What is computer?

Computer word is derived from “compute” which means calculations. At early stages it is to be

supposed that computer is only a calculating machine, and it can perform only mathematical

functions.

But in technical words we can define computer as:- A computer is an electronic device, which

takes some raw and unprocessed material (called data) from a user, then process it according
to given methods (called processing) and at the end it results some processed material (called

information).

Information Technology is a set of tools that helps you work with information and perform
tasks

related to information processing.1

3.1. Computer Hardware

The mechanical devices that make up the computer are called hardware. Hardware is any part
of the computer you can touch. A computer’s hardware consists of interconnected electronic
devices that you can use to control the computer’s operation, input and output.

3.1.1 Technological Evolution of Computers1

Computers changed over time; they improved in speed, power, and efficiency. Those changes
are recognized as a progression of generations of discoveries, each characterized by specific

developments.

1. First Generation (1951-1959)1

The early first generation computers were powered by thousands of vacuum tubes. The
computers were large because of the massive number of tubes required to operate the
machines.

The tubes themselves were large; they required a lot of energy and generated a great deal of
heat.

➢ The maximum memory size was only about 2KB, with speed of10,000 instructions per
second.

➢ The computer's memory was stored on magnetic tapes and drums

➢ Data were entered into the computer on punched cards.

➢ Output consisted of punched cards or paper

➢ Binary (machine) and assembly languages were used to program the computers

➢ Human operators physically had to reset relay switches and wiring before a program

could be run

2. Second Generation (1959-1965)

The transistor technology characterized the second- generation of the computers. A transistor
was made of a semi conducting material, and it controlled the flow of electricity through the
circuits.

➢ A breakthrough in technology, the transistor made it possible to produce a computer that

was faster, physically smaller, more powerful, and more reliable than before

➢ Transistors were smaller, less expensive, required less electricity, and emitted less heat than
vacuum tubes and fewer transistors than tubes were required to operate a computer

➢ Memory size expanded to 32 KB of RAM, and speeds reached 200,000-300,000 instructions

per second
➢ Magnetic tape most common external storage, but magnetic disk was introduced

➢ Punched cards and magnetic tape for input, and Punched cards and paper for output

➢ Programming languages also became more sophisticated- high level languages that

resembled English, including FORTRAN COBOL, BASIC, etc. were being developed

➢ Like the first-generation computers, second-generation computers were primarily under3the

control of human operators; Human operator to handle punched cards.

3. Third Generation (1965-1971) Integrated circuit technology

The use of integrated circuits (ICs) signified the beginning of third- generation computers.

Again, they were smaller, more efficient, and more reliable than their predecessors.

➢ Memory technology was improved By 1969, as many as 1000 transistors could be built on
one chip of silicon

➢ Magnetic disks had been improved and were being used more for storage

➢ Memory expanded to 2MB of RAM and processing speed accelerated to 5 MIPS

➢ Monitors and keyboards were introduced for data input and output

➢ A new computer program, the operating system, effectively controlled the computer and its
resources.

➢ Human operators were no longer required, and processing could be done at "computer
speeds" rather than" human speeds".

➢ High level programming languages continued to be developed such as Pascal.

➢ Another phenomenon of this third generation involved the introduction of a concept of

computer families
➢ Prior to this concept, businesses would buy computers and programs only to find that almost
before the system was fully adapted, it was outdated, or unable to grow with the user's needs

➢ Programs written for one computer were compatible with any of the machines

1. Fourth Generation (1971-present) LSI and VLS Integrated circuit technology

The significant distinction for the fourth-generation computers is the development of large-
scale integration (LSI) circuits. LSI placed several thousand transistors on to a single chip. This
advancement was followed in the mid-1970s by the development of very large-scale integration
(VLSI), the incorporation of several hundred thousand transistors on to a single chip. (Contain
from 200,000- 1 million circuits per chip).

➢ VLSI made the development of the first microprocessor, and thus the microcomputer,

possible

➢ Magnetic disks became the primary means of external storage

➢ Fourth-generation languages emerged and application software for microcomputers

4became popular4

3.1.2 The computer system concept

A computer is a system-an interrelated combination of components that performs the basic

system functions of input, processing, output, storage and control, thus providing end users
with a powerful information-processing tool.

Types of Computer systems

Computer systems are typically classified as microcomputers, minicomputers, mainframes, and

supercomputers. Computers may differ in their processing speed, and memory capacity, as well
as in the number and capabilities of peripheral devices for input, output, and secondary storage
they can support.

1. Microcomputer systems
Microcomputers are the smallest but most important category of computer systems for end
users. Also called personal computer (or PC). Microcomputers come in a variety of sizes and
shapes for a variety of purposes. Most common size classifications include- desktop- portable,
laptoptransportable and handheld.

The typical hardware components of microcomputer include:

➢ Main microprocessors, Several support microprocessors and associated control.

➢ Primary storage, input/output devices, and secondary storage devices

2. Minicomputer systems

Are midrange systems that are larger and more powerful than most microcomputers but are
smaller and less powerful than most mainframe computer systems.

➢ High-end models of microcomputers more powerful than some minis

➢ High-end models of minis more powerful than some smaller models of mainframes

3. Mainframe computer systems

They are large, powerful computers that are physically longer than micros and minis, and
usually:

✓ Have one or more central processors with faster instruction processing speeds.

✓ have large primary storage capacities can range from 32 MB -500 MB

✓ can serve hundreds of users at once and process hundreds of different programs

✓ Mainframes are used by major corporations and government agencies: national banks,
5complex calculations in scientific and engineering analyses and simulation of complex design
projects such as aircraft design stock exchanges.
4. Super computer systems

Extremely powerful mainframe computer systems specifically designed for high speed numeric
computation. A small number of large supercomputers are built each year for government
research agencies, military defense systems, national weather forecasting etc. 6