Overview Computer Generations

Functions of Computer: Generations - is a change in technology of a

 Takes data as input computer
 Stores the data/instructions in its  First Generation (1946-1959) - vacuum
memory and use them when required tube based
 Processes the data and converts it into  Second Generation (1959-1965) -
useful information transistor based
 Generates the output  Third Generation (1965-1971) -
 Controls all the above four steps integrated circuit based
 IPO - Input-Process-Output  Fourth Generation (1971-1980) - VLSI
based
COMPUTER - an electronic data processing  Fifth Generation (1980 onwards) -
device which accepts and stores data input, ULSI based
processes the data input, and generates the
output in a required format. Types
ADVANTAGES OF COMPUTER:  PC (Personal Computer) - a single user
 High Speed - a very fast device computer
 Accuracy - very accurate  Workstation - a single user computer
 Storage Capability - memory is very but more powerful microprocessor
important in computer  Mini Computer - a multi-user
 Diligence - free from monotony computer
 Versatility - flexible in performing the  Main Frame - also a multi-user
job computer but software technology is
 Reliability - designed to make different from mini computer
maintenance easy  Supercomputer - an extremely fast
 Automation - automatically computer
performing the task given
 Reduction in Paper Work - speeding
Components
up of process in paper work
 Reduction in Cost - sustainability
 Take Input - the process entering of
reduce the cost of each transaction
entering data and instructions
 Store Data - saving of data and
DISADVANTAGES OF COMPUTER:
instructions
 No I.Q - no intelligence to perform any
 Processing Data - performing of
task
arithmetic and logical operation
 Dependency - fully dependent on
 Output Information - process of
human
producing useful information
 Environment - should be dust free and
 Control the Workflow - directs the
suitable
manner and sequence
 No Feeling - no feelings or emotions
Input Unit - device that helps us enter data
into the computer
CPU (Central Processing Unit) - the brain of
the computer
Output Unit - device that helps us get the
information from computer
CPU or Central Processing Unit  Mouse - most popular pointing device
 Advantages
 Easy to use
CPU consists of the following:
 Not Expensive
 CPU is considered as the brain of the
 Moves the cursor faster that
computer.
arrow keys
 CPU performs all types of data
 Joystick - used to move the cursor in
processing operations.
the monitor screen
 It stores data, intermediate results and
 Light Pen - a pointing device similar to
instructions(program)
a pen
 It controls the operation of all parts of
 Track Ball - mostly used in a notebook
computer
or laptop computer
 Scanner - works more like a photocopy
CPU has three components:
machine
 Memory or Storage Unit - can store
 Digitizer - converts analog information
instructions, data, and intermediate
to digital form
result. also called as Random Access
 Microphone - input sound then stores
Memory (RAM)
in digital form
 Control Unit - controls the operation
 Magnetic Ink Card Reader (MICR) -
but does not carry out actual data
used in banks because of large
processing operation
cheques to be processed every day
 ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)
 Optical Character Reader (OCR) - use
 Arithmetic Section - performs
to read a printed text character by
arithmetic operation like addition,
character
subtraction, multiplication, and
 Bar Code Reader - use for reading bar
division
coded data(in form of light and dark
 Logic Section - performs logic
lines)
operation like comparing,
 Optical Mark Reader (OMR) - used to
selecting, matching, and merging
scan the type of mark made by a pen
or pencil
Input Devices
Output Devices
 Keyboard - most common and very
popular input device that helps
Monitors - called as Visual Display Unit
inputting data
(VDU), also the main output unit in
 Typing Keys - consists of A-Z and 0-
computer
9 keys
 Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT) Monitor -
 Numeric Keypad - use to enter
made up of small picture
numeric data and consists of 17
elements called pixels
keys
 Large in size
 Function Keys - each has unique
 High power consumption
meaning and consists of 12 keys
 Flat-Panel Display Monitor - refers
 Control Keys - includes Home, End,
to a class of video devices that
Insert, Page Up, Page Down,
have reduced volume, weight,
Control(Ctrl), Alternate(Alt),
power requirement in comparison
Escape(Esc) and four arrow keys
to the CRT
 Special Purpose Keys - keys used in
 Emissive Displays - convert
special purposes such as Enter,
electrical energy to light (LED)
Shift, Caps Lock, Num Lock, Space
 Non-emissive Displays -
Bar, Tab, and Print Screen
converts light into graphic
patterns (LCD)
Printers - used to print information on Random Access Memory (RAM)
paper
 Impact Printers - print characters Random Access Memory (RAM) - the
by striking them onto the ribbon internal memory of the CPU for storing data,
 Character Printer - print one program, and program result
characters at a time  Static RAM (SRAM) - memory that
 Dot Matrix Printer (DMP) - retains its contents as long as power is
one of the most popular being supplied
printers  Dynamic RAM (DRAM) - must be
 Daisy Wheel - head is lying continually refreshed in order to
on a wheel and pins maintain data
corresponding to characters
are like petals of Daisy
Read Only Memory (ROM)
 Line Printers - print one line at a
time
Read Only Memory (ROM) - memory that
 Drum Printer - drum shape
can only read but cannot write on it
printer
 Masked ROM (MROM) - hard-wired
 Chain Printer - chain of
devices that contained a pre-
characters are used
programmed data or instruction
 Non-impact Printers - print
 Programmable ROM (PROM) -
characters without ribbon
memory that can be modified only
 Laser Printer - use laser light
once by the user
to produce the dots needed
 Erasable and Programmable ROM
to a character
(EPROM) - can be erased by exposing
 Inkjet Printer - prints by
to ultra-violet light for 40 mins
spraying small drops of ink
 Electrically Erasable and
onto paper
Programmable ROM (EEPROM) -
programmed and erased electrically
Memory
Motherboard
Memory - just like a human brain; used to
store data and instructions
Motherboard - serves as a single platform
 Cache Memory - very high speed
to connect all parts of the computer
semiconductor memory; acts as buffer
together; considered as the backbone of
between CPU and main memory
computer
 Primary Memory (Main Memory) -
holds only those data and instructions
on which computer is currently Memory Units
working; has limited capacity and data
is lost when power is switched off Memory - the amount of data that can be
 Secondary Memory - also known as stored in the storage unit that in which
external memory or non-volatile; storage capacity is expressed in terms of
slower than main memory Bytes.

Main Memory Storage Unit:

 Bit (Binary Digit) - is logical 0 and 1
representing a passive or active state
of a component
 Nibble - group of 4 bits
 Byte - group of 8 bits; the smallest unit
 Word - group of fixed number of bits
Higher Memory Storage Units: Hardware
 Kilobyte (KB) - 1 KB = 1024 bytes
 Megabyte (MB) - 1 MB = 1024 KB Hardware - represents the physical and
 Gigabyte (GB) - 1 GB = 1024 MB tangible components of computer
 Terabyte (TB) - 1 TB = 1024 GB  Input Devices
 Petabyte (PB) - 1 PB = 1024 TB  Output Devices
 Secondary Storage Devices
Ports  Internal Components

Port - is a physical docking point using Software

which an external device can be connected
to the computer Software - set of programs that is set to
 Serial Port - used for external modems perform a well-defined function
and older computer mouse  System Software - is collection of
 Parallel Port - used for scanners and programs designed to operate, control,
printers; also called printer port and extend the processing capabilities
 PS/2 Port - used for old computer of the computer itself
keyboard and mouse; also called a  Application Software - designed to
mouse port satisfy a particular need of a particular
 Universal Serial Bus (USB) Port - it can environment
connect all kinds of external USB
devices Hardware and software are mutually
 VGA Port - connects monitor to a dependent on each other. Both of them
computer's video card; has 15 holes must work together to make a computer
 Power Connector - three-pronged plug; produce a useful output.If hardware is the
connects to the computer's power 'heart' of a computer system, then
cable that plugs into a power bar or software is its 'soul'. Both are
wall socket complimentary to each other.
 Firewire Port - connects camcorders
and video equipment to the computer;
Number System
transfers large amount of data at very
fast speed
 Decimal Number System - number
 Modem Port - connects a PC's modem
system that we use in our day-to-day
to the telephone network.
life; has base 10 as it uses 10 digits
 Ethernet Port - connects to a network
from 0 to 9
and high speed internet. connect
 Binary Number System - base 2; digits
network cable to a computer.
used: 0, 1
 Game Port - connect a joystick to a PC
 Octal Number System - base 8; digits
 Digital Video Interface (DVI) Port -
used: 0 to 7
connects Flat panel LCD monitor to the
 Hexa Decimal Number System - base
computer's high end video graphic
16; digits used: 0 to 9 letters used: A- F
cards.
 Sockets - connect microphone,
speakers to sound card of the
computer