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Introduction

A computer is an electronic device that can store, retrieve, and process data. People use computers for communication, education, business, entertainment, and travel. Computers have advantages like being easy to use, reliable, effective, accurate, and time and money saving. Computers have evolved over generations from relying on vacuum tubes to transistors to integrated circuits and now use microprocessors. Computers can be classified by size, from personal/micro computers to mini, mainframe, and super computers, and also by technology like being analog, digital, or hybrid.

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Madhu Ekanayake
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40 views15 pages

Introduction

A computer is an electronic device that can store, retrieve, and process data. People use computers for communication, education, business, entertainment, and travel. Computers have advantages like being easy to use, reliable, effective, accurate, and time and money saving. Computers have evolved over generations from relying on vacuum tubes to transistors to integrated circuits and now use microprocessors. Computers can be classified by size, from personal/micro computers to mini, mainframe, and super computers, and also by technology like being analog, digital, or hybrid.

Uploaded by

Madhu Ekanayake
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Hardware

Unit 01

Introduction

What is a Computer?
A

computer is an
electronic device that
manipulates
information, or data.
It has the ability
to store, retrieve,
and process data.

People use computers to make their work/ jobs


easier.

Communication

Education

Business purposes

Entertainment

Travel

Advantages

Easy

Reliable

Effective

Accurate

Time saving

Money saving

Connectivity

More??

Evolution of the Computer

1st Generation

Around1940-1956

Relied on Vacuum
Tubes

2nd Generation

Around1956-1963

Used Transistors

3rd Generation

Around1964-1971

Used Integrated Circuits

4th Generation

1971-present

Uses Microprocessors

Generation

Time Period

Technology

Size

Portability

Heat and
Power
Consumption

1st

1940-1956

Vacuum Tube

Very Large

No

Very High

2nd

1956-1963

Transistors

Relatively
small

Yes

High

3rd

1964-1971

Integrated
Circuits

Smaller

Yes

Moderate

4th

1971-present

Microprocessors

Very small

Yes

Low

5th

Generation??

Classification of Computers
Computers

can be classified according to

Size
Technology

Speed
Capacity, etc.

Classification According to Size


1.

Personal/ Micro Computers


Desktop

Computers

Workstations
Notebooks
Smart

and Handheld Computers

Phones

2.

Mini Computers

3.

Mainframe Computers

4.

Super Computers

Classification According to Technology


1.

Analog Computers

2.

Digital Computers

3.

Hybrid Computers

Computer Brands

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