BASIC COMPUTER CONCEPTS
INTRODUCTION
COMPUTERS ARE EVERYWHERE: EXAMPLE: ATMS PROCESS
SCHOOLS, OFFICES, HOMES, THOUSANDS OF TRANSACTIONS
HOSPITALS AUTOMATICALLY
EARLY COMPUTING
DEVICES
▪ Abacus (3000 BC)
The abacus is considered one of the
earliest known tools for computation,
dating back to around 3000 BC.
Originating from ancient civilizations such
as Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, and later
Greece and Rome, it served as a manual
counting device that allowed users to
perform basic arithmetic operations.
Structurally, the abacus consists of a frame
with rods or wires, each containing
movable beads. By shifting these beads
according to positional values, a user
could add, subtract, multiply, divide, and
even calculate square roots with practice
and skill.
EARLY COMPUTING DEVICES
▪ Pascaline (1642)
The Pascaline, invented in 1642 by
French mathematician and philosopher
Blaise Pascal, is recognized as one of
the first mechanical calculators in history.
Pascal designed the device to help his
father, a tax collector, perform lengthy
and repetitive arithmetic tasks. The
Pascaline used a series of interlocking
gears and wheels to automatically carry
digits from one place value to the next,
allowing it to perform addition and
subtraction with much greater accuracy
and speed than manual computation.
ANALYTICAL ENGINE (1837) ▪ The Analytical Engine, conceptualized by
English mathematician Charles Babbage in
1837, is widely regarded as the first design
for a general-purpose, programmable
computer. Unlike earlier calculating
machines that could only perform specific
operations, the Analytical Engine was
designed to execute any mathematical task
based on a set of instructions. Its structure
included four key components that resemble
the architecture of modern computers:
1. The Mill – the processing unit, analogous
to today’s CPU.
2. The Store – a memory unit capable of
holding numbers and intermediate results.
3. Input/Output mechanisms – using
punched cards inspired by Jacquard’s
loom.
4. A control unit – to direct operations based
on programmable instructions.
WHY IT IS CONSIDERED THE FIRST PROGRAMMABLE
MACHINE
▪ 1. It Could Follow Instructions Automatically
Unlike earlier mechanical calculators, the Analytical Engine could
execute a program—a sequence of instructions encoded on punched
cards—without human intervention at every step.
▪ 2. It Could Make Logical Decisions
The design allowed for conditional branching, meaning the machine
could choose different operations depending on the result of a previous
computation. This is a defining feature of true programmability.
▪ 3. It Had a Concept of Memory and Processing Separation
Babbage envisioned separate units for processing and storage, a
foundational principle in computer architecture.
▪ 4. Ada Lovelace’s Algorithm
Ada Lovelace wrote what is now recognized as the first computer
algorithm for the Analytical Engine. Her work demonstrated that the
machine could be programmed not only for numerical calculations but
also for symbolic operations—anticipating modern computing’s
versatility.
1ST GENERATION COMPUTERS
(1940–1956)
▪ Main Technology: Vacuum Tubes
▪ These computers used vacuum
tubes for processing and memory.
▪ They were huge machines—as big
as entire rooms.
▪ They overheated easily and
consumed a lot of electricity.
▪ Used mainly for scientific calculations
and military purposes.
2ND GENERATION
COMPUTERS (1956–
1963)
▪ Main Technology: Transistors
▪ Transistors replaced vacuum
tubes.
▪ Computers became smaller,
faster, cheaper, and more
reliable.
▪ Produced less heat and required
less power.
▪ Used in business, government,
and research.
3RD GENERATION COMPUTERS
(1964–1971)
▪ Main Technology: Integrated
Circuits (ICs)
▪ Introduced ICs, which placed many
transistors on a single silicon chip.
▪ Computers became much smaller,
more powerful, and very reliable.
▪ This generation saw the rise of
keyboards, monitors, and operating
systems.
4TH GENERATION COMPUTERS (1971–
PRESENT)
▪ Main Technology: Microprocessors
▪ Microprocessors placed thousands/millions of ICs on a single
chip.
▪ Led to the development of personal computers (PCs),
laptops, and modern devices.
▪ Computers became affordable, portable, and extremely
powerful.
▪ Common computer brands and home computers appear in this
era.
5TH GENERATION COMPUTERS (PRESENT
AND BEYOND)
▪ Main Technology: Artificial Intelligence (AI)
▪ Focus on AI, machine learning, robotics, neural
networks, cloud computing, and quantum
computing.
▪ Computers can now think, learn, and make
decisions, not just calculate.
▪ Technologies like IBM Watson and Google AI
belong here.
Computer: A computer is an electronic
device that receives data, processes it
according to a set of instructions, and
produces output or information. It can store
data, perform calculations, and carry out a
wide variety of tasks accurately and
quickly. DEFINITION OF
A COMPUTER
Functions: Input → Process → Output →
Storage
1. Speed 2. Accuracy
•Computers can perform millions •Computers give highly accurate
of calculations or operations in results as long as the input and
just a fraction of a second, instructions are correct. Errors
making them much faster than usually come from human
humans in processing data. mistakes, not the machine.
3. Automation
•Once a computer is given
4. Versatility
•A computer can perform many
CHARACTERISTICS
OF A COMPUTER
instructions (a program), it can different tasks—such as typing
work on its own without needing documents, playing games,
constant human supervision. analyzing data, editing videos,
and browsing the internet—
making it useful in many fields.
5. Storage
•Computers can store large
amounts of data and information,
which can be retrieved quickly
whenever
1. Hardware
• The physical parts of the
computer that you can see and
touch.
Examples:
PARTS OF A • Input devices – keyboard,
COMPUTER mouse
SYSTEM • Output devices – monitor,
printer
• System unit – CPU, memory
(RAM), motherboard
• Storage devices – hard drive,
SSD, USB
2. Software
• The programs or
instructions that tell the
computer what to do.
PARTS OF A Two types:
COMPUTER
• System software –
SYSTEM operating systems
(Windows, macOS, Linux)
• Application software –
MS Word, games,
browsers
3. Peopleware
• The people who use,
program, or operate
PARTS OF A the computer.
COMPUTER Examples:
SYSTEM
• computer users
• technicians
• programmers
• IT professionals