Computer Fundamentals
Md. Abdur Rouf
Associate (CA)
Bangladesh Computer Council
Computer Fundamentals Bangladesh Computer Council
Reference Books
• Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha ‘Computer Fundamentals’
• Textbook: P. Norton, Peter Norton's Introduction to Computers, 6th Ed., McGraw-Hill,
New York, 2006.
• Reference: G. B. Shelly, T. J. Cashman, and M. E. Vermaat, Discovering Computers
2004, Thomson Course Technology, Boston, MA, 2003.
• Reference: M. M. Mano, Computer Engineering: Hardware Design, Prentice Hall,
Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1988.
• Reference: J. G. Brookshear, Computer Science: An Overview, 7th Ed., Addison
Wesley, Reading, MA, 2003.
• Tutorials Point (I) Pvt. Ltd.
Computer Fundamentals Bangladesh Computer Council
Lecture-01
Introduction to Computer
Computer Fundamentals Bangladesh Computer Council
Learning Objectives
In this chapter you will learn about:
✓ Computer
✓ Data processing
✓ Characteristic features of computers
✓ Computers’ evolution to their present form
✓ Computer generations
✓ Characteristic features of each computer generation
Computer Fundamentals Bangladesh Computer Council
Computer
▪ The word computer comes from the word “compute”, which means, “to
calculate”
▪ Thereby, a computer is an electronic device that can perform arithmetic &
logical operations at high speed
▪ A computer is also called a data processor because it can store, process, and
retrieve data whenever desired.
T oday’s world is an information-rich world and it has become a
necessity for everyone to know about computers. [Tutorials Point (I) Pvt. Ltd.]
Computer Fundamentals Bangladesh Computer Council
Computer (cont.)
Definition
Computer is an electronic data processing device which
• accepts and stores data input
• processes the data, and
• generates the output in a required format.
Computer Fundamentals Bangladesh Computer Council
Functionalities of a computer
Any digital computer carries out five functions in gross terms:
1. Takes data as input.
2. Stores the data/instructions in its memory and use them when
required.
3. Processes the data and converts it into useful information.
4. Generates the output
5. Controls all the above four steps.
Computer Fundamentals Bangladesh Computer Council
Data Processing
The activity of processing data using a computer is
called data processing
Data
Capture Data
Manipulate Data
Output Results
Information
Data is raw material used as input and information is
processed data obtained as output of data processing
Computer Fundamentals Bangladesh Computer Council
Characteristics of Computers
Automatic: Given a job, computer can work on it automatically without
human interventions.
Speed: Computer can perform data processing jobs very fast, usually
measured in microseconds (10-6), nanoseconds (10-9), and picoseconds
(10-12).
Accuracy: Accuracy of a computer is consistently high and the degree of its
accuracy depends upon its design. Computer errors caused due to incorrect
input data or unreliable programs are often referred to as Garbage- In-
Garbage-Out (GIGO).
Computer Fundamentals Bangladesh Computer Council
Characteristics of Computers (cont.)
Diligence: Computer is free from monotony, tiredness, and lack of
concentration. It can continuously work for hours without creating any error
and without grumbling
Versatility: Computer is capable of performing almost any task, if the task
can be reduced to a finite series of logical steps
Power of Remembering: Computer can store and recall any
amount of information because of its secondary storage
capability. It forgets or looses certain information only when it is asked to do
so
Computer Fundamentals Bangladesh Computer Council
Characteristics of Computers (cont.)
No I.Q.: A computer does only what it is programmed to do. It cannot take its
own decision in this regard.
No Feelings: Computers are devoid of emotions. Their judgement is based on
the instructions given to them in the form of programs that are written by us
(human beings).
Computer Fundamentals Bangladesh Computer Council
Evolution of Computers
• The abacus is a manually operated digital computer used in
ancient civilizations
• The use of the word abacus dates before 1387 AD
Computer Fundamentals Bangladesh Computer Council
Evolution of Computers (cont.)
The first mechanical adding machine (calculator)
was invented by Blaise Pascal (French) in 1642
Computer Fundamentals Bangladesh Computer Council
Evolution of Computers (cont.)
• Baron Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz invented the first
calculator for multiplication in 1671
• Keyboard machines originated in the United States around
1880
• Around 1880, Herman Hollerith came up with the concept of
punched cards that were extensively used as input media
until late 1970s.
Computer Fundamentals Bangladesh Computer Council
Evolution of Computers (cont.)
Charles Babbage is considered to be the father of
modern digital computers-
• He designed “Difference Engine” in 1822
• He designed a fully automatic analytical
engine in 1842 for performing basic arithmetic
functions
• His efforts established a number of principles
that are fundamental to the design of any digital
computer
Computer Fundamentals Bangladesh Computer Council
Some Well-Known Early Computers
1. The Mark I Computer (1937-44)
This was the first digital computer and was designed and constructed in the United
States by the IBM Corporation between 1937 and 1944. It was based on a proposal by
H. H. Aiken of Harvard University, Massachusetts. Counters were used to store decimal
numbers and relays for control and switching.
2. The Atanasoff-Berry Computer (1939-42)
the machine was built by Iowa State College mathematics and physics professor John
Vincent Atanasoff with the help of graduate student. The ABC was designed for a
specific purpose – the solution of systems of simultaneous linear equations.
3. The ENIAC (1943-46)
The ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer)—the first large-scale computer to run
at electronic speed without being slowed by any mechanical parts.
Computer Fundamentals Bangladesh Computer Council
Some Well Known Early Computers (cont.)
4. The EDVAC (1946-52)- The Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer
(EDVAC) was one of the earliest large mainframe computers to be built in the 1940s. It
was the first mainframe computer that represented binary systems rather than decimal
systems.
5. The EDSAC (1947-49)- Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator, the first full-
size stored-program computer, built at the University of Cambridge, Eng. by Maurice
Wilkes and others to provide a formal computing service for users.
6. Manchester Mark I (1948)- The Manchester Mark 1 was one of the earliest
stored-program computers, developed at the Victoria University of Manchester, England.
7. The UNIVAC I (1951)- was the first general-purpose electronic digital computer
design for business application produced in the United States. It was designed principally
by J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly, the inventors of the ENIAC.
Computer Fundamentals Bangladesh Computer Council
Computer Generations
• “Generation” in computer talk is a step in technology. It provides a
framework for the growth of computer industry
• Originally it was used to distinguish between various hardware
technologies, but now it has been extended to include both hardware and
software
• Till today, there are five computer generations
Computer Fundamentals Bangladesh Computer Council
Computer Generations (cont.)
Computer Fundamentals Bangladesh Computer Council
1st & 2nd Generations Computer (cont.)
Transistor based.
Vacuum tube based
Vacuum tube
Transistor
Computer Fundamentals Bangladesh Computer Council
Computer Generations (cont.)
Computer Fundamentals Bangladesh Computer Council
3rd Generation Computer
IC
Computer Fundamentals Bangladesh Computer Council
Computer Generations (cont.)
Computer Fundamentals Bangladesh Computer Council
4th Generation Computer
Computer Fundamentals Bangladesh Computer Council
Computer Generations (cont.)
Computer Fundamentals Bangladesh Computer Council
