Overview of Computer System FSC Part 1
Overview of Computer System FSC Part 1
Overview of Computer System FSC Part 1
system
PREPARED BY TAJAL HUSSAIN
History of computer
Early computing devices refer to the primitive mechanical, electromechanical, and electronic
machines that were created before the advent of modern digital computers. These early devices
were used for various calculations, data processing, and other computational tasks. Here are
some notable examples of early computing devices
Cont….
Abacus: The abacus is one of the oldest known computing devices, dating back to ancient times.
It consists of rods or wires with movable beads and was used for arithmetic calculations.
Babbage's Analytical Engine: Designed by Charles Babbage in the 1830s, the Analytical Engine is
considered the precursor to modern digital computers. It was a mechanical, general-purpose
computing machine that could perform arithmetic and store instructions on punched cards.
Tabulating machine
Hollerith Tabulating Machine: Invented by Herman Hollerith in the late 19th century, this
machine used punched cards to process and tabulate data, primarily for census purposes. It
played a crucial role in the development of modern data processing and later became part of
IBM.
Z3 computer
The Z3 computer was one of the earliest electromechanical computers and is considered the
world's first fully operational digital computer. It was designed and built by Konrad Zuse, a
German engineer, between 1935 and 1941.
Mark 1 computer
The Mark I computer, also known as the Harvard Mark I or IBM Automatic Sequence Controlled
Calculator (ASCC), was one of the earliest electromechanical computers. It was developed
during the 1930s and 1940s and completed in 1944.
ENIAC
ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer): Completed in 1945, ENIAC was one of
the earliest electronic digital computers. It used vacuum tubes to perform calculations and was
primarily used for scientific and military applications
UNIVAC
UNIVAC I (Universal Automatic Computer I): Developed in the early 1950s, UNIVAC I was one of
the first commercially produced computers. It used vacuum tubes and mercury delay lines for
memory.
EDVAC
The EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer) was one of the earliest electronic
digital computers and played a crucial role in the development of modern computing
technology. It was designed and developed in the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily by John
von Neumann and his team at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey
Transistor
In 1948 the invention of the transistor greatly change the computer’s development. It is a
semiconductor device used to amplify or switch electronic signals, making it a crucial part of
electronic circuits.
Throughout the early 1960 there were a number of commercially successful computing devices
used in business , universities and government.
Example IBM 1401 computer, which was universally accepted throughout the industry .
In 1958 integrated circuit Ics by jack kilby which completely revolutionalized the computing device
in term of processing speed ,memory and peripheral supporting capabilities.
In 1971 intel 4004 chip developed , took the integrated circuit one step further by locating all
components of computer on a single chip (central processing unit ,memory, input and output
control.
1981 IBM introduce first personal computer (PC) for home use.
Transistor
Basic operations of computer
Input operations in a computer refer to the process of receiving data or information from
external sources and making it available for processing by the computer.
Such as keyboard ,mouse, sccner , microphone , sensore, touchscreen
Output operations in a computer involve the process of presenting data, results, or information
to users or external devices. These operations take the processed data or information generated
by the computer and make it available in a human-readable or machine-
Example Speakers, monitor, projector, printer etc.
Storage operations in computing involve the process of storing and retrieving data from storage
devices, such as hard drives, solid-state drives, optical disks, and cloud storage services.
Example: Ram, hard disk, removable memory sticks etc
Classification of computers
Computers can be classified into various categories based on their size, functionality, and
intended use. Here are some common classifications of computers.
Supercomputers:
Purpose: Supercomputers are the most powerful and fastest computers designed for complex
scientific and engineering calculations. They are used for tasks such as weather forecasting,
nuclear simulations, and cryptography.
Performance: They offer the highest processing power and computational speed.
Examples: IBM Summit, Fujitsu Fugaku, and Cray XC40.
Mainframe computers
Mainframe Computers:
Purpose: Mainframes are large, powerful computers used by organizations for processing large
volumes of data and handling critical applications, such as banking and airline reservation
systems.
Performance: They are known for their reliability, availability, and scalability.
Examples: IBM zSeries, Unisys ClearPath.
Minicomputers
Minicomputers (Midrange Computers):
Purpose: Minicomputers are smaller than mainframes and are used for business and scientific
applications, often as departmental or small business servers.
Performance: They provide moderate computing power and storage capacity.
Examples: DEC PDP-11, VAX series, and Data General Nova.
Microcomputers
Microcomputers, often referred to simply as "personal computers" or "PCs," are a category of
computers that are relatively small, affordable, and designed for individual use. They are the
most common type of computer used by individuals and in small business environments. Here's
an explanation of microcomputers:
Types of microcomputers:
Desktop Computers:
Tower Desktops: These are the traditional desktop computers with a separate CPU unit (tower)
and a monitor. They offer ample performance and can be easily upgraded.
All-in-One (AIO) Desktops: AIO desktops integrate the computer components, including the
CPU, into the monitor, making for a more compact and aesthetically pleasing design.
All in one desktop computer
Laptop computers
Laptops and Notebooks:
Laptops: Laptops are portable computers with a built-in display and keyboard. They come in
various sizes and configurations, from ultraportable to high-performance gaming laptops.
Notebooks: Notebooks are smaller and lighter than standard laptops and are designed for
maximum portability. They may sacrifice some performance and features for compactness.
Netbooks:
◦ Netbooks are small, lightweight laptops primarily designed for basic tasks like web browsing and email.
They have limited processing power and are less common today.
Ultrabooks:
◦ Ultrabooks are a specific category of thin and lightweight laptops with a focus on performance, battery
life, and portability. They often feature SSD storage and high-quality displays.
Notebook laptop
Handheld computers
Handheld computers, often referred to as handheld devices or mobile devices, are compact,
portable computing devices designed to be carried in the hand or pocket. They are characterized by
their small size, touchscreen interfaces, and mobility, making them suitable for a wide range of tasks
and applications. Here are some common types and examples of handheld computers:
Smartphones:
◦ Purpose: Smartphones are versatile handheld devices that combine the functionality of a mobile phone with
the capabilities of a computer. They are used for communication, web browsing, email, gaming,
photography, and much more.
◦ Examples: Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel.
Tablets:
◦ Purpose: Tablets are larger than smartphones and offer a more substantial screen for various tasks, including
web browsing, media consumption, productivity, and gaming. Some tablets can also replace traditional
laptops for certain applications.
◦ Examples: Apple iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab, Microsoft Surface.
Handheld computers
E-Readers (E-Book Readers):
◦ Purpose: E-readers are designed primarily for reading digital books, magazines, and other text-based
content. They typically use electronic ink (e-ink) displays for improved readability.
◦ Examples: Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook.
Gamming keyboard
Gamming mouse
Optical mouse
Trackball mouse
Touchpad:
◦ Built into laptops and some external devices, touchpads use finger movements to control the
cursor and perform various actions.
Touch screen:
◦ Used in smart phones, tablets, and some desktop monitors, touchscreens allow users to
interact directly with the display by tapping, swiping, and pinching.
Graphic Tablet:
◦ Also known as a digital drawing tablet, it is used by graphic designers and artists for precise
drawing and graphic design tasks.
Graphic tablet
Touchpad
Stylus:
◦ A pen-like device used with graphic tablets and touchscreen devices for precise drawing,
writing, and input.
Microphone:
◦ Used for voice input and voice recognition, enabling users to dictate text or give commands
to the computer.
Webcam:
◦ Captures video and images, often used for video conferencing, streaming, and facial
recognition.
Gamepad
Scanner
A scanner is a computer peripheral or device that captures physical documents,
images, or objects and converts them into digital formats that can be stored,
edited, and shared electronically. Scanners are widely used in offices, homes,
and various industries to digitize and archive physical content. There are several
types of scanners, each designed for specific purposes and with different
capabilities. Here are some common types of scanners.
Types of scanner
Flatbed Scanner:
◦ A flatbed scanner is one of the most common types. It features a flat, glass surface onto
which the document or image is placed. A scanning head moves across the document to
capture the image. Flatbed scanners are versatile and suitable for scanning documents,
photos, books, and other flat objects. They come in various sizes, including compact and
large-format models.
Sheet-fed Scanner:
◦ Sheet-fed scanners are designed to scan individual sheets of paper, typically one at a time or
in small batches. These scanners are often used for quickly scanning large quantities of
documents, such as in offices for document management and archiving
Sheet fed scanner
Flatbed scanner
Handheld Scanner:
◦ Handheld scanners are compact and portable devices that users can manually
move over a document or image. They are useful for scanning small items,
such as receipts, business cards, or photos, and are convenient for on-the-go
scanning.
3D Scanner:
◦ 3D scanners create digital 3D models of physical objects, capturing their
shape, texture, and dimensions. They are commonly used in industries like
engineering, manufacturing, and healthcare for reverse engineering, quality
control, and 3D printing.
Handheld
scanner 3d scanner
Barcode Scanner:
◦ Barcode scanners are specialized devices that read barcodes and QR codes on
products and documents, providing data input for inventory management,
retail, and logistics applications.
Document Scanner:
◦ Designed for high-speed document processing, these scanners are used to
scan large volumes of documents quickly and efficiently. They can handle
duplex (double-sided) scanning and come with features like automatic
document feeders (ADF).
Document scanner
Barcode scanner
Plotter
A plotter is a specialized output device used in computer graphics
and design to produce high-quality, large-scale, and precise
drawings, diagrams, and images on paper or other flat surfaces.
Unlike traditional printers that use rasterization to create images,
plotters use vector graphics to draw lines, curves, and shapes with
extreme precision. Plotters are often used in applications that
require detailed and accurate representations, such as architectural
blueprints, engineering diagrams, and artistic illustrations.
Types of plotters
There are primarily two types of plotters:
Drum Plotters:
◦ Drum plotters consist of a rotating drum or cylindrical surface on which the paper is
mounted.
◦ A pen or other drawing tool is mounted on a carriage that moves horizontally across the
width of the drum.
◦ As the drum rotates, the carriage moves back and forth, allowing the pen to draw precise
lines and shapes on the paper.
◦ Drum plotters are known for their accuracy but can be relatively slow in operation. They are
suitable for tasks that require high precision, such as architectural drawings and circuit
diagrams.
Flatbed Plotters
Flatbed plotters use a stationary flat surface, typically a large drawing board or
table.
The paper or drawing medium is fixed in place on the flatbed, and the pen or
other drawing tool is attached to a moveable arm or gantry.
The arm moves along both the X and Y axes to create drawings with precision.
Flatbed plotters are faster than drum plotters and are commonly used for tasks
like creating maps, posters, and large-scale graphics.
Magnetic cards
Magnetic strip card:
A magnetic stripe card, commonly known as a magstripe card, is a type of plastic card with a
magnetic stripe on the back. This stripe contains encoded data that can be read by swiping the
card through a magnetic card reader. Magnetic stripe cards are used for various purposes, such
as credit and debit cards, access cards, and loyalty cards. They typically have three tracks, with
Tracks 1 and 2 being the most commonly used for financial transactions. These cards are simple
to use but are vulnerable to fraud and have limited data storage capacity.
Magnetic ink character recognition
Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) is a technology used to print and read characters
using magnetic ink. It's primarily employed in the banking industry for check processing. MICR
characters consist of numbers and special symbols, such as the bank's routing number, the
account number, and the check number. These characters are printed with magnetic ink to
ensure high accuracy and efficiency during automated check processing. MICR allows for rapid
and error-free reading of these characters using specialized MICR readers and scanners,
enabling fast and secure handling of financial transactions.
Smart card
A smart card, also known as an integrated circuit card (ICC) or chip card, is a plastic card
embedded with an integrated circuit chip. These chips can store and process data, making smart
cards more secure and versatile than traditional magnetic stripe cards. Smart cards are used for
a wide range of applications, including payment cards, identification cards, access control, and
secure data storage. The embedded chip can store and process information, perform
cryptographic operations, and authenticate the card's holder, enhancing security and
functionality. They are more resistant to fraud and tampering than magnetic stripe cards and are
widely adopted for various applications where security is crucial.
Output devices
Monitor: A monitor, also known as a computer display or screen, is an output device that
displays digital content from a computer. It is used for visually presenting text, images, videos,
and graphical user interfaces to the user. Monitors come in various types, technologies, and
sizes, and they are an essential component of a computer system.
Resolution: Resolution refers to the number of pixels (individual colored dots) that a monitor
can display horizontally and vertically. It's typically expressed as width x height (e.g., 1920 x
1080), and a higher resolution provides a sharper and more detailed image.
Refresh Rate: The refresh rate is the number of times per second that a monitor refreshes the
image on the screen. It's measured in Hertz (Hz). A higher refresh rate, such as 60Hz, 120Hz, or
144Hz, can result in smoother motion in videos and games.
Pixel Pitch: Pixel pitch is the distance between individual pixels. A smaller pixel pitch usually
leads to a sharper image.
Pixel:
A pixel, short for "picture element," is the smallest individual point or unit of a digital image
displayed on a screen. It represents a single dot of color and is the building block for all images
on digital displays. The resolution of a display is defined by the number of pixels it can
accommodate horizontally and vertically, and a higher pixel density results in sharper and more
detailed images.
Headphones: Headphones provide audio output for individual
listening, making them useful for multimedia, gaming, or private
communication.
Projectors: Projectors are output devices that display computer-
generated content on a large screen or wall, making them useful for
presentations and home theater systems.
Printer
A printer is a peripheral device used to produce physical copies of digital documents or images
on paper or other media. Printers are essential for various applications, including office work,
graphic design, and home use. There are two primary categories of printers: impact and non-
impact.
Impact printer:
An impact printer is a type of printer that creates characters and images on paper by physically
striking an inked ribbon against the paper. These printers use mechanical force to create printed
text or graphics. Impact printers are less common today due to the prevalence of non-impact
(inkjet and laser) printers, but they are still used in specific applications.
Dot Matrix Printers:A dot matrix printer is a type of impact printer that forms characters and
images by striking a ribbon with a matrix of tiny pins or needles, which leave dots on the paper.
This mechanical impact distinguishes it from modern non-impact printers like inkjet and laser
printers.
Daisy Wheel Printers: Daisy wheel printers use a rotating disk with raised characters, similar to a
typewriter. They are slower but produce high-quality text and are suitable for word processing
and letter writing.
Chain printer:
A chain printer is an impact printing device that employs a rotating chain with individual
character shapes to print text on paper. As the chain rotates, hammers strike the paper through
an inked ribbon to produce characters. Chain printers were widely used in early computer
systems and offices for producing documents, reports, and other printed materials due to their
speed and reliability.
Dot matrix printer
Non impact printer
A non-impact printer is a type of printing device that doesn't physically strike the paper to create
images or text. Instead, it uses technologies like inkjet or laser to deposit ink or toner onto the
paper, resulting in quieter and higher-quality prints. Non-impact printers are commonly used in
modern home and office settings for tasks such as document and photo printing.
Inkjet printer:
An inkjet printer is a type of non-impact printer that creates images by spraying tiny droplets of
ink onto paper, making it ideal for color printing and photo quality.
A typical inkjet printer has a resolution of 300 to 600 dots per inch (dpi).
Laser jet printer
A laser jet printer is a type of non-impact printer that produces high-quality prints using laser
technology and toner.
It creates an electrostatic image on a photosensitive drum, which attracts and fuses powdered
toner onto the paper with heat.
Laser jet printers are renowned for their speed and accuracy, making them a preferred choice
for office environments.
The available resolutions range from 300 to 1200 dpi
Laser jet printer
Speaker
A speaker is an audio device that converts electrical signals into sound waves.
It consists of a diaphragm or cone that vibrates in response to the incoming
electrical signals.
These vibrations produce pressure waves in the air, creating audible sound.
Speakers are widely used in audio systems, from small portable devices to large
home theater setups.