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CHAPTER ONE
Overview of Computers and

ICT

Tadesse S.
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Computer
• Is an electronic device that converts data into information
through a set of step by step operations
• Is machine capable of solving problems and manipulating data
• It accepts data, processes the data by doing some mathematical
and logical operations and gives us the desired output
• Computer can be defined in terms of its functions.
• It can

• accept data
• store data
• process data as desired, and
• retrieve the stored data as and when required and
• print the result in desired format
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Definition of ICT
• Refers to technologies that provide access to information

through telecommunications

• is technology that supports activities involving information

• Such activities include gathering, processing, storing and

presenting data.

• focuses primarily on communication technologies

• This includes the Internet, wireless networks, cell phones,

and other communication mediums.

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Data
• Refers to known raw facts about things like people places, events,

concept

• Is a collection of unprocessed facts about things like people, places,

events or concept that have inherent meaning.

• Derived from accurate observation, experiment and/or research.

• Can exist in the form of text, graphics, images, audio and/or video
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Flow of Data
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Information
• Is a processed data presented in a form suitable for human

interpretation

• Presented in the form of charts, summaries, averages and ranked

lists so that it will be very helpful in making ‘informed’ decision.

• Useful information is called knowledge.

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Characteristics of Computer

• Speed: computers can work very fast

• Storage: can store a large amount of data

• Accuracy: computers are free of committing errors by themselves

unless there is error from the user.

• Automatic: Once a program is in the computer’s memory, it continues

without the need for human intervention until completion.

• Versatility: computers now days are general purpose

• Diligence: free from tiredness, lack of concentration, fatigue, etc. It can

work for hours without creating any error

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Limitation of Computers
• Can’t Think: Even if it is artificially intelligent, it does nothing more than it
is programmed to do nor does it know whether it could do. It does not create
a brand new idea.
• No Feeling: It does not have feelings or emotion, taste, knowledge and
experience. Thus it does not get tired even after long hours of work. It does
not distinguish between users.
• No IQ: Computer is a dumb machine and it cannot do any work without
instruction from the user. It performs the instructions at tremendous speed
and with accuracy. It is you to decide what you want to do and in what
sequence. So a computer cannot take its own decision as you can.
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Application Area of Computers

• Main Application Areas:

• Commercial application

• Scientific, engineering and research application

• Particular application areas:

• Computer in Education

• Computer in Medicine

• Computers in Manufacturing
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History of computer
✓The history of computers goes back as far as 2500 B.C. with the
abacus.
✓However, the modern history of computers begins with the Analytical
Engine, a steam-powered computer designed in 1837 by English
mathematician and “Father of Computers,” Charles Babbage.
✓Yet, the invention of the transistor in 1947, the integrated circuit in
1958, and the microprocessor in 1971 are what made computers much
smaller and faster.
✓In fact, the first personal computer was invented in 1971, the same
year as the microprocessor.
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Cont…
Abacus
➢ An abacus is a mechanical device used to aid an individual in
performing mathematical calculations.
➢The abacus was invented in Babylonia in 2400 B.C.
➢The abacus in the form we are most familiar with was first used
in China in around 500 B.C.
➢ It used to perform basic arithmetic operations
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Cont…
Slide Rule
➢Invented by William Oughtred in 1622.
➢ Is based on Napier's ideas about logarithms.
➢Used primarily for – multiplication – division – roots
– logarithms – Trigonometry
➢Not normally used for addition or subtraction.
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Cont…
Arithmometer
➢A mechanical calculator invented by Thomas de Colmar in
1820.
➢The first reliable, useful and commercially successful
calculating machine.
➢The machine could perform the four basic mathematic
functions.
➢The first mass-produced calculating machine.
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Cont…
Difference Engine and Analytical Engine
➢It an automatic, mechanical calculator designed to tabulate
polynomial functions.
➢Invented by Charles Babbage in 1822 and 1834.
➢It is the first mechanical computer.
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COMPUTER GENERATIONS
✓The evolution of computer started from 16th century and
resulted in the form that we see today.
✓The evolution of computer took place, can be divided into five
distinct phases known as Generations of Computers.
✓Each phase is distinguished from others on the basis of the type
of switching circuits used.
First Generation Computers
➢used Thermion valves (vacuum tubes).
➢These computers were large in size and writing programs on
them was difficult since they use low level languages (machine
languages and assembly languages).
➢ They used punched card as a major secondary storage media.
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Cont…..
➢Some of the computers of this generation were:
❖ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator )
❖EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer )
Limitations of First Generation Computer
➢Followings are the major drawbacks of First generation
computers.
❖The operating speed was quite slow.
❖Power consumption was very high.
❖It required large space for installation.
❖The programming capability was quite low.
❖The tubes produced a lot of heat and so they require ventilation
❖They were unreliable because when the vacuum tubes get hot they would
corrupt.
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Second Generation Computers

➢Transistor replaced the bulky electric tubes in the first generation
computer.
➢Transistors are smaller than electric tubes and have higher operating
speed
➢The concept of Central Processing Unit (CPU), memory,
programming language and input and output units were developed.
➢The dominant memory media was magnetic tape. The operating
system used was batch operating system.
➢The programming languages such as COBOL, FORTRAN were
developed during this period.
➢Second generation computers were faster than the first generation
computers
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Cont….
➢Some of the computers of the Second Generation were
❖IBM 1620: Its size was smaller as compared to First Generation computers
and mostly used for scientific purpose.
❖IBM 1401: Its size was small to medium and used for business applications.
❖CDC 3600: Its size was large and is used for scientific purposes.
Third Generation Computers
➢They used Integrated Circuits (ICs).
➢These ICs are popularly known as Chips.
➢ A single IC has many transistors, registers and capacitors built on
a single chip (thin slice of silicon).
➢The dominant storage media was magnetic disc.
➢The operating system of these generation computers is interactive
operating system.
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Cont…
➢The memory access time was in nanoseconds.

➢Some of the computers developed during this period were

❖IBM-360 ICL-1900, IBM-370, and VAX-750.

➢Higher level language such as BASIC (Beginners All-purpose

Symbolic Instruction Code) was developed during this period.

➢Computers of this generation were small in size, low cost, large

memory and processing speed is very high.

Fourth Generation Computers

➢It uses large scale Integrated Circuits (LSIC) built on a single

silicon chip called microprocessors.

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Cont…
➢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. Later very
large scale Integrated Circuits (VLSIC) replaced LSICs.
Fifth Generation Computer
➢The speed is extremely high in fifth generation computer.
Apart from this it can perform parallel processing.
➢ The concept of Artificial intelligence has been introduced
to allow the computer to take its own decision.
➢It is still in a developmental stage.
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Types of computer
Computer can be classified based on the following criteria.
➢Classification of computers based on the data they process (method of
operation).
➢Classification based on purpose.
➢Classification based on functionality (Physical size, speed or performance,
cost, capacity….).
Classification by the method of operation
1. Analog computer
➢it operate by measuring. They deal with continues variables; they don’t
compute directly with numbers, rather, they operate by measuring physical
magnitude such as pressure, temperature, voltage, current etc.
➢Examples: Thermometer, Voltmeter, Speedometer, gasoline pump, etc
➢They are special purpose computers.
➢Analog computers have limited accuracy
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Cont…
2. Digital Computers
➢Digital computers deal with discrete variables (which is not continues).
➢ They operate by counting rather than measuring.
➢They operate directly up on numbers (or digits) that represent numbers,
letters, or other special symbols.
➢Examples: Abacus, Desk & pocket computers, the general purpose
computers
➢Digital computers have higher accuracy and speed than the analog ones.
3. Hybrid computers
➢The best features of analog and digital computers can be combined into a
single device to form a hybrid computer.
➢A hybrid computer processes the information by collecting input data with
analog method, converts it into digital quantities, processes the digital
values and converts the output from digital to analog form.
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Cont…
Classification on purpose
1. Special purpose computers
➢They are designed to solve a single type of problem, that is their
components and function are uniquely adapted to a specific situation
involving specific application.
➢The public telephone box, Traffic control system, Ticket machines (used in
grocery, super market etc.), Pocket calculators are examples for it.
➢Most analog computers are special purpose computers.
2. General-purpose computers
➢They are designed to solve variety of problems through the use of “store
program concept”.
➢The same computer can be applied to solve another set of problem using
different program.
➢ General purpose computers are more flexible and versatile.
➢Micro computers, Mini computers, Super computers are examples for it.
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Cont…
Classification based on functionality
1. Super computer
➢are the fastest, largest and most potential types of computer.
➢They have speed of hundreds of millions of operation per second, a
primary memory capacity of about 80 million characters, and a
secondary memory of capacity of about 20 times its primary memory.
➢They are multi-user systems in intercontinental range.
➢They can carry out enormously complex scientific calculations.
➢They are used to process huge amount of data.
➢ commonly used in space technology centers, meteorology stations,
astronomical observatories, intercontinental communications etc.
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Cont…
2. Mainframe computer
➢Smaller in size, capacity, lower in speed, memory capacity than the
super computers.
➢They are multi-user systems and handle hundreds of users, usually
used in large organizations. Insurance company, banks, airline and
railway reservation systems use them.
3. Mini computers
➢Have relatively lower speed, can handle multi-users, are smaller in
size than the mainframe computers.
➢They use terminals for inputs and output. Mini computers are used
in small organizations.
➢Popular in scientific laboratory, research centers, colleges,
universities, etc.
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Cont…
4. Micro computers
➢Micro computer (personal or desktop computer) is a computer whose CPU
is microprocessor.
➢ Microprocessor is a processor all of whose components are on a single
integrated-circuit chip.
➢Since its CPU is integrated in a single circuit, it can serve only a single
user at a time.
➢Most of home and personal office computers are microcomputers.
➢The relative performance and usage of personal computer is relatively
increased with a very high rate.
Desktop computer
✓ The most widely used type of personal PC
✓ This computer primary parts rest separately on top of desk. Those primary parts are
keyboard, system unit, and monitor.
Laptop/Notebook computer
✓ This type of computer called portable
✓Smaller versions of microcomputer.
✓Portable type of single user computer.
✓All primary parts are in one light, compact case.
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END OF CHAPTER ONE
Next: Chapter Two: Computer System