O.

E-OGODO (MRS)
 Lecture Content

 What is a Computer?
 History of Computers
 Generations of Computers
 Classification by Purpose
 Classification by Size
 Classification by Functionality
 What is a Computer?

 A computer is an electronic machine that collects
information, stores it, processes it according to user
instructions, and then returns the result.
 A computer is a programmable electronic device that
performs arithmetic and logical operations
automatically using a set of instructions provided by
the user.
 History of Computers

 Since the evolution of humans, devices have been used for calculations
for thousands of years. One of the earliest and most well-known
devices was an abacus. Then in 1822, the father of computers, Charles
Babbage began developing what would be the first mechanical
computer. And then in 1833 he actually designed an Analytical Engine
which was a general-purpose computer. It contained an ALU, some
basic flow chart principles and the concept of integrated memory.
 Then more than a century later in the history of computers, we got our
first electronic computer for general purpose. It was the ENIAC, which
stands for Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer. The
inventors of this computer were John W. Mauchly and J.Presper
Eckert.
 And with times the technology developed and the computers got
smaller and the processing got faster. We got our first laptop in 1981
and it was introduced by Adam Osborne and EPSON.
 Generations of Computers

 First Generation (1940 – 1955)
 Second Generation (1957 – 1963)
 Third Generation (1964 – 1971)
 Fourth Generation (1971 – 1980)
 Fifth Generation (1980 – DATE)

First Generation of Computers

 This was from the period of 1940 to 1955. This was when
machine language was developed for the use of
computers.
 They used vacuum tubes for the circuitry.
 For the purpose of memory, they used magnetic drums.
 These machines were complicated, large, and expensive.
They were mostly reliant on batch operating systems and
punch cards.
 As output and input devices, magnetic tape and paper
tape were implemented.
 For example, ENIAC, UNIVAC-1, EDVAC, and so on.
Second Generation of Computers

 The years 1957-1963 were referred to as the “second
generation of computers” at the time.
 In second-generation computers, COBOL and
FORTRAN are employed as assembly languages and
programming languages.
 Here they advanced from vacuum tubes to
transistors. This made the computers smaller, faster
and more energy-efficient. And they advanced from
binary to assembly languages. For instance, IBM
1620, IBM 7094, CDC 1604, CDC 3600, and so forth.
 Third Generation of Computers

 The hallmark of this period (1964-1971) was the
development of the integrated circuit.
 A single integrated circuit (IC) is made up of many
transistors, which increases the power of a computer
while simultaneously lowering its cost.
 These computers were quicker, smaller, more reliable,
and less expensive than their predecessors. High-level
programming languages such as FORTRON-II to IV,
COBOL, and PASCAL PL/1 were utilized.
 For example, the IBM-360 series, the Honeywell-6000
series, and the IBM-370/168.
Fourth Generation of Computers

 The invention of the microprocessors brought along
the fourth generation of computers. The years 1971-
1980 were dominated by fourth generation
computers.
 C, C++ and Java were the programming languages
utilized in this generation of computers.
 For instance, the STAR 1000, PDP 11, CRAY-1,
CRAY-X-MP, and Apple II.
 This was when we started producing computers for
home use.
 Fifth Generation of Computers

 These computers have been utilized since 1980 and continue to
be used now. This is the present and the future of the computer
world.
 The defining aspect of this generation is artificial intelligence.
 The use of parallel processing and superconductors are making
this a reality and provide a lot of scope for the future.
 Fifth-generation computers use ULSI (Ultra Large Scale
Integration) technology. These are the most recent and
sophisticated computers. C, C++, Java, .Net, and more
programming languages are used.
 For instance, IBM, Pentium, Desktop, Laptop, Notebook,
Ultrabook, and so on.

History of Computers

Some Notable Computer History

 1822 – Charles Babbage, a mathematician, invented the
steam-powered calculating machine capable of
calculating number tables. The “Difference Engine” idea
failed owing to a lack of technology at the time.
 1848 – The world’s first computer program was written
by Ada Lovelace, an English mathematician. Lovelace
also includes a step-by-step tutorial on how to compute
Bernoulli numbers using Babbage’s machine.
 1936 – Alan Turing had an idea for a universal machine,
which he called the Turing machine, that could compute
anything that could be computed.
Some Notable Computer History

 1945 – University of Pennsylvania academics John Mauchly and
J. Presper Eckert create an Electronic Numerical Integrator and
Calculator (ENIAC). It was Turing-complete and capable of
solving “a vast class of numerical problems” by
reprogramming, earning it the title of “Grandfather of
computers.”
 1946 – The UNIVAC I (Universal Automatic Computer) was the
first general-purpose electronic digital computer designed in
the United States for corporate applications.
 1953 – Grace Hopper, a computer scientist, creates the first
computer language, which becomes known as COBOL, which
stands for COmmon, Business-Oriented Language. It allowed a
computer user to offer the computer instructions in English-like
words rather than numbers.
Some Notable Computer History

 1954 – John Backus and a team of IBM programmers
created the FORTRAN programming language, an
acronym for FORmula TRANslation. In addition, IBM
developed the 650.
 1974 – Personal computers were introduced into the
market. The first were the Altair Scelbi & Mark-8, IBM
5100, and Radio Shack’s TRS-80.
 1976 – Apple Computers is founded by Steve Jobs and
Steve Wozniak, who expose the world to the Apple I, the
first computer with a single-circuit board.
 1985 – Microsoft introduces Windows, which enables
multitasking via a graphical user interface. In addition,
the programming language C++ has been released.
Classification of Computers

 Purpose: General and Purpose computers
 Size: Super Computer, Mainframes, Mini
Computers, Micro Computer (Personal Computer)
 Functionality: Analog, Digital and Hybrid.
 Classification by Purpose

 General Purpose computers are made to handle a variety
of tasks and may be applied in a variety of ways. They
can carry out a variety of jobs and programs because of
their adaptability. Examples include laptops, desktops,
mainframes, smartphones, etc.
 Special-purpose computers are created for specialized,
niche activities. They are designed to accomplish a certain
task exceptionally well, usually quickly and with high
efficiency. Examples include Automated Teller Machines
(ATM), washing machine, traffic control computers,
weather forecasting simulators, ticketing machines, etc
 Classification by Size

 Supercomputers: These are extremely powerful computers. The
term is commonly applied to the fastest high-performance
systems available at any given time. Such computers have been
used primarily for scientific and engineering work requiring
exceedingly high-speed computations. They are used in
weather forecasting.
 Mainframes: These are high-performance computers with large
amounts of memory and data processors that process billions of
simple calculations and transactions in real time. They are used
for bulk data processing. In some ways Mainframes are more
powerful than supercomputers because they support more
simultaneous programs. But supercomputers can execute a
single program faster than a mainframe.
 Super Computer

Super Computer Mainframe
Classification by Size (2)

 MiniComputer: computer that was smaller, less expensive, and
less powerful than a mainframe or supercomputer but more
expensive and more powerful than a personal computer.
Minicomputers were used for scientific and engineering
computations, business transaction processing, file handling,
and database management.
 MicroComputer: A microcomputer is a complete computer on a
small scale, designed for use by one person at a time. An
antiquated term, a microcomputer is now primarily called a
personal computer (PC), or a device based on a single-chip
microprocessor. Common microcomputers include laptops,
desktops, palmtops, Embedded Computers.

 Embedded Computers

 Embedded computers are fixed into products
designed to perform specific functions. Such
products are mostly household appliances and cars,
 Embedded computers are put into household
appliances and electronic devises like dishwasher,
microwaves, washing machines and coffee makers.
 Cars also use embedded computers to assist in
diagnosing faults, notifying user of issues like a flat
tire or if an oil filter needs changing.
 Classification by
Functionality

 Analog Computer: This is a computer which uses continuously changeable
entities like mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, etc. These were first used at
the time of the 1950s–1960s. They do not use discrete values but use
continuous values. Thus these computers work on an analog
signal. Examples include speedometer, thermometer, old telephone lines,
oscilloscope.
 Digital Computer: These computers use the binary number system, which
has two digits i.e., 0 and 1. These signals represent data as a series of
discrete. Main advantages of a digital computer are their accuracy and fast
speed.
 Hybrid computer is a computer intended to provide functions and features
in both analog and digital computers. Developing a combined or hybrid
computer model aims to produce a functional device that incorporates the
most beneficial aspects of both computer systems. Examples include
Ultrasound device, Electrocardiogram device, Fuel vending machine and
digital BP checker.

 Summary

 A computer is an electronic machine that collects
information, stores it, processes it according to user
instructions, and then returns the result.
 There are five (5) generations of computers and we
are now in the fifth generation.
 Computers can be classified by Purpose, Size and
Functionality.
 Embedded computers are fixed into products
designed to perform specific functions. Such
products are mostly household appliances and cars,
