Debre Tabor University

Faculty of Technology
Department of Information
Technology

Introduction to
Information Technology
Introduction to IT and computer Compiled by Dereje S. (MSc.)
Chapter One

Contents:
 What is a computer

 Data and Information

 Generations of Computer

 Characteristics of Computer

 Types of Computers

 Classification by the purpose of Computer

 Application Areas of Computer

Introduction to IT and computer Compiled by Dereje S. (MSc.)

1.1 What is computer

 A computer is an electronic machine, operating under the control of

instructions stored in its own memory that can accept data, manipulate
the data according to specified rules, produce results, and store the
results for future use. Computers process data to create information.
 Data is a collection of raw or unprocessed facts, figures, and symbols.
 Information is data that is organized, meaningful, and useful. To process data into
information, a computer uses hardware and software.
 Hardware is the electric, electronic, and mechanical equipment that makes up a
computer.
 Software is the series of instructions that tells the hardware how to perform tasks.

Introduction to IT and computer Compiled by Dereje S. (MSc.)

 Differences between Data and Information

Introduction to IT and computer Compiled by Dereje S. (MSc.)

 1.2 Generations of computer

 Each new generation resulted in the following changes:

Introduction to IT and computer Compiled by Dereje S. (MSc.)

 First Generation (1940-1956) Vacuum Tubes :
 This computer was called Universal Automatic Computer (UNIVAC).

 computers that used vacuum tube circuits were called the First

Generation Computers.
 The main features of the first generation computers were as

follows:
1. They used vacuum tubes.
2. They had a very big size.
3. They consumed huge electricity.
4. They were prone to failures.
5. They generated a lot of heat.
6. They only supported machine language.

Introduction to IT and computer Compiled by Dereje S. (MSc.)

 Second Generation (1956-1963) Transistors:
 The computers that used transistors were called the Second

Generation Computers.
The main features of the second generation computers were as
follows:
1. They used transistors instead of vacuum tubes.
2. They were smaller in size as compared to the first generation
3. They generated lesser heat.
4. They were more reliable and faster than the first generation
5. They used core memories, magnetic tapes and disks.
6. They used lesser electricity.
7. They could be programmed by using machine as well as assembly
language.

Introduction to IT and computer Compiled by Dereje S. (MSc.)

 Third Generation (1964-1971) Integrated Circuits:

 The main features of the third generation computers were as

follows:

1. They used integrated circuits.

2. They had a small size as compared to the second generation

computers.

3. They consumed less electricity.

4. They were faster and more reliable than second generation

computers.

5. Theyto supported
Introduction IT and computer high level by
Compiled language.
Dereje S. (MSc.)
 Fourth Generation computers (1971–Present)

 The computers that used VLSI chips were called the Fourth

Generation Computers.
 The main features of the fourth generation computers are:

1. They contain high-speed microprocessors.

2. They contain huge storage volumes in the form of magnetic
and optical storage.
3. They contain main memories up to GBs (Gigabytes).
4. They are companied by great developments in the fields of
networks.

Introduction to IT and computer Compiled by Dereje S. (MSc.)

Fifth Generation computers (Future)

 Recent research has focused on developing “thinking computers”.

These computers are called the Fifth Generation Computers.

 Fifth generation computers will have the power to learn and apply

knowledge to solve a problem.

 They would be able to work like humans do.

Introduction to IT and computer Compiled by Dereje S. (MSc.)

Comparison of Generations of Computers

Introduction to IT and computer Compiled by Dereje S. (MSc.)

 Key Concepts

 The computers that used vacuum tube circuits were called the First

Generation Computers.
 The computers that used transistors were called the Second Generation

Computers.
 The Third Generation Computers used Large Scale Integration (LSI)

circuits for processing.

 The computers that used Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) chips were

called the Fourth Generation Computers.

 Recent research has focused on developing “thinking computers”. These

computers are called the Fifth Generation Computers. They would be able to
work like humans do.
Introduction to IT and computer Compiled by Dereje S. (MSc.)
Characteristics of computer

 Computers are capable of performing highly complex tasks, which human beings

cannot perform efficiently.

 The following are the main characteristics of computers

 Speed: Computers work at an amazing speed without any mistakes. The work,

which a normal person would complete in a few hours can be done within
fractions of a second by a computer. Speed of computers is measured in terms of
milliseconds (103 seconds), microseconds (106 seconds) or nanoseconds (109
seconds).
 Accuracy: A computer performs its task with great accuracy. It never commits

mistakes in processing the data. It produces errors when we enter inaccurate input,
i.e., Garbage In Garbage Out (GIGO).
Introduction to IT and computer Compiled by Dereje S. (MSc.)
Cont…
 Reliability: Computers are more reliable than human beings as they do not

get bored of the repetitive tasks and never get tired.

 Storage Capacity: A computer can store large amount of data. It can store

various documents, articles, pictures, etc., in its memory which can be used
whenever required. On the other hand, a human being can keep only a limited
information in his/her mind and rest of the things, he/she forgets.
 Versatility: A computer can perform various types of jobs. On a computer

system, we can listen to songs while typing text or play games while working
on any other package, do calculations, make drawings, surf the net, send e-
mail, etc.

Introduction to IT and computer Compiled by Dereje S. (MSc.)

Cont…
 Diligence: - Unlike human beings, computers are highly consistent. They do not

suffer from human traits of boredom and tiredness resulting in lack of concentration.

Computers, therefore, are better than human beings in performing voluminous and

repetitive jobs.

 Automatic: -Once necessary information and program is fed, the computer performs

processing without human intervention.

 In general a computer has a capacity to store a very large amount of information in

organized manner so that accessing information is very fast.

Introduction to IT and computer Compiled by Dereje S. (MSc.)

 Limitations of a computer

1. Cannot decide how to be programmed

2. Does not provide its own inputs, unless people

provide with the input

3. Interpretation of data and implementation of
decision is left for human beings
4. Unlike human beings, computers are incapable to:
 Think
 Create
 Judge and
 Motivated
Introduction to IT and computer Compiled by Dereje S. (MSc.)
 Types of Computers

 Computers can be classified into super computers,

mainframe computers, minicomputers, and

microcomputers (personal computers) on the basis of the
following:
 Size

 Cost

 Performance

(i) Speed of processing data

(ii) Storage capacity

(iii) Ability to handle input and output devices

Introduction to IT and computer Compiled by Dereje S. (MSc.)
Super computers

Extremely powerful computers they are designed for high-speed processing.

A supercomputer is generally characterized as being the fastest, most powerful,

and most expensive computer.

Generally, Supercomputers are:

 The largest and the most efficient computers

 Very expensive

 very fast and

 Supports hundreds of users at different locations

Introduction to IT and computer Compiled by Dereje S. (MSc.)

 Mainframe computer

 Mainframe computers are more powerful than minicomputers.

They have high processing speeds and can store large

amounts of data.

They are used in wide area networks and support hundreds of

users.

However, these computers consume more electricity.

Some examples are IBM 3000 series and Univac 1180.

Introduction to IT and computer Compiled by Dereje S. (MSc.)

  Minicomputers
Minicomputers
are small general-purpose computers, also called

midrange servers.

 These computers can perform more complex tasks and cost more than

microcomputers.

They are larger in size and they have small to medium storage

capacity.

They are used for processing data and analyzing results of

experiments

They are also used for controlling and monitoring production

processes.
Introduction to IT and computer Compiled by Dereje S. (MSc.)
 Microcomputers

 Microcomputers are also called Personal Computers (PCs)

 These computers use microprocessors.

 They are small in size. Also, they do not have large

storage capacities.

They can perform difficult tasks. They are used mainly

for desktop publishing, accounting, statistical analysis,

graphics designing and project management.

Introduction to IT and computer Compiled by Dereje S. (MSc.)

 Classification by purpose of application
Special purpose computers

 They are designed to solve a single type of problem,

 Their components and their functions are uniquely adapted to a specific situation

involving specific application.

 Example:

 The public telephone box

 Traffic control system
 Ticket machines (used in grocery, super market etc.)
 Pocket-calculators etc.
 Counters
 Most analog computers are special purpose computers.

Introduction to IT and computer Compiled by Dereje S. (MSc.)

Cont…
General purpose computers
 They are designed to solve variety of problems through the use of “store program

concept”. A program or set of instructions designed to solve a problem is read and

stored into the memory and then executed by the computer one by one. The same
computer can be applied to solve another set of problem using different program.
General computers are more flexible and versatile.
 Examples

 Micro computers
 Mini computers
 Super computers etc.

Introduction to IT and computer Compiled by Dereje S. (MSc.)

 Application areas of computers
 Computer can be applied in all of the following areas
 Text processing
 Accounting and Finance management
 Database management
 Space technology
 Meteorological observatory systems
 Astronomical investigations

Introduction to IT and computer Compiled by Dereje S. (MSc.)

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Introduction to IT and computer Compiled by Dereje S. (MSc.)