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Introduction To Computers

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46 views7 pages

Introduction To Computers

Uploaded by

istarmagagula138
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS

Definition of key terms

• Computer
A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in
its own memory that can accept data (input), process the data according to specified
rules, produce information (output), and store the information for future use.

Functions of a computer
➢ Taking data as input
➢ Store data/instructions
➢ Processes data
➢ Generate output

Process
Input (Data) Output
(Information)

Fig. 1. Functionality of a computer

Fig. 2. Desktop personal computer


• Data and information
➢ Data is a collection of raw, unorganized facts and details like text,
observations, figures, symbols and descriptions of things etc. In other
words, data does not carry any specific purpose and has no significance
by itself. Moreover, data is measured in terms of bits and bytes – which
are basic units of information in the context of computer storage and
processing.
➢ Information is processed, organized and structured data. It provides
context for data and enables decision making. For example, a single
customer’s sale at a restaurant is data – this becomes information when
the business is able to identify the most popular or least popular dish.
• Programme.
Programme is a specific set of ordered operations for a computer to perform.

• Information Technology(IT)
Information technology is the development, maintenance, or use of systems --
especially computer systems, software and networks -- for storing, retrieving and
sending information.

• Communication Technology(CT)
Communication technology refers to all equipment and programs that are used to
process and communicate information. Such equipment include radio
transmitters, receivers, telephones, satellites, Fax machines etc.

• Information and communication technologies (ICT) is defined as a diverse


set of technological tools and resources used to transmit, store, create, share or
exchange information.

• Information system, is an integrated set of components for collecting, storing,


and processing data and for providing information, knowledge, and digital
products.
• Garbage in garbage out (GIGO), the quality of output is determined by the
quality of the input. So, for example, if a mathematical equation is improperly
stated, the answer is unlikely to be correct.

Generations of computers
Generation in computer terminology is a change in technology a computer is/was
being used. Initially, the generation term was used to distinguish between varying
hardware technologies.
1. First Generation Computers The period of first generation was from 1940’s-
1958. The computers of first generation used vacuum tubes as the basic
components for memory and circuitry for CPU (Central Processing Unit).
These tubes, like electric bulbs, produced a lot of heat and the
installations used to fuse frequently. Therefore, they were very expensive
and only large organizations were able to afford it. In this generation,
mainly batch processing operating system was used. Punch cards, paper
tape, and magnetic tape was used as input and output devices. The
computers in this generation used machine code as the programming
language.
The main features of the first generation are:
• Vacuum tube technology
• Unreliable
• Supported machine language only
• Very costly
• Generates lot of heat
• Slow input and output devices
• Huge size
• Need of AC
• Non-portable
• Consumes lot of electricity
Examples of first generation computers:
• ENIAC • EDVAC • UNIVAC
• IBM-701 • IBM-750
Fig. 3. ENIAC
2. Second Generation Computers The period of second generation was
from 1958-1964. In this generation, transistors were used that were
cheaper, consumed less power, more compact in size, more reliable and
faster than the first-generation machines made of vacuum tubes.

In this generation, magnetic cores were used as the primary memory and
magnetic tape and magnetic disks as secondary storage devices. In this
generation, assembly language and high-level programming languages
like FORTRAN, COBOL were used. The computers used batch
processing and multiprogramming operating system.

The main features of second generation are:


• Use of transistors
• Reliable in comparison to first generation computers
• Smaller size as compared to first generation computers
• Generates less heat as compared to first generation computers
• Consumed less electricity as compared to first generation computers
• Faster than first generation computers
• Still very costly
• AC required
• Supported machine and assembly languages
Examples of second generation computers
• IBM 1620 • IBM 7094
• CDC 1604 • CDC 3600
• UNIVAC 1108
3. Third Generation Computers The period of third generation was from
1964-1970. The computers of third generation used Integrated Circuits
(ICs) in place of transistors. A single IC has many transistors, resistors,
and capacitors along with the associated circuitry.

The IC was invented by Jack Kilby. This development made computers


smaller in size, reliable, and efficient. In this generation remote
processing, time-sharing, multi-programming operating system were used.
High-level languages (FORTRAN-II TO IV, COBOL, PASCAL PL/1,
BASIC, ALGOL-68 etc.) were used during this generation.

The main features of third generation are:


• IC used
• More reliable in comparison to previous two generations
• Smaller size
• Generated less heat
• Faster
• Easy maintenance
• Costly
• AC required
• Consumed lesser electricity
• Supported high-level language

Examples of third generation of computers


• IBM-360 series • Honeywell-6000 series
• PDP (Personal Data Processor) • IBM-370/168
• TDC-316
4. Fourth Generation Computers The period of fourth generation was from
1970-1980. Computers of fourth generation used Very Large Scale
Integrated (VLSI) circuits. VLSI circuits having about 5000 transistors and
other circuit elements with their associated circuits on a single chip made
it possible to have microcomputers of fourth generation.

Fourth generation computers became more powerful, compact, reliable,


and affordable. As a result, it gave rise to Personal Computer (PC)
revolution.
In this generation, time sharing, real time networks, distributed operating
system were used. All the high-level languages like C, C++, DBASE etc.,
were used in this generation.

The main features of fourth generation are:


• VLSI technology used
• Very cheap
• Portable and reliable
• Use of PCs
• Very small size
• Pipeline processing
• No AC required
• Concept of internet was introduced
• Great developments in the fields of networks
• Computers became easily available
Examples of fourth generation of computers:
• DEC 10 • STAR 1000 • PDP 11
• CRAY-1(Super Computer) • CRAY-X-MP (Super Computer)
5. Fifth Generation Computers The period of fifth generation is 1980-till
date. In the fifth generation, VLSI technology became ULSI (Ultra Large
Scale Integration) technology, resulting in the production of
microprocessor chips having ten million electronic components.

This generation is based on parallel processing hardware and AI (Artificial


Intelligence) software. AI is an emerging branch in computer science,
which interprets the means and method of making computers think like
human beings. All the high-level languages like C and C++, Java, .Net
etc., are used in this generation.

The main features of fifth generation are:


• ULSI technology
• Development of true artificial intelligence
• Development of Natural language processing
• Advancement in Parallel Processing
• Advancement in Superconductor technology
• More user-friendly interfaces with multimedia features
• Availability of very powerful and compact computers at cheaper rates
Examples of fifth generation of computers
• Desktop
• Laptop
• Notebook
• Ultrabook
• Chromebook

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