Anatomy Of Computer

Input Unit

A computer will only respond when a command is given to the device. These commands can be given
using the input unit or the input devices.

For example: Using a keyboard we can type things on a Notepad and the computer processes the
entered data and then displays the output of the same of the screen.

The data entered can be in the form of numbers, alphabet, images, etc. We enter the information using
an input device, the processing units convert it into computer understandable languages and then the
final output is received by a human-understandable language. Common examples include keyboards,
mice, touchscreens, and microphones.

Output Unit

When we command a computer to perform a task, it reverts for the action performed and gives us a
result. This result is called output. There are various output devices connected to the computer. The
most basic of which is a monitor. Whatever we write using a keyboard or click using a mouse, is all
displayed on the monitor.

Thus, the output unit gives us the final result once the entire processing is done within the mechanism
of a device.

Central Processing Unit (CPU): Often referred to as the brain of the computer, the CPU is responsible for
executing instructions, performing calculations, and managing data. It consists of the arithmetic logic unit
(ALU) for mathematical operations, the control unit for instruction interpretation and execution, and
registers for temporary data storage.

Memory Unit

Memory plays a vital role in storing data and instructions that the CPU needs to access quickly during
program execution. It includes different types of memory such as Random Access Memory (RAM) for
temporary storage and Read-Only Memory (ROM) for holding essential firmware and BIOS instructions.

When we enter the data into the computer using an input device, the entered information immediately
gets saved in the memory unit of the Central Processing Unit (CPU). Because of the presence of some
existing programming, the Memory Unit transmits the data further to the other parts of the CPU.

Similarly, when the output of our command is processed by the computer, it is saved in the memory unit
before giving the output to the user.

Control Unit
This is the core unit which manages the entire functioning of the computer device. It is one of the most
essential components of the computer system.

The Control Unit collects the data entered using the input unit, leads it on for processing and once that
is done, receives the output and presents it to the user. It can be said to the Centre of all processing
actions taking place inside a computer device.

Basically, the instructions taken, interpretation of entered data, issuing signals to execute the data and
then finally retrieving the data is all done in the Control Unit.

Arithmetic & Logical Unit

As the name suggests, all the mathematical calculations or arithmetic operations are performed in the
Arithmetic and Logical Unit of the CPU.

It can also perform actions like a comparison of data and decision-making actions. The ALU comprises
circuits using which addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and other numerical based calculations
can be performed.
Generations Of Computer

First Generation of Computers

The first generation used vacuum tube technology and were built between 1946 and 1959. Vacuum
tubes were expensive and produced a lot of heat, which made these computers very expensive and only
affordable to large organizations. Machine language was the programming language used for these
computers, and they could not multitask.

The ENIAC was the first electronic general-purpose computer that used 18,000 vacuum tubes and was
built in 1943 for war-related calculations. Examples of the first generation include EDVAC, IBM-650, IBM-
701, Manchester Mark 1, Mark 2, etc.

Advantages of first generation:

The first generation was tough to hack and was quite strong.

The first generation could perform calculations quickly, in just one-thousandth of a second.

Disadvantages of first generation:

They consumed high amounts of energy/electricity.

They were not portable due to their weight and size.

Second Generation of Computers

The second generation of computers was developed in the late 1950s and 1960s. These computers
replaced vacuum tubes with transistors making them smaller, faster and more efficient. This was done
as transistors were more reliable than vacuum tubes, required less maintenance and generated less
heat.

Second-generation computers were smaller and more portable, making them accessible to a wider
audience. Magnetic core memory was also introduced in this generation, which was faster and more
reliable. This laid the foundation for further developments, paving the way for the third generation that
used integrated circuits.

Advantages of second generation:

They provided better speed and improved accuracy.

Computers developed in this era were smaller, more reliable, and capable of using less power.

Disadvantages of second generation:

They were only used for specific objectives and required frequent maintenance.

The second generation of computer used punch cards for input, which required frequent maintenance.

Third Generation of Computers

The third generation of computers emerged between 1964 and 1971. This generation used microchips
or integrated circuits, making it possible to create smaller, cheaper, and much faster computers.

The third generation of computers was much faster than previous generations, with computational
times reduced from microseconds to nanoseconds. New input devices like the mouse and keyboard
were introduced, replacing older methods like punch cards. New functionalities, like multiprogramming
and time-sharing, and remote processing, were introduced, allowing for more efficient use of computer
resources.

Advantages of third generation:

The use of integrated circuits made them more reliable.

Smaller in size and required less space than previous generations.

Disadvantages of third generation:

Advanced technology was needed to manufacture IC chips.

Formal training was necessary to operate third-gen computer

Fourth Generation of Computers

Fourth generation computers were developed in 1972 after third generation that used microprocessors.
They used Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits, which contained about 5000 transistors capable of
performing complex activities and computations.

Fourth generation computers were more adaptable, had more primary storage capacity, were faster and
more reliable than previous generations, and were also portable, small, and required less electricity.
Intel was the first company to develop a microprocessor used in fourth generation computer.

Fourth generation computers used LSI chip technology and were incredibly powerful but also very small,
leading to a societal revolution in the computer industry. This generation had the first supercomputers,
used complex programming languages like C, C++, DBASE, etc., and could perform many accurate
calculations.

Advantages of fourth generation:

Fourth generation computers were smaller and more dependable.

GUI (Graphics User Interface) technology was used in this generation to provide users with better
comfort.

Disadvantages of fourth generation:

They use complex VLSI Chips, and VLSI Chip manufacturing requires advanced technology.

To build these computers, Integrated Circuits (ICs) were required, and to develop those, cutting-edge
technology was needed.

Fifth Generation of Computers

The fifth generation of computers emerged after the fourth generation and is still being developed.
Computers of fifth generation use artificial intelligence (AI) to perform various tasks. These computers
use programming languages such as Python, R, C#, Java, etc., as input methods.

The fifth generation computers employ ULSI technology (Ultra Large Scale Integration), parallel
processing, and AI to perform scientific computations and develop AI software. They can perform
intricate tasks such as image recognition, human speech interpretation, natural language understanding,
etc. Examples of fifth generation include laptops, desktops, notebooks, chromebooks, etc.

Advantages of fifth generation:

These computers are lightweight and easy to move around.

They are easier to repair and parallel processing technology has improved in these computers.

Disadvantages of fifth generation:

Using it for spying on people.

Fear of unemployment due to AI replacing jobs.

Generation of
Time Period Evolved Hardware Key Characteristics
Computers

First Generation 1940-1959 Vacuum tubes Large size, high power consumption, limited memory

Second Generation 1950-1960 Transistors Smaller size, increased reliability, reduced heat generation

Third Generation 1964-1971 Integrated circuits Further size reduction, increased speed, improved efficiency

Personal computers, increased processing power, user-friendly

Fourth Generation 1972-present Microprocessors
interfaces

Present and
Fifth Generation AI hardware, neural networks Machine learning capabilities, natural language processing
beyond

Quantum processors, molecular

Sixth Generation Emerging Massive parallel processing, potential for solving complex problems
computing

Classification of Computers

Supercomputers

The most powerful computer systems are supercomputers. Unlike a general-purpose computer, a
supercomputer performs at a higher level. FLOPS represent the performance of a supercomputer
instead of MIPS

Linux-based operating systems are used on all of the world’s fastest 500 supercomputers

Supercomputers play a significant role in computation in several domains, including quantum physics,
weather forecasting, climate research, oil and gas exploration, molecular modelling, and physical
simulations

Supercomputers have proven critical in the field of cryptanalysis throughout history

For example, PARAM, jaguar, and roadrunner are some Supercomputers

Mainframe Computer

A mainframe is a powerful computer capable of multiprogramming and running up to 100 programs

simultaneously

It has a massive storage capacity and a high-speed data processing system. Additionally, it can handle
hundreds of input and output devices simultaneously
It is a powerful computing device capable of performing complex calculations in parallel over a long time

The microprocessors in these computers can process data at a high level of speed and performance.
Mainframes outperform our current personal computers on practically every parameter

The average CPU consumption easily reaches 85 percent of total power

Mini Computer

Minicomputers are digital, multi-user computers linked by many CPUs

As a result, numerous individuals can operate on these computers simultaneously instead of a single
person

It can also work with other devices like a printer and plotter. Minicomputers are medium-sized
computers with more capabilities and a higher price tag than microcomputers

On the other hand, Minicomputers are larger in size, storage, and performance than mainframes and
supercomputers

Micro Computer

With the invention of microprocessors in 1970, it became possible to utilise computers for personal use
at a cheap cost and fair pricing, known as the Digital Personal Computer

A microcomputer is a compact, low-cost computer having a microprocessor as its central processing

unit. It consists of a single printed circuit board with a microprocessor, memory, and minimal I/O
circuitry

Mainframes and minicomputers, which preceded these systems, were significantly larger, more difficult
to maintain, and more expensive

Microcomputers laid the groundwork for today’s microcomputers and smart devices daily

Types of Micro Computers

Desktop microcomputer

Users rely on desktop microcomputers to accomplish various complex tasks in a short period with little
difficulty. This machine stands on a tabletop and uses wires to link various components such as a
keypad, mice, display, and operating unit. Users can utilise these components to insert commands and
obtain output following the input instructions.

Laptop Computer

As their name suggests, laptops are computers that look like sleek briefcases. Additionally, they can
serve as desktop computers and run on both an internal battery and a wall outlet.
Tablet Micro Computers

The tablet microcomputer is a portable computer with a touchscreen interface that is less bulky than a
notebook computer but larger than a smartphone. With its LCD, users can perform both input and
output tasks. Wi-Fi and cellular networks enable users to access the internet.

Smartphone

Smartphones are touch-screen mobile phones that can perform functions similar to computers, such as
installing operating systems, downloading programs, and accessing the Internet.

PDA and Palmtop Micro Computer

The Personal Digital Assistant refers to a portable device similar to a tablet, palmtop, or smartphone in
size and portability. It is equipped with both an input and output LCD. A palmtop microcomputer is
referred to as a “pocket computer.” It is a thinner microcomputer than a PDA, and it consumes less
power due to its tiny size and portability.

Input Device : A piece of equipment/hardware which helps us enter data into a computer is called an
input device. For example keyboard, mouse, etc.

Output Device : A piece of equipment/hardware which gives out the result of the entered input, once it
is processed (i.e. converts data from machine language to a human-understandable language), is called
an output device. For example printer, monitor, etc.

List of Input Devices

Given below is the list of the most common input devices along with brief information about each of
them.

Keyboard

A simple device comprising keys and each key denotes either an alphabet, number or number
commands which can be given to a computer for various actions to be performed

It has a modified version of typewriter keys

The keyboard is an essential input device and computer and laptops both use keyboards to give
commands to the computer

Mouse

It is also known as a pointing device

Using mouse we can directly click on the various icons present on the system and open up various files
and programs
A mouse comprises 3 buttons on the top and one trackball at the bottom which helps in selecting and
moving the mouse around, respectively

In case of laptops, the touchpad is given as a replacement of the mouse which helps in the movement of
the mouse pointer

Joy Stick

It is a device which comprises a stick which is attached at an angle to the base so that it can be moved
and controlled

Mostly used to control the movement in video games

Apart from a computer system, a joystick is also used in the cockpit of an aeroplane, wheelchairs,
cranes, trucks, etc. to operate them well

Light Pen

It is a wand-like looking device which can directly be moved over the device’s screen

It is light-sensitive

Used in conjunction with computer’s cathode ray tube

Microphone

Using a microphone, sound can be stored in a device in its digital form

It converts sound into an electrical signal

To record or reproduce a sound created using a microphone, it needs to be connected with an amplifier

Scanner

This device can scan images or text and convert it into a digital signal

When we place any piece of a document on a scanner, it converts it into a digital signal and displays it on
the computer screen

Barcode Reader

It is a kind of an optical scanner

It can read bar codes

A source of light is passed through a bar code, and its aspects and details are displayed on the screen

List of Output Device

The commonly used output devices have been listed below with a brief summary of what their function
is and how they can be used.

Monitor

The device which displays all the icons, text, images, etc. over a screen is called the Monitor

When we ask the computer to perform an action, the result of that action is displayed on the monitor

Various types of monitors have also been developed over the years

Printer

A device which makes a copy of the pictorial or textual content, usually over a paper is called a printer

For example, an author types the entire book on his/her computer and later gets a print out of it, which
is in the form of paper and is later published

Multiple types of printers are also available in the market, which can serve different purposes

Speakers

A device through which we can listen to a sound as an outcome of what we command a computer to do
is called a speaker

Speakers are attached with a computer system and also are a hardware device which can be attached
separately

With the advancement in technology, speakers are now available which are wireless and can be
connected using BlueTooth or other applications

Projector

An optical device which presents an image or moving images onto a projection screen is called a
projector

Most commonly these projectors are used in auditoriums and movie theatres for the display of the
videos or lighting

If a projector is connected to a computer, then the image/video displayed on the screen is the same as
the one displayed on the computer screen

Headphones

They perform the same function as a speaker, the only difference is the frequency of sound

Using speakers, the sound can be heard over a larger area and using headphones, the sound is only
audible to the person using them
Also known as earphones or headset

Types of Computer Software

Computer software is divided in to two broad categories: system software and application software.

System software:

• System software manages the computer resources .It provides the interface between the hardware
and the users.

• System software consists of programs that manage the hardware resources of a computer and
perform required information processing tasks.

• These programs are divided into three classes: the operating system, system support, and system
development.

• The operating system provides services such as a user interface, file and database access, and
interfaces to communication systems such as Internet protocols.

• System support software provides system utilities and other operating services. Examples of system
utilities are sort programs and disk format programs.

• The language translators converts user programs into machine language for execution, debugging
tools to ensure that the programs are error free and computer –assisted software engineering (CASE)
systems.

Application software

• Application software, on the other hand is directly responsible for helping users solve their problems.
• Application software is classified into two classes:

• General-purpose software : is purchased from a software developer and can be used for more than
one application and application –specific software. Ex: MS-Office, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Reader

• specific purpose software: use only for specific purpose. Ex: Library software, Banking software, IRTC
software.