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Computer Basic
 The history of computer dated back to the period of scientific revolution (i.e. 1543 – 1678). The calculating
machine invented by Blaise Pascal in 1642

The history of the computer dates back to the 1800's,when many scientists began to develop various computing
machines. However, the modern computer was developed in the 1930's,when Konrad Zuse created the first
programmable computer, the Z1.Which could do additions and subtractions very quickly.

1822: English mathematician Charles Babbage (Father of Computer) conceives of a steam-driven calculating
machine that would be able to compute tables of numbers. The project, funded by the English government, is a
failure. More than a century later, however, the world's first computer was actually built.
1843: Ada Lovelace is considered to be the first published algorithm ever specifically tailored for implementation on a
computer. Ada Lovelace is often credited with publishing the first algorithm intended for processing on a computer

1936: Alan Turing presents the notion of a universal machine, later called the Turing machine, capable of computing
anything that is computable. The central concept of the modern computer was based on his ideas.

1941: Atanasoff and his graduate student, Clifford Berry, design a computer that can solve 29 equations simultaneously. This
marks the first time a computer is able to store information on its main memory.
1943-1944: Two University of Pennsylvania professors, John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert, build the Electronic
Numerical Integrator and Calculator (ENIAC). Considered the grandfather of digital computers, it fills a 20-foot by
40-foot room and has 18,000 vacuum tubes. UNIVAC, the first commercial computer for business and government
applications.
1953: Grace Hopper develops the first computer language, which eventually becomes known as COBOL.
1954: The FORTRAN programming language, an acronym for FORmula TRANslation, is developed by a team of
programmers at IBM led by John Backus, according to the University of Michigan.
1958: Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce unveil the integrated circuit, known as the computer chip. Kilby was awarded the Nobel
Prize in Physics in 2000 for his work.
1964: Douglas Engelbart shows a prototype of the modern computer, with a mouse and a graphical user interface (GUI).
1975: The January issue of Popular Electronics magazine features the Altair 8080, described as the "world's first
minicomputer kit to rival commercial models." Two "computer geeks," Paul Allen and Bill Gates, offer to write software for
the Altair, using the new Beginners All Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code (BASIC) language. On April 4, after the success
of this first endeavor, the two childhood friends form their own software company, Microsoft.
1976: Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak start Apple Computers on April Fool's Day and roll out the Apple I,
1983: Apple's Lisa is the first personal computer with a graphical user interface (GUI). It also features a drop-down menu
and icons.
What is Computer?

A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information, or data. It has the ability
to store, retrieve, and process data. It takes inputs data from the input devices, stores and processed it and
produces output.
You may already know that you can use a computer to type documents, send email, play games,
and browse the Web. You can also use it to edit or create spreadsheets, presentations, and even videos.

What is Computer Science?

Computer science (sometimes called computation science or computing science, but not to be confused with
computational science or software engineering) is the study of processes that interact with data and that can
be represented as data in the form of programs. It enables the use of algorithms to manipulate, store, and
communicate digital information. A computer scientist studies the theory of computation and the practice of
designing software systems.
The processes that can be applied to data are of two types −
•Arithmetic operations − Examples include calculations like addition, subtraction, differentials, square
root, etc.
•Logical operations − Examples include comparison operations like greater than, less than, equal to,
opposite, etc.

The corresponding figure for an actual computer looks something like this −
 Basic Part of a Computer

The basic parts of a computer are as follows −

•Input Unit − Devices like keyboard and mouse that are used to input data and instructions to the computer are called
input unit.
•Output Unit − Devices like printer and visual display unit that are used to provide information to the user in desired
format are called output unit.
•Control Unit − As the name suggests, this unit controls all the functions of the computer. All devices or parts of computer
interact through the control unit.
•Arithmetic Logic Unit − This is the brain of the computer where all arithmetic operations and logical operations take
place.
•Memory − All input data, instructions and data interim to the processes are stored in the memory. Memory is of two types
– primary memory and secondary memory. Primary memory resides within the CPU whereas secondary memory is
external to it.
Control unit, arithmetic logic unit and memory are together called the central processing unit or CPU. Computer devices
like keyboard, mouse, printer, etc. that we can see and touch are the hardware components of a computer. The set of
instructions or programs that make the computer function using these hardware parts are called software. We cannot see or
touch software. Both hardware and software are necessary for working of a computer.
Characteristics of Computer

To understand why computers are such an important part of our lives, let us look at some of its characteristics −

•Speed − Typically, a computer can carry out 3-4 million instructions per second.

•Accuracy − Computers exhibit a very high degree of accuracy. Errors that may occur are usually due to inaccurate
data, wrong instructions or bug in chips – all human errors.

•Reliability − Computers can carry out same type of work repeatedly without throwing up errors due to tiredness or
boredom, which are very common among humans.

•Versatility − Computers can carry out a wide range of work from data entry and ticket booking to complex
mathematical calculations and continuous astronomical observations. If you can input the necessary data with correct
instructions, computer will do the processing.

•Storage Capacity − Computers can store a very large amount of data at a fraction of cost of traditional storage of
files. Also, data is safe from normal wear and tear associated with paper.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Using Computer
Advantages:
Now that we know the characteristics of computers, we can see the advantages that computers offer−
•Computers can do the same task repetitively with same accuracy.
•Computers do not get tired or bored.
•Computers can take up routine tasks while releasing human resource for more intelligent functions.

Disadvantages:

Despite so many advantages, computers have some disadvantages of their own −

•Computers have no intelligence; they follow the instructions blindly without considering the outcome.
•Regular electric supply is necessary to make computers work, which could prove difficult everywhere
especially in developing nations
Classification

Historically computers were classified according to processor types because

development in processor and processing speeds were the developmental benchmarks.

All modern computers and computing devices use microprocessors whose speeds and
storage capacities are skyrocketing day by day. The developmental benchmark for
computers is now their size. Computers are now classified on the basis of their use or
size −

•Desktop
•Laptop
•Tablet
•Server
•Mainframe
•Supercomputer
Desktop
Desktop computers are personal computers (PCs) designed for use by an individual at a fixed location. IBM was the
first computer to introduce and popularize use of desktops. A desktop unit typically has a CPU (Central Processing Unit),
monitor, keyboard and mouse. Introduction of desktops popularized use of computers among common people as it was
compact and affordable.

Riding on the wave of desktop’s popularity many software and hardware devices were developed specially for the home
or office user. The foremost design consideration here was user friendliness.
Laptop

Despite its huge popularity, desktops gave way to a more compact and portable personal computer called laptop in
2000s. Laptops are also called notebook computers or simply notebooks. Laptops run using batteries and connect to
networks using Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) chips. They also have chips for energy efficiency so that they can conserve
power whenever possible and have a longer life.

Modern laptops have enough processing power and storage capacity to be used for all office work, website designing,
software development and even audio/video editing.
Tablet
After laptops computers were further miniaturized to develop machines that have processing power of a desktop but
are small enough to be held in one’s palm. Tablets have touch sensitive screen of typically 5 to 10 inches where one
finger is used to touch icons and invoke applications.

Keyboard is also displayed virtually whenever required and used with touch strokes. Applications that run on
tablets are called apps. They use operating systems by Microsoft (Windows 8 and later versions) or Google
(Android). Apple computers have developed their own tablet called iPad which uses a proprietary OS
called iOS.
 Server

Servers are computers with high processing speeds that provide one or more services to other systems on
the network. They may or may not have screens attached to them. A group of computers or digital devices connected
together to share resources is called a network.

Servers have high processing powers and can handle multiple requests simultaneously. Most commonly found servers
on networks include −
•File or storage server
•Game server
•Application server
•Database server
•Mail server
•Print server
Mainframe:

Mainframe:
Mainframes are computers used by organizations like banks, airlines and railways to handle millions and trillions of
online transactions per second. Important features of mainframes are −
•Big in size
•Hundreds times Faster than servers, typically hundred megabytes per second
•Very expensive
•Use proprietary OS provided by the manufacturers
•In-built hardware, software and firmware security features
 Supercomputer

Supercomputers are the fastest computers on Earth. They are used for carrying out complex, fast and time intensive
calculations for scientific and engineering applications. Supercomputer speed or performance is measured in teraflops, i.e.
1012 floating point operations per second.

Chinese supercomputer Sunway TaihuLight is the world’s fastest supercomputer with a rating of 93 petaflops per second,
i.e. 93 quadrillion floating point operations per second.
Most common uses of supercomputers include −
•Molecular mapping and research
•Weather forecasting
•Environmental research
•Oil and gas exploration
Minicomputers – A minicomputer is a type of computer that has many of the same features and capabilities
as a larger computer but is smaller in size. Minicomputers, which were relatively small and affordable, were
often employed in a single department of an organization and were often dedicated to a specific task or
shared by a small group.

Microcomputers – A microcomputer is a small computer that is based on a microprocessor integrated

circuit, often known as a chip. A microcomputer is a system that incorporates at a minimum a
microprocessor, program memory, data memory, and input-output system (I/O). A microcomputer is now
commonly referred to as a personal computer (PC).
Generations of Computer
Basic term:
Vacuum tube– an electronic device that controls the flow of electrons in a vacuum. It used as a switch, amplifier, or display screen in many older model radios,
televisions, computers, etc.

Transistor – an electronic component that can be used as an amplifier or as a switch. It is used to control the flow of electricity in radios, televisions, computers, etc.
 Integrated Circuit (IC)– a small electronic circuit printed on a chip (usually made of silicon) that contains many its own
circuit elements (e.g. transistors, diodes, resistors, etc.)

Microprocessor – an electronic component held on an integrated circuit that contains a computer’s central
processing unit (CPU) and other associated circuits.
CPU (Central processing Unit) – It is often referred to as the brain or engine of a computer where most of the processing and
operations take place (CPU is part of a microprocessor).

Memory – a physical device that is used to store data, information and program in a computer.
Machine language – a low-level programming language comprised of a collection of binary digits (ones and zeros) that
the computer can read and understand.

Assembly language is like the machine language that a computer can understand, except that assembly language uses
abbreviated words (e.g. ADD, SUB, DIV…) in place of numbers (0s and 1s).

Artificial intelligence (AI) – an area of computer science that deals with the simulation and creation of intelligent
machines or intelligent behave in computers (they think, learn, work, and react like humans).
Classification of generations of computers
The evolution of computer technology is often divided into five generations.

Five Generations of Computers

Generations of
Generations timeline Evolving hardware
computers

First generation 1940s-1950s Vacuum tube based

Second generation 1950s-1960s Transistor based

Integrated circuit
Third generation 1960s-1970s
based

Fourth generation 1970s-present Microprocessor based

The present and the Artificial intelligence

Fifth generation
future based
First Generation of Computers
The main characteristics of first generation of computers (1940s-1950s)

• Main electronic component – vacuum tube

• Main memory – magnetic drums and magnetic tapes
• Programming language – machine language
• Power – consume a lot of electricity and generate a lot of heat.
• Speed and size – very slow and very large in size (often
taking up entire room).
• Input/output devices – punched cards and paper tape.
• Examples – ENIAC, UNIVAC1, IBM 650, IBM 701, etc
• Quantity – there were about 100 different vacuum tube
computers produced between 1942 and1963.
Second Generation of Computers

The main characteristics of second generation of computers (1950s-1960s)

• Main electronic component – transistor

• Memory – magnetic core and magnetic tape / disk
• Programming language – assembly language
• Power and size – low power consumption, generated less heat, and smaller in size
(in comparison with the first generation computers).
• Speed – improvement of speed and reliability (in comparison with the first
generation computers).
• Input/output devices – punched cards and magnetic tape.
• Examples – IBM 1401, IBM 7090 and 7094, UNIVAC 1107, etc.
Third Generation of Computers

The main characteristics of third generation of computers (1960s-1970s)

• Main electronic component – integrated circuits (ICs)

• Memory – large magnetic core, magnetic tape / disk
• Programming language – high level language (FORTRAN, BASIC, Pascal, COBOL, C,
etc.)
• Size – smaller, cheaper, and more efficient than second generation computers (they
were called minicomputers).
• Speed – improvement of speed and reliability (in comparison with the second
generation computers).
• Input / output devices – magnetic tape, keyboard, monitor, printer, etc.
• Examples – IBM 360, IBM 370, PDP-11, UNIVAC 1108, etc.
Fourth Generation of Computers
The main characteristics of fourth generation of computers (1970s-present)
• Main electronic component – very large-scale integration (VLSI) and microprocessor.
• VLSI– thousands of transistors on a single microchip.
• Memory – semiconductor memory (such as RAM, ROM, etc.)
• RAM (random-access memory) – a type of data storage (memory element) used in computers that
temporary stores of programs and data (volatile: its contents are lost when the computer is turned
off).
• ROM (read-only memory) – a type of data storage used in computers that permanently stores data
and programs (non-volatile: its contents are retained even when the computer is turned off).
• Programming language – high level language (Python, C#, Java, JavaScript, Rust, Kotlin, etc.).
• A mix of both third- and fourth-generation languages
• Size – smaller, cheaper and more efficient than third generation computers.
• Speed – improvement of speed, accuracy, and reliability (in comparison with the third generation
computers).
• Input / output devices – keyboard, pointing devices, optical scanning, monitor, printer, etc.
• Network – a group of two or more computer systems linked together.
• Examples – IBM PC, STAR 1000, APPLE II, Apple Macintosh, etc.
Fifth Generation of Computers
The main characteristics of fifth generation of computers (the present and the future)
• Main electronic component: based on artificial intelligence, uses the Ultra Large-
Scale Integration (ULSI) technology and parallel processing method.
• ULSI – millions of transistors on a single microchip
• Parallel processing method – use two or more microprocessors to run tasks
simultaneously.
• Language – understand natural language (human language).
• Power – consume less power and generate less heat.
• Speed – remarkable improvement of speed, accuracy and reliability (in comparison
with the fourth generation computers).
• Size – portable and small in size, and have a huge storage capacity.
• Input / output device – keyboard, monitor, mouse, trackpad (or touchpad),
touchscreen, pen, speech input (recognise voice / speech), light scanner, printer,
etc.
• Example – desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones, etc