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ITC LAB 1 - History of Computers

The document provides an overview of the history and evolution of computers from the abacus to modern devices. It discusses early mechanical calculating devices like the Difference Engine and Analytical Engine. It then covers milestones like the Turing machine, ENIAC, and the first portable computer. The document defines five generations of computers based on the underlying technology, from vacuum tubes to integrated circuits. It provides brief descriptions of the characteristics of each generation and how they led to smaller, faster, more powerful devices. The lab tasks at the end ask students to further explain concepts like Von Neumann machines, Turing machines, and examples of fifth generation computers.

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118 views

ITC LAB 1 - History of Computers

The document provides an overview of the history and evolution of computers from the abacus to modern devices. It discusses early mechanical calculating devices like the Difference Engine and Analytical Engine. It then covers milestones like the Turing machine, ENIAC, and the first portable computer. The document defines five generations of computers based on the underlying technology, from vacuum tubes to integrated circuits. It provides brief descriptions of the characteristics of each generation and how they led to smaller, faster, more powerful devices. The lab tasks at the end ask students to further explain concepts like Von Neumann machines, Turing machines, and examples of fifth generation computers.

Uploaded by

pathway
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Introduction to Computing Lab 1: Introduction to Computers

LAB # 1

Introduction to Computing
Objective

 Learn about the history of computing and evolution of computers.


 To learn about the generations of computer.

Theory
Computer
The first use of the word "computer" was recorded in 1613, referring to a person who carried out
calculations or computations.
A computer is programmable machine that manipulates data according to instructions given to it.
Or, a computer is a device that performs processes, operations and calculations.

Evolution of Computing
• Abacus
An abacus is a mechanical device not a computer but used
to aid an individual in performing mathematical
calculations. The abacus was invented in Babylon in 2400
B.C. The abacus in the form we are most familiar with
was first used in China in around 500 B.C. It used to
perform basic arithmetic operations. The abacus generally
features a table or tablet with beaded strings.

• Babbage’s Engines
In 1822, Charles Babbage began to design a small working model of an automatic mechanical
calculating machine, which he called a Difference Engine. In 1832, Babbage designed the
Analytical Engine (that never built); a mechanical device that performed basic arithmetic
operations.

Difference Engine Analytical Engine


To solve polynomial equations General purpose machine

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Introduction to Computing Lab 1: Introduction to Computers

• Turing machine
Alan Turing, considered the father of computer science, described a theoretical device called the
Turing machine or “a-machine”. He formalized the concepts of computation and algorithms.
Turing later helped crack German military codes during World War II.

• Atanasoff-Berry Computer
John Atanasoff and Clifford Berry built the ABC at Iowa State between 1939 and 1943, which
found solutions to systems of linear equations. It was considered first fully electronic digital
computing device, but was not programmable or fully functional.

• Havard Mark 1
The first electro-mechanical computer, invented by Howard H. Aiken in 1944 financed and built in
IBM. It is also known as IBM Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator (ASCC).

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Introduction to Computing Lab 1: Introduction to Computers

• ENIAC
ENIAC stands for Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer. It was the first electronic general
purpose computer, completed in 1946. It was developed by John Presper Eckert and John W.
Mauchley.

• The First Portable Computer

Osborne 1 – the first portable computer released in 1981by the Osborne Computer Corporation.

Computer Generations
There are five generations of computer:
1. First generation – 1946 - 1958
2. Second generation – 1959 - 1964
3. Third generation – 1965 - 1970
4. Fourth generation – 1971 - today
5. Fifth generation – Today to future

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Introduction to Computing Lab 1: Introduction to Computers

The First Generation


The first computers used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory, and were often
enormous, taking up entire rooms. They were very expensive to operate and in addition to using a great
deal of electricity, generated a lot of heat, which was often the cause of malfunctions. First generation
computers relied on machine language, the lowest-level programming language understood by
computers, to perform operations, and they could only solve one problem at a time. Input was based on
punched cards and paper tape, and output was displayed on printouts.

The Second Generation


Transistors replaced vacuum tubes and ushered in the second generation of computers. One transistor
replaced the equivalent of 40 vacuum tubes. Allowing computers to become smaller, faster, cheaper,
more energy-efficient and more reliable. Still generated a great deal of heat that can damage the
computer. Second-generation computers moved from cryptic binary machine language to symbolic, or
assembly, languages, which allowed programmers to specify instructions in words. Second-generation
computers still relied on punched cards for input and printouts for output. These were also the first
computers that stored their instructions in their memory, which moved from a magnetic drum to
magnetic core technology.

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Introduction to Computing Lab 1: Introduction to Computers

The Third Generation


The development of the integrated circuit was the hallmark of the third generation of computers. •
Transistors were miniaturized and placed on silicon chips, called semiconductors, which drastically
increased the speed and efficiency of computers. Much smaller and cheaper compare to the second
generation computers. It could carry out instructions in billionths of a second. Users interacted with
third generation computers through keyboards and monitors and interfaced with an operating system,
which allowed the device to run many different applications at one time with a central program that
monitored the memory. Computers for the first time became accessible to a mass audience because
they were smaller and cheaper than their predecessors.

The Fourth Generation


The microprocessor brought the fourth generation of computers, as thousands of integrated circuits
were built onto a single silicon chip. As these small computers became more powerful, they could be
linked together to form networks, which eventually led to the development of the Internet. Fourth
generation computers also saw the development of GUIs, the mouse and handheld devices.

The Fifth Generation


It is based on Artificial Intelligence (AI). It is Still in development. The use of parallel processing and
superconductors is helping to make artificial intelligence a reality. The goal is to develop devices that
respond to natural language input and are capable of learning and self-organization. There are some
applications, such as voice recognition, that are being used today.

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Introduction to Computing Lab 1: Introduction to Computers

Lab Task

1.1) Give two advantages of transistors over vacuum tubes.


1.2) What do you mean by deep blue, explain in details.
1.3) What is Von Neumann machine.
1.4) Explain turing machine and how it works.
1.5) Give examples of 5th generation computers and also explain.

Note: Attach with manual every above mentioned task.

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