Course:
Introduction to Computer - 1
Course outline:
1. Introduction to Computer;
Computer and its functions
History of computer
Characteristics of computer
Classification of computers
Applications of computer
2. Key components of computer
3. Basic concepts of various computing such as input, process and output
4. Kinds of storage media, recording formats and methods commonly associated with a
computer
5. Precautions for user and computer conditions
6. Microsoft Word;
Preparation of document
Editing
Formatting
Use of various tools and tables
7. Microsoft Excel;
Preparation of spreadsheet for calculations
Use of various tools
Handling operators and formulas
Definition of Computer
This is an electronic device which accepts data, processes the data, stores and produces a
result as information under the directives of a stored program or set of instructions. This is
based on the revolution of computers from the beginning technology.
Functionalities of computer
Any digital computer carries out five functions in gross terms:
Takes data as input.
Processes the data and converts it into useful information.
Stores the data or instructions in its memory and use them when required.
Generates the output
Controls all the above four steps.
Illustration of how computer works
Input data Process Output data
data
Store data
History of Computers: From the Beginning to Present Day
The history of computers is a journey of innovation, starting with simple mechanical devices
and evolving into powerful, interconnected digital systems. Below is a structured timeline of
key developments:
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1️⃣ Mechanical Era (Before 1900s):
• Abacus (3000 BC): The first known tool for calculations—used beads and rods.
• Napier's Bones (1617): Invented by John Napier for multiplication and division.
• Pascaline (1642): The first mechanical calculator, created by Blaise Pascal.
• Leibniz Wheel (1673): Gottfried Leibniz designed this for addition, subtraction,
multiplication, and division.
• Jacquard Loom (1804): Joseph Jacquard developed a loom that used punch cards to
control weaving patterns, marking the first use of automated input.
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2️⃣ Early Computing Devices (1800s - 1940s):
• Difference Engine (1822): Charles Babbage designed this mechanical computer to
compute polynomial functions.
• Analytical Engine (1837): Babbage's follow-up design, which included concepts of
memory, processing, and loops—a blueprint for modern computers.
• Ada Lovelace (1843): The first computer programmer; wrote algorithms for the
Analytical Engine.
• Tabulating Machine (1890): Herman Hollerith invented a machine using punch cards
to process census data—led to the creation of IBM.
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3️⃣ Electromechanical Computers (1930s - 1940s):
• Z3 (1941): Created by Konrad Zuse, the Z3 was the first programmable
electromechanical computer.
• Harvard Mark I (1944): Developed by IBM and Harvard, it was 50 feet long and
weighed 5 tons.
• Colossus (1944): The first programmable digital computer, built in the UK for code-
breaking during WWII.
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Generation of computers
Generation in computer terminology is a change in technology a computer is/was being
used. Initially, the term generation was used to distinguish between varying hardware
technologies. But nowadays, generation includes both hardware and software, which
together make up an entire computer system.
There are totally five computer generations known till date. Each generation will be
discussed in details along with their time period and characteristics. Here are approximate
dates against each generation that had been mentioned which is normally accepted.
The following are the five main generations of computers
First generation
The period of first generation was 1946-1959. The computers of first generation used
vacuum tubes as the basic components for memory and circuitry for CPU (Central Processing
Unit). These tubes, like electric bulbs, produced a lot of heat and were prone to frequent
fusing of the installations, therefore, were very expensive and could be afforded only by very
large organizations. In this generation mainly batch processing operating systems were
used. Punched cards, paper tape, and magnetic tape were used as input and output devices.
The computers in this generation used machine code as programming language.
The main features of first generation are:
Vacuum tube technology
Unreliable
Supported machine language only
Very costly
Generated lot of heat
Slow input and output devices
Huge size
Need of A.C.
Non-portable
Consumed lot of electricity
Some computers of this generation were:
ENIAC; Electronic numerical integrator and computer. This was invented by John
Mauchly and J.Presper Eckert in 1946. It was 1000 times faster than the Mark1
calculator. It could add two large numbers in 200 microseconds
EDVAC; Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer developed by Neumann,
Presper Eckert and John Mauchly
UNIVAC1; Universal Automatic Computer1, Designed by J.Presper and John
Mauchly in 1951. First commercially available computer. First computer to handle
both numeric and text data. First computer to use buffer memory and magnetic tape
unit
IBM-701: International Business machine, for business and organization calculations
Second Generation
The period of second generation was 1959-1965. In this generation transistors were used
that were cheaper, consumed less power, more compact in size, more reliable and faster
than the first generation machines made of vacuum tubes. In this generation, magnetic
cores were used as primary memory and magnetic tape and magnetic disks as secondary
storage devices. In this generation assembly language and high-level programming
languages like FORTRAN, COBOL were used. The computers used batch processing and
multiprogramming operating system.
The main features of second generation are:
Use of transistors
Reliable in comparison to first generation computers
Smaller size as compared to first generation computers
Generated less heat as compared to first generation computers
Consumed less electricity as compared to first generation computers
Faster than first generation computers
Still very costly
Some computers of this generation were
IBM 1620
IBM 7094
CDC 1604
CDC 3600
UNIVAC 1108
Third Generation
The period of third generation was 1965-1971. The computers of third generation used
integrated circuits (IC's) in place of transistors. A single IC has many transistors, resistors
and capacitors along with the associated circuitry. The IC was invented by Jack Kilby. This
development made computers smaller in size, reliable and efficient. In this generation
remote processing, time-sharing, multi-programming operating system were used. High-
level languages (FORTRAN-II TO IV, COBOL, PASCAL PL/1, BASIC, ALGOL-68 etc.) were used
during this generation.
The main features of third generation are
IC used
More reliable in comparison to previous two generations
Smaller size
Generated less heat
Faster
Lesser maintenance
Still costly
A.C needed
Consumed lesser electricity
Supported high-level language
Some computers of this generation were:
IBM-360 series
Honeywell-6000 series
PDP(Personal Data Processor)
IBM-370/168
TDC-316
Fourth generation
The period of fourth generation was 1971-1980. The computers of fourth generation used
Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits. VLSI circuits having about 5000 transistors and
other circuit elements and their associated circuits on a single chip made it possible to have
microcomputers of fourth generation. Fourth generation computers became more powerful,
compact, reliable, and affordable. As a result, it gave rise to personal computer (PC)
revolution. In this generation time sharing, real time, networks, distributed operating system
were used. All the high-level languages like C, C++, and DBASE etc. were used in this
generation.
Main features of fourth generation are:
VLSI technology used
Very cheap
Portable and reliable
Use of PC's
Very small size
Pipeline processing
No A.C. needed
Concept of internet was introduced
Great developments in the fields of networks
Computers became easily available
Some computers of this generation were:
DEC 10
STAR 1000
PDP 11
CRAY-1(Super Computer)
CRAY-X-MP (Super Computer)
Fifth generation
The period of fifth generation is 1980-till date. In the fifth generation, the VLSI technology
became ULSI (Ultra Large-Scale Integration) technology, resulting in the production of
microprocessor chips having ten million electronic components. This generation is based on
parallel processing hardware and AI (Artificial Intelligence) software. AI is an emerging
branch in computer science, which interprets means and method of making computers think
like human beings. All the high-level languages like C and C++, Java, .Net etc. are used in
this generation.
Examples of AI
Robotics
Neural networks
Game Playing
Development of expert systems to make decisions in real life situations.
Natural language understanding and generation.
The main features of fifth generation are
ULSI technology
Development of true artificial intelligence
Development of Natural language processing
Advancement in Parallel Processing
Advancement in Superconductor technology
More user-friendly interfaces with multimedia features
Availability of very powerful and compact computers at cheaper rates
Some computer types of this generation are:
Desktop
Laptop
NoteBook
UltraBook
ChromeBook
A table showing summary of generations
Generation Circuitry Data Data External Language Example
input output storage
First Vacuum Punched Printouts Magnetic Machine ENIAC
tubes cards tapes
1946-1956 Assembly EDVAC
Paper
tape UNIVAC
Second Transisto Punched Printouts Magnetic FORTRAN IBM 1620
rs cards tapes
1956-1965 COBOL IBM 7094
Paper
tape BASIC CDC 1604
Third IC Keyboard Monitor Magnetic Pascal IBM-360 series
s disks
1965-1971 FORTRAN PDP(Personal
Data Processor)
COBOL
Fourth Micro Keyboard Monitor Magnetic C++ DEC 10
disks with
1971-1980 Processo Mouse Printer STAR 1000
r High
Scanner Speaker capacity PDP 11
Etc.
