Introduction to Computer

Overview

● What is computer science?

○ What is a computer?
○ What can computers do?
○ How do computers solve problems?
○ What is computer science?
● Who invented computers?
○ Conceptual computers
○ Computing devices
Learning Objectives

● Define and use terminology

○ Examples: computer, computer science, algorithm,
specification, correctness, efficiency, von Neumann
machine
● Distinguish between algorithms and non-algorithms
● Know something about the history of computers (up
to 1950)
● Generation of Computers
● Classification of Computers
Which one is the computer?

Rock Calculator Television

Modern Airplane Washing Machine Computer Workstation

Is it a Computer?

◼ What questions would you ask?

◼ What experiments would you
run?
Is a rock a computer?

◼ Does not act or process

◼ Takes no input and
produces no output

◼ Computers must be able to handle input and output

Is a washing machine a computer?

◼ Input: dirty clothes

◼ Output: clean clothes
◼ Does not handle information

◼ Computers input and output information

Is a television set a computer?

◼ Input: information from

cables or radio waves
◼ Output: information as sound
and picture
◼ Does not process information

◼ Computers process information by computing new

results and answering queries
Is a modern airplane a computer?

◼ Input: information from radio

waves
◼ Output: manipulations to the
airplane
◼ Can only handle specific
information necessary for
flight control

◼ Computers are general purpose because they can

perform many different tasks
Is an ordinary calculator a computer?

◼ Input: numbers and

mathematical operations
◼ Output: answer
◼ Handles any numeric task
◼ Cannot remember which buttons
are pressed

◼ Computers are programmable so they can remember

sequences of operations
Definition of a Computer

◼ a general purpose
◼ programmable
◼ information processor
◼ with input and output
Computing Agents

● Definition of computers does not cover all that

computer scientists study
● Broader class of objects and methods –
computing agents
● Have some or all of the characteristics of a
computer
CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTERS

1. High Processing Speed

2. Accuracy
3. Reliability
4. Versatility
5. Diligence
Specialized Computing Devices and
Information Appliances

● Devices limited by set of operations or

programmability
○ Calculators limited to operations described by
their buttons
○ Global Positioning System (GPS) calculates
latitude and longitude from satellite signals
○ Cell phone allows one to surf the web
● Information appliances – performs a single
job well
Embedded computers and robots

● Machines with full-fledged computers inside

○ Washing machines, airplanes, ATMs, etc.
● Such machines require highly reliable,
predictable computer programs
● All physical mechanisms controlled by
computers are robotic devices
○ Restrict definition to machines that are general
purpose and programmable
■ Robotic arm or cart
Natural computing agents

◼ Living organisms process information in their

efforts to eat, survive, and reproduce
▪ 1940s study showed frogs collect less visual
information than people
▪ Identify rapidly moving objects as food, slowly moving
objects as predators
▪ Study physical events in terms of information they
contain and process
▪ Chemical reactions, crystal formations, plant growth,
etc.
What is a computer?

● Definition of a computer is narrow

● Definition of computing agent is broad
● Although many computer scientists focus on
the computer, some computer scientists deal
with computing agents
What can computers do – today?

● Business productivity managers

● Personal information managers
● Spreadsheets
● Database software
● Desktop publishing
● Multimedia encyclopedias
● Simulate the physical world
● Produce a music video
What might computers do – tomorrow?

● Diagnose diseases
○ MYCIN captures medical knowledge in rules that
allowed a computer to identify an ailment based
on symptoms
● Control robots that walk, talk, and learn
○ CMU created a program that drove a van from
Pittsburgh to D.C. using cameras for eyes
● Compose music and create art
How do computers solve problems?

● Humans deconstruct problems into small

operations that a computer can carry out
○ Writing an algorithm
● Solve a problem by computer requires
○ State the problem clearly in a problem statement
○ Solve the problem with an algorithm that gives
clear instructions
○ Use a computing agent to carry out the
instructions
Solving the problem using an Algorithm

● Algorithm – a clear sequence of instructions

for performing a task
○ a well-ordered sequence
○ of well-defined
○ feasible operations
○ that takes finite time to carry out
What is computer science?

● The study of computers

● The study of algorithmic processes including
their
○ Theory
○ Analysis
○ Design
○ Efficiency
○ Implementation
○ Application
Who invented computers?
● Computer science has roots in two fields
○ Mathematics

■ Alan Turing and the Turing machine (1930s)

■ Developed theories with paper and pencil about how to perform

computations by hand

○ Engineering

■ John von Neumann and the von Neumann machine (1940s)

■ Showed how to build physical computers out of electronic circuitry

Mathematical Roots

● Leibniz’s Dream (1600s)

○ Can we find a universal language for mathematical
algorithms that will let us describe and solve any problem?
■ Reduce all reasoning to a fixed set of basic rules
■ Determine truth or falsity of sentences by fixed rules for
manipulating sentences
● George Boole (1800s)
○ Introduces binary notation of calculation
■ Computers use binary system for logic and arithmetic
More on Theory

◼ David Hilbert (1928)

▪ Challenges the mathematical community to find an infallible,

mechanical method for constructing and checking truth of

mathematical statements
▪ Interested in an algorithm

◼ Alonzo Church, Alan Turing, and Kurt Gödel construct

arguments that there is no solution to Hilbert’s Challenge
▪ Turing builds a conceptual computer for his argument
Engineering Roots

● First step development of calculators

○ Abacus – developed 5000 years ago in the Middle East

○ Pascaline – first mechanical calculator using gears for

calculation (1642)

○ Charles Babbage’s Difference Engine – conceptual

design that used hundreds of gears to compute

mathematical functions (1820s)
ENGINEERING ROOTS
● Before the 1500s, in Europe, calculations were
made with an abacus
○ Invented around 500BC, available in many
cultures (China, Mesopotamia, Japan, Greece,
Rome, etc.)

● In 1642, Blaise Pascal (French mathematician,

physicist, philosopher) invented a mechanical
calculator called the Pascaline

● In 1671, Gottfried von Leibniz (German

mathematician, philosopher) extended the
Pascaline to do multiplications, divisions, square
roots: the Stepped Reckoner

● None of these machines had

memory, and they required human
intervention at each step
Electronic Circuits

● Telegraph – uses electricity to convey letters and

transmit information quickly (1844)
● Hollerith Tabulating Machine – Uses electricity and
punch cards to calculate the US census (1890)
● Z2 – used circuitry to compute arithmetic
operations (1930s)
PROGRAMMED DEVICES
● In 1822 Charles Babbage (English mathematician,
philosopher), sometimes called the “father of
computing” built the Difference Engine

● Machine designed to automate the computation

(tabulation) of polynomial functions (which are known
to be good approximations of many useful functions)

○ Based on the “method of finite difference”

○ Implements some storage

● In 1833 Babbage designed the Analytical Engine, but

he died before he could build it

○ It was built after his death, powered by steam

Programmed Devices
● Jacquard Loom – weaves cloth using a pattern specified using
punch cards (1801)
● The Analytic Engine – conceptual design for a machine consisting
of a Mill, Store, Printer, and Readers
○ Lady Ada Lovelace to define programming concepts such as the subroutine

● ENIAC – one of the first programmable electronic computers

(1945)
○ Programmed by routing cables and flipping switches
Von Neumann Machine

● Store programs in electronic memory along side the data (1943)

○ Move and manipulate a program like data

○ Enabled high-level programming languages

Input Central Processing

Unit (CPU) Output

Memory
The Five Generations of Computers
First generation computers(1940-1956)

● The first computers used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic
drums for memory.
● They were often enormous and taking up entire room.
● First generation computers relied on machine language.
● . They were very expensive to operate and in addition to using a
great deal of electricity, generated a lot of heat, which was often
the cause of malfunctions.
● The UNIVAC and ENIAC computers are examples of
first-generation computing devices.
First generation computers
Second generation computers (1956-1963)

● Transistors replaced vacuum tubes and ushered in the

second generation of computers.
● Second-generation computers moved from
cryptic binary machine language to symbolic.
● 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.
Second generation computers
Third generation computers (1964-1971)

● The development of the integrated circuit was the

hallmark of the third generation of computers.
● Transistors were miniaturized and placed on siliconchips,
called semiconductors.
● Instead of punched cards and printouts, users interacted
with third generation computers through keyboards
and monitors and interfaced with an operating system.
● Allowed the device to run many different applications at
one time.
Third generation computers
Fourth generation computers (1971-present)

● The microprocessor brought the fourth generation of

computers, as 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.
● . Fourth generation computers also saw the development
of GUIs, the mouse and handheld devices.
Fourth generation computers
Fifth generation computers (present and beyond)

● Fifth generation computing devices, based on artificial

intelligence.
● Are still in development, though there are some applications,
such as voice recognition.
● The use of parallel processing and superconductors is helping
to make artificial intelligence a reality.
● The goal of fifth-generation computing is to develop devices
that respond to natural language input and are capable of
learning and self-organization.
Fifth generation computers
CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTER
Analog Computers
● Analog computers are used to process continuous
data. Analog computers represent variables by
physical quantities. Thus any computer which
solve problem by translating physical conditions
such as flow, temperature, pressure, angular
position or voltage into related mechanical or
electrical related circuits as an analog for the
physical phenomenon being investigated in
general it is a computer which uses an analog
quantity and produces analog values as output.
Thus an analog computer measures continuously.
Analog computers are very much speedy. They
produce their results very fast. But their results are
approximately correct. All the analog computers
are special purpose computers.
DIGITAL COMPUTERS
● Digital computer represents
physical quantities with the help
of digits or numbers. These
numbers are used to perform
Arithmetic calculations and also
make logical decision to reach a
conclusion, depending on, the
data they receive from the user.
HYBRID COMPUTERS
● Various specifically designed computers are with
both digital and analog characteristics combining
the advantages of analog and digital computers
when working as a system. Hybrid computers are
being used extensively in process control system
where it is necessary to have a close
representation with the physical world.

● The hybrid system provides the good precision

that can be attained with analog computers and
the greater control that is possible with digital
computers, plus the ability to accept the input
data in either form.
Classification of Digital Computers
&
Applications of Computers
Classification
● Personal Computers
● Laptops
● Network Computers
● Mini and Microcomputers
● PDAs
● Workstations
● Servers
● Mainframes
● Supercomputers
Personal Computers

● Used at home
● Used in Educational Institutions and Organizations as
nodes
● Can perform typical activities like documentation,
playing games, surfing web to more complex activities
as programming, design, DTP etc.
Laptops

● Same as PCs in functionality

● More Compact, Portable
● Less Power requirement, operated on battery/s
● Less capacity compared to PCs
● Maintenance and actually are costlier compared to PCs
● Theft prone
Network Computers

● Collection of PCs
● Additional Network Interface Card
● Can share the information, work from anywhere environment
● LAN – WAN – MAN – Internet
● Uniting the World
Mini and Microcomputers

● Microcomputer is also called Personal Computer

● Minicomputers are in between mainframes and
Microcomputers. They are also called midrange
computers
● They are maintained by some organization
Ex. PDP - 11
PDA – Personal Digital Assistant
● Like Mini computer in a general sense
● Smaller than laptops (can be called Palmtops)
● Used to store information used frequently
wherever you go
● Nowadays work with smart cards which has all the
information of a user and his/her transactions
Workstations

● They are similar to PCs but with more memory

and a high speed processor
● They are intended to support network operating
systems and network applications.
● They are used in architectural design, video
editing, animations etc.
Servers

● A server is one for which many PCs are connected.

● It has large capacity secondary storage and more memory
● They host, like workstations, network servers and
operating systems
● They avoid duplicate installation of applications and all
users will access to a common copy of the program
Compaq Server
Mainframes
● Large computers both in terms of physical size as well as
computations
● They support huge numbers of users
● Basically used to store and process huge amount of data
● Not all organizations can offered to maintain one
mainframe. Take service of one vendor
Supercomputers
● Used in scientific and engineering applications those
handling huge data and do a great amount of computation.
● Extremely fast in operation (@ 1 trillion operations/second)
● Fastest, costliest and powerful computer available today
● Application involves, weather forecasting, military
applications, electronic design etc.
Applications

● At Home
○ Mostly to check mails
○ Small documentation
○ Gaming
○ Music and Video
○ To solve homework
○ Photo Printouts using Good Printers
○ Work from Home concept
Applications..

● In Education
○ Schools to Universities
○ To Educate necessary skills demanded by
Industries
○ To give a demo or training
○ Server the purpose of Teaching Aids
○ To convey messages using Internet
Applications…

● In Science
○ To analyze large data acquired over a period of
time
○ To do complex floating point arithmetic
○ Image Processing
○ Research
Applications….

● In Industry
○ To develop software, mostly to automate the
manual work
○ To provide necessary solution to clients’ needs
○ Software is developed for the needs of
networking, banking, business, retail etc
Applications…..

● Entertainment
○ Music Industry
○ Games
○ Movies – to watch and create – 200 Linux
Machines in parallel to create visualization in
Titanic, the movie
○ IIIly Cartoons, special effects
○ Nowadays to promote theirs productions
Business

● Banking
○ To store, access and modify huge amounts of data
○ Online business called e-business is becoming
popular with a small amount of limitations
○ Paying bills become easy and time saving
○ online promotions
Applications……

● Government
○ “Biometrics Attendance Monitoring”
○ Weather Forecasting and military applications
○ E- governance
○ Online payment of taxes, Insurances
○ Send Messages to virtually unreachable places at
present
○ Wireless communication
Questions