specific need. The PDP-8 is generally regarded as the first minicomputer.
The invention of the integrated circuit caused the trend toward smaller, cheaper, and faster computers to
accelerate. Popular Electronics featured an article on a kit that home hobbyists could purchase that would
enable them to build a computer at home. This machine, offered first in 1974, was the Altair 8800, manufactured
by a company named MITS. It ushered in the personal computer era. These initial machines were designed
to be built at home, which was fine for the home hobbyist but limited the availability of the machine. The first
programming language for the Altair was Altair BASIC, the first product of a little company called Microsoft.
In 1981 IBM introduced its personal computer, or PC, which changed the face of computing forever.
It was now possible for individuals to simply purchase these machines and use them at home.
CHAP. 1] INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SCIENCE 11
A ROADMAP
After reading this chapter, you should realize that there is much more to computer science than simply writing
programs.
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