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Introduction To Computers

The document discusses the history and components of computers from first to fifth generations. It covers the basic operations and parts of a computer including input, output, storage and processing devices. It also discusses operating systems, applications, and types of software.

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Anit Jacob Philip
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28 views

Introduction To Computers

The document discusses the history and components of computers from first to fifth generations. It covers the basic operations and parts of a computer including input, output, storage and processing devices. It also discusses operating systems, applications, and types of software.

Uploaded by

Anit Jacob Philip
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 30

Introduction

MODULE 1
What is a Computer?
A computer is an electronic device, operating
under the control of instructions (software) stored
in its own memory unit, that can accept data
(input), manipulate data (process), and produce
information (output) from the processing.
Generally, the term is used to describe a
collection of devices that function together as a
system.

MODULE1 2
History of Computer
• First Generation Computers (1940s – 1950s)
• The first computers used vacuum tubes for circuitry
often enormous, taking up entire rooms.

• They were very expensive to operate and in addition


to using a great deal of electricity, generated a lot of
heat, which was often the cause of malfunctions.

MODULE1 3
• First generation computers relied on machine
language and they could only solve one
problem at a time.
• Input was based on punched cards and paper
tape, and output was displayed on printouts.
• The UNIVAC and ENIAC computers are
examples of first-generation computing
devices.
ENIAC

MODULE1 5
Second Generation Computers (1955 –
1960)

IBM 1401 6
• Transistors replaced vacuum tubes in the second generation of
computers. The transistor was far superior to the vacuum tube,
allowing computers to become smaller, faster, cheaper, more energy-
efficient and more reliable than their first-generation predecessors.

• Second-generation computers still relied on punched cards for input


and printouts for output.

• Second-generation computers moved from binary machine language


to assembly languages, which allowed programmers to specify
instructions in words. COBOL and FORTRAN were started using in
Second-generation .
Third Generation Computers (1960s)

IBM’s System/360. 8
• The development of the integrated circuit was
the hallmark of the third generation of
computers.
• Instead of punched cards, users interacted
with third generation computers through
keyboards and monitors and interfaced with
an OS, which allowed the device to run many
different applications at one time with a
central program that monitored the memory.
Fourth Generation (1971-Present)

• The microprocessor brought the fourth generation


of computers, as thousands of integrated circuits
were built onto a single silicon chip.
• As these small computers became more powerful,
they could be linked together to form networks,
which eventually led to the development of the
Internet. Fourth generation computers also saw
the development of GUIs, the mouse and
handheld devices.
Fifth Generation (Present and Beyond)

• Fifth generation computing devices, based on


AI, are still in development, though there are
some applications, such as voice recognition,
that are being used today.
• The goal of fifth-generation computing is to
develop devices that respond to natural
language input and are capable of learning
and self-organization.
What does a computer do?
Computers can perform five general operations, which
comprise the information processing cycle.
1) it accepts data or instructions by way of input,
2) it stores data,
3) it can process data as required by the user,
4) it gives results in the form of output,
5) it controls all operations inside a computer

MODULE1 12
Basic computer Operations

MODULE1 13
Data and Information
• All computer processing requires data, which is a
collection of raw facts, figures and symbols, such as
numbers, words, images, video and sound, given to the
computer during the input phase.
• Computers manipulate data to create information.
Information is data that is organized, meaningful and
useful.
• During the output Phase, the information that has been
created is put into some form, such as a printed report.
• The information can also be put in computer storage for
future use.

MODULE1 14
Why is a Computer so Powerful?

• The ability to perform the information processing


cycle with amazing speed.
• Reliability (low failure rate).
• Accuracy.
• Ability to store huge amounts of data and
information.
• Ability to communicate with other computers.

MODULE1 15
How Does a Computer Know what to do?

• It must be given a detailed list of instructions,


called a computer program or software, that tells
it exactly what to do.
• Before processing a specific job, the computer
program corresponding to that job must be stored
in memory.
• Once the program is stored in memory the
computer can start the operation by executing the
program instructions one after the other.
MODULE1 16
What Are The Primary Components Of A
Computer ?

• Input devices.
• Central Processing Unit
(containing the control
unit and the
arithmetic/logic unit).
• Memory.
• Output devices.
• Storage devices.

MODULE1 17
MODULE1 18
Input Devices
• Keyboard.
• Mouse.
• Scanner

MODULE1 19
The Central processing Unit
The central processing unit (CPU) contains electronic circuits
that cause processing to occur. The CPU interprets
instructions to the computer, performs the logical and
arithmetic processing operations, and causes the input and
output operations to occur. It is considered the “brain” of
the computer.

MODULE1 20
Memory

Memory also called Random Access Memory or RAM


(temporary memory) is the main memory of the
computer. It consists of electronic components that
store data including numbers, letters of the alphabet,
graphics and sound. Any information stored in RAM is
lost when the computer is turned off.

Read Only Memory or ROM is memory that is etched


on a chip that has start-up directions for your
computer. It is permanent memory.

MODULE1 21
Output Devices

Output devices make the information resulting from the


processing available for use.
•Printer
•Screen
•Speaker

MODULE1 22
Storage Devices

Auxiliary storage devices are used to store data when they are
not being used in memory. The most common types of
auxiliary storage used on personal computers are floppy disks,
hard disks and CD-ROM drives, pen drives etc

MODULE1 23
Computer Software

Computer software is the key to productive


use of computers. Software can be categorized
into two types:

• System software
• Application software.

MODULE1 24
Operating System Software

Operating system software tells the computer how


to perform the functions of loading, storing and
executing an application and how to transfer data.
Today, many computers use an operating system
that has a graphical user interface (GUI) that
provides visual clues such as icon symbols to help
the user. Microsoft Windows is a widely used
graphical operating system. DOS (Disk Operating
System) is an older operating system that is text-
based.

MODULE1 25
Application Software

Application Software consists of programs that


tell a computer how to produce information.
Application software may be general purpose or
specific purpose
Some of the more commonly used packages are:
• Word processing
• Electronic spreadsheet
• Database
• Presentation graphics

MODULE1 26
Word Processing

• Word Processing software is used to create and print


documents. A key advantage of word processing software
is that users easily can make changes in documents.

MODULE1 27
Electronic Spreadsheets

• Electronic spreadsheet software allows the user to add,


subtract, and perform user-defined calculations on rows
and columns of numbers. These numbers can be changed
and the spreadsheet quickly recalculates the new results.

MODULE1 28
Database Software

• Allows the user to enter, retrieve, and update data in an


organized and efficient manner, with flexible inquiry and
reporting capabilities.

MODULE1 29
Presentation Graphics

• Presentation graphic software allows the user to create


documents called slides to be used in making the
presentations. Using special projection devices, the slides
display as they appear on the computer screen.

MODULE1 30

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