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Lecture # 2
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History of Computer and ICT
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History of Computer
• What is computer
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• A computer is an electronic device that
processes data and performs tasks based on
instructions provided by software.
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• It operates by executing a sequence of
operations on input data to produce output.
• Computers are versatile machines used in a
wide range of applications, from simple
calculations to complex simulations and
artificial intelligence. 2
Key Components of a Computer:
• Central Processing Unit (CPU):
• The brain of the computer that performs instructions from
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software programs and executes operations.
• Memory (RAM):
• Temporary storage used by the computer to hold data that is
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being actively used or processed.
• Storage:
• Devices like hard drives or solid-state drives (SSD) store data and
files permanently or semi-permanently.
• Input Devices:
• Devices such as keyboards, mice, and touchscreens that allow
users to interact with the computer.
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• Output Devices:
• Devices like monitors, printers, and speakers that display or
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convey the results of computations.
• Motherboard:
• The main circuit board that connects all hardware components of
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the computer.
• Software:
• Programs and applications that tell the computer what tasks to
perform (e.g., operating systems, word processors).
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Types of Computers
• Personal Computers (PCs):
• Desktops and laptops used for individual tasks such as browsing,
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gaming, and work.
• Servers:
• Powerful computers designed to manage networks and store vast
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amounts of data.
• Supercomputers:
• Extremely powerful machines used for tasks that require massive
processing power, like weather modeling or scientific research.
• Embedded Systems:
• Specialized computers integrated into devices like cars,
appliances, and medical equipment to perform specific tasks.
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Early Calculating Machines
•Stage 1: Pre-Modern Computing
• Abacus (3000 BCE):
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• The abacus is one of the earliest known calculating devices. It consists
of a series of rods or wires with beads that can be moved to represent
numbers. It allowed for basic arithmetic calculations and is still used in
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some parts of the world today.
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• John Napier's Bones (1613): John Napier, a Scottish
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mathematician, developed a set of rods known as
"Napier's Bones" or "Napier's Rods." These rods enabled
multiplication and division through a mechanical method,
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making mathematical calculations more efficient.
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•Blaise Pascal's Calculator (1642): Blaise Pascal, a French
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mathematician and inventor, created the Pascaline, which
was one of the first mechanical calculators capable of
performing addition and subtraction. It used a series of gears
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and dials to automate these operations.
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Stage 2: Early Mechanical Computers
•Charles Babbage's Difference
Engine (1822):
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• Charles Babbage, an English
mathematician and inventor, designed the
Difference Engine, an automatic
mechanical calculator. It was capable of
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computing polynomial functions and was
considered a precursor to modern
computers.
Charles Babbage's Analytical Engine (1837): Babbage's Analytical Engine
was a more ambitious design, featuring components like a central
processing unit (CPU), memory, and input/output devices. It is often
regarded as the first general-purpose computer design, although it was 9
never fully constructed during Babbage's lifetime.
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• Herman Hollerith's Tabulating
Machine (1889): Herman Hollerith,
an American inventor, developed a
punch card system for processing
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data from the 1890 U.S. Census. His
invention marked the beginning of
using machines for data processing
and is considered a precursor to
modern
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Stage 3: The Electronic Era
• Alan Turing's Turing Machine (1937):
• Alan Turing's theoretical concept of the
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Turing Machine laid the foundation for
modern computer science. It described a
simple abstract machine that could simulate
any algorithm, making it a fundamental
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concept in the theory of computation
Colossus (1943): Colossus was the world's
first programmable digital computer,
developed in the United Kingdom during
World War II. It was primarily used for
code-breaking and cryptanalysis.
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• ENIAC (1945): The Electronic Numerical Integrator and
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Computer (ENIAC) was the first general-purpose
electronic digital computer. It was enormous and capable
of performing a wide range of calculations, including
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ballistic trajectory calculations and scientific research.
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Stage 4: The Modern Computer Age
UNIVAC I (1951): The UNIVAC I (Universal Automatic
Computer) was the first commercially produced computer.
It was used for various purposes, including scientific
calculations and business data processing.
IBM 305 RAMAC (1956): The IBM 305
RAMAC introduced the first hard disk
drive (HDD), revolutionizing data storage
by replacing older methods like punched
cards and magnetic tape.
Intel 4004 (1971): The Intel 4004 was the first
microprocessor, a single chip that contained the central
processing unit (CPU). It played a crucial role in the
development of personal computers and other electronic
devices.
Apple I (1976): The Apple I, designed by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, was the
first computer designed for personal use. It had a microprocessor, keyboard, and
could be connected to a TV or monitor.
IBM PC (1981): The IBM Personal
Computer, or IBM PC, played a significant
role in popularizing personal computers and
establishing industry standards for hardware
and software compatibility.
World Wide Web (1991): Tim Berners-Lee, a British computer
scientist, introduced the World Wide Web, a system for sharing
and accessing information on the internet. It led to the explosive
growth of the internet and transformed the way we communicate
and access information.
These stages represent significant milestones in the history of computing, from early
mechanical calculators to the development of modern digital computers and the birth of the
internet
5 Generations of Modern Computers
• 1st Generation 1940s-1950s
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• Made to order operating instructions
• Different binary coded programs told it how to
operate
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• Difficult to program and limited versatility and
speed
• Vacuum tubes
• Magnetic drum storage
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2nd Generation 1950s-1960s
• Transistors
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• Memory - magnetic core
• Assembly language
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• Printers and memory
• Programming languages
• Careers
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3rd Generation 1960s-1970s
• Quartz clock
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• Integrated circuit
• Operating systems
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4th Generation 1970s-present
• PC – Personal Computers
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• Micro Processors
• Graphical User Interfaces
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5th Generation - Modern Era
• This is the future
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• internet and networking
• Mobile Computing
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• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
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Computer Software
• Software
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• refers to the set of instructions, data, or
programs used to operate computers and
execute specific tasks.
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• It is the non-physical component of a
computer system that tells the hardware what
to do.
• Without software, hardware (the physical parts
of the computer) would not be functional or
useful. 21
Types of Software
1. System Software
1. Operating Systems
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• These manage the computer's hardware and software resources. They
provide a user interface (UI) and facilitate the execution of application
software.
• Examples include:
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• Windows
• macOS
• Linux
• Android
• iOS
• Utility Software:
• Performs specific tasks to manage or optimize the computer's performance.
Examples include antivirus programs, disk cleanup tools, and backup software.
• Device Drivers:
• These are specific types of system software that allow the operating system to 22
communicate with hardware devices, like printers or graphics cards.
• Application Software:
• Productivity Software:
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• Programs used for various tasks like word processing, spreadsheets,
and presentations. Examples include:
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
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• Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides)
• Web Browsers:
• Software that allows users to access the internet,
• such as:
• Google Chrome
• Mozilla Firefox
• Safari
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• Multimedia Software:
• Programs for creating or consuming media content, like video editing, music
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production, and graphics design.
• Examples include:
• Adobe Photoshop (image editing)
• Final Cut Pro (video editing)
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• Gaming Software: Video games, either standalone or online,
• such as:
• Fortnite
• Call of Duty
• Programming Software:
• Tools and applications used by developers to write, test, and debug software
programs. These include:
• Text Editors (e.g., Notepad++, Sublime Text)
• Compilers (e.g., GCC for C/C++, Java Compiler)
• Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) (e.g., Visual Studio, IntelliJ
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IDEA)
Key Concepts in Software:
• Source Code:
• The human-readable instructions written in a programming language
(e.g., Python, Java) that are later compiled or interpreted to run on a
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computer.
• Executable Code:
• The machine-readable binary code that is directly executed by the
computer's processor.
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• Software Development:
• The process of designing, creating, testing, and maintaining software,
typically carried out by software engineers and developers.
• Open Source Software:
• Software whose source code is publicly available for anyone to inspect,
modify, and distribute (e.g., Linux, Apache).
• Proprietary Software:
• Software owned by an individual or company, with restricted access to 25
the source code and usage (e.g., Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop).
Importance of Software
• Automation:
• Software automates repetitive tasks, increasing efficiency in
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various fields such as business, healthcare, and education.
• Communication:
• Programs like email clients, messaging apps, and social media
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platforms facilitate global communication.
• Innovation:
• Software drives innovation in technology, from AI applications to
space exploration and advanced healthcare systems.
• Customization:
• Software can be tailored to meet specific business needs or
personal preferences, providing flexibility in how tasks are
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accomplished.
THANK YOU …
Sana Ullah Shahbaz 10/30/2024
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