Computers & Technology: Historical Overview & Characteristics of Generations, Slides of Computer science

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1

 After reading this Lesson you will be able to understand:

1. The characteristics of computers that makes them an essential part of every technology.
2. Computer system, which includes components such as central processing unit & I/O devices.

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AIMS & OBJECTIVES

 Generations of computer o First generation (1940 to 1956): Using vacuum tubes o Second generation (1956 to 1963): Using transistors o Third generation (1964 to 1971): Using integrated circuits o Fourth generation (1971 to present): Using microprocessors o Fifth generation (present and next): Using artificial intelligence  Classification of computer—Microcomputers (desktop computer or Personal Computer (PC), notebook computers or laptop, netbook, tablet computer, handheld computer or

Contents

 Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), smart phones), minicomputers, mainframe computers, supercomputers ) The computer system—Hardware, software, data, users The Input-process-output concept Components of computer hardware—Input/output unit, central processing unit, storage unit Application of computers—Education, entertainment, sports, advertising, medicine, science and engineering, government, home

Contents

Chapter 1

 A computer is one of the most influential forces available in modern times  Due to its memory, high speed and perfection, its application can be extended to almost infinite levels.

 Millions of complex calculations can be done in mere fraction of time.  Difficult decisions can be made with accuracy for comparatively little cost.  Computers are widely seen as instruments for future progress and as tools to achieve substantiality by way of improved access to information by means of video conferencing and e-mail.  Indeed computers have left such on impression on modern civilization that we call this era as the information age. College of Communication and Information Technology 7

Why this chapter?

 Computers plays a significant part of our lives.

 They are used for the reservation of tickets for:

 airplanes and railways,  payment of telephone and electricity bills,  deposit and withdrawal of money from banks,  processing of business data,  forecasting of weather conditions,  diagnosis of diseases, searching for information on the Internet, etc.

INTRODUCTION

 Computers are also used extensively in:

 schools, universities, organizations, music industry, movie industry, scientific research, law firms, fashion industry, etc.

INTRODUCTION

 The term computer is derived from the word compute.

 The word compute means to calculate.

 A computer is an electronic machine that accepts data from the user, processes the data by performing calculations and operations on it, and generates the desired output results.

 Computer performs both simple and complex operations, with speed and accuracy.

INTRODUCTION

 Input (Data): Input is the raw information entered into a computer from the input devices. It is the collection of letters, numbers, images etc.

 Process: Process is the operation of data as per given instruction. It is totally internal process of the computer system.

 Output: Output is the processed data given by computer after data processing. Output is also called as Result. We can save these results in the storage devices for the future use. Computer System All of the components of a computer system can be summarized with the simple equations.

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Input-Process-Output

 A digital computer uses distinct values to represent the data internally. All information are represented using the digits Os and 1s. The computers that we use at our homes and offices are digital computers.

1.2 DIGITAL AND ANALOG

COMPUTERS

a) Speed

b) Storage

c) Accuracy

d) Versatility

e) Automation

f) Diligence

g) Reliability

CHARACTERISTICS OF

COMPUTERS

 Computers are capable of carrying out the task with enormous speed. Today’s computers, according to their class, can perform from 4 MIPS (Millions of instructions per second) to 100 MIPS.

 What may take days for manual calculations may take only a few hours for computers to perform. Inside the computer the information signal travels at incredible electronic speed.

Speed

 Computers can store enormous quantity of information.  Which is expressed in terms of Kilobytes (or) Mega Bytes (MB) or Gega Bytes (GB).  It is achieved through its ‘Main memory’ or ‘Primary storage’ and through ‘auxiliary storage’ or ‘Secondary storage’.  The Hard disks Floppy disk, Compact Disc(CD) and Magnetic Tape storage are examples of secondary storages.  These large volumes of storage occupy much lesser space compared to paper documents and this aspect of computers makes them more powerful.

Storage

 The accuracy of a Computer is consistently high. In fact, this quality of the computers make them indispensable in various fields such as Scientific Research, Space Research, Weather Predictions and many other areas where precision of a high order is required.

 The accuracy of the computer is best achieved by programming them in the most efficient manner.

 When it comes to very complex mathematical or scientific problem the computer’s accuracy has no substitute.

Accuracy