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Computer Fundamentals

Ministry of Higher EducationBamyan University

Computer Science Department

Presented by : Mustafa Kamel MohammadiEmail : bamian.cs@gmail.com

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Learning objective• In this chapter you will learn about• Computer• Data processing• Features of computer• Computer evolution• Computer generations• Characteristics of each computer generation

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Computer• The word computer came from “compute” , means “to calculate”• Therefore , a computer is an electronic device that is capable of

computing• To do arithmetic operations at high speed

• A computer is a data processor that it can retrieve , process, store and output data.

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Data processing• The activity of processing data using a computer is called data

processing.

• Data is raw material used as input• Information is processed data obtained as output of data processing

data Retrieve process output information

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Characteristics of computer• Automatic• Computer can perform a job without human interventions

• Speed• Computer can perform a task in a micro sec (10-6 ), nano sec (10-9 ), pico sec

(10-9 )

• Accuracy• Computer perform tasks accurately• Computer errors are because of

• Incorrect data• Unreliable program

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Cont. • Diligence• Computer are free from tiredness, monotony and lack of concentration• It can work for hours without any error and grumbling

• Versatility• Can perform any task• Every task in computer is refined to a number of finite logical steps

• Power of remembering• Store any number of data• It forgets or looses data when it is asked to do so

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Cont. • No IQ• Computer performs what it is asked to do• It can not take its own decision

• No feelings• Computer are emotion free• They do what they are asked by program

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Evolution of computers• Blaise Pascal invented the first adding machine in 1642 called

pascaline capable of adding 8 digit number• Invented to help his father for reorganizing the tax revenue

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Cont. • Leibniz invented the first machine for multiplication in 1671• Keyboard machines were invented in around 1880• Round 1880 the concept of using punch cards as input device were

suggested.• Charles Babbage is called the father of modern computers• He designed “difference engine” as massive calculator in 1822• In 1842 he designed a fully automatic computer called analytical

engine• His efforts established a number of principles to design of any modern

digital computer

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Cont. • Augusta Ada• The first programmer who designed the program for Babbage's analytical

engine

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Cont. • Punch cards• Josef Mark Jaquard invented Cards with punched holes storing Information• Used up to 1970

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Cont. • IBM 601• A system for punching and reading holes• Based on type writer• One calculation per second• The IBM 601 Multiplying Punch was a unit record machine that could read two numbers from a punched card and punchtheir product in a blank field on the same card

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Computer generations• Generation is computer talk is a step in technology• It is a framework for growth of computer industry

• It is used to distinguish between various hardware and software technologies• We have five computer generations

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First generation computers (1940-1956)• Used vacuum tubes for circuitry• magnetic drums for memory.• They were often enormous and taking up entire room.• Relied on machine language.• They were very expensive to operate • Using a great deal of electricity• Generated a lot of heat, which was often the cause of malfunctions.• Only solve one problem at a time• The UNIVAC and ENIAC

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Cont.

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Second generation computers (1956-1963)• Transistors replaced vacuum tubes and made the second generation of

computers.• Transistor is a device composed of semiconductor material that amplifies a signal

or opens or closes a circuit• key ingredient of all digital circuits Including computers• Microprocessors contains tens of millions of microscopic transistors.

• Moved from cryptic binary machine language to symbolic.• High-level programming languages were also being developed at this

time, such as early versions of COBOL and FORTRAN.• Stored their instructions in their memory.• Generated a great deal of heat that caused the computers damage• Relied on punch cards for input and printouts for output.

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Cont.

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Cont. • Affect of Transistors on Processes:• Required time for switching from condition 1 to 0 was millionths or billionths

of a second.• Transistors lower temperature increased their reliability, compared to vacuum

tubes.• Transistorized computers could contain tens of thousands of binary logic

circuits in relatively compact space

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Third generation computers (1964-1971)• The development of the integrated circuit was the beginning of the

third generation of computers.• Transistors were miniaturized and placed on siliconchips, called

semiconductors.• Users interacted with third generation computers through • Keyboards• monitors • interfaced with an operating system.

• Run many different applications at one time.

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Cont.

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Fourth generation computers (1971-present)• The microprocessor brought the fourth generation of computers, as

thousands of integrated circuits were built onto a single silicon chip.• The Intel 4004 chip, developed in 1971, located all the components of

the computer.• Thousands of integrated circuits were built onto a single silicon chip• What in the first generation filled an entire room could now fit in the

palm of the hand.• From the central processing unit and memory to input/output

controls on a single board.• Fourth generation computers also saw the development of GUIs,

the mouse and handheld devices.

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Artificial Intelligence (Present and beyond)• Fifth generation computing devices, based on artificial intelligence,

are still in development, though there are some applications, such as voice recognition, that are being used today.• Molecular and nanotechnology will radically change the face of

computers in years to come. • The goal of fifth-generation computing is to develop devices that • respond to natural language input • Capable of learning and self-organization.

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Cont.

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