“Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destination” - Anonymous

Mohan Singh Ayer

MSC.IT
Lecturer of:

DBMS, Software Engineering, MIS, Data Communication and Network,

Linux, Fundamental of Computer and Computer Ethics & Cyber Security
 Unit-1
Introduction to Computer
LH- 3 Hours
CONTENTS
 Introduction
 Digital and Analog Computers
 Characteristics of Computer
 History of Computer
 Generation of computer
 Classification of Computer
 The Computer System
 Application of computers
Definition

The computer is an electronic device or machine, which process and calculate the raw data
given by the user, and gives meaningful information. The main objective of the computer is to
calculate complex problem in corrective way.
The computer frequently used for data processing and storing data because whenever user
need information or data, they can retrieve data from computer anytime.

Meaningful
Raw Material Data
Information
Processor
Fig: Data
Digital and Analog Computers
Digital Computer Analog Computer

• Analog computers works with continuous

values or these types of systems process • Digital computers works with discrete
continuous data. values or these types of systems process
• Speed of analog computers is less than discrete data.
the digital computers. • Speed of digital computers is more than
• Analog computers are less reliable than the analog computers.
digital computers. • Digital computers are more reliable than
• Its performance is comparatively low. analog computers.
• Analog computers show the result in • Its performance is very high.
terms of voltage signals. • Digital computers show the result in
computer display screen.
 “Necessity is the mother of Invention”

History of computer

Computers are typically viewed as a modern invention involving electronics, computing

predates the use of electrical devices.
The computer history starts from 16th century in China. The Chinese people invented
ABACUS for simple mathematical counting. The first mechanical adding machine is
invented by Blaise Pascal in 1642. Later in the year 1671, Calculator for multiplication
machine is invented by Baron Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz. In 1970s, the scientist
Hermon Hollerith invented punch card as input device. In 1842 Charles Babbage had
invented analytical engine for basic arithmetic calculations. Thus Charles Babbage is called
The first computer program “Binary Number System” is invented by Lady Ada
Lovelace. The program was invented for differential engine.
There is a long development history of the computer and
computer devices. Generally, the history of a computer
development can be categorized into the following three different
Eras:
1. Mechanical Calculating Era
2. Electromechanical Era
3. Electronic Computer Era
Mechanical Calculating Era[Dark Age]

- It starts from 3000 BC.

- Simple machines to perform simple math
operations
- Machines were operated manually

Machine used in this ERA

are:
1. ABACUS (3000 BC)
- Invented by Chinese people in 5000 years
ago
- First Computer Prototype
2. Napier's Bones(1612
AD)
- Invented by Scottish Mathematician, John Napier in
1612.
- Contained 10 rods.
- Rods made of bones, wood, and metal.
- Used for Multiplication and division.
3. Slide Rule(1622 AD)
- Invented by English mathematician William oughtred.
- Pair of 2 moveable rules side by side.
- Used for multiplication and division.
4. Pascaline (1642 AD)

- Also Called Pascal’s Calculator

- Invented by French mathematician blaise
pascal.
- Perform addition and subtraction by 8
5.figures.
Leibniz’s Calculator (1694
AD) - Developed to help his father who was a tax
- Invented by German Mathematician
collector.
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz.
- It is first calculator to perform all 4
operations.
6. Babbage’s Difference and Analytical Engine (1822 and
1837 AD)
- Invented by English Mathematician Charles
Babbage, he is known as father of computer.
- Difference is powered by steam.
- Can hold data temporarily for processing and
results.
- Analytical Engine in 1837 AD
- Programmed through punch cards and
contained integrated memory.
- First design concept of general purpose
computer.
2. Electro-Mechanical Era (Middle
Age)
- Starts from mid of 19th century
- Powered by steam and electricity

Machine used in this ERA

are:
1. Herman Hollerith’s Tabulating Machine(1890
AD)
- Invented by American Herman
Hollerith in 1890 AD.
- Used for American Census in 1890
- Took only 6 months to compile
results.
- Previous Census’s result took 7
3. Electronic Era (Modern Age)

- Electron or vacuum tube gives birth.

- Working principle of IPO (Input, Process and OUTPUT).
- Increase efficiency and speed.

Machine used in this ERA

are:
1. ENIAC (1946-1947)
- Stands for Electronic Numerical Prototype & Calculator.
- It was the first general purpose electronic computer.
2. EDVAC (1947-1952)
- Stands for Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic
Computer.
- It is developed in 1950.
- It is automatic machine for Addition, Subtraction, and
Multiplication.
2. EDSAC (1947-1949)
- Stands for Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Computer.
- It is used for Arithmetic & Operations without human
intervention.
2. UNIVAC (1950-1951)

- Stands for Universal Automatic Computer.

- It was first commercial Computer.
- It was designed to handle both numerical and textual
information.
 Generation of Computer

First Generation Computer (1942-1955)

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.

Fig: First Generation Computer (1942-1955)

Second Generation Computer (1955-1964)

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.

Fig: Transistor (1955-1964)

Third Generation Computer (1964-1975)

The development of the integrated circuit was the hallmark of the third generation of
computers.
Transistors were reduced 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.
 Fourth Generation Computer (1975-1989)

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. Fourth generation computers also saw the development of GUIs,
the mouse and handheld devices.
Fifth Generation Computer (1989-Present)

The trend of further miniaturization of electronic components, dramatic increase in power

of microprocessor chips, and increase in capacity of main memory and hard disk continued
during fifth generation. VLSI technology become ULSI (Ultra-Large-Scale Integration)
technology in fifth generation resulting in production of microprocessor chips having ten
million electronic components.
Fifth Generation Computer (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.
Quantum computation and molecular and nanotechnology will radically change the face of
computers in years to come.
The goal of fifth-generation computing is to develop devices that respond to natural
language input and are capable of learning and self-organization.
 Classification of computer

On the basis of size there are five types of computer given as follows:

 Supercomputer: Supercomputers are the biggest and fastest computers. They are
designed to process huge amount of data. A supercomputer can process trillions of
instructions in a second. It has thousands of interconnected processors.
 Mainframe computer: Mainframe computers are designed to support hundreds or
thousands of users simultaneously. They can support multiple programs at the same
time. It means they can execute different processes simultaneously. These features of
mainframe computers make them ideal for big organizations like banking and telecom
sectors, which need to manage and process high volume of data.
 Hybrid computer:
A hybrid computer is a computing system that combines
both digital and analog components. Traditionally, the analog
components of the computer handle complex mathematical
computations. The digital components take care of logical and
numerical operations, in addition to serving as the controller
for the system.
 Workstation Computer: Workstation is a single user computer that is designed for
technical or scientific applications. It has faster microprocessor, large amount of RAM
and high speed graphic adapters. It generally performs a specific job with great
expertise; accordingly, they are of different types such as graphics workstation, music
workstation and engineering design workstation.
 Microcomputer: Microcomputer is also known as personal computer. It is a general
purpose computer that is designed for individual use. It has a microprocessor as a
central processing unit, memory, storage area, input unit and output unit. Laptops
and desktop computers are examples of microcomputers.
 Characteristics of computer

 Automatic: An automatic machine works by itself without human intervention.

Computer is automatic machine because once started on job , the computer carry out
the job without any human assistance until it is finished.
 Speed: A computer is a very fast device. The computer can do big task within a minutes
or hours which is not possible manually.
 Accuracy: The computer is relies very accurate machine because it gives 99% accurate
output of any given input.
 Diligence: It never feel tired for hours and hours work continuously.
 Versatility: The versatility is one of the significance feature of computer. It can work
 The Computer System
Definition:
• A computer can be viewed as a system, which consists of a number of
interrelated components that work together with the aim of converting
data into information.
• In a computer system, processing is carried out electronically, usually
with little or no intervention from the user.
• The general perception of people regarding the computer is that it is
an “intelligent thinking machine”.
• However, this is not true. Every computer needs to be instructed
exactly what to do and how to do. The instructions given to computers
Components of a computer
system:
There are several computer systems in the market with a
wide variety of makes, models and peripherals. In general, a
computer system comprises the following components.:

• CPU :
• Input Unit
• Output Unit
• Storage Unit

Fig: Components of Computer systems

How Does a computer Work ?

A computer performs three basic steps to complete any

task:

1. Input
2. Processing
3. Output
 Application of computer

A computer has high speed of calculation, diligence, accuracy, reliability, or versatility which
has made it an integrated part in all business organizations.
Computer is used in business organizations for:

 Payroll calculations
 Budgeting
 Sales analysis
 Financial forecasting
 Managing employee database

Block Diagram of computer
THANK YOU