Chapter 1 - Computers and IT

Computer is an electronic device that performs four basic operations:

EVOLUTION OF COMPUTERS
Early humans counted on their fingers; thus the evolution of the base 10 number system. Simple calculating and recording methods began with tying knots in pieces of rope to keep track of livestock and carving marks on clay or stone tablets to record bartering transactions. Later, devices such as the abacus, which uses beads strung on wires, were used for addition and subtraction. There are many predecessors to what we think of as the modern computer when Blaise Pascal created a machine, the Pascaline, used a series of eight rotating gears to add and subtract. Joseph-Marie Jacquard created a loom programmed to weave cloth. Charles Babbage, known as father of computers, discovered a machine which could be used to perform calculations of simple tables. The difference engine inspired him to design his analytical engine, a general purpose device which was capable of performing any type of mathematical calculations. Ada Augusta Byron, first programmer, developed the instructions for doing computations on the analytical engine. Dr. Herman Hollerith developed the tabulating machine. In 1944 when Howard Aiken and his team, designed the Mark I, the first automatic calculator and was used by the U.S. Navy to design weapons and calculate trajectories until the end of World War II. John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert Jr. introduced an electronic computer for large-scale, the ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator). John von Neumann proposed the stored-program concept, the EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer) was the first system to use stored instructions.

First Generation (1939-1957) The Vacuum Tube Age During the first generation, computers were built with vacuum tubes electronic tubes that were made of glass and were about the size of light bulbs.
1939 1943 1951 1953 1954 Dr. John V. Atanasoff and his assistant Clifford Berry built the first electronic digital computer. AtanasoffBerry Computer (ABC), the first machine to calculate using vacuum tubes, and memory and logic circuits set the direction for the modern computer. Alan Turing designed the Colossus, the English counterpart to the Nazi code machine, the Enigma. It was an electronic computer created for the military to break German codes. The first commercial electronic computer, the UNIVAC I, which was developed by John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert. They used magnetic cores as memory and depended on vacuum tubes, which switched on and off thousands of times per second IBM 650 the most popular medium size computer system Introduction of the first high-level programming language FORTRAN (FORmula TRANslator) used for scientific computing

Second Generation (1958-1963) The Transistor Age A small devices that transfer electronic signals across a resistor: Because transistors are much smaller; use less power, and create less heat than vacuum tubes, the new computers were faster, smaller, and more reliable than the firstgeneration machines.

1958

TRADIC (Transistorized Airborne Digital Computer), built at Bell Laboratories,. the first general-purpose computer to be completely transistorized held 800 transistors, predecessors by functioning well aboard airplanes 1959 Introduction of the removable disk pack, providing users with fast access to stored data. - ERMA (Electronic Recording Machine Accounting) the first technology that can read digitized information. 1960 COBOL (Common Business Oriented Language) the first business application programming language develop by a committee headed by Dr. Grace Hopper. 1963 Introduction of the first computer industry standard character set ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) which enable computers to exchange information

Third Generation (1964-1969) The Integrated Circuit Age It is a complete electronic circuit on a small chip made of silicon. These computers were more reliable and compact than computers made with transistors, and they cost less to manufacture.
1964 Introduction of computers built with an integrated circuit (IC) which incorporates multiple transistors and electronic circuits on a single silicon chip. - IBM introduced its System 360 line of compatible computers, which can all use the same programs and peripherals. 1965 Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) introduced the first minicomputer. - Introduction of the BASIC programming language 1969 Introduction of ARPANET and the beginning of the Internet

Fourth Generation (1970-1990) The Microprocessor Age The use of microprocessor, an extension of third generation technology, specialized chip developed for computer memory and logic.
1970 1971 Introduction of computers built with chips that used LSI (Large-Scale Integration). Dr. Ted Hoff of Intel Corporation developed a micro programmable computer chip the Intel 4004 microprocessor. 1975 First local area network (LAN) Ethernet developed at Xerox PARC (Palo Alto Research Center). - The MIT, Inc. Altair becomes the first commercially successful microcomputer. 1977 Apple Computer, Inc. founded by Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs, and Apple I introduced an easy-to-use hobbyist computer. 1980 Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft developed an operating system MS-DOS 1981 Introduction of the IBM PC, which contains an Intel microprocessor chip and MS-DOS operating system. 1984 Apple introduced the Macintosh personal computer with a unique, easy-to-use graphical user interface. 1985 Microsoft introduced their Windows graphical user interface. 1989 Introduction of Intel 486 the first 1,000,000 transistor microprocessor

Fifth Generation (1991 and Beyond) The Age of Connectivity The massive increase in connectivity, allows computers to connect and to share information. The use of parallel processing, symmetric multiprocessing or multiprocessing, a technique for improving a computers performance has been used in high-end servers and workstations.
1991 1993 1995 1998 Linus Torvalds developed a version of UNIX called the Linux operating system. It is one of the most prominent examples of free software and open source development. Its underlying source code can be modified, used, and redistributed by anyone, at no cost. Mosaic, a graphical Web browser developed by Marc Andreessen at National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) Microsoft launched Windows 95, a major upgrade to its Windows Operating System. In the marketplace, Windows 95 was a complete success, and within a year or two of its release had become the most successful operating system ever produced. Sun Microsystems launched Java, an object-oriented programming language that gives programmers the ability to develop applications that work across the Internet. Apple Inc. introduced the iMac, an all-in-one system, futuristic design, see-through case and easy to setup computer. Apples use of translucent candy-colored plastics inspired similar designs in other consumer electronics. Apple declare the i in iMac to stand for Internet Apple later adopted the i prefix across its consumer hardware and software lines, such as the iPod, iBook, iPhone, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iTunes, iLife, iWeb, iWork, iSight, and iSync. Technology has an important role after the September 11 terrorist attacked. Government agencies, military and airlines placed an emphasis on security, recruiting new high technology, methods to monitor travelers and inspect people and baggage for dangerous items. They invested in the development of new bomb detection technology and the creation of huge multinational database that can allow airlines to track the movement of passengers through the flight system. Jimmy Donal Jimbo Wales, founded Wikipedia, an Internet encyclopedia. Earth Simulator registers as the worlds fastest supercomputer. It is capable of 35.86 trillion (35,860,000,000,000) floating point calculations per second, or 35.86 TFLOPS. It has been able to holistic simulations of global climate in both the atmosphere and the oceans down to a resolution of 10 km. Tablet PC, a mobile personal computer that has wireless capabilities, was introduced. Its touch screen or digitizing tablet technology allows the user to operate the computer with a stylus or digital pen, or a fingertip, instead of a keyboard or mouse. WiFi (Wireless Fidelity or Wireless connections) to the Internet, called hot spots, allow the public to access the Internet. Smart phones provide a cellular phone, a Web browser, instant message capabilities, full personal information management and e-mail functionality and even the ability to play video , listen to music and games. It overtakes the PDA as the personal mobile device. On January 5, 2006 Intel introduces the Core Duo Toshiba releases the first HD DVD player in a computer with the introduction of the Toshiba Qosmio 35 on May 16, 2006. Microsoft releases Microsoft Windows Vista and Office 2007 to the general public January 30, 2007. IBM announced the Roadrunner computer, June, 2008, had reached 1 petaflop of computing speed (1,000 trillion calculations per second)

2001

2002 2003 2005 2006 2007 2008

Classification of Computers
Computers can be classified by their size, speed and processing power of which they operate and the types of tasks they can handle. 1. Supercomputers are the fastest, most powerful computer and the most expensive. They are capable of processing more than one hundred trillions of instructions per second. They frequently use massive parallel processing. They are designed for applications that require extensive and rapid computational capabilities. Among their uses is forecasting weather, aerospace, oil exploration and modeling complex processes like nuclear fission.

2. Mainframe computers are large, powerful system designed to handle massive amounts of input, output and
storage. A mainframe can handle hundreds or thousands of connected users simultaneously. It also can act as servers on a network environment, each user accesses the mainframes resources through a device called a terminal. It is capable of handling the millions of daily transactions associated with airline, automobile, and hotel reservation systems. 3. Minicomputers or Midrange computers are inexpensive, larger than a workstation computer and compact computers that perform the same functions as mainframe computers, but to a more limited extent. They are multiuser computers designed to serve the needs of medium-sized organizations. The most powerful minicomputers can serve the needs of hundreds of users at a time. Midrange servers store data and programs and it can be accesses by another server. 4. Workstations or Servers are a high-end personal computers with massive computing power used by many users to perform a specific task, such as running network or Internet applications. Individual users are connected to workstation or servers. Servers typically have large memory and storage capacities with efficient and fast communications abilities. Servers offer great scalability, the ability to increase the processing capability of a computer system so that it can handle more user, more data, or more transactions in a given period. 5. Microcomputers are the smallest and least expensive type of computer system for use by a single or one person. They can be connected together to create networks. There are different types of microcomputers. a. Desktop computer is the most common type of personal computers that is deigned to sit on (or under) a table or desk. There are two popular designs for desktop computers: traditional desktop model and a tower model. (1) Traditional desktop model features a horizontally oriented system unit that many users place their monitor on top of the system unit. (2) Tower model the most popular style of desktop system that allows the user to place the system unit next to or under the desk. b. All-in-one computer developed by Apple, an iMac computer, a monitor with everything else built-in. iMac has different operating system and use their own software and hardware. c. Notebook computer, also called laptop computers is a portable personal computer small enough to fit on your lap and can operate on alternating current or special batteries. d. Wearable PC is a small personal computer that is worn. It consists of a head-mounted color display and a variety of input devices such as: helm-mounted camera, belt-mounted keyboard, a handheld mouse and a microphone. e. Professional workstations is a specialized, single-user computer that provide powerful tools for engineers, architects, circuit designers, financial analysts, and other professionals who need exceptionally powerful processing and output capabilities. f. Tablet PC is a special type of portable, full featured computers that allow you to write on the screen using a digital pen or the users voice. Most Table PC applications run with or without a keyboard but for users who prefer typing instead of handwriting, you can attach a keyboard for these computers. (1) Modular computer is a smaller version of a Tablet PC, weighs less that nine (9) ounces and fits in the palm of you hand. g. Handheld Personal Computer (H/PCs) are the smallest computing devices small enough to fit in one hand. The screens on handheld computers are quite small and the primary input devices are a small keyboard or specialized keyboard. These industry-specific computers serve mobile employees, like a parcel delivery people, a meter reader and those jobs that require a user to move from place to place h. Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) is one of the more popular light weights mobile devices, providing personal information management functions as well as Internet access and telephone capabilities. PDAs are also called pen-based computers because it use a pen-like stylus and can accept handwritten input directly on a touchsensitive screen. i. Mobile devices are small enough to carry in a pocket and usually do not have disk drives to store programs and data permanently on memory. Instead, these devices use memory cards as small storage media inside the system unit. They are Internet-enabled, users can chat, send e-mail and instant messages, and access the Web.

Computer Capabilities
Computers are very good at producing information, which is data that have been collected and processed into a meaningful form. It allows man to solve more problems, more rapidly and more accurately than ever before.

Ability to perform certain logic operation. Computers are symbol manipulators. It can manipulate in logical ways letters, numbers, words, sentences, mathematical expressions and other symbols to which people have given meaning. It is able to perform a simple comparison and then follow one of two or more predetermined branches or courses of action. Thus, the computer makes a decision by choosing between alternative possible course of action. Ability to provide new time dimension. The computer works one step at time; it adds and subtracts numbers; it multiplies and divides numbers; and it can be programmed to perform other mathematical operations such as extracting a square root. Computers provide the processing speed essential to our fast-paced society. The computer is so fast that it saves a tremendous amount of time. Man can now obtain information that could not have been produced at all a few years ago or that could have been produced in time to be of any value. Ability to store and retrieve information. Computer systems can store tremendous amounts of data, which can be located and retrieved efficiently. The ease with which instructions can be changed gives the computer great

flexibility. A typical server computer system may have trillions of characters and millions of images stored and available for instant recall. Ability to control error. Even the least expensive personal computer perform several million operations per second, and can do so for years without making an error. Ability to check itself. Computers have the ability to check its own work. They can check on data when they enter storage, when they are moved internally, and when they leave in the form of output, by using a method known as parity checking. The parity check performed by the computer involves the examination of each characters code to determine whether bits (binary digits or )s and 1s) have been added or lost by mistake.

Computer Limitations
Although computers are powerful tools they have limitations. Computers are not able to think and build on past experiences in the same way as humans.

Dependence on prepared instructions. The computer performs only what it is programmed to do and nothing else. It can do much more than just add, subtract, multiply and divide. By using instructions, it can sort data, straighten data out and store it. Instructions allow the computer to compare two numbers, to find out if one is larger than , smaller than, or equal to the other. All these can only be possible if the computer is given the correct instructions. It can never do things by itself. Inability to derive meanings from objects. A computer does not have feelings. It is unable to recognize and respond to living objects. Whatever meaning the computer deals with are only fed to it by the programmer. Inability to generate information. The computer cannot generate information on its own. It is not ale to think and perceive relevant aspects of a given situation and adopt. A computer has the capacity to put information together from many sources, only if properly programmed, but never independently. It cannot correct error instructions. The computer will do exactly what you instruct it to do, regardless of what you mean. It cannot interpret the correct instructions from the wrong instructions. It does not have the ability to select and perform only the right ones.

Information Technology
Information technology (IT) also called information communication technology (ICT) refers to the combination of computing technology and information processing. It also deals with the function of computer hardware and software to process, store, and retrieve information. Having a broad understanding of information technology, computers and personal computing can lead you to continue your learning. Computer Literacy is having knowledge and understanding of computers and their uses. Computer Competency means acquiring computer-related skills.

Using IT
Computers and IT changed the way we do business, communicate, play and learn. Computers are important because it give us all essential information to access local and national news, meet new friends, and take a course, shop, job listings, play games and countless forms of educational materials. Many of us depend on the information we have from a computer. Today, computers offer a wide variety of technologies that help us do all kinds of things at home, at work, at play and at school. 1. By using computers, banks keep more accurate customer accounts, and provide faster and better service. 2. Computers are widely used in retailing to record sales and to apprise management quickly of product activity 3. Many workers use computers to increase their personal productivity. Some favorite applications are spreadsheet, word processing, e-mail, and slides for presentation 4. Manufacturing firms often have sophisticated computer systems that monitor key areas of operation 5. Fabric designs can be generated by computers much more quickly than by hand. If the customer doesnt like the style or color for the pattern, new alternatives can be generated in seconds 6. The design of many buildings is done on computer. It is easy to make changes quickly, and the computer keeps track of the completeness of the design specifications and automatically tests the structure for safety. 7. Computers accurately keep track of transactions and do bookkeeping and tax work as well 8. Artists of all types are becoming increasingly skilled at using computer 9. Computers are commonly used in producing animated movies and television, logos, and commercials. 10. Computers are use in research, an area in which calculations can be complex and time-consuming and can require high degrees of accuracy. 11. Computers are important in medicine as tools for diagnosing and monitoring patients as control devices when administering treatment 12. Farmers use computers to help with crop information, cost per acre, feed combinations and market price checks.

13. homes and businesses

Electric companies use computers to record the amount of energy used each month in

14.

Government uses computers to forecast weathers, provide citizens with up-to-date information produce government security service benefit checks and collect taxes. 15. Computers are widely used to teach a variety of subjects.