What is computer ?

"Computer is an electronic device that takes input from the user, processes
it withthe help of instruction and produces the output. We can also store
the output for future use."
Four Basic Function Of Computer
Input Processing Output
Function The Data Function
By Using RAM ROM By Using
Input Devices 4 $Output Devices
Data
keyboard, Monitor,
Mouse,
Storage Printer,
Microphone, 4 Stored lIn Speaker,
Scanner, HDD, SSD, Memory Headphone,
Camera, Cards, Pen Drives, |Screen Projector,
Plotter.
Sens Optical Disks
 Functioning of a Computer
There Four Basic Functions of Computers
A. Input is the process of entering any type of data and instructions into a
computer system by using the input devices such as a Keyboard, Mouse,
Scanner, Microphone, etc. in order to receive user signals to the computer.
B. Processing is the set of instructions given by the user to the related data
that was collected earlier to output meaningful information. The computer
does the required processing by making the necessary calculations,
comparisons and decisions.
 Memory Speed

Characteristics
Automation of Accuracy
Computer

Reliability Deligence

Versatility

(4)
 CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTERS
Speed - A powerful computer is capable of executing about 3 million
calculations per second.
Accuracy -Acomputer's accuracy isalways high; if there are errors, they are
due to errors in instructions given by the programmer.
Diligence -A computer will never fail to perform its task due to distraction or
laziness.
Versatility - Computers can do different types of work simultaneously. Itcan
accept information through various input-output devices, perform
arithmeticand logicoperations, generate a variety of outputs
in avariety of forms, etc.
Reliability - The output generated by the computer is very reliable as
long as the data is reliable.
Automation - Once the instructions are fed into computer it works
automatically without any human intervention.
Memory - The computer can store large volumes of data and makes
the retrieval of data an easy task.
First Generation Computers: Vacuum Tubes (1940-1956)
Main characteristics of first generation computers are:

Main electronic component Vacuum tube.

Programming language Machine anguage.

Main memory Magnetic tapes and magnetic drums.

Input/output devices Paper tape and punched cards.

Speed and size Very slow and very large in size (often taking up entire
room).

Examples of the first IBM 650, IBM 701, ENIAC, UNIVAC1, etc.
generation
 Second Generation Computers: Transistors (1956-1964)
Main characteristics of second generation computers are:

Main electronic Transistor.

component

Programming Machine language and assembly language.

language
Memory Magnetic core and magnetic tape/disk.

Input/output devices Magnetic tape and punched cards.

Power and size Smaller in size, low power consumption, and generated less
heat (in comparison with the first generation computers).

Examples of second PDP-8, IBM1400series, IBM 7090 and 7094, UNIVAC 1107,
generation CDC 3600 etc.
 Third Generation Computers: Integrated Circuits. (1964-1971)
Main characteristics of third generation computers are:

Main electronic Integrated circuits (ICs)

component

Programming language High-level language

Memory Large magnetic core, magnetic tape/disk

Input / output devices Magnetic tape, monitor, keyboard, printer,

Examples of thir IBM 360, IBM 370, PDP-11, NCR 395, B6500, UNIVAC
generation 1108, etc.
Fourth Generation Computers: Micro-processors (1971-1985)
Main characteristics of fourth generation computers are:

Main electronic Very large-scale integration (VLSI) and the microprocessor

component (VLSI has thousands of transistors on a single microchip).

Memory semiconductor memory (such as RAM, ROM, etc.)

Input/output devices pointing devices, optical scanning, keyboard, monitor, printer,

etc.

Examples of fourth IBM PC,STAR 1000,APPLE II, Apple Macintosh, Alter 8800, etc.
generation
 Fifth Generation Computers Artificial Intelligence (1985 - Present)
Main characteristics of fifth generation computers are:

Main Based on artificial intelligence, uses the Ultra Large-Scale

electronic Integration (ULSI) technology and parallel processing method (ULSI
component has millions of transistors on a single microchip and Parallel
processing method use two or more microprocessors to run tasks
simultaneously).

Language Understand natural language (human language).

Size Portable andsmall in size.

Input / output Trackpad (or touchpad), touchscreen, pen, speech input (recognize
device voice/speech), light scanner, printer, keyboard, monitor, mouse, etc.

Example of Desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones, etc.

fifth
AbstracAvg
Paterer n
Types of Computer

Based On Size Based On Mechanism Based On Purpose

Super V Analog Purpose

Mainframe V Digital VS urpose
Mini V Hybrid
Micro
Desktop
Laptop
Palmtop
 Types of Computer
Computers can be classified according to the following types:
Based on Mechanism / Work
Analog - The analog computers are computer systems that measure variations in
quantities such as temperature, voltage, speed, etc.
Analog computers are known to measure the data that varies continuously.
Other examples of analog computers include Voltmeter and Ammeter.
Digital - Digital computers are the computer systems that count things by
manipulationof certain discontinuous numbers and letters through
representation of binary digits (also called bits) in contrast to
analog computers that measures the variations in quantities).
Inother words texts and graphics are treated numerically.
Today the digital computers have replaced the analog ones.
Examples of digitalcomputers are desktop, personalcomputers,
Workstions,tablet PC etc.
Hybrid-Hybrid computers as the name suggests are a good mix of analog as
well as digital computers, using an analog computer front-end, which is then
fed into adigital computer's repetitive process. Hybrid computers are used for
scientific calculations,in defence and systems.

Analog Eomguter Analog Signal

w
Digial Computer LU Digital Signal

bybrid Computer
Based on purpose General purpose
computer
Special purpose
computer

General Purpose Computer SONY

General purpose computers are those computers,

Cbershot
which are used to solve variety of problems by Programs in fixed,
Programs in volatile,
changing the program or instructions. random access memory
(RAM)
read only memory
(ROM)

e.g. To make small database, calculations,

accounting,etc.
Special Purpose Computer
Special purpose computers are those computers which are
used to solve asingle and dedicated types of problem.e.g.
Automatic aircraft landing, multimedia computer, etc.
 Based on Memory Size
Microcomputer
Microcomputer is also known as 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.
i) Desktop Computer: a personalor micro-minicomputer sufficient to
fit on a desk.
ii) Laptop Computer: a portable computer complete with an
integrated screenand keyboard. It isgenerally smaller in size
than a desktop computer andlarger than a notebook computer.
ii) Palmtop Computer/Digital Diary /Notebook /PDAs: a hand-sized computer.
Palmtops have no keyboard but the screen serves both as an input and
output device.
Mini Computer
Minicomputers possess most of the features and capabilities ofa large
computer but are smaller in physical size. They are used as small or midrange
operating business and scientific applications.
Mainframe computer
Mainframe computers are designed to support hundreds or thousands of
users simultaneously. They can support multiple programs at the sam/
Itmeans theycan 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
 Supercomputer
Supercomputers are the biggest and fastest computers. They are designed to
process huge amount of data. A supercomputer can process trillionsof
instructions in a second. It has thousands of interconnected processors.
Supercomputers are particularly used in scientific and engineering applications
such as weather forecasting, scientific simulations and nuclear energy research.
Types of Computer

Micro Computer MiniComputer Personal Computer

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