CC 101

Basic Concepts of a Computer

Computer is an electronic device which is used to store the data, as per given instructions it gives results quickly and
accurately.
• Data: Data is a raw material of information.
• Information: Proper collection of the data is called information.

Characteristics of Computer
• SPEED: In general, no human being can compete to solving the complex computation, faster than computer.
• ACCURACY: Since Computer is programmed, so whatever input we give it gives result with accurately.
• STORAGE: Computer can store mass storage of data with appropriate formats.
• DILIGENCE: Computer can work for hours without any break and creating error.
• VERSATILITY: We can use computer to perform completely different type of work at the same time.
• POWER OF REMEMBERING: It can remember data for us.
• NO IQ: Computer does not work without instruction.
• NO FEELING: Computer does not have emotions, knowledge, experience, and feeling.

Limitations of Computer Systems

Limitations are the drawbacks of the computer system in which humans outperform them.

Lack of common-sense
This is one of the major limitations of computer systems. No matter how efficient, fast and reliable computer systems
might be but yet do not have any common sense because no full-proof algorithm has been designed to programme logic into
them. As computers function based on the stored programme(s), they simply lack common sense.

Zero IQ
Another of the limitations of computer systems is that they have zero Intelligence Quotient (IQ). They are unable to see
and think the actions to perform in a particular situation unless that situation is already programmed into them. Computers are
programmable to complete each and every task, however small it may be.
Lack of Decision-making
Decision-making is a complicated process involving information, knowledge, intelligence, wisdom, and ability to judge.
The computer system does not have the ability to make decisions on their own because they do not possess all the essentials
of decision-making.
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They can be programmed to take such decisions, which are purely procedure-oriented. If a computer has not been
programmed for a particular decision situation, it will not take a decision due to lack of wisdom and evaluation faculties. Human
beings, on the other hand, possess this great power of decision-making.

THE EVOLUTION OF COMPUTERS

1. The abacus is the oldest known computing device

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2. In the early 1600s, John Napier invented a device called

Napier’s Bones for facilitating multiplication and division.

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3. In 1642, Blaise Pascal invented a computing device for performing tedious

arithmetic. In 1673, a modification of Pascal’s machine, Leibnitz’s Four-function
machine was introduced. It could perform multiplications and division directly.
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4. One of the most important developments in computing machine was introduced in 1801 by
Joseph Marie Jacquard. He invented an attachment for weaving looms that used punched
cards to program the loom to produce a specific pattern.
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5. In 1830, Charles Babbage started working on the Difference

engine, a machine for calculating and printing mathematical tables
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6. Ada, Countless of Lovelace, is recognized by many as the world’s first computer programmer for her detailed
instructions for the Analytical Engine of Babbage.
7. In 1854, George Boole published the principles of Boolean logic. Almost a century later, these principles became the
basis of the design of modern computer.
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8. The inventor of modern punched card techniques was Dr. Herman Hollerith, a
statistician.
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9. The MARK I build by Howard Aiken signaled the beginning of modern

computer age.
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10. In 1942, John Vincent Atanasoff and Clifford Berry

completed work on the ABC (Atanasoff Berry Computer), the
first true electronic digital computer and the first computer to use
the binary system for representing numbers.
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11. In 1945, Mauchly and Eckert completed the ENIAC (Electronic

Numerical Integrator and Calculator) – the first electronic general-
purpose computer.
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12. One of the most important development in the computer field the
twentieth century was the stored program concept, proposed by Jon Von
Neuman joined Mauchly and Eckert to develop an improved version of ENIAC called EDVAC (Electronic Discrete
Variable Automatic Computer). At the same time, the EDSAC (Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator) was
the first stored program computer completed by Maurice Wilkes in 1949.

EDVAC EDSAC

Image

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13. The first commercial computer system was the UNIVAC I (Universal
Automatic Computer)
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14. Significant advances in computer systems have been categorized by generations.

GENERATION OF COMPUTERS
First Generation: Vacuum Tubes (1940-1956)
The first computer systems used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory, and were often enormous,
taking up entire rooms. These computers were very expensive to operate and in addition to using a great deal of electricity,
the first computers generated a lot of heat, which was often the cause of malfunctions.
First generation computers relied on machine language, the lowest-level programming language understood by
computers, to perform operations, and they could only solve one problem at a time. It would take operators days or even
weeks to set-up a new problem. Input was based on punched cards and paper tape, and output was displayed on printouts.
The UNIVAC and ENIAC computers are examples of first-generation computing devices. The UNIVAC was the first
commercial computer delivered to a business client, the U.S. Census Bureau in 1951.

A UNIVAC computer at the Census Bureau.

Image Source: United States Census Bureau
Recommended Reading: Webopedia's ENIAC definition
Second Generation: Transistors (1956-1963)
The world would see transistors replace vacuum tubes in the second generation of computers. The transistor was invented
at Bell Labs in 1947 but did not see widespread use in computers until the late 1950s.
The transistor was far superior to the vacuum tube, allowing computers to become smaller, faster, cheaper, more energy-
efficient and more reliable than their first-generation predecessors. Though the transistor still generated a great deal of
heat that subjected the computer to damage, it was a vast improvement over the vacuum tube. Second-generation
computers still relied on punched cards for input and printouts for output.
From Binary to Assembly
Second-generation computers moved from cryptic binary machine language to symbolic, or assembly, languages, which
allowed programmers to specify instructions in words. High-level programming languages were also being developed at
this time, such as early versions of COBOL and FORTRAN. These were also the first computers that stored their
instructions in their memory, which moved from a magnetic drum to magnetic core technology.
The first computers of this generation were developed for the atomic energy industry.
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An early Philco Transistor (1950's)

Image Source: Vintage Computer Chip Collectibles
Third Generation: Integrated Circuits (1964-1971)
The development of the integrated circuit was the hallmark 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 and interfaced with an operating system, which allowed the device 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.
Did You Know... ? An integrated circuit (IC) is a small electronic device made out of a semiconductor material. The first
integrated circuit was developed in the 1950s by Jack Kilby of Texas Instruments and Robert Noyce of Fairchild
Semiconductor.

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Fourth Generation: Microprocessors (1971-Present)
The microprocessor brought the fourth generation of computers, as thousands of integrated circuits were built onto a single
silicon chip. What in the first generation filled an entire room could now fit in the palm of the hand. The Intel 4004 chip,
developed in 1971, located all the components of the computer—from the central processing unit and memory to
input/output controls—on a single chip.
In 1981 IBM introduced its first computer for the home user, and in 1984 Apple introduced the Macintosh. Microprocessors
also moved out of the realm of desktop computers and into many areas of life as more and more everyday products began
to use microprocessors.
As these small computers became more powerful, they could be linked together to form networks, which eventually led to
the development of the Internet. Fourth generation computers also saw the development of GUIs,
the mouse and handheld devices.
Fifth Generation: Artificial Intelligence (Present and Beyond)
Fifth generation computing devices, 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.
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