The

History of
computer
What is a computer?
A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information, or data. It has the ability
to store, retrieve, and process data. You may already know that you can use a computer to type
documents, send email, play games, and browse the Web. You can also use it to edit or
create spreadsheets, presentations, and even videos. When most people hear the word computer, they
think of a personal computer such as a desktop or laptop. However, computers come in many shapes and
sizes, and they perform many different functions in our daily lives. When you withdraw cash from an
ATM, scan groceries at the store, or use a calculator, you're using a type of computer.
 Invention
The first computer that resembled the modern machines we see today was invented by Charles
Babbage between 1833 and 1871. He developed a device, the analytical engine, and worked on it
for nearly 40 years. It was a mechanical computer that was powerful enough to perform simple
calculations.
 Generation
1. FIRST GENERATION : (1946 -- 1955)
2. SECOND GENERATIO : (1956 – 1965)
3. THIRD GENERATION : (1966 – 1975)
4. FOURTH GENERATION : (1976 – 1985)
5. FIFTH GENERATION : (1986 – onward)
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The first generation of The second generation of Third-generation The fourth generation lasted The period of fifth generation
computers is generally known computers is a term used computers used integrated from 1971 to is 1980-till date. In the fifth
as electromechanical to describe a group of circuits in place of 1980.Semiconductor generation, VLSI technology
computers or using vacuum transistors. With the use of memories have taken the became ULSI (Ultra Large
tubes. For example, ENIAC
computers that were place of magnetic core
integrated circuits, these Scale Integration) technology,
has used Vacuum tubes, developed in the late memory. During this time,
computers became reliable, resulting in the production of
relied on Machine Language 1950s and 1960s. These generated less heat, were computer operating microprocessor chips having
and Boolean logic. A computers replaced small in size, fast, very less institutions were designed. ten million electronic
computer using vacuum tubes vacuum tubes with maintenance, and were Users benefitted from the components.
is very slow in executing transistors. Thus, making inexpensive. It was usage of Graphic User This generation is based on
programs compared to them smaller, faster, and developed in 1958 by Interface technologies. During parallel processing hardware
present-day computers. Robert Noyce and Jack this time, PCs became more and AI (Artificial Intelligence)
more efficient inexpensive and widespread.
Kilby. software.
 Types of
Computer
1. Supercomputer
Supercomputers are the biggest and fastest
computers. They are designed to process huge
amount of data. A supercomputer can process
trillions of instructions in a second. It has thousands
of interconnected processors.
2. Mainframe computer
Mainframe computers are designed to support hundreds
or thousands of users simultaneously. They can support
multiple programs at the same time. It means they can
execute different processes simultaneously. These features
of mainframe computers make them ideal for big
organizations like banking and telecom sectors, which need
to manage and process high volume of data.
 3. Minicomputer
It is a midsize multiprocessing computer. It consists of
two or more processors and can support 4 to 200 users
at one time. Miniframe computers are used in institutes
and departments for tasks such as billing, accounting and
inventory management. A minicomputer lies between
the mainframe and microcomputer as it is smaller than
mainframe
4.Workstation Computer
A workstation computer is designed for technical or
scientific applications. It consists of a fast
microprocessor, with a large amount of RAM and a
high-speed graphic adapter. It is a single-user
computer. It is generally used to perform a specific
task with great accuracy.
5. Personal Computer
Personal Computers is also known as a microcomputer. It is
basically a general-purpose computer designed for individual u
It consists of a microprocessor as a central processing unit(CPU
memory, input unit, and output unit. This kind of computer is
suitable for personal work such as making an assignment,
watching a movie, or at the office for office work, etc. For
example, Laptops and desktop computers.
 Advantages and
disadvantages of
types of computers
Advantage of supercomputer

These types of computers can solve

complicated calculations that other
standard computers cannot. A
supercomputer allows multiple users to
access supercomputing at the same time. It
has a very high storage capacity. The
computer can handle applications that
require real-time processing.
Disadvantage of Supercomputer

They are very expensive. They

use a lot of electricity for the
computers and for the cooling.
They cannot be transported
easily. Only few organizations
have them.
Advantage of Mainframe computer

In conclusion, mainframe computers offer a

number of advantages, including high
processing power, scalability, reliability, and
security. Although they can be expensive to
purchase and maintain, they can also be very
cost-effective for organizations that need to
process large amounts of data.
Disadvantage of Mainframe Computer

One of the prominent drawbacks of

mainframes is their cost. Hardware
and software for mainframes are
clearly expensive. Secondly,
mainframe hardware occupies more
space than other computers.
Advantage of minicomputer

Affordability: Compared to larger systems

like mainframes, microcomputers are far
more affordable, making them accessible
to a wider audience.
Portability: Due to their compact size,
microcomputers are easy to transport,
allowing for mobile computing.
Disadvantage of Minicomputer

1.Some mini-computer don’t have USB ports.

2.Generally, there is not much storage on board.
3.Minicomputer does not have any CD/DVD drive.
4.The keyboard can e small for fast typists.
5.The dedicated graphics card is missing.
6.It can be too small a device to do certain projects.
7.While using Mini computer, some hardware
intensive applications it is only of limited use.
8.The user may note familiar with the operating
systems.
Advantage of Workstation Computer

Workstations offer several advantages. They

have more powerful hardware components,
which allows for faster data processing,
rendering, and multitasking. They often have
more expansion slots, supporting added
memory, storage, and specialized graphics
cards.
Disadvantage of Workstation Computer

Not having batteries, they're certainly

not ideal for a travelling workforce.
Whilst laptop batteries used to have
notoriously poor performance and
longevity, they're now much
improved and give on-the-road teams
the ability to work from anywhere,
reliably.
Advantage of Personal Computer

The performance of a laptop can vary

widely depending on the specific model
and components. In general,
however, desktop PCs are more powerful
than laptops due to their larger size and
better cooling. This means that desktop
PCs can handle more intensive tasks such
as gaming or video editing with greater
ease.
Disadvantage of Personal Computer

Disadvantages include health issues, security

risks, dependency on technology, potential job
displacement, privacy concerns, cost of
ownership, and environmental impact
Lack of portability: Desktop PCs are not meant
to be portable.
Space requirements: Desktops take up a lot of
space.
Input
And
Output
Device
Keyboard :
A computer keyboard is an input device used to enter
characters and functions into the computer system by
pressing buttons, or keys. It is the primary device used to
enter text. A keyboard typically contains keys for
individual letters, numbers and special characters, as
well as keys for specific functions.
Mouse :
A computer mouse (plural mice, also mouses) is a
hand-held pointing device that detects two-
dimensional motion relative to a surface. This motion is
typically translated into the motion of the pointer
(called a cursor) on a display, which allows a smooth
control of the graphical user interface of a computer.
 Display :
A monitor is an output device that displays information
being processed in a computer. It is also known as VDU
or Visual display unit. The first monitor was developed
on 1 March 1973 and it was a CRT monitor. The LED
monitor was first introduced in 2008 and is the least
power-consuming mode of display.
Printer :
A printer is a device that accepts text and
graphic output from a computer and transfers
the information to paper, usually to standard-
size, 8.5" by 11" sheets of paper. Printers vary
in size, speed, sophistication and cost
Speaker :
A computer speaker is an output hardware
device that connects to a computer to
generate sound. The signal used to produce
the sound that comes from a computer
speaker is created by the computer's sound
card.