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History, Components and Classifications of Computers

The document provides an overview of computers, defining them as electronic devices for data manipulation and outlining their historical development across five generations from 1937 to the present. It details the characteristics and advancements of each generation, including the transition from vacuum tubes to microprocessors and the emergence of artificial intelligence in the fifth generation. Additionally, the document classifies computers into categories such as microcomputers, mini computers, mainframe computers, and supercomputers, while also discussing their limitations.

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Gene Peralta
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2 views

History, Components and Classifications of Computers

The document provides an overview of computers, defining them as electronic devices for data manipulation and outlining their historical development across five generations from 1937 to the present. It details the characteristics and advancements of each generation, including the transition from vacuum tubes to microprocessors and the emergence of artificial intelligence in the fifth generation. Additionally, the document classifies computers into categories such as microcomputers, mini computers, mainframe computers, and supercomputers, while also discussing their limitations.

Uploaded by

Gene Peralta
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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History, Components

and Classifications of
Computers
Chapter 2
What is Computer?

• A computer is an electronic device used to


store retrieve and manipulate data.
• A computer also defines as a
programmable electromechanical device
that accept instruction (program) to direct
the operations of the computers.
• C – Commonly
• O – Operated
• M – Machine
• P – Particularly
• U – Used for
• T – Technical
• E – Education
• R – Research
History of Computers Based on
their Generation
• First Generation of Computer (1937 – 1946)
• Second Generation of Computer (1947 – 1962)
• Third Generation of Computer (1963 – 1975)
• Fourth Generation of Computer (PC 1975 – Current)
• Fifth Generation of Computers (Present and Beyond)
First Generation of Computer (1937 – 1946)

• 1937 the first electronic digital computer was built by Dr. John V. Atanasoff
and Clifford Berry.
• It was called the Atanasoff-Berry Computer 12 (ABC)
• 1943 an electronic computer name the Colossus was built for the military.
• 1946 the first general– purpose digital computer, the Electronic Numerical
Integrator and Calculator (ENIAC) was built.
• This computer weighed 30 tons, and had 18,000 vacuum tubes which was used for
processing.
• Computers of this generation could only perform single task, and they had
no operating system and uses vacuum tubes.
Characteristics
• Sizes of these computers were as large as the size of a room.
• Possession of Vacuum Tubes to perform calculation.
• They used an internally stored instruction called program.
• Use capacitors to store binary data and information.
• They use punched card for communication of input and output data
and information
• They generated a lot of heat.
• They have about One Thousand 1000 circuits per cubic foot.
Second Generation of Computer
(1947 – 1962)
• 1951 the first computer for commercial use was introduced to the
public; the Universal Automatic Computer (UNIVAC 1)
• 1953 the International Business Machine (IBM) 650 and 700 series
computers made their mark in the computer world.
• During this generation of computers over 100 computer
programming languages were developed, computers had memory
and operating systems.
• Storage media such as tape and disk were in use also were printers
for output.
Characteristics
• The computers were still large, but smaller than the first generation of
computers.
• They use transistor in place of Vacuum Tubes to perform calculation.
• They were produced at a reduced cost compared to the first generation of
computers.
• Possession of magnetic tapes as for data storage.
• They were using punch cards as input and output of data and information.
The use of keyboard as an input device was also introduced. conditioner is
needed to maintain a cold temperature.
• They have about one thousand circuits per cubic foot.
Third Generation of Computer
(1963 – 1975)
• The invention of integrated circuit brought
us the third generation of computers.
• Computers became smaller, more powerful
more reliable and they are able to run
many different programs at the same time.
Characteristics
• They used large-scale integrated circuits, which were used for both
data processing and storage.
• Computers were miniaturized, that is, they were reduced in size
compared to previous generation.
• Keyboard and mouse were used for input while the monitor was
used as output device.
• Use of programming language like COBOL and FORTRAN were
developed.
• They have hundred thousand circuits per cubic foot.
Fourth Generation of Computer
(PC 1975 – Current)
• At this time of technological
development, the size of computer was
redivided to what we called Personal
Computers, PC.
• Microprocessor was created by Intel
Characteristics
• Possession of microprocessor which performs all the task
of a computer system use today.
• The size of computers and cost was reduced.
• Increase in speed of computers.
• Very large scale (VLS) integrated circuits were used.
• They have millions of circuits per cubic foot.
Fifth Generation of Computers
(Present and Beyond)
• Fifth generations computing devices,
based on artificial intelligence (AI) are
still in development, although there are
some application such as voice
recognition, facial face detector and
thumb print that are used today.
Characteristics
• Consist of extremely large-scale integration.
• Parallel processing
• Possession of high-speed logic and memory chip.
• High performance, micro-miniaturization.
• Ability of computers to mimic human intelligence, e.g. voice
recognition, facial face detector, thumb print.
• Satellite links, virtual reality.
• They have billions of circuits per cubic.
Classification of Computers

• Micro computer
• Mini Computer
• Mainframe Computer
• Super Computer
Microcomputers
• Microcomputers are connected to networks of other
computers.
• The price of a microcomputer varies from each other
depending on the capacity and features of the computer.
• Microcomputers make up the vast majority of computers.
• Single user can interact with this computer at a time.
• It is a small and general-purpose computer.
Examples
• Modern desktop computers
• Video game consoles
• Laptops
• Tablet
• PCs
• Many types of handheld devices, including mobile phones,
pocket calculators, and industrial embedded systems
Mini Computer

• Mini Computer is a small and general-


purpose computer.
• It is more expensive than a micro computer.
• It has more storage capacity and speed.
• It designed to simultaneously handle the
needs of multiple users.
Examples
• Apple iPad, Samsung tab
• Inspiron 1012 (Dell), HP mini 110
• Netbook
• iPod
• Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy series
Mainframe Computer
• Large computers are called Mainframes.
• Mainframe computers process data at very high rates of
speed, measured in the millions of instructions per
second.
• They are very expensive than micro computer and mini
computer.
• Mainframes are designed for multiple users and process
vast amounts of data quickly.
Super Computers

• The largest computers are Super


Computers.
• They are the most powerful, the most
expensive, and the fastest.
• They are capable of processing trillions of
instructions per second.
Limitations of Computer
• Computer cannot take over all activities simply because they are less flexible than humans.
• It does not hold intelligence of its own. Its IQ level is zero, till date.
• They have to be told what to do. It has to be instructed on what it must do and in what
sequence.
• A Computer cannot take decisions on its own.
• Human beings can make certain judgments in our day to day life based on our feelings,
taste, knowledge and experience. It also lack of emotions, so it will not make certain
judgments like human.
• They cannot perform anything outside the defined scope.
• If any unexpected situation arise, computer will either produce erroneous result or discard
the task altogether.

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