INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTING

Computer Evolution History of Computers Generations of Computer

First Generation Second Generation Third Generation Fourth and Fifth Generation

Categories of Computers Types of Computer (Analog, Digital and

Hybrid)

History of Computers Man always searched for a fast calculating

device, it took a long time to invent a digital computer.

A brief history behind the invention of computers is as follows:

Abacus : It was the first computing device, and was developed in 600 B.C.

It was used to perform simple addition and subtraction.

John Napier : It was a cardboard multiplication calculator.

It was designed in early 17th century.

History of Computers Blaise Pascal : It was invented in 1642, it

could only add and subtract the numbers, division and multiplication was done by repeated addition and subtraction.

Leibnitz: It was a the first calculator that could multiply and divide also, was invented in 1694.

Charles Xavier: It could perform addition, subtraction and multiplication as well.

Charles Babbage: In 1842, he developed an Analytical Engine that was automatic, which could perform 60 additions per minute.

Generations of ComputersGenerations of ComputersGen. App. Dates Technology Gen. App. Dates Technology

Speed(Op/s)Speed(Op/s) 1. 1946 - 57 Vacuum Tubes 40,000 2. 1958 - 64 Transistors 200,000 3. 1965 - 71 Small & medium

1,000,000 Scale integration 4. 1972 - 77 Large Scale

10,000,000 integration 5. 1978 - Very Large Scale

100,000,000 integration

First Generation Computers (1946-1957)

The First generation computers were based on Vacuum tube, which was a glass tube that controlled and amplified the electronic signals.

Examples: ENIAC & UNIVAC ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator

and Calculator) invented in 1946, was the first electronic computer.

UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computer)was the first digital computer, was used in business and industries.

Advantages Vacuum Tubes were the only electronic component

available in those days. This technology made possible to make electronic

digital computers. These computers could calculate data in

milliseconds.Disadvantages These were very large. Consumed a large amount of energy. Heated very soon due to thousands of vacuum

tubes. Not reliable

First Generation Computers

Air conditioning was required. Constant maintenance was required. Non-portable. Costly commercial production. Limited commercial use. Quite slow speed. Limited programming capabilities. Used machine language only. Used magnetic drums which provide very less

facility of data storage. Very faulty.

First Generation Computers

This was the age of Transistors, which is a small device that transfers electronic signals across a resistor.

The concept of Minicomputers was introduced.

Examples : IBM 7094 series, IBM 1400 series and CDC 164 etc.

Advantages Smaller size as compared to the first

generation computers More reliable

Second Generation Computers (1958-1964)

More energy-efficient Were not heated because of less energy Wider commercial use Better portability Better speed, could calculate data in

microseconds Used faster peripherals like tape drives,

magnetic disks, line printer etc. Used Assembly language instead of machine

language Accuracy improved

Second Generation Computers

Disadvantages Air conditioning was required. Constant maintenance was required Commercial production was difficult Also only used for specific purposes Costly Not versatile Punch cards were used for input.

Second Generation Computers

It was the age of Integrated Circuits (ICs), which combined three electronic components onto a small silicon disc.

Scientists later managed to fit even more components on a single chip called a Semiconductor.

The Concept of mainframes was introduced. Examples: IBM System/360, UNIVAC 1108

and IBM 370 etc.

Third Generation Computers (1965-1971)

Third Generation ComputersAdvantages Smaller in size as compared to previous generation. More reliable. Less energy used Produced less heat as compared to previous

generation computers More good speed, could calculate data in

nanoseconds. Used fan for heat discharge and to prevent from

damaging Maintenance cost was low because hardware failure

was rare.

Third Generation Computers Totally general purpose Could be used for high level languages Good storage Versatile to an extent Less expensive Better accuracy Commercial production increased Used mouse, keyboard for input.

Third Generation ComputersDisadvantages Air conditioning was required High sophisticated technology required for

the manufacturing of IC chips.

There have been a There have been a FourthFourth and a and a FifthFifth generation based on advances in Integrated generation based on advances in Integrated circuit technology.circuit technology.

With the introduction of Large-Scale With the introduction of Large-Scale Integration (LSI), more than 1000 Integration (LSI), more than 1000 components can be placed on a single components can be placed on a single integrated chip.integrated chip.

Very-Large-Scale Integration (VLSI) achieved Very-Large-Scale Integration (VLSI) achieved more than 10,000 components per chip.more than 10,000 components per chip.

Current VLSI chips can contain more than Current VLSI chips can contain more than 100,000 components.100,000 components.

Fourth and Fifth GenerationsFourth and Fifth Generations

The fourth generation started with the The fourth generation started with the invention of microprocessors.invention of microprocessors.

Microprocessors is a small chip containing Microprocessors is a small chip containing thousands of ICs on it.thousands of ICs on it.

It greatly reduced the size of the computer.It greatly reduced the size of the computer.The modern microprocessors are usually one The modern microprocessors are usually one

inch and can contain millions of electronic inch and can contain millions of electronic circuits.circuits.

Fourth Generation ComputersFourth Generation Computers (1972 – 1977) (1972 – 1977)

AdvantagesAdvantagesVery small in size Very small in size Less power consumptionLess power consumptionLess heat generated Less heat generated Large fan for heat discharging and thus to keep Large fan for heat discharging and thus to keep

coldcoldNo air conditioning is requiredNo air conditioning is requiredBest speed to read instructions (one billionth per Best speed to read instructions (one billionth per

second)second)Reliable and powerfulReliable and powerfulTotally general purposeTotally general purpose

Fourth Generation ComputersFourth Generation Computers

Commercial production Commercial production Less need for repairingLess need for repairingCheapest among all generations Cheapest among all generations All types of high-level languages can be used All types of high-level languages can be used

in this type of computerin this type of computer

DisadvantagesDisadvantagesHighly sophisticated technology required for Highly sophisticated technology required for

manufacturing microprocessorsmanufacturing microprocessors

Fourth Generation ComputersFourth Generation Computers

It is based on Artificial intelligence (AI), It is based on Artificial intelligence (AI), computers can understand spoken words computers can understand spoken words instructions and imitate human reasoning.instructions and imitate human reasoning.

Scientists are working to increase the speed Scientists are working to increase the speed of computers.of computers.

They are trying to create a computer with a They are trying to create a computer with a real IQ with the help of advanced real IQ with the help of advanced programming and technologies.programming and technologies.

Fifth Generation ComputersFifth Generation Computers (1978 – To date) (1978 – To date)

With the rapid pace of technology, the high With the rapid pace of technology, the high rate of introduction of new products, and the rate of introduction of new products, and the importance of software and communications importance of software and communications as well as hardware, the classification by as well as hardware, the classification by generation becomes less clear and less generation becomes less clear and less meaningful.meaningful.

It could be said that the commercial It could be said that the commercial application of new developments resulted in application of new developments resulted in a major change in the early 1970s and that a major change in the early 1970s and that the results of these changes are still being the results of these changes are still being worked out.worked out.

Fifth Generation ComputersFifth Generation Computers

Categories of ComputerBefore:

Computers are categorized into three main categories from least to most powerful:microcomputersminicomputersmainframe computers

Today:A computer is categorized based on its

technology, function, size, performance, and cost

Categories of ComputerToday’s Computer Categories

Personal computersHandheld computersWorkstationsVideogame ConsolesMainframesSupercomputersServers

Categories of ComputerPersonal ComputerA personal computer is a type of

microcomputer designed to meet the computing needs of an individual.

It consists of one or more input devices, Output device, storage device, memory and processor.

It further categorized as:Desktop computersNotebook computersTablet PC

Categories of ComputerDesktop ComputerIt is designed in a way that all its

components fit on a desk or a table.

Notebook ComputerIt is also called as Laptop Computer, it is

small in size and can be placed easily on lap.It can be used using batteries, It can perform

same basic functions as a personal computer. A notebook computer contains CPU, memory

capacity and disk drives.

Categories of ComputerThe keyboard and touchpad in notebook

computer are placed on the top of the system unit.

They are easy to carry and can be used outdoors in airports and in classrooms without the need for the nearby electrical outlet.

Tablet PC A Tablet PC is a portable computing device

featuring a touch-sensitive screen that can be used as a writing or drawing pad.

The user gives instructions with digital pen. Many tablet PCs have built-in microphone.

Categories of ComputerHandheld ComputersA handheld computer is one that is

designed to fit into a pocket, run on batteries, and be used while you are holding it

Also called a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)Send and receive e-mailUse maps and global positioningMaintain expense account, contacts, to-do

lists, memos, etc.Make voice calls using cellular service

Categories of ComputerWorkstation ComputersThe term “workstation” has two meanings

Powerful desktop models designed for specialized tasks

Ordinary personal computers connected to a local area network.

A computer network is two or more computers or other devices that are connected for the purpose of sharing data and programs

Categories of ComputerMainframe ComputersA mainframe computer is a large and

expensive computer that is capable of passing data simultaneously to many users

Used by governments and large corporations to provide centralized storage

Categories of ComputerServerA server serves the computers on a

network by supplying them with data.ClientA client receives data from a serverAny computer can be a server or a clientHigh performance servers are needed

when there is a need for lots of users and rapid response

Categories of ComputerSuper ComputersA supercomputer is one of the fastest

computers in the worldBreaking codesModeling weather systemsSimulating nuclear explosionsResearch simulations

Categories of Computer