Introduction to computer

• Computer is an advanced electronic device that takes

raw data as input from the user and processes it
under the control of set of instructions (called
program), gives the result (output), and saves it for
the future use
• The term computer is derived from the Latin
term ‘compute’, this means
to calculate or programmable machine. Computer
can not do anything without a Program. It
represents the decimal numbers through a string of
binary digits.
• Charles Babbage, an English mechanical
engineer and polymath, originated the
concept of a programmable computer.
Considered the "father of the computer", he
conceptualized and invented the first
mechanical computer in the early 19th
century.
• In 1837, Charles Babbage proposed the first general
mechanical computer, the Analytical Engine.
• The Analytical Engine contained an ALU (
Arithmetic Logic Unit), basic flow control,
punch cards and integrated memory.
• It is the first general-purpose computer concept.
• Unfortunately, because of funding issues, this
computer was also never built while Charles Babbage
was alive.
• In 1910, Henry Babbage, Charles Babbage's
youngest son, was able to complete a portion of this
machine and perform basic calculations.
• ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and
Computer) was the first electronic general-
purpose digital computer. It was Turing-complete
, and able to solve "a large class of numerical
problems" through reprogramming.
• Presper Eckert, Jr., John William Mauchly, and
their associates at the Moore School of Electrical
Engineering of the University of Pennsylvania
invent the first electronic digital computer (called
the ENIAC) during the years 1943-1946,
• Charles Babbage is called the "Grand Father" of the
computer. The First mechanical computer designed
by Charles Babbage was called Analytical Engine.
• The basic components of a modern digital computer
are: Input Device, Output Device,
Central Processor Unit(CPU), mass storage device
and memory
Accept data IInput
Process data Processing
Produce output Output
Store results Storage
How does a computer work
 Hardware components of computer
Computer comprises mainly of three
components:
• Input Devices: Which accepts input from user
• Output Devices: Which gives output to the
user
• Processing Devices: Which process the data to
convert into information
• Storage Devices: Which store the data
 Input Devices
• KeyBoard
• Mouse
• TrackBall
• Joystick
• Scanner
• Touch screen
• Light Pen
• MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Reader)
• Digital cameras
• OCR (Optical Character Reader)
• OMR (Optical Mark Reader)
• Bar Code Reader
• Keyboard
– Keyboard is the most common and very popular
input device which helps to input data to the
computer. The layout of the keyboard is like that
of traditional typewriter, although there are some
additional keys provided for performing additional
functions.
– Keyboards are of two sizes 84 keys or 101/102
keys, but now keyboards with 104 keys or 108 keys
are also available for Windows and Internet.
– The keys on the keyboard are as follows −
• Typing Keys
– These keys include the letter keys (A-Z) and digit keys (09) which
generally give the same layout as that of typewriters.
• Numeric Keypad
– It is used to enter the numeric data or cursor movement. Generally, it
consists of a set of 17 keys that are laid out in the same configuration
used by most adding machines and calculators.
• Function Keys
– The twelve function keys are present on the keyboard which are
arranged in a row at the top of the keyboard. Each function key has a
unique meaning and is used for some specific purpose.
• Control keys
– These keys provide cursor and screen control. It includes four
directional arrow keys. Control keys also include Home, End, Insert,
Delete, Page Up, Page Down, Control(Ctrl), Alternate(Alt), Escape(Esc).
• Special Purpose Keys
– Keyboard also contains some special purpose keys such as Enter, Shift,
Caps Lock, Num Lock, Space bar, Tab, and Print Screen.
• Mouse
– Mouse is the most popular pointing device. It is a
very famous cursor-control device having a small
palm size box with a round ball at its base, which
senses the movement of the mouse and sends
corresponding signals to the CPU when the mouse
buttons are pressed.
– Generally, it has two buttons called the left and the
right button and a wheel is present between the
buttons. A mouse can be used to control the
position of the cursor on the screen, but it cannot
be used to enter text into the computer.
• Advantages
– Easy to use
– Not very expensive
– Moves the cursor faster than the arrow keys of the
keyboard.
• Joystick
– Joystick is also a pointing device, which is used to
move the cursor position on a monitor screen. It is
a stick having a spherical ball at its both lower and
upper ends. The lower spherical ball moves in a
socket. The joystick can be moved in all four
directions.
– The function of the joystick is similar to that of a
mouse. It is mainly used in Computer Aided
Designing (CAD) and playing computer games.
• Light Pen
– Light pen is a pointing device similar to a pen. It is
used to select a displayed menu item or draw
pictures on the monitor screen. It consists of a
photocell and an optical system placed in a small
tube.
• Track ball is an input device that is mostly used
in notebook or laptop computer, instead of a
mouse. This is a ball which is half inserted and
by moving fingers on the ball, the pointer can
be moved.
• Since the whole device is not moved, a track
ball requires less space than a mouse. A track
ball comes in various shapes like a ball, a
button, or a square.
• Scanner
– Scanner is an input device, which works more like
a photocopy machine. It is used when some
information is available on paper and it is to be
transferred to the hard disk of the computer for
further manipulation.
• Digitizer
– Digitizer is an input device which converts analog
information into digital form. Digitizer can convert
a signal from the television or camera into a series
of numbers that could be stored in a computer.
They can be used by the computer to create a
picture of whatever the camera had been pointed
at.
• Microphone
• Microphone is an input device to input sound
that is then stored in a digital form.
• The microphone is used for various
applications such as adding sound to a
multimedia presentation or for mixing music.
• Magnetic Ink Card Reader (MICR)
– MICR input device is generally used in banks as there are
large number of cheques to be processed every day. The
bank's code number and cheque number are printed on the
cheques with a special type of ink that contains particles of
magnetic material that are machine readable.
This reading process is called
Magnetic Ink Character
Recognition (MICR).
The main advantages of
MICR is that it is fast and
less error prone.
• Bar Code Readers
– Bar Code Reader is a device used for reading bar coded
data (data in the form of light and dark lines). Bar
coded data is generally used in labelling goods,
numbering the books, etc. It may be a handheld
scanner or may be embedded in a stationary scanner.
Bar Code Reader scans a
bar code image, converts it into an alphanumeric
value,
which is then fed to the
computer that the bar code
reader is connected to.
• Optical Mark Reader (OMR)
– OMR is a special type of optical scanner used to
recognize the type of mark made by pen or pencil.
It is used where one out of a few alternatives is to
be selected and marked.
It is specially used for checking the answer sheets of
examinations having multiple choice questions.
• Optical Character Reader (OCR)
• OCR is an input device used to read a printed
text.
• OCR scans the text optically, character by
character, converts them into a machine
readable code, and stores the text on the
system memory.
 Output Devices
• Monitor:
• Monochrome: It actually displays two colours one
for Background and another for the foreground
• Grey scale monitor: Capable of displaying different
shades in grey
• Colour: These can Display various colours
• CRT(Cathod Ray Tube) Monitor: Look like television
• LCD Monitor:Used in Portable devices like
palmtops , laptops etc
• Printer
1. Impact Printer: Prints characters on paper
with the help of an inked ribbon on which a
striking device such as a hammer makes an
impact
I. Dot Matrix printer (Use of Pins)
II. Daisy Wheel Printer (Use of Wheel)
III. Line Printer (Drum and Chain Printers)
 Non Impact Printer: It does not make impact
with the paper and hence are less noisy
I. Thermal Printer(Use special heat sensitive
paper)
II. Ink Jet Printer(Use vary small ink drops)
III. Laser Printers(Use a laser high beam to
produce a very high quality results)
• Plotters: Used for high quality drawings.
• Speakers : It emits audio output of recorded
voice
 Secondary Storage Devices
• Floppy Disc
• Hard Disk
• Compact Disk
• DVD
• Magnetic Tape
• Pendrives
 CPU and its Components
• ALU (Arithmetic and logic unit)
• Control Unit
• Memory
I. Primary Memory : RAM(random Access Memory)
Volatile: Power failure erases all the data which is
inside the RAM
Temporary memory
Hold programs in currently execution
Readable as well as writeable
Two types of RAM: Static and Dynamic Ram
II ROM(Read only Memory):
Non Volatile
Only readable can not be writeable
Permanent
Data Persists in case of power failure
Hold already stored programs
Categorized as : PROM , EPROM , EEPROM
• Secondary memory (Hard Disk)
Permanent
All the data are permanently get stored in to this
• When the data which is fetched from hard disk to RAM that
process is called as the Fetch in process
• Similarly when the data get stored to RAM to hard disk that
process is called as the Fetch out process
• Registers :this type of memory holds the data
which is to be stored temporarily
It holds the intermediate results while
calculations
Eg To store the results of calculations like
2+3/4*5
Firstly the result of ¾ will move into one
register and then the result will get evaluated
with 5 and so on…
• Motherboard: motherboard will hold all type
of connections
• Cache Memory: Lies between HD and the
RAM Type of SRAM
Difference between SRAM and DRAM
SRAM (Cache) DRAM
Size of this memory is small Size of this memory is large
Can be used to hold frequently used to hold already

used programs stored

programs
Excessively fast memory Slow as compared to SRAM
Acess time to this memory is less Acess time to this memory
is more
 Types of Computers (According to purpose)

• General purpose computers:

• Most computers in use today are General-Purpose
computers — those built for a great variety of
processing jobs.
• Simply by using a general purpose computer and
different software, various tasks can be
accomplished, including writing and editing (word
processing), manipulating facts in a data base,
tracking manufacturing inventory, making scientific
calculations, or even controlling organization’s
security system.
• As the name states, a Special-Purpose Computer
are designed to be task specific and most of the
times their job is to solve one particular problem.
• They are also known as dedicated computers,
because they are dedicated to perform a single task
over and over again.
• Such a computer system would be useful in playing
graphic intensive Video Games, traffic lights control
system, navigational system in an aircraft, weather
forecasting, satellite launch / tracking, oil
exploration, and in automotive industries, keeping
time in a digital watch, or Robot helicopter.
 Acc to Signal (Analog and Digital)
• Analog computers are used to process analog data. Analog
data is of continuous nature and which is not discrete or
separate. Such type of data includes temperature, pressure,
speed weight, voltage, depth etc. These quantities are
continuous and having an infinite variety of values.
• It measures continuous changes in some physical quantity
e.g. The Speedometer of a car measures speed, the change
of temperature is measured by a Thermometer, the weight
is measured by Weights machine. These computers are
ideal in situations where data can be accepted directly from
measuring instrument without having to convert it into
numbers or codes
 Digital computers
• A Digital Computer, as its name implies, works with
digits to represent numerals, letters or other special
symbols.
• Digital Computers operate on inputs which are ON-
OFF type and its output is also in the form of ON-
OFF signal. Normally, an ON is represented by a 1
and an OFF is represented by a 0.
• So we can say that digital computers process
information which is based on the presence or the
absence of an electrical charge or we prefer to say a
binary 1 or 0.
 Hybrid Computers
• A hybrid is a combination of digital and analog computers. It
combines the best features of both types of computers, i-e. It
has the speed of analog computer and the memory and
accuracy of digital computer.
• Hybrid computers are used mainly in specialized applications
where both kinds of data need to be processed. Therefore,
they help the user, to process both continuous and discrete
data.
• For example a petrol pump contains a processor that converts
fuel flow measurements into quantity and price values. In
hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU), an analog device is used
which measures patient's blood pressure and temperature etc,
which are then converted and displayed in the form of digits.
 First generation(1942-1955)

• The beginning of commercial computer age is

from UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computer). It
was developed by two scientists Mauchly and Echert at
the Census Department of United States in 1947. The
first generation computers were used during 1942-1955.
They were based on vacuum tubes. Examples of first
generation computers are ENIVAC and UNIVAC-1.
• In electronics, vacuum tube, electron tube (in North
America), tube, or valve (in British English) is a device
that controls electric current through a vacuum in a
sealed container
 Advantages
• Vacuum tubes were the only electronic
component available during those days.
• Vacuum tube technology made possible to
make electronic digital computers.
• These computers could calculate data in
millisecond
 Disadvantages
• The computers were very large in size.
• They consumed a large amount of energy.
• They heated very soon due to thousands of vacuum tubes.
• They were not very reliable.
• Air conditioning was required.
• Constant maintenance was required.
• Non-portable.
• Costly commercial production.
• Limited commercial use.
• Very slow speed.
• Limited programming capabilities.
• Used machine language only.
• Used magnetic drums which provide very less data storage.
• Used punch cards for input.
• Not versatile and very faulty
 Second generation (1955-1964)
• The second generation computers used
transistors.
• The scientists at Bell laboratories developed
transistor in 1947. These scientists include John
Barden, William Brattain and William Shockley.
• The size of the computers was decreased by
replacing vacuum tubes with transistors.
• The examples of second generation computers
are IBM 7094 series, IBM 1400
series and CDC 164 etc.
 Advantages
• Smaller in size as compared to the first generation computers.
• The 2nd generation Computers were more reliable
• Used less energy and were not heated.
• Wider commercial use
• Better portability as compared to the first generation
computers.
• Better speed and could calculate data in microseconds
• Used faster peripherals like tape drives, magnetic disks, printer
etc.
• Used Assembly language instead of Machine language.
• Accuracy improved.
 Disadvantages
• Cooling system was required
• Constant maintenance was required
• Commercial production was difficult
• Only used for specific purposes
• Costly and not versatile
• Punch cards were used for input.
 Third Generation Computers (1964-1975)

• The Third generation computers used the

integrated circuits (IC).
• Jack Kilby developed the concept of integrated circuit in
1958. It was an important invention in the computer field.
• The first IC was invented and used in 1961. The size of an IC
is about ¼ square inch. A single IC chip may contain
thousands of transistors.
• The computer became smaller in size, faster, more reliable
and less expensive.
• The examples of third generation computers are IBM
370, IBM System/360,UNIVAC 1108 and UNIVAC AC
9000 etc.
 Advantages
• Smaller in size as compared to previous generations.
• More reliable.
• Used less energy
• Produced less heat as compared to the previous two generations of
computers.
• Better speed and could calculate data in nanoseconds.
• Used fan for heat discharge to prevent damage.
• Maintenance cost was low because hardware failure is rare.
• Totally general purpose
• Could be used for high-level languages.
• Good storage
• Versatile to an extent
• Less expensive
• Better accuracy
• Commercial production increased.
• Used mouse and keyboard for input.
 Disadvantages
• Air conditioning was required.
• Highly sophisticated technology required for
the manufacturing of IC chips.
 Fourth Generation Computers (1975-Present)

• The fourth generation computers started with the invention of

Microprocessor. The Microprocessor contains thousands of ICs.
• Ted Hoff produced the first microprocessor in 1971 for Intel. It
was known as Intel 4004. The technology of integrated circuits
improved rapidly.
• The LSI (Large Scale Integration) circuit and VLSI (Very Large
Scale Integration) circuit was designed. It greatly reduced the
size of computer.
• The size of modern Microprocessors is usually one square inch.
It can contain millions of electronic circuits. The examples of
fourth generation computers are Apple Macintosh & IBM PC.
 Advantages
• More powerful and reliable than previous generations.
• Small in size
• Fast processing power with less power consumption
• Fan for heat discharging and thus to keep cold.
• No air conditioning required.
• Totally general purpose
• Commercial production
• Less need of repair.
• Cheapest among all generations
• All types of High level languages can be used in this type of
computers
 Disadvantages
• The latest technology is required for
manufacturing of Microprocessors.
 Fifth Generation Computers (Present & Beyond)

• Scientists are working hard on the 5th generation

computers with quite a few breakthroughs.
• It is based on the technique of Artificial Intelligence
(AI). Computers can understand spoken words & imitate human
reasoning.
• Can respond to its surroundings using different types of sensors.
Scientists are constantly working to increase the processing
power of computers. They are trying to create a computer with
real IQ with the help of advanced programming and
technologies.
• IBM Watson computers one example that outsmarts Harvard
University Students. The advancement in modern technologies
will revolutionize the computer in future.
Functional Block Diagram of Computer
 Characteristics of computers
• Speed
• Reliability
• Storage
• Diligence
• Versatality
 Applications of COMPUTERS
Business
Computer is used in business organizations for:
• Payroll calculations
• Budgeting
• Sales analysis
• Financial forecasting
• Managing employees database
• Maintenance of stocks etc.
 Banking
Today banking is almost totally dependent on
computer.
Banks provide following facilities:
• Banks provide online accounting facility, which
includes current balances, deposits,
overdrafts, interest charges, shares, and
trustee records.
• ATM machines are making it even easier for
customers to deal with banks.
 Insurance
Insurance companies are maintaining a
database of all clients with information showing
• procedure to continue with policies
• starting date of the policies
• next due installment of a policy
• maturity date
• interests due
• survival benefits
• bonus
 Education
• The computer has provided a lot of facilities in the
education system.
• The computer provides a tool in the education system
known as CBE (Computer Based Education).
• CBE involves control, delivery, and evaluation of
learning.
• The computer education is rapidly increasing the graph
of number of computer students.
• There are number of methods in which educational
institutions can use computer to educate the students.
• It is used to prepare a database about performance of a
student and analysis is carried out on this basis.
 Marketing
In marketing, uses of computer are following:
• Advertising - With computers, advertising
professionals create art and graphics, write
and revise copy, and print and disseminate ads
with the goal of selling more products.
• At Home Shopping - Home shopping has been
made possible through use of computerised
catalogues that provide access to product
information and permit direct entry of orders
to be filled by the customers.
 Health care
Some major fields of health care in which computers are used
are:
• Diagnostic System - Computers are used to collect data and
identify cause of illness.
• Lab-diagnostic System - All tests can be done and reports are
prepared by computer.
• Patient Monitoring System - These are used to check patient's
signs for abnormality such as in Cardiac Arrest, ECG etc.
• Pharma Information System - Computer checks Drug-Labels,
Expiry dates, harmful drug’s side effects etc.
• Surgery : Nowadays, computers are also used in performing
surgery.
 Engineering Design
• One of major areas is CAD (Computer aided design).
That provides creation and modification of images.
Some fields are:
• Structural Engineering - Requires stress and strain
analysis for design of Ships, Buildings, Budgets,
Airplanes etc.
• Industrial Engineering - Computers deal with design,
implementation and improvement of integrated
systems of people, materials and equipments.
• Architectural Engineering - Computers help in planning
towns, designing buildings, determining a range of
buildings on a site using both 2D and 3D drawings
 Millitary
Computers are largely used in defence.
Modern tanks, missiles, weapons etc. Military
also employs computerized control systems.
Some military areas where a computer has
been used are:
• Missile Control
• Military Communication
• Military Operation and Planning
• Smart Weapons
 Communication
Communication means to convey a message, an
idea, a picture or speech that is received and
understood clearly and correctly by the person for
whom it is meant for. Some main areas in this
category are:
• E-mail
• Chatting
• Usenet
• FTP
• Telnet
• Video-conferencing
 Government
Computers play an important role in government.
Some major fields in this category are:
• Budgets
• Sales tax department
• Income tax department
• Male/Female ratio
• Computerization of voters lists
• Computerization of driving licensing system
• Computerization of PAN card
• Weather forecasting