THE ORIGINS OF INFORMATICS

This article summarizes the origins of informatics, which is based on the science, engineering, and technology of computer hardware, softwar e, and communications. In just four decades, from the 1950s to the 199 0s, computer technology has progressed from slow, first-generation vac uum tubes, through the invention of the transistor and its incorporati on into microprocessor chips, and ultimately, to fast, fourth-generati on very-large-scale-integrated silicon chips. Programming has undergon e a parallel transformation, from cumbersome, first-generation, machin e languages to efficient, fourth-generation application-oriented langu ages. Communication has evolved from simple copper wires to complex fi beroptic cables in computer-linked networks. The digital computer has profound implications for the development and practice of clinical med icine.