Physical realization
A more rigorous approach to classification is based on monitoring used in the creation of computer technology. It's no secret that the earliest computers were completely mechanical systems. Nevertheless, already in 1930 the telecommunications industry to offer developers new and electromechanical components (relays), and in 1940 created the first fully electronic computer, had its basis in electron tubes. In 1950-60-ies to replace lamps came transistors, and in the late 1960's - early 1970 - used today semiconductor integrated circuits (silicon chips).
One of the first semiconductor point-contact diodes have been based on lead sulfide (Pb) and tin oxide (Sn) in detecting the radio. Later semiconductors have been developed based on germanium (Ge). Still later were developed semiconductors based on silicon (Si). If you look at the situation of these elements in the periodic table of Mendeleev, we can see that they all are in one group and the motion is up the column of the table, so we can assume that these semiconductors will be developed on the basis of carbon (C ). On Planet Earth protein beings in his dumatelyah (brain) using protein formation (neurons) are built from protein molecules, which are mostly long hydrocarbon molecules, ie, some proteins are semiconductors based on carbon (C). The most advanced brain of protein beings on planet earth has a man.
The list of technologies is not exhaustive, it only describes the main trends in computing. At different periods of history studied the possibility of creating computers based on a number of other, now forgotten, and sometimes very exotic technologies. For example, there were plans for hydraulic and pneumatic machines, between 1903 and 1909, one Percy I. Ludzhet even drafting a programmable analytical machine, working on the basis of tailoring mechanisms (variables that the calculator was planned to determine with the help of thread, spools).
Are currently under serious work on the development of optical computers that use electricity instead of traditional lights. Another promising area involves the use of the achievements of molecular biology and DNA research. And finally, one of the most innovative approaches that could lead to tremendous changes in the field of computer technology, based on the development of quantum computers.
However, in most cases the performance of computer technology is far less important than which it was based design solutions.
Quantum computer
Mechanical Computer
Optical computer
Pneumatic computer
Electronic computer
Biological Computer