Fundamentals of Computer Learning Objectives Explain what a computer is and how it processes data to produce information Identify the

he four operations of the information processing cycle: input, process, output and storage Explain how the operations of the information processing cycle are performed by computer hardware and software Identify the major categories of computers Explain the responsibilities of information system personnel Explain the use of computers in our world Describe and discuss the evolution as well as the history of Computers Computer Defined An electronic device designated to manipulate useful information An electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory unit, that can accept data, process data arithmetically and logically, produce output from the processing, and store the results for future use Generations of Computers First Generation (1952 1958) Awesome in size Controlled by thousands of vacuum tubes or valves Consumes great amount of power that often resulted in overheating and failure The operators cannot recognize whether the breakdown was in the programming or in the machine Information were stored on punched cards as well as on magnetic tapes The language level used was machine language which used numbers

Generations of Computers Second Generation Computer (1959-1964) Development of assembly or symbolic language Development of high level language such as Fortran (1954) and Cobol (1959)

allowed programmers to give more attention to solving problems Uses transistors (used less power and did not get so hot quickly) Generations of Computers Third Generation Computers (1965-1970) Uses Integrated Circuit, commonly known as the silicon chip, which revolutionized electronic If later progressed to Large Scale Integration (LSI), where few chips could replace several hundred thousands of transistors Generations of Computers Fourth Generation Computer (1971-present) Uses microprocessor, a chip which contains all the main electronic components of a compound If made possible to build computers to enormous logical capacity and reliability, more cheaply and in a very small space Very Large Space Integration (VLSI) was achieved Microprocessors led to the development of microcomputers History of Computers 500 BC the Chinese invented the Abacus, considered to be the first computer device, which can perform simple addition and subtraction operations. 1617 John Napier, a Scottish mathematician, invented the NAPIERS Bone a table of logarithms made of ivory 1630 William Oughtred, an English mathematician, invented the SLIDE RULE, a device made of wood with movable scales arrange to slide opposite each other History of Computers 1642 Blaise Pascal, a French mathematician, invented the PASCALINE the first mechanical calculating machine 1694 Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz, a German mathematician. His machine, the LEIBNIZ MACHINE, considered of a stepped cylinder that could perform the four fundamental operations and square root. 1801 Joseph Marie Jacquard, a French weaver

and designer, devised the JACQUARD LOOM which used hole-punched cards. This machine wove variety of patterns. History of Computers 1822 Charles Babbage, an English mathematician and is known to be the Father of Modern Computer, invented the DIFFERENCE MACHINE. This machine was capable of computing mathematical tables and solves polynomial equation 1833 Charles Babbage also invented the ANALYTICAL MACHINE designed to perform complex mathematical calculations. This was considered to be the first general purpose computer 1887 Herman Hollerith, an American statistician and founder of Tabulating Machine Company (now called International Business Machine or IBM) invented the CENSUS MACHINE History of Computers 1892 William Seward Burrough, an American inventor, designed a key-driven machine that produced a hardcopy. This was called ADDING/CALCULATING MACHINE. 1944 Burrough invented the MARK 1 or ASCC (Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator) machine that contains more than 15,000 vacuum tubes some of which are 3 feet tall 1945 John Presper Eckert, Jr. and William Mauchly from the University of Pennsylvania invented the ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) that had the capacity of 5,000 computations per second History of Computers 1948 The IBM developed a more different design than the ENIAC the SSEC (Selective Sequence Electronic Calculator) 1950 Eckert Jr. and Mauchly again developed a machine The UNIVAC 1 (Universal Automatic Computer)which could perform 10,000 computations per second. The IBM again developed a machine that could perform 100,000 computations per second and can store data internally. The machine was the IBM 704 History of Computers 1963 Digital Equipment Corp. introduced the

PDP-8, regarded as the first successful minicomputer 1977 Two young computer enthusiasts, Steven Jobs and Steve Wozniak, collaborated to create and build their Apple II computer on a makeshift production line in Jobs garage 1981 IBM introduced its hat into the personal computer ring with the announcement of the IBM PC. It sold 35,000 on its first year of release. Applications of Computers In the scientific and engineering fields, it provides inexpensive and accurate computation for better designs of devices or machines and more discoveries made in less time In the business world, it is used in the preparation of payrolls, in recording accounts receivables, in keeping tracks or inventions In banks, insurance companies, hospitals, and government offices, records are computerized Applications of Computers Large firms and offices such as PLDT, Meralco and MWSS prepare invoices with computers Provide instantaneous and accurate data for airlines, hotels and check-out counters in the department stores Now becoming an everyday tool not only in the offices but in homes as well Characteristics of Computer It is a machine can only do things for it was designed It is electronic runs on electrical energy through its electronic components It is automatic runs continuously once started It can manipulate data following specified instructions, it can perform arithmetic functions and can compare data It has memory the ability to read instructions and store these It has logic functions can produce results after instructions were fed into it Computer Limitations Dependence on prepared instructions Inability to derive meanings from objects Inability to generate information It cannot correct wrong instructions

Why Computers Sometimes Fail GIGO (Garbage In Garbage Out). Computer error may result from erroneously entered input. Programs contain errors or bugs that do not become evident until a specific set of circumstances arises. Users do not understand each others needs or have not communicated successfully. Why Computers Sometimes Fail Improper controls can lead to sabotage the company and invasion of privacy Lack of standard results in problems when an organization obtains new equipment, hires new computer professionals, and attempts to provide some consistent set of procedures to be adopted by its computing staff Manufacturer fails to supply needed spare parts, trained technicians, or that particular machine model is no longer in production Classification of Computers Classification by purpose General-Purpose Computers - A computer that has the ability to store different programs of instructions and thus to perform a variety of operations. Special-Purpose Computers - A computer designed to perform one specific task Classification of Computers Classification by Type of Data Handled Digital Computers a machine that specialize in counting of items that are distinct from one another, e.g. Text, integers, morse code Analog Computer machine that deals with quantities that are continuous variable. This means that no individual elements can be identified from any other element, e.g. Light, voice, and video Hybrid Computers machine that combines the measuring capabilities of the analog computer and the logical and control capabilities of the digital computer Classification of Computers Classification of Computers Acc. to Capacity

 Microcomputers capable of handling small, single-business applications such as sales analysis, inventory, billing and payroll. Minicomputers They can do operation like airline reservations Classification of Computers Medium-size Computers They can serve the needs of a university. Large Computers They can be used in government agencies and in the development of space technology Supercomputers machines that have capabilities far beyond even the traditional large-scale systems. They are essential for applications ranging from nuclear weapon development to accurate weather forecasting.