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Lesson 1 Summary of Computer - Computer Fundamentals

The document summarizes the evolution of computers from the early mechanical devices through five generations of increasingly sophisticated electronic computers. It begins with the abacus and early mechanical calculators, then outlines key developments like the Z3, ENIAC, and introduction of transistors. Microprocessors and devices like the Intel 8080 are noted as ushering in the third generation. The emergence of artificial intelligence and natural language processing marks the shift to fifth generation computers.

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John Mark De Jesus
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190 views

Lesson 1 Summary of Computer - Computer Fundamentals

The document summarizes the evolution of computers from the early mechanical devices through five generations of increasingly sophisticated electronic computers. It begins with the abacus and early mechanical calculators, then outlines key developments like the Z3, ENIAC, and introduction of transistors. Microprocessors and devices like the Intel 8080 are noted as ushering in the third generation. The emergence of artificial intelligence and natural language processing marks the shift to fifth generation computers.

Uploaded by

John Mark De Jesus
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS

Lesson 1

THE EVOLUTION OF COMPUTER

 A computer originally meant a person capable of performing basic numerical calculation


with the help of the mechanical computing device. Now, computer is a machine or
device that performs processes, calculations and operations based on instructions
provided by a software or hardware program. It is designed to execute applications and
provides a variety of solutions by combining integrated hardware and software
components.

 1930 is the year of evolution of computer started.

 In 1964, history of computers dated back to the invention of a mechanical adding


machine.

 An abacus is a manual aid to calculating that consists of beads or disks that can be
moved up and down on a series of sticks or strings within a usually wooden frame.
The abacus itself doesn't calculate; it's simply a device for helping a human being to
calculate by remembering what has been counted. It was invented by John Napier and
slide rule by William Oughtred.

Wooden Abacus

 Abacist is the term called for the user of an abacus who slides the beads of the abacus
by hand.

 In First Generation Computer in this generation was expensive and bulky. It used
machine language for computing and could solve problem at a time. Computer during
this phase could not support multitasking task.

First Generation Computer


 It was 1937 that John V. Atanasoff devised the first digital electronic computer.

 It was November 1939 when Atanasoff and Berry came up with ABC prototype.

 In 1941 Z3 was Konrad Zuse’z notable achievement in the evolution of computer.

 The Z3 was a German electromechanical computer designed by Konrad Zuse. It was the
world's first working programmable, fully automatic digital computer. The Z3 was built
with 2,600 relays, implementing a 22-bit word length that operated at a clock frequency
of about 4–5 Hz. Program code was stored on punched film.

 In 1946, The United States Army’s Ballistic Research Laboratory came up with the
Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator (ENIAC)

ENIAC
 ENIAC was turning – complete, digital computer, capable of being reprogrammed to
solve full range of computing problems.

 During Second Generation transistor made computers smaller and cheaper. They made
computers energy efficient.

 Stanford Research Institute brought ERMA, Electronic Recording Mahine Accounting


project, which dealt with the automation of the process of bookkeeping in banking.

 ERMA, was a pioneering computer development project run at SRI under contract to
Bank of America in order to automate banking and bookkeeping.

 In 1959, the General Electric Corporation delivered ERMA computing system of the Bank
of America in California.

 During Third Generation semi-conductors increased it speed and efficiency of the


computer.

 In 1968, DEC launced the first mini computer called the PDP-8.

 In 1969, the development of Arpanet began with financial backing of the department of
defense.

 In 1971 Intel Produced large scale integration circuits.


 1972, Intel introduced the 8080 microprocessor

 Microprocessor incorporates most or all of the functions of a central processing unit


(CPU) on a single Integrated Circuit(IC)

 Intel 8080 was the second 8-bit microprocessor designed and manufactured by Intel and
was released in April 1974. It is an extended and enhanced variant of the earlier 8008
design, although without binary compatibility.

 Computer system under fifth generation is based on principles of Artificial Intelligence


and Natural Language recognition.

SOURCE:
Computer Fundamental by Mary A. Soriano
www.historyofinfomation.com

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