INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS

CHAPTER NO. 02

INSTRUCTOR
TAHIRA MAHBOOB
Computer Evolution
 History of Computers
 Generations of Computer
 First Generation
 Second Generation
 Third Generation
 Fourth and Fifth Generation
 Categories of Computers
 Types of Computer (Analog, Digital and Hybrid)
 History of Computers
 Man always searched for a fast calculating device, it
took a long time to invent a digital computer.
 A brief history behind the invention of computers is
as follows:
 Abacus : It was the first computing device, and was
developed in 600 B.C.
 It was used to perform simple addition and
subtraction.
 John Napier : It was a cardboard multiplication
calculator.
 It was designed in early 17th century.
 History of Computers
 Blaise Pascal : It was invented in 1642, it could only
add and subtract the numbers, division and
multiplication was done by repeated addition and
subtraction.
 Leibnitz: It was a the first calculator that could
multiply and divide also, was invented in 1694.
 Charles Xavier: It could perform addition,
subtraction and multiplication as well.
 Charles Babbage: In 1842, he developed an
Analytical Engine that was automatic, which could
perform 60 additions per minute.
 Generations of Computers
Gen. App. Dates Technology Speed(Op/s)
1. 1946 - 57 Vacuum Tubes 40,000
2. 1958 - 64 Transistors 200,000
3. 1965 - 71 Small & medium 1,000,000
Scale integration
4. 1972 - 77 Large Scale 10,000,000
integration
5. 1978 - Very Large Scale 100,000,000
integration
 First Generation Computers
(1946-1957)
 The First generation computers were based on
Vacuum tube, which was a glass tube that
controlled and amplified the electronic signals.
 Examples: ENIAC & UNIVAC
 ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and
Calculator) invented in 1946, was the first electronic
computer.
 UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computer)was the
first digital computer, was used in business and
industries.
 First Generation Computers
Advantages
 Vacuum Tubes were the only electronic component
available in those days.
 This technology made possible to make electronic
digital computers.
 These computers could calculate data in milliseconds.
Disadvantages
 These were very large.
 Consumed a large amount of energy.
 Heated very soon due to thousands of vacuum tubes.
 Not reliable
 First Generation Computers
 Air conditioning was required.
 Constant maintenance was required.
 Non-portable.
 Costly commercial production.
 Limited commercial use.
 Quite slow speed.
 Limited programming capabilities.
 Used machine language only.
 Used magnetic drums which provide very less facility of
data storage.
 Very faulty.
Second Generation Computers
(1958-1964)
 This was the age of Transistors, which is a small
device that transfers electronic signals across a
resistor.
 Examples : IBM 7094 series, IBM 1400 series and
CDC 164 etc.
Advantages
 Smaller size as compared to the first generation
computers and were more reliable
Second Generation Computers
 More energy-efficient
 Were not heated because of less energy
 Wider commercial use
 Better portability
 Better speed, could calculate data in microseconds
 Used faster peripherals like tape drives, magnetic
disks, line printer etc.
 Used Assembly language instead of machine
language
 Accuracy improved
Second Generation Computers
Disadvantages
 Air conditioning was required.
 Constant maintenance was required
 Commercial production was difficult
 Also only used for specific purposes
 Costly
 Not versatile
 Punch cards were used for input.
Third Generation Computers
(1965-1971)
 It was the age of Integrated Circuits (ICs), which
combined three electronic components onto a
small silicon disc.
 Scientists later managed to fit even more
components on a single chip called a
Semiconductor.
 Examples: IBM System/360, UNIVAC 1108 and IBM
370 etc.
 Third Generation Computers
Advantages
 Smaller in size as compared to previous generation.
 More reliable.
 Less energy used
 Produced less heat as compared to previous generation
computers
 More good speed, could calculate data in nanoseconds.
 Used fan for heat discharge and to prevent from
damaging
 Maintenance cost was low because hardware failure was
rare.
 Third Generation Computers
 Totally general purpose
 Could be used for high level languages
 Good storage
 Versatile to an extent
 Less expensive
 Better accuracy
 Commercial production increased
 Used mouse, keyboard for input.
 Third Generation Computers
Disadvantages
 Air conditioning was required
 High sophisticated technology required for the
manufacturing of IC chips.
 Fourth and Fifth Generations
There have been a Fourth and a Fifth generation
based on advances in Integrated circuit technology.
With the introduction of Large-Scale Integration
(LSI), more than 1000 components can be placed on a
single integrated chip.
Very-Large-Scale Integration (VLSI) achieved more
than 10,000 components per chip.
Current VLSI chips can contain more than 100,000
components.
Fourth Generation Computers
(1972 – 1977)
The fourth generation started with the invention of
microprocessors.
Microprocessors is a small chip containing thousands
of ICs on it.
It greatly reduced the size of the computer.
The modern microprocessors are usually one inch
and can contain millions of electronic circuits.
Fourth Generation Computers
Advantages
Very small in size
Less power consumption
Less heat generated
Large fan for heat discharging and thus to keep cold
No air conditioning is required
Best speed to read instructions (one billionth per
second)
Reliable and powerful
Totally general purpose
Fourth Generation Computers
Commercial production
Less need for repairing
Cheapest among all generations
All types of high-level languages can be used in this
type of computer
Disadvantages
Highly sophisticated technology required for
manufacturing microprocessors
 Fifth Generation Computers
(1978 – To date)
It is based on Artificial intelligence (AI), computers
can understand spoken words instructions and
imitate human reasoning.
Scientists are working to increase the speed of
computers.
They are trying to create a computer with a real IQ
with the help of advanced programming and
technologies.
Fifth Generation Computers
With the rapid pace of technology, the high rate of
introduction of new products, and the importance of
software and communications as well as hardware,
the classification by generation becomes less clear
and less meaningful.
It could be said that the commercial application of
new developments resulted in a major change in the
early 1970s and that the results of these changes are
still being worked out.
 Categories of Computer
Before:
Computers are categorized into three main
categories from least to most powerful:
microcomputers

minicomputers

mainframe computers

Today:
A computer is categorized based on its
technology, function, size, performance, and cost
 Categories of Computer
Today’s Computer Categories
Personal computers
Handheld computers
Workstations
Videogame Consoles
Mainframes
Supercomputers
Servers
 Categories of Computer
Personal Computer
A personal computer is a type of microcomputer
designed to meet the computing needs of an
individual.
It consists of one or more input devices, Output
device, storage device, memory and processor.
It further categorized as:
Desktop computers
Notebook computers
Tablet PC
 Categories of Computer
Desktop Computer
It is designed in a way that all its components fit on
a desk or a table.

Notebook Computer
It is also called as Laptop Computer, it is small in
size and can be placed easily on lap.
It can be used using batteries, It can perform same
basic functions as a personal computer.
A notebook computer contains CPU, memory
capacity and disk drives.
 Categories of Computer
The keyboard and touchpad in notebook computer
are placed on the top of the system unit.
They are easy to carry and can be used outdoors in
airports and in classrooms without the need for the
nearby electrical outlet.
Tablet PC
A Tablet PC is a portable computing device
featuring a touch-sensitive screen that can be used
as a writing or drawing pad.
The user gives instructions with digital pen.
Many tablet PCs have built-in microphone.
 Categories of Computer
Handheld Computers
A handheld computer is one that is designed to fit
into a pocket, run on batteries, and be used while
you are holding it
Also called a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)
Send and receive e-mail
Use maps and global positioning
Maintain expense account, contacts, to-do lists,
memos, etc.
Make voice calls using cellular service
 Categories of Computer
Workstation Computers
The term “workstation” has two meanings
Powerful desktop models designed for
specialized tasks
Ordinary personal computers connected to a
local area network.
A computer network is two or more computers or
other devices that are connected for the purpose of
sharing data and programs
 Categories of Computer
Mainframe Computers
A mainframe computer is a large and expensive
computer that is capable of passing data
simultaneously to many users
Used by governments and large corporations to
provide centralized storage
 Categories of Computer
Server
A server serves the computers on a network by
supplying them with data.
Client
A client receives data from a server
Any computer can be a server or a client
High performance servers are needed when there is
a need for lots of users and rapid response
 Categories of Computer
Super Computers
A supercomputer is one of the fastest computers
in the world
Breaking codes
Modeling weather systems
Simulating nuclear explosions
Research simulations
Categories of Computer