1. CONCEPT OF COMPUTER.
Concept of computer based on:
(i) Perspective definition of computer
(ii) Evolution / generations of computer
(iii) Function of computer
Ten questions based on:
- Multiple choice
- Matching item
- Essay questions
i) Perspective definition of computer
- Computer is any electronic device that receives the input (data),
processes it, stores it for further use, and gives the required
result.
- Computer is said to be an electronic device due to the following
reasons:
i) It contains electronic components like capacitor, diode and
transistor
ii) It operates under direct current (DCs current)
ii) Evolution of computer
- Evolution of computer refers to the gradual development and
improvement of computer over time, early large, slow machine to
the first and powerful modern computer we use today.
There are five generation steps of computer which are,
1. First Generation (1940s–1950s)
The technology used to make a computer in this generation was
vacuum tubes.
Vacuum tubes were used in computers.
A vacuum tube is a device that allows electricity to flow inside a
hollow glass tube with no air, and it is used to amplify signals or
act as an electronic switch.
Characteristics of computers generated in first generation
i) Very large in size
ii) Produced much heat
iii) Slow processing
iv) Used machine language only
v) Used a lot of electricity or power
Examples of computers in first generation:
- Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC)
- UNIVAC
2. Second generation (1956–1967)
The main technology used in this generation of computer was
transistors.
Transistor is a tiny semiconductor device that acts as an
electronic switch or amplifier and controls the flow of electric
current.
Characteristics of computers generated in second generation:
i) Smaller in size
ii) Faster than first generation
iii) More reliable
iv) Produce less heat
v) Used assembly language and early high-level languages
Example of such kind of computer is International Business
Machine (IBM) 7090, IBM 1401.
3. Third generation (1964–1971)
Integrated circuits (IC) was the technology used to make
computers in third generation.
Integrated circuit (IC) is a small electronic chip that contains many
electronic components such as transistors, resistors and
capacitors built together on a single piece of semiconductor
material (usually silicon).
Characteristics of computers generated in Third Generation
i) Smaller in size compared to that in first and second generation
ii) Faster processing speed than that in first and second
generation
iii) Use of high-level languages like FORTRAN
iv) Lower power consumption
v) Generated less heat
Examples of computers generated in third generation:
IBM System/360
4. Fourth Generation (1971 – present)
The technology used in this generation is microprocessors (CPU).
Microprocessor is a small electronic chip that acts as a brain of a
computer. It performs all the processing tasks such as
calculations, decision-making, and controlling other parts of the
computer.
Characteristics of fourth generation
i) Very fast processing speed – it can perform billions of
instructions per second
ii) Low heat generation
iii) Low power consumption
iv) High storage capacity
v) High reliability
- More stable, fewer errors
vi) Use of high-level languages
Example of computer generated in fourth generation is like
modern laptops and desktops.
5. Fifth generation (present and future)
The technology used in this generation is artificial intelligence
(AI). Artificial intelligence is the ability of a computer or machine
to think, learn, and make decisions like a human being.
Characteristics of fifth generation computers
(i) Very high processing speed
(ii) More human-computer interaction
- Computers understand voice, touch gestures, and natural
languages
(iii) Very high reliability
(iv) Use of advanced high-level languages like Python and AI-
focused languages.
Example of computers generated in fifth generation are like
ChatGPT and robots.
FUNCTIONS OF COMPUTER
i) To accept an input (data)
- Computer receives data and instructions from input devices such
as keyboard, mouse, scanner, and microphone.
ii) Processing the input (data)
- The central processing unit (CPU) of a computer is responsible
for processing the input by performing calculation, comparisons,
and logical operations.
iii) To produce output (results)
- After processing, the computer produces results through output
devices like a monitor, printer or speakers.
iv) Ability to store information for future use
- A computer stores data and information for future use in
memory or storage devices such as RAM, hard drive, SSD and
flash drives.
QUESTIONS
Multiple Choice
1. The first generation of computers used which technology?
A. Transistor
B. Vacuum Tube [ ]
C. Integrated Circuits
D. Microprocessors
2. Which generation of computers introduced the
microprocessors?
A. First generation
B. Second generation [ ]
C. Third generation
D. Fourth generation
3. Which of the following is not a function of a computer?
A. Input
B. Output [ ]
C. Storage
D. Sleeping
4. ENIAC and UNIVAC belong to which generation of computers?
A. First generation
B. Second generation [ ]
C. Third generation
D. Fifth generation
5. Which of the following reduces the size of a computer, cost and
improves speed of computer?
A. Vacuum tubes
B. Integrated circuits (I C) [ ]
C. Keyboard
D. Monitor
6. Which of the following is a fifth computer generation computer
technology?
A. Microprocessor
B. Vacuum tubes [ ]
C. Artificial Intelligence
D. Transistor
7. A computer stores data for future use in:
A. Input devices
B. Output devices [ ]
C. Storage devices
D. Processing unit
Answers:
Question 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
s
Answers B D D A B C C
8. Match the computer generation with its key technology
Column A (Generation)
I. First generation
II. Second generation
III. Third generation
IV. Fourth generation
Column B (Technology)
A. Integrated circuits
B. Vacuum tubes
C. Microprocessor
D. Transistors
Answers:
Column A I. II. III. IV.
Column B B D A C
9. Explain the evolution of computers from the first generation to
the fifth generation. Highlight the main technology used in each
generation.
Answer
Evolution of computer refers to the gradual development and
improvement of computers over time from early large, slow
machines to the small, fast and powerful modern computers we
use today. The following are the four generation steps of
computers with their key technology used:
First generation (1940 – 1950s): The technology used to
make a computer in this generation was vacuum tubes, where in
this generation computers were large in size and consumed a lot
of power.
Second generation (1956 – 1963): This generation used
transistors as key technology. Computers were low in size, faster
in processing, and more reliable than those in the first generation.
Third generation (1964 – 1971): In this computer generation,
Integrated Circuits (IC) were used as a key technology. Computers
looked small in size, faster in speed, and generated less heat than
those in the first and second generations.
Fourth generation (1971 – present): In this generation,
scientists used microprocessors as a key technology to make
computers...
The computer produced in the fourth generation are smaller in
size, faster processing speed, consume less power than those of
first, second and third generations.
Fifth generation: In this technology, artificial intelligence used
as a key technology to build computer. The computers in this
generation are very high in processing speed and more human-
computer interaction.
Conclusively: Each step was an improvement over the previous
step, comes with new and better characteristics than the previous
one.
10. Describe the main functions of computer.
Computer is any electronic device that accepts data,
processes it, stores it and produces the required result (output).
Computer has many functions to human life. The following are the
functions of computer:
Accept input: Every computer accepts the input and instructions
from input devices like keyboard, mouse and scanner so as to be
processed by the computer.
Processing the input: Inside the computer there is a device known
as central processing unit (CPU) which is responsible for
processing the input by performing arithmetic and logic
operations.
Producing the output (information): After processing the input,
computer displays results by using output devices like monitor,
printer and speakers.
Storage capability: A computer stores information for further use
in storage memory or storage devices like RAM, hard drive, SSD
and flash drives.
By concluding; computer performs different functions in order to
simplify life for the people in daily life.