Fundamentals of Information

Technology
Chapter 1
Computer Basics
 Computer
• A computer is an electronic device, operating
under the control of instructions stored in its
own memory that can accept data (input),
process the data according to specified rules,
produce information (output), and store the
information for future use
Computer
 Functionalities of a computer:

• Takes data as input

• Stores data in memory and use them when
required
• Process the data and convert into useful
information
• Generates the output
 Characteristics of Computer
• Speed
• Accuracy
• diligence
• storage capability
• Versatility
• Reliability
A brief overview of these characteristics are

• Speed:
• The computer can process data very fast, at the rate of
millions of instructions per second.
• Some calculations that would have taken hours and days
to complete otherwise, can be completed in a few
seconds using the computer.
• For example, calculation and generation of salary slips of
thousands of employees of an organization, weather
forecasting that requires analysis of a large amount of
data related to temperature, pressure and humidity of
various places, etc.
 Accuracy

• Computer provides a high degree of accuracy.

• For example, the computer can accurately give
the result of division of any two numbers up
to 10 decimal places.
 Storage Capability
• Large volumes of data and information can be
stored in the computer and also retrieved
whenever required.
• A limited amount of data can be stored,
temporarily, in the primary memory.
• Secondary storage devices like floppy disk and
compact disk can store a large amount of data
permanently.
 Diligence
• When used for a longer period of time, the
computer does not get tired or fatigued.
• It can perform long and complex calculations
with the same speed and accuracy from the
start till the end
 Versatility

• Computer is versatile in nature.

• It can perform different types of tasks with the
same ease.
• At one moment you can use the computer to
prepare a letter document and in the next
moment you may play music or print a
document.
 Reliability
• Computers can carry out same type of work
repeatedly without throwing up errors due to
tiredness or boredom, which are very
common among humans.
 Advantages of Using Computer

• Computers can do the same task repetitively

with same accuracy.
• Computers do not get tired or bored.
• Computers can take up routine tasks while
releasing human resource for more intelligent
functions
 Limitations of computer
• Computer can only perform tasks that it has
been programmed to do.
• 10 Computer cannot do any work without
instructions from the user.
• It executes instructions as specified by the
user and does not take its own decisions
 Types of computers
• The four basic types of computers are as
under:
• Supercomputer.
• Mainframe Computer.
• Minicomputer.
• Microcomputer.
 Super computers :

• The super computers are the most high

performing system.
• A supercomputer is a computer with a high
level of performance compared to a general-
purpose computer.
• The actual Performance of a supercomputer is
measured in FLOPS instead of MIPS.
• Supercomputers actually play an important
role in the field of computation, and are used
for intensive computation tasks in various
fields, including quantum mechanics, weather
forecasting, climate research, oil and gas
exploration, molecular modeling, and physical
simulations.
Eg: PARAM, jaguar, roadrunner.
 Mainframe computers :
• These are commonly called as big iron, they are
usually used by big organisations for bulk data
processing .
• most of these mainframe architectures were
established in 1960s, the research and
development worked continuously over the years
and the mainframes of today are far more better
than the earlier ones, in size, capacity and
efficiency.
Eg: IBM z Series, System z9 and System z10 servers.
 Mini computers
• These computers came into the market in mid
1960s and were sold at a much cheaper price than
the main frames,
• They were actually designed for control,
instrumentation, human interaction, and
communication switching as distinct from
calculation and record keeping, later they became
very popular for personal uses with evolution.
• Eg: Personal Laptop, PC etc.
 Micro computers :
• A microcomputer is a small, relatively inexpensive
computer with a microprocessor as its CPU.
• It includes a microprocessor, memory, and minimal I/O
circuitry mounted on a single printed circuit board.
• The previous to these computers, mainframes and
minicomputers, were comparatively much larger, hard to
maintain and more expensive.
• They actually formed the foundation for present day
microcomputers and smart gadgets that we use in day to
day life.
Eg: Tablets, Smartwatches.
 Generations of Computer
• First Generation: Vacuum Tubes (19)
• Second Generation: Transistors (1959-1965)
• Third Generation: Integrated Circuits (1965-
1971)
• Fourth Generation: Microprocessors (1971-
1980)
• Fifth Generation: (1980- onward)
 First Generation: Vacuum Tubes
(1940-1956)

• Introduction:
– 1946-1959 is the period of first generation computer.
– J.P.Eckert and J.W.Mauchy invented the first successful
electronic computer called ENIAC, ENIAC stands for
“Electronic Numeric Integrated And Calculator”.
• Few Examples are:
– ENIAC
– EDVAC
– UNIVAC
– IBM-701
– IBM-650
• Advantages:
– It made use of vacuum tubes which are the only electronic component
available during those days.
– These computers could calculate in milliseconds.
• Disadvantages:
– These were very big in size, weight was about 30 tones.
– These computers were based on vacuum tubes.
– These computers were very costly.
– It could store only a small amount of information due to the presence of
magnetic drums.
– As the invention of first generation computers involves vacuum tubes, so
another disadvantage of these computers was, vacuum tubes require a
large cooling system.
– Very less work efficiency.
– Limited programming capabilities and punch cards were used to take
inputs.
– Large amount of energy consumption.
– Not reliable and constant maintenance is required.
 Second Generation: Transistors
(1959-1965)

• Introduction:
– 1959-1965 is the period of second-generation computer.
– 3.Second generation computers were based on Transistor
instead of vacuum tubes.
• Few Examples are:
– Honeywell 400
– IBM 7094
– CDC 1604
– CDC 3600
– UNIVAC 1108
• Advantages:
– Due to the presence of transistors instead of vacuum tubes, the size
of electron component decreased. This resulted in reducing the size
of a computer as compared to first generation computers.
– Less energy and not produce as much heat as the first genration.
– Assembly language and punch cards were used for input.
– Low cost than first generation computers.
– Better speed, calculate data in microseconds.
– Better portability as compared to first generation
• Disadvantages:
– A cooling system was required.
– Constant maintenance was required.
– Only used for specific purposes.
 Third Generation: Integrated Circuits
(1965-1971)

• Introduction:
– 1965-1971 is the period of third generation computer.
– These computers were based on Integrated circuits.
– IC was invented by Robert Noyce and Jack Kilby In 1958-1959.
– IC was a single component containing number of transistors.
• Few Examples are:
– PDP-8
– PDP-11
– ICL 2900
– IBM 360
– IBM 370
– Advantages:
• These computers were cheaper as compared to second-generation computers.
• They were fast and reliable.
• Use of IC in the computer provides the small size of the computer.
• IC not only reduce the size of the computer but it also improves the
performance of the computer as compared to previous computers.
• This generation of computers has big storage capacity.
• Instead of punch cards, mouse and keyboard are used for input.
• They used an operating system for better resource management and used the
concept of time-sharing and multiple programming.
• These computers reduce the computational time from microseconds to
nanoseconds.

– Disadvantages:
• IC chips are difficult to maintain.
• The highly sophisticated technology required for the manufacturing of IC chips.
• Air conditioning is required.
Fourth Generation: Microprocessors (1971-1980)

• 1971-1980 is the period of fourth generation computer.

• This technology is based on Microprocessor.
• A microprocessor is used in a computer for any logical
and arithmetic function to be performed in any
program.
• Graphics User Interface (GUI) technology was exploited
to offer more comfort to users.
• Few Examples are:
– IBM 4341
– DEC 10
– STAR 1000
– PUP 11
• Advantages:
– Fastest in computation and size get reduced as compared to the
previous generation of computer.
– Heat generated is negligible.
– Small in size as compared to previous generation computers.
– Less maintenance is required.
– All types of high-level language can be used in this type of
computers.
• Disadvantages:
– The Microprocessor design and fabrication are very complex.
– Air conditioning is required in many cases due to the presence of ICs.
– Advance technology is required to make the ICs.
 Fifth Generation (1980-onward)
• Introduction:
– The period of the fifth generation in 1980-onwards.
– This generation is based on artificial intelligence.
– The aim of the fifth generation is to make a device which
could respond to natural language input and are capable of
learning and self-organization.
– This generation is based on ULSI(Ultra Large Scale Integration)
technology resulting in the production of microprocessor
chips having ten million electronic component.
• Few Examples are:
– Desktop ,Laptop ,NoteBook , UltraBook , Chromebook
 FIFTH GENERATION

– Advantages:
• It is more reliable and works faster.
• It is available in different sizes and unique features.
• It provides computers with more user-friendly
interfaces with multimedia features.
– Disadvantages:
• They need very low-level languages.
• They may make the human brains dull and doomed.
 Applications of Computer
• Business
• Communication
• Banking
• Education
• Healthcare
• Military
• Government
 Business
• A computer has high speed of calculation, diligence,
accuracy, reliability, or versatility which has made it an
integrated part in all business organizations.
• Computer is used in business organizations for −
Payroll calculations
Budgeting
Sales analysis
Financial forecasting
Managing employee database
Maintenance of stocks, etc.
 Communication

• Communication is a way to convey a message, an idea, a

picture, or speech that is received and understood clearly
and correctly by the person for whom it is meant.
• Some main areas in this category are −
E-mail
Chatting
Usenet
FTP
Telnet
Video-conferencing
 Banking

• Today, banking is almost totally dependent on

computers.
• Banks provide the following facilities −
• Online accounting facility, which includes checking
current balance, making deposits and overdrafts,
checking interest charges, shares, and trustee
records.
• ATM machines which are completely automated are
making it even easier for customers to deal with
banks.
 Education

• The computer helps in providing a lot of facilities in the

education system.
• The computer provides a tool in the education system
known as CBE (Computer Based Education).
• CBE involves control, delivery, and evaluation of learning.
• Computer education is rapidly increasing the graph of
number of computer students.
• There are a number of methods in which educational
institutions can use a computer to educate the students.
• It is used to prepare a database about performance of a
student and analysis is carried out on this basis.
 Healthcare

• Computers have become an important part in

hospitals, labs, and dispensaries.
• They are being used in hospitals to keep the
record of patients and medicines.
• It is also used in scanning and diagnosing
different diseases. ECG, EEG, ultrasounds and
CT scans, etc. are also done by computerized
machines.
 Military

• Computers are largely used in defence. Modern

tanks, missiles, weapons, etc. Military also
employs computerized control systems.
• Some military areas where a computer has
been used are −
• Missile Control
• Military Communication
• Military Operation and Planning
• Smart Weapons
 Government

• Computers play an important role in government

services.
• Some major fields in this category are −
Budgets
Sales tax department
Income tax department
Computation of male/female ratio
Computerization of voters lists
Computerization of PAN card
Weather forecasting