Computer

Awareness
- Funsta Team
Sl. Page
Topic
No Number
1 Introduction to Computers 3

2 Features of Computers 4

3 Functioning of Computers 7

4 History of Computers 8

5 Generations of Computers 18

6 Classification of Computers 24
Introduction to Computers

The literal meaning of computer is a device that can calculate.

However, modern computers can do a lot more than calculate.
Computer is an electronic device that receives input, stores or processes the input as per
user instructions and provides output in desired format.
It has the ability to store, retrieve and process data.
A computer is used to type documents, send E-mails and browse the internet.
It is also used to handle accounting, database management, presentations, games and so on.
Features of Computers
Speed
Speed The computer can process data very fast at
the rate of millions of instructions per second
Automation Accuracy
Accuracy
Computers provide a high degree of accuracy.
Characteristics They respond to the user as per the input instructions.
of Computer
Reliability Memory
Memory
Computers are capable to store huge amount of data
which depends on the capacity of hard disk.
Diligence Versatility
Features of Computers
Versatility
Speed Computers can do different types of work
simultaneously. They can perform multiple tasks at a
Automation Accuracy same time.
Diligence
Unlike human beings a computer is free from monotony,
Characteristics tiredness, lack of concentration, etc and can work
of Computer for hours without creating any errors.
Reliability Memory
Reliability
Computers are more reliable than human beings.
Computers always produce exact results. The possibility
Diligence Versatility
of errors occur only if the input is wrong.
Features of Computers
Automation
Speed
Once the instruction to do any work is given to the
computer, the computer does it’s work automatically
Automation Accuracy by itself.

Characteristics
of Computer
Reliability Memory

Diligence Versatility
FUNCTIONING OF A COMPUTER
Information or data that is entered into a computer is called input.
INPUT
It sends data and instructions to the central processing unit ( CPU).

It is the sequence of actions taken on data to convert it into information which is

PROCESSING
meaningful to the user. It can be calculations, comparisons, or decisions taken by the computer.
It makes processed data available to the user.
OUTPUT
It mainly used to display the desired result to the user as per input instructions.

It stores data and programs permanently. It is used to store information

STORAGE
during the time of program execution and possible to get any type of information from it.
HISTORY OF COMPUTER
ABACUS (1602)

First mechanical calculating device.

Used for addition and subtraction operations.

Invented by china.

1600 1700 1800 2000 2100

HISTORY OF COMPUTER
NAPIER'S BONES (1617)

Three dimensional structure

Holding numbers from 0 to 9 only.

Represent graphical structure of calculating result.

Used for multiplication on numbers.

Invented by John Napier (Scotland) .

1600 1700 1800 2000 2100

HISTORY OF COMPUTER
PASCALINE (1642)

It is first mechanical adding machine.

Perform addition and subtraction of two numbers.

Invented by Blaise Pascal ( France).

1600 1700 1800 2000 2100

HISTORY OF COMPUTER
ANALYTICAL ENGINE (1837)

First general purpose computer.

Stored program in the form of pegs also called barrels.

It was a decimal machine used sign and magnitude

for representation of a number.

Invented by Charles Babbage from London (Father of computer)

1600 1700 1800 1900 2000

HISTORY OF COMPUTER
TABULATING MACHINE (1890)

It was the first electromechanical machine.

Read one card at a time.

Invented by Herman Hollerith (America).

1600 1700 1800 1900 2000

HISTORY OF COMPUTER
MARK – 1 (1944)

It consists of interlocking panels of small glass, counters,

switches, and control circuits.

In this computer data can be entered manually.

Magnetic drums are used for storage

Invented by Howard Aiken (America).

1600 1700 1800 1900 2000

HISTORY OF COMPUTER
ENIAC (1946)

It was first electronic digital computer.

It is a combination of twenty accumulators.

Used for weather prediction, atomic energy calculation

and scientific users.

Invented by JP Eckert and JW Mauchly (America).

1600 1700 1800 1900 2000

HISTORY OF COMPUTER
EDSAC (1949)

It was first computer which provided storage capacity.

This is the first computer program was run on machine.

Invented by John Von Neumann ( America).

1600 1700 1800 1900 2000

HISTORY OF COMPUTER
UNIVAC (1951)

This is the first general purpose electronic computer

with large amount of input and output.

Used magnetic tapes as input and output.

Invented by JP Eckert and JW Mauchly ( America).

1600 1700 1800 1900 2000

HISTORY OF COMPUTER
IBM-650

It provided input or output units converting alphabetical and

special characters to two digit decimal code.

Invented by IBM company

1600 1700 1800 1900 2000

 Generations of Computers

First Second Third Fourth Fifth

Generation Generation Generation Generation Generation
Computers Computers Computers Computers Computers
 FIRST GENERATION COMPUTERS
Switching Device Vaccum Tubes

Applications
ENIAC
UNIVAC

MARK-1 ( scientific purpose)

1940 – 1956

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Generation Of Computers
 SECOND GENERATION COMPUTERS
Made up of semiconductor
Switching Device Transistor

Applications
PDP-8

IBM-1401

1956-1963

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Generation Of Computers
 THIRD GENERATION COMPUTERS
Made up of silicon
Switching Device Integrated Circuits (ICs)

Applications
NCR – 395
B6500 ( Database management system)

1964- 1971

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Generation Of Computers
 FOURTH GENERATION COMPUTERS
Switching Device Large scale integrated circuit (LSI) microprocessor

Applications
Intel 4004 chip
macintosh ( Distributed systems)

1971 – present

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Generation Of Computers
 FIFTH GENERATION COMPUTERS
Switching Device Super large scale integrated chip (SLSI)

Applications
Robotics ( Artificial Intelligence).

Present

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Generation Of Computers
 Classification
of Computers
Data
Purpose Functionality
Handling

General Analog Micro Mini Main Frame Super

Specific Digital Desktop

Portable
Hybrid

Workstation

Tablet
Classifications of Computer
BASED ON PURPOSE

General purpose computer

• Which are used to solve variety of problems by changing the program or

instructions.
• To make small database, accounting, calculations etc.

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Classifications of Computers
Classifications of Computer
BASED ON PURPOSE

Special purpose computer

• Special-Purpose Computer are designed to be task specific and most of the

times their job is to solve one particular problem.
• They are also known as dedicated computers, because they are dedicated to
perform a single task over and over again
E.g. Automatic aircraft handling, multimedia computer, weather forecast etc.

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Classifications of Computers
Classifications of Computer
BASED ON DATA HANDLING OR WORK

Analog Computer

• These computers carry out arithmetic and logical operations by manipulating

and processing of data e. g. Speedometers, telephone lines etc.
• Analog computer can perform several mathematical operations simultaneously.
• It uses continuous variables for mathematical operations and utilizes
mechanical or electrical energy.

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Classifications of Computers
Classifications of Computer
BASED ON DATA HANDLING OR WORK

Digital Computer

• These do work by calculating the binary digits, a digital computer, not only
performs mathematical calculations, but also combines the bytes to produce
desired graphics, sounds e.g. Desktop(PC)

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Classifications of Computers
Classifications of Computer
BASED ON DATA HANDLING OR WORK

Hybrid computers

• Hybrid computers are computers that exhibit features of analog computers and
digital computers.
• The digital component normally serves as the controller and provides logical
and numerical operations, while the analog component often serves as a solver
of differential equations and other mathematically complex equations.
• These computers used in hospitals like ECG and DIALYSIS.

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Classifications of Computers
Classifications of Computer
BASED ON FUNCTIONALITY

Microcomputer

• A microcomputer is a small, relatively inexpensive computer with a

microprocessor as its central processing unit (CPU).
• It includes a microprocessor, memory and minimal input/output (I/O) circuitry
mounted on a single printed circuit board (PCB).

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Classifications of Computers
Classifications of Computer
TYPES OF MICROCOMPUTER :

Desktop Or Personal Computer

• These are small, relatively economical computers.

• These are based on the microprocessor technology.

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Classifications of Computers
Classifications of Computer
TYPES OF MICROCOMPUTER :

Laptop

• These computers are also known as ultra book Or notebook.

• These are portable and light weighted.
• They include rechargeable battery, so these can work anywhere.

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Classifications of Computers
Classifications of Computer
TYPES OF MICROCOMPUTER :

Workstation Computer

• A workstation is a special computer designed for technical or scientific

applications.
• Intended primarily to be used by one person at a time, they are commonly
connected to a local area network and run multi-user operating systems.

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Classifications of Computers
Classifications of Computer
TYPES OF MICROCOMPUTER :

Tablet Computer

• A tablet computer, commonly shortened to tablet, is a mobile device,

typically with a mobile operating system and touchscreen display
processing circuitry, and a rechargeable battery in a single, thin and flat
package.
• Tablets, being computers, do what other personal computers do, but lack
some input/output (I/O) abilities that others have.

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Classifications of Computers
Classifications of Computer
BASED ON FUNCTIONALITY AND SIZE

Minicomputer

• These are smaller in size, faster, and cost lower than mainframe computers.
• Initially, the minicomputer was designed to carry out some specific tasks,
like engineering and CAD calculations.
• Minicomputers are IBM-17, DECFDP-11, HP-9000, etc.

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Classifications of Computers
Classifications of Computer
BASED ON FUNCTIONALITY AND SIZE

Mainframe Computer

• These types of computers having large internal memory storage and

comprehensive range of software.
• Mainframe computer serves as a backbone for the entire business world.
• It is considered as the heart of a network of computers or terminals that
allow a large number of people to work at the same time.
• Mainframe computers are IBM-370, IBM-S/390, UNIVAC-1110, etc.

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Classifications of Computers
Classifications of Computer
BASED ON FUNCTIONALITY AND SIZE

Supercomputer

• A supercomputer is a computer with a high level of performance as

compared to a general-purpose computer.
• The performance of a supercomputer is commonly measured in floating-
point operations per second (FLOPS) instead of million instructions per
second (MIPS).
• Supercomputers play an important role in the field of computational science,
and are used for a wide range of computationally intensive tasks in various
fields, including quantum mechanics, weather forecasting, climate research,
oil and gas exploration, molecular modeling etc.
World’s first super computer : CRAY – 1 Back to
India's first super computer : PARAM Classifications of Computers
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