UNIT I:

Introduction to
Computer
Organization
Topics
UNIT 1 Introduction to Computer Organization
1.1 Milestone in Computer Architecture
1.2 Computer System and its Components
1.3 Computer Organization Concepts
Learning Outcome
-Describe how computers have evolved from mechanical era up to
the present time;
-Define computer, identify its classifications, and enumerates its
capabilities and limitation,
-Describe basic computer system;
-Identify the different categories of the computer hardware and
explain the function of each device; and
-Define what software is, differentiate its categories, and cite
examples.
What is a
Computer?
Computer
A computer is a device that can accept input, process
this input to produce meaningful output.
According to the Type of Data
Handled
Analog Computers
◦ First that to be produced
◦ Measure quantities that are continuous and can’t be
counted
Digital Computers
◦ Handle information than can be counted
◦ Perform repetitive arithmetic operations and logical
comparisons
According to the Type of Data
Handled
Hybrid Computers
◦ Measuring capabilities of analog computer
◦ Logical and control capabilities of digital computer
According to Physical Size
Microcomputers
Minicomputers
Mainframe Computers
Supercomputers
According to Function
Special Purporse Computer
◦ Designed to operate on a restricted class of problems.
◦ Dedicated to one function only.
General Purpose Computer
◦ Programmed to do many different kinds of tasks
◦ Can have software installed for many different users.
Capabilities of Computers
Speed
◦ Allows processing to be accomplished in billionths of a
second.
Reliability
◦ Electronic components in modern computers are very
reliable and seldom fails.
Capabilities of Computers
Accuracy
◦ Errors do now occurs in computer-based information
systems
◦ It can be traced to program logic error, procedural error
Memory Capability
◦ Store enormous account of data
◦ Keep that data read available for processing
Limitations of Computer
◦ Think alone or independently
◦ Subject to occasional breakdown or malfunction
◦ Has no feelings
Earliest Computing Tools
Sand Tables
Earliest Computing Tools
Earliest Computing Tools
Napier Bones
Earliest Computing Tools
Slide Rule
Milestone in
Computer
Architecture
The Mechanical Era (1623-1945)
Characteristics
◦ Moving parts
◦ Mechanical gears
◦ Electromechanical relays and dials
◦ Punch cards
The Mechanical Era (1623-1945)
Examples
◦ Pascaline
◦ Analytical Engine
◦ Leibniz’s Calculator
◦ Hollerith’s Tabulating Machine
Punch Card
First Generation (1945-1959)
◦Use of vacuum tubes
◦Data and programs are stores in main memory
◦Punched card and paper is used
◦Programming is done in machine language
◦Computers are very large, hard to construct
and extremely expensive
Vacuum Tubes
◦ large bulk-like elements which used filaments and plates
enclosed in a glass vacuumed envelop.
◦ Consumes great deal power
◦ Burnt out easily
◦ Had to be replaced
First Generation (1945-1959)
ENIVAC
EDVAC
UNIVAC
WHILWIND
IBM Series
Second Generation
◦Transistors replace vacuum tubes
◦Use magnetic cores for random memory
◦Low-level Programming Languages
◦Supercomputers (LARC and IBM 7030)
◦Not as expensive, gave less heat and smaller
◦Computers typically contained 10,000 transistors
Second Generation (1959-1965)
Philco Transac S-2000
IBM 1401
Transistors
Invented by John Bardeen,
Walter Brattain, and Bill
Shockly in 1947.
Solid state device acts as
switch.
Third Generation (1964-1972)
◦ Use of Integrated Circuits or IC
◦ Introduce Operating Systems such as Unix
◦ Simpler programming language such as BASIC
◦ Era of minicomputers
◦ Computers are low cost, highly reliable, small in size
and consume less power.
Third Generation (1964-1972)
PDP-11
IBM 360 Series
Integrated Circuit
small electronic device made out of a semiconductor
material
developed in the 1950s by Jack Kilby of Texas
Instruments and Robert Noyce of Fairchild
Semiconductor.
Fourth Generation (1973 to
Present)
◦Use of LSI, VLSI and ULSI
◦Development of microcomputers and
microprocessors
◦Computers became powerful and cheap
Fourth Generation (1973 to
Present)
MITS Altair
◦ first microcomputer
Apple I
◦ Built in garage by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak
◦ Sold 200 Apple I computers to computer store
◦ Apple developed into major corporation
◦ Fastest growing company in American history
Fourth Generation (1973 to
Present)
Apple II
◦ First microcomputer to achieve wide sales
◦ Keyboard, power supply, generate color graphics and floppy
drive
IBM PC
◦ Became the industry standard
◦ It upped word length from 8 bits to 16 bits
◦ Open architecture
Fifth Generation (Present and
Beyond)
◦Use of superconductor
◦Characterized by true artificial intelligence
◦Use of various types of optical disks
◦Voice recognition
◦Imitate human reasoning
◦Translate modern language
Review: What Generation?
1. Transistors
2. Superconductor
3. Minicomputer
4. Vacuum Tubes
5. Integrated Circuit
Review: What Generation?
6. Apple I and II
7. Artificial Intelligence
8. Microcomputers
9. High-Level Programming Language
10.Programming in Machine Language
Computer System
and Its
Components
Computer System
An interrelated grouping of components, which
perform that basic system function of input, process,
output, and storage.
Computer as a System
General perception as “intelligent thinking
machine”
Without programs, computers would be
useless.
Programs – instructions given to the
computers.
Hardware – physical parts that make up a
computer.
Peripherals – any hardware connected to any
part of the computer.
Computer System Components
Computer
Hardware
PHYSICAL MACHINE
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The processor
Known as electronic brain of the machine
Speed measured in Hertz (Hz)
Major components:
◦ Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
◦ Control Unit (CU)
◦ Registers
Random Access Memory (RAM)
The main memory or memory
Data are temporary and volatile
Capacity measured in Bytes
Where data and numerous programs
that are currently being executed by
the CPU are stored.
Secondary Memory
Provides stable storage for both programs and data
in longer period of time
Non-volatile storage
Examples:
◦ disk drives (magnetic drives)
◦ optical disc (CD and DVD)
Read-Only Memory (ROM)
Holds small, special piece of software: boot up
program or the BIOS (Basic Input-Output System)
Non-volatile storage
Input Devices
Keyboards
◦ used to enter data into computers.

Examples:
◦ Alphanumeric Keyboard
◦ Numeric Keypad
◦ PIN pad
Input Devices
Pointing Devices
◦ used to control the pointer in a GUI.
Examples
◦ Mouse
◦ Touch Pad/Track Pad
◦ Trackballs/Tracker Balls
◦ Touch Screen
◦ Graphics Tablet
◦ Joystick/Joy Pad
Input Devices
Card Readers
◦ Used to read striped from the data in many plastic cards

Examples:
◦ Magnetic Strip Reader
◦ Smart Card/Chip Reader
Input Devices
Devices for Quick Reading of Text/Codes
◦ Used to input data fast and more accurate.
Examples:
◦ MICR Reader
◦ OMR Reader
◦ OCR Scanner
◦ Barcode Reader/Scanner
Output Devices
Printing/Plotting
Monitor
Projector
Speaker
Basic Computer Hardware
Operations
Computer Software
Categories of Software
System Software
◦ Software created to control or
operate the hardware
◦ Provide an environment for running
the application software
◦ It includes device drivers, operating
system and utilities
Categories of Software
Programming Software
◦ Software that programmers
and developers use to create,
debug, maintain, or support
other programs
◦ Examples: Java SDK, Turbo C,
Visual Basic IDE
Categories of Software
Application Software
◦ Set of computer programs
that allows user to perform a
specific task.
◦ Examples: Microsoft Word,
Google Chrome, Windows
Games, etc.
Announcement
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