THE STUDY OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
B. Borovski · Higher Education in Europe · 1985
Before we begin to cover the methods by which computer technology is taught, we should briefly introduce computers and their uses. As is well known, the act of computation as carried out by computer is based on two principal components: the mechanical-electronic component (that is, the hardware), and the programme component (the software). While programming complexity depends on the properties of the hardware, including its memory (such properties including operating speed, storage capacity, reliability of electronic components, etc.), the principal determinant of the evolution of computers is the development of electronic technology. Recently, indeed, direct transfers have taken place from software to hardware, giving rise to the so-called firmware. The latter phenomenon explains why a technological approach to computers has been unanimously accepted (see Fi^. 1).