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Q. What is computer? Explain.

Ans: Computer is an electronic device, invented by “Charles babbage” nearly in 19th
century. It is an electronic device that takes input data from the users through input device,
stores it and process it and produces output.

Q. What are the components of computer?

Ans: Computer has mainly two components which are further divided :
1. Hardware
2. Software
Hardware is divided into four units :
1. Input devices
2. Output devices
3. CPU
4. Storage devices
Software is divided into two units :
1. System software
2. Application software

Q. What are the characteristics of computer? Explain.

Ans: The main characteristics of computer are :

Speed :  As you know computer can work very fast. It takes only few seconds for
calculations that we take hours to complete, computer can perform millions
(1,000,000) of instructions and even more per second, we determine the speed of
computer in terms of microsecond (10-6 part of a second) or nanosecond (10 to the
power -9 part of a second). 
Accuracy : The degree of accuracy of computer is very high and every calculation
is performed with the same accuracy. It means computer gives very exact
solutions, if there is any error its because of human and inaccurate data.
Storage : The Computer has an in-built memory where it can store a large amount
of data. You can also store data in secondary storage devices such as floppies,
which can be kept outside your computer and can be carried to other computers.
Diligence :  A computer is free from tiredness, lack of concentration, fatigue, etc.
It can work for hours without creating any error
Versatility :  It means the capacity to perform completely different type of work.
You may use your computer to prepare payroll slips. Next moment you may use it
for inventory management or to prepare electric bills, i.e you can use computers for
many different purposes.
 Automatic : computers are capable of automating tasks, means it can
perform tasks without human interference.
Multitasking : this is the special feature of computer, you can perform
many tasks at a single time, like listening to musing, editing photos,
writing a document at a single time.

Q. Give a brief introduction of Generation of computer?

Ans: 1. First Generation ( Vacuum Tube – 1946)
2. Second Generation ( Transistor – 1959)
3. Third Generation (Integrated circuits – 1965)
4. Fourth Generation (Large scale integrated circuits – 1971 to 1985)
5. Fifth Generation(Parallel processing and Superconductor technology –
1985 onward)

Q. Explain Generation of computers in detail?

Ans :   1. First Generation of Computer :

~ Eckert and Mauchly developed the first electronic computer “ENIAC” in

1946 in USA.
~ Vacuum – tube was the core element in 1st generation computer.
~ The time period of 1st generation computer was from 1946-1958.
~ Punched cards and paper tape was secondary storage.
~ It had limited internal storage capacity & slow input/output operation.
~ It was not portable.
~ Consumed lot of electricity.
~ Machine code was used as a programming language.
EX : ENIAC, EDVAC, EDSAC, UNIVAC – 1.

2. Second Generation of Computer :

~ The second generation computers are IBM - 700, ATLAS and ICL 1901.
~ Transistor was the core element in the 2nd generation of computers.
~ The time period of 2nd generation of computers was from 1958-1965.
~ Tapes and magnetic disk was used for secondary storage.
~ High-level procedural languages FORTRAN and COBOL were used.
~ Required less power to operate.
~ Smaller, reliable and faster than 1st generation of computer.
~ Magnetic – core was used for primary storage.

3.Third Generation of Computer :

~ The third generation computers are IBM-360, NCR-395, TDC-316 developed by
JACK KILBY.
~ Integrated circuits(IC’s) was the core element in the third generation of computer.
~ The time period of 3rd generation of computer was from 1965-1971.
~ Magnetic – disk was used for secondary storage.
~ Development of minicomputers.
~ In this generation O.S was developed.
~ Smaller than 2nd generation in size.
~ High level programming languages like FORTRAN-2 to 4, COBOL, PASCAL P1,
ALGOL-68, etc…

4.Fourth Generation of Computer :

~The 4th generation of computers are DEC 10, STAR 1000, etc…
~ Large scale integrated circuits(LSIC’s) and Very Large scale integrated
circuits(VLSIC’s) was the core element.
~ The time period of 4th gen computer was from 1971-1985.
~ semi- conductors were used for primary storage.
~ Development of microcomputers or pc.
~ In this gen microprocessors were used.
~ High level languages like C, C++ and DBMS were used in this gen.
~ User friendly application developments were done in this gen.

5.Fifth/future Generation of Computers :

~ The fifth generation computers are desktop, laptop , etc…
~ Ultra large scale integration(ULSI) is the core element.
~ The time period of 5th generation is 1985 to till date.
~ RAM and ROM is used for primary storage.
~ HDD and SSD is used for secondary storage.
~ All high level programming languages like C, C++, Java, Python, .Net, etc… are
used.

Q. What are the basic components of computer?

Ans: The basic components of a computer are :

1. Input device :
Ex : keyboard, mouse, scanner, etc…
2. CPU :
It contains “CU”(control unit) and “ALU”(arithmetic logic unit) amd memory, and
the memory is further divided into Primary memory and secondary memory.
3. Output device :
Ex : Monitor, Speaker, Printer, etc….

Q. What are the classifications of computer?

Ans : Computers are classified into three categories :
1. On the basis of type.
2. On the basis of size.
3. On the basis of purpose.

Q. Explain the classification of computer on the basis of Type?

Ans : On the basis of type, computers can be classified into 3 types :
1. Analog computer : In analog computers, data is recognized as a continuous
measurement of a physical property like voltage, speed, pressure etc. Readings on a dial or
graphs are obtained as the output, ex. Voltage, temperature; pressure can be measured in
this computer.

2. Digital computer : These are high speed electronic devices. These devices are
programmable. They process data by way of mathematical calculations, comparison, sorting
etc. They accept input and produce output as discrete signals representing high (on) or low
(off) voltage state of electricity. Numbers, alphabets, symbols are all represented as a series
of 1s and Os.

3. Hybrid : Hybrid Computers are a combination of Analog and Digital computers.

They combine the speed of analog computers and accuracy of digital computers. They are
mostly used in specialized applications where the input data is in an analog form i.e.
measurement. This is converted into digital form for further processing. The computers
accept data from sensors and produce output using conventional input/output devices.

Q. Explain the classification of computer on the basis of size?

Ans: On the basis of size computer can be classified into 4 type :
1. Micro computers : Microcomputers are generally referred to as Personal
Computers (PCs). They have Smallest memory and less power. They are widely used in day to
day applications like office automation, and professional applications, ex. PCAT, Pentium etc.

2. Mini computers : Mini computers are more powerful than the micro computers.
They have higher memory capacity and more storage capacity with higher speeds. These
computers are mainly used in process control systems. They are mainly used in applications
like payrolls, financial accounting, Computer aided design etc. ex. VAX, PDP-11

3. Mainframe computers : Main frame computers are very large computers

which process data at very high speeds of the order of several million instructions per
second. They can be linked into a network with smaller computers, micro computers and
with each other. They are typically used in large organizations, government departments
etc. ex. IBM4381, CDC

4. Super computers : A super computer is the fastest, most powerful and most
expensive computer which is used for complex tasks that require a lot of computational
power. Super computers have multiple processors which process multiple instructions at the
same time. This is known as parallel processing. These computers are widely used in very
advanced applications like weather forecasting, processing geological data etc. ex. CRAY-2,
NEC - 500, PARAM.

Q. Explain the classification of computer on the basis of purpose?

Ans : On the basis of purpose computer can be classified into 2 type :
 1. General purpose : General computers can do various  everyday tasks  such as
writing a word processing letter, Document preparation, recording, financial analysis, Printing
documents, creating databases, and calculations with accuracy and consistency.The size,
storage capacity, and cost of such computers are mainly less. The ability of these computers is
limited in performing specialized tasks. Still, it has  versatility and useful  for serving people’s
basic needs at home or  in the workplace in the environment.

Example : Laptops, Smartphones and tablets, etc….

2. Special Purpose : These computers are designed to perform a particular or specialized

task. The size, storage capacity, and cost of such computers mainly depend on the nature and
size of the work. The function of these computers is consistent with any particular task.

The special computer needs specific and input and devices as well as a compatible
motherboard with the processor to conduct work efficiently.

These computers are used for special purposes in weather forecasting, space research,

agriculture, engineering, meteorology, satellite operation, traffic control, and research in chemical
sciences.

Example : ATM, Washing machine, traffic control computers.