TOPIC: Classification of Computer

A. Based on Generation

First Generation (1940 -1956)

The first Generation of computer were developed during the
second world war to design flying bombs and missiles for the
war. Examples ENIAC EDVAC EDSAC UNIVAC
FEATURES
1. It uses Vacuum tubes
2. They are very big
3. It develops lots of heat
4. They are slow in processing
5. They use magnetic drum for memory
6. They occupy large space
7. It uses punch cards for input and Output
.
Second Generation (1956 - 1963)
These Computers use transistors in place of vacuum tubes after
the second world war e.g IBM 7090
FEATURES
1. It uses transistors
2. It is smaller in size faster in processing information
3. Cheaper to get
4. Consume less energy
5. More reliable
6. Uses punch cards for input and output

Third Generation (1964-1971)

They are integrated circuit computers where by transistors and
minimized and placed on silicon chips
FEATURES
1. It uses Integrated Circuits
2. Keyboard and monitor were used as input and output
devices
3. It uses an operating system e.g Microsoft.OS
4. Enhanced Processing Speed

Fourth Generation (1972-1989)

This generation of computer uses a microprocessor. The era of
CPU came to surface. Example Micro computers.
FEATURES
1. It uses microprocessors
2. ADA programming language was introduced
3. It is a personal system

Fifth Generation (1991 - date)

These computers use artificial intelligence. They have voice
recognition and are capable of doing more work. Example
Robot.
FEATURES
1. The fifth generation uses super large scale integrated chips
2. They have artificial intelligence
3. They aim to solve highly complex problems including
decision making and logical reasoning.
4. They are able to use more than one CPU in a faster way

B. Based on Types
1. Analog Computers: these are computers that measure
physical quantities such as pressure. Temperature, and
humidity. The values represented change continuously .
examples of analog computers are: car speedometer, rotating
clock, voltage reader. Analog thermometer,analog
wristwatch,etc.
2. Digital computers: They are machines that perform
calculations in digits or discrete numbers or decimal or in
binary form. They translate numeric values into machine
readable forms. Digital computers receive new programs quite
easily, either through manual instructions or by automatic
means. Examples include: digital thermometer, digital meter
reader, digital wristwatch, GSM phones,pager,digital radio, and
the decoder (TV decoder).
3. Hybrid Computers: These computers use both analogue and
digital techniques in order to accomplish their main
computational processes. Hybrid computers use both
continuous variable techniques and discrete digital techniques
in operation. Example is the automobile car speedometer.

Classification of computers based on size

1. Super Computers: These are the largest, fastest and most
expensive computers made so far. They are typically used for
number crunching in scientific simulations and research. They
can perform over a 100 million instructions per second.
Examples include cray-2, Cyber 205, IBM 3090 and ETA 10
2. Mainframe Computers. These are large-size computers
which occupy a large air-conditioned roomful space with a very
large memory size, but less than that of supercomputers. Since
all peripherals of such computers are mounted in a large
cabinet-type frame, they are known as mainframe computers.
Examples include IBM 308x-580 series, IBM-360/370,
Burroughs 7800.
3. Minicomputers: these computers originated in the 1960s
when it was realized that many tasks do not require an
expensive mainframe computer, but can be done by a a small,
inexpensive computer. By the 1970s, minicomputers became
powerful machines, which could be used for business
applications as well as scientific applications. They allow many
users to share access to the hardware through stations called
terminals. Examples include IBM 38, MV 400, HP 3000
4. Microcomputers: these computers come in the form of
desktop or notebook size computing device that use a
microprocessor as their central processing unit.
Microcomputers are also called personal computers or home
computers. Examples are desktop computers, laptop
computers, and palmtop computers.

Classification based on degree of versatility (pupose)

1. General purpose computers: these are computers designed
mainly to solve a wide variety of problems. They can be
adopted to perform particular tasks or solve problems by
means of specially written programs. Examples are network
servers and desktop workstations
2. Special-purpose computers: these computers are designed
mainly to perform specific functions. They are built to perform
some predetermined functions. Examples include computers
designed for use in petrol pumps, digital watches, space
research computers, and seismic operation computers.

Classification based on make

Branded computers: these computers are manufactured by
companies that specialize in the production of various
products. Each has a unique trade name and trademark. They
are also called proprietary system. Examples are IBM, Dell,
Compaq, Toshiba and Zinox.

Clone Computers: these are near copies of branded systems.

The components of these computers are coupled together and
configured by companies ir individuals who possess the skill.
Clone computers most often do not have known names. They
are also called PC-Compatibles.
THE COMPUTER SYSTEM
The computer system is a set of electronic devices that consist
of functional hardware and software that can be operated by
trained users.

Components of a computer system

Components of a computer system can be classified into;
1. Hardware
2. Software
3. People ware

1. Hardware Components
These are the physical parts of the computer system. Hardware
components can be classified into two broad classes namely
system unit and peripherals.

System unit
The system is the body of the computer. The system unit
includes the motherboard, power supply unit, floppy drive bay,
hard drive bay, CD-ROM drive, internet speaker, data signal
cables, and power cables.

Peripherals
Peripherals are mostly input and output devices. A typical
personal computer(PC) has the following components

2. Software components
Software is a set of instructions that is used to direct the
computer hardware to perform its task. Program is sequence of
instructions given to computer to accomplish a given task.
There are two main classes of software which are
1. System software
2. Application software
System software: These are programs written by the
manufacturer to control the smooth running of the computer,

Application software:These are programs written by

programmers to instruct the computer to perform a particular
task.

3. Peopleware: These are people who make and use the

computer. They range from computer professional users to
operational users. A user could also be anyone who makes use
of the computer. Without people the computer cannon work.
There are two main classes of peopleware;
1. Computer professionals
2. Computer users

Components Of the Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The CPU can be subdivided into;
1. Arithmetic and logic unit
2. Conrol unit
3. Memory unit or registers

The Control unit:

This is the unit of the computer system that fetches
instructions from the main storage, interprets them and issues
all the necessary signals to the components making up the
system. Control unit direct all hardware operation necessary in
conveying instructions.

Arithmetic and logic Unit:

This part of thee CPU is where all the arithmetic is carried out
in the computer. These are addiing up subtracting,
multiplication, division etc. It also carries out any logic functions
that are necessary. Logic functions are decisions which have to
be made such as less than <, equal to =, greater than> etc. its
operations consist of comparisons.
Storage or memory units
The memory or storage is the place in the computer where the
program and the data are stored. The computer memory is
divided into two, namely
1. Random Access Memory (RAM)
2. Read only memory (ROM)

TOPIC: THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE

SOFTWARE
This is the term used to describe computer programs. Software
is a set of instructions and procedures passed to the computer
to perform certain activities or tasks.
Software acts as a communication link between the user and
the computer
Software can be divided into two main classes namely
1. System Software
2. Application Software

System Software
System Software Consists of all programs, languages and
documentation supplied by the computer maufacturer.
System software can be further classified into the following:
1. Bootsrap loader
2. Operating System
3. Utility Program
4. Translator
5. Executive

Application Software
Application software is a software package that is tailored for a
particular kind of task. There are many different application
programs available theese days. each is defined for a particular
type of activity. Selecting the right application program to
perform a task makes it easier to accomplish the task. There
are two major classifications of application programs, namely:
1. Classification based on User’s objectives
2. Classification based om method of acquisition

Classification Based On User’s Objectives

1. Word Processing application software: These software
packages are used in achieving word processing job objectives,
such as typing letters, memos, reports and projects. Examples
of software packages in this group are: Ms-word, Notepad,
Word pad, publisher, Word Perfect, and PageMaker.
2. Data Processing Application Software: These software
packages are also called spreadsheet programs. They are used
for calculation, statistics, and data analysis. Examples include:
Ms-Excel,Lotus 1-2-3, Sage,Dac Easy, and Peachtree.
3. Database Management System (DBMS) Software
These are packages that are used for database creation and
manipulations. Information in the database is updated from
time to time. Examples are: Ms-Access, Dbase, and Oracle.
4. Graphic application Software
These software packages are used for drawing, creating
logos, letterheads, editing photographs, etc. Examples are: Ms-
paint, CorelDraw, CorelDream, and paintbrush.
5. Presentation application software
6. Programming application software
7. Learning Application Software
8. Architectural/engineering application software
9. Entertainment application software.
TOPIC: REPRESENTATION OF DATA AND COMPUTER
ARITHMETIC(NUMBER SYSTEM)

Number bases refers to the number in which one count will

determine the highest digit. One will have people count in tens.
that is 0, 1, 2, 3,4,5 6,7,8,9. The highest number is 9. This is
called the decimal system or base 10. The decimal system of
numbers is also known as denary. In addition, when cointing in
other bases apart from base 10, we put the base there to make
the base known. For example 110012.

The binary System

The binary system, also called base two, has just two states
usually called on and off or 1 and 0. The reason why this system
is so important is that it is the simplest system to implement in
practice using electronic technology available today. The binary
system has just two symbols, 1 and 0. when dealing with
numberv bases, it is important to put the base ofthe number
being used. if no subscript is used, then it is assumed that base
10 is being applied.

Conversion of decimal number to binary

Convert 58 to binary
Solution
2 58
2 29 remainder 0
2 14 remainder 1
2 7 remainder 0
2 3 remainder 1
2 1 remainder 0
0 remainder 1
Conversion of binary to decimal
Convert 1100112 to decimal
Solution
Number each digit exponentially from left to right
1 1 0 0 1 1
2 2 2 22 21 20
5 4 3

Multiply each digit by the above base with its exponential and
add them together
(1x25) + (1x24) + (1x23) + (1x22) + (1x21) + (1x20)
32 + 16 + 0 + 0 + 2 + 1
= 5110 (base 10 is usually ignored)
Ans = 51

Addition of binary numbers

The main point to remember is that the answer can only
contain 0s and 1s.
a) You will convert the number to base 2
b) Write down the right digit
c) Carry theleft digit to the next column
Example 11 11 1 10 1 0
+ 1 1 0 1 1
1 0 1 0 1 0 12