Scribd
Upload
18 views

3 Introduction To Computer Concepts

Uploaded by

Bernadette Marcha
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
18 views

3 Introduction To Computer Concepts

Uploaded by

Bernadette Marcha
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 24

Introduction to

Computers
WENDELL A. ALFEREZ,MIT
As a future educator, What
comes to your mind when you
hear the word Computer?
A World of Computers
▪ Computers are everywhere
What is a Computer?
A computer is an
electronic device that
accepts data from the
user, processes it,
produces results,
displays them to the
users, and stores the
results for future
usage.
▪ Data is a collection of unorganized facts & figures
and does not provide any further information
regarding patterns, context, etc. Hence data means
"unstructured facts and figures".
▪ Information is a structured data i.e. organized
meaningful and processed data. To process the
data and convert into information, a computer is
used.
Functions of Computers
▪ A computer performs the following functions:
▪ Receiving Input. Data is fed into computer through various
input devices like keyboard, mouse, digital pens, etc. Input can
also be fed through devices like CD-ROM, pen drive, scanner,
etc.
▪ Processing the information. Operations on the input data are
carried out based on the instructions provided in the programs.
▪ Storing the information. After processing, the information gets
stored in the primary or secondary storage area.
▪ Producing output. The processed information and other
details are communicated to the outside world through output
devices like monitor, printer, etc.
History of Computers
First Generation (1940-1956)
▪ The first generation computers had the following features and components:
Hardware. The hardware used in the first generation of computers
was: Vacuum Tubes and Punch Cards.
Features. Following are the features of first-generation computers:
▪ It supported machine language.
• It had slow performance
• It occupied large size due to the use of vacuum tubes.
• It had a poor storage capacity.
• It consumed a lot of electricity and generated a lot of heat.
First Generation (1940-1956)
Memory. The memory was of 4000 bits.
Data Input. The input was only provided through hard-wired
programs in the computer, mostly through punched cards and
paper tapes.

The examples of first generation computers are:


▪ ENIAC
• UNIVACTBM 701
Second Generation (1956-1963)
Several advancements in the first-gen computers led to the development of second
generation computers.
Hardware. The hardware used in the second generation of computers were:
• Transistors
• Magnetic Tapes
Features. It had features like:
• Batch operating system
• Faster and smaller in size
• Reliable and energy efficient than the previous generation
• Less costly than the previous generation
Second Generation (1956-1963)
Memory
▪ The capacity of the memory was 32,000 bits.
Data Input
▪ The input was provided through punched cards.

The examples of second generation computers are −


• Honeywell 400
• CDC 1604
• IBM 7030
Third Generation (1964-1971)
Hardware
The hardware used in the third generation of computers were −
• Integrated Circuits made from semi-conductor materials
• Large capacity disks and magnetic tapes
Features
The features of the third generation computers are −
• Supports time-sharing OS
• Faster, smaller, more reliable and cheaper than the previous
generations
• Easy to access
Third Generation (1964-1971)
Memory
▪ The capacity of the memory was 128,000 bits.
Data Input
▪ The input was provided through keyboards and monitors.

The examples of third generation computers are −


• IBM 360/370
• CDC 6600
• PDP 8/11
Fourth Generation (1972-2010)
Hardware
• ICs with Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) technology
• Semiconductor memory
• Magnetic tapes and Floppy
Features. It supports features like −
• Multiprocessing & distributed OS
• Object-oriented high level programs supported
• Small & easy to use; hand-held computers have evolved
• No external cooling required & affordable
• This generation saw the development of networks and the internet
• It saw the development of new trends in GUIs and mouse
Fourth Generation (1972-2010)
Memory
▪ The capacity of the memory was 100 million bits.
Data Input
▪ The input was provided through improved hand held devices, keyboard
and mouse.
The examples of fourth generation computers are −
• Apple II
• VAX 9000
• CRAY 1 (super computers)
Fifth Generation (2010-Present)
These are the modern and advanced computers. Significant
changes in the components and operations have made fifth
generation computers handy and more reliable than the previous
generations.
Hardware
▪ The Hardware used in the fifth generation of computers are −
• Integrated Circuits with VLSI and Nano technology
• Large capacity hard disk with RAID support
• Powerful servers, Internet, Cluster computing
Fifth Generation (2010-Present)
Features
▪ It supports features like −
• Powerful, cheap, reliable and easy to use.
• Portable and faster due to use of parallel processors
and Super Large Scale Integrated Circuits.
• Rapid software development is possible.
Memory
▪ The capacity of the memory is unlimited.
Fifth Generation (2010-Present)
Data Input
▪ The input is provided through CDROM, Optical Disk and other
touch and voice sensitive input devices.
The examples of fifth generation computers are −
• IBM
• Pentium
• PARAM
The Components of a Computer
A computer contains many electric, electronic, and mechanical
components known as hardware.
The Components of a Computer
Characteristics of a Computer System
Characteristics of a Computer System
Speed
A computer works with much higher speed and accuracy compared to humans
while performing mathematical calculations. Computers can process millions
(1,000,000) of instructions per second. The time taken by computers for their
operations is microseconds and nanoseconds.

Accuracy
Computers perform calculations with 100% accuracy. Errors may occur due to
data inconsistency or inaccuracy.

Diligence
A computer can perform millions of tasks or calculations with the same consistency
and accuracy. It doesn’t feel any fatigue or lack of concentration. Its memory also
makes it superior to that of human beings.
Characteristics of a Computer System
Versatility
Versatility refers to the capability of a computer to perform different kinds of
works with same accuracy and efficiency.

Reliability
A computer is reliable as it gives consistent result for similar set of data i.e., if we
give same set of input any number of times, we will get the same result.

Automation
Computer performs all the tasks automatically i.e. it performs tasks without
manual intervention.

Memory
A computer has built-in memory called primary memory where it stores data.
Secondary storage are removable devices such as CDs, pen drives, etc., which
are also used to store data.
Thank you! ☺

You might also like