Introduction to Computer
Chapter 1
An Overview of the Computer System
What is a Computer?
• The modern computer is a programmable electronic machine that performs
processes and operations based on instructions provided by a software or
hardware program.
• A computer system has three main components: hardware, software, operation
procedure and User. Technically, a computer is a programmable machine. This
means it can execute a programmed list of instructions and respond to new
instructions that it is given. Today, however, the term is most often used to refer to
the desktop and laptop computers that most people use. When referring to a
desktop model, the term "computer" technically only refers to the computer itself
-- not the monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Still, it is acceptable to refer to
everything together as the computer. If you want to be really technical, the box
that holds the computer is called the "system unit."
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Functionalities of a Computer
System
Digital computers carries the following four functions:
• Takes data as input
• Stores data in its memory
• Process the data and convert it into useful information
• Generates output
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Components of a Computer
System
A Computer system must contain 4 things. They are:
• Hardware
• Software
• Operational Procedure
• User
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Hardware
A computer's hardware consists of electronic devices; the parts you can
see and touch.
The term "device" refers to any piece of hardware used by the
computer, such as a keyboard, monitor, modem, mouse, etc.
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Software
Software – also called programs – consists of organized sets of
instructions for controlling the computer.
Some programs exist for the computer's use, to help it manage its
own tasks and devices.
Other programs exist for the user, and enable the computer to
perform tasks for you, such as creating documents.
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Operational Procedure
Operations of a data processing center require an extensive and clearly
defined set of procedures for performing the essential functions. These
functions generally includes preparing and enter data into computer,
initiating a new program and changing and deleting old one etc.
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Categories of Computer
Hardware
• Motherboard
• Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• Hard Drive
• RAM/ROM
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Motherboard
The motherboard is a printed circuit board which uses "bus"
architecture to map out critical system components and provides
connectors for devices such as, the power supply, memory, hard drive,
input/output slots and the central processing unit (CPU). If you examine
a motherboard, it looks like a street map. The lines on the motherboard
are physical addresses to a device which carries instructions to the
central processing unit which is the brain or scheduler of the computer
system.
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Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The central processing unit (CPU) or brain of the computer system
processes complex functions in the system. The CPU chip receives
instructions from the motherboard and software applications. Today's
CPUs can process data measured in milliseconds. The CPU also has a co-
math processor built into the chip to handle mathematical functions.
For example, when a spreadsheet program, such as Microsoft Excel
calculates formulas, the program is accessing the co-math processor
function of the CPU.
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Hard Drive
Since the days of 20 megabyte storage, hard drive devices have come a
long way. A hard drive stores programs, data and information. The most
important attribute of the hard drive is the boot sector record which
reads information from the disk to "boot up" the operating system for a
person to use software applications. Modern hard drives have RAM
memory chips sets built-in to help send a program application to the
CPU.
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RAM/ROM
Random Access Memory (RAM) is an integrated computer chip used to access
any memory location or address on the motherboard directly. The RAM chips
are made up of millions of circuits and capacitors. RAM is active when the
computer is turned on and while the computer is on, it helps allocate memory
to system operations, especially the CPU while releasing other devices and
processes which are not actively using RAM resources. Random Access
Memory (RAM)/Read Only Memory (ROM) can only be read from the system
and primarily holds the instructions for the performance of low-level system
devices. Without instructions located in ROM, a user would not be able to
power up a computer.
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Pictures of Computer Hardware
Processor
Hard Drive
Motherboard
RAM and ROM 14
Classification of Software
Software is a program, which is a sequence of instructions directs a
computer to perform specific task.
When a computer is using a particular program, it is said to be running
or executing the program.
Software is generally categorised as:
• System Software
• Application Software
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System Software
System software exists primarily for the computer itself, to help the computer
perform specific functions.
One major type of system software is the operating system (OS). All
computers require an operating system.
The OS tells the computer how to interact with the user and its own devices.
Common operating systems include Windows, the Macintosh OS, OS/2, and
UNIX
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Application Software
Application software tells the computer how to accomplish tasks the
user requires, such as creating a document or editing a graphic image.
Some important kinds of application software are:
Word processing programs Spreadsheet software
Database management Presentation programs
Graphics programs Networking software
Web design tools and browsers Internet applications
Communications programs Utilities
Entertainment and education Multimedia authoring
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Classification of Computers
We can basically divide computer systems into 5 major categories.
• Microcomputers
• Minicomputers
• Mainframe computers
• Workstations
• Supercomputers
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Microcomputers
• Microcomputers are more commonly known as personal computers.
The term "PC" is applied to IBM-PCs or compatible computers.
• Full-size desktop computers are the most common type of PC.
• Notebook (laptop) computers are used by people who need the
power of a desktop system, but also portability.
• Handheld PCs (such as smart phone) lack the power of a desktop or
notebook PC, but offer features for users who need limited
functions and small size.
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Minicomputers
• Minicomputers are smaller than mainframes but larger than
microcomputers.
• Minicomputers usually have multiple terminals.
• Minicomputers may be used as network servers and Internet servers.
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Mainframe Computers
• Mainframe computers can support hundreds or thousands of
users, handling massive amounts of input, output, and storage.
• Mainframe computers are used in large organizations where many
users need access to shared data and programs.
• Mainframes are also used as e-commerce servers, handling
transactions over the Internet.
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Workstations
• Workstations are powerful single-user computers.
• Workstations are used for tasks that require a great deal of number-
crunching power, such as product design and computer animation.
• Workstations are often used as network and Internet servers.
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Supercomputer
• Supercomputers are the most powerful computers. They are used for
problems requiring complex calculations.
• Because of their size and expense, supercomputers are relatively rare.
• Supercomputers are used by large universities, government agencies,
and large businesses.
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History of Computers
• The first electronic computers, the ABC (Atanasoff Berry Computer)
and the ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator) were
built in the USA in the early 1940s.
• Since then, over time, computer has become much more stronger and
developed with greatly increased speed, storage, memory and power.
• The development was so far reaching that they are generally
categorized by generations. Each generation is initiated by significant
advances in computer hardware or software.
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First Generation (1942 – 1959)
First generation utilized vacuum tubes in their circuitry and for storage of data and
instructions. The vacuum tubes were bulky and used to cause over heating
problem. It was also not reliable. It used to breakdown easily and caused inefficient
operations.
Examples:
IBM 650
IBM 704
IBM 705
Mark II
Mark III etc.
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The main features of the first generation are:
• Vacuum tube technology
• Unreliable
• Supported machine language only
• Very costly
• Generates lot of heat
• Slow input and output devices
• Huge size
• Need of AC
• Non-portable
• Consumes lot of electricity
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Second Generation (1960 – 1965)
The second generation computers saw the replacement of vacuum tubes by transistors. A
transistor can be considered as a switch with no moving parts. Because of high speed
operation and small size, computers of this generation could perform a single operation
in micro seconds and were capable of storing thousands of characters. Second generation
computers were reliable, compact in size and free of heat problem. Second generation
computers supported programming in Machine Language and Assembly Language.
Examples:
IBM 1400
IBM 1600
RCA 501
NCR 300 etc.
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The main features of second generation are:
• Use of transistors
• Reliable in comparison to first generation computers
• Smaller size as compared to first generation computers
• Generates less heat as compared to first generation computers
• Consumed less electricity as compared to first generation computers
• Faster than first generation computers
• Still very costly
• AC required
• Supported machine and assembly languages
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Third Generation (1965 – 1971)
Third generation were characterized by integrated circuits and with components so
small that in many cases it was hardly visible. This generation of computers had
storage capabilities of millions of characters and could be randomly accessed in
fraction of a second. Computers were able to process several programs or sets of
instructions simultaneously. Programmers were able to make use of high level
problem oriented and procedure oriented languages.
Examples:
IBM 360
IBM 370
PDP 8
PDP 11 etc.
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The main features of third generation are:
• IC used
• More reliable in comparison to previous two generations
• Smaller size
• Generated less heat
• Faster
• Lesser maintenance
• Costly
• AC required
• Consumed lesser electricity
• Supported high-level language
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Fourth Generation (1971 – 1980)
Computers of fourth generation used Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits. VLSI circuits
having about 5000 transistors and other circuit elements with their associated circuits on a single
chip made it possible to have microcomputers of fourth generation. Fourth generation computers
became more powerful, compact, reliable, and affordable. As a result, it gave rise to Personal
Computer (PC) revolution. In this generation, time sharing, real time networks, distributed
operating system were used. All the high-level languages like C, C++, DBASE etc. were used in this
generation.
Examples:
• DEC 10
• STAR 1000
• PDP 11
• CRAY-1(Super Computer)
• CRAY-X-MP(Super Computer)
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The main features of fourth generation are:
• VLSI technology used
• Very cheap
• Portable and reliable
• Use of PCs
• Very small size
• Pipeline processing
• No AC required
• Concept of internet was introduced
• Great developments in the fields of networks
• Computers became easily available
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Fifth Generation (1980 –)
In the fifth generation, VLSI technology became ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration)
technology, resulting in the production of microprocessor chips having ten million electronic
components. This generation is based on parallel processing hardware and AI (Artificial
Intelligence) software. AI is an emerging branch in computer science, which interprets the
means and method of making computers think like human beings. All the high-level languages
like C and C++, Java, .Net etc., are used in this generation.
Examples:
• DEC 10
• STAR 1000
• PDP 11
• CRAY-1(Super Computer)
• CRAY-X-MP(Super Computer)
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The main features of fifth generation are:
• ULSI technology
• Development of true artificial intelligence
• Development of Natural language processing
• Advancement in Parallel Processing
• Advancement in Superconductor technology
• More user-friendly interfaces with multimedia features
• Availability of very powerful and compact computers at cheaper rates
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Advantages of Computer
High Speed
• Computer is a very fast device.
• It is capable of performing calculation of very large amount of data.
• The computer has units of speed in microsecond, nanosecond, and even the
picosecond.
• It can perform millions of calculations in a few seconds as compared to man who
will
spend many months to perform the same task.
Accuracy
• In addition to being very fast, computers are very accurate.
• The calculations are 100% error free.
• Computers perform all jobs with 100% accuracy provided that the input is correct.
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Storage Capability
• Memory is a very important characteristic of computers.
• A computer has much more storage capacity than human beings.
• It can store large amount of data.
• It can store any type of data such as images, videos, text, audio, etc.
Diligence
• Unlike human beings, a computer is free from monotony, tiredness, and lack
of concentration.
• It can work continuously without any error and boredom.
• It can perform repeated tasks with the same speed and accuracy.
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Versatility
• A computer is a very versatile machine.
• A computer is very flexible in performing the jobs to be done.
• This machine can be used to solve the problems related to various fields.
• At one instance, it may be solving a complex scientific problem and the very
next moment it may be playing a card game.
Reliability
• A computer is a reliable machine.
• Modern electronic components have long lives.
• Computers are designed to make maintenance easy.
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Automation
• Computer is an automatic machine.
• Automation is the ability to perform a given task automatically. Once the computer
receives a program i.e., the program is stored in the computer memory, then the
program and instruction can control the program execution without human
interaction.
Reduction in Paper Work and Cost
• The use of computers for data processing in an organization leads to reduction in
paper work and results in speeding up the process.
• As data in electronic files can be retrieved as and when required, the problem of
maintenance of large number of paper files gets reduced.
• Though the initial investment for installing a computer is high, it substantially
reduces the cost of each of its transaction.
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Disadvantages of Computer
No I.Q.
• A computer is a machine that has no intelligence to perform any task.
• Each instruction has to be given to the computer.
• A computer cannot take any decision on its own.
Dependency
• It functions as per the user’s instruction, thus it is fully dependent on humans.
Environment
• The operating environment of the computer should be dust free and suitable.
No Feeling
• Computers have no feelings or emotions.
• It cannot make judgment based on feeling, taste, experience, and knowledge unlike
humans.
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