Computer Basics: Characteristics and Generations

• A computer is an electronic machine that processes raw data to generate meaningful information.
• It accepts information in the form of digitalized data and manipulates it based on a program to produce results.
• Data is the raw material used to generate information.

Characteristics of Computers

• High speed
• High accuracy
• Diligence: Computers are free from tiredness, lack of concentration, and fatigue.
• Versatility: Have the capacity to perform different types of work.
• Power of remembering
• No IQ
• No feeling
• Storage: Computers have in-built memory for storing large amounts of data.

Generations of Computers

First Generation (1942-1959) - Vacuum Based

• First-generation computers used vacuum tubes and magnetic cores.
• Magnetic drums were used for primary storage.
• These computers generated heat and had size problems.
• Based on vacuum technology.
• Only machine language was supported.
• Costly and unreliable.
• Large size and portability issues.
• Heat generation issues.
• Slow input/output devices.

Second Generation (1953-1965) - Transistor Based

• Solid-state components (transistors and diodes) were used.
• Smaller compared to 1st generation with faster processing speeds.
• Increased memory with faster access times.
• Magnetic cores used for primary storage and magnetic tape for secondary storage.
• Improved accuracy
• Data calculated in microseconds.
• Costly but more reliable than 1st generation computers.
• Required air conditioning.
• Maintenance required.
• Heating issue existed.

Third Generation (1965-1970) - Integrated Circuit

• This generation increased input/output, processing, and storage capabilities.
• The time frame was measured in nanoseconds and picoseconds.
• Computer memory became volatile.
• Integrated circuits were used.
• More reliable and smaller in size but costly.
• Increased commercial production.
• Lesser electricity and maintenance.
• Air conditioning was still needed.
• Used for general purposes with high-level languages.
• Mouse and keyboards were used as input devices.

Fourth Generation (1970-1980) - VLSI Microprocessor

• Based on Very Large Scale Integrated circuits (VLSI).
• More powerful, reliable, and affordable than previous generations.
• Lead to the personal computer revolution.
• Examples: CRAY-1, Apple, and IBM
• Cheap, reliable, and portable.
• Virtual memory was introduced.
• Distributed operating system.
• Compact design.
• The concept of the internet was introduced.
• Air conditioning was not needed.
• Middle-level languages like C, C++, and DBase etc. were employed.
• Development in computer networks occurred.

Fifth Generation (1980-onwards) - ULSI Microprocessor

• Upgraded to Ultra Large Scale Integration (ULSI) circuits.
• Microprocessor chip development enabled millions of electronic components.
• Capable of reasoning, learning, and making inferences.
• Based on parallel processing.
• Includes Artificial Intelligence (AI).
• Based on neutral language processing.
• User-friendly interface.
• More compact design.
• Cheaper rates and general availability to the public.
• High-level languages like Java, C++, etc. are used.

Classification of Computers

• Based on Purpose:

  • General Purpose: Ability to store numerous programs, but lack in speed and efficiency.
  • Specific Purpose: Designed to handle a specific problem or perform a specific task.

• Based on Technology:

  • Analog: Work on the principle of measuring, where the obtained measurements are translated into data.
  • Digital: Operate with information numerically or otherwise represented in Digital Form and process data in digital bits.
  • Hybrid: Incorporates features of both analog (measuring) and digital (counting) computers.

• Based on Size & Capacity:

  • Super Computer
  • Mainframe Computer
  • Mini Computer
  • Micro Computer

• Analog Computer Example:

  • Speedometer, Voltage divider

• Digital Computer Example:

  • Calculator, Digital clock, ATM, Mobile/Tablets, PC etc.

• Hybrid Computer Example:

  • ECG (Electro-cardiogram), Petrol pump meters

• Super Computers:

  • Have higher-level computing performance than normal purpose computers
  • IBM's Deep Blue, Fugaku

• Mainframe Computers are large but not as supercomputers and has more processing power than normal ones.

  • High Data processes at real-time.
  • IBM z13 is capable of 2.5 billion transactions per day.

• Micro Computers or PC

  • Desktop Computer
  • Laptop Computer
  • Palmtop Computers
  • Digital diary
  • Notebooks etc

• Mini Computers

  • A Small Computer that is intermediate between micro computer and mainframe computer in Size, Speed and Capacity.
  • IBM's AS/400, TI-300 etc

Applications of Computers

• Significantly enhance performance in Education
  • Students exposed to the internet think the web has helped them improve their academic research
  • Offers variety of interest and video based online courses.
• Medical Sector
  • Widely used to operate medical machinery that conduct crucial medical tests.
  • Including ultrasonography, CT Scans, MRI's, blood tests.
  • Doctors utilise computers to display their reports and describe illnesses.
  • Can now be digital and Software and are now able to detect risk of disease.
• Science
  • Scientists are peoples who use computers as primary work tools.
  • Best suited for collecting, analyzing categorizing and storing the data.
  • Internet based collaborative laboratorys in all over the world can work easily together in distances.
• Business:
  • Indispensable tool
  • Communications Research
  • Data Tracking
  • Support more effectively and efficiently
• Sports:
• Computers play vital role
• They used in storing statistical date, sports media develop, and watching videos.
• Entertainment:
  • Using widely used for watching movies, creating cartoons using.
  • Computer applications for video developing and editing using social media.
• Government:
• Use Computers to plan , control and develop law enforcement.
• Other sectors where computers are being used:
• On fire $ Safety
• defence works

Input Devices

• Devices used to provide data and instructions to the computer.

• Various types of input devices are used depending on the type of data.

• Keyboard:- Most commonly use Device input data and Instructions directly using keys of 84 to 104 keys

• Mouse: Painting device works on clicks and point has two buttons on left and an wheel for screen

• Joystick: Painting device device , that moves cursor position , moved in direction

_ Light pen :- Similar painting decive to Pen, used to draw selected menu using screen monitor

• Touch Screen: Can Sense human figure and device by device

• Scanner: like printer device used to copy information of hards

• Microphone: Then stores a digital sound

• Webcam : small digital camera that transmits live conference

• a other sectors where computer is being used are :-

• Input

• Input

Additional Input Devices

• Touchpad:

  • Commonly found on laptops.
  • Functions as a pointing device.
  • Allows users to control the cursor by sliding their finger across its surface.

• MICR (Magnetic Ink Card Reader):

  • Used in banks to process a large number of checks.
  • Special ink contains magnetic particles that are machine-readable.

• OCR (Optical Character Reader):

  • Used to read printed text.

• BCR (Barcode Reader):

  • Scans barcodes on products and documents.
  • Converts barcode data into digital format for sales transactions.

• QR Code Reader:

  • Common input device found in smartphones and scanners.

• OMR (Optical Mark Reader):

  • Reconize Optical data read pen to the specific point

Output devices

Output devices display produced information, monitors

• Display devices commonly are in monitors, printers and speakers
• Convert Digital data to Audible Visible for use

Monitor

Commonly called visual Display unit output main computer device . It forms from tiny tiny dots

Types of monitors

• LCD : Liquid Crystal Display monitors are in flat screen Displays

• Use liquid crystal to control pixilation

• Providing and energy efficient LCD screen

• LED:- Light Emitting diode monitors Improved version led that led backlights monitors

Projectors

Projectors is a output Devices displays from computer large screen from surface

Use light screens that are ideal classroom computers Meetings and home theaters

Plotters

Plotter is a a device that prints high quality of colours

Works similar printers advanced features Print large maps and prints large features drawing

Printers

output Devices used print information on paper

Types of printers

Impact Printers and Non- impact Printers Impact Printer are the Printers the of character

Non Contact printers do not print characters

• printers- print the characters by striking them on which Is Consumable but very Noisy useful
• Printer - a printer can perform can perform

printer-Printer line Printer chart types of Printer Printer of printers Printer of printers, and chart Drum of printers

Learn about the basics of computers, including their characteristics such as speed, accuracy, and versatility. Also, discover the evolution of computers through different generations, starting with the vacuum-based first generation.