SLIIT ACADEMY

FCIT– Semester 01

Information Technology

Lecture 01 : Introduction to Computer

Ruchira ManikkaArachchi

SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022

Intended Learning Outcomes
End of this lecture you will be able to learn ,
LO1:Describe the evolution of computer with history content.
LO2:Identify the different criterias to classify computers.

SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022

Computers are EVERY WHERE

People use all types and size of computer for a variety of reasons and in a range of places.
SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022
What is a Computer?
• The term Computer is derived from the Latin term ‘computare’
Meaning is tocalculate or programmable machine
• Also “Computer" was originally given to humans (human computers) who
performed numerical calculations using mechanical calculators.
Example: Abacus ,Slide rule

SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022

 Definition of Computer

• Computer is an electronic device, and it

can perform a sequence of operations.
• With these operations' computer convert
raw data into meaningful information.
• That is the computer is the machine that
accepts data as its input ,process it and
produce the desired output.
SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022
Definition of Computer

SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022

 Memory

Diligence Speed

Characteristics
of Computer
Versatility Automation

Reliability Accuracy
SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022
 o Abacus

o Napier’s Bones

o Slide Rule

o Pascaline

o Stepped Reckoner

o Jacquard Loom
History of Computers
SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022 o Arithmometer
Charles Babbage (1791-1871)
THE FATHER OF COMPUTER
• Charles Babbage who was an English mathematician, was credited for
conceiving the idea of a programmable computer and being the father
of computing.
• Around the time of 1820, he formulated the general idea of the first
Difference Engine.
• In 1835, Babbage developed the design for the Analytical engine, an
constantly tried to improve its design, and never was able to get grant
to build his machine. SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022
Difference Engine
• The Difference Engine, designed in the 1820s by
the English mathematician and inventor Charles
Babbage.
• Difference Engine for producing reliable tables to
support mathematical and statistical data.

SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022

Analytical Engine
• Analytical Engine was Built in 1834.
• Analytical Engine for faster processing of arithmetic operations.
• Capable of performing 60 additions per minute.
• This machine contains five units. They are input,output,store,mill and control.
• Operations:
• store numbers and calculating.
• mill used for punched metal cards for instructions.
SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022
Computer Generations
• First Generation Computers (1945-1956)
• Second Generation Computers (1956-1963)
• Third Generation Computers (1964 – 1971)
• Fourth Generation Computers (1971-1981)

SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022

FIRST-GENERATION COMPUTERS (1945-1956)

Main Features:
• Major Innovation-Vacuum Tubes (Basic Electronic Component/internal
computer component) for the develop circuits.
• Size of 100W light bulb Used magnetic tapes for memory.
• Thousands of such bulbs were used.
• Used the Magnetic drums for data storage
• Very Expensive
Example: for the operation andSLIITelectricity
Academy Pvt Ltd. ©cost
2022
FIRST-GENERATION COMPUTERS (1945-1956) Contd….

• Computers extremely large in size and less reliable.

• Have any other problems.
• Generate a large amount of heat
• Causing many problems in temperature regulation and climate control.
• Some of the first-generation computers are
Example: ENIAC, EDVAC, UNIVAC

SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022

ENIAC
(Electronic Numerical Integrator And Calculator)
• Built in 1946 and Used in world war II for military purpose.
• Used 18,000 vacuum tubes, about 1,800 square feet of
floor space, and consumed about 180,000 watts of
electrical power.
• By using lot of amount electrical power ENIAC generate
heat and proper cooling system was required.
• The processing time for single calculating of operational
seating by human was 40 hours and ENIAC is 2 minutes.
SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022
UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computer)
UNIVAC was the first general purpose
electronic digital computer designed
for commercial use, produced
by Universal Accounting Company of
John Mauchly and J.P.Eckert in 1951.

SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022

Advantages & Disadvantages
• Electronic digital computers were developed for the first time.
• These computers were the fastest calculating devices of their time. Computations were
performed in millisecond.
Advantages
• These computers were able to execute complex mathematical problems in an efficient
manner.

• Too large in size and unreliable.

• Vacuum tubes burn frequently
• Induce a large amount of heat due to the vacuum tubes.
Disadvantages
• Not portable.
• Limited commercial use.
• Maintenance
SLIIT problems
Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022
First Generation Computers Examples

SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022

SECOND-GENERATION COMPUTER(1956-1963)

Main Features:
• Major Innnovation:Transistors.
• The transistor was far superior to the vacuum tube. Because,
• Computers Transistors are more compact than vacuum tubes as they are made up of
semiconductors.
• They are also more durable than vacuum tubes.
• Data storage used the magnetic core technology.
SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022
SECOND-GENERATION COMPUTER(1956-1963)
• To become smaller, faster, cheaper, more energy-efficient and more
reliable as compared to the first-generation computers.
•One Transistor can replace 50 vacuum tubes.
•The computational time of computers was reduced to microseconds to millisecond's
• Used mostly for scientific purpose.
• The examples of second-generation computers are:
Example:IBM 7094 series, IBM1400 series and CDC 164

SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022

Second Generation Computers Examples

IMB 1620 IMB 1401

SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022

Advantages & Disadvantages

• Smaller ,high portability, reliability as compared to first-generation computers.

• generated less heat.
• Increase the processing efficiency.
Advantages
• less prone to failure.
• Used less energy
• Wider commercial use

• They required Air Conditioning.

Disadvantages • Frequent maintenance was required.
• They were difficult and quite expensive
SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022
 THIRD GENERATION COMPUTERS (1964 – 1971)

Main Features:
• Major Innnovation:Integrated Circuits (ICs)
• These ICs were called chips.
• These ICs are more compact than a transistor.
• Single ICs has many transistors(Millions), registers and capacitors, placed on a single
thin of silicon.
• The size of the computer got further reduced.
SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022
THIRD GENERATION COMPUTERS (1964 – 1971)

• The computers of this generations were low cost, large memory and
processing speed was very high.
Reduced Processing time from microseconds to nanoseconds
• Large IC companies were started.
Example: INTEL started in 1968, AMD started in 1969
• Examples
IBM System/360, IBM System/370
SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022
Third Generation Computers

IBM System/360 IBM System/370

SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022

Advantages & Disadvantages
• Smaller in size, reliable, portable as compared to second
generation.
• Less power consumption. : Maintenance cost is low
Advantages
• Heat generation was rare.
• Processing speed is high compared to the other generations.
• Can be apply for commercial productions : Easy and Cheaper

Disadvantages • Air conditioning was required in many cases due to ICs.

• To manufacture the IC
SLIIT Academy Pvt chips required high level of technology.
Ltd. © 2022
FOURTH GENERATION COMPUTERS (1971-1981)

Main Features:
• Major Innovation: Microprocessor
Microprocessor is a very large scaled integrated circuit (VLSI) Chip Very advanced circuit and
contains millions of transistors within the single package.
• Fourth-generation computers used very large integration (VLSI) technology
and Microprocessor.
• Invention of Microprocessor leads to higher processing speed and reduced
the size of computer: Computational time in picoseconds
SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022
FOURTH GENERATION COMPUTERS (1971-1981)

• Microprocessor paved path for personal computers.

• Forth generation computers very small, easily portable, highly reliable.
Examples : IBM System 3090,IBM RISC 6000,IBM RT

SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022

Advantages & Disadvantages
• Smaller in size and much reliable.
• No cooling system required in many cases.
• Generate lesser amount of heat
• Much faster computation. : processing speed is very high(1 billion instruction per
second)
Advantages
• Portable and cheap.
• Highly Reliable.
• Cost of maintenance is very less
• Totally general-purpose computer.

• Very advanced technology was required to manufacturing the microprocessors.

Disadvantages • Required highly skilled people for manufacturing the computers.
SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022
SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022
Classification Of Computers
• Computers can be classified in many ways by depending on different
features.
• They can be classified by the usage and capacity or size.
• Classification by Capacity
• Classification By purpose

SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022

Classification By Capacity

Depending upon the size, the Computer has been separated into 4 sections.
• Micro Computer
• Minicomputer
• Mainframe Computer
• Supercomputer

SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022

Micro Computers

• Microcomputer, also known as a personal computer.

• A personal computer designed to meet the computer needs of an
individual.
People who have the basic knowledge of computers can use micro computers.
• Provides access to a wide variety of computing applications, such as word
processing, photo editing-mail and internet.

SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022

Micro Computers
• Also used for entertainment purposes.
Example: playing games, listening songs, watching movies
• Has several advantages.
Example : Small size, low cost, probability
• As well as the disadvantages.
Example: speed of the processing is low compared to other types of computers

SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022

Types of Micro Computers
Four Types of Micro computers
• Desktop Computer Notebook

• Notebook or laptop
• Tablet PC
Handheld Devices
• Handheld Devices
Tablet PC

Desktop Computer
SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022
Minicomputers
• These Computers are smaller in size but larger as compared to Micro
Computers
• Less Expensive
• Used by small to medium business and firms.
• Not designed for a single user or individual department .It used in large
companies for a specific purposes.
Example: Production Department can use Minicomputers to monitor the certain production
process. SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022
Mainframe Computers
• Mainframe computers are much smaller in size than Supercomputers. What's
more, their capacity limit is additionally very high.
• These computers can process information at very high speeds. Because of these
computers being very quick, many clients can work in them all the while.
• Mainframe computers are used in those organizations where a large number of
people periodically approach to the same data like banks-ATM transactions,
ticket reservation, insurance companies, flight scheduling, etc.

SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022

Super Computers
• The most powerful computers in terms performance and data processing are
the super computers.
• Supercomputers are one of the fastest and expensive computers currently
available.
Capable of performing over 600 Billion operations per second
• Supercomputers are very expensive and are employed for specialized
applications that require immense number of mathematical calculations
(number crunching).
SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022
Super Computers
• Super Computers are enabling the Multi-processing.
Multiprocessing enable the computer to perform the tasks simultaneously by assigning
different task to each processing unit.

SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022

Usage of Super Computers
• Weather forecasting
• Scientific simulations
• Animated graphics
• Fluid dynamic calculations
• Nuclear energy research
• Electronic design
• Analysis of geological data (example in petrochemical
prospecting)
SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022
Classification By Purpose

Depending upon the purpose, the Computer has been categorized into 2
sections.
• General Purpose Computer
• Special Purpose Computer

SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022

Special Purpose Computers
Special Purpose Computers is a computer that is designed to operate on a
restricted class of problems. It is dedicated to only one function.
Example: ATM Machine, Washing Machine,Cash Registers

SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022

General Purpose Computers

General Purpose Computers is a computer that can be programmed to do

many different kinds of tasks, rather than one that is limited by design to a
specific task. Most computers are general purpose and have software
installed for many different uses.
Example: Desktop Computers, Laptop Computers

SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022

• What is a computer
• Computer History
• What is Difference Engine?
• What is Analytical Engine?
• Four computer generations
• Classification of computers

SLIIT Academy Pvt Ltd. © 2022