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Computer Awareness
Part-1

• Computer Introduction
• Generations
• Types of Computer
• Peripheral devices
• memory
• Fathers
Introduction of Computer

Computer
The work computer come from the word “compute”, which means,
“to calculate”
Thereby, a computer is electronic device that can perform
Arithmetic operations as well logical operations at high speed.
A computer is also called a data processor because it can store,
process, and retrieve data whenever desired
Data Processing
Data - Process – Information
The activity of processing data
using a computer is called Data
processing.
Data is raw material used as input
and information is processed data
obtained as output of data
processing
Characteristics of Computers

1. Automatic
Given a job, computer can
work on it automatically
without human interventions.
2. Speed

Computer can perform data

processing jobs very fast,
usually measured in
microseconds (10-6),
nanoseconds (10-9), and
picoseconds (10-12)
3. Accuracy

Accuracy of a computer is consistently high and the degree of

its accuracy depends upon its design. Computer errors
caused due to incorrect input data or unrealizable programs
are often referred to as Garbage-In-Garbage-Out (GIGO)
4. Diligence

Computer is free from

monotony, tiredness, and
lack of concentration. It
can continuously work for
hours without creating
any error and without
grumbling
5. Versatility

Computer is capable of
performing almost any
task, if the task can be
reduced to a finite
series of logical steps
6. Power of Remembering

Computer can store and recall any amount of information

because of its secondary memory capability. It forgets or
looses certain information only when it is asked to do so.
7. No. I.Q

A computer does only what it is programmed to do. It

cannot take its own decision in this regard.
8. No feelings

Computers are devoid of emotions. Their judgment

is based on the instructions given to them in the
form of programs that are written by us (human
beings).
Evolution of Computer

Basic Pascal invented the first mechanical adding machine in

1642
Charles Babbage: is considered to
be the father of modern digital
computers. He designed
“Difference Engine” in 1822. He
designed a fully automatic
analytical engine in 1842 for
performing basic arithmetic
functions.
His efforts established a number of
principles that are fundamental to
the design of any digital computer Difference Engine
Some Well Known Early Computers
· The Mark I Computer (1937-44)
· The Atanasoff-Berry Computer (1939-42)
· The ENIAC (1943-46) Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer
· The EDVAC (1946-52) Electronic Discrete variable Automatic Computer
· The EDSAC (1947-49) Electronic Delay memory Automatic Calculator
· Manchester Mark I (1948)
· The UNIVAC I (1951) : UNIVersal Automatic Computer
Computer Generations

“Generation” in computer talk is a step in technology. It

provides a framework for the growth of computer industry
Till today, there are five computer generations.
First Generation (1940-56)
● The first generation computers used
Vacuum tubes & Machine language was
used for giving the data instructions.

● large in size

● programming was difficult task.

● electricity consumption was very high.

● Some computer of this generation are

ENIAC, EDVAC, UNIVAC
Second Generation (1956-63):

● Vacuum tubes were

replaced by Transistors,
● generated less heat & were
reliable.
● first operating system
developed in this
generation.
The Third Generation (1964-71):
● computer replaced transistors with
Integrated circuit known as chip.
● From Small scale integrated circuits
which had 10 transistors per chip,
technology developed to MSI circuits
with 100 transistors per chip.
● smaller, faster & more reliable.
● High level languages invented in
this generation.
The Fourth Generation (1975-1989):
● LSI & VLSI were used in this
generation.
● microprocessors came into
existence.
● The computers using this technology
known to be Micro Computers.
● High capacity hard disk were
invented.
● great development in data
communication.
The Fifth Generation (Present & Beyond):

● based on artificial intelligence,

● are still in development, through
there are some applications, such
as voice recognition,

● The use of parallel processing and

superconductors is helping to
make artificial intelligence a reality.
Some Computer Terms and Full form:
· Garbage –in –garbage –out (GIGO)
· Graphical User Interface (GUI)
· Integrated Circuit (IC)
· Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI)
· Medium Scale Integration (MSI)
· Personal Computer (PC)
· Small Scale Integration (SSI)
· Ultra Large Scale Integration (ULSI)
5 Basic Operations performed by COMPUTER
Inputting: The process of entering data and instructions into the computer
system.
Storing: Saving data and instructions to make them readily available for
initial or additional processing whenever required.
Processing: Performing arithmetic operation (add, subtract, multiply,
divide, etc.) or logical operations (Comparisons like equal to, less than,
greater than, etc.) on data to convert them into useful information.
Outputting: The process of producing useful information or results for the
user such as a printed report or visual display.
Controlling: Directing the manner and sequence in which all of the above
operations are performed.
Input Unit:
An input unit of a computer system
performs the following functions:
1. It accepts (or reads)
instructions and data from outside
world.
2. It converts these instructions
and data in computer acceptable
form.
3. It supplies the converted
instructions and data to the
computer system for further
processing.
1. Keyboard : -
Total keys = 104
Function keys = f1 to f12 (12)
Taggle keys = capslock & numlock
Modifier keys = 8 (shift, control, Alt)
2. Mouse : -
works upon GUI (Graphic user interface) platform

3. Light Pen
4. Optical/magnetic Scanner
5. Touch Screen
 INPUT DEVICES

6. Microphone for voice as input

7. Track Ball
8. Optical Recognition System ( ORS) : - computer read data by
scanning printing text eg MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition)
in banks
9. Bar code reader

10. Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) : - fill in the Bubble

11. Electronic card reader :- Eg - ATM’s ( Automatic teller machine) and
Point of sale (POS) terminals.
Output Unit

An output unit of a computer system

performs the following functions:
1. It accepts the results
produced by the computer, which
are in coded form and hence,
cannot be easily understood by us.
2. It converts these coded
results to human acceptable
(readable) form.
3. It supplies the converted
results to outside world.
 OUTPUT DEVICES

1. Monitor (Visual Display Unit)

2. Plotter
 Two Types :- Flatbed plotters &
Drum plotters
 used for engineering drawings and
architectural blueprints
3. Speakers
 OUTPUT DEVICES
4. Printers
1) Control unit ( CU)
2) ALU
3) Memory
What is Control Unit?

Control Unit of a computer

system manages and
coordinates the operations
of all other components of
the computer system
What is ALU?

Arithmetic Logical Unit of

a computer system is the
place where the actual
executions of instructions
takes place during
processing operation.
What is Memory ?

● Memory is the electronic holding place for the instructions and data a
computer need to reach quickly. It's where information is stored for
immediate use.
● There are technically two types of computer memory: primary and
secondary.
● The term memory is used as a synonym for primary memory or as an
abbreviation for a specific type of primary memory called random access
memory (RAM). {located on microchips}
Memory Unit
The memory unit of a computer
system holds (or stores) the following:
1. Data and instruction required
for processing (received from input
devices)
2. Intermediate results of
processing
3. Final results of processing,
before they are released to an
output device.
Type of memory:

Primary memory
Secondary memory
Primary memory

Used to hold running program

instructions.
Used to hold data, intermediate
results, and results of ongoing
processing of job (s)
Fast in Operation
Small Capacity
Expensive
Secondary memory

Used to hold stored program

instructions
Used to hold data and information
of stored jobs
Slower than primary memory
Large Capacity
Lot Cheaper that primary memory
Keywords and Words

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

Auxiliary memory
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Computer system
Control Unit (CU)
Types of Computer
Types of computer
On the basis of data processing
There are three types of computers
Analog , Digital and Hybrid

An analog computer or analogue computer is a type of

computer that uses the continuously changeable aspects of
physical phenomena such as electrical, mechanical, or hydraulic
quantities to model the problem being solved. .
Types of analog computer

● Slide Rules
● Differential Analysers
● Castle Clock
● Electronic Analogue Computers
● Mechanical Analogue Computers
Example of analogue computer – Thermometer,
Speedometer, Analogue Clock, Seismometer, Voltmeter
 Digital computer
 Digital computer, any of a class of devices capable of solving problems by
processing information in discrete form.

 It operates on data, including magnitudes, letters, and symbols, that are

expressed in binary code—i.e., using only the two digits 0 and 1.

 Digital computers process the binary input and provide the user with the
desired output.

 Digital computers are faster, more accurate, have high precision, and
provide enormous data memory than analog computers.

 Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC) was one of

the first digital computers.
Types of Digital Computers
On the basis of size, digital computers can be broadly classified into four categories

● Micro computer
● Mainframes
● Minicomputer
● Supercomputer
1. Micro Computer

● The personal computers, laptops,

tablets, and mobile phones that we use
in our daily life fall

● They are less complex and

comparatively inexpensive.

● Microcomputers are advantageous

because they are flexible, portable, and
loaded with features.
2. Mini Computer
● Minicomputers are most popular for their
quality of multiprocessing.

● It means that mini computers can use multiple

processors connected to a common
memory

● the same peripheral devices to perform

different tasks simultaneously.

● Minicomputers have greater complexity than

microcomputers. These are also known as mid-
range computers and are generally used for
applications like engineering computations,
data handling, etc.
3. Mainframe Computer
● Mainframe computers were first introduced
during the early 1930s and were properly
functional in the year 1943.

● known for their exceptional data

handling capacity and reliability.

● This quality is used in applications where

bulk data handling and security are of
main concern. For example, in banks,
during the census, etc.

● Harvard Mark 1 was the first mainframe

computer.
4. Super Computer
● Supercomputers are basically used in scientific and
research-related applications.

● They require an entire room for their set up and

operation. They are fast, accurate, and secure.

● Supercomputers employ thousands of processors that

work together to perform trillions of calculations
per second.

● Therefore, they require external cooling pipes to manage

the generated heat.

● Some of the prominent organizations that make use of

supercomputers are the National Nuclear Security
Administration, NASA, ISRO, etc.
 Examples of Digital Computers

1. Calculator
2. Digital Clock
3. Weighing Machine
4. Consumer Electronic Equipments
5. Laptop/Personal Computer
6. ATM
 Hybrid computers
Hybrid computers are computers that exhibit
features of analog computers and digital
computers.
The digital component normally serves as the
controller and provides logical and numerical
operations, while the analog component often
serves as a solver of differential equations and other
mathematically complex equations.
Types of Hybrid Computers

1. Large Electronic Hybrid Computer

2. General-Purpose Hybrid Computers

3. Special-Purpose Hybrid Computers

1. Large Electronic Hybrid Computer

● Large Electronic Hybrid Computers consist of a

number of operational amplifiers.
● designed to solve complex differential equations.
● Now, these computers have become obsolete, but
they have provided a rigid base for the later developed
technologies.
2. General-Purpose Hybrid Computers

● general-purpose hybrid computers are used for

general purposes such as computing
numerical results quickly with high precision.
● Due to the application in daily life, these
computers are comparatively more flexible
and user friendly.
3. Special-Purpose Hybrid Computers

● Special Purpose Hybrid Computers are used in

places that require extreme supervision.
● For instance, hospitals, fire stations, forensic
labs, etc.
● These computers are very less susceptible to
reprogramming and serve as a controller or
analyzer.
Examples of Hybrid Computers

1. Gasoline Station

2. Electrocardiogram Machine
3. Ultrasound Machine
4. Monitoring Machine
5. Research and Production Industries
6. systems designed for defence-related
activities - control system for missiles,
nuclear security systems, fighter plane
simulation systems, etc.
Fathers & Inventors
Fathers & Inventors