Ch#1 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER 1

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER
What is a computer?

The word „Computer‟ derived from the word „Compute‟ which means „to calculate something‟.
Hence, it is an electronic device that performs arithmetic operations (+, - , *, /) at very high speed.
Sometimes, it is also called a data processor because it retrieves stores, processes data and
produces information whenever desired.

Definition

Computer is an electronic device that inputs data, stores it, processes it, and produces an
output.

Processes Outputs
Inputs data Stores data
data data

Block Diagram of Computer System

Input: It is the process of capturing data and instructions via input devices such as mouse, keyboard
etc.

Store: Once the data and instructions are taken, it is stored in storage devices such as RAM, Hard disk
etc.

Processing: It is the transformation process to convert the input (data) into output (Information).
Processing is done inside processor - the brain of computer.
Ch#1 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER 2

Output: It displays the processed results, which are produced by a processor, via output devices such
as monitor, printer, speaker etc.

Characteristics of Computer

 Speed

Computer is a very fast machine. It performs arithmetic operations at very high speed. We do
not determine its speed in seconds or milliseconds 10 3, but in microseconds 106, nanoseconds 109 or
even picoseconds 1012. The most modern computers today can perform billions of instructions per
seconds (IPS).

 Accuracy

In addition to being very fast, computers are also very accurate. A computer performs every
calculation with the same accuracy. Errors do occur in computer, but these errors are mainly due to
human mistakes rather than technological weaknesses.

Errors caused by a computer due to unreliable program or incorrect data are called GIGO
(Garbage In Garbage Out).

For example: A computer programmer can make a mistake while writing a program.

 Storage Capability

Computer can store huge amount of data. Different storages devices are used to store data and
programs such as RAM, ROM, Hard disk, Magnetic Tape, Magnetic disk, Optical disks, Flash drives etc.
The data stored in these devices can be measured in following units.

Memory Unit Equivalent to Symbol

Bit 0,1 b
Nibble 4 bits
Byte 8 bits B
Word 2 Bytes or 16 bits
Double Word 4 Bytes or 32 bits
Quad Word 8 Bytes or 64 bits
Kilo Byte 1024 Bytes KB
Mega Byte 1024 Kilo Bytes MB
Giga Byte 1024 Mega Bytes GB
Terabyte 1024 Giga Bytes TB
Petabyte 1024 Terabyte PB
Exabyte 1024 Petabyte EB
Zettabyte 1024 Exabyte ZB
Yottabyte 1024 Zettabyte YB
Borrontobyte 1024 Yottabyte BB
Geopbyte 1024 Borrontobyte GB
Saganbyte 1024 Geopbyte SB
Pijabyte 1024 Saganbyte PB
Alphabyte 1024 Pijabyte AB
Ch#1 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER 3

 Versatile

Computer is capable of performing diverse tasks simultaneously. It is also referred to as Multi-tasking. If

one moment it is preparing student marks sheet, at the same moment it can copy files, download
files, playing games etc.

 Diligence

Unlike human beings, computer is free of lack of concentration or tiredness. It can work continuously
without being getting tired or distracted.

 NO I.Q

A computer does only what it is programmed to do. It cannot take its own decision in this regard.

 NO Emotions/Feelings

A computer is devoid of emotions. Its judgment is based on the instructions given in the form of
programs that are written by a human.

History of Computers
Background

In early days, people of that time were unfamiliar with the concept of „Place Values‟. They were
using „Digitus System‟ – using fingers, pebbles, stones, sticks etc. for counting. This system has the
following drawbacks.

1- Error Prone
2- Slow
3- Complex
4- Difficult to count big values

To overcome aforementioned drawbacks, a new system introduced called „Place Values‟.

As necessity is the mother of invention, after developing the concept of „Place values‟, people of
that time wanted a fast calculating machine that can perform arithmetic operations (+,-.*,/) at very
fast speed. From here onwards, evolution of computer begins.

The history of computers can be divided into early and modern history.
Ch#1 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER 4

Early History of Computers

Abacus

Abacus emerged in 5000 years ago in Asia, capable of performing different computations using the
system of sliding beads arranged on a Rack.

Napier’s Logs and Bones (1617)

Napier‟s logs and Bones is a manually-operated calculating device created by John Napier for
calculation of products and quotients of numbers. It was able to perform four basic arithmetic
operations (+, -, *, /). These devices could be programmed.

Pascaline (1642)

Blaise Pascaline developed Pascaline. It was a mechanical calculator used wheels, gears, rods and
rotating hands to represent and process numbers. This was able to perform addition and subtraction.
But this device made frequent mistakes.
Ch#1 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER 5

GW Von Leibniz Calculator (1674)

Gottfried Wilhem Von Leibniz created a mechanical computing device. It was able to perform
addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

Jacquard’s Loom (1833)

Jacquard‟s loom was invented by John Jacquard and was named as Powered Loom. It controlled
the acting of weaving process using punched cards.
Ch#1 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER 6

Difference Engine & Analytical Engine (1833)

Charles Babbage, computer pioneer, designed two classes of engine: Difference Engine & Analytical
Engine.

Babbage began in 1821 with Difference Engine No.1, designed to tabulate and calculate
polynomial functions.

The Analytical Engine has many essential features found in the modern digital computer. It was
programmable using punched cards, an idea borrowed from the Jacquard Loom used for weaving
complex patterns in textiles.

The Analytical Engine contained ALU, basic flow control, and integrated memory, hailed as the first
general purpose computer.

Why Charles Babbage is known as the father of computers?

Charles Babbage is known as the father of computers because he designed the first stored-program
computer. He was the first person to come up with the idea of a programmable computer.

Hollerith Tabulating Machine (1889)

Hermin Hollerith applied the Jacquard loom‟s concept to computing and developed a tabulating
machine. This machine provided a faster way to calculate US census. It was also based on punched
cards.

Note: Punched card was first invented by Hermin Hollerith.

Vannevar Bush Calculator (1931)

Vannevar Bush developed a calculator for solving complex differential equations.

Atanasoff Berry Computer

John V. Atanasoff, the professor at Lowa State College, with his student Clifford Berry gave
the concept of All-Electronic-Computing that applied the Boolean algebra to computer
circuitry. It used vacuum tubes (48) instead of mechanical switches.

Note: ABC was the first digital electronic computer.

Zuse 3 (1941)

Zuse 3 also referred to as Z3 was developed by a German scientist Konrad Zuse. It was used
to design airplanes and missiles.
Ch#1 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER 7

Mark I (1937-1944)

It is also known as Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator. It was the first fully automatic
electronic calculating machine designed by Howard. A Aiken of Howard University in
collaboration with IBM. It was an electro-mechanical device which used electromagnetic
signals to move its mechanical parts to perform basic arithmetic operations.

ENIAC (1943-46)

The Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator (ENIAC) was the first electronic device
developed by John Presper and John Mauchly at University of Pennsylvania. It was
developed because of military needs and was used to solve Ballistic related problems. It
used 18,000 vacuum tubes. This machine could be programmed to solve problems.

EDVAC (1946- 1956)

The main problem with ENIAC was that its programs were wired on boards that made it
difficult to change the programs.

Dr. John Von Neumann later introduced the „stored-program‟ concept that helped in
overcoming this problem. EDVAC used the stored program concept in its design.

UNIVAC 1(1951)

The Universal Automatic Computer was the first digital computer that was commercially
available for business and scientific applications.

Modern History of Computers

THE word „GENERATION‟ derived from the word „GENERATE‟ which means „to create
sometime‟. In computing, it refers to creation of technologies (such as hardware and
software) w.r.t size, capacity, cost, efficiency etc. in specific era (time frame).

There are following five different generations of computer.

1. First Generation (1942-1955)

2. Second Generation (1955-1964)
3. Third Generation (1964-1975)
4. Fourth Generation (1975-1989)
5. Fifth Generation (1989- Present)
Ch#1 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER 8

First Generation of Computers: (1942-1955)

The developments in computer technologies in 1942-1955 are come under first generation.

 The computers that were developed from 1945 to 1955 are first generation computers.
 First generation computers were considered as the fastest calculating devices at that
time.
 These devices were bulky and huge in size, required a huge room for installation.
 The technology used in the first generation were-Vacuum tubes for circuitry, and
Magnetic drums were used for memory.

Note: Vacuum tube is a device that controls the flow of electrons in a vacuum, also known
as electron tube or valve. John Ambrose Fleming developed the first vacuum tube in 1904.

 In a single computer belonging to 1st generation, almost 20,000 vacuum tubes were
installed or embedded. These vacuum tubes emit a large amount of heat that raises the
temperature enormously. Due to this enormous temperature of the room, regular
hardware failures are kept occurring which requires proper air conditioning and
maintenance.
 Each vacuum tube consumes half watt of power. So, you can imagine that how much
power consumed by a single computer belonging to 1st generation.
 Another problem with 1st generation computers was, they were able to perform only one
job at a time.
 The instructions given to 1st generation computers were written in machine language-
also known as 1st generation language written in 1s and 0s format.
 Punched cards and paper tapes were used for input, and printouts were used for output.
 These computers were mainly used for scientific purpose and were non-portable.
 Some examples of first generation computers were ENIAC (Electronic Numerical
Integrator and Calculator), EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer),
EDSAC (Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator), UNIVAC-1 (Universal Automatic
Computer), IBM-701 (International Business Machine), IBM 706 etc.

Second Generation of Computers: (1955-1964)

 Transistors were used instead of a Vacuum tube.

Note: Transistor was invented by William Brattain, John Bardeen, William Shockley. This device
regulates the flow of voltage. It was a vast improvement over the vacuum tube.

Note: ten transistors power consumption is equivalent to that of one vacuum tube.

 So, transistors were used for circuitry, while ROM and RAM were used for primary storage
devices.
Ch#1 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER 9

 As, the transistor was far superior to vacuum tube, allowing computers to become smaller,
faster, cheaper, more energy-efficient and more reliable than first generation computers.
 Even though transistors were used in 2nd generation computers, they still generated enormous
amount of heat which ultimately would lead to the damage of the computers but was far
better than vacuum tubes.
 Magnetic cores were used as a primary memory; magnetic tapes and magnetic disks as
secondary storage.
 Initially instructions were given in an Assembly language, but later on FORTRAN (Formula
Translation), COBOL (Common Business Oriented Language), ALGOL (Algorithmic Language)
and SNOBOL (String Oriented Symbolic Language) were used to give instructions.
 BATCH operating system was used.

Note: Batch OS is an operating system in which same type of processes are batched together for
execution.

 They were mainly used to commercial data processing and were portable.

Some examples of 2nd generation computers are, as;

IBM 7000, Honeywell 400, IBM-1401, IBM-1620, Atlas etc.

THIRD GENERATION OF COMPUTERS (1964-1975)

 ICs (Integrated Circuit) were used instead of transistors. They are sometimes also referred to as
micro-electronics, micro-chip or simply chip on which thousands of transistors, capacitors, and
transistors are fabricated.

Note: IC was invented by Robert Noyce and Jack Kilby.

 Initially, an IC contained 10-20 different components integrated over it, named as Small Scale
Integration (SSI).
 Later on advancement in technology, it became possible to integrate hundreds of
components over it, named as Medium Scale Integration MSI.
 This development made computers much smaller in size, reliable, and efficient.
 Instructions were given in FORTAN, COBOL, Pascal and BASIC (Beginner‟s All-Purpose Symbolic
Instruction Code) languages.
 Magnetic core and solid states were used as primary storage devices.
 Keyboard1 was used as an input device whereas monitor was used as an output device.
 Time Sharing and multi-programming operating systems were used.
 They were general purpose computers.

Some examples of 3rd generation computers are, as;

IBM-360, IBM-370, Honeywell 6000 series, PDP (Personal Data Processor) etc.

1 Keyboard was invented by Christopher Latham Sholes.

Ch#1 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER 10

FOURTH GENERATION OF COMPUTERS (1975-1989)

 Large Scale Integration (LSI) was introduced that was capable of integrating over 30,000
electronic components, followed by Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) capable of holding
1million components over it.
 This development lead to the drastic development of creation of first processor: Intel 4004 by
Ted Hoff.
 They were more powerful, much small in size, and more reliable than that of previous
generations‟ computers.
 Mouse2 was used as an input device.
 High level languages such as C/C++, Dbase etc. were used.
 The concept of the Internet also introduced.
 GUI based operating systems were used: DOS, Windows, UNIX etc.
 MS-Office and Query languages were introduced.
 No air-conditioning was required, and they were completely general purpose computers.

Some examples of fourth generation computers are, as;

STAR 1000, Apple I & II series, CRAY -1 (Super Computer) etc.

FIFTH GENERATION COMPUTERS

 Ultra Large Scale Integration (ULSI) technology introduced that can hold up more than 10
million components on it which lead to the development of super large scale integrated (SLSI)
chips.
 Much smaller in size, cheaper, efficient and reliable than that of previous generation
computers.
 Artificial Intelligence and Parallel Processing concepts came up to the picture.
 Optical disks were emerged in this era.
 High level languages such as C/C++, Java etc. are used.
 Voice Recognition, Quantum Computation and nanotechnology concepts are being used
and still are in development process.

Some example computers of 5th generation are, as;

Desktop, Laptops, Notebooks, Pentium PCs, PARAM (Parallel Machines) Computers etc.

2 Mouse was invented by Douglas Engelbart.

Ch#1 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER 11

COMPARISON CHART OF COMPUTER GENERATIONS

Generation Circuitr Input Output Storage Devices Languages Operating Systems Other Examples
Devices used
1st Generation -Vacuum tubes Punched Magnetic Drums Machine Conventional OS -Bulky in size ENIAC, EDVAC,
cards, paper (Primary Storage) Language -Highly EDSAC, UNIVAC
tapes, Punched Cards unreliable 1, IBM 701 etc.
printouts (Secondary -Limited
Storage) commercial
use
2nd Generation Transistors ROM & RAM (MM) Assembly, Batch OS More faster, IBM 7000, IBM-
Magnetic Tapes, FORTAN, cheaper, 1401, IBM-1620,
(Secondary Mem), COBOL, reliable, Atlas, Honeywell
ALGOL and accurate and 400 etc.
SNOBOL portable
3rd Generation ICs (SSI -> MSI) Keyboard & Magnetic Disks & FORTRAN, Time Sharing, Multi- Measured IBM-360, IBM-370,
Monitor Solid States drives COBOL, programming OSs etc. operating Honeywell 6000
Pascal, speed in series, PDP etc.
BASIC microseconds
4th Generation ICs (LSI -> VLSI) Keyboard, Floppy, Hard disk C/C++, DOS, Windows, UNIX Measured STAR 1000, Apple
Mouse & (SS) DBASE etc. etc. operating I & II series, CRAY
Monitor etc. EPROM & SRAM speed in I, CRAY II etc.
(MM) nanoseconds,
Internet, MS
Office, Virtual
Memory, etc.
5th Generation ICs (ULSI) Keyboard, Large capacity C/C++, Java Windows higher AI, Parallel PARAM, Pentium
Mouse, Main Memory, etc. versions Processing, PCs, UltraBook,
Printer, Hard disks with Quantum ChromeBook,
Monitors etc. RAID support Computing, Notebook etc.
Voice
Recognition,
Neural
Networks,
Robotics etc.
Ch#1 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER 12

Hardware and Software

Hardware Software
Physical components of the computer system Set of instructions that enable user to interact
such as mouse, keyboard, monitor, printer with a computer machine indirectly.
etc.
They are physical in nature. They are logical in nature.
Hardware only understands binary language Software tells the hardware everything in the
(0, 1). form of binary data.
Hardware faults are physical. Software faults are logical.
Hardware cannot run own its own. Software controls and runs hardware. They
are like soul in hardware.

Software

As, computer cannot do anything on its own; it must be instructed to do a job desired by us.

Software is nothing but

“The set of instructions that are given to a computer to perform a task is called software.”Or

“Collection of programs makes software”.

Types of Software

Application Software System Software

Application software is a set of program (s) System software is a set of program (s)
designed to solve a specific problem, or do a designed to control the operation and
specific task. extend the processing capability of a
computer system.
Application software enables user to interact System software does multiple jobs; as,
with a computer indirectly and solves real 1) Supports development of the other
world problems. software.
2) Support execution of other software.
3) Monitors effective use of various
hardware resources such as CPU,
Memory, peripherals etc.
Note: Some of system software do depend
upon hardware architecture such as device
drivers etc.
Examples Examples
Word processing software, spreadsheets, Operating Systems (Windows, Linux, DOS
presentation software, graphics software etc.), Language Translators (Compilers,
(Adobe Photoshop, Corel Draw etc.), Media Interpreters, Assemblers etc.), Utility Software
software etc. (Antivirus, Disk Defragmenter, etc.) etc.
Ch#1 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER 13

Types of Application Software

Application software can be classified into two types.

1- General Purpose Application Software

2- Special Purpose or Customized Application Software

General Purpose Application Software

General purpose application software performs common jobs for end users. These are called
packages or commercial software. They include: productivity software, business software,
entertainment software, educational software.

Productivity Software

It is used to produce documents, presentations, databases, charts, graphs etc. it includes

database software (MS Access, Oracle, etc.), multimedia software, word processors (word
pad, notepad, MS-word etc.), spreadsheets (MS- excel, Visi Calc, Lotus 123 etc.) etc.

Business Software

This software helps businesses to increase its productivity. They includes marketing software,
inventory control system, communication software, accounting software etc.

Educational Software

This software allows a computer system to be used as a teaching and learning tool. It
includes Computer Based Training (CBT) and CAL (Computer Aided Learning).

Computer Based Training (CBT) or Computer Aided Learning (CAL)

Courseware
CBT is a training program in which a It is a computer program that is used to assist
computer takes the teacher‟s role. the user learning a particular subject. It is
“It is the training that occurs solely on thesometimes also known as Computer Aided
computer with individuals interacting with a Instruction or Computer Assisted Instruction or
computer to learn a give concept or training Computer Aided Instruction.
course”. “When the computer is used as an aid to
teaching method of instruction is called the
CAL.”
These software used for educational They are also used for educational purposes.
purposes.
Some examples are Encyclopedia, Encarta, It includes simulation software, power point
Britannica etc. etc.
Ch#1 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER 14

Types of System Software

They are really types of system software; instead, they are examples of system software.

Operating System

Operating System is a set of programs that manages controls and coordinates the computer
hardware as well as software. It provides used an environment through which user can
communicate with computers easily and efficiently. These software are also responsible for
computer hardware resources allocation and de-allocations.

Some examples are Windows, MS DOS, Linux, UNIX etc.

Device Driver

A device driver is a program that controls or operates a particular type of device that is
attached to the computer such as LAN card, Sound card, printer etc. A driver provides a
software interface to hardware devices, enabling operating systems and other computer
programs to access hardware functions without needing to know precise detail about the
hardware being used.

Utility Software

Utility means service. It is a kind of software designed to analyze, configure, optimize and
main the computer. Most of the modern operating systems come with several pre-installed
utility software. It includes Disk Cleaner, Antivirus, and Disk Defragmenter etc.

Language Processor or Translator

Language processor is system software that translates one computer language into another
computer language. It includes compiler, interpreter, and assembler etc.

Compiler

Compiler is system software that translate high level language program into low level
language program.

Or

It translates source code into object code. Some examples are Borland C++, Turbo C etc.

Interpreter

Interpreter is system software that translates high level language into low level language line
by line or statement by statement.

Or
Ch#1 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER 15

It translates source code into object code or binary code line by line or statement by
statement. Some examples are ruby (interpreter), python (interpreter), and PHP (interpreter)
etc.

Assembler

Assembler is system software that translates assembly or symbolic language into machine
language or binary code. Some examples are TASM, MASM etc.

Software Terminologies

Some software terminologies are

 Licensed Software or Proprietary Software

 Open Source Software
 Shareware
 Firmware
 Middleware

Licensed Software or Proprietary Software

This software gives the right to use the respective software under certain conditions:

1) modifications are not allowed,

2) further distribution is not allowed
3) rebuilding or redevelopment is not allowed

Some examples of licensed software are Google Earth, Skype, MS Windows etc.

Open Source Software

In open source software, source code of the software is also available to the user. User can
study, change, and improve the software. Some examples are LINUX OS, Mozilla Firefox,
Apache HTTP Server etc.

Shareware or Trail-ware

It refers to the licensed software that is delivered to the user without any payment for trial
uses with limited functionality and for a specific period of time after which it expires. They are
downloadable from internet. They are also called demo ware.

Some examples are MS Office Suite, Adobe Photoshop etc.

Ch#1 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER 16

Firmware

Firmware is fixed, small programs, written in low level language such as machine language,
are embedded in hardware that controls, manages and operates various electronic
devices. They are sometimes also referred to as embedded software. Some examples of
devices containing firmware are ROM, washing machine, toys, AC, projectors, digital
cameras etc.

Middleware

Middleware is computer software that provides services to software applications beyond

those available from the operating system. It can be described as “software glue”. Some
examples of middleware are ODBC (Open Database Connectivity), JDBC (Java Database
Connectivity), Message Oriented Middleware (MOM), and Object Request Brokers (ORBs)
etc.

Types of Computer

With respect to signal, computers operate upon; there are three types of them: Analog
Computers, Digital Computers, and Hybrid Computers.

With respect to capacity, performance, size etc. there are following different types of
computers.

1) Micro computers
2) Workstation
3) Minicomputers
4) Mainframe computers
5) Super computers
Ch#1 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER 17

Types of computers w.r.t. signals they operate upon

Analog Computers Digital Computers Hybrid Computers

Analog computers operate Digital computers operate Hybrid computers can
upon analog signals. upon digital signals. operate upon both the types
Analog signal represents Digital signal represents data of signals: analog as well as
data in continuous range of in discrete form or in a binary digital.
values. form. These computers combine
The results given by analog The results produce by digital the best feathers of both
computers are approximate computers are accurate and analog and digital
because they deal with precise. computers.
physical quantities. Analog to Digital Convertor
(ADC) and Digital to Analog
Convertor (DAC) are used to
transform the data into
required format.
Some examples are Some examples are digital Some examples are petrol
speedometer, barometer, watch, digital computers, pump devices, computers
thermometer, weight digital speedometer, digital used in hospital to measure
machine, analog watch etc. balance etc. heartbeat of patients, in air
defense system, cement
plant etc.
Advantages Advantages Advantages
1) They are fast as 1) Accurate and precise 1) Accurate and precise
compared to digital 2) Store data and 2) Fast
computers. programs as they 3) Contain memory
Disadvantages contain memory
1) They produce Disadvantages
approximate results 1) Slow as compared to
2) They lack memory digital computers.

Note Note Note

First analog computer was First digital computer was First hybrid computer WAS
Antikythera mechanism. ENIAC invented by John Hycomp250 released by
Presper and John Mauchly. Packard Bell in 1961.

Note: Physical quantities are those quantities that can be measure such as speed,
temperature, voltage, pressure, weight etc.
Ch#1 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER 18

Types of Computers w.r.t speed, size, capacity, and performance

Micro computers

 Micro computers are also known as Personal Computers (PCs).

 They are the smallest and least expensive of the computer family.
 Initially, these computers were designed for individuals or single user, they can serve
more than one users if network together.
 Desktop, Notebook, Laptop, Handheld, tablets, smartphones etc. are a few examples
of microcomputers.

Workstation

 Workstations are very similar to microcomputers. They are also single user system.
 However, they have more powerful microprocessor than that of microcomputers.
 They are mainly used for engineering applications such as Computer Aided Design
(CAD), Computer Aided Machine (CAM), Software Development, Desktop Publishing
etc.

Mini computers

 They are also called as Midrange Computers.

 These computers are specifically designed for multi-users.
 They are multi-users computer system capable of supporting hundreds of users
simultaneously.
 A typical range is 4-250 users.
 Users can access mini computers via their PCs or terminals.
 These computers have high storage capacity and high processing speed than that of
microcomputers.
 Some examples are Programmed Data Processor (PDP-11), K-202 etc.

Mainframe Computers

 They are the second most powerful and expensive computers than supercomputers.
 These computers have more powerful processors and a huge memory to process
large amount of data at very high speed such as Billions of Instructions per Second
(BIPS) than that of mini and microcomputers.
 They are widely used as „Super Client Servers‟ for large client/server networks –
centralized databases.
 They are multiprogramming and multi-users systems, capable of supporting thousands
of users simultaneously.
 Users can access mainframe via their terminals: 1) dumb terminal 2) intelligent
terminal.
Ch#1 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER 19

Dumb Terminal Intelligent Terminal

No storage, no processing Has I/O devices
It has only I/O devices. No storage but can process.

 Some examples of mainframe computers are IBM ES000, Control Data Corporation
(CDC 6000) etc.

Applications

 Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

 Financial Transaction Processing (ATM and Banks etc.)
 Airline companies etc.

Super Computers

 Super computers are the fastest computer available currently.

 They are the most powerful and the most expensive computers in computer family.
 These computers can process billions to trillions of instructions per second.
 The speed of supercomputers is measured in FLOPS (Floating Point Operations per
Second).
 They are built by inter-connected thousands of powerful processors that can work
parallel.
 Sequoia can perform 16 x 1012 IPS (Instructions per second).
 Some examples are Sequoia, PARAM (Parallel Machine), IBM Roadrunner etc.

Applications

1) Weather forecasting
2) Molecules Research & Biological Research
3) Nuclear Research
4) Aircraft Design
5) Space Exploration purposes by NASA etc.