CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS

E-learning
Department of Information Technology
Tutor: Mr. Kevin Osanya (0713665783)
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS
Objectives
At the end of the chapter the learner shall be able to;
i. Explain the evolution of computing technology and the technological
advancement in computer architecture to current technologies
ii. Explain the characteristics of computers and how they are different from
humans. iii. Explain the different types of computers categorized based
on size, price and capabilities
iv. Explain the fundamental difference between computer hardware and
software

1.1. History of Computers

When the human race started doing some trade, it felt a need for a calculating
device. The first calculating device, which was used 2000 years ago was called
abacus and the improvements in the calculating device in that age were slow. The
next change came after about 1600 years. Following this, the changes were frequent
and the mechanical desk calculator was developed around 1800 A.D.
In 1833, Prof. Charles Babbage, the father of the computer, developed a machine
called analytical engine which was the vase for the modern digital computer.

1.2 Generation of Computers

1.2.1 Computer generations

First generation computers (1946-1956)

They made use of vacuum tubes to store and process information. The tubes
consumed a lot of power and generated a lot of heat (overheating). They were huge
in size and occupy a room. They used magnetic tape. Storage capacity was very low
i.e. 2kb and speed of processing was also very low. First machine in this category
was ENIAC (electronic discrete variable automatic computer) and later came
UNIVAC (universal automatic computers).these computers were mostly
computational machines. Their input /output capabilities were usually limited to
the keyboard and or punched card input and printer and or punched cart output.
The speed of these machines was described in milliseconds (1/1000 of a second)

Second generation computers (1957-1967)

These computers used transistors after invention of transistors. The transistor is
smaller cheaper and produced less heat than vacuum tubes and consumed less
power. The cost of computers decreased and the speed increased. The second
generation saw the introduction of more complex ALU and CPU, the use of high
level languages and provision of system software with the computer. Data access
time was measured in micro-seconds. Removable disk storage units were
developed for use on these machines. The speed of these machines was described
in microseconds (1/1000, 000 of a second). These computers had programming
languages whose vocabularies are close to the human natural language, English
language.

Third generation computers (1965-1980)

Introduced the use of very small electronic circuit called integrated circuits (IC) by
combining several transistors together between 3 transistors to make 1 IC. With IC
you can house thousands of transistors in one IC. This change further decreased the
size, heat output and the maintenance complexity of the computers while
increasing its speed. The small circuitry that resulted improved the processing
speed i.e. 10 times the past. The speed of these machines was described in
nanoseconds (1/1,000,000,000 of a second). They have higher main memory
capacity, reliable and increased processing power (have the capability of holding
more than one set of instructions and operate on them) than the second generation
computers. Invention of IC revolutionalised electronics and started the error of
micro-electronics. The IBM 360 is an example of third generation computers.

Fourth generation computers (1980s)

Use large scale integration circuits which housed hundreds of transistors and very
large IC which are between 200,000 to 400, 000 in one IC. Memory used includes
magnetic disc and optical disc. Memory size expanded up to several MB and speed
was 10 times faster. This generation marked the origin of mini computers in use
today.

Fifth generation computers (1990-current)

The design of these computers was based on VLSI (very large scale integration)
technology, the micro chip technology that gave rise to the smaller computers
known as the micro computers in use today. These computers are used in
networking .examples of micro computers are IBM PCs BBC micro etc. the micro
computers are usually described as PCs or stand alone or desktop computers
because they were designed primarily to serve single person at a time. The fifth
generation is still a state of the art technology that relies on predictions and further
technological refinements.

Summary
Research shows that the trend in computer technology revolution is that there is;
o Continual decrease in computer size o Improved speed and power
processing o Decrease in computers and the related facilities cost
 o Number of components in computer per circuit (IC) greatly increased over
500,000 physical elements e.g. transistors, capacities, diodes etc per chip(IC).

1.3 Characteristics of Computers

1. Speed – a computer is a very fast machine. It can perform in a very few

seconds the amount of work that a human being can do in a year if he/she
worked day and night doing nothing else.
2. Accuracy – the computer accuracy is consistently high.
3. Diligence – computers are free from monotony, tiredness and lack of
concentration etc. It can therefore work for hours without creating an error.
For example if 10 million calculations are to be done, a computer will do the
tenth million calculations with exactly the same speed and accuracy as the
first one.
4. Versatility – a computer performs various tasks with ease. I.e. it can search
for a letter, the next moment prepare an electricity bill, and write a report
next then do an arithmetic calculation all with ease.
5. Power of remembering – a computer can store and recall any information
due to its secondary storage capability.
6. No intelligence Quotient (IQ) – a computer cannot make its own decisions
and has to be instructed on what to do.
7. No feelings – computers are devoid of emotions. They have no feelings or
instincts and none possesses the equivalent of a human heart and soul.

1.4 Basic Computer Concepts

Definition of a computer
A computer is an electronic device capable of executing instructions, developed
based on algorithms stored in its memory, to process data fed to it and produce the
required results faster than human beings.
The definition from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary :
"one that computes; specifically : a programmable electronic device that can store,
retrieve, and process data"

1.5 Types of Computers

What different types of computers are there ?

This categories are based on size, price and capabilities
Super computers

They are very large in size and use multiple processors and superior technology.
Super computers are biggest in size, the most expensive in price than any other is
classified and known as super computer. It can process trillions of instructions in
seconds. This computer is not used as a PC in a home neither by a student in a
college. Governments specially use this type of computer for their different
calculations and heavy jobs. Different industries also use this huge computer for
designing their products.

In most of the Hollywood’s movies it is used for animation purposes. This kind of
computer is also helpful for forecasting weather reports worldwide. They are
known for von Newman’s design i.e. multiple processor system with parallel
processing. In such a system a task is broken down and shared among processes for
faster execution. They are used for complex tasks requiring a lot of computational
power.

Mainframe computers
A mainframe is another giant computer after the super computer and can also
process millions of instruction per second and capable of accessing billions of data
.They are physically very large in size with very high capacity of main memory.
This computer is commonly used in big hospitals, air line reservations companies,
and many other huge companies prefer mainframe because of its capability of
retrieving data on a huge basis. They can be linked to smaller computers and handle
hundreds of users they are also used in space exploitation. The term mainframe was
mainly used for earliest computers as they were big in size though today the term
is used to refer to large computers. A large number of peripherals can be attached
to them. They are expensive to install.

Minicomputers
They are smaller than the main frame but bigger than microcomputers. They
support concurrent users. They can be used as servers in companies. They are
slower and less costly compared to mainframe computers but more powerful,
reliable and expensive than micro computers.

Micro computers
They are of advanced technology i.e. the micro era based on large scale integration
that confines several physical components per small elements thumb size IC, hence
the size reduced. It is the smallest of the three computers. They are usually called
personal computers since they are designed to be used by individuals. The micro
chip technology has enabled reduction of size of computers. Microcomputers can
be a desktop, laptop, notebooks, or even palmtop o Notebook computer An
extremely lightweight personal computer. Notebook computers typically weigh
less than 6 pounds and are small enough to fit easily in a briefcase. Aside from size
and portability,. Notebook computers use a variety of techniques, known as flat-
panel technologies, to produce a lightweight and non-bulky display screen.
o Desktop Computer is an independent personal computer that is made
especially for use on a desk in an office or home. The term is used mainly to
distinguish this type of personal computer from portable computers and
laptops, but also to distinguish other types of computers like the server or
mainframe.
o Laptop A small portable computer light enough to carry comfortably, with
a flat screen and keyboard that fold together. Laptops are batteryoperated,
often have a thin, backlit or sidelit LCD display screen, and some models can
even mate with a docking station to perform as a fullsized desktop system
back at the office. Advances in battery technology allow laptop computers to
run for many hours between charges, and some models have a set of business
applications built into ROM. Today's highend (Advanced) laptops provide
all the capabilities of most desktop computers.
o Tablet Computer has features of the notebook computer, but with a touch-
screen, sometimes entirely replacing the physical keyboard, but some can
accept input from a stylus or a pen instead of the keyboard or mouse. It is a
portable computer. Tablet computer are the new kind of PCs.

o
o Handheld Computer or Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) is a small
computer that can be held on the top of the palm. It is small in size. Instead
of the keyboard, PDA uses a pen or a stylus for input. PDAs do not have a
disk drive. They have a limited memory and are less powerful. PDAs can be
connected to the Internet via a wireless connection. Casio and Apple are
some of the manufacturers of PDA. Over the last few years, PDAs have
merged into mobile phones to create smart phones.
o Smart Phones are cellular phones that function both as a phone and as a
small PC. They may use a stylus or a pen, or may have a small keyboard.
They can be connected to the Internet wirelessly. They are used to access the
electronic-mail, download music, play games, etc. Blackberry, Apple, HTC,
Nokia and LG are some of the manufacturers of smart phones.