INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

PROGRAMING
Chapter 1
Computer Generation, types and
parts of digital computers
OUTLINE INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

 What is computer
 Computer generation

 Computer types

 Main parts of digital computer

 Hardware parts
 Software parts
 Characteristics of computers
WHAT IS COMPUTER INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

 computer
is an electronic device that accepts data and instructions
from a user, manipulates the data according to the
instructions, displays the information in some way, and
stores the information for retrieval later
COMPUTER GENERATION INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

 First Generation (1940-1956)

• Vacuum tube technology • Very costly

• Unreliable • Huge size
• Supported Machine • Need of A.C.
language only • Non portable
• Generate lot of heat • Consumed lot of
• Slow Input/Output electricity
device
COMPUTER GENERATION INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

 Second Generation (1956-1963)

• Use of transistors • Consumed less
• Reliable as compared to electricity as
First generation compared to First
computers
generation computers
• Smaller size as compared
to First generation • Still very costly
computers • A.C. needed
• Generate less heat as
compared to First
generation computers
• Support machine and
assembly languages
• Faster than first
generation computers
COMPUTER GENERATION INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

 Third Generation (1964-1971)

• IC(integrated • Faster
circuits ) used • Lesser maintenance
• More reliable • Still costly
• Smaller size • A.C needed
• Generate less heat • Consumed lesser
electricity
• Support high level
language
COMPUTER GENERATION INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

 Fourth Generation (1971-1990)

 All the Higher level languages like C and C++, DBASE
etc. were used in this generation.

• VLSI technology used • Great developments in

• Very cheap the fields of networks
• Portable and reliable • Computers
available
became easily
• Use of PC's
• Very small size
• Pipeline processing
• No A.C. needed
• Concept of internet
was introduced
COMPUTER GENERATION INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

 Fifth Generation (Present and Beyond)

 All the Higher level languages like C and C++, Java, .Net
etc. are used in this generation.

• ULSI technology • Advancement in

• Development of true Superconductor technology
artificial intelligence • More user friendly
interfaces with multimedia
• Development of Natural features
language processing
• Availability of very powerful
• Advancement in Parallel and compact computers at
Processing cheaper rates
COMPUTER TYPES INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

 Microcomputer
 A personal computer;
designed to meet the
computer needs of an
individual.
 Provides access to a
wide variety of
computing
applications, such as
word processing, photo
editing, e-mail, and
internet.
COMPUTER TYPES INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

 Desktop Microcomputer
 A microcomputer that
fits on a desk and runs
on power from an
electrical wall outlet.
 The CPU can be
housed in either a
vertical or a horizontal
case.
 Has separate
components (keyboard,
mouse, etc.) that are
each plugged into the
computer.
COMPUTER TYPES INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

 Laptop Computer
 A portable, compact
computer that can run on an
electrical wall outlet or a
battery unit.
 All components (keyboard,
mouse, etc.) are in one
compact unit.
 Usually more expensive than
a comparable desktop.
 Sometimes called a
Notebook.
COMPUTER TYPES INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

 Supercomputer
 A computer that was the fastest in the world at the
time it was constructed.
 Can tackle tasks that would not be practical for
other computers.
 Typical uses
 Breaking codes
 Modeling weather systems
COMPUTER TYPES INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

 Mainframe
 Large expensive computer
capable of simultaneously
processing data for
hundreds or thousands of
users.
 Used to store, manage, and
process large amounts of
data that need to be
reliable, secure, and
centralized.
 Usually housed in a closet
sized cabinet.
COMPUTER TYPES INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

 Server
 Purpose is to “serve.”

 A computer that has

the purpose of
supplying its users
with data; usually
through the use of a
LAN (local area
network).
MAIN PARTS OF DIGITAL COMPUTER INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

 Includes computer hardware and software

 Hardware refers to the physical components of a
computer
 Software refers to the intangible components of a
computer system, particularly the programs, or
lists of instructions, the computer needs to
perform a specific task
 The design and construction of the hardware
of a particular computer is referred to as its
architecture or configuration
 PARTS OF COMPUTER

Hardware

3/11/2015
Software

 Refers to the physical components  Refers to a series of instructions

by Welday G.
that make up a computer system. that tells the computer what tasks
These include: to perform and how to perform
them.
 Input devices eg. Mouse,
 System software eg. Windows
keyboard, scanner 7, Ubuntu, windows 8

 Output devise eg. Printer,  Application software eg. VLC

player, games, paint, web browser
speaker, monitor

 Storage devices eg. Primary 16

storage, secondary storage

HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE EXAMPLES

3/11/2015
Hardware Software

by Welday G.
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