Chapter 1: Computer Fundamentals Simplified & Detailed Teaching Notes (Pages 1 to 18)
Introduction
- Computers are electronic machines used in education, healthcare, travel, business, social media, and
weather forecasting.
- They can perform calculations, store data, process input, and provide output very fast.
- Computers have evolved from simple counting tools to powerful devices that can solve complex problems.
Evolution of Computers
1. Abacus
- Invented in Mesopotamia (~3000 BC).
- Used beads on rods to do calculations.
- Chinese improved it. Still used for basic arithmetic learning.
2. Napier s Bones
- Created by John Napier in 1617.
- Used rods with numbers to multiply and divide.
3. Pascaline
- Invented by Blaise Pascal in 1642.
- First mechanical adding machine using gears.
4. Leibnitz Calculator
- Developed in 1673 by Gottfried Leibnitz.
- Performed multiplication/division using a stepped drum.
5. Jacquard's Loom (1801)
- Used punched cards to control weaving machines.
- First machine controlled by stored instructions.
6. Charles Babbage
- Designed Difference Engine (1822) for mathematical tables.
- Designed Analytical Engine (1833), which had:
- Input/Output
- Memory
- Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
- Control unit
- Called the "Father of Modern Computers."
7. Mark I (1944)
- Developed by Prof. Howard Aiken with IBM.
- Electromechanical machine that followed instructions.
- Could multiply two 10-digit numbers in 5 seconds.
8. Von Neumann Architecture (1945)
- Suggested by Dr. John Von Neumann.
- Concept of stored programs: Instructions and data stored in same memory.
- Structure:
- CPU
- Memory
- Input/Output
- System Bus
- Limitation: Can only do one task at a time (Von Neumann Bottleneck).
Generations of Computers
Generation | Time | Technology | Features | Examples
---------- | ---- | ---------- | -------- | --------
1st | 1942-1955 | Vacuum tubes | Very large, slow, high heat | ENIAC, UNIVAC
2nd | 1955-1964 | Transistors | Smaller, faster, less heat | IBM 1401, UNIVAC 1108
3rd | 1964-1975 | ICs (SSI/MSI) | Even smaller, multitasking | IBM 360 series
4th | 1975 onwards | LSI/VLSI, Microprocessors | Portable, high speed | PCs, laptops
5th | Present/Future | Artificial Intelligence (AI), Parallel Processing | Thinking computers | Robotics, AI tools
Key Terms:
- Vacuum tube: Controls electrical signals (1st gen).
- Transistor: Faster electronic component (2nd gen).
- Integrated Circuit (IC): Multiple electronic parts on one chip (3rd gen).
- Microprocessor: Complete CPU on a single chip (4th gen).
- AI: Computers that simulate human thinking (5th gen).
Data vs Information
- Data: Raw facts. Example: "Ravi", "75", "+"
- Information: Processed data that makes sense. Example: "Ravi scored 75 marks."
- Data Processing: Converting data into information using a computer.
Functional Components of a Computer
Input-Process-Output (IPO) Cycle
1. Input: Data entered.
2. Process: CPU processes it.
3. Output: Result displayed.
Components:
- Input Unit: Keyboard, Mouse, Scanner
- CPU: ALU, CU, Registers
- Memory: RAM, ROM, Hard Disk
- Output Unit: Monitor, Printer
Bus Architecture
- Bus = Path for data signals
- Types: Address Bus, Data Bus, Control Bus
Booting Process
- Steps: Power ON BIOS POST Load OS
- Types: Cold Booting, Warm Booting
Classification of Computers
By Data:
- Digital: Binary (PCs)
- Analog: Physical values (Thermometers)
- Hybrid: Mix of both
By Size:
Micro: Personal use
Mini: Small business
Mainframe: Banks, Railways
Supercomputer: ISRO, Weather
Exercise Questions
1. Name four early calculating devices.
2. What is the IPO cycle?
3. Why is Charles Babbage called the Father of Computers?
4. Difference between RAM and Hard Disk?
5. What is booting? Name its types.
6. Compare Digital and Analog computers.
7. List the five generations of computers and technologies used.
