INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER
A Computer: Is an electronic device that is used for entering data, processing and
converting into information.
Computer science: Is the study of computer and computing systems including
how data processed stored and communicated using technology
Computer science involves:
Designing computer programs
Understanding computer hardware and software
Using technology responsible
IMPOTANCE OF LEARNING COMPUTER STUDIES
Prepares learners for digital working place
Support innovation and creativity
Improves communication through digital tools
Enhance problem solving and logical thinking
Branches of computer science
Artificial intelligence (AI)
Cyber security
Networking
Programing
Evolution and development of computer
Early mechanical computing device
Abacus: used to perform simple arrangement like calculation. It was used in Asia
Napier bones: It was invented by John Napier in 17thcentury, it was used to
perform multiplication, division, and square roots
Slide rule: Used for performing division, calculation of powers, and performing
trigonometric functions. It was invented by William Oughtred in 1622, it was
replaced by modern calculators in the 1970.
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Pascaline: It was invented by Blaise pascal. It was for performing addition and
subtraction.
Deference between Analytical and Deference engine
Deference engine Analytical engine
Functionality Performed only Performed all four
addition through the arithmetic operation
method of definite
deference
Programmable It was not It was programmable
programmable
Architecture Deference engine Contain memory and
locked this, storage
functioning like a
specialized adding
machine
Purpose Designed to generate Designed for general
mathematical tables purpose, automatic
computation
Construction It was partially built in It was never
Babbage’s time and completed
later successful built
Technology development in computers
Vacuum tubes (early to mid-20thcentury): They were used power
electronic by the flow of electric current in a high vacuum.
Limitation of vacuum tubes
They were large
They consume a lot of power
Generated heat
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They were prone to failure
Transistors (mid-20thcentury): Is a conductor use of amplifier
electronic signals and switch electrical power
Function of transistors
Signals amplification
Logical operation
Power regulation
Example
IBM 1401
UNIVAC 1107
Advantage of transistors over vacuum tubes
small in size
consumed less heat
They made computer less costly
Integrated circuit (1958-1970): Are small electronic chips made on
semi-conductor materials that contain time components such as
Transistors, Resistors and capacitors
They made computer smaller, faster, and more reliable.
Classification of integrated circuits
a) Large scale integration
This contain thousands of transistors embedded on a
semi - conductors.
Example
UNIVAC 1108
Honeywell 200
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b) Very largescale integration
They contain millions of transistors embedded on a single
chip.
Micro-processor (1970-present):
These are chips manufactured using largescale integration
(VLSI).
They often referred as the brain of computer because they able
to perform calculation.
The micro - processor technology, has been used in
manufacture of personal computer, smart television, solar
power inventors.
Semi - conductors technology (1965-present):
Involves the use of silicon and other materials to create electric
components.
This technology has enabled development of micro – processor
leading to more powerful, energy efficient computers and
mobile devices.
Memory technology (1950-present)
In a computer, memory refers to a component that stores data
and instruction needed for processing.
Example
Random access memory (RAM)
Importance of memory technology to computers
Speed of execution
Multi – tasking capability
Running heavy software
System stability
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Operating system (1950-presents):
Is a type of computer software that manages hardware
resources and provide a platform for running application.
Early computer required manual programming but their use
was simplified by operating system like:
Microsoft disk operating system (MS-DOS)
Macintosh operating system (MaCS)
Modern operating system such as Microsoft window,
Linux, MacOs , iOS and Android.
Computer Generation
First Generation of computer
The first generation of computers, developed between 1946 and
1956, used vacuum tubes for processing circuitry and magnetic
drums for storage.
They were large computers, consumed a lot of power, and
generated a lot of heat.
Example of first generation of computers
EDVAC
IBM-701
IBM – 650
Second generation of computers
The second generation of computers, developed between 1956 to
1963.
They were powered by electronic components called transistors.
They were small, consumed less power, and they were more
powerful.
Example
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Honeywell 800
IBM 1401
IBM 1620
UNIVAC 1107
CDC 1604
Third generation of computers
Third generation of computers developed between 1963 to 1971
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