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Introduction to Computers: Hardware, Software, and Generations, Lecture notes of Computer Fundamentals

Sant Baba Bhag Singh UniversityComputer Fundamentals

Introduction to Computer, Functions, Applications, Generations of Computer

Typology: Lecture notes

2021/2022

Uploaded on 02/22/2022

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WHAT IS A COMPUTER?
Acomputeris an electronic device that accepts data from the user, processes it, produces results,
displays them to the users, and stores the results for future usage.
Datais a collection of unorganized facts & figures and does not provide any further information
regarding patterns, context, etc. Hence data means "unstructured facts and figures".
Informationis a structured data i.e. organized meaningful and processed data. To process the data and
convert into information, a computer is used.
FUNCTIONS OF COMPUTERS
A computer performs the following functions −
Receiving Input
Data is fed into computer through various input devices like keyboard, mouse, digital pens, etc. Input
can also be fed through devices like CD-ROM, pen drive, scanner, etc.
Processing the information
Operations on the input data are carried out based on the instructions provided in the programs.
Storing the information
After processing, the information gets stored in the primary or secondary storage area.
Producing output
The processed information and other details are communicated to the outside world through output
devices like monitor, printer, etc.
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Download Introduction to Computers: Hardware, Software, and Generations and more Lecture notes Computer Fundamentals in PDF only on Docsity!

WHAT IS A COMPUTER?

A computer is an electronic device that accepts data from the user, processes it, produces results,

displays them to the users, and stores the results for future usage.

Data is a collection of unorganized facts & figures and does not provide any further information

regarding patterns, context, etc. Hence data means "unstructured facts and figures".

Information is a structured data i.e. organized meaningful and processed data. To process the data and

convert into information, a computer is used.

FUNCTIONS OF COMPUTERS

A computer performs the following functions −

Receiving Input

Data is fed into computer through various input devices like keyboard, mouse, digital pens, etc. Input

can also be fed through devices like CD-ROM, pen drive, scanner, etc.

Processing the information

Operations on the input data are carried out based on the instructions provided in the programs.

Storing the information

After processing, the information gets stored in the primary or secondary storage area.

Producing output

The processed information and other details are communicated to the outside world through output

devices like monitor, printer, etc.

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE COMPUTER

SYSTEM ARE AS FOLLOWS −

Speed

A computer works with much higher speed and accuracy compared to humans while performing

mathematical calculations. Computers can process millions (1,000,000) of instructions per second. The

time taken by computers for their operations is microseconds and nanoseconds.

Accuracy

Computers perform calculations with 100% accuracy. Errors may occur due to data inconsistency or

inaccuracy.

Diligence

A computer can perform millions of tasks or calculations with the same consistency and accuracy. It

doesn’t feel any fatigue or lack of concentration. Its memory also makes it superior to that of human

beings.

Versatility

Versatility refers to the capability of a computer to perform different kinds of works with same accuracy

and efficiency.

Reliability

A computer is reliable as it gives consistent result for similar set of data i.e., if we give same set of input

any number of times, we will get the same result.

Games and Entertainment: Computer games are popular with children and adults alike. Computers are

nowadays also used in entertainment areas like movies, sports, advertising etc.

GENERATIONS IN COMPUTER

Generation in computer terminology is a change in technology a computer is/was being used. Initially, the

generation term was used to distinguish between varying hardware technologies. Nowadays, generation

includes both hardware and software, which together make up an entire computer system.

There are five computer generations known till date. Each generation has been discussed in detail along

with their time period and characteristics. In the following table, approximate dates against each

generation has been mentioned, which are normally accepted.

Following are the main five generations of computers.

S.No Generation & Description

First Generation

The period of first generation: 1946-1959. Vacuum tube based.

Second Generation

The period of second generation: 1959-1965. Transistor based.

Third Generation

The period of third generation: 1965-1971. Integrated Circuit based.

Fourth Generation

The period of fourth generation: 1971-1980. VLSI microprocessor based.

Fifth Generation

The period of fifth generation: 1980-onwards. ULSI microprocessor based.

First Generation (1940-1956)

The first generation computers had the following features and components −

Hardware The hardware used in the first generation of computers was: Vacuum Tubes and Punch Cards. Features Following are the features of first generation computers −  It supported machine language.  It had slow performance  It occupied large size due to the use of vacuum tubes.  It had a poor storage capacity.  It consumed a lot of electricity and generated a lot of heat. Memory The memory was of 4000 bits. Data Input The input was only provided through hard-wired programs in the computer, mostly through punched cards and paper tapes. Examples The examples of first generation computers are −  ENIAC  UNIVACTBM 701 Second Generation (1956-1963) Several advancements in the first-gen computers led to the development of second generation computers. Following are various changes in features and components of second generation computers − Hardware The hardware used in the second generation of computers were −  Transistors  Magnetic Tapes Features It had features like −  Batch operating system  Faster and smaller in size  Reliable and energy efficient than the previous generation  Less costly than the previous generation

Hardware The Hardware used in the fourth generation of computers were −  ICs with Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) technology  Semiconductor memory  Magnetic tapes and Floppy Features It supports features like −  Multiprocessing & distributed OS  Object-oriented high level programs supported  Small & easy to use; hand-held computers have evolved  No external cooling required & affordable  This generation saw the development of networks and the internet  It saw the development of new trends in GUIs and mouse Memory The capacity of the memory was 100 million bits. Data Input The input was provided through improved hand held devices, keyboard and mouse. Examples The examples of fourth generation computers are −  Apple II  VAX 9000  CRAY 1 (super computers) Fifth Generation (2010-Present) These are the modern and advanced computers. Significant changes in the components and operations have made fifth generation computers handy and more reliable than the previous generations. Hardware The Hardware used in the fifth generation of computers are −  Integrated Circuits with VLSI and Nano technology  Large capacity hard disk with RAID support  Powerful servers, Internet, Cluster computing Features It supports features like −  Powerful, cheap, reliable and easy to use.

 Portable and faster due to use of parallel processors and Super Large Scale Integrated Circuits.  Rapid software development is possible. Memory The capacity of the memory is unlimited. Data Input The input is provided through CDROM, Optical Disk and other touch and voice sensitive input devices. Examples The examples of fifth generation computers are −  IBM  Pentium  PARAM