CSC 103

BASIC COMPUTER APPLICATION AND

MODERN COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPUTER SYSTEM

Computers evolve as a result of man’s desire to count, compute, and store information
concerning their activities. The computer as we know it today is very different from its
predecessors. Traditionally computers have been big and bulky but the 70’s and 80’s have
witnessed a tremendous reduction in the size as a result of technological advancement.

The history of computers has been the history of development in hardware technology. The
events and inventions that have taken place in computing since the Stone Age have been
developments in computing hardware. The history of the sophisticated modern computers is
very recent, dating back to the early fifties. A chronological listing of events in the computing
field is given in the next section.

SUMMARY OF THE HISTORY OF COMPUTER

1500 B.C.

1. Greece - a box or sand tray used to hold pebbles for counting.

2. Orient - beads strung for counting - origin of the Abacus.

1617 - John Napier

Napier’s rods or Napier’s bones: used for mechanically multiplying, dividing and taking
square roots.

1642 - Blaise Pascal

Invented a device, Pascal’s Arithmetic machine, with 10 numbered wheels and series of gears
similar to today’s adding machine, used for counting, adding and subtracting by turning
crank.

1673 - Gottfried Liebnez

Modified Pascal’s ideas into a gear - driven machine that added, subtracted, multiplied,
divided numbers and extracted roots.
1804 - Joseph Marie Jacquard

Introduced the automatic loom (Jacquard’s Loom) that utilized metal plates with punched
holes to control weaving pattern. This is the forerunner of modern-day automation.

1812 - 1834 Babbage’s Difference Engine

Charles Babbage in 1812 started work on the first of his two machines, the difference
machine and the analytical machine. Babbage’s Difference Engine was intended to be used
in the production of ballistic tables. It was never completed by Babbage but built by George
Scheutz. All twenty- century computers incorporate parts of Babbage’s design.
1834 - 1871: Babbage’s Analytical Engine

Intended to be the first general-purpose Computer but was never constructed in Babbage’s
life time.

1875 - Frank Stephen Baldwin

Granted first U.S. patent for a calculating machine that could perform the four fundamental
arithmetic operations.

1885 - 1896 Herman Hollerith

Designed a code and devices to punch data into cards and to tabulate the collected data. This
was used in automating the 1890 U.S. Census.

1933 - Dr Vannevar Bush

Developed analog machine that was electro-mechanical (used gears but powered by
electricity) as distinguished from today’s electronic machines.

1940 - 1942: Dr. John V. Atanasoff and Clifford Berry

They built the ABC (Atanasoff - Berry Computer), the first automatic electronic Computer.
1937 - 1944: Dr Howard Aiken

Built the Mark I or automatic sequence - controlled calculator that was used in Manhattan
Project. Hand-operated switches-controlled programming, instructions were fed in by
punched paper tape, and there was a storage unit for numerical data. The largest
electromechanical calculator ever built.

1945 - Dr John Mauchley and Dr. J. Bresper Eckert

Built ENIAC (Electrical Numerical Integrator and Calculator). Early all - electronic
computing devices. It had 18,000 vacuum tubes. Programs had to be wired into a permanent
panel that was then plugged into the machine. It had no significant storage capability.

1945 - 1950: Von Neuman’s Concept.

Developed the concept of storing instructions and data in the memory of the computer. He
was credited with introducing the idea of coding instructions and data in binary.

1946 - 1952: EDSAC, EDVAC and IAS

First computers capable of storing instructions and data in memory. EDSAC became the first
stored-program computer built at Cambridge University in England in 1944.

1951 - 1954: UNIVAC 1 and IBM 701

First Computers to be produced in quantity and commercially available. For example, in

1950 UNIVAC 1, first assembly line produced 45 machines.

The Stored - Program Concept

The introduction of the stored-program computer marked the beginning of the computers
known as the first generation of computers. Von Neumann was often accorded the title
“father of the Stored-Program”. His work contributed immensely to the invention of the
computers that followed.
THE COMPUTER SYSTEM

A computer is any device capable of accepting data automatically, applying a sequence of

processes to the data and supplying the results of these processes. Although the specific
architecture of different types of computers may be different, all computer systems
accomplish data processing by accepting data through some form of input device, processing
this data through the system processor and producing the result of the processed data via its
output channels.

From the foregoing, every computer system performs the following functions:

1. Accepts data as input

2. Process the data through the system processor
3. Present the result of processed data (information) as output

The ability to process and maintain data to provide information, i.e., electronic data
processing has given the computer a considerable advantage over and above conventional
traditional methods of data processing. The computer has many capabilities, and you
determine its specific function by the program you use. This distinguishes a computer from a
single-purpose machine like a typewriter or calculator.

Modern Micro Computer

HOW COMPUTER ACHIEVES DATA PROCESSING TASK

As earlier discussed, every computer system, irrespective of its architecture observe the
following steps towards data processing:

1. Accepts data through its input unit – which consists of input devices, into the
computer for processing.
2. Stores this data temporarily in its main memory (a storage location regarded as the
primary storage location of the system) while awaiting processing.
3. Process this data following a series of instruction to yield a desired output

Present the output to the user through any of its output channels / stores the output in a non-
volatile memory location.

THE IMPORTANCE OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS (WHY COMPUTER)

Computers are very important for the following reasons:

1. They are highly accurate (rarely make errors)

2. They are very fast at performing tasks
3. Ability to perform different types of tasks satisfactorily (General purpose computers)
4. They have the ability to performing repetitive jobs without getting tired
5. They do not need eating or drinking break like humans
6. They can store very large amount of information in their memory and retrieval of this
information is easy
7. Can get us different forms of information when connected to the internet.
COMPUTER GENERATIONS

The historical development of the computer can be divided into five phases or generations as
follows:

First Generation Computer (1951 - 1958)

This generation of computer employed vacuum tube technology.

They are characterised by:

 huge and bulky size;

 Instructions were coded mostly in machine language;
 costly to buy
 expensive to power
 requires a lot of energy
 generates a lot of heat and hence cooling is extensive
 often unreliable
 slow speed of operation
 limited internal storage (implemented using magnetic drums)
 punched cards were used to enter data into the machines.
Examples: Mark I, mark II, ENIAC and IBM 650.

Second Generation Computer (1959 - 1964)

These are characterised by the use of transistors in place of vacuum tubes or valves. This was
the result of the 1948 revolution in the electronics industry that led to the invention of the
transistor by William Shockley and his team. The transistor is capable of performing the
same functions as vacuum tubes or valve (i.e to switch the signals on or off) in a computer. It
is smaller in size and consumed only a tiny portion of the energy needed by a vacuum tube or
valve. This led to computers becoming very much smaller and consuming less electricity. It
employs magnetic cores for its internal storage. Uses English-like computer language for
coding instructions e.g. Fortran, Cobol. It uses external storage to supplement internal
storage (e.g. magnetic disks). Computers emerging using this technology was more compact
and cheaper to run than before. In fact they are smaller in size, cost less, generates less heat,
requires less air conditioning and more reliable than the first generation.

Examples: Honeywell 400, 800, IBM 1401, 1460.

Third Generation Computers (1965 - 1970)

In the early 1960s a new technology was developed, which makes it possible to pack several
transistors and other components onto a single component known as silicon chip. In the
1970s, this technology is known as Integrated Circuits (IC). With the advent of ICs the
miniaturization of computer hardware becomes astounding. Computers became smaller,
cheaper and were then able to be applied to increasingly complex problems, including those
of helping design engineers to develop the next generation. This technology prompted the
introduction of compatibility and development of minicomputers. In the early 1970s
silicon-chip integrated circuit technology were used in the new models of computers
developed and they were known as Third Generation Computers. It possesses increased
input/output, processing and storage capabilities. It uses time-sharing and multiprogramming
and problem and procedure-oriented programming languages.

Examples: IBM360, 370, NCR 315, 35 RMC.

Fourth Generation Computer (1971 - 1990)

A latest technology microminiaturization has made it possible to get over a quarter of a

million transistors inside a single chip. This technique is known as Very Large-scale
Integration (VLSI). The highly powerful and very fast computers based on this technology
have become known as the Fourth Generation Computers. The internal memory employs
metal oxide semi-conductor (MOS), laser or bubble memories which is faster and cheaper
than core. It is characterised by the use of semi -conductor, laser, bubble memories;
multiprogramming and distributed processing capabilities; virtual storage, significant
application software and significant led to advances in input/output devices. This integration
the emergence of the microprocessor, and invariably the microcomputer, (that is computers)
and supercomputers (CRAY-1-80-MIPS, and CRAY-X-MP-1 Billion IPS).

Examples: Family of microcomputers, Computer II, Explore 185, Poly 88, Apple I, Compaq
PC’s

Fifth Generation (Period 1990 - ?)

The focus is on the production of computers that utilizes the combination of advances and
theories in computer science, electronics and communications. These include the following:

 Artificial intelligence and robotics

  Expert Systems
 Knowledge-based systems
 Computer-assisted manufacturing
 Automation of industrial processes
 Neural networks
In all of the fifth-generation computers, the importance is on endowing the computer with
the ability to take decisions in various circumstances as well as simulating the human brain
through its myriad of neurons.
CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS

Computers can be classified by:

a) Type

b) Purpose

c) Size

CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTER BY TYPE

There are three main categories of computers:

1. Analogue Computers
2. Digital Computers
3. Hybrid Computers

Analogue Computers: Analogue computers are designed to process analogue data.

Analogue data is continuous data that changes continuously and cannot have discrete values.
We can say that analogue computers are used where we don't need exact values always such
as speed, temperature, pressure and current.

Analogue computers directly accept the data from the measuring device without first
converting it into numbers and codes. They measure the continuous changes in physical
quantity and generally render output as a reading on a dial or scale. Speedometer and mercury
thermometer are examples of analogue computers.

Digital Computers: Digital computer is designed to perform calculations and logical

operations at high speed. It accepts the raw data as input in the form of digits or binary
numbers (0 and 1) and processes it with programs stored in its memory to produce the output.
All modern computers like laptops, desktops including smartphones that we use at home or
office are digital computers.

Hybrid Computers:Hybrid computer has features of both analogue and digital computers. It
is fast like an analogue computer and has memory and accuracy like digitalcomputers. It can
process both continuous and discrete data. It accepts analogue signals and convert them into
digital form before processing. So, it is widely used in specialized applications where both
analogue and digital data is processed. For example, a processor is used in petrol pumps that
converts the measurements of fuel flow into quantity and price. Similarly, they are used in
airplanes, hospitals, and scientific applications.

CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTER BY PURPOSE

Special purpose computers

As the name suggests they are computers designed for special purposes only, to solve
problems of restricted nature e.g. air traffic control or weapon guidance systems. For
example, a word processor is a special purpose computer used in the production of office
documents, letters, contracts, etc.

General purpose computers

These are computers designed to solve a wide variety of problems within the limitations
imposed by their particular design capabilities. They can be adapted to perform particular
task or solve problems by means of specially written programs.

CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTER BY SIZE

The classification of computers by size is daily becoming more difficult as the reduction in
the size of computer evolves almost every day as a result of giant stride in technology
advancement and development. However, this notwithstanding, the traditional classification
into three still stays with others joining as the days roll by. The following sizes are apparent:

1. Supercomputers
2. Mainframe Computers
3. Minicomputers
4. Microcomputers

Supercomputer:Supercomputers are the biggest and fastest computers. They are designed to
process huge amount of data. A supercomputer can process trillions of instructions in a
second. It has thousands of interconnected processors.Supercomputers are particularly used in
scientific and engineeringapplicationssuch as weather forecasting, scientific simulations and
nuclear energy research. The first supercomputer was developed by Roger Cray in 1976.

Mainframe Computer:Mainframe computers are designed to support hundreds or thousands

of users simultaneously. They can support multiple programs at the same time. It means they
can execute different processes simultaneously. These features of mainframe computers make
them ideal for big organizations like banking and telecom sectors, which need to manage and
process high volume of data.

Mainframe computers are designed to support hundreds or thousands of userssimultaneously.

They can support multiple programs at the same time. It means they can execute different
processes simultaneously. These features of mainframe computers make them ideal for big
organizations like banking and telecom sectors, which need to manage and process a high
volume of data that requires integer operations such as indexing, comparisons, etc.

Minicomputer: It is a midsize multiprocessing computer. It consists of two or more

processors and can support 4 to 200 users at one time. Minicomputers are used in institutes
and departments for tasks such as billing, accounting and inventory management. A
minicomputer lies between the mainframe and microcomputer as it is smaller than mainframe
but larger than a microcomputer.

Microcomputers: Microcomputer is also known as a personal computer. It is a general-

purpose computer that is designed for individual use. It has a microprocessor as a central
processing unit, memory, storage area, input unit and output unit. Laptops and desktop
computers are examples of microcomputers. They are suitable for personal work that may be
making an assignment, watching a movie, or at office for office work.