CHAPTER ONE
What is a computer or a PC?
Computer is
An electronic data processing device which is capable of
performing Arithmetic and Logical operations.
Arithmetic operations: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and
Division.
Logical operations: AND, OR, NOT, etc.
a collection of devices that function together as a system to
accept data, manipulate data under the control of instructions
stored in its memory unit, produce useful information and
stores the result for future use.
Input Processing Output Storage (optional)
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Architecture of Digital Computer
The five major functional units of a digital computer
are:
CPU
Input units
Output units
Storage devices
Communication interfaces
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Architecture of Digital Computer
CPU: is the brain of a computer. Its primary function is to execute programs or
instructions. Beside this the CPU also controls the operation of all other components
such as memory, input and output devices
The major parts of a central processing unit (CPU) are:
Primary memory
Arithmetic and Logic unit (ALU)
Control unit
Input Units: refers to the process of entering data into the computer, by the user using
input devices.
Output Units: refers to the process of showing the information or results to the user
either on the screen-monitor or on paper through printer.
Storage devices: refers to those devices that hold data and instructions
Communication interfaces: ports that enables components to communicate to each
other
Example: The following diagram shows jobs done by different parts of digital computer.
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Application of Computers
What computer can do for you?
Accounting
General Shops
Airlines and Railways
Hospital
Colleges and Universities
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Human Vs Computer
Human Computer
Can Think Cannot think by itself
Gets Mental Tiredness Never gets Tiredness
May do mistake Can’t do mistake by itself
Has limited speed Very High Speed
Has limited Memory More Amount of memory
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Generation of Computers
Describes the stage of technological development of
computer systems from time to time.
For instance,
Before 2000 years ago, abacus was developed
holding two horizontal wires with beads strung on
them.
In 1642, Blaise Pascal developed the first
mechanical adding machine that was used for
tax calculations.
In 1842, Charles Babbage and August Ada
Lovelace invented an analytic machine to
compute astronomical tables for Navy.
Generally, based on the type of processors installed in the
machine, the modern computer can be classified into five
generations: 6
First Generation Computers (1944-1958)
were manufactured using vacuum tubes as
their CPU.
used punched cards as I/O devices.
performed their tasks using machine language
(i.e. 0 & 1).
e.g. ENIAC, EDVAC, UNIVAC
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Second Generation Computers (1959-1963)
were manufactured using transistors as their CPU.
used punched cards as their I/O devices.
Assembly languages such as BASIC, FORTRAN,
COBOL, etc. were used.
Magnetic cores & disk packs were introduced as
storage devices.
e.g. PDP-8, IBM 1401, IBM 7090
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Third Generation Computers (1964-1970)
were manufactured using integrated chips (integrated
circuits) as their CPU.
Keyboard & monitor were used as I/O devices with the
help of Operating System as an interface.
Random Access Memory (RAM) & magnetic disks
were used as storage devices.
e.g. NCR 395, B6500
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Fourth Generation Computers (1971-Now)
were manufactured based on LSI & VLSI circuits
containing thousands or millions of transistors on a
single chip.
the first microprocessor containing the entire CPU
was developed by Intel Company.
Semiconductor memories (RAM) & hard disks
(secondary memories) were developed.
the network of computers emerged.
some software applications became available.
e.g. Apple II, Altair 8800, CRAY-1
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Fifth Generation Computers (Present & Future)
are under development, and function with Artificial
Intelligence (AI) provided to it.
due to AI, computers will have ability to learn by
itself, can reason & make decision with the
knowledge it posses.
simulate human way of thinking & reasoning.
AI includes areas like Expert System, Natural
Language Processing, speech recognition, voice
recognition, robotics, etc.
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Cont’d…
Generally, from generation to generation the
following changes are happening in computer
systems:
Increase in speed, memory capacity,
portability, reliability, etc.
Decrease in size, cost, energy, heat
generated, failure, etc.
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Characteristics of Computers
Computers became popular tools due to their
characteristics described below:
Speed
Accuracy
Storage
Versatility
Automatic
Diligence
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Limitations of Computers
Computers need clear & complete instructions to
perform a task accurately.
Computers cannot think.
Computers cannot learn by experience.
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Types of Computers
1. Application Wise Classification
Classified into 3:
A. Analog Computers
use analog signals for calculating & transmitting data.
operate on data in the form of continuously varying physical
quantities.
Analog data is calculated using the concept of ‘measuring
values’ like magnitude in terms of voltage, length, current,
etc.
For instance, Electrical signals on telephone line are analog
data representing original voice. e.g. SLIDE RULER
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Cont’d….
B. Digital Computers
use digital signals to calculate & transmit data.
Digital signals have only 2 states, i.e. ON & OFF or HIGH &
LOW or 1 & 0.
Digital data is calculated using the concept of ‘counting values’.
Result obtained from digital computers is more accurate than that
obtained from analog computers.
Intermediate languages such as BASIC, COBOL, FORTRAN,
PASCAL, C, C++, JAVA, etc. has been developed to facilitate the
performance of digital computers.
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Cont’d…
Digital computers are classified into 2:
(i) General Purpose Computers
have the ability to store different programs or instructions.
perform variety of operations.
also called Personal Computers (PCs).
(ii) Special Purpose Computers
designed to perform one specific task.
Instructions are built & permanently stored in the machine.
perform tasks very quickly and efficiently.
Nowadays, new cars have such devices installed to monitor & control
fuel, ignition & other systems. 17
Cont’d…
C. Hybrid Computers
use both analog & digital mechanisms.
For example, in a hospital analog device measures a
patient’s heart function, temperature & other vital
signs; these measurements are converted into numbers
& supplied to digital component that monitors the
patient’s vital signs & signals to a nurse’s station.
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Cont’d…
2. Capacity & Size of Microprocessor Wise Classification
Classified into 4:
a) Microcomputers
Sometimes referred as Personal Computers (PCs).
can be used as either standalone machine or connected to a
network.
are single users.
e.g. Desktop computers, Laptop, Notebook, etc.
b) Minicomputers
can be used for general purpose applications & as server for small
networks.
bigger in size, faster in speed, have more memory capacity &
expensive than microcomputers.
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Cont’d…
c)Mainframe Computers
are multi-user systems usually used in larger organizations.
more powerful in processing, faster in speed, have large memory
& very expensive than micro & minicomputers.
d) Super Computers
occupy specially designed air-conditioned rooms.
used for research & to process complex scientific applications
like weather forecasting, oil exploration, aircraft design,
mathematical research, etc.
have hundreds of CPU & are largest, most expensive & very
powerful than all other types of computers.
e.g. CRAY-1
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