Computer Fundamentals

Computer fundamentals are a common topic for most Government exams, especially the
Bank, Railway and SSC exams conducted in the country.

Table of Contents:

1. Evolution of Computer
2. Generations of Computer
3. Types of Computer
4. Computer Devices
5. Functions of Computer
6. Sample Questions – Fundamentals of Computer

What is a Computer?

An electronic device that accepts data and processes it into useful information is called a
Computer. There are two main aspects of the computer:

 Input: The data we enter into the computer is called the input. Input, basically are
raw facts for which we want the system to process and give us an outcome
 Output: The answer that the computer provides in return of the raw data entered, is
called output

Evolution of Computer
The computer started as a huge electronic device which took a large area for its instalment,
and the mechanism was very complication. Still, then with time, those huge machines were
converted into smaller versions of the divide, starting with the monitors, then laptop and later
on the invention of tablets.

The first fully electronic computer was introduced in the 1930s, and since then, the
development of computer and its related devices has been unstoppable.

Computers are nothing but an advanced version of Abacus, which dates back to almost 5000
years. Further below, we have discussed the five generations of computer and how these
generations gradually helped in the development of this electronic device.

Generations of Computer

There are a total of five Generations of Computer, with each Generation something new was
discovered to improvise the functioning and the use of the computer systems.

First Generation (Vacuum Tubes) – 1940-1956:

This Generation computers relied on Machine Language (the Language of 0s and 1s) and
used Vacuum tubes as components of memory. They were huge in size and occupied almost a
room-size area to fit in.
Given below are a few characteristic features of the 1st Generation of computer:

 The price of managing these computers was very high

 They were huge
 They were not capable of multitasking, and only one task could be performed at a
time
 There was no use of monitors; the output was directly given in the form of print outs
 The electricity consumption was very high

Examples of computers developed in this generation are ENIAC – Electronic Numeric

Integrated and Computer, UNIVAC- Universal Automatic Computer, EDSAC – Electronic
Delay Storage Automatic Calculator and EDVAC – Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic
Computer

Second Generation (Transistors) – 1956-1963:

The first-ever transistor was invented in 1947 but could never be used in the computer until
the 1950s. Given below are a few characteristic features of the 2nd Generation computers:

 The speed of the transistor decided the speed of the computer

 It was less expensive in comparison to the 1st Generation computers
 The electricity consumption had also reduced with the use of transistors
 There was no change in the output as it was still received through a printout
 From machine language, there was a change to usage assembly language in
computers. Thus, now computers could understand words
 High-level programming languages were used

Two significant developments during this phase include the development of FORTRAN or
Formula Translation and COBOL or Common Business Oriented Language, which was
developed for business use.

Aspirants can visit the Computer Networks page to learn more about its types, functions and
uses. This will help candidates master another important topic for the Computer Awareness
section, from the examination point of view.

Third Generation (Integrated Circuits) – 1964-1971:

The phase when the usage of keyboards and monitors ha started for the input and output. The
transistors had been reduced in size and were placed on silicon chips. This increased the
speed of the computer.

Given below are the features of the 3rd Generation of computers:

 The Integrated circuits were used where small circuits could work as efficiently as the
larger ones
 Multitasking could be done in the computers developed during the 3rd phase
 Functions of the computer were based on the memory of the monitor

A few examples from this Generation of computer are PDP 8, IBM 360, ICL 2900, etc.
Fourth Generation (Microprocessors) – 1972-2010:

The maximum developments were done during this time phase as technology has advanced
many folds. By this time, millions of transistors could be placed on the silicon circuits.

The characteristic features of this Generation are given below:

 The first microprocessor, Intel 4004 chip was discovered by Ted Hoff and was made
commercially available in 1971. This led to the introduction of personal computers
 This Generation saw revised versions of computers being introduced in the form of
laptops and tablets
 GUI – Graphical User Interface was developed during this phase
 Speed, memory and storage had also improved in the computers of this Generation

The computers which were introduced during this Generation include Apple II, the first IBM
computer, STAR 1000, and many more.

Fifth Generation (Artificial Intelligence) – 2010-till date:

The current generation of computers which have made our lives easier and more convenient
is all a part of the fifth generation of the computer.

Given below is some basic information about the 5th generation of computers:

 Artificial intelligence is being used in devices currently which has enabled millions on
tasks to be completed within seconds on a device
 Advancement in the functioning of laptops, palmtops, etc.
 Other robotic devices have started being used to reduce human labour
 The devices from this generation are cost-effective, faster, consume lesser electricity
and are easily portable and convenient to use

Types of Computer

There are majorly 4 types of computers which have been described briefly below. Candidates
must know about the different types of computers with respect to the upcoming competitive
exams:

1. Super Computer – The computers which are used to process a huge amount of data
at once are called Supercomputers. They are mostly used in scientific and engineering
operations where the processing is complex. They are expensive and complicated to
work. For example – The computers used by NASA to launch space shuttles.
2. Mainframe Computer – Computers designed to be used in large firms and
organisations where a lot of people have to work on the same database are called
mainframe computers. They are almost equally as expensive as Supercomputers and
are the fastest working computers at present. They are mostly used in Banks.
3. Workstation – Usually a single user system is called a work station. The RAM for
such systems is more, and the processors are quite fast. They are mostly used by an
individual and can be used for multiple purposes.
4. Microcomputer – Designed for personal use only. This type of computers can easily
be moved from one place to the other. They have a personal storage area, input &
 output unit and a Central Processing Unit. Examples for microcomputer are desktop,
laptop, mobile phone, tablets, etc.

Computer Devices

The image given below shows the different devices which can be connected to a computer:

Functions of Computer

A computer is used in various spheres of life today, and there are multiple advantages that the
computer has brought in today.

Given below are the functions of the computer:

1. Lengthy calculations which may take hours to be completed manually can now be
done within seconds
2. Easy to use and cost-effective. People can buy them at reasonable prices
3. Reduced manual labour
4. Made storing information easier and more convenient
5. Years of data can be saved in the form of data in computers without the fear of losing
it
6. There can be no question over its accuracy if the input has been given correctly

Computer devices can also be classified into categories:

 Hardware
 Software

To know the difference between hardware and software, candidates can visit the linked
article.

Given below are a few other links which may help you prepare for the upcoming competitive
exams:

Sample Questions – Fundamentals of Computer

Given below are a few sample questions based on the upcoming Government exams from the
topic of Computer Fundamentals.

Q 1. Which of these is not an example of First Generation computer?

1. ENIAC
2. Universal Automatic Computer
3. PDP-8
4. EDSAC
5. EDVAC

Answer: (3) PDP-8

Q 2. Who invented the INTEL 4004 chip?

Answer: Ted Hoff, Federico Faggin, and Stan Mazor

Q 3. Which of these is not an example of Microcomputer?

1. Personal Computer
2. Palm Top
3. Laptop
4. Tablet
5. LAN

Answer: (5) LAN

Q 4. Which of these was introduced in the second generation of computers?

1. Microprocessors
2. Artificial Intelligence
3. Integrated Circuits
4. Vacuum Tubes
5. Transistors

Answer: (5) Transistors

Q 5. Name the storage device out of the given options

1. Monitor
2. CPU
3. Magnetic Disk
4. RAM
5. SMPS

Answer: (3) Magnetic Disk