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Introduction To Computers

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Introduction To Computers

Uploaded by

Aroma Khan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Introduction to computers

Computer - Definitions: A computer is an electronic machine, operating under the control of


instructions stored in its own memory that can accept data (input), manipulate the data
according to specified rules (process), produce results (output), and store the results for
future use.
Technically, a computer is a programmable machine. This means it can execute a list of
programmed instructions and respond to new instructions that it is given.

History of Computer
Charles Babbage’s machine
The working principles of today's computers were provided by an English mathematician

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Charles Babbage around 1833's invented a machine called the "Analytical Engine". A machine
which could calculate and print tables of functions using limited techniques
1. First Generation (1946-1954): In 1946 the digital computer using electronic valves (Vacuum tubes)
are known as first generation computers. The first 'computer' to use electronic valves i.e.

NIMI
vacuum tubes. The high cost of vacuum tubes prevented their use for main memory. They
stored information in the form of propagating sound waves.
The vacuum tube consumes a lot of power. These computers were large in size and writing
programs on them was difficult. Some of the computers of this generation were:
 Mark I :The IBM Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator
 ENIAC- Electronic Numerical Integrator & Computer
 EDVAC: It stands for Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer and was developed
in 1950.
 EDSAC: It stands for Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Computer and was developed by M.V.
Wilkes at Cambridge University in 1949
 UNIVAC-1: It stands for Universal Automatic computer and it was the First commercial
computer developed by United States In 1951
2. Second Generation (1955-1964): The second-generation computer used transistors for CPU
components and ferrite cores for main memory & magnetic disks for secondary memory. They used high-
level languages such as FORTRAN (1956), ALGOL (1960) & COBOL (1960 -
1961). Input Output (I/O) processor was included to con trol I/O operations
3. Third Generation (1964-1977):By the development of a small chip consisting of the capacity of the 300
transistors. These Integrated Circuits (IC)s are popularly known as Chips.
4. Fourth Generation (1978 - present): An IC containing about 100 components is called LSI (Large
Scale Integration) and the one, which has more than 1000 such components, is called as VLSI
(Very Large Scale Integration).
5. Fifth Generation (PRESENT AND FUTURE): 5th generation computers use ULSI (Ultra-Large Scale
Integration) chips. Millions of transistors are placed in a single IC in ULSI chips.

Generation Electronic component Advantages Disadvantages


First Vacuum tube Helped in calculation 1 Big size
and computational work 2 Very costly
3 Slow speed
4 Low accuracy
5 Low storage
6 High power requirements
7 High heat generation
8 High failure rate
9 Used machine language
10 No operating system
Second Transistor 1 Smaller size 1 Need air conditioning
2 Less cost 2 Constant maintenance
3 Better speed
4 Low power consumption 3 No operating systems
and less heat 4 Later stage computers
generation used assembly languages
5 Better storage capacity
6 Better accuracy and
more reliability
Third Integrated 1 Better in all 1 Initial problem with
Circuits(IC) small & aspects manufac- turers
medium scale 2 compared to I & 2 No insight obtained
II into internal working
Used operating
systems and high
level language
Fourth VLSI or Microprocessor 1 Low cost 1 Less powerful than main
frame computers
2 Excellent speed and
reliability
3 Computers close to
man
Fifth ULSI or Bio-Chips 1 Very cheap 1 New low-level language
(Knowled needed
ge
Informati 2 Super speeds
on 3 Very high storage
Processi capacity
ng 4 Highly
Systems) sophisticated OS
5 Posses intelligence
and decision making
ability

Classification of computers
Computers are classified according to the following criteria:
• Principle of Operation
• Computing Power, Memory Capacity and cost
• Technological Development
• Principle of operation

 Analog computer

 Digital Computer

 Hybrid Computer
Analog Computer

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It is a computer that measures continuously changing physical quantities such as current,
temperature, pressure etc. and converts them into quantities which can be used as data for
computation. As these computers deal with continuously varying quantities, they will give
only approximate results. Its output is usually displayed on a meter or scale.

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Examples:
 Thermometer
 Speedometer
 Analog clock
Digital Computer
A digital computer works with digital data. Digital computer uses binary number system. Binary
number system consists of only two digits '0' and '1'. A digital computer represents data in
digital signals. A '0' represents OFF and a '1' represents ON. Digital computer performs
arithmetic and logical operations on data. It gives output in digital form.
Analog Computers Digital Computers

1 Analog Computers Work on continuous Digital computers Work on discrete


values.
values. Digital computers have a very
2 Analog Computers have low memory.
large memory Digital computers have
3 Analog computers have Slow speed.
fast speed.
4 Analog computers are less reliable.
Digital computers are more reliable.
5 Analog computers used in engineering
Digital computers are used in all fields of
life. science and medical fields.
6 Analog computers are used to
Digital computers are used to calculate
calculate / measure analog
mathematical and logical operations. It
quantities like speed and
can solve addition, subtraction, division,
temperature.
multiplication and other mathematical
and statistical operations.
Digital computers provide 100% accurate
7 Analog computers provide less accurate
results. results. Digital Computers are general
8 Normally Analog Computers are specific purpose
purpose
Digital Computers are general purpose
9 Normally Analog Computers are specific
Examples of digital computers are:
purpose 10 Examples of Analog computers Personal Computer, laptops, smart phones
etc.
are: thermometer,
analog clock, speedometer etc.

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