Unit1: Introduction of computer system

 Computer is derived from the latin word “Computare” which means ‘calculate’
 Full form: Common Operated Machine Particularly Used for Technical
Education and Research
 Computer can be defined as an electronic digital and automatic machine which
takes input from the user, processes it, stores it if necessary and gives output in
desired form.
 Computer consists of main processing unit called Central Processing unit
(CPU), input devices, output devices, main memory and auxiliary storage.

Architecture of Computer System

 Input devices: An input device is a hardware or peripheral device used to send

data to a computer. An input device allows users to communicate and feed
instructions and data to computers for processing, display, storage and/or
transmission. Input devices includes mouse, keyboard, joystick etc.

 Output devices: An output device is any device used to send data from a
computer to another device or user. Most computer data output that is meant for
humans is in the form of audio or video. Thus, most output devices used by
humans are in these categories. Examples include monitors, projectors,
speakers, headphones and printers.

 Storage devices: A storage device is any computing hardware that is used for
storing, porting and extracting data files and objects. It can hold and store
information both temporarily and permanently, and can be internal or external
to a computer, server or any similar computing device. There are two different
types of storage devices:

1. Primary storage devices: Generally smaller in size, these are designed to

hold data temporarily and are internal to the computer. They have the fastest
data access speed, and include RAM and cache memory.

2. Secondary storage devices: These usually have large storage capacity, and
they store data permanently. They can be either internal or external to the
 computer, and they include the hard disk, optical disk drive and USB storage
device.
 Processor (CPU): A processor is the logic circuitry that responds to and
processes the basic instructions that drive a computer. The four
primary functions of a processor are fetch, decode, execute and writeback.

Features of computer
 Speed: In 1968, integrated Circuit was developed which contains no. of
electronic components such as transistors and diodes which increased the speed
of calculation.
 Word length: In computer, word refers to the no. of bits that a processor can
process as a single unit. Processors can have 8, 16, 32 or 64 bit word length.
 Accuracy and reliability: Computer can do a lot of work without any mistakes
and tiredness.
 vast storage capacity: Computer can store and retrieve massive amounts of data.
Computer Storages can be divided into primary storage and secondary storage.
 Automatic: Computer is an automatic machine.
 Diligent: The ability of a computer to perform a work repeatedly again and
again without getting tired and bored is called diligence.
 Versatile: a computer can perform more than one work having different
characteristics.
 Electronic: Computers can’t work without electricity. It is composed of
electronic components such as transistor, diode, register etc.
 No IQ: Computer does not work without instruction.
 NO Feelings: Computer does not have emotions, knowledge, experience,
feeling.

History of computer
The computer was born not for entertainment or email but out of a need to solve
a serious number-crunching crisis. One of the earliest machines designed to
assist people in calculations was the abacus which is still being used some 5000
years after its invention.
In 1642 Blaise Pascal (a famous French mathematician) invented an adding
machine based on mechanical gears in which numbers were represented by the
cogs on the wheels.

Englishman, Charles Babbage, invented in the 1830's a "Difference Engine"

made out of brass and pewter rods and gears, and also designed a further device
which he called an "Analytical Engine". His design contained the five key
characteristics of modern computers:

1. An input device
2. Storage for numbers waiting to be processed
3. A processor or number calculator
4. A unit to control the task and the sequence of its calculations
5. An output device
There are five generations of computer

First Generation Computer (1945-1954)

1. Based on vacuum tubes.
2. Bigger in size
3. Consists of thousands of vacuum tubes for building cpu.
4. Overheating problem
5. Processing speed was very slow
6. Due to high cost, not used for commercials use
Examples: Mark I, UNIVAC, EDSAC, EDVAC, ENIAC etc.

Second Generation Computer (1955-1964)

1. Used transistors instead of vacuum tubes.
2. Smaller in size due to use of transistors.
3. Magnetic core memory was used as secondary memory.
4. Cheaper than first generation computers.
5. Manufactured for commercial purpose also.
Examples: IBM 1401, ICL 2950/10.

Third Generation Computer (1965-1979)

1. Large no. Of transistors could be fabricated in a silicon chip called as
integrated circuit (ic).
2. Size reduced so that computers became portable.
3. Operating speed was in few megahertz (around 12mhz).
4. Semiconductor memory was used as primary storage.
5. High level language like c was used.
6. Multiprocessing operating system like Unix, Multics were introduced.
7. Keyboard and video display were introduced as input and output
respectively.
Examples: IBM 360, PDP-8, PDP-11, STAR etc.

Fourth Generation Computer(1980-Present)

1. Computers became portable.
2. Microprocessor was introduced.
3. Processing speed is very high, measured in gigahertz.
4. GUI operating system such as MS-windows, mac OS are used
5. Ai such as voice recognition, character recognition, robotics etc are used.
6. Multimedia, networking, distributed computing are introduced.
Examples: Pentium PC, Core2Duo PC, Core i7 Pc, Apple/Macintosh etc.

Fifth Generation Computer (present and onwards)

The ministry of International Trade and Industry of Japan initiated FGCS (fifth
generation computer system) project in 1982.
1. will have IQ and logical power, decision making capability, expert system
similar to human being.
 2. will use parallel processing so that heavy processing will be possible.
3. Bio chips made up of protein fiber Gallium Arsenide(GaAs) will be used as
memory devices.
4. Natural languages such as English, German, French and Sanskrit etc will be
used as programming language.
Types of computer
A. Analog computer
An analog computer a computing system which represents numerical data using
analog physical variables (speed, length, voltage, current, pressure.

Types of analog computer:

Mechanical
Pneumatic
Hydraulic
Electromechanical Electronic

The representation of mechanical analog computers is, for example, the number
of turns of the gears of the mechanism. In the electric ones, differences in
voltage are used.

They can perform operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication,

division, differentiation, integration and inversion. When working, analog
computers simulate the process of computation, and the characteristics
representing digital data are constantly changing with time.

B. Digital computer: An electronic computer in which the input is discrete rather

than continuous, consisting of combinations of numbers, letters, and other
characters written in an appropriate programming language and represented
internally in binary notation.

Those computers work on a digital signal. These signals are used to represent
data as a sequence of discrete values; at any given time, it can only take on one
of a finite number of values.

Digital computers use the binary number system, which has two digits i.e., 0
and 1. A binary digit is called a bit. Here the information is represented in the
groups of bits.

Difference between Analog and Digital Computer

Analog Computer Digital Computer
The digital computer works on a
The analogue computer works on a discrete signal. This signal has two
continuous signal. states, on or off.
The output is a voltage signal, they are The outputs are in numbers, exact
not exact values and are in graphical values are seen on displays.
 form.
These computers use a network of
resistors and capacitors.
Analogue computers have a limited
ability to act as a digital system.
Analogue computers are slower in
speed.
These computers are mainly used in the
field of science.
The analogue computers measure the
analogue quantities like voltage,
temperature, etc.
Analogue computers are a bit difficult
to use.
The data storing in analogue computers
are quite difficult as they use
continuous signals which are difficult to
store.
Here a large number of logic gates,
microprocessors and on-off switches
are used.
The digital computers can emulate the
behavior of analogue computers.
Digital computers are quite fast.
These computers can be used in all
fields of life.
The digital computers calculate
mathematical operations, complex
calculations, media streaming, etc.
Digital computers are quite easy to
use.
Storing data in digital computers are
quite easy as they just stores either 0 or
1 which can be easily stored.

Classification of digital computer on the basis of size, cost, power

i. Super computer: Supercomputers are one of the fastest computers currently
available. Supercomputers are very expensive and are employed for specialized
applications that require immense amount of mathematical calculations (number
crunching).
For example, weather forecasting, scientific simulations, (animated) graphics,
fluid dynamic calculations, nuclear energy research, electronic design, and
analysis of geological data (e.g. in petrochemical prospecting).

ii. Mainframe computer: Mainframe is very large in size and is an expensive

computer capable of supporting hundreds or even thousands of users
simultaneously. Mainframe executes many programs concurrently and supports
many simultaneous executions of programs.

iii. Minicomputer: It is a midsize multi-processing system capable of supporting

up to 250 users simultaneously. In the past decade, the distinction between
large minicomputers and small mainframes has blurred, however, as has the
distinction between small minicomputers and workstations. But in general, a
minicomputer is a multiprocessing system capable of supporting from up to 200
users simultaneously.
iv. Microcomputer: A microcomputer is a computer with a central processing unit
(CPU) as a microprocessor. Designed for individual use, a microcomputer is
smaller than a mainframe or a minicomputer.

The term microcomputer is not as commonly used as it was during the 1970s-
1980s. We now refer to microcomputers as, simply, computers, or personal
computers (PC).

Classification of micro computer:

1. Workstations
Also known as desktop machines, workstations are mostly used for intensive
graphical applications. Compared with personal computers, they have more
processor speed. They use sophisticated display screens that feature high-
resolution color graphics.

2. Personal Computers
Also called PCs or home computers, the personal computers are very popular
computer systems. They are more affordable and easier to use than
workstations. They are self-sufficient computers intended for one user. Most
often used for database applications and word processing.

3. Laptop Computer
Laptop Computer or notebook computers are portable computers that are mainly
carried in a briefcase. They are wonderfully functional and portable, and
popular with travelers who require a computer every place they visit.

4. Mini PC
Mini PCs are tiny computers that can fit in the palm of your hand. An example
of Mini PC is pen-based computers that use a pen-like stylus. Special hardware
design techniques make them smaller, portable and light weight computers.

C. Hybrid computer
A hybrid computer is a type of computer that offers the functionalities of both a
digital and an analog computer. It is designed to include a working analog unit
that is powerful for calculations, yet has a readily available digital memory. In
large industries and businesses, a hybrid computer can be used to incorporate
logical operations as well as provide efficient processing of differential
equations.

Hybrid computers are well known for their ability to blend analog and digital
features of computers. Advantages include the availability of both analog and
digital computations within a single unit and an efficient processing speed. A
hybrid computer is individually designed and integrated, taking into
consideration the field of its application and processing requirements. A hybrid
computer is constructed in such a way that its components make the device fast
and accurate.
Examples: Gas Pump Station (where measurement of gas by analog system,
and displaying such calculation by digital system (computer).