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Computer Fundamentals : Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha Computer Fundamentals : Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha
Slide 1/17 Chapter 01: Introduction
Chapter 1
Introduction
Computer Fundamentals
Pradeep K. Sinha
Priti Sinha
Computer Fundamentals : Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha Computer Fundamentals : Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha
Slide 2/17 Chapter 01: Introduction
Learning Objectives Learning Objectives
In this chapter you will learn about:
Computer
Data processing
Characteristic features of computers
Computers evolution to their present form
Computer generations
Characteristic features of each computer generation
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Computer Fundamentals : Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha Computer Fundamentals : Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha
Slide 3/17 Chapter 01: Introduction
The word computer comes from the word compute,
which means, to calculate
Thereby, a computer is an electronic device that can
perform arithmetic operations at high speed
A computer is also called a data processor because it can
store, process, and retrieve data whenever desired
Computer Computer
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Computer Fundamentals : Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha Computer Fundamentals : Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha
Slide 4/17 Chapter 01: Introduction
Data Processing Data Processing
The activity of processing data using a computer is called
data processing
Data is raw material used as input to data processing and
information is processed data obtained as output
Data
(Raw material)
Information
(Finished product)
Computer
(Data processor)
Input Output
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Computer Fundamentals : Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha Computer Fundamentals : Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha
Slide 5/17 Chapter 01: Introduction
Characteristics of Computers Characteristics of Computers
Sr.
No.
Characteristics Description
1 Automatic It carries out a job normally without any human intervention
2 Speed
It can perform several billion (10
9
) simple arithmetic operations
per second
3 Accuracy It performs every calculation with the same accuracy
4 Diligence It is free from monotony, tiredness, and lack of concentration
5 Versatility It can perform a wide variety of tasks
6 Memory
It can store huge amount of information and can recall any piece
of this information whenever required
7 No I. Q.
It cannot take its own decisions, and has to be instructed what
to do and in what sequence
8 No Feelings It cannot make judgments based on feelings and instincts
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Computer Fundamentals : Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha Computer Fundamentals : Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha
Slide 6/17 Chapter 01: Introduction
Evolution of Computers
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Computer Fundamentals : Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha Computer Fundamentals : Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha
Slide 7/17 Chapter 01: Introduction
Evolution of Computers Evolution of Computers
Blaise Pascal invented the first mechanical adding
machine in 1642
Baron Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz invented the first
calculator for multiplication in 1671
Keyboard machines originated in the United States
around 1880
Around 1880, Herman Hollerith came up with the concept
of punched cards that were extensively used as input
media until late 1970s
(Continued on next slide)
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Computer Fundamentals : Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha Computer Fundamentals : Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha
Slide 8/17 Chapter 01: Introduction
Charles Babbage is considered to be the father of
modern digital computers
He designed Difference Engine in 1822
He designed a fully automatic analytical engine in
1842 for performing basic arithmetic functions
His efforts established a number of principles that
are fundamental to the design of any digital
computer
Evolution of Computers Evolution of Computers
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Computer Fundamentals : Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha Computer Fundamentals : Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha
Slide 9/17 Chapter 01: Introduction
Some Well Known Early Computers Some Well Known Early Computers
The Mark I Computer (1937-44)
The Atanasoff-Berry Computer (1939-42)
The Electronic Numerical Integrator And Calculator (ENIAC)
(1943-46)
The Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer
(EDVAC) (1946-52)
The Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator (EDSAC)
(1947-49)
Manchester Mark I (1948)
The Universal Automatic Computer (UNIVAC) I (1951)
IBM 701 (1952)
IBM 650 (1953)
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Computer Fundamentals : Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha Computer Fundamentals : Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha
Slide 10/17 Chapter 01: Introduction
Computer Generations
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Computer Fundamentals : Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha Computer Fundamentals : Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha
Slide 11/17 Chapter 01: Introduction
Generation in computer talk is a step in technology. It
provides a framework for the growth of computer industry
Originally it was used to distinguish between various
hardware technologies, but now it has been extended to
include both hardware and software
Till today, there are five computer generations
Computer Generations Computer Generations
(Continued on next slide)
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Computer Fundamentals : Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha Computer Fundamentals : Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha
Slide 12/17 Chapter 01: Introduction
(Continued on next slide)
Computer Generations Computer Generations
Generation
(Period)
Key hardware
technologies
Key software
technologies
Key
characteristics
Some
representative
systems
First
(1942-1955)
Vacuum tubes
Electromagnetic
relay memory
Punched cards
secondary
storage
Machine and
assembly
languages
Stored program
concept
Mostly scientific
applications
Bulky in size
Highly unreliable
Limited commercial
use and costly
Difficult commercial
production
Difficult to use
ENIAC
EDVAC
EDSAC
UNIVAC I
IBM 701
Second
(1955-1964)
Transistors
Magnetic cores
memory
Magnetic tapes
Disks for
secondary
storage
Batch operating
system
High-level
programming
languages
Scientific and
commercial
applications
Faster, smaller, more
reliable and easier to
program than
previous generation
systems
Commercial
production was still
difficult and costly
Honeywell 400
IBM 7030
CDC 1604
UNIVAC LARC
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Computer Fundamentals : Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha Computer Fundamentals : Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha
Slide 13/17 Chapter 01: Introduction
(Continued on next slide)
Computer Generations Computer Generations
Generation
(Period)
Key hardware
technologies
Key software
technologies
Key
characteristics
Some rep.
systems
Third
(1964-1975)
ICs with SSI and
MSI technologies
Larger magnetic
cores memory
Larger capacity
disks and
magnetic tapes
secondary storage
Minicomputers;
upward compatible
family of
computers
Timesharing
operating
system
Standardization
of high-level
programming
languages
Unbundling of
software from
hardware
Faster, smaller, more
reliable, easier and
cheaper to produce
Commercially, easier
to use, and easier to
upgrade than
previous generation
systems
Scientific,
commercial and
interactive on-line
applications
IBM
360/370
PDP-8
PDP-11
CDC 6600
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Computer Fundamentals : Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha Computer Fundamentals : Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha
Slide 14/17 Chapter 01: Introduction
(Continued on next slide)
Computer Generations Computer Generations
Generation
(Period)
Key hardware
technologies
Key software
technologies
Key
characteristics
Some rep.
systems
Fourth
(1975-1989)
ICs with VLSI
technology
Microprocessors;
semiconductor
memory
Larger capacity hard
disks as in-built
secondary storage
Magnetic tapes and
floppy disks as
portable storage media
Personal computers
Supercomputers based
on parallel vector
processing and
symmetric
multiprocessing
technologies
Spread of high-speed
computer networks
Operating systems
for PCs with GUI and
multiple windows on
a single terminal
screen
Multiprocessing OS
with concurrent
programming
languages
UNIX operating
system
C and C++
programming
language
PC, Network-based,
and supercomputing
applications
Object-oriented
design and
programming
Small,
affordable,
reliable, and
easy to use PCs
More powerful
and reliable
mainframe
systems and
supercomputers
Totally general
purpose
machines
Easier to
produce
commercially
Easier to
upgrade
Rapid software
development
possible
IBM PC
and its
clones
Apple II
TRS-80
VAX 9000
CRAY-1
CRAY-2
CRAY-
X/MP
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Computer Fundamentals : Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha Computer Fundamentals : Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha
Slide 15/17 Chapter 01: Introduction
Computer Generations Computer Generations
Generation
(Period)
Key hardware
technologies
Key software
technologies
Key
characteristics
Some rep.
systems
Fifth
(1989-
Present)
ICs with ULSI
technology
Larger capacity
main memory,
hard disks with
RAID support
Optical disks as
portable read-only
storage media
Notebooks,
powerful desktop
PCs and
workstations
Powerful servers,
supercomputers
Internet
Cluster computing
World Wide Web
Multimedia,
Internet
applications
Micro-kernel,
multithreading,
multicore OS
JAVA
MPI and PVM
libraries for
parallel
programming
Portable
computers
Powerful,
cheaper, reliable,
and easier to use
desktop machines
Very powerful
mainframes
High uptime due
to hot-pluggable
components
General purpose
machines
Easier to produce
commercially
IBM notebooks
Pentium PCs
SUN
Workstations
IBM SP/2
SGI Origin 2000
PARAM
Supercomputers
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Computer Fundamentals : Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha Computer Fundamentals : Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha
Slide 16/17 Chapter 01: Introduction
Electronic Devices Used in Computers of Different
Generations
Electronic Devices Used in Computers of Different
Generations
(c) An IC chip
(b) A Transistor
(a) A Vacuum tube
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Computer Fundamentals : Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha Computer Fundamentals : Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha
Slide 17/17 Chapter 01: Introduction
Key Words/Phrases Key Words/Phrases
Computer
Computer generations
Computer Supported Cooperative
Working (CSCW)
Data
Data processing
Data processor
First-generation computers
Fourth-generation computers
Garbage-in-garbage-out (GIGO)
Graphical User Interface (GUI)
Groupware
Information
Integrated Circuit (IC)
Large Scale Integration (VLSI)
Medium Scale Integration (MSI)
Microprocessor
Personal Computer (PC)
Second-generation computers
Small Scale Integration (SSI)
Stored program concept
Third-generation computers
Transistor
Ultra Large Scale Integration (ULSI)
Vacuum tubes