Generations of Computer 2017

Notes Prepared by,A.Bathsheba Parimala,

Asssistant Professor,Department of BCA,
St.Johns College, Palayamkottai
Generations of Computer

Introduction:

A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information or data. It has the

ability to store, retrieve, and process data.

Nowadays, a computer can be used to type documents, send email, play games, and
browse the Web. It can also be used to edit or create spreadsheets, presentations, and even
videos. But the evolution of this complex system started around 1940 with the first
Generation of Computer and evolving ever since.

There are five generations of computers.

FIRST GENERATION

Introduction:

 1946-1959 is the period of first generation computer.

 J.P.Eckert and J.W.Mauchy invented the first successful electronic computer
called ENIAC, ENIAC stands for “Electronic Numeric Integrated And
Calculator”.

Few Examples are:

 ENIAC
 EDVAC
 UNIVAC
 IBM-701
 IBM-650

Advantages:

 It made use of vacuum tubes which are the only electronic component available
during those days.
 These computers could calculate in milliseconds.
 Disadvantages:
 These were very big in size, weight was about 30 tones.
 These computers were based on vacuum tubes.
 These computers were very costly.
 Generations of Computer 2017
Notes Prepared by,A.Bathsheba Parimala,
Asssistant Professor,Department of BCA,
St.Johns College, Palayamkottai
 It could store only a small amount of information due to the presence of magnetic
drums.

As the invention of first generation computers involves vacuum tubes, so another

disadvantage of these computers was, vacuum tubes require a large cooling system.

 Very less work efficiency.

 Limited programming capabilities and punch cards were used to take inputs.
 Large amount of energy consumption.
 Not reliable and constant maintenance is required.

SECOND GENERATION

Introduction:

 1959-1965 is the period of second-generation computer.

 Second generation computers were based on Transistor instead of vacuum tubes.

Few Examples are:

 Honeywell 400
 IBM 7094
 CDC 1604
 CDC 3600
 UNIVAC 1108

Advantages:

 Due to the presence of transistors instead of vacuum tubes, the size of electron
component decreased. This resulted in reducing the size of a computer as compared to
first generation computers.
 Less energy and not produce as much heat as the first genration.
 Assembly language and punch cards were used for input.
 Low cost than first generation computers.
 Better speed, calculate data in microseconds.
 Better portability as compared to first generation

Disadvantages:

 A cooling system was required.

 Constant maintenance was required.
 Only used for specific purposes.
 Generations of Computer 2017
Notes Prepared by,A.Bathsheba Parimala,
Asssistant Professor,Department of BCA,
St.Johns College, Palayamkottai

THIRD GENERATION

Introduction:

 1965-1971 is the period of third generation computer.

 These computers were based on Integrated circuits.
 IC was invented by Robert Noyce and Jack Kilby In 1958-1959.
 IC was a single component containing number of transistors.

Few Examples are:

 PDP-8
 PDP-11
 ICL 2900
 IBM 360
 IBM 370

Advantages:

 These computers were cheaper as compared to second-generation computers.

 They were fast and reliable.
 Use of IC in the computer provides the small size of the computer.
 IC not only reduce the size of the computer but it also improves the performance of
the computer as compared to previous computers.
 This generation of computers has big storage capacity.
 Instead of punch cards, mouse and keyboard are used for input.
 They used an operating system for better resource management and used the concept
of time-sharing and multiple programming.
 These computers reduce the computational time from microseconds to nanoseconds.

Disadvantages:

 IC chips are difficult to maintain.

 The highly sophisticated technology required for the manufacturing of IC chips.
 Air conditioning is required.
 Generations of Computer 2017
Notes Prepared by,A.Bathsheba Parimala,
Asssistant Professor,Department of BCA,
St.Johns College, Palayamkottai

FOURTH GENERATION

Introduction:

 1971-1980 is the period of fourth generation computer.

 This technology is based on Microprocessor.
 A microprocessor is used in a computer for any logical and arithmetic function to be
performed in any program.
 Graphics User Interface (GUI) technology was exploited to offer more comfort to
users.

Few Examples are:

 IBM 4341
 DEC 10
 STAR 1000
 PUP 11

Advantages:

 Fastest in computation and size get reduced as compared to the previous generation of
computer.
 Heat generated is negligible.
 Small in size as compared to previous generation computers.
 Less maintenance is required.
 All types of high-level language can be used in this type of computers.

Disadvantages:

 The Microprocessor design and fabrication are very complex.

 Air conditioning is required in many cases due to the presence of ICs.
 Advance technology is required to make the ICs.

FIFTH GENERATION

Introduction:

 The period of the fifth generation in 1980-onwards.

 This generation is based on artificial intelligence.
 The aim of the fifth generation is to make a device which could respond to natural
language input and are capable of learning and self-organization.
 This generation is based on ULSI(Ultra Large Scale Integration) technology resulting
in the production of microprocessor chips having ten million electronic component.
 Generations of Computer 2017
Notes Prepared by,A.Bathsheba Parimala,
Asssistant Professor,Department of BCA,
St.Johns College, Palayamkottai

Few Examples are:

 Desktop
 Laptop
 NoteBook
 UltraBook
 Chromebook

Advantages:

 It is more reliable and works faster.

 It is available in different sizes and unique features.
 It provides computers with more user-friendly interfaces with multimedia features.

Disadvantages:

 They need very low-level languages.

 They may make the human brains dull and doomed.

S.No Generation & Description

First Generation
1
The period of first generation: 1946-1959. Vacuum tube based.

Second Generation
2
The period of second generation: 1959-1965. Transistor based.

Third Generation
3
The period of third generation: 1965-1971. Integrated Circuit based.

Fourth Generation
4
The period of fourth generation: 1971-1980. VLSI microprocessor based.

Fifth Generation
5
The period of fifth generation: 1980-onwards. ULSI microprocessor based.
 Generations of Computer 2017
Notes Prepared by,A.Bathsheba Parimala,
Asssistant Professor,Department of BCA,
St.Johns College, Palayamkottai

Basic Organization of a Computer:

The main component of basic organization of a computer system is micro-

processor(C.P.U), memory unit(MU), and input-output devices.

Explanation: CPU : CPU is a brain of computer. It controls the computer system

Input Unit:

o It accepts (or reads) instructions and data from outside.

o It converts these instructions and data in computer acceptable form
o It supplies the converted instructions and data to the computer system for
further processing.

Central Processing Unit (CPU):

Control Unit:
 Generations of Computer 2017
Notes Prepared by,A.Bathsheba Parimala,
Asssistant Professor,Department of BCA,
St.Johns College, Palayamkottai
Control unit of a computer system manages and coordinates the operations of
all other components of the computer system.

Arithmetic Logic Unit(ALU):

Arithmetic logic unit of a computer system is the place, where the actual executions
of instruction, takes place during processing operation.

Storage Unit:

Primary Memory:

It is volatile ( loses data on power dissipation). It is used to hold running program

instruction, data, intermediate results, and results of on-going processing of jobs.

Secondary Memory:

It is non-volatile (retains data even without power).It is used to hold stored program
instructions and a large volume of information.

Output Unit:

o It accepts the results produced by the CPU.

o It converts these coded results to human acceptable form.
o It supplies the converted results to outside world.

Number System.

The technique to represent and work with numbers is called number system. Decimal
number system is the most common number system. Other popular number systems include
binary number system, octal number system, hexadecimal number system, etc.

A computer can understand the positional number system where there are only a few symbols
called digits and these symbols represent different values depending on the position they
occupy in the number.
 Generations of Computer 2017
Notes Prepared by,A.Bathsheba Parimala,
Asssistant Professor,Department of BCA,
St.Johns College, Palayamkottai
 The value of each digit in a number can be determined using −
 The digit
 The position of the digit in the number
 The base of the number system

Decimal Number System

The number system that we use in our day-to-day life is the decimal number system.
Decimal number system has base 10 as it uses 10 digits from 0 to 9. In decimal number
system, the successive positions to the left of the decimal point represent units, tens,
hundreds, thousands, and so on.
Each position represents a specific power of the base (10). For example, the decimal number
1234 consists of the digit 4 in the units position, 3 in the tens position, 2 in the hundreds
position, and 1 in the thousands position. Its value can be written as

(1 x 1000)+ (2 x 100)+ (3 x 10)+ (4 x l)

1 x 103)+ (2 x 102)+ (3 x 101)+ (4 x l00)
1000 + 200 + 30 + 4
1234
As a computer programmer or an IT professional, you should understand the following
number systems which are frequently used in computers.

S.No. Number System and Description

1 Binary Number System

Base 2. Digits used : 0, 1

Octal Number System

2
Base 8. Digits used : 0 to 7

Hexa Decimal Number System

3
Base 16. Digits used: 0 to 9, Letters used : A- F

Binary Number System

Characteristics of the binary number system are as follows −
 Uses two digits, 0 and 1
 Also called as base 2 number system
 Each position in a binary number represents a 0 power of the base (2). Example 20
 Generations of Computer 2017
Notes Prepared by,A.Bathsheba Parimala,
Asssistant Professor,Department of BCA,
St.Johns College, Palayamkottai
 Last position in a binary number represents a x power of the base (2). Example
2x where x represents the last position - 1.

Example

Binary Number: 101012

Calculating Decimal Equivalent −

Step Binary Number Decimal Number

Step 1 101012 ((1 x 24) + (0 x 23) + (1 x 22) + (0 x 21) + (1 x 20))10

Step 2 101012 (16 + 0 + 4 + 0 + 1)10

Step 3 101012 2110

Note − 101012 is normally written as 10101.

Octal Number System

Characteristics of the octal number system are as follows −
 Uses eight digits, 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7
 Also called as base 8 number system
 Each position in an octal number represents a 0 power of the base (8). Example 80
 Last position in an octal number represents a x power of the base (8). Example
8x where x represents the last position - 1

Example

Octal Number: 125708

Calculating Decimal Equivalent −

Step Octal Number Decimal Number

Step 1 125708 ((1 x 84) + (2 x 83) + (5 x 82) + (7 x 81) + (0 x 80))10

Step 2 125708 (4096 + 1024 + 320 + 56 + 0)10

 Generations of Computer 2017
Notes Prepared by,A.Bathsheba Parimala,
Asssistant Professor,Department of BCA,
St.Johns College, Palayamkottai
Step 3 125708 549610

Note − 125708 is normally written as 12570.

Hexadecimal Number System

Characteristics of hexadecimal number system are as follows −
 Uses 10 digits and 6 letters, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E, F
 Letters represent the numbers starting from 10. A = 10. B = 11, C = 12, D = 13, E =
14, F = 15
 Also called as base 16 number system
 Each position in a hexadecimal number represents a 0 power of the base (16).
Example, 160
 Last position in a hexadecimal number represents a x power of the base (16).
Example 16x where x represents the last position - 1

Example

Hexadecimal Number: 19FDE16

Calculating Decimal Equivalent −

Step Binary Decimal Number

Number

Step 1 19FDE16 ((1 x 164) + (9 x 163) + (F x 162) + (D x 161) + (E x 160))10

Step 2 19FDE16 ((1 x 164) + (9 x 163) + (15 x 162) + (13 x 161) + (14 x 160))10

Step 3 19FDE16 (65536+ 36864 + 3840 + 208 + 14)10

Step 4 19FDE16 10646210

Binary Number System

The binary number system, also called the base-2 number system, is a method of

representing numbers that counts by using combinations of only two numerals: zero (0) and
one (1). Computers use the binary number system to manipulate and store all of their data
including numbers, words, videos, graphics, and music.
 Generations of Computer 2017
Notes Prepared by,A.Bathsheba Parimala,
Asssistant Professor,Department of BCA,
St.Johns College, Palayamkottai

Here are some examples of converting binary directly into decimal. We simply add
up the place values of each 1 digit in the binary number.
 1001012 = 3710:

Exponents 25 24 23 22 21 20

Place Values 32 16 8 4 2 1

Bits 1 0 0 1 0 1
Value 32         + 4     + 1 = 37
 100011102 = 14210:

Exponents 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20

Place Values 128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1

Bits 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0
Value 128             + 8 + 4 + 2     = 142
 1111010002 = 48810:
 Generations of Computer 2017
Notes Prepared by,A.Bathsheba Parimala,
Asssistant Professor,Department of BCA,
St.Johns College, Palayamkottai
Exponents 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20

Place Values 256 128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1

Bits 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
Value 256 + 128 + 64 + 32     + 8             = 488
 101101012 = 18110:

Exponents 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20

Place Values 128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1

Bits 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 1
Value 128     + 32 + 16     + 4     + 1 = 181

PLANNING THE COMPUTER PROGRAM

 
The Programming Process - Purpose

Understand the problem

Read the problem statement  
Question users  
Inputs required  
Outputs required  
Special formulas  
Talk to users  
 
Plan the logic
Visual Design Tools
Input record chart
Printer spacing chart
Hierarchy Chart
Flowchart
Verbal Design Tools
Narrative Description
Pseudocode
 
Code the program
Select an appropriate programming language  
Convert flowchart and/or Pseudocode instructions into programming language statements  
 
Test the program
Syntax errors  
Runtime errors  
Logic errors  
Test Data Set  
 
Implement the program
 Generations of Computer 2017
Notes Prepared by,A.Bathsheba Parimala,
Asssistant Professor,Department of BCA,
St.Johns College, Palayamkottai
Buy hardware  
Publish software  
Train users  
Implementation Styles  
Crash
Pilot
Phased
Dual

Maintain the program

Maintenance programmers  
Legacy systems  
Up to 85% of IT department budget 

Problem solving with computers involves several steps:

1. Clearly define the problem.

2. Analyze the problem and formulate a method to solve it (see also “validation”).

3. Describe the solution in the form of an algorithm.

4. Draw a flowchart of the algorithm.

5. Write the computer program.

6. Compile and run the program (debugging).

7. Test the program (debugging) (see also “verification”).

8. Interpretation of results.

Verification and Validation

    If the program has an important application, for example to calculate student grades or guide a rocket,
then it is important to test the program to make sure it does what the programmer intends it to do and
that it is actually a valid solution to the problem. The tests are commonly divided as follows:
Verification

verify that program does what you intended it to do; steps 7(8) above attempt
Verification to do this.
Validation does the program actual solve the original problem i.e. is it valid? This goes
back to steps 1 and 2 - if you get these steps wrong then your program is not a
valid solution.