Introduction to Computing

CS110 - 2012
C S Mulenga
 Introduction
• “Necessity is the Mother of Invention”
• Our technology has evolved because we have
better computers that are easier to use and
more efficient.
 1.1. Introduction

• Nowadays, computers are an integral part of our lives.

They are used for the reservation of tickets for airplanes
and railways, payment of telephone and electricity bills,
deposit and withdrawal of money from banks,
processing of business data, forecasting of weather
conditions, diagnosis of diseases, searching for
information on the Internet, etc. Computers are also
used extensively in schools, universities, organizations,
music industry, movie industry, scientific research, law
firms, fashion industry, etc.
• .
 This unit discusses the ;
1. Types of Computers
2. Characteristics of computer
3. Evolution (Generations )of the computer,
4. This unit also discusses the classification of
digital computers based on their size and
type, and the application of computer in
different domain areas
 What is a computer
• The term computer is derived from the word
compute. The word compute means to calculate.
• A Computer is an electronic device that stores,
retrieves, and processes data, and can be
programmed with instructions.
• A computer is composed of hardware and
• software, and can exist in a variety of
• sizes and configurations.
• Computer performs both simple and complex
operations, with speed and accuracy.
 Types of Computers
• The are three (3) Types of Computers
• Digital
• Analogue
• Hybrid
 1.2. Digital and Analogue Computers

• A digital computer uses distinct values to represent the data

internally. All information are represented using the digits 0s
and 1s. The computers that we use at our homes and offices
are digital computers.
• Analogue computer is another kind of a computer that
represents data as variable across a continuous range of
values. The earliest computers were analogue computers.
Analogue computers are used for measuring of parameters
that vary continuously in real time, such as temperature,
pressure and voltage. Analogue computers may be more
flexible but generally less precise than digital computers. Slide
rule is an example of an analogue computer.
 Hybrid Computer
• Hybrid Computer : These types of computers are, as the
name suggests, are a combination of both Analogue and
Digital computers. A hybrid computer system
containing both analogue and digital devices allows the
properties or each type to be used to the greatest
advantage. For instance, a digital and an analogue
computer can be interconnected so that data can be
transferred between them.

We shall deal only with the digital computer and use the
term computer for them.
 1.3. Characteristics of Computer

• Speed, accuracy, diligence, storage capability

and versatility are some of the key
characteristics of a computer.
• A brief overview of these characteristics are;
• Speed :The computer can process data very fast, at the rate of
millions of instructions per second. Some calculations that
would have taken hours and days to complete otherwise, can
be completed in a few seconds using the computer. For
example, calculation and generation of salary slips of
thousands of employees of an organization, weather
forecasting that requires analysis of a large amount of data
related to temperature, pressure and humidity of various
places, etc.
• Accuracy: Computer provides a high degree of accuracy. For
example, the computer can accurately give the result of
division of any two numbers up to 10 decimal places.
• Diligence: When used for a longer period of time, the
computer does not get tired or fatigued. It can perform long
and complex calculations with the same speed and accuracy
from the start till the end.
• Storage Capability Large volumes of data and
information can be stored in the computer and
also retrieved whenever required. A limited
amount of data can be stored, temporarily, in the
primary memory. Secondary storage devices like
floppy disk and compact disk can store a large
amount of data permanently.
• Versatility Computer is versatile in nature. It can
perform different types of tasks with the same
ease. At one moment you can use the computer
to prepare a letter document and in the next
moment you may play music or print a
document.
 Limitations
• Computers have several limitations too.
Computer can only perform tasks that it has
been programmed to do.
• Computer cannot do any work without
instructions from the user. It executes
instructions as specified by the user and does
not take its own decisions.
 Evolution of Computers
The computer has evolved from a large-sized simple
calculating machine to a smaller but much more powerful
machine. The evolution of computer to the current state
is defined in terms of the generations of computer.
 Computer Generations
• Generation 1 ( Vacuum Tube/Valves - the first
digital computer)
• Generation 2 (Transistors)
• Generation 3 (Integrated Circuits –Chips)
• Generation 4 (Microprocessors – LSI & VLSI)
• Generation 5 (Microprocessors – SLSI )
 1.5. Generations of Computer
• Each generation of computer is designed based on a new
technological development, resulting in better, cheaper and
smaller computers that are more powerful, faster and
efficient than their predecessors. Currently, there are five
generations of computer. In the following subsections, we
will discuss the generations of computer in terms of—
• the technology used by them (hardware and software),
• computing characteristics (speed, i.e., number of
instructions executed per second),
• physical appearance, and
• their applications.
 First Generation (1950’s):
• The vacuum tubes were used in the circuits of these
computers
• The input and output operations were done using
punched card technology.
• For external storage, magnetic tapes were used.
• The machine was capable to do one job at a time,
therefore batch processing was adopted.
• The language used by these computers was machine
language.
• Example of Computers: UNIVAC, IBM 650 etc.
 Second Generation (1960’s)

• Transistors were used in the circuits.

• The input operations were performed using punched cards
and magnetic tapes and for output operations, punched
cards and papers were used.
• For external storage magnetic tapes were used.
• The orientation was towards multiple users i.e. the machine
was capable to process multiple tasks concurrently.
• Assembly language like FORTRAN, COBOL, BASIC etc. were
used as the languages by the computer.
• Example of Computers: IBM 1400 and 7000 series,
GeneralElectric 635 etc.
 Third Generation (1970’s):

• Integrated circuits replaced transistors. In spite of

their smaller size they were capable to perform better than
transistors.
• For data input and output operations monitors and
keyboards replaced the punched cards.
• For external storage magnetic disks were used.
• Sophisticated operating systems, which were capable
of handling several jobs concurrently were used.
• More advanced high level languages like PASCAL were
used.
• Example of computers: IBM System
 Fourth Generation (1980’s):

• The circuits used VLSI and microprocessors of virtually

microscopic size, which led to drastic cut on the size of computer.
• The input output devices were the same monitors, keyboard,
printer etc.
• Micro computers have evolved.
• Magnetic disks were the primary devices used for external
storage.
• The use of special software for maintaining large data bases
became popular.
• The application software for micro computer essentially became
popular in this generation.
• Example of computers: IBM Systems
 Fifth Generation (late 1990’s):
• The computers of this generation use optic
fibre technology to handle Artificial
Intelligence.
• These computers have capacity to think and
reason which can be used to solve problems
where human intelligence is required.
• Expert Systems are examples of systems
implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI).
 1.6. Classification of Computer

• The digital computers that are available

nowadays vary in their sizes and types. The
computers are broadly classified into four
categories (Figure 1.8) based on their size and
type—(1) Microcomputers, (2)
Minicomputers, (3) Mainframe computers,
and (4) Supercomputer.
Figure 1.8. Classification of computers based on size and type
 1.6.1. Microcomputers
• Microcomputers are small, low-cost and single-user
digital computer. They consist of CPU, input unit, output
unit, storage unit and the software. Although
microcomputers are stand-alone machines, they can be
connected together to create a network of computers
that can serve more than one user. IBM PC based on
Pentium microprocessor and Apple Macintosh are some
examples of microcomputers. Microcomputers include
desktop computers, notebook computers or laptop,
tablet computer, handheld computer, smart phones and
netbook, as shown in Figure 1.9.
 Microcomputers
• Desktop Computer or Personal Computer (PC) is the most common type of
microcomputer. It is a stand-alone machine that can be placed on the desk.
Externally, it consists of three units—keyboard, monitor, and a system unit
containing the CPU, memory, hard disk drive, etc. It is not very expensive and is
suited to the needs of a single user at home, small business units, and
organizations. Apple, Microsoft, HP, Dell and Lenovo are some of the PC
manufacturers.
• Notebook Computers or Laptop resemble a notebook. They are portable and have
all the features of a desktop computer. The advantage of the laptop is that it is
small in size (can be put inside a briefcase), can be carried anywhere, has a battery
backup and has all the functionality of the desktop. Laptops can be placed on the
lap while working (hence the name). Laptops are costlier than the desktop
machines.
• Netbook These are smaller notebooks optimized for low weight and low cost, and
are designed for accessing web-based applications. Starting with the earliest
netbook in late 2007, they have gained significant popularity now. Netbooks deliver
the performance needed to enjoy popular activities like streaming videos or music,
emailing, Web surfing or instant messaging. The word netbook was created as a
blend of Internet and notebook.
• Tablet Computer has features of the notebook computer but it can
accept input from a stylus or a pen instead of the keyboard or mouse.
It is a portable computer. Tablet computer are the new kind of PCs.
• Handheld Computer or Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) is a small
computer that can be held on the top of the palm. It is small in size.
Instead of the keyboard, PDA uses a pen or a stylus for input. PDAs do
not have a disk drive. They have a limited memory and are less
powerful. PDAs can be connected to the Internet via a wireless
connection. Casio and Apple are some of the manufacturers of PDA.
Over the last few years, PDAs have merged into mobile phones to
create smart phones.
• Smart Phones are cellular phones that function both as a phone and
as a small PC. They may use a stylus or a pen, or may have a small
keyboard. They can be connected to the Internet wirelessly. They are
used to access the electronic-mail, download music, play games, etc.
Blackberry, Apple, HTC, Nokia and LG are some of the manufacturers
of smart phones.
 1.6.2. Minicomputers

• Minicomputers (Figure 1.10) are digital computers,

generally used in multi-user systems. They have
high processing speed and high storage capacity
than the microcomputers. Minicomputers can
support 4–200 users simultaneously. The users can
access the minicomputer through their PCs or
terminal. They are used for real-time applications
in industries, research centers, etc. PDP 11, IBM
(8000 series) are some of the widely used
minicomputers.
Figure 1.10. Minicomputer
 1.6.3. Mainframe Computers

• Mainframe computers (Figure 1.11) are multi-user, multi-programming

and high performance computers. They operate at a very high speed,
have very large storage capacity and can handle the workload of many
users. Mainframe computers are large and powerful systems generally
used in centralized databases. The user accesses the mainframe
computer via a terminal that may be a dumb terminal, an intelligent
terminal or a PC. A dumb terminal cannot store data or do processing of
its own. It has the input and output device only. An intelligent terminal
has the input and output device, can do processing, but, cannot store
data of its own. The dumb and the intelligent terminal use the
processing power and the storage facility of the mainframe computer.
Mainframe computers are used in organizations like banks or companies,
where many people require frequent access to the same data. Some
examples of mainframes are CDC 6600 and IBM ES000 series.
MainFrame Computer
 1.6.4. Supercomputers
• Supercomputers (Figure 1.12) are the fastest and
the most expensive machines. They have high
processing speed compared to other computers.
The speed of a supercomputer is generally
measured in FLOPS (FLoating point Operations
Per Second). Some of the faster supercomputers
can perform trillions of calculations per second.
Supercomputers are built by interconnecting
thousands of processors that can work in parallel.
Figure 1.12. Supercomputer – Cray 2
• Supercomputers are used for highly calculation-intensive
tasks, such as, weather forecasting, climate research (global
warming), molecular research, biological research, nuclear
research and aircraft design. They are also used in major
universities, military agencies and scientific research
laboratories. Some examples of supercomputers are IBM
Roadrunner, IBM Blue gene and Intel ASCI red. PARAM is a
series of supercomputer assembled in India by C-DAC
(Center for Development of Advanced Computing), in Pune.
PARAM Padma is the latest machine in this series. The peak
computing power of PARAM Padma is 1 Tera FLOP (TFLOP).
 Wearable Computer
The latest trend in computing is wearable
computers. Essentially, common computer
applications (e-mail, database, multimedia,
calendar/scheduler) are integrated into watches, cell
phones , visors and even clothing! For more
information see these articles on computer clothing,
smart watches and fabric PCs .