TE R

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F C O
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 DEFINITION:

“ Computer is an electronic machine that

can store, recall and process data. It can perform
tasks or complex calculation according to a set of
instructions or programs.”
 HOW DOES THE COMPUTER WORK?

• It is as simple as making tea. To prepare tea, we

add water, tea powder, milk, and sugar. These
are all considered as input. After adding all, we
have to boil. That boiling is called processing.
After boiling, we get tea. That is called output.
Similarly, the computer works based on the input, processing and output.

Input – Process - Output cycle (IPO Cycle)

 Processing Of Data

Input : Orange Output : Orange

Process : Squeezing
Juice
CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTER
• Speed
• Storage
• Accuracy
• Diligence
• Versatility
• Flexibility
• Cost effectiveness
• Speed:
The computer works very fast. The speed of Computer
is measured in terms of MIPS ( Million Instructions Per Second ) or
BIPS ( Billion Instructions Per Second ).
Example : A money counting machine counts money faster than
man.

• Storage:
The computer can store a large volume of data and
information. The storage capacity of the computer is measured in
terms of Bytes. A group of 8 Bits is called a Byte.
• Accuracy :
The computer generated results are exact
and without any mistakes with high rate of consistency.

• Diligence :
Unlike human beings, a computer does not
suffer from limitations like tiredness and lack of
concentration. It can work for hours without making any
errors.
• Versatility :
Computers are capable of performing any task. Multi-
processing features of computer make it quite versatile in nature.
The computer can be adapted to any field easily. It is used for
scientific calculations, business processing, for playing games,
teaching, training etc.

• Flexibility :
Flexibility would involve the number of things you can do
with a computer. While some are best used for simple business
tasks, and filing of tasks, others are good for multimedia, gaming,
and so on.
• Cost effectiveness :
Computers reduce the amount of paper work
and human effort, thereby reducing costs.
 COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER SYSTEM:

• There are four components in the computer system.

They are:
 Hardware
 Software
 Data & Information
 User(s)
 HARDWARE:

• The physical parts of a computer system called as

hardware. The hardware components can be seen,
touch and feel. The hardware components are fixed
inside or outside the computer system.
• Example Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Printer, RAM, CPU
etc.
 SOFTWARE:

• A Set or collection of programs is known as software.

The software is a computer program written using
some computer programming languages to operate the
computer. Software tells the hardware what to do.
Unlike hardware, we can’t touch the software.
• Example : Operating System, TUX Paint, Office
Packages, Nudi, Adobe Reader, Computer Games etc.
THE SOFTWARE IS BROADLY CLASSIFIED INTO TWO
TYPES. THEY ARE :

1. System Software: It is a type of computer program

that is designed to control and work with computer hardware,
to run a computer's hardware and application programs.
• Example: Microsoft Windows, Linux, DOS etc.

2. Application software: It is a type of Software

written by the user to perform a particular task like drawing a
picture, playing computer games.
• Example: Paint, Nudi and Office Package etc.
 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HARDWARE AND
SOFTWARE

Hardware Software

Physical components of a computer are Set of programs is called Software.

called Hardware.

Hardware can touch, see and feel. The software can not touch and feel.

Constructed using physical materials or Developed by the programming language.

components.

Not affected by computer viruses. Affected by computer viruses.

User cannot make copies User can make copies

Example: Monitor, Keyboard, RAM Example: OS, Text Editor, Nudi

Data
Data is a collection of unprocessed items, which can include
text, numbers, audio or video. Data is the raw information or basic
facts that computer can process. For Example: “PARAM” 16
The computer processed data is called information, which
gives particular meaning. For Example: Name=“PARAM” Age=16.

User(s)
People who use the computers are called users. These
computer operators are called computer users.
FUNCTIONAL COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER:

• Basically any computer is supposed to carry out the

following functions.
 Accepts the data and program as input.
 Stores the data, program and retrieve as and when
required.
 Process the data as per instructions given by the
program and convert it into useful information.
 Communicate the information as output.
 BLOCK DIAGRAM OF A COMPUTER

• A computer is designed using four basic units. They are:

1. Input Unit
2. Central Processing Unit (CPU)
 Control Unit
 Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)
3. Memory Unit
4. Output Unit
 INPUT UNIT

Computers need to receive data and

instructions in order to solve a problem. The Input unit
performs this operation. The Input Unit basically links
the external world or environment to the computer
system. The input unit may consist of one or more input
devices. The Keyboard and mouse of a computer are the
most commonly used input devices.
• Central Processing Unit (CPU)
It is the main part of a computer system like the heart of a human
being. Most computers are identified by the type of CPU that is present in
them. The function of the CPU is to interpret the instructions in the program
and execute them one by one. It consists of two major units.

• Control Unit: It controls and directs the transfer of program

instructions and data between various units. The main activity is to
maintain order and direct the operations of the entire system.

• Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU): Arithmetic and Logic Unit

performs arithmetic and logical operations and controls the speed of these
operations. Arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication
and division (+,-,*, /) and logical operations like AND, OR, NOT and
relational operations like (, <=,>=) are being carried out in this unit.
• Memory Unit
The data and the instructions required for processing have to
be stored in the memory unit before the actual processing starts. In
a similar manner, the results generated from processing have to be
preserved before it is displayed. The memory units thus provide
space to store input data, intermediate results and the final output
generated.
Secondary storage devices are additional memory (storage)
devices such as floppy disks, magnetic tapes, Hard Disk Drive
(HDD), Compact Disk (CD), Digital Versatile Disk (DVD) etc., which
are used to store huge information for future use.
• Note: The input unit, an output unit, and secondary storage
devices are together known as Peripheral Devices.
 OUTPUT UNIT

It is used to print or display the results, which

are stored in the memory unit. The actual function of
the output unit is just the reverse of the input unit.
Thus, the output unit links the computer to the
outside world. The Monitor and Printer are the most
commonly used output devices.
 EVOLUTION OF COMPUTER:
• Abacus
Approximately 4,000 years ago,
the Chinese invented the Abacus. It was
the first machine used for counting and
calculating. It is made of a wooden
frame, metal rods, and wooden beads
Abacus was mainly used for addition,
subtraction and later for division and
multiplication. Today, the abacus is still
used widely in China and other Asian
countries to count and calculate, just as
we use calculators.
 NAPIER’S BONES
• In the early 17th century, John
Napier, a Scottish mathematician,
invented another calculating tool.
“Napier’s bones” was based upon
manipulation of rods with printed
digits. The rods were made of
bone, ivory, wood or metal. The
set consists of 10 rectangular
blocks with multiples of a different
digit on each of the four sides.
• The slide Rule
The slide Rule was invented by William Oughtred. It is
based on the principle that acutal distance from the starting point
of the rule is directly proportional to the logarithm of the numbers
printed on the rule. The slide rule is emboided by the two sets of
scales that are joined together, with a marginal space between
them.
 ADDING MACHINE-PASCALINE

• In 1642, at the age of 19, a French mathematician by

the name of Biaise Pascal invented the Pascaline. The
Pascaline is known as the first mechanical and
automatic calculator.
• The Pascaline was a wooden box that could only
add and subtract by means of a series of gears and
wheels. It had a box with eight movable wheels called
dials. When each wheel rotated one revolution, it
would then turn the neighboring wheel.
 LEIBNIZ CALCULATOR

• Mathematician Gottfried
Leibniz built a calculator
in 1650 that could add,
substract, multiply and
divide the numbers.
 JACQUARD LOOM

• In 1801, Joseph Mary

Jacquard invented the
Jacquard loom. A poweed
loom that used punched
wooden cards to
automatically weave
incredibly detailed patterns
including pictures and text.
This can be taken as the first
“Read only Memory” device.
 DIFFERENCE AND ANALYTICAL ENGINE

In the early 1820s, an English mathematician by

the name Charles Babbage designed a computing
machine called the Difference Engine. This machine was to
be used in the calculating and printing of simple math
tables. In the 1830s, he designed a second computing
machine called the Analytical Engine. This machine
consisted five units, which became the basic principle for
the development of modern computer. Hence Charles
Babbage is known as the "Father of Computers”.
 1833-FIRST PROGRAMMER

• Lady Ada Lovelace was a

first computer programmer,
who designed program for
Babbage’s Analytical Engine.
•

• 1890 AD – Hollerith Tabulating Machine

In 1889, an American named Herman Hollerith
invented a counting machine to count the population of
USA. This electronic machine is able to read the
information on the punched cards and process it
electronically. Herman Hollerith was the founder of the
company than became famous as IBM.
 GENERATIONS OF COMPUTER

• Depending on the development of the technology the

generation of computer is classified into five generations.
1. First Generation of Computer
2. Second Generation of Computer
3. Third Generation of Computer
4. Fourth Generation of Computer
5. Fifth Generation of Computer
 FIRST GENERATION OF COMPUTER (1940-1956)

1. The first generation of computers is started with using

vacuum tubes as the basic components.
2. The speed of these computers was very slow, storage capacity
was very less and these computers are large in size.
3. This generation computers operated only on machine
language.
4. Input was based on punched card, paper tapes an output was
obtained as printout.
Some computers of this generation were ENIAC
(Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator), UNIVAC
(Universal Automatic Computer).
ENIAC:
 It stands for Electrical Numerical Integrator and
Computer.
 It used a word of ten decimal digits instead of binary
ones like previous automated calculators /computers.

UNIAC
 Universal Automatic Computer was the first
commercial computer produced in the United States.
EDVAC
 It stands for Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic
Computer.
 It was to be a vast improvement upon ENIAC. Mauchly
and Eckert started working on it two years before ENIAC
even went into operation.
 This idea was to have the program for the computer
stored inside the computer.
 SECOND GENERATION OF COMPUTER (1956-1963)

1. In this generation transistors were used in place of

vacuum tubes.
2. These machines were much faster, more reliable than
their earlier machines.
3. It generates less heat and consumed less electricity
as compared to first generation computers.
4. Second Generation computers used punched cards for
input and printout for output.
5. This computer moved from the use of machine
language to assembly languages.
6. The computer stored their instructions in their
memory, which moved from magnetic drum to magnetic
core technology.
Some computers of this generation were IBM
1620, IBM 7094, CDC (Control Data Corporation) 1604
and 3600, and UNIVAC 1108.
 THIRD GENERATION OF COMPUTER (1964-1971)
1. In the third generation of computer Integrated Circuits (IC's) were
used in place of transistors.
2. In this generation, Keyboard and monitors were used instead of
punched cards and printout.
3. These IC’s were increased the speed of processing and storage
capacity.
4. These computers were more reliable, smaller in size and faster.
5. Maintenance cost was low comparing to the previous generation
and consumed less electricity.
Some computers of this generation were IBM-360 series, Honeywell-
6000 series, PDP (Personal Data Processor), IBM-370/168.
 FOURTH GENERATION OF COMPUTER (1971-1980)

1. In the fourth generation of computer, microprocessors

were used in place of Integrated Circuits (IC’s).
2. The fourth generation of computers is marked by the
use of Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits.
3. This made computers smaller in size became more
powerful, they could be linked to form network.
Some computers of this generation were Mini
Computer and Mainframe computer, Personal computers.
 FIFTH GENERATION OF COMPUTER (1980-TILL DATE)

1. Fifth generation computer involves the concept of

Artificial Intelligence (AI) which made the computer
think like human beings.
2. This generation uses VLSI (Very Large Scale integration)
and ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration) technology.
3. These computers are more intelligent and faster
comparing to other generation computers.
4. Types of this generation computers are Desktop, Laptop,
Notebook, and Robot. etc.
Remember Generations of Computer
Generation Material used Features
First Vacuum tube based very slow, large in size and
Generation storage capacity
Second Transistor based faster, more reliable than their
Generation earlier machines
Third Integrated Circuit Smaller in size and faster.
Generation based Maintenance cost was low
comparing to the previous
generation
Fourth VLSI microprocessor Fourth Generation computers
Generation based became more powerful, reliable
and more efficient.
Fifth ULSI microprocessor These computers are more
Generation based intelligent and faster comparing to
other generation computers.
 CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTER:
Classification based on Purpose
According to purpose, computers are classified into
general purpose and specific purpose. General purpose
computers are designed to perform a range of tasks.
They have an ability to store numerous programs but lack
in speed and efficiency. Specific purpose computers
are designed to handle a specific problem or to perform a
specific task.
 CLASSIFICATION BASED ON PRINCIPLES
OF OPERATION
According to principles of data handling,
computers are classified into three types
1. Analog Computers
2. Digital Computers
3. Hybrid Computers
 ANALOG COMPUTERS

Analog computers work upon continuous

data. Analog computer operates by measuring rather
than counting. The analog computers are that all
calculation take place in parallel, hence faster. Modern
analog computers usually employ electrical parameters,
such as voltages, resistances or currents, to represent
the quantities being manipulated. Computations are
carried out with the physical quantities, such as
voltages, length, current, temperature etc. The device
that measures such quantities are analog devices.
 DIGITAL COMPUTER

The digital computer works upon discontinuous

data. A digital computer operates on digital data such as
numbers. It uses binary number system in which there
are only two digits 0 and 1. Each one is called a bit.
They convert the data into digits (Binary Digit 0 and 1)
and all operations carried out on these digits at
extremely fast rates. A digital computer basically knows
how to count the digits and add the digit. Digital
Computers are much faster than an analog computer
and far more accurate. Computers used for business and
 HYBRID COMPUTERS

Hybrid computer are the combination of both

analog and digital computer. They accept both the
analog and digital data for processing. Hybrid computers
incorporate the measuring feature of an analog
computer and counting feature of a digital computer. For
computational purposes, these computers use analog
components and for storage, digital memories are used.
• Now-a-days analog- to- digital computer (ADC) and
digital-to analog computer(DAC) rare used to
transforming data into suitable form.
• In these computers, some calculations take place
in analog manner and rest of them takes place in a
digital manner. Hybrid computers are best used in the
hospital where the analog part is responsible for
measurement of patient’s heart beat, blood pressure,
temperature and other vital signs and then the operation
is carried out in a digital fashion to monitor patient’s vital
signs. Hybrid Computers are also used in weather
forecasting.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ANALOG & DIGITAL COMPUTERS

Analog Computer Digital Computer

Operates on continuous Operates on discrete values of

values of data data
They give only approximate They give accurate results
results
Processing is slow Processing is fast

They have very limited use They are versatile

They have small memory & They have large memory &
less reliable more reliable
CLASSIFICATION BASED ON CONFIGURATION

Based on the performance, size, cost, capacity, the

digital computers are classified into four types:
1. Micro Computers
2. Mini Computers
3. Mainframe Computers
4. Supercomputers
 MICRO COMPUTERS

1. Also, know as PC (Personal Computer), it was introduced in

1970.
2. The number of processors in microcomputers will be one or
two processors.
3. It contains input devices, output devices, storage device
and processor.
4. The number of processor will be one or two. It is used by
one person at a time.
5. Example: Desktops (PC, Macintosh), Laptops, Notebooks,
Tablets, Palmtops, Smart Phones.
 USES OF MICRO COMPUTERS

 They are used as desktops either in offices or even in

homes.
 Children enjoy playing games & watching movies in
these computers.
 They are cheap and user-friendly.
 Their operation can be easily learned by anyone
having the logical aptitude.
 MINI COMPUTERS

1. Mini computers were introduced in the 1960’s.

2. Minicomputer is larger and more powerful than
personal computer.
3. In can execute five million instructions per second.
4. It generally consists of two or more processors.
5. Minicomputer can serve up to 4000 connected users
simultaneously.
6. It is normally accessed by users via personal
computer or terminal. A device with a monitor and
keyboard is called terminal.
7. It is also known as dumb terminal. It has no
processing power and cannot work as stand-alone
computer.
8. Example: Digital Alpha, VAX-800, AS 400 Uses of
 USES OF MINI COMPUTERS

They are often used by small and medium sized

companies to provide centralized store of information.
 They are used for data processing.
 MAINFRAME COMPUTERS
1. Mainframe computers were introduced in 1975.
2. It is very large computer in size.
3. It is more powerful than mini computers and consists of
multiple processors.
4. It is designed to perform multiple tasks for multiple users
at the same time.
5. The user access a mainframe computer through personal
computer.
6. It can execute 16 million instructions per second.
7. Example: CDC 6600, NEC 610, DEC 10
 USES OF MAINFRAME COMPUTERS

• Mainframe computers are used in large organizations.

 They are big computer systems sensitive to
temperature, humidity, dust etc.
 Qualified & trained operators are required to operate
them.
 They have a wide range of peripherals attached.
 They have large storage capacity.
 They can use a wide variety of software’s.
 They are not user-friendly.
 They can be used for more mathematical calculations.
 SUPERCOMPUTERS

1. Supercomputers were introduced in 1980. Super

computer is the fastest computer.
2. Supercomputer is the biggest in size and the most
expensive in price than any other computers.
3. Supercomputer is the most sophisticated, complex
and advance computer.
4. It has a very large storage capacity.
5. It can process trillions of instructions in one second.
6. Supercomputers are used for highly calculations
intensive task.
7. Supercomputers are designed for ultra-high
performance tasks such as weather analysis, encryption
cracking, and the creation of animation.
8. Example: IBM Roadrunner, IBM Blue Gene, PARAM
Padma, etc.
 USES OF SUPERCOMPUTERS

 Weather Forecasting
 Animated Graphics like Hollywood Movies
 Nuclear energy research
 Space Science
 Weapons and Missile design
 Petroleum Exploration etc.
 SUPERCOMPUTING IN INDIA

• India's supercomputer program was started in the

late 1980s because Cray supercomputers were denied for
import due to an arms embargo imposed in India, as it was
a dual use technology and could be used for developing
nuclear.
• PARAM 8000 was India's first supercomputer. It
was indigenously built in 1990 by Centre for Development
of Advanced Computing and was replicated and installed at
ICAD Moscow in 1991 under Russian collaboration.
Supercomputer Organization

Anupam Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)

SAGA-220 Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)

EKA Computational Research Laboratories

Vikram-100 Physical Research Laboratory

PARAM Yuva Centre for Development of Advanced Computing

 APPLICATIONS OF COMPUTERS:

 Schools and colleges  Banks

 Office  Stock control in
business firms
 Stock exchange  Research and
developments
 Entertainment and news  Government office
 Satellite communication  Publishing
 Travel  Hospital.
 Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)