What is Computer:-

The term computer is derived from the word “Compute” which means to calculate so a
computer is normally considered to be a calculating device that can perform arithmetic
operations at enormous speed.
1. “A computer is an electronic device which is capable of creating solution by performing
complex processing at information “
2. “A computer is an electronic device for the storage and processing information”.
3. “A computer is an electronic device that stores, retrieves and processes data and can be
programmed with instructions”.
4. “A computer is composed of hardware and software and can exist in a variety of sizes
and configurations”.
5. “A computer is a machine that accepts data and manipulates it for some result based on
a program which describes how data is to be manipulated or processed”.
6. “A multi function electronic device that can execute instructions to perform a task”.
7. “A machine that accepts input, processes it, according to specified rules and produces
output”.

Characteristics of computers:-
All computers have certain common characteristics in respective of their type
and size. Computer are not just adding machines, they are capable of doing
complex activities and operations. They can be programmed to do complex,
tedious and monotonous task.
Computers are what they are because of the following characteristics:-

 SPEED:- In general, no human being can compete to solving the complex computation, faster than computer.

 ACCURACY:- Since Computer is programmed, what so ever input we give it, it gives result with accurately.

 STORAGE:- Computer can store mass storage of data with appropriate format.

 DILIGENCE:- Computer can work for hours without any break and creating error.

 VERSATILITY: - We can use computer to perform completely different type of work at the same time.

 POWER OF REMEMBERING:- It can remember data for us.

 NO IQ - Computer does not work without instruction.

 NO FEELING:- Computer does not have emotions, knowledge, experience, feeling.

  Limitations of a Computer System:
 Although a computer is far better in performance than a human being, it fails
in certain ways as follows:
 (i) Computers can’t Think:
 Computers cannot think and they can’t do any job unless they are first programmed
with specific instructions for same. They work as per stored instructions. Algorithms
are designed by humans to make a computer perform a special task. This is also called
artificial intelligence.
 (ii) Computers can’t Decide:
 Computers are incapable of decision making as they do not possess the essential
elements necessary to take a decision i.e. knowledge, information, wisdom,
intelligence and the ability to judge.
 (iii) Computers can’t Express their Ideas:
 In any type of research ideas plays a vital role. In this context, computers can’t express
their ideas.
 (iv) Computers can’t Implement:
 Though computers are helpful in storage of data and can contain the contents of
encyclopedias even, but only humans can decide and implement the policies.
 (v) No IQ :
 Although the trend today is to make computers intelligent by inducing artificial
intelligence (AI) in them, they still do not have any decision-making abilities of their
own. Thus, their IQ level is zero. They need guidance to perform various tasks.

Generations of computers:-
First Generation of Computers (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 [Link] first generation computers were used during
1942-1955. They were based on vacuum tubes. Examples of first generation computers
are ENIVAC and UNIVAC-1.

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 Computers (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 5 generation computers with quite a few breakthroughs. It
th

is based on the technique of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Computers can understand spoken
words & imitate human reasoning. It 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 computer is one example that out smarts Harvard University
Students. The advancement in modern technologies will revolutionize the computer in future.
Types of computers and features

There are two basic categories of computers: Special purpose and General Purpose.
Special purpose computers are designed to perform a specific task such as keeping
time in a digital watch or programming a video cassette recorder. In the case of General
purpose computers they are adapted to perform any number of functions or tasks.
Computers based on their size, cost and performance can be further classified into four
types
1. Super Computers

2. Main Frames

3. Mini Computers

4. Micro Computers
Super Computers
Supercomputers are the most powerful computers made. They are built to process
huge amounts of data. For example, scientists build models of complex processes and
simulate the processes on a supercomputer. One such process is nuclear fission. As a
fissionable material approaches a critical mass, the researchers want to know exactly
what will happen during every nanosecond of a nuclear chain reaction. A
supercomputer can model the actions and reactions of literally millions of atoms as they
interact.

Because computer technology changes so quickly the advanced capabilities of a

supercomputer today may become the standard features of a PC a few years from now,
and next year‘s supercomputer will be vastly more powerful than today‘s.
Main Frames
The largest type of computer in common use is the mainframe. Mainframe computers
are used where many people in a large organization need frequent access to the same
information, which is usually organized into one or more huge databases. For example,
consider the Texas Department of Public Safety, where people get their drivers‘
licenses. This state agency maintains offices in every major city in Texas, each of which
has many employees who work at computer terminals. A terminal is a keyboard and
screen wired to the mainframe. It does not have its own CPU or storage; it is just an
input/output (I/O) device that functions as a window into a computer located somewhere
else. The terminals at the Public Safety offices are all connected to a common database
on a mainframe in the state capital. A mainframe computer controls the database that
handles the input and output needs of all the terminals connected to it. Each used has
continuous access to the driving records and administrative information for every
licensed driver and vehicle in the state literally, millions of records. On smaller systems,
handling this volume of user access to a central database would be difficult and more
time consuming.
No one really knows where the term mainframe originated. Early IBM documents
explicitly define the term frame as a integral part of a computer: the housing hardware
support structures and all the parts and components therein. It may be that when
computers of all sizes and shapes began to appear in computer environments, the big
computer was referred to as the main frame, as in the main computer, and that
eventually the term was shortened to one word, mainframe.

Note :- The main difference between a super computer and a mainframe is that a super
computer channels all its power into executing a few programs as fast as possible
whereas a mainframe uses its power to execute many programs concurrently.
Micro Computers
Microcomputers are the smallest type of computers available and
are popularly known as personal computers. Personal computers
are small relatively inexpensive computers that are designed for
individual users. In terms of cost, they can range anywhere from a
few hundred dollars to over few thousand dollars. Personal
computers are designed for word processing, accounting, desktop
publishing and database management applications. Personal
computers first appeared in the late stage of 1970. One of the first
and most popular computers was Apple 2, which was first
introduced in 1977 by Apple Computer. During the late 1970s and
early 1980s different new models and different operating systems
started appearing daily. Then in 1981, International Business
Machine (IBM) entered in the fray with the first personal computer
called IBM PC. It became an overnight success and was the
people's choice for personal computer. One of the few companies,
which survive in front of IBM, is Apple Computer.
Today the world of personal computers is divided between
Macintosh and Personal Computers. The principal characteristics of
PC's are that they are single-user systems. But they can be linked
together to form a network. In terms of power there is a great
variation. At the high-end, the distinction between personal
computers and workstations has faded where high-end models of
Macintosh and Personal Computer offer the same computing power
and graphics capability.
Mini Computers
When Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) began shipping its PDP
series computers in the early 1960s, the press dubbed these
machines minicomputers because of their small size compared to
other computers of the day. Much to DEC‘s chagrin, the name stuck.
The best way to explain the capabilities of a minicomputers is to say
that they lie somewhere between those of mainframes and those of
personal computers. Like mainframes, minicomputers can handle a
great deal more input and output than personal computers can.
Although some minis and designed for a single user, many can
handle dozens or even hundreds of terminals.

A company that needs the power of a mainframe but cannot afford

such a large machine may find that a minicomputer suits its needs
 nicely. The major minicomputer manufacturers include DEC, Data
General, IBM, and Hewlett-Packard.
Basic computer organization:-
Computer is also a type of system because it is a group of integrated parts,
which is used to solve any general purpose problem by executing the
suitable program.

Main Memory

Operational Register
Arithmetic
and Logical
Unit
Control Unit

Input /Output Unit

1. Input/Output Unit:- computer uses input devices for data entry

purposes. Some input devices allow direct communication between user and
computer. While others require data to be recorded on an input medium such as
magnetiziable material. Devices connected directly to a computer are said to be
on-line devices, mouse and light pen, touch screen are all online devices.
Similar to input device, output devices are also the interface between user and
the computer. These devices take machine coded output results from the
processor and convert them into a form that can be used by human beings. In
personal computers display screens and printer are the commonly used output
devices. Larger and faster printers, magnetic tapes are large disk units often
accept the output of large systems.
2. CPU:- central processing Unit is the heart of any computer system. It
consists of primary memory unit, arithmetic logic unit and control unit.

CPU

ALU

CU

MU
i. Arithmetic and logical Unit:- The arithmetic logic units in computer are
capable to performing addition, subtraction, division and multiplication as well as
some “logical operations”. The control units tell the arithmetic logic unit which
operation to perform and then see that the necessary numbers are supplied. The
arithmetic elements can be compared to the calculating machines.
An arithmetic logic unit is a digital circuit that performs a set of arithmetic micro
operations of a set of logic micro-operations. ALU has a number of selection lines
to select a particular micro-operation in the unit.
ii) Control Unit (CU):- control section controls all the hardware operations
i.e. those of input output, storage and of the processor itself. It fetches the
requisite instructions from main storage, stores it in a number of special registers
interprets the instructions and courses the instructions to be executed by giving
signals (for commands) to the appropriate hardware devices.
iii) Memory Unit:- The memory or storage section of the computer consists of
the devices used to store the information that will be used during the
computations. The memory section of the computer is also used to hold
intermediate and final result as the computer proceeds through the program.
Memory devices are constructed so that it is possible for the control unit to obtain
the information in the memory. The time required to obtain information may vary
somewhat however and is determined by the device used to store the
information. Common storage device are integrated circuit memories, magnetic
tape and magnetic disks.
Also the memory unit is as essential component in any digital computer since it is
needed for storing the programs that are executed by the CPU. The memory unit
that communicates directly with the CPU is called the main memory and devices
that provide backup storage are called auxiliary memory. Only programs and
data currently used by the processor reside in main memory.
Memory can be divided into two categories i.e. Primary memory and Secondary
Memory.