S T U DY M O D U L E F O R

MCQ SESSION 1

INTRODUCTION TO
COMPUTERS
REFERENCE BOOKS
Computer Awareness by Arihant Publications.
Learning Objectives
• Definition of a Computer.
• Functioning of a Computer.
• Characteristics of a Computer.
• History of Computers.
• Generations of Computers.
• Classification of Computers.
• Applications of Computers.
• Miscellaneous Terms.
DEFINITION OF A COMPUTER
WHAT IS A COMPUTER

• The word computer has been derived from the Latin language word ‘Computerae’ which means
to compute.
• A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information or data according to the set
of instructions. It takes in, stores, processes and outputs the data.
FUNCTIONING OF A COMPUTER.
FUNCTIONING OF A COMPUTER.
A Computer performs four basic functions which are as follows
1. Input: Information or data that is entered into a computer is called input. It sends data and
instructions to the Central Processing Unit (CPU).
2. Processing: It is the sequence of actions taken on data to convert it into information which is
meaningful to the user. It can be calculations, comparisons or decisions taken by the computer.
3. Output: It makes processed data available to the user. It is mainly used to display the desired
result to the user as per input instructions.
4. Storage: It stores data and programs permanently. It is used to store information during the
time of program execution and possible to get any type of information from it.
FEATURES OF COMPUTER
FEATURES OF A COMPUTER
The key features of computer are as follows
1. Speed The computer can process data very fast at the rate of millions of instructions per second.
2. Accuracy Computers provide a high degree of accuracy. They respond to the user as per the
input instructions.
3. Storage Capacity Computers are capable to store huge amount of data which depends on the capacity of hard disk.
4. Versatility Computers can do different types of work simultaneously. They can perform multiple tasks at a same time.
5. Automation Once the instruction to do any work is given to the computer, the computer does its work
automatically by itself.
6. Diligence Unlike human beings, a computer is free from monotony, tiredness, lack of concentration, etc. and can work
for hours without creating any errors.
7. Secrecy Leakage of information is reduced by creating login system with password protection.
8. Reliability Computers are more reliable than human beings. Computers always produce exact results. The possibility
of errors occur only if the input is wrong, i.e. the computers never make mistakes of their own accord.
9. Plug and Play Computers have the ability to automatically configure a new hardware and software component.
HISTORY OF COMPUTERS
HISTORY OF COMPUTERS
SOME WELL KNOWN EARLY COMPUTERS
• The Mark I Computer (1937-44): Automatic Sequence Controlled Computer. Built by Harvard and
IBM in collab. Electromechanical.
• The Atanasoff-Berry Computer (1939-42): Also called ABC. Used Vacuum Tubes and Capacitors.
• The ENIAC (1943-46): Electronic Numeric Integrator and Calculator. First Electronic Computer.
Built at University of Pennsylvania. Programs were wired on boards.
• The EDVAC (1946-52): Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer. Based on Von Neuman’s
Stored program concept.
• The EDSAC (1947-49): Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator. Built at Cambridge
University.
• Manchester Mark I (1948): Small experimental machine with storage capacity of 32 words, each
word of 31 binary digits.
• The UNIVAC I (1951): Universal Automatic Computer. First computer which was not ‘one of a kind’.
First general purpose electronic computer.
GENERATIONS OF COMPUTERS
GENERATIONS OF COMPUTER
• Each generation of computer is characterized by a major technological development that
fundamentally changed the way, computers operate.
CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS
CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTER
BASED ON SIZE
On the basis of size, computers are categorized as follows:
1. Microcomputers: These types of computers are the least powerful, yet the most widely used and are also
called portable computers.
Microcomputer consists of three basic categories of physical equipment, i.e. system unit, input/output unit and
memory unit.
Some types of microcomputer are as follows
(a) Desktop Computer or Personal Computer (PC) These are small, relatively economical computers. These
are based on the microprocessor technology (Integrated Circuit-IC).
(b) Laptop These computers are also known as ultra book or notebook. These are portable and light-weight.
They include rechargeable battery, so these can work anywhere.
(c) Handheld or Palmtop Computer These are the smallest and are designed to fit into the palm. So, these are
also known as Palmtop. They are practical for certain functions such as phone books and calendars. They use the
pen for input instead of keyboard. e.g. PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), tablets, etc.
(d) Tablet Computer They have key features of the notebook computer, but these can accept input from a pen
instead of the keyboard or mouse.
(e) Workstation Computer These are computers dedicated to a user or group of users engaged in business or
professional work. It includes one or more high resolution displays and a faster processor than a Personal
Computer (PC).
2. Minicomputers: These are smaller in size, faster and cost lower than mainframe computers.
Initially, the minicomputer was designed to carry out some specific tasks, like engineering and
Computer Aided Design (CAD) calculations. But now, they are being used as central computer which
is known as Server. Some minicomputers are IBM-17, DEC PDP-11, HP-9000, etc.
3. Mainframe Computers: These types of computers having large internal memory storage and
comprehensive range of software. It is considered as the heart of a network of computers or
terminals that allow a large number of people to work at the same time. Some mainframe computers
are IBM-370, IBM-S/390, UNIVAC-1110, etc.
4. Supercomputers: These are the fastest and most expensive machines. They have high processing
speed compared to other computers. Supercomputers are most powerful, large in size and memory,
compared to all other computers. The speed of supercomputers are measured in FLOPS (Floating
Point Operations Per Second).
Supercomputers are used for highly calculation intensive tasks, such as weather forecasting, nuclear
research, military agencies and scientific research laboratories.
(i) CRAY-1 was the world’s first supercomputer introduced by Seymour Roger CRAY (called as
"the father of supercomputing") in 1976.
(ii) PARAM was the first supercomputer developed in India in 1990.
(iii) PARAM SIDHI AI is the latest machine in the series of PARAM.
MORE ABOUT SUPER COMPUTERS
• Two supercomputers from India — PARAM Siddhi-AI and Mihir — have made it to the
TOP500 list of the world's most powerful supercomputers.
• The two systems have been ranked 63rd and 146th, respectively, and remain the only
two supercomputers from India in the latest list of TOP500 released on November 18
2020.
• As of June 2020, the fastest supercomputer on the TOP500 supercomputer list is Fugaku, in
Japan, with a LINPACK benchmark score of 415 PFLOPS, followed by Summit (USA), by
around 266.7 PFLOPS.
• The US has four of the top 10, China and Italy have two each, Switzerland has one.
BASED ON WORK
On the basis of work, computers are categorized as follows
1. Analog Computer: These computers carry out arithmetic and logical operations by
manipulating and processing of data. e.g. Speedometers, seismograph, etc. Analog computer
can perform several mathematical operations simultaneously. It uses continuous variables for
mathematical operations and utilizes mechanical or electrical energy.

2. Digital Computer: These do work by calculating the binary digits. A digital computer, not
only performs mathematical calculations, but also combines the bytes to produce desired
graphics, sounds. e.g. Desktop (PC).

3. Hybrid Computer: These are the combination of analog and digital computers. Machines
used in hospitals like ECG and DIALYSIS are the commonly used hybrid computers.
BASED ON PURPOSE
On the basis of purpose, computers are categorized as follows
1. General Purpose Computer: General purpose computers are those computers, which
are used to solve variety of problems by changing the program or instructions. e.g. To make
small database, calculations, accounting, etc.

2. Special Purpose Computer: Special purpose computers are those computers which are
used to solve a single and dedicated types of problem. e.g. Automatic aircraft landing,
multimedia computer, etc.
MISCELLANEOUS TYPES
• Quantum computer was first introduced by Richard Feynman. It uses quantum mechanical
phenomena. It is the fastest computer imitating brain working.

• Nano computer is a general team used to describe a computer smaller than a

microcomputer, usually about the size of a credit card. e.g. Raspberry Pi which could be used
in schools to teach science to children.
APPLICATIONS OF COMPUTER
• Some of the areas where computers are being used are as follows
1. Banking Computers are used in bank for electronic money transfer, making deposits, voucher,
bank sheet, etc.
2. Education Computer is a very effective tool which can be used for teaching and learning, result
processing, student data processing, notes preparation, etc.
3. Entertainment: Different types of entertainment fields such as multimedia, film making with
animation, graphics, audio and visual design are done with the help of computer.
4. Offices: Computers are used for preparing reports, storing/deleting reports, updating reports,
etc. in office.
5. Advertisement: Computers are used in the different fields of advertisement such as business
advertisement, film advertisement, education advertisement, etc.
6. Business: Computers are used in business for accounting, keeping all records up-to date, etc.
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