Chapter 7. Legacy Data Access

A computer, according to Webster's dictionary, is a machine or person that may be designed to carry out complex and lengthy mathematical analytical operations very rapidly, to control industrial operations, or to undertake clerical work. According to this definition, everyone who works for a government is, in essence, himself/herself a computer. So are the clerks who check you out at your local grocery store!

Keeping this in mind, it is easy to see that the true genealogical history of computing can be traced back to the formation of math as a tool in humankind's daily life. The first milestone of computing history might be regarded as the invention of the Abacus. Having emerged about 5,000 years ago in China, the abacus is still in use today.

Having a simple but reliable system of performing basic mathematical operations, this device was used for daily commerce by thousands of people throughout the Far East and, eventually, Asia Minor as well. Users were able...