CSC-103

Computer Fundamental Chapter-01

Introduction to Computers
 Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

– Understand the basic components and functioning of a computer system.

– Describe how input, processing, and output work together to complete tasks in a
computer.
– Identify different types of computers, their uses, and their evolution.
– Explain the characteristics of different generations of computers.
– Understand the roles and uses of hardware and software in computing.
– Recognize the impact of computers on various sectors like education, business,
and healthcare.
 Learning Outcomes

Upon completing this course, students will:

– Demonstrate a basic understanding of how data is input, processed, and output by a

computer.
– Be able to differentiate between different generations of computers and describe
key technological advancements.
– Identify the role of major hardware components such as the CPU, memory, and
input/output devices.
– Apply basic concepts of computing to explain how common applications, such as
calculators or online systems, work.
– Recognize the influence of computers in everyday life and modern industries.
 Slide Contents
• Introduction to Computers
• Characteristics of Computers
• Invention of Computers and Modern Computers

• Generations of Computers

• Applications and Impact of Computers in Daily Life

• General Purpose Computers Vs Special Purpose Computers

• The Structure of Computer System
• The Input-Process-Output Concept
 Introduction of Computers

• Computers are an integral part of our lives.

• The term computer is derived from the word
compute. The word compute means to
calculate.
• A computer is an electronic machine that
accepts data from the user, processes the
data by performing calculations and
operations on it, and generates the desired
output results.
• The main components of a computer include
hardware (physical parts) and software
(programs and applications).
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 Characteristics of Computer
• Speed: The computer can process data very
fast, at the rate of millions of instructions per
second.
• Accuracy: Computer provides a high degree
of accuracy.
• Diligence: When used for a longer period of
time, the computer does not get tired or
fatigued.
• Storage: Capability Large volumes of data
and information can be stored in the
computer and also retrieved whenever
required.
• Versatility: It can perform different types of
tasks with the same ease.
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 Invention of Computers
Until the development of the first generation computers based on vacuum tubes, there
had been several developments in the computing technology related to the
mechanical computing devices.

Pascal’s Adding and

Abacus Napier’s Bones Slide rule Subtraction Machine
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 Invention of Computers
Until the development of the first generation computers based on vacuum tubes, there
had been several developments in the computing technology related to the
mechanical computing devices.

Leibniz’s Multiplication Babbage’s Analytical Hollerith’s Punched Card

and Dividing Machine Punch Card Engine Tabulating Machine
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 Modern Computers

1. Desktop Computers:
• Use at work, home, school, or the library.
• Small, medium, or large in style, and they
usually sit on a desk.
• Once you add a monitor, mouse, and
keyboard, you have what is typically known
as a desktop computer.
• Easy to upgrade and expand or add new parts.
• Desktop computer is priced lower.
• Some desktop computers have a built-in
monitor to save space. These are often called Figure: Desktop Computer
all-in-one desktop computers.
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 Modern Computers

2. Laptop Computers:

• Laptops are battery- or AC-powered personal

computers.
• More portable than desktop computers.
• May not be able to upgrade them as easily as a
desktop.
• It's usually possible to add more RAM or a larger Figure: Laptop Computer
hard drive.

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 Modern Computers

3. Server Computers:

• Serves up information to other computers on a

network.
• Look like a regular desktop computer, or it can
be much larger.
• WebPages are stored.

Figure: Server Computer

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 Modern Computers

4. Tablet Computers:

• Use a touch-sensitive screen for typing and

navigation.
• Don't require a keyboard or mouse.
• More portable than laptops.
• The iPad is an example of a tablet computer.

Figure: Tablet Computer

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 Generations of Computers
A generation refers to the state
of improvement in the product
development process. In the Generations Time-Period Technology Used
following subsections, we will 1st Generation 1940 – 1956 Vacuum Tube
discuss the generations of
computer in terms of— 2nd Generation 1956 – 1963 Transistor
1. The technology used by them
(hardware and software), 3rd Generation 1964 – 1971 Integrated Circuit
2. Computing characteristics
4th Generation 1971 – Present Microprocessor
(speed, i.e., number of
instructions executed per 5th Generation Present – Future Artificial Intelligence
second),
3. Physical appearance, and
4. Their applications.
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 First Generation (1940 to 1956):
Using Vacuum Tubes
Hardware Technology: Vacuum tubes for circuitry
and magnetic drums for memory. The input to
the computer was through punched cards and
paper tapes. The output was displayed as
printouts.
Software Technology: Machine language.
Computing Characteristics: Computation time
was in milliseconds.
Physical Appearance: Enormous in size.
Application: Scientific applications as they were
the fastest computing device of their time. Figure : First Generation Computer ENIAC
Examples: UNIVAC, ENIAC and EDVAC. using Vacuum Tubes
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 Second Generation (1956 to 1963):
Using Transistors
Hardware Technology: Transistors replaced the
vacuum tubes and used magnetic core
technology for primary memory where as
magnetic tapes and magnetic disks for secondary
storage. The input was still through punched
cards and the output using printouts.
Software Technology: Assembly language.
Computing Characteristics: Computation time
was in microseconds.
Physical Appearance: Size of the computer was
reduced. Figure : Second Generation computer
Examples: PDP-8, IBM 1401 and CDC 1604.
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 Third Generation (1964 to 1971):
Using Integrated Circuits
Hardware Technology: They used the Integrated
Circuit (IC) chips. The keyboard and monitor were
used to interact with the third generation
computer, instead of the punched card and
printouts.
Software Technology: High-level languages.
Computing Characteristics: Computation time
was in nanoseconds.
Physical Appearance: Quite small compared to
the second generation computers.
Examples: IBM 370, PDP 11 etc. Figure : Third Generation computer
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 Fourth Generation (1971 to present):
Using Microprocessors
Hardware Technology: This era is marked by the
development of microprocessor. RAM and magnetic
hard disks introduced. The computers were linked to
form networks and offered pointing devices like
mouse.
Software Technology: High-level languages and OS
introduced.
Computing Characteristics: Computation time was
in picoseconds.
Physical Appearance: Smaller than the computers of
the previous generation. Some can even fit into the
palm of the hand. Figure : Fourth Generation computer
Examples: Intel 4004 was the first microprocessor.
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 Fifth Generation (Present and Next):
Using Artificial Intelligence
• The goal of fifth generation computing is to
develop computers that are capable of learning
and self-organization.
• Store millions of components on a single chip.
• Parallel processing results in faster processing
speed.
• Based on Artificial Intelligence (AI).
• Artificial Intelligence includes areas like Expert
System (ES), Natural Language Processing (NLP),
speech recognition, voice recognition, robotics,
etc. Figure : Fifth Generation computer
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Applications and Impact of
Computers in Daily Life

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 General Purpose Computers Vs
Special Purpose Computers
A general-purpose computer is one that, A special purpose computer is designed to
given the application and required time, perform a specific task or a set of tasks,
should be able to perform the most unlike general-purpose computers that can
common computing tasks. Desktops, handle a wide range of functions. Example:
notebooks, smartphones and tablets, are all GPS (Global Positioning System) designed
examples of general-purpose computers. for navigation and location tracking.

Figure : General Purpose Computers Figure : Special Purpose Computers 16

 The Structure of Computer System

The computer system hardware comprises of three main

components —

1. Input/Output (I/O) Unit,

The I/O unit consists of the input unit and the output
unit.
2. Central Processing Unit (CPU), and
CPU performs calculations and processing on the input
data, to generate the output.
3. Memory Unit.
The memory unit is used to store the data, the Figure : Structure of Computer System.
instructions and the output information.
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 The Input-Process-Output Concept
Input, processing, and output are fundamental concepts that
describe how a computer works.
1. Input Stage: Getting Data into the System,
You type your name into a form on a website. The
computer captures that information as input.
2. Processing Stage: Making Sense of the Input, and
After you input your name and age, the computer
checks if the age is a number and then determines if you
are an adult or a minor based on that number.
3. Output Stage: Displaying or Sending Results.
Figure : The Input-Process-Output Concept.
After processing your input (name and age), the
computer displays a message on the screen saying, "You
are an adult" or "You are a minor." 18
 Review Questions
1. Define Computer.
2. What are the main characteristics of computers?
3. Mention some key developments that led to modern computers?
4. Find out the differences between laptop and desktop computer.
5. Write short note on server computer.
6. List the five generations of computers and the main advancements of each.
7. List down some applications of computer in our daily life.
8. Find out the differences between General Purpose Computers and Special
Purpose Computers.
9. Describe the structure of computer system with diagram.
10. Explain the concept of Input, Process and Output in computer system with an
example.
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