Chapter One: Introduction to

Computer
This Chapter Covers:
 Definition of Computers and its Applications
 Characteristics of Computers
 Classification of computers
 Applications of Computers
Generation and History of Computers
Limitation of Computers
 Advantage and Dis Advantage of Computers
 Definition of Computers
The name computer comes from a Latin word computre,
meaning “to reckon” or “to compute”.
It can be applied to abacus or any adding machine as to the
modern computer.
Computer is: an electronic machine capable of manipulating
numbers and symbols, taking an input, storing it, processing it
and giving an output all under the control of a set of
instructions (called program).
It is a programmable electronic device.
Any calculating device or machine, which is electronic,
mechanical or electromechanical can be called a Computer.
But that doesn’t mean that computers perform only calculation
 Cont..
Computer has two basic features.
 It responds to a specific set of instructions in a well-defined
manner.
 It can execute a prerecorded list of instructions (a program).

However, the term “Computer” has come to mean a special

electronic device having certain definite characteristics
Any computer system has three basic functions:
 To accept data (input) ,
 To convert data to information (process), and
 To produce and communicate information in a timely
fashion to users for decision making (output).
 Characteristics of Computers
The characteristics of a computer show the capabilities and the
potentials of the computer for processing data.
Computers have five basic characteristics:
Speed - The most important characteristic of a computer is its speed.
Computers perform their operations step by step. Their speed is measured
by the amount of time it took to perform or carry out a basic operation.
Computer speed measured in terms of microsecond (10-6 one millionths),
nanosecond (10-9 one billionths), and Pico second (10-12 one trillionths).
Storage - You can imagine how much space data of a census on papers
need. Not only the space, also the time it took to get or retrieve specific
information from such vast amount of data is not negligible. But a
computer can store such amount of information in a few numbers of disks.
In general a computer has a capacity to store a very large amount of
information in organized manner so that accessing information is very
fast.
 Cont..
Accuracy - Nowadays computers are being used for surgical purposes,
which need almost a hundred percent accuracy. From this we can
understand that computers are accurate and consistent. Unless there is
an error in the input data or unreliable program the computer processes
with a very high accuracy.
Automatic - Once necessary information and program is fed, the
computer performs processing without human intervention.
Versatility - Computers have the potential to perform or solve varieties
of tasks and problems, as long as the problem or the task can be put or
reduced in the form of logical steps.
Diligence: They are free from lack of concentration, tiredness and etc.
They constantly perform similar tasks over and over again.
 Classification of Computers
There are several methods of classifying computers
I) Classification by the method of operation (processing)
Computers are classified by the type of data they are designed to process.
They are classified into three: Analog, Digital and hybrid Computers
a) Analog Computers: They operate by measuring. They deal with continues
variables, they don’t compute directly with numbers, rather, they operate by measuring
physical magnitude such as pressure, temperature, voltage, current etc. Examples
Thermometer , Voltmeter
Speedometer
Gasoline pomp – Contains an analog Computer that converts the flow of pumped
fuel into two measurements the price of the delivered gas and the quantity of
pumped fuel.
•They are special purpose computers.
•However, analog computers have limited accuracy
 Cont..
b) Digital Computers: deal with discrete variables, they operate by counting rather
than measuring. They operate directly up on numbers (or digits) that represent numbers,
letters, or other special symbols. Examples:
 Abacus
 Desk & pocket computers
 The general purpose computers
 Digital computers have very high accuracy and speed than the analog ones.
c) Hybrid computers: The best features of analog and digital computers can be
combined into a single device to form a hybrid computer. A hybrid computer processes
the information by collecting input data with analog method, convert it into digital
quantities, processes the digital values and convert the output from digital to analog form.
Example:
In hospital insensitive-care unit analog devices may measure a patient’s heart function,
temperature and other vital signs. These measurements may then be converted into numbers
and supplied to a digital component in the system. This component is used to monitor the
patient’s vital signs and to send an immediate signal to the nurse’s station if any abnormal
readings are detected.
 Classification of Computers Cont..
II) Classification by purpose of application
Computers can be applied or used for different purposes. Based upon their
application, they are classified as special purpose or general purpose
computers.
a) Special purpose computers
They are designed to solve a single type of problem, that is their components
and their functions are uniquely adopted to a specific situation involving
specific application. Example:
 The public telephone box
 Traffic control system
 Ticket machines (used in grocery, super market etc.)
 Pocket-calculators etc.
 Counters

Most analog computers are special purpose computers.

 Cont..
b)General purpose computers
They are designed to solve variety of problems through the use
of “store program concept”. A program or set of instructions
designed to solve a problem is read and stored into the memory
and then executed by the computer one by one. The same
computer can be applied to solve another set of problem using
different program. General computers are more flexible and
versatile. Examples
Micro computers
Mini computers
Super computers etc.
 Cont..
III) Classification by physical size, price, capacity and
performance
a) Micro computers:
computers -are the most widely used type of computers. They
are single users, can fit on desktops, are of varying capacity and easy to
handle. Microcomputers are sometimes referred as personal computers.
They have video display unit for output purpose. Data is entered through the
keyboard and by the help of floppy disk.
Microcomputers come in a variety of sizes and shapes for a variety
of purposes. Basically they can be grouped into three: Laptop,
Palmtop and Desktop computers.
Laptop computers are smaller versions of microcomputers about the size of
a briefcase designed for portability. People can easily carry these personal
computers
Unlike desktop PCs that have mostly detachable components, laptops include all
their components (except their printer) in a single unit
 Cont..
Palmtop computer is the smallest microcomputer that is about the same size as
a pocket calculator. It is the most portable computer and is growing in popularity
among the latest entries in the microcomputer market.
 Palmtops are typically used for a limited number of functions, such as
maintaining personal calendar, name and address files, or electronic worksheets.
Desktop computer is the most widely used type of personal computer
(microcomputers).
 Unlike laptop and personal computers, desktop computers have detachable parts. However,
since its size is larger than the other types of personal computers, it is not easily portable.
In general, microcomputers are used for:
 Word processing (to prepare letters, reports, memos and other documents.)
 Computerized worksheet analysis and modeling.
 Graphics in the generation of charts and other graphic images.
 Engineering activities. (Computer-aided design and analysis can be performed )
 Personal and home use (Entertainment, home management, personal finances,
education)
 Cont..
b) Mini computers: are midrange computers that are larger and more
powerful than most microcomputers but are smaller and less powerful than
mainframe computer systems.
The minicomputers' size prevents it from being easily portable although it
can be moved more easily than a mainframe computer.
Minicomputers cost less to buy and maintain than mainframe computers.
Most minicomputers can function in ordinary operating environments, as
they do not need special air conditioning or electrical wiring.
Minicomputers are being used for a large number of business and scientific
applications.
They are popularly used in scientific laboratories, research centers,
universities and colleges, engineering firms, industrial process monitoring
and control, etc.
c) Mainframe computers: are large, powerful computers that are physically larger
than micros and minis and usually have processors with faster instruction processing
speeds.
For example, they may be able to process from 10 to 200 million instructions per
second (MIPS). It is generally found in a special computer room where environmental
factors such as temperature, humidity, dust and air conditions are closely monitored.
Because of the computer's cost and the value of the information stored there, the
rooms in which mainframes are located have security systems allowing only
authorized personnel to enter.
Mainframe computers are designed to handle the information processing needs of
organizations with many employees and customers or with complex computational
problems.
To give some examples, mainframes can handle the processing of thousands of
customer inquiries, employee paychecks, student registrations, sales transactions, and
inventory changes.
They are also used as the center of computer networking. These computers are used
by organizations that have enormous and complex data processing assignments.
 Cont..
d) Supercomputer: The term supercomputer has been coined to describe a
category of extremely powerful computer designed for high-speed processing.
A supercomputer is generally characterized as being the fastest, most
powerful, and most expensive computer.
As many as sixty miles of wiring are closely packed inside supercomputers,
and tremendous amounts of heat are generated. Because of this, supercomputers
demand special cooling requirements and the room itself should be air-
conditioned.
Some supercomputers require extra floor support to hold the extreme weight
of the complete system that includes storage units.
In addition, highly trained data processing professionals are required to
operate supercomputers. These computers can take inputs from over 10,000
individual computers and users at the same time.
Super computers are largely used by research organizations, military defense
systems, national weather forecasting agencies, large corporations, aircraft
manufacturers, etc.
 Generations of computers
The history of digital computers start in the 1940s where the first
electronic general purpose digital computer was manufactured at the
University of Pennsylvania by two American scientists. The name of
this computer was ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and
Computer). Even though, this machine has several drawbacks its
invention was a great break through to the computer industry. Ever
since then the industry has shown a very big advancement in different
aspects.
The history of computer development is often referred to in reference to
the different generations of computing devices. Each generation of
computer is characterized by a major technological development that
fundamentally changed the way computers operate, resulting in
increasingly smaller, cheaper, and more powerful, and more efficient
and reliable devices. Each generation and the developments that led to
the current devices that we use today are discussed below.
 Generations of computers
I First Generation – 1945s: Vacuum Tubes
 Used vacuum tubes as components for the electronic circuit.
 Punched cards were the main source of inputs, and magnetic
drums were used for internal storage.
 Operate in a speed of milliseconds (thousands of a second)
and could handle more than 10,000 additions each second.
 Most applications were scientific calculations.
 Generations of computers
II Second Generation – 1960s: Transistors
 Transistors were the main circuit components. Transistors are solid
state devices made from silicon which is smaller, cheaper, faster,
dissipate less energy and more reliable than vacuum tube but work in
the same way as the vacuum tube.
 The transistor was invented in Bell Labs.
 Magnetic tapes (similar with home tape caste), used for main storage,
 Operate in microseconds (millionths of a second) with more than
200,000 additions possible each second.
 High-level languages COBOL and FORTRAN were introduced
during this period. Batch operating systems were used that permitted
rapid processing of magnetic tape files.
 The first computers of this generation were developed for the atomic
energy industry.
 Generations of computers
III Third Generation - 1964-1971: Integrated Circuits
The development of the integrated circuit was the characteristic of
the third generation of computers.
Transistors were miniaturized and placed on silicon chips, called
semiconductors, which drastically increased the speed and
efficiency of computers.
Instead of punched cards and printouts, users interacted with third
generation computers through keyboards and monitors.
users started to interact to the computer through operating systems.
This allowed the computer to run many different applications at one
time with a central program that monitored the memory.
Computers for the first time became accessible to a mass audience
because they were smaller and cheaper than their predecessors.
 Generations of computers
IV Fourth Generation – 1971 - Present: Microprocessors
 Greatly expanded storage capabilities and improved circuitry.
 Has a large-scale integrated circuits (LSI) which has several
hundred thousands of transistors placed on one tiny silicon chip.

 In the mid-1970s the development of very-large-scale-integration

(VLSI) produced a chip containing a microprocessor.
 VLSI made the microcomputer possible. The Intel 80386
microprocessor followed. The Intel 80386 is faster and more
powerful than its predecessors.
 Magnetic disks became the primary means of internal storage.
Fourth generation computers also saw the development of GUIs,
the mouse and handheld devices.
 Generations of computers
V Fifth Generation - Present and Beyond: Artificial
Intelligence
Fifth generation computing devices, are based on artificial intelligence,
Are still in development, though there are some applications, such as
voice recognition, that are being used today.
The use of parallel processing and superconductors is helping to make
artificial intelligence a reality.
Quantum computation and molecular and nanotechnology will radically
change the face of computers in years to come.
The goal of fifth-generation computing is to develop devices that respond
to natural language input and are capable of learning and self-organization.
 Uses of Computers
Computers are applied in industry, government, education, medicine,
scientific research, law, social science and arts. It is essential for every
educated person today to know about a computer. Now a days they are used
in:
Commercial /Business Applications
Payroll accounting: was the 1st commercial area to become widely
computerized.
Office Automation: Application of current technologies to offices.
Office Automation: retaining, manipulating and utilizing information in
electronic form
Word processing: Preparing reports, official letters, documents..
Stock control: the processing of sales orders and sales accounting, and
production planning.
Banks: is almost totally dependent on the computer.
Insurance Companies
 Uses of Computers
Scientific Applications
Computers apply in the field of physics, chemistry astronomy and genetics. They are
widely used in:
Universities
Industrial laboratories
Weather forecasting
Space technology
 Air traffic control
 Pilots training
 Railways and roadways
 Medical field
Hospital Administration
Useful in maintaining inventory of drugs, surgical equipment
Payroll hospital accounting (bed allocation)
To control patients condition
Assist in medical diagnosis e.g. Program which can carryout electro-cardiogram analysis to
determine both normal and abnormal heart conditions.
Train doctors and nursing staffs
 Uses of Computers
Industrial Applications
In industry, production may be planned, coordinated and
controlled with the aid of a computer.
In the design of airplane, ship, car, bridge, road and buildings.

Educational Applications
Computers support the teaching and learning process in
secondary and primary schools.
Higher Education: Assists in research activities
Libraries- To control lists of borrowed books..
To provide useful information such as encyclopedia
 Limitations of computers
Computers haven’t yet met all our expectations as a
productivity improvement tool i.e. they facilitate our work by
reducing time and cost, but sometimes we take much more
time to learn how to use application program that is supposed
to increase productivity based on the existing program
They don’t think.
Computers are merely tools, useless without humans.
It cannot identify its problem
Decide the output needed to solve the problem
Software that generate automatically is also designed by
humans
 END OF
CHAPTER
ONE