A.

HISTORY OF COMPUTER

What is a computer?

The term computer is derived from the word “compute” which means to calculate. It is a machine that
accepts data, stores, and process data into information. It is able to work because there are instructions in its
memory directing it.

 The instructions that direct the computer are called “software” (This refers to the application that are
installed in computers) or computer program.
 Data which is raw facts that you, the user, enter into the computer is called “input” (words, numbers,
sounds, videos and pictures).
 When the data is entered into the computer, the computer processes the data to procedure information
which is “output” (These are the result of the process. For example, you enter 2+2 into the computer as
data, the computer processes it and the result is 4 which is the output). 

Computers have evolved in the past years. Per generation, computer was made to make people’s lives easier
in accomplishing tasks. Generation refers to the state of improvement in the development of the product. This
term is also used in different advancements of computer technology.

The generation of computer are broadly classified into:

1. Non-electronic Generation - this generation are also called as Zero Generation of computers. These
are made up of wooden or mechanical components. (Examples: Abacus, Napier’s Bone, etc.)
2. Electronic Generation - computers are built with electronic generation of computers. They are divided
into five (5) generations.

FIRST GENERATION OF COMPUTERS (1937 – 1946)

This generation of computers were built with vacuum tubes. First generation computers relied on
machine language understood by computers to perform operations and they could only solve one
problem at a time.

 ATANASOFF-BERRY COMPUTER (ABC) – it is the first electronic digital computer built by Dr.
John V. Atanasoff and Clifford Berry.

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 ELECTRONIC NUMERICAL INTEGRATOR AND COMPUTER (ENIAC) – this generation of
computer was built by J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly. It needs thousand Vacuum Tubes for
processing. This is the first general-purpose digital computer; Computers of this generation could
only perform a single task. They had no operating system.

 COLUSSUS COMPUTER 1943 – it was built by German High Command to break “code messages”
of Military during World War II.

SECOND GENERATION OF COMPUTERS (1947 - 1963)

This generation of computers were built with transistors. Transistor was far superior to the vacuum
tube, allowing computers to become smaller, faster, cheaper, and more reliable.
Second-generation computers moved from machine language to assemble languages which allowed
programmers to specify instructions in words. High-level programming languages were also being
developed at this time.

 UNIVERSAL AUTOMATIC COMPUTER 1 (UNIVAC 1) – it was built by J. Presper Eckert and
John Mauchly; First computer for commercial use in 1951; Handled both numbers and alphabet.

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  INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE (IBM) – it is the best-known computer in the world
before. It is used for financial application; Units are separated; Computers had memory, operating
system, and as well as printers. They can do task one at a time.

THIRD GENERATION OF COMPUTERS (1964 - 1970)

This generation of computers were built with Integrated Circuits (IC's). The development of the
integrated circuit was hallmark of the third generation.
User interacted with this generation through keyboards and monitors and interfaced with an
operating system. For the first time computer became accessible to normal users because they were
smaller and cheaper.

3G – it was initiated by Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce.

FOURTH GENERATION OF COMPUTERS (1971 - Present)

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 more powerful, they could link together to form networks which eventually led to the development
of the Internet.

 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE Personal

Computer (IBM PC) – it is designed as an operating system
for Personal family computer; First personal
computer; Computers in this generation were smaller, more
reliable, and can do many different tasks at the same time.

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 FIFTH GENERATION OF COMPUTERS (future)

The development of super computer was the key motivation of the fifth-generation computers. The
goal of this generation is to develop devices that respond natural language input and are capable of
learning and self-organization.

B. CAPABILITIES AND LIMITATIONS OF COMPUTER

CAPABILITIES

1. Speed - computer process data in a relatively high speed.

2. Accuracy - computer process users' prepared instructions. That is, if the input is wrong, it definitely
yields a wrong output.
3. Repetitiveness - computer can work continuously and repetitively without getting bored and fainted.
4. Storage - computer can store a communication of data for present and future processing depending
on capacity.
5. Programmable - computer can take a series of instructions and automatically execute each
instruction one after other. Computers are programmed to "sense" if there are errors in instructions.

LIMITATION
Take note that computers cannot operate without being given set of instructions.

1. Computers cannot derive meanings from objects.

2. Computers can detect errors but cannot correct them.
3. Computers are subject occasional breakdowns.

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