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Course Contents
Unit-01:Introduction to Computer (4 Hrs.)
Introduction of Computer

• Characteristics of Computer

• History of Computer

• Generations of Computer

• Digital and Analog Computers

• Classification of Computer based on size

• The Computer System

• Application of Computers

Computer:

A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in its
own memory that can accept data (input), process the data according to specified rules, produce
information (output), and store the information for future use.

• A computer is a programmable machine. The two principal characteristics of computer are:

• It responds to a specific set of instructions in a well-defined manner.

• It can execute a pre recorded list of instructions ( program)

All general-purpose computers require the following hardware components.

• Central Processing Unit (CPU) : The heart of the computer, the component that actually
executes instructions.

• Memory: Enables a computer to store, at least temporarily, data and programs.

• Input Device: Input devices are the devices which are used to feed programs and data to the
computer. The input system connects the external environment with the computer system.

• Output Device: The output devices give the results of the process and computations to the
outside world. The output units accept the results produced by the computer, convert them
into a human readable form and supply them to the users. The more common output
devices are printers, plotters, display screens, magnetic tape drives etc.

• Mass storage device: Allows a computer to permanently retain large amounts of data.
Common mass storage devices include disk drives and tape drives.

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Block Diagram of Computer:

8085 Block Diagram:

Figure: Intel 8085 CPU Block Diagram

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Characteristics of Computer:

1. Word length

2. Speed

3. Storage

4. Accuracy 5. Versatility

6. Automation

7. Deligence

1.Word length:

➢ Difference between bit, nibble, byte and word length.

➢ Word length is the computing power of computer and varies as 8, 16, 32 or 64 bits. Longer
the word length, more powerful the computer .

2.Speed:

➢ time taken to perform any task by computer is called the speed of the computer.

➢ The speed of computer is measured in terms of micro or nano-second.

➢ Milliseconds(ms ) = 1/1,000 ;

➢ microseconds(µs)= (1/1,000,000),

➢ Nanoseconds(ns)=(1/1,000,000,000) ,

➢ Picoseconds(ps) = (1,000,000,000,000)

3.Storage:

➢ Digital data storage is essentially the recording of digital information in a storage medium,
typically by electronic means.

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➢ Computers have their own main memory and auxiliary memory storage systems which
computer use when needed.

Symbol Prefix

k kilo

M mega

G giga

T tera

The storage capacity is measured in terms of Characteristics of Computer:

4.Accuracy:

➢ Computer is the accurate machine with high accuracy and every calculation is performed
with the same accuracy.

➢ It can perform large number of task without errors but if we feed wrong data, it returns the
same wrong information called GIGO(Garbage In Garbage Out).

5.Versatility:

➢ Versatile means, computer can not only perform calculation but same computer can
perform many different types of Job depend upon the different program fed to it.

6.Automation:

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➢ Automation is the technology by which a process or procedure is performed with minimal
human assistance.

➢ Computers are capable for automation, provided they are programmed correctly.

➢ Computers can proceed on its own till its completion.

7. Diligence:

➢ Diligence of computer is the capacity of performing same task repeatedly multiple times
without feeling tiredness, boring, lack of concentration and fatigue with same speed and
accuracy.

➢ Human being suffer from weakness like tiredness, lack of concentration etc.

➢ Human have feelings they become sad, depressed, bored, and negligent and will reflect on
the work they do.

➢ Human beings can’t perform the same or similar tasks over and over again with the same
precision, accuracy and enthusiasm as the first time.

➢ This will effect the performance. Being a machine, a computer doesn’t have any of these
human weaknesses.

History of Computer:
History of computing is a timeline of how computers evolved from their humble beginnings to the
machines of today that surf the Internet, play games and stream multimedia in addition to crunching
numbers.

Generations of Computer:

➢ Computer generation is a change in technology a computer is/was being used.

➢ Initially, the generation term was used to distinguish between varying hardware
technologies.

➢ But nowadays, generation includes both hardware and software, which together make up an
entire computer system.

First Generation: Vacuum Tubes (1940-1956):

➢ Used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory, and taking up entire
rooms. Very expensive to operate and in addition to using a great deal of electricity, the first
computers generated a lot of heat, which was often the cause of malfunctions.

➢ Relied on machine language to perform operations and solve one problem at a time. Would
take operators days or even weeks to setup a new problem. Input was based on punched
cards and paper tape, and output was displayed on printouts.

➢ UNIVAC and ENIAC computers are examples of first-generation computing devices. The
UNIVAC was the first commercial computer delivered to a business client, the U.S. Census
Bureau in 1951.

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Second Generation: Transistors (1956-1963):

➢ Transistor was used in place of vacuum tube, allowing computers to become smaller, faster,
cheaper, more energy-efficient and more reliable. Though the transistor still generated a
great deal of heat but was a vast improvement over the vacuum tube. Still relied on punched
cards for input and printouts for output.

➢ Moved from binary to assembly languages. High-level programming languages were also
being developed at this time, such as early versions of COBOL and FORTRAN. These were
also the first computers that stored their instructions in their memory, which moved from a
magnetic drum to magnetic core technology.

➢ The first computers of this generation were developed for the atomic energy industry.

Third Generation: Integrated Circuits (1964-1971):

➢ Integrated circuit was the hallmark of the third generation of computers. Transistors were
miniaturized and placed on silicon chips, called semiconductors, which drastically increased
the speed and efficiency of computers.

➢ Used keyboards and monitors instead of punched cards and printouts and interfaced with an
operating system, which allowed the device to run many different applications at one time
with a central program that monitored the memory.

➢ Computers for the first time became accessible to a mass audience because they were
smaller and cheaper than their predecessors.

Fourth Generation: Microprocessors (1971-Present):

➢ The microprocessor-thousands of integrated circuits were built onto a single silicon chip. The
Intel 4004 chip, developed in 1971, located all the components of the computer—from the
central processing unit and memory to input/output controls—on a single chip.

➢ In 1981 IBM introduced its first computer for the home user, and in 1984 Apple introduced
the Macintosh.

➢ Computers became more powerful, they could be linked together to form networks, which
eventually led to the development of the Internet.

➢ Fourth generation computers also saw the development of GUIs, the mouse and handheld
devices.

Fifth Generation: Artificial Intelligence (Present and Beyond):

➢ Fifth generation computing devices, based on artificial intelligence, are still in development,
though there are some applications, such as voice recognition, that are being used today.
The use of parallel processing and superconductors is helping to make artificial intelligence a
reality.

➢ Quantum computation and molecular and nanotechnology will radically change the face of
computers in years to come. The goal of fifth-generation computing is to develop devices
that respond to natural language input and are capable of learning and self organization.

Following are the main five generations of computers.

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S.N. Generation & Description

1 First Generation

The period of first generation: 1942-1954. Vaccum tube based.

2 Second Generation

The period of second generation: 1952-1964. Transistor based.

3 Third Generation

The period of third generation: 1964-1972. Integrated Circuit based.

4 Fourth Generation

The period of fourth generation: 1972-1990. VLSI microprocessor based.

5 Fifth Generation

The period of fifth generation: 1990-onwards.ULSI microprocessor based

Following are the main five generations of computers.

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Classification of Computer

Classification of Computers:(Based on Signal Processing)

Analog
Digital
Hybrid
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Analog Computer:

➢ Analog computer is that computer, which is use to process continuously varying

data.

➢ Everything we see and hear is change continuously.

➢ This changeable continuous stream of data is called analog data.

➢ Analog computer can be used in scientific and industrial applications such as

measure the electrical current, frequency and resistance of capacitor, etc.

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 0s.

Hybrid Computer:

➢ Hybrid computer is a digital computer that accepts analog signals, converts them to
digital and processes them in digital form.

➢ Hybrid computer processes both analog and digital data.

➢ Examples: Computer used in hospitals to measure the heartbeat of the patient.

Devices used in petrol pump.

➢ In scientific applications or in controlling industrial processes.

➢ The first desktop hybrid computing system was the Hycomp 250, released by
Packard Bell in 1961.

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Classification of digital computers on the basis of their capacity to access memory and size are like:

Classification of Computers based on size: Super Computer:

➢ A supercomputer is a type of computer that has the architecture, resources and components
to achieve massive computing power. Today's supercomputers consists of tens of thousands
of processors that are able

➢ to perform billions and trillions of calculations or computations per second.

➢ As of 2013, IBM Sequoia is the fastest supercomputer to date. It has more than 98,000
processors that allow it to process at a speed of 16,000 trillion calculations per second.

Classification of Computers based on size: Mainframe:

➢ Mainframe Computers are less costly, small in size and slower in speed than the super
computers.

➢ used as a storage for large database and serve as a maximum number of users
simultaneously.

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➢ millions of instructions are executed simultaneously.

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Classification of Computers based on size: Minicomputer:

➢ A minicomputer is a type of computer that possesses most of the features and capabilities of
a large computer but is smaller in physical size.

➢ A minicomputer fills the space between the mainframe and microcomputer.

➢ Minicomputers are mainly used as small or mid-range servers operating business and
scientific applications. However, the use of the term minicomputer has diminished and has
merged with servers.

➢ A minicomputer may also be called a mid-range computer.

➢ Examples are IBM AS, Prime series, HP 9000, PDP 11, IBM 8000 series.

Classification of Computers based on size: Network Computer:

➢ A network computer is an inexpensive personal computer designed for a centrally-managed

network where data are stored and updated on a network server.

➢ Network computer doesn’t have a disk drive, CD-ROM drive or expansion slots.

➢ A network computer depends on network servers for processing power and data storage.

Classification of Computers based on size: Micro computer:

1. Desktop/Personal Computer

A desktop computer is a personal computer designed for regular use at a single location on or near a
desk or table due to its size and power requirements.

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Classification of Computers based on model:

Classification of digital computers on the basis of their model are like:

Classification of Computers based on model:

Classification of digital computers on the basis of brand/Manufacturer are like:

IBM PC
APPLE PC

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The Computer System:

➢ COMPUTER SYSTEM is a collection of entities (hardware, software and

liveware/humanware) that are designed to receive, process, manage and present
information in a meaningful format.

➢ There are three major components of a computer system:

• Computer Hardware

• Computer Software

• Humanware

COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER SYSTEM

➢ Computer Hardware - Are physical parts/ intangible parts of a computer. e.g. Input devices,
output devices, central processing unit and storage devices

➢ Computer Software - also known as programs or applications.

➢ They are classified into two classes namely

o system software and

o application software

➢ Liveware - is the computer user. Also known as orgware or the humanware. The user
commands the computer system to execute on instructions.

➢ Hardware and software exist together to make up the actual computer.

➢ The humanware component adds in the human factor in order to bring the whole computer
into functional and productive existence.

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➢ Each of these components is necessary in order to enable meaningful productivity.

➢ If installed separately, each may be useful to an extent but incapable of achieving complete
computing potential.

➢ Hardware and software need the human factor in order to make input and connectivity
possible.

1. Computer Hardware –

➢ These are computer system components that can be touched by the human hand. Examples
include:

• Display monitor.

• Keyboard.

• Mouse.

• Motherboard.

• Memory modules.

• Disk drive.

➢ These parts are housed within the laptop or desktop system unit housing. For the desktop,
however, the keyboard, mouse and monitor are attached externally.

➢ The most important piece of hardware is the microprocessor chip. It is commonly known as
the central processing unit (CPU).

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➢ Another important component is the disk drive. This is where computer data is stored. It is
classified as secondary memory.

➢ Hard disk: This drive is mechanical by design and stores data on magnetic and metallic
platters. Its data is read magnetically by read/write heads which make it reliant on an
uninterrupted supply of power. A sudden power outage can lead to data loss or drive failure.
It must be used properly for the sake of data integrity and long lifespan.

➢ Solid state disk: This new type of disk drive stores data on flash memory chips and is less
prone to erratic behavior. It is faster and reliable even in the event of sudden power
outages.

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➢ Connectivity to a motherboard can be internal or external. Internal devices that connect to

the motherboard include:

• Microprocessor (CPU).

• Disk drive.

• Random access memory (memory modules).

• Power supply unit (PSU).

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➢ External peripherals that connect to the motherboard include:

• Monitor.

• Keyboard.

• Mouse.

• Printer.

2. Computer Software –

➢ The software component refers to the instructions, programs, data, and protocols which run
on top of hardware.

➢ It is also retained temporarily and persistently in primary and secondary hardware media.

➢ The random access memory chip is an example of primary hardware while the hard disk
drive is an example of secondary hardware.

➢ Software can be divided into following categories:

• system

• application

• malicious

• programming

System Software:

➢ The system manages other software and devices inside the computer.

➢ The foremost example of system software is the operating system (OS).

➢ In a typical setup, the operating system is like the motherboard for software.

➢ It is the first thing that is installed, followed by applications and other software.

➢ Three popular operating systems for traditional computers include Windows, Mac OS X, and
Linux.

➢ Popular mobile operating systems include Android OS, iPhone OS, Windows Phone OS, and
Firefox OS.

Application Software:

➢ This is designed for end users to perform a specialized assignment in order to output useful
information.

➢ An example would be a word processing application used to compose letters or brochures,

such as Microsoft Word.

➢ Other popular examples include Adobe Photoshop, Corel Draw, and AutoCAD.

➢ A collection of application software is bundled in a package that is commonly known as a

software suite.

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➢ A typical suite includes software for word processing, presentation, graphic design, and
spreadsheet.

➢ Examples include Microsoft Office, OpenOffice, and iWork.

➢ Software is written in computer languages such as Visual Basic, C, and Java.

Malicious Software:

➢ Malware, is short for malicious software, which is a generic term that refers to exploitative
code designed by criminals and black hat hackers to maim normal operations of a computer.

➢ Malware attack will result in data loss and hacker access to private information.

➢ Affected computers can also be converted into zombies and used in a bigger mission of
criminal activities like launching denial of service attack and spreading spam.

➢ Malware scripts are delivered to the computer as viruses, trojans, rootkits, keyloggers,
worms, or through email and websites as adware, spyware, ransomware and scareware.

Programming Software

➢ These are tools used by developers to create all kinds of software like Windows OS and
Word processing. Also called languages,

➢ they are used to write source codes, debug errors, maintain and create new software for
computers and write malicious scripts like viruses and trojans.

➢ Popular examples of high-level languages are Java, Javascript, BASIC, PHP, Visual Basic,
Visual C++, Visual Basic, Python, Ruby, Perl, Java.

3. Humanware

➢ The humanware component refers to the person that uses the computer.

➢ More specifically, it is about the individual that makes hardware and software components
productive.

➢ Typically, a great deal of testing is done on software packages and hardware parts to ensure
they enhance the end-user experience to aid in creating documents, musical and video
recordings, and all forms of raw and finished data.

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pplica on so ware

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Applications of computers:

Today computers find widespread applications in all activities of the modern world. Some of the
major application areas include:

➢ Scientific, Engineering and ➢ Uses of Computers in ➢ Patient History

Research Education ➢ Patients Monitoring
➢ Business ➢ Benefits of CBT ➢ Life Support Systems
➢ Medicine ➢ Computer ided Learning ➢ Diagnosis Purpose
➢ formation (C L) ➢ Computers in Business
➢ Education ➢ Distance Learning ➢ Marketing
➢ Games and Entertainment ➢ Online Examination ➢ Stock Exchange
➢ Hospital Management System ➢ Online Training Resources l ➢ Use of computer at Home
➢ Computer Games Uses of computers in Medical ➢ Information
➢ Working from Home Field
➢ Entertainment

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