Computer

Fundamentals:
An Overview
Today's world is an information-rich world and it has become a
necessity for everyone to know about computers. A computer is an
electronic data processing device, which accepts and stores data
input, processes the data input, and generates the output in a
required format.
Functionalities of a Computer

Step 1: Input Step 2: Storage Step 3: Processing

Takes data as input. Stores the data/instructions in its Processes the data and converts it into usefu
memory and uses them as required.

Step 4: Output Step 5: Control

Generates the output. Controls all the above four steps.
Advantages of Computers

High Speed Accuracy Storage Capability Versatility and

Reliability
Computers can perform Computers are renowned Memory is a crucial aspect
calculations on massive for their accuracy. They are of computers. They have Computers are incredibly
amounts of data incredibly designed to deliver 100% much greater storage versatile and reliable
fast. Their speed is error-free calculations, capacity than humans, machines. They are used
measured in provided the input data is capable of holding vast to solve problems across
microseconds, correct. amounts of data, including various fields.
nanoseconds, and even images, videos, text, audio,
picoseconds. and more.
More Advantages of Computers

Diligence Automation Reduction in Paper Work

Unlike human beings, a computer is free Computer is an automatic machine.
and Cost
from monotony, tiredness, and lack of Automation is the ability to perform a The use of computers for data
concentration. It can work continuously given task automatically. processing in an organization leads to
without any error and boredom. It can reduction in paper work and results in
perform repeated tasks with the same speeding up the process.
speed and accuracy.
Disadvantages of Computers

No I.Q. Dependency Environment and

Feelings
Computers lack intelligence and Computers rely entirely on human
require explicit instructions for every users for instructions and operation. Computers require specific
task. They cannot make independent environmental conditions and lack the
decisions. ability to experience feelings or make
judgments based on emotions.
 The
History of
Computers
by Gretchen Ortal
Early Computing
Devices
 Tally Sticks
Tally sticks were an ancient
method of recording numbers
and transactions, typically used
for accounting and bookkeeping
purposes. These sticks were
made of wood, and notches
were carved into them to
represent numbers. The notches
were often cut across the stick
in different positions and sizes
to represent different values.
 Abacus
The abacus is a mechanical
device used for performing
mathematical calculations. It
was invented in Babylonia
around 2400 B.C. and later
adopted by the Chinese
around 500 B.C.
 Napier's Bones

Invented by John Napier in the

early 17th century, are rods
inscribed with multiplication
tables, used for performing
multiplication and division by
aligning them and reading off
the results from the arranged
numbers.
 Slide Rule

Invented by William Oughtred

in 1622, is a mechanical device
for performing mathematical
calculations using logarithmic
scales. It was widely used for
complex calculations until
electronic calculators became
popular in the 1970s.
 The Pascaline

The Pascaline, invented by

Blaise Pascal in 1642, is an
early mechanical calculator
for basic arithmetic. It uses
rotating gears and dials to
perform addition and
subtraction. Despite being a
significant innovation, it wasn't
widely adopted due to its
complexity and cost.
 The Stepped Reckoner

Invented by Gottfried Wilhelm

Leibniz in 1672, a mechanical
calculator capable of
performing complex arithmetic
operations, including addition,
subtraction, multiplication, and
division. It used a stepped drum
mechanism, allowing for more
advanced calculations compared
to earlier devices like the
Pascaline. Despite its innovation,
it wasn't widely adopted due to
practical challenges.
 The Jacquard Loom

Invented by Joseph Marie Jacquard in

1804 , automated the weaving of
complex patterns using punched cards
to control thread movement. This
innovation increased textile production
efficiency and influenced early computer
programming by introducing binary
control.
The Arithmometer

Invented by Thomas de Colmar

in 1820, was the first reliable
and commercially successful
mechanical calculator, capable
of performing addition,
subtraction, multiplication, and
division. It was also the first mass-
produced calculating machine.
 The Difference Engine and Analytical Engine

Charles Babbage, an
English mathematician The Difference Engine The Analytical Engine
born in 1791, known as (1820s) (1830s)
the "father of the was an automatic mechanical was a proposed mechanical
computer" for designing calculator for computing general-purpose computer
the Difference Engine polynomial functions. It used introducing concepts like
and the Analytical finite differences to perform algorithms, branching, and
Engine. His work laid the calculations without multiplication memory. Though never built, it
foundation for modern or division. Though never laid the foundation for modern
computing and influenced completed by Babbage, it was a computing.
computer science. precursor to modern computers.
Worlds First Computer Programmer
Ada Byron, better known as "Ada Lovelace"

An English mathematician and

writer, born in 1815. She is
best known for her work on
Charles Babbage's Analytical
Engine, where she wrote what
is considered the first
algorithm intended to be
executed by a machine. She
also recognized the potential of
computers beyond mere
calculation, envisioning their
ability to process symbols and
create art and music, which
was highly visionary for her
time.
Scheutzian Calculation Engine

Created by Per Georg Scheutz in the

1840s-1850s, was a mechanical
calculator based on Babbage's
Difference Engine. It was the first
operational machine of its kind, used
for calculating and printing mathematical
tables, and was notable for being more
practical and affordable than Babbage's
original design.
The Tabulating Machine

Herman Hollerith invented the

Tabulating Machine in the late 19th
century. It used punched cards to
process data, significantly speeding
up tasks like the 1890 U.S. Census.
Hollerith's invention laid the
foundation for modern data
processing and led to the creation
of IBM.
 The Harvard Mark 1
The First Electro-mechanical Computer

Also known as the IBM

Automatic Sequence
Controlled Calculator (ASCC),
invented by Howard H. Aiken
in 1943. It was a massive
machine, weighing about five
tons and occupying a large
room. It was built using relays,
switches, and other
electromechanical components,
used for a variety of tasks,
including ballistics calculations,
artillery firing tables, and other
scientific calculations.
 Z1 - The First Programmable Computer
First Programmable Binary Computers

Created by Konrad Zuse

from 1936 to 1938, It used
mechanical switches and
punch tape for programming,
performing basic arithmetic
operations. Though it had
reliability issues, the Z1 was a
pioneering step toward
modern computing and laid
the groundwork for future
developments like the Z3.
 Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC)
The first electronic digital computing device

Invented by Professor John Atanasoff

and graduate student Clifford Berry at
Iowa State University between 1939
and 1942. It used vacuum tubes for
calculations, a revolutionary shift from
electromechanical computers, designed
to solve systems of linear equations. It
wasn’t completed due to financial
constraints and wartime priorities.
Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC)
First Electronic General-purpose Computer.

Developed by John Presper

Eckert and John W. Mauchly,
completed in 1946, Weighing
over 30 tons and using 18,000
vacuum tubes, it was initially
designed for military purposes,
such as calculating artillery firing
tables and was later used for
various scientific and
engineering tasks, including
weather forecasting, atomic
bomb research, and aircraft
design.
 Universal Automatic Computer I (UNIVAC I)
The First Commercial Computer

Designed by J. Presper Eckert and

John Mauchly. It was initially
designed for the U.S. Census
Bureau and became available for
commercial use in 1951. It was a
significant advancement over
previous computers, featuring a
mercury delay line memory,
magnetic tape storage, and the
ability to perform both arithmetic and
logical operations.
Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer (EDVAC)
The First to Use Stored Program Architecture

Designed by John Von

Neumann and completed in
1952. This architecture, now
known as the Von Neumann’s
Architecture, stored instructions
in the same memory as data,
greatly increasing flexibility and
efficiency. EDVAC's design
allowed for faster data processing
and laid the foundation for the
development of more powerful
modern computers.
 Osborne 1 - The First Portable Computer
The First Portable Computer

Released in 1981, designed by

Adam Osborne, it featured a 5-
inch display, dual floppy drives,
and ran the CP/M operating
system. It was revolutionary for its
portability and bundled business
software, but its success was
short-lived, leading to the
company's bankruptcy in 1983.
 Electronic Controls Company
The First Computer Company

Founded in 1949 by J. Presper The Electronic Controls

Eckert and John Mauchly. Eckert Company was later renamed
and Mauchly had previously worked the Eckert-Mauchly Computer
together on the ENIAC, they formed Corporation, and then Sperry
the Electronic Controls Company to Rand Corporation in 1955.
commercialize their work on
computers.
The Evolution of
Computer
Generations
First Generation: The Age of Vacuum Tubes

Vacuum Tube Technology Machine Language Input and Output Methods

These computers used vacuum
Programming Input was based on punched cards
tubes for circuitry and magnetic First-generation computers relied on and paper tape. Output was
drums for memory. They were machine language, the lowest-level displayed on printouts, limiting user
enormous, often filling entire rooms. programming language. They could interaction.
only solve one problem at a time.
Second Generation: The Transistor Revolution

1 Transistor Technology 2 Assembly Language 3 Memory Advancements

Transistors replaced vacuum tubes, Programmers could now use symbolic Instructions were stored in memory,
making computers smaller, faster, and languages, or assembly language which transitioned from magnetic drums
more reliable. One transistor replaced allowing instructions to be specified in to magnetic core technology.
about 40 vacuum tubes. words instead of binary code.
Third Generation: The Integrated Circuit Era

Integrated Circuits User Interaction Mass Accessibility

Transistors were miniaturized and Users could now interact with Computers became accessible to a
placed on silicon chips, computers through keyboards and wider audience due to their smaller
dramatically increasing speed and monitors. Operating systems size and lower cost.
efficiency. These semiconductors allowed multiple applications to run
revolutionized computer design. simultaneously.
Fourth Generation: The Microprocessor Age

Microprocessor Revolution Graphical User Interfaces Networking and Internet

Thousands of integrated circuits GUIs, mice, and handheld devices Powerful small computers could be
were built onto a single silicon chip, emerged, making computers more linked together, leading to the
creating the microprocessor. user-friendly and versatile. development of computer networks
and the Internet.
Fifth Generation: The AI Frontier

Artificial Intelligence Focus Parallel Processing Natural Language Processing

The fifth generation aims to develop Advanced techniques like parallel The goal is to create devices that
computers with AI capabilities. It's processing and superconductors respond to natural language input
still in development, pushing are being employed to realize AI and can learn and self-organize.
technological boundaries. dreams.
Current Applications of Fifth Generation Technology

Voice Recognition Machine Learning Autonomous Vehicles

Voice recognition technology is Machine learning algorithms are Self-driving cars represent a
already being used in various powering recommendations, practical application of AI and
applications, from virtual assistants predictive analytics, and complex machine learning in the real world.
to accessibility tools. problem-solving in various
industries.
 The Future of Computing

Key Quantum Molecular Neural

Technology Computing Computing Interfaces
Uses molecules, Enable direct
Unprecedented Uses the principles of
such as DNA or communication between
processing power for quantum mechanics to
proteins, to perform the brain and external
complex simulations perform computations.
computational devices, allowing intuitive
and cryptography Using quantum bits, or
processes. control without traditional
qubits instead of bits.
input methods.