Computer literacy Program…Introduction to Computer

Chapter-1

Introduction
to
Computer

1
 Computer literacy Program…Introduction to Computer

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

What is a Computer?

An electronic device that accepts input, stores large quantities of data, execute complex
instructions which direct it to perform mathematical and logical operations and outputs the
answers in a human readable form.

An electronic device that stores, retrieves, and processes data, and can be programmed with
instructions. A computer is composed of hardware and software, and can exist in a variety of sizes
and configurations.

Characteristics about computer

The major characteristics of a computer are high speed, accuracy, diligence, versatility and
storage.
1. Speed: - Computer can work very fast. It takes only few seconds for calculations that we take
hours to complete. Computer can perform millions (1,000,000) of instructions and even more per
second.
2. Accuracy: - The degree of accuracy of computer is very high and every calculation is
performed with the same accuracy. The accuracy level is 7 determined on the basis of design of
computer. The errors in computer are due to human and inaccurate data.
3. Versatility: It means the capacity to perform completely different type of work. You may use
your computer to prepare payroll slips. Next moment you may use it for inventory management or
to prepare electric bills.
4. Power of Remembering: Computer has the power of storing any amount of information or
data. Any information can be stored and recalled as long as you require it, for any numbers of
years. It depends entirely upon you how much data you want to store in a computer and when to
lose or retrieve these data.
5. Storage: - The Computer has an in-built memory where it can store a large amount of data.
You can also store data in secondary storage devices such as floppies, which can be kept outside
your computer and can be carried to other computers.

Uses of computer
1. USE OF COMPUTER IN BUSINESS
Marketing, Stock exchange, Banks, Departmental stores.

2. COMPUTERS IN BANKS • Handle trading in multiple currencies

• Automatic teller machine
• Facsimile (FAX), electronic mail (E.mail), and voice mail are used to transfer
messages etc conveniently and easily
2
 Computer literacy Program…Introduction to Computer

3.COMPUTER IS USED IN MEDICINES

Patient monitoring, patient records, diagnosis, hospital administration, medical history
records, life support system.

4. EDUCATION
Better study moods, most understandable and easier, internet facility provides a lot of
information from any corner of the world
5. WEATHER FORECASTING
Weather stations, Airport satellites, Humidity measurement, Metrological studies.

Types of Computers W.R.T PORPOSE, DATA

Computer can be divided into three types w.r.t. data
 Analog computer
 Digital computer
 Hybrid computer

Analog Computer:
Computer in which continuously variable physical quantities, such as
electrical potential, fluid pressure, or mechanical motion, are used to represent
(analogously) the quantities in the problem to be solved. The analog system is set up
according to initial conditions and then allowed to change freely.

Digital Computer:
Digital computer is an electronic computing machine that uses the binary
digits (bits) 0 and 1 to represent all forms of information internally in
digital form computer capable of solving problems by processing
information expressed in discrete form.

Hybrid Computer: Hybrid Computer is a combination of

computers that are capable of inputting and outputting in both digital and
analog signals. A hybrid computer system setup offers a cost effective
method of performing complex simulations.

3
 Computer literacy Program…Introduction to Computer

Types of Computers W.R.T SPEED SIZE AND CAPACITY

Computer now comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, which could be roughly classified
according to their processing power into five sizes: super large, large, medium, small, and tiny.
Microcomputers are the type of computers that we are most likely to notice and use in our
everyday life.

Mainframe Computers:
 They are big computer systems sensitive to temperature, humidity, dust etc.
 Qualified & trained operators are required to operate them.
 They have wide range of peripherals attached.
 They have large storage capacity.
 They can use wide variety of software’s.
 They are not user friendly.
 They can be used for more mathematical calculations.
 They are installed in large commercial places or government
organizations

Mini Computers.
 They have less memory & storage capacity than mainframe computers.
 They offer limited range of peripherals.
 Limited range of software’s can be used by them.
 The end users can directly operate it.
 They are not very sensitive to the external environment and hence are
more generalized.
 They are used for data processing

Super Computers:
 They are huge computers installed in space centres, nuclear power stations etc.
 They are used for performing complex mathematical calculations.
 Only scientists and mathematicians can operate them.
 They are having huge memories & tremendous processing speed.

4
 Computer literacy Program…Introduction to Computer

 They are used for whether forecasting, animation graphics etc.

Micro Computers:
 They brought revolution in the history of computers.
 They are also known as Personal Computers.
 They are cheap and user friendly.
 The main components are Monitor, CPU, Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers, Modem
and Printer.
 They are having limited peripherals attached to them.
 This type of computers can use wide range of software’s.
 They are used as desktops either in offices or even homes.
 Their operation can be easily learnt by anyone having logical aptitude.
 Children enjoy playing games & watching movies in these computers.
 Most popular micro computer’s processing chip manufacturing company is Intel.

GENERATIONS OF COMPUTER
Generation in computer terminology is a change in technology a computer is/was being used.
Initially, the generation term was used to distinguish between varying hardware technologies. But
nowadays, generation includes both hardware and software, which together make up an entire
computer system.
There are totally five computer generations known till date. Each generation has been
discussed in detail along with their time period and characteristics. Following are the
main five generations of computers.

Generation & Description

S.No.

First Generation
1
The period of first generation: 1946-1959. Vacuum tube based.
Second Generation
2
The period of second generation: 1959-1965. Transistor based.
Third Generation
3
The period of third generation: 1965-1971. Integrated Circuit based.
Fourth Generation
4
The period of fourth generation: 1971-1980. VLSI microprocessor based.
Fifth Generation
5
The period of fifth generation: 1980-onwards. ULSI microprocessor based.

5
 Computer literacy Program…Introduction to Computer

First Generation:
The period of first generation was 1946-1959. The
computers of first generation used vacuum tubes as the
basic components for memory and circuitry for CPU
(Central Processing Unit).
The main features of first generation are:
 Vacuum tube technology
 Unreliable
 Supported machine language only
 Very costly
 Generated lot of heat
 Slow input and output devices
 Huge size
 Need of A.C.
 Non-portable
 Consumed lot of electricity

Some computers of this generation were:

 ENIAC
 EDVAC
 UNIVAC

Second Generation:
The period of second generation was 1959-1965. In this generation transistors were used
that were cheaper, consumed less power, more compact in size, more reliable and faster
than the first generation machines made of vacuum tubes.

The main features of second generation are:

 Use of transistors
 Reliable in comparison to first generation computers
 Smaller size as compared to first generation computers
 Generated less heat as compared to first
generation computers
 Consumed less electricity as compared to first
generation computers
 Faster than first generation computers
 Still very costly
 A.C. needed
 Supported machine and assembly languages

Some computers of this generation were:

 IBM 1620
 IBM 7094
 CDC 1604
 CDC 3600
 UNIVAC 1108

6
 Computer literacy Program…Introduction to Computer

Third Generation:
The period of third generation was 1965-1971.
The computers of third generation used
integrated circuits (IC's) in place of transistors.

The main features of third generation are:

 IC used
 More reliable in comparison to previous
two generations
 Smaller size
 Generated less heat
 Faster
 Lesser maintenance
 Still costly
 A.C needed
 Consumed lesser electricity
 Supported high-level language

Some computers of this generation were:

 IBM-360 series
 Honeywell-6000 series
 PDP(Personal Data Processor)
 IBM-370/168
 TDC-316

Fourth Generation:
The period of fourth generation was 1971-1980. The
computers of fourth generation used Very Large Scale
Integrated (VLSI) circuits. VLSI circuits having about
5000 transistors and other circuit elements and their
associated circuits on a single chip made it possible to
have microcomputers of fourth generation.

The main features of fourth generation are:

 VLSI technology used

 Very cheap
 Portable and reliable
 Use of PC's
 Very small size
 Pipeline processing
 No A.C. needed
 Concept of internet was introduced
 Great developments in the fields of networks
 Computers became easily available

7
 Computer literacy Program…Introduction to Computer

Some computers of this generation were:

 DEC 10
 STAR 1000
 PDP 11
 CRAY-1(Super Computer)
 CRAY-X-MP(Super Computer)

Fifth Generation
The period of fifth generation is 1980-till date. In the fifth generation, the VLSI
technology became ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration) technology, resulting in the
production of microprocessor chips having ten million electronic components. This
generation is based on parallel processing hardware and AI (Artificial Intelligence)
software. AI is an emerging branch in computer science, which interprets means and
method of making computers think like human beings. All the high-level languages like C
and C++, Java, .Net etc., are used in this generation.

A1 includes:

 Robotics
 Neural Networks
 Game Playing
 Development of expert systems to make decisions in real
life situations.
 Natural language understanding and generation.

The main features of fifth generation are:

 ULSI technology
 Development of true artificial intelligence
 Development of Natural language processing
 Advancement in Parallel Processing
 Advancement in Superconductor technology
 More user friendly interfaces with multimedia features
 Availability of very powerful and compact computers at cheaper rates

Some computer types of this generation are:

 Desktop
 Laptop
 NoteBook
 UltraBook
 ChromeBook

8
 Computer literacy Program…Introduction to Computer

Q1. Fill in the blanks.

(i) ----------means the capacity to perform completely different type of work.

(ii) ---------- computer is a combination of computers that are capable of
inputting & outputting in both digital & analog signal.
(iii) Integrated Circuits were introduced in----------Generation.
(iv) -----------Generation is based on parallel processing & Artificial Intelligence
(v) Micro computers are also known as ------------.

Q2. Multiple choice questions.

(i) Computer used in second generations is--------------.

(i) IBM 1620 (ii) ENIAC (iii) IBM-3701168

(ii) Digital computer is an electronic computing machine that uses----------digits.

(i) Binary (ii) hexadecimal (iii) Octal

(iii) -----------Computer are installed in space centers, nuclear power stations etc.

(i) Mainframe (ii) Mini (iii) Super

(iv) Initially, the generation term was used to distinguish between varying ____________
technologies.

(i) Software (ii) Hardware (iii) Both Software & Hardware

(v) The period of first generation is ------------

(i) 1946-1959 (ii) 1959-1965 (iii) 198-onward

Q3. Write short answers.

(i) Write the name of computer used in third generation?

(ii) What are the main features of fifth generation?
(iii) What is AI (Artificial Intelligence)?
(iv) Define accuracy of computer?
(v) What is a computer?