COMPUTER THEIR ORIGIN AND

APPLICATIONS
The word computer comes from the word “compute” which

means to calculate.

Computer is also meant for calculation but it is much more than just a calculating
machine. Computer is an electronic device which performs three basic tasks i.e.,
inputting, processing and outputting.

ORIGIN OF COMPUTERS
Origin of computer could be rigorous efforts of men to count large numbers.

Abacus
Nearly 5,000 years ago, the “abacus” was developed in China in 3000 B.C. The word
abacus means calculating board. The “abacus” may be considered the first computer
and it has been used since ancient times by a number of civilizations for basic
arithmetical calculations

Napier’s Bones
John Napier was a mathematician who became famous for his invention of
logarithms. The used of "logs" enabled him to reduce any multiplication problem.
John Napier built a mechanical device for the purpose of multiplication in 1617 A.D.

Slide Rule
English mathematician E. Gunter developed the slide rule. This machine could
perform operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Pascal's Calculator

Leibniz’s Multiplication and Dividing Machine

Difference Engine
The first step towards the creation of computers was made by an English
mathematics professor, Charles Babbage. Early on, he realized that all mathematical
calculations can be broken up into simple operations which are then constantly
repeated, and that these operations could be carried out by an automatic machine.
 The Analytical Engine
The Engine had a 'Store' (memory) where numbers and intermediate results could be
held, and a separate 'Mill' (processor) where the arithmetic processing was
performed. It

had an internal stock of the four arithmetical functions and could perform direct
multiplication and division. It was also capable of functions like: conditional
branching, looping (iteration), microprogramming, parallel processing, latching, and
polling etc. The logical structure of the Analytical Engine was essentially the same as
that which has dominated computer design in the electronic era.

COMPUTER GENERATIONS
First Generation Computers (1940-1956)
First generation computers are characterized by the use of vacuum tube

The first general purpose programmable electronic computer

was the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC)

length = 30-50 feet

weight = 30 tons

vacuum tubes = 70000

registers =  10,000

electricity =  150,000 watts

Second Generation Computers (1956-1963)

Solid-State components (transistors and diodes) and magnetic core storage formed
the basis for the second generation of computers.

It is in the second generation that the concept of Central Processing Unit (CPU),
memory, programming language and input and output units were developed.

During the second generation many high level programming languages were
introduced, including FORTRAN (1956), ALGOL (1958) and COBOL (1959).

Examples: PDP-8, IBM1400 series, IBM 1620, IBM 7090, CDC 3600
 Third Generation Computers (1964-1971)
The third generation computers were introduced in 1964. Transistors were
miniaturized and placed on silicon chips.

They used Integrated Circuits (ICs).

Computers consist of many chips placed on electronic boards

called printed circuit boards. There are different types of chips. For example, CPU
chips (also called microprocessors) contain an entire processing unit, whereas
memory chips contain blank memory.

Computers of this generation were small in size, low cost, large memory and
processing speed is very high. Higher level language such as BASIC (Beginners All
purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) was developed during this period.

Fourth Generation Computers (1971-Present)

Fourth generation computers started around 1971 by using large scale of integration
(LSI) in the construction of computing elements. LSI circuits built on a single silicon
chip called microprocessors. A microprocessor contains all the circuits required to
perform arithmetic, logic and control functions on a single chip.

Due to the development of microprocessor it is possible to place computer‟s central

processing unit (CPU) on single chip. These computers are called microcomputers.

The major innovations in this generation were the development of microelectronics

and the different areas in computer technology such as multiprocessing,
multiprogramming, time-sharing, operating speed, and virtual storage.

Fifth Generation Computers (Present and Beyond)

Fifth generation computers, based on artificial intelligence, are still in development,
though there are some applications, such as voice recognition, that are being used
today

COMPUTER SYSTEM
How Computers Work ?

Operational Unit
 Arithmetic Logical Unit (ALU)
The Arithmetic Logical Unit is an important component of the CPU, which carry
the actual execution of the instructions.

The major operations performed by the ALU are addition, subtraction,

multiplication, division, logic and comparison

Control Unit (CU)

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.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The ALU and the CU of a computer system are jointly known as the central
processing unit. The term CPU relates to a specific chip or the processor. CPU may
be considered as the brain of any computer system.

System Unit

Ports and Connectors

Power Supply

Motherboard

Von Neumann Architecture

It is a design model for the modern computers which has central processing unit
(CPU) and the concept of memory used for storing both data and instructions. This
model implements the stored program concept in which the data and the instructions
both are stored in the memory.

Classification of Computers

Microcomputers

Minicomputers

Mainframe Computers
 Supercomputers
They are used for highly calculation-intensive tasks such as molecular modeling,
climate research, weather forecasting,

quantum physics, physical simulations etc.

Classification by Technology

Analog Computers

Digital Computers

Hybrid Computers

Integrated Circuit
It is an electronic circuit which involves thousands or

millions of interconnected components like transistors, diodes and resistors.

The first integrated circuits (ICs) were based on small scale integration (SSI) circuits,
which had around 10 devices
per circuit (or „chip‟), and evolved to the use of medium-scale integrated (MSI) circuits,
which had up to 100 devices per chip. Integrated circuits are also found in almost every
modern electrical device such as cars, television sets, CD players, cellular phones, etc.
The main benefits of ICs are lower costs, high reliability and smaller space requirements.

Electronic Circuits

Transistor
The transistor acts like a switch. It can turn electricity on or off, or it can amplify
current. It is used for example in computers to store information.

Resistor
The resistor limits the flow of electricity and gives us the possibility to control the
amount of current that is allowed to pass. For example resistors are used, among
other things, to control the volume in television sets or radios.

Capacitor
The capacitor collects electricity and releases it all in one quick burst.

Diode
The diode stops electricity under some conditions and allows it to pass only when
these conditions change. This is used in, for example, photocells where a light
beam that is broken triggers

the diode to stop electricity from flowing through it.