UNIT I

Introduction to Computers

 The word computer comes from the word “compute”, which means, “to calculate”
 Thereby, a computer is an electronic device that can perform arithmetic operations at high speed
 A computer is also called a data processor because it can store, process, and retrieve data whenever
desired.
 Data can be anything like marks obtained by students in various subjects when used for preparing
results. Details of passengers (name, age, phone number etc) when used for making airline or railway
reservations; Data can be numerical, non-numerical or a mixture of both.
 Data can be defined as a collection of facts, figures, which can be processed to produce meaningful
information.
Example: Roll numbers of students, marks obtained in various subjects etc.
 Information is the processed data or meaningful result. It helps in decision making.
Example : Average of the marks scored by students.

Definition:
Computer is defined as “an electronic and programmable device, which accepts data trough input
device and processes it accordingly in CPU and gives the processed information (i.e., Result) through
output device.”

Data Processing ( Why computer is called a data processor ? )

 The activity of processing data using computer is called as a data processor because it can store,
process, and retrieve data whenever desired.
 Data is raw material used as input to the data processing and information is processed data obtained
as output.
 Computers basically perform arithmetic calculations, apart from these computers can merge the
records or sort the records and can arrange the records in proper sequence.

Characteristics of Computers
1) Automatic: An automatic machine works by itself without the human interventions. Computers are
automatic machines because once started on a job, they carry out the job until it is finished.

2) Speed: A computer is a fast electronic device that can solve large and complex problems in
few seconds, usually measured in microseconds (10-6), nanoseconds (10-9), and picoseconds
(10-12).

3) Accuracy: In addition to being very fast computers are very accurate. Accuracy of a computer
is consistently high and the degree of its accuracy depends upon its hardware configuration.
Computer errors caused due to incorrect input data or unreliable programs are often referred
to as Garbage- In-Garbage-Out (GIGO).

GCC BCA I SEM (2020) COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS Prof: Vaibhav Ambekar

4) Diligence: Computers can perform repetitive calculations any number of times with same accuracy.
Computers do not suffer from tiredness, fatigue and lack of concentration. It can continuously work for
hours without creating any error.

5) Versatility: Computer is capable of performing almost any task, if the task can be reduced to a
finite series of logical steps. They can be used for multiple purposes.

6) Power of Remembering: Computer can store and recall any amount of information because of its
secondary storage capability. It forgets or looses certain information only when it is asked to do so.

7) No I.Q.: A computer does only what it is programmed to do. It cannot take its own decision in
this regard. It has to be told what to do? And in what sequence.

8) No Feelings: Computers are devoid of emotions. Their judgment is based on the instructions given to
them in the form of programs that are written by us (human beings).

Evolution of Computers

Abacus:

About 4,000 years ago, the Chinese invented the ABACUS. It is an adding tool that can help to add and
subtract numbers by moving beads back and forth on rods. The abacus was one of the earliest counting
devise invented to help man solve his counting problems.

The Pascaline Calculator

In 1642, Blaise Pascal, a French mathematician, invented the Pascal calculator. This device, also known as
the Pascaline, operated 8 movable dials, which could add numbers up to 8 figures long. It was used to
perform simple arithmetic calculations. This device was limited to addition and subtraction only.

Leibntiz, Calculator
In 1673, Gottfried Leibntiz, a German mathematician and philosopher, enhanced the Pascaline by creating a
device that could also multiply. It can even find the square root of number. The device was called the
Leibnitz Calculator/ machine.

Jacquard’s Automatic Loom

In 1801, Joseph-Marie Jacquard, a Frenchman, invented the Jacquard’s loom. Jacquard’s loom used punch
card to program pattern that were outputted as woven fabrics by the loom.
Difference Engine
In 1822, Charles Babbage, a British mathematician professor, invented the Difference Engine. Powered by
steam and as large as a locomotive, the machine had the capacity to perform calculations and print the
results. Charles Babbage is considered the father of modern digital programmable computers.

Analytical Engine:

In, 1833, several years after Babbage worked on the Difference Engine, he began working on the first
general-purpose digital computer, which he called the Analytical Engine.

GCC BCA I SEM (2020) COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS Prof: Vaibhav Ambekar

 In 1940s, Dr. John Von Neumann introduced the stored program concept that helped
in overcoming hard-wired program problem. The basic idea behind this concept is that a sequence of
instructions and data can be stored in a memory of a computer for automatically directing flow of operations.
Due to this feature, we often refer to modern digital computers as stored program digital computers.

Generations of Computers:

Generations of
Computers

First Second Third Fourth Fifth

Generation Generation Generation Generation Generation

First Generation:

Time Period: (1942 – 1955)

Key hardware technology: Vacuum tubes
Key software technology: Machine and Assembly language, stored program concept.

Characteristics of first generation of computers

1. They were the fastest calculating devices of their time.

2. They were too bulky in size, requiring large rooms for installation.
3. They used thousands of vacuum tubes that emitted large amount of heat. Hence proper air-condition was
required in the rooms.
4. Power consumption of these computers was very high because of large number of .
5. Computers required a constant maintenance.
6. In these computers instructions were written in machine and assembly level language.
7. Commercial production of these computers was difficult and costly.

Example: ENIAC, EDSAC, EDVAC, IBM 701.

Second Generation:

Time Period: (1955 – 1964)

Key hardware technology: Transistors, Magnetic tapes, Disks for secondary storage.
Key software technology: High level programming languages.

GCC BCA I SEM (2020) COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS Prof: Vaibhav Ambekar

 Characteristics of second generation of computers
1. They were more than ten times faster than first generation computers.
2. They were easier to handle than vacuum tubes.
3. They had faster and larger primary and secondary storage.
4. They were easier to program and use than the first-generation computers. Hence, they ‘had wider
commercial use.
5. They used high level programming languages (like FORTRAN,COBOL,ALGOL) and Batch
operating system.
6. They were portable, more reliable than first generation computers.
Example: IBM 1620, UNIVAC 1108

Third Generation:

Time Period: (1964 – 1975)

Key hardware technology: Integrated Circuits (ICs) with SSI and MSI technologies.
Key software technology: Standardization of high level programming languages.

Characteristics of third generation of computers

1. They had faster and larger primary and secondary storage as compared to second-generation
computers and they were more reliable.
2. They were smaller than second generation computers requiring smaller space.
3. They were general-purpose machines suitable for both scientific and commercial applications.
4. Commercial production of these systems was easier and cheaper.
5. Standardization of high-level programming languages allowed programs written for one computer to
be easily ported to and executed on another computer. (ANSI FORTRAN and ANSI COBOL)
6. Timesharing operating system allowed interactive usage and simultaneous use of these systems by
multiple users.
7. Timesharing operating systems were used in on-line applications.
8. Unbundling of software from hardware gave users an opportunity to invest only in software.
9. Minicomputers of third-generation made computers affordable even by smaller companies.
Example: IBM 370, IBM 360

Fourth Generation:

Time Period: (1975– 1989)

Key hardware technology: Integrated Circuits (ICs) with VLSI technology, Microprocessors.
Key software technology: Operating Systems with GUI, C programming ,Object Oriented Programming

Characteristics of fourth generation of computers

1. PCs were smaller and cheaper than mainframes or minicomputers of third generation.
2. They consumed less power than third-generation computers.
3. They were more reliable and less prone to hardware failures requiring negligible maintenance cost.
4. In this semiconductor memories replaced magnetic core memories resulting in faster and larger
RAM.
5. Use of standard high-level programming languages allowed programs written for one computer to be
easily ported to and executed on another computer (C, C++ etc).
6. Graphical user interface (GUI) enabled new users to quickly learn how to use computers.
7. Concept of internet was introduced in this generation.

GCC BCA I SEM (2020) COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS Prof: Vaibhav Ambekar

 8. PC based applications made PCs a powerful tool for both office and home usage.
9. In this time sharing, real time, network, distributed operating system were used.
Example: IBM PC, Apple II, CRAY-X/MP.

Fifth Generation:

Time Period: (1989 - Present)

Key hardware technology: Integrated Circuits (ICs) with ULSI technology, Servers, Supercomputers.
Key software technology: Java, World Wide Web, Internet applications.

Characteristics of fifth generation of computers

1. Fifth generation desktops, PCs and workstations are several times more powerful than PCs of fourth
generation.
2. Portable PCs(called notebook computers) are much smaller and handy than PCs of the fourth
generation allowing users to use computing facility even while travelling
3. No air conditioning is normally required for notebook computers, desktops, PCs and workstations.
4. They are more reliable and consume less power than their predecessors do.
5. Commercial production of these systems is easier and cheaper.
6. More user friendly interfaces with multimedia features make the system easier to learn and use by
anyone, including children.
7. Development in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and natural language processing.
8. Supercomputers were developed in this generation.
9. They are general-purpose machines used in every occupation.
Example: IBM notebooks, Pentium PCs, IBM SP/2, PARAM 10000

Basic Organization of a Computer System (Block diagram of computer)

Inputting: The process of entering data and instructions into the computer system.

Storing: Saving data and instructions to make them readily available for initial or additional processing whenever
required.

Processing: Performing arithmetic operations (add, subtract, multiply, divide, etc.) or logical operations (comparisons
like equal to, less than, greater than, etc.) on data to convert them into useful information

Outputting: The process of producing useful information or results for the user such as a printed report or visual
display.

Controlling: Directing the manner and sequence in which all of the above operations are performed.

GCC BCA I SEM (2020) COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS Prof: Vaibhav Ambekar

 All computer systems perform the following five basic operations for converting raw input data into useful
information and presenting it to a user:

1. INPUT UNIT:

 Data and instructions must enter a computer system before the computer can perform any computation on the
supplied data.
 It accepts (or reads) instructions and data from outside world using input devices(Keyboard,Mouse)
 It converts these instructions and data in computer acceptable form.
 It supplies the converted instructions and data to the computer system for further processing.

2. STORAGE UNIT:
 Data and instructions entered into a computer system through input units have to be stored inside the
computer before actual processing starts.
 Similarly, results produced by a computer after processing have to be kept somewhere inside the
computer system before being passed on to an output unit.
 It provides space for storing data and instructions, intermediate results, and results for output.

Storage unit of all computers is comprised of following two types of storage:

i) Primary storage

 It is used to hold running program instructions.

 It is used to hold data, intermediate results, and results of ongoing processing of job(s).
 It has limited capacity and data is lost when power supply is switched off (Volatile).
 It is divided into two sub categories i.e. RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only
Memory)

GCC BCA I SEM (2020) COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS Prof: Vaibhav Ambekar

ii) Secondary storage
 It is used to hold data and information permanently. They are also known as external memory or
auxiliary memory or non volatile memory.
 They are slower than primary storage but have large capacity
 They retain the data even without power supply.
Example : Hard Disk, CD-ROM, DVD etc.

3. CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT:

 Control unit (CU) and Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) of a computer system are together known as the
Central Processing Unit (CPU).

 The CPU is the brain of a computer system. In a computer system, all major calculations and
comparisons take place inside the CPU and the CPU is responsible for activating and controlling the
operations of other units of the computer system.

4. ARITHMETIC LOGIC UNIT:

 Arithmetic logic unit (ALU) of a computer system is the place where actual execution of instructions
takes place during processing operation. To be more precise, calculations are performed and all
comparisons (decisions) are made in the ALU.
 Almost all ALUs are designed to perform the four basic arithmetic operations (add, subtract, multiply,
and divide) and logic operations or comparisons such as, less than, equal to, and greater than.

5. CONTROL UNIT: Although, it does not perform any actual processing on data, the control
unit acts as a central nervous system for other components of a computer system. It manages and
coordinates the entire computer system.

6. OUTPUT UNIT:

 Process of producing useful information or results for a user, such as printed report or visual display.
 An output unit performs the reverse operation of that of an input unit. It supplies information obtained
from data processing to outside world. Hence it links a computer with its external environment.
 Before supplying the results to outside world, the system converts binary information into human
acceptable (readable) form.

Example: Monitors, Printers.

GCC BCA I SEM (2020) COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS Prof: Vaibhav Ambekar