Unit I
Basics of Computer and its Evolution Basics of Computer and its Evolution
Evolution of Computer, Data, Instruction and Information, Characteristics of Computers,
Various fields of application of Computers, Various Fields of Computer, Input-output
Devices (Hardware, Software, Human ware and Firmware), Advantages and Limitations of
Computer, Block Diagram of Computer, Function of Different Units of Computer,
Classification of Computers.
Data Representation
Different Number System (Decimal, Binary, Octal and hexadecimal) and their Inter
Conversion (Fixed Point Only), Binary Arithmetic (Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication
and Division)
DEFINITION
For most of the people, computer is a machine used for a calculation or a computation, but actually it is
much more than that.
Precisely, “Computer is an electronic device for performing arithmetic and logical operation.” Or
“Computer is a device or a flexible machine to process data and converts it into information.”
To know about the complete process that how computer works, we will have to come across the various
terms such as Data, Processing and Information. First of all we will have to understand these terms in
true sense.
DATA
“Data” is nothing but a mare collection of basic facts and figure without any sequence. When the data is
collected as facts and figure, it has no meaning at that time, for example, name of student, names of
employees etc.
PROCESSING
‘Processing’ is the set of instruction given by the user or the related data to output the meaningful
information. Which can be used by the user? The work of processing may be the calculation,
comparisons or the decision taken by the computer.
INFORMATION
‘Information ’is the end point or the final output of any processed work. When the output data is
meaning it is called information
DEVELOPMENT OF COMPUTER
Actually speaking electronic data processing does not go back more than just half a centaury i.e. they
are in existence merely from early 1940’s. In early days when our ancestor used to reside in cave the
counting was a problem. Still it is stated becoming difficult.
When they started using stone to count their animals or the possession they never knew that this day
will lead to a computer of today. People today started following a set of procedure to perform
calculation with these stones, which later led to creation of a digital counting device, which was the
predecessor the first calculating device invented, was know as ABACUS.
THE ABACUS
Abacus is known to be the first mechanical calculating device. Which was used to be performed addition
and subtraction easily and speedily? This device was a first develop Ed by the Egyptians in the 10th
century B.C, but it was given it final shape in the 12th century A.D. by the Chinese educationists.
Abacus is made up of wooden frame in which rod where fitted across with rounds beads sliding on the
rod. It id dividing into two parts called ‘Heaven’ and ‘Earth’. Heaven was the upper part and Earth was
the lower one. Thus any no. can be represented by placing the beads at proper place.
NAPIER’S BONES
As the necessity demanded, scientist started inventing better calculating device. In thus process John
Napier’s of Scotland invented a calculating device, in the year 1617 called the Napier Bones.
In the device, Napier’s used the bone rods of the counting purpose where some no. is printed on these
rods. These rods that one can do addition, subtraction, multiplication and division easily.
PASCAL’S CALCULATOR
In the year 1642, Blaise Pascal a French scientist invented an adding machine called Pascal’s calculator,
which represents the position of digit with the help of gears in it.
LEIBNZ CALCULATOR
In the year 1671, a German mathematics, Gottfried Leibniz modified the Pascal calculator and he
developed a machine which could perform various calculation based on multiplication and division as
well.
ANALYTICAL ENGINE
In the year 1833, a scientist form England knows to be Charles Babbage invented such a machine. Which
could keep our data safely? This device was called Analytical engine and it deemed the first mechanical
computer.
It included such feature which is used in today’s computer language. For this great invention of the
computer, Sir Charles Babbage is also known as the father of the computer.
GENERATION OF COMPUTER
As the time passed, the device of more suitable and reliable machine was need which could perform our
work more quickly. During this time, in the year 1946, the first successful electronic computer called
ENIAC was developed and it was the starting point of the current generation of computer
FIRST GENRATION
ENIAC was the world first successful electronic computer which was develops by the two scientists
namely J. P. Eckert and J. W. Mauchy. It was the beginning of first generation computer. The full form of
ENIAC is “Electronic Numeric Integrated And Calculator” ENIAC was a very huge and big computer and
its weight was 30 tones. It could store only limited or small amount of information. Initially in the first
generation computer the concept of vacuum tubes was used. A vacuum tube was such an electronic
component which had very less work efficiency and so it could not work properly and it required a large
cooling system.
SECOND GENERATION
As the development moved further, the second generation computers knocked the door. In this
generation, transistors were used as the electronic component instead of vaccum tubes .A transistors is
much smaller in the size than that of a vaccum tube. As the size of electrons components decreased
from vaccum tube of transistor, the size of computer also decreased and it became much smaller than
that of earlier computer.
THIRD GENERATION
The third generation computers were invented in the year 1964. In this generation of computer, IC
(Integrated circuits) was used as the electronic component for computers. The development of IC gave
birth to a new field of microelectronics. The main advantage of IC is not only its small size but its
superior performance and reliability than the previous circuits. It was first developed by T.S Kilby. This
generation of computer has huge storage capacity and higher calculating speed.
FOURTH GENERATION
This is the generation where we are working today. The computers which we see around us belong to
the fourth generation computers. ‘Micro processor’ is the main concept behind this generation of
computer.
A microprocessor is a single chip (L.S.I circuit), which is used in a computer for any arithmetical or logical
functions to be performed in any program. The honaur of developing microprocessor goes to Ted Hoff of
U.S.A. He developed first micro-processor, the Intel 4004, as he was working for Intel Corporation, U.S.A
with the use of microprocessor in the fourth generation computers, the size of computer become very
fast and efficient.
It is evident that the next generation of computer i.e. fifth generation will be developed soon. In that
generation, computer will possess artificial intelligence and it would be able to take self decisions like a
human being.
USES OF A COMPUTER
A computer is used in all human life. It has revolutionized all phases of human activities. The most
important have been given as follows:
Routine job handling
the routine classical and stenotype jobs calculating and formality bits, salaries, updating stocks, tax
return, reservation records and information.
Traffic control
Controlling traffic, traffic lights. Television cameras are used to maintain traffic light routine.
Electronic money
Automatic tellers machine (ATM) is very common in banks. You can deposit and withdraw money with
the ATM.
Electronic office
All type information are stored, manipulated and utilized in the electronic form. A document is sent to
different place with FAX, internet and e-mail.
Industrial Application
It plays an important role in production control. It is bringing efficiency it trade and industry.
Telephones
With help computerized telephone through satellites STD and IST services have been introduced. It
maintains the record of calls and does the billing for you.
Trade
Every type of trade computer is used successfully. It is used in Banks, stock exchanges to control stocks
and accounts.
Scientific research
In every science, the research work becomes economical from time, energy, money point of new. A
large data is analyzed very quickly.
Medicine
There is wide use in medical science e. g. ECG, CAT scan, Ultra sound. The proper and accounts diagnosis
is done with the help of computer. The medical apparatus are controlling computerized.
Space Science
The satellite controlling I the space with the help of computer. The information’s are collected by using
the computer from the space satellite.
Publication
The composing work is done speedily and economical with the help of computer. The designing work is
also done by computer. The quality is maintained is publication by computer.
Communications
The computer is used for sending message example printer, FAX, e-mail, Internet. The import and export
work is done on internet.
Film industry
It had influenced film industry such as animation; titling etc.The multimedia approach is used in film
production with the help of computer. The cartoon films are developed by computers.
Education
The computer is widely used in the field of education and independent study field of computer science
has developed which is popular these days. At every stage computer is compulsory. The distance
education is using computer for instructional purpose as multimedia approach. The computer makes
teacher learning process effecting by involving audio and visual sense of learners.
Firmware
Firmware is the technology which has the combination of both hardware and software such as BIOS chip
inside a computer. This chip (hardware) is located on the motherboard and has the BIOS set up
(software) stored in it.
Types of computers
Computers are typically classified based on their uses:
Based on uses
Analog computer
Digital computer
Hybrid computer
Based on sizes
Micro computer
Personal computer
Mini Computer
Mainframe computer
Super computer
Input Devices
When unprocessed data is sent to the computer with the help of input devices, the data is processed
and sent to output devices. The input devices may be hand-operated or automated. The act of
processing is mainly regulated by the CPU. Some examples of hand-operated input devices are:
Overlay keyboard
Trackball
Joystick
Digital camera
Microphone
Touchscreen
Digital video
Image scanner
Graphics tablet
Computer keyboard
Mouse
Output Devices
The means through which computer gives output are known as output devices. Some examples of
output devices are:
Computer monitor
Printer
Projector
Sound card
PC speaker
Video card
Various fields of application of Computers
1- Business
Today, in global markets, it is impossible to run the business without the use of computer technology.
Many business activities are performed very quickly and efficiently by using computers. The
administrative paperwork is also reduced by using computers. Many business use websites to sell their
products and contact their customers.
2- Education
Computers are used in teaching and research. The students can solve different kinds of problems
quickly and efficiently by using computers. They can also collect different information on the Internet.
3- Banks
Computers are widely used in banks. They are used in banks for record keeping and maintaining
accounts of customers. Most of the banks provide the facility of ATMs. The customers can draw money
through ATM card from any branch of that bank (or another bank) at any time of a day.
4- Entertainment
Computers are also playing very important role for the entertainment of human beings. Nowadays,
computer can be used to watch television programs on the Internet. People can also watch movies,
listen music, and play games on the computer. Many computer games and other entertainment
materials of different kinds are available on the Internet.
5- Home
At home, computer is used to maintain personal records and to access much other information on the
Internet. People can also use computer at home for making home budgets etc.
6- Medical
Nearly every area of the medical field uses computers. For example, computers are used for
maintaining patient history & other records. They are also used for patient monitoring and diagnosis of
diseases etc.
COMPUTER SOFTWARE
1. SOFTWARE
Computer consists of four basic element hardware, software, firmware and human ware. The hardware
of computer system alone is little different to any other complex piece of electronic machinery. The
hardware would not work without programs (set of instruction). The software directs and guides the
operation of each device including CPU. The set of programs which control the activities of computer
system or which may be processed on computer to do some useful work, are called software. As car
needs fuel to run. Similarly computer hardware needs software to do anything. Software may be put on
disk, cassette, and magnetic tape of Semi-Conductor memory.
So we can say that software is a set of programs documents procedure and routines associated with the
operation of computer system. In other words, software means a collection of programs whose
objective is to enhance the capabilities of the hardware.
Software cab be classified into two broad categories: System software and application software. System
software performs computer- related tasks such as managing input and output devices; application
software performs people- related tasks, such as human resources and marketing.
(I) System software
(II) Application software
SOFTWARE
SYSTEM SOFTWARE APPLICATION SOFTWARE
SYSTEM CONTROL S/W
SYSTEM SUPPORT S/W
SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT S/W
GENERAL PURPOSE S/W SPECIAL APPLICATION BASED S/W
System Software
System software performs the basic functions necessary to start and operate a computer. It controls and
monitors the various activates and resources of a computer and makes it easier and more efficient to
use the computer. System software is classified into three categories.
System control software (Programs that manage system resources and functions)
System support software (Programs that support the execution of various application)
System development software (programs those system developers in designing and developing
information systems).
(I) System Control Software: System control includes programs that monitor, control, coordinate
and manage the resources and functions of a computer system. The most important system software is
the operating system and DBMS.
(II) System Support Software: System support software is software that support or facilitates the
smooth and efficient operation of a computer. There are four major categories of systems support
software: Utility programs, language translators, database management systems and performance
statistics software.
(III) System Development Software: System development Software helps system developers design
and build better system. An example is computer-aided software engineering or CASE a collection of
programs that assist developers in developing information system.
Application Software
Application software cab be divided into two categories: general purpose software and application
dedicated software. Application software is designed to perform people-related tasks such as payroll,
inventory and sales analysis. There are two type of application software: general-purpose (designed for
general application, such as payroll and so on) and special Application Based Software.
1. General Purpose Software: General purpose software is used to perform common business
applications such as word-processing graphics, payroll [and accounting].
2. Special Application Based Software: The second type of applications software is special application
–Based software which includes specialized, application designed for every specific purpose. Such a
program cannot easily be modified and adopted for other application because it is designed to perform
a specific task. (Educational related application. Medical related application and Scientific application)
3. Hardware
Physical component of computer is called Hardware. Examples Monitor, Key-Board, Mouse, Printer etc.
4. Firmware
A programs by which perform the predefined instruction in machine memory called firmware. Example
ROM, PROM, EPROM etc. ROM, PROM, EPROM
5. Humnware
The Human beings which is used the computer called human ware:
6. Computer Languages
The functioning of computer is controlled by a set of instruction (called a computer program). These
instructions are written to tell the computer.
What operation to perform?
Where to locate data?
How to present results?
When to make certain decisions? And so on.
Block Diagram of a Computer
BLOCK DIAGRAM OF A COMPUTER AND ITS FUNCTION:
A computer can process data, pictures, sound and graphics. They can solve highly complicated problems
quickly and accurately. A computer as shown in Fig. performs basically five major computer operations
or functions irrespective of their size and make. These are:
1) it accepts data or instructions by way of input,
2) it stores data,
3) it can process data as required by the user,
4) it gives results in the form of output, and
5) it controls all operations inside a computer.
We discuss below each of these Computer operations
Basic-computer-Operations
Basic computer Operations
1.Input:This is the process of entering data and programs in to the computer system. You should know
that computer is an electronic machine like any other machine which takes as inputs raw data and
performs some processing giving out processed data. Therefore, the input unit takes data from us to the
computer in an organized manner for processing.
2. Storage: The process of saving data and instructions permanently is known as storage. Data has to be
fed into the system before the actual processing starts. It is because the processing speed of Central
Processing Unit (CPU) is so fast that the data has to be provided to CPU with the same speed. Therefore
the data is first stored in the storage unit for faster access and processing. This storage unit or the
primary storage of the computer system is designed to do the above functionality. It provides space for
storing data and instructions.
The storage unit performs the following major functions:
• All data and instructions are stored here before and after processing.
• Intermediate results of processing are also stored here.
3. Processing: The task of performing operations like arithmetic and logical operations is called
processing. The Central Processing Unit (CPU) takes data and instructions from the storage unit and
makes all sorts of calculations based on the instructions given and the type of data provided. It is then
sent back to the storage unit.
4. Output: This is the process of producing results from the data for getting useful information. Similarly
the output produced by the computer after processing must also be kept somewhere inside the
computer before being given to you in human readable form. Again the output is also stored inside the
computer for further processing.
5. Control: The manner how instructions are executed and the above operations are performed.
Controlling of all operations like input, processing and output are performed by control unit. It takes
care of step by step processing of all operations inside the computer.
FUNCTIONAL UNITS
In order to carry out the operations mentioned in the previous section the computer allocates the task
between its various functional units. The computer system is divided into three separate units for its
operation. They are
1) arithmetic logical unit
2) control unit.
3) central processing unit.
Arithmetic Logical Unit (ALU) Logical Unit
Logical Unit :After you enter data through the input device it is stored in the primary storage unit. The
actual processing of the data and instruction are performed by Arithmetic Logical Unit. The major
operations performed by the ALU are addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, logic and
comparison. Data is transferred to ALU from storage unit when required. After processing the output is
returned back to storage unit for further processing or getting stored.
Control Unit (CU)
The next component of computer is the Control Unit, which acts like the supervisor seeing that things
are done in proper fashion. Control Unit is responsible for co ordinating various operations using time
signal. The control unit determines the sequence in which computer programs and instructions are
executed. Things like processing of programs stored in the main memory, interpretation of the
instructions and issuing of signals for other units of the computer to execute them. It also acts as a
switch board operator when several users access the computer simultaneously. Thereby it coordinates
the activities of computer’s peripheral equipment as they perform the input and output.
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The ALU and the CU of a computer system are jointly known as the central processing unit. You may call
CPU as the brain of any computer system. It is just like brain that takes all major decisions, makes all
sorts of calculations and directs different parts of the computer functions by activating and controlling
the operations.
"A set of values used to represent different quantities is known as Number System". For
example, a number system can be used to represent the number of students in a class or
number of viewers watching a certain TV program etc. The digital computer represents all
kinds of data and information in binary numbers. It includes audio, graphics, video, text
and numbers. The total number of digits used in a number system is called its base or
radix. The base is written after the number as subscript such as 51210.
Some important number systems are as follows.
Decimal number system
Binary number system
Octal number system
Hexadecimal number system
Decimal number System
The Decimal Number System consists of ten digits from 0 to 9. These digits can be used to
represent any numeric value. The base of decimal number system is 10. It is the most widely
used number system. The value represented by individual digit depends on weight and position
of the digit.
Each number in this system consists of digits which are located at different positions. The
position of first digit towards left side of the decimal point is 0. The position of second digit
towards left side of the decimal point is 1. Similarly, the position of first digit towards right side
of decimal point is -1. The position of second digit towards right side of decimal point is -2 and
so on.
Binary Number System
Digital computer represents all kinds of data and information in the binary system. Binary
Number System consists of two digits 0 and 1. Its base is 2. Each digit or bit in binary number
system can be 0 or 1. A combination of binary numbers may be used to represent different
quantities like 1001. The positional value of each digit in binary number is twice the place value
or face value of the digit of its right side. The weight of each position is a power of 2.
Example: Convert 101112 decimal number
101112 = 1 x 24 + 0 x 23 + 1 x 22 + 1 x 21 + 1 x 20
= 1 x 16 + 0 + 1 x 4 + 1 x 2 + 1 x 1
= 16 + 0 + 4 2 + 1
= 2310
Example: Convert 101.1012
101.1012 = 1 x 22 + 0x21 + 1 x 20 + 1x 2-1 + 0 x 2-2 + 1 x 2-3
= 1 x 4 + 0 + 1 x 1 + ½ + 0 + 1/8
= 4 + 0 + 1 + 0.5 + 0.125
= 5.62510
Octal Number System
Octal Number System consists of eight digits from 0 to 7. The base of octal system is 8. Each
digit position in this system represents a power of 8. Any digit in this system is always less than
8. Octal number system is used as a shorthand representation of long binary numbers. The
number 6418 is not valid in this number system as 8 is not a valid digit.
Example: convert 458 to decimal number
458 = 4 x 81 + 5 x 80
= 4x8+5x1
= 32 + 5
= 3710
Hexadecimal number system
The Hexadecimal Number System consists of 16 digits from 0 to 9 and A to F. The alphabets A
to F represent decimal numbers from 10 to 15. The base of this number system is 16. Each digit
position in hexadecimal system represents a power of 16. The number 76416 is valid
hexadecimal number. It is different from 76410 which is seven hundred and sixty four. This
number system provides shortcut method to represent long binary numbers.
Example: Convert 3A16 to decimal number
3A16 = 3 x 161 + A x 160
= 3 x 16 + 10 x 1
= 48 + 10
= 5810
