Chapter one

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 Characteristics
1.Quick performance.
2. Quick data input and information retrieval.
3. Ability to store data.
4. Accurate results, which depend on the accuracy of
data input.
5. Reducing human role, in particular in mechanically
run factories.
 …Computer Characteristics
6. Quick processing of arithmetic's and logic
operations.
7. Continuous and persistent workability.
8. Available a lot of software and applicable programs
that facilitate computer accessibility without need to
study computer science.
9. Prompt decision making to find proper and at most
solutions for specifics question.
10. Communicability through computer networks
with other computers to exchange data and
information.
 Computers Vs Human Beings

Operations Performed by Actions Performed by a Human

Computer
Hold instruction in internal storage Remember a set of instructions
Read data in machine readable form Read data in written or printed form
and memorize it or file it.
Perform arithmetic Computations Can perform arithmetic operations
Make comparisons Can make comparisons
Retrieve any data from internal Remember data or retrieve data from
memory or secondary storage file
Output the results on an output device Speak or Write the result on paper
Application of Computers
Education
 Prepare notes and presentations of their lectures.
 Distance education using the e-learning.
To conduct online examinations.
Entertainment
Download and view movies.
Play games.
Chat.
Sports
watch a game, view the scores, play games.
 ...Application of computer

Advertising
visual and the sound.
Picture(mark).
Medicine
Store history of patients
Store history of Doctor
medical equipments like ultrasound machine.
CAT scan machine.
 ... Application of computer
Science and Engineering.
 performing complex scientific calculations.
 for designing and making drawings.
 Simulating.
 launch of the rockets.
Government.
 provide information to the users.
 paying taxes.
 water and electricity bills.
Home
 to play games.
 communicating with friends and relatives via
Internet.
History of Computer

ABACUS
 first mechanical calculating device for
counting of large numbers.
Napier’s Bones mechanical device
Built for the purpose of multiplication in 1617.
Slide Rule
perform operations like addition, subtraction,
multiplication and division.
Pascal
Adding and Subtraction Machine.
 ... History of Computer
Babbage’s Analytical Engine.
called as difference engine.
to do complex mathematical calculations.

Remember....
The developments discussed above and several others
not discussed here, resulted in the development of the
first computer in the 1940s.
Generations and Classification of Computers
Computer Generation
Computer development relied upon
the following basic factors

1. Increasing computer speed.

2. Decreasing computer size.
3. Decreasing computer cost.
4. Enhancing result accuracy.
5. Increasing storage capacity.
6. Facilitating computer accessibility.
 1- First Generation:
• Emerged in 1940's and mid 1950's.
• Consisted of vacuum tube based logical and electronic circuits.
• Used magnetic drums for internal storage and magnetic tape for external
storage.
• Relatively slow.
• Huge size of the computer.
• System failure due high temperature produce by vacuums.
• Very limited memory capacity.
• Use machine language in programming.
• Use punched cards to store data.
• Include ENIAC, EDVAC, and EDSAC as First Computers, then UNIVAC.
2- Second Generation
• Emerged in mid 1950's and 1960's
• built on Transistors and small sized circuits with high operating
efficiency.
• Using magnetic circuits for memory.
• Using Hardisk for every storing and retrieval of data.
• Using new high level languages such as Fortran, and Cobol.
 3- Third generation

• Emerged in 1960's:
• Use small scale integrated circuits, followed by medium
scale integrated, resulting in small size and high memory
capacity and accurate performance.
• Distinguished high performance speed.
• Resulted in emergence of microcomputers and
multiprocessors.
• Developed operating systems to improve effectiveness
and performance, such as multiprogramming system.
• emergence of new high level languages such as Basic and
Pascal.
• Improvement of input and output devices.
4- Fourth generation:

• Emerged in 1970's and 1980's

• Use semiconductors to develop large scale integrated circuit
and very large scale integrated circuits called microprocessors.
• Very high speed performance.
• Emergence of Personal Computers and microcomputers.
• Emergence of new operating systems such as Real time
systems.
• Emergence of Floppy disks.
5.Fifth Generation (Present and Next): Using Artificial
Intelligence

The goal of fifth generation computing is to develop

computers that are capable of learning and self-
organization.
use Super Large Scale Integrated (SLSI).
uses parallel processing.
try to simulate the human way of thinking and
reasoning.
 Classification of Computer

Computers in general can be classified into major

categories based on two criterias.
(a) Application.
(b) Size and performance of computer.
Classification as per application
Digital computer.
Analog computers.
Hybrid Computers.
Digital Computer
electronic devices that process discrete data and
calculations.
Binary system is used to represent .
commonest and the most accurate

Digital computer classified into two:

1.General Purpose Computers
2. Special Purpose Computers.
General Purpose Computers

Designed for multipurpose functions.

theoretically used for any type of
applications.
used in solving a business Problem and also
used to solve mathematical equation with same
accuracy and consistency.
Special Purpose Computers.
made and used for any specific job.
designed for specific functions.
such as =>.early alarm devise.
=>.computers used in industrial operations
Analog computer
electronic devices work on waves principle.
They are used in specific to measure continuous
flow of data.
Hybrid Computers
devices that incorporate the qualities of the previous
two types.
used in scientific fields processing necessary data
from both kinds.
Classification as per Size and
performance of the computer
Super Computer
MainframeComputer
Minicomputers
Microcomputers
Super Computer
The most powerful computers.
relatively rare because of their size and expense.
used by universities, government agencies, and large
businesses.
used for problems requiring complex calculations.
used in complex scientific applications like processing
geological data, weather data, genetic engineering etc.
The speed of calculation is upto 1.2 billion
instructions/second
Mainframe
can support hundreds or thousands of users,
handling massive amounts of input, output, and
storage.
used in large organizations.
will has capability to support many peripheral
devices and terminals.
used as e-commerce servers.
used for Railway reservation etc.
Minicomputers
Have multiple terminals.
Medium sized computers.
They are relatively faster it can support about 10-20
user terminals.
Used as network servers and Internet servers.
easy to use.
Microcomputers
more commonly known as personal computers.
The word Micro suggests only the size, but not the
capacity.
They are capable to do all input - output operations.
 Data Processing

Data processing :-steps by which data can be

converted into useful information,
which can be usable by either by an individual or
by any number of users.
 method of Data Processing

Basically there are two method of data processing

1). Batch Processing.
2). Online or Immediate Processing.
Batch Processing
 Changes and queries to file are stored for a period of
time, and then a processing run is made periodically to
update the file and to produce responses to the queries.
 Can be made on a scheduled basis, such as daily,
weekly, or-monthly, or they can be made on an as
required basis.
example Generation of mark-sheets of students.
b/c Mark-sheets and results of school
examinations
are given to students only at the end of an academic
year
Online or Immediate Processing
transactionsare processed to update the file
immediately or shortly after a real-world event
occurs.
Information processing applications that use
immediate processing are often called real time
application.
example An airline-reservation system
Real time systems must have real time files that are
updated immediately after the event occurs.
The reservations agent keys in that fact and the inventory of non
reserved seats on the flight is immediately changed to reflect one less
available seat.
End