Introduction to Computer

(Final Project)
Name
Ameer Hamza Cheema
Roll no:
191940059
Submitted to: -
Aisha Rehman
Subject: -
Introduction to Computer

1|Page
 Introduction to Computer

What is a Computer?
A computer is a mechanism or equipment that follows instructions from a software or hardware
programme to conduct procedures, computations, and operations. It is proficient of accepting
data (input), processing it, and then creating outputs. Computers may also store data in suitable
storage devices for later use and retrieve it as needed.

History of Computer?
The primitives were the first to utilize a counting device. Sticks, stones, and bones were utilized
as counting aids. As the human intellect and technology advanced,
more computer devices were created. Charles Babbage, a 19th
century English mathematical professor, is credited with inventing
the computer as we know it today. He created the Analytical
Engine, which serves as the computer's fundamental architecture.
Each generation lasted a given amount of time and provided us with
either a new and superior computer or an upgrade to an older
computer. The following are some of the most common computer
devices, from the earliest to the most modern.

Abacus
The origins of computers may be traced back to the invention of the
abacus, which is said to be the earliest computer. Abacus is
supposed to have been devised by the Chinese some 4,000 years
ago. It was a lumber rack with metal rods on which beads were
attached. To conduct arithmetic computations, the abacus operator
moved the beads according to specified guidelines. Some countries,
such as China, Russia, and Japan, still utilize abacuses. The abacus
demonstrates how numbers, characters, and signs may be stored on
a computer in a binary system or via ASCII.

Pascal
Mathematics Machine or Addition Machine are other
names for Pascal. Biaise Pascal, a French mathematician
and philosopher, devised it between 1642 and 1644. It's
said to be the world's first mechanical and automated
calculator. Pascal created this gadget in order to assist
his father, who is a tax accountant. It was limited to
addition and subtraction. It was a cardboard structure
with gears and wheels inside. When one wheel turns one
revolution, the next wheel rotates as well. To read the
totals, a sequence of windows are provided on the front
of the wheels.

2|Page
 Introduction to Computer

Napier's bones
Merchiston's John Napier created a manually operated
calculating device (1550-1617). In this calculating tool, he
used 9 different wood strips or bones inscribed with numbers
to multiply and divide. As a result, the device was given the
moniker "Napier's Bones." On this system, the integer value
was also utilised for the first time. Merchiston, Scotland, was
the birthplace of John Napier. His creation was given the term
"Rabdology." The next year, Napier published the book there
under title Rabdologiae. He was the first to use numeric
values and boolean algebra in mathematical operations.

Stepped Reckoner or Leibnitz wheel

The Leibniz calculator, also known as the stepped
reckoner, was a computerized mechanical calculator designed by German mathematician Isaac
Newton and Gottfried Leibniz in 1672 and finished in 1694. The name Staffelwalze derives from
the German phrase for the operating mechanism, Staffelwalze, which means "stepped drum." It
was the first computer to do all four mathematical operations at the same time. Its sophisticated
precision gear work, on the other hand, was beyond the manufacturing capabilities of the time;
engine problems, as well as a design error in the
carry system, rendered the machines unreliable. It
was invented by Gottfried Wilhelm Leibnitz, a
German mathematician and philosopher. To create
this machine, he refined Pascal's invention. It was a
digital electromechanical calculator known as the
stepped reckoner because it used fluted drums
instead of gears.

Analytical Engine
The Analytical Engine, a physical general-purpose computer, was invented by Charles Babbage,
an English scientist and computer pioneer.  It was first offered in 1837 as the replacement to
Babbage's Turing machine, a concept for a simpler
computing machine. The Central Processing unit was the
first completely turning architecture since it had an
arithmetic and logic operations unit, control logic in the form
of conditional branch and loops, and integrated memory.

Components of Computer
Every computer system has the following three basic components:

3|Page
 Introduction to Computer

 Input unit
 Central processing unit
 Output unit
But further the components are divided into more categories which make up to build a computer
i.e.
 A motherboard.
 A Central Processing Unit (CPU)
 Software
 Random Access Memory (RAM), also known as volatile memory.
 Storage: Solid State Drive (SSD) or Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
 Hardware

Significance of a Computer
Computers have become incredibly important in today's society because they are extremely
precise, speedy, and capable of doing a wide range of tasks. Manually doing such tasks would
take an inordinate amount of time. It can perform highly complicated calculations in a fraction of
a second. It may also hold a great amount of information. In everyday life, a computer is utilized
to convert raw data and facts into valuable information and knowledge. Humans are always
exploring and pushing the boundaries of computer science. The computer is like an incredible
and wonderful thing in our lives.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Computers

To determine if a computer is good or detrimental, consider the (pros or negatives), or the
benefits and drawbacks of computers in terms of points.
Advantages of a Computer
 Multitasking
 Speed 
 Cost/ Stores huge
 Accuracy
 Data Security
 Task completer
 Communication 
 Productivity 
 Reduces work load
 Reliability
 Storage

Disadvantages of a Computer
 Virus and hacking attacks
 Online Cyber Crimes

4|Page
 Introduction to Computer

 Reduction employed opportunity

 High cost
 Distractions/disruptions
 Increases waste and impacts the environment

Generations of Computers
A computer generation refers to the particular advancements in computer technology across
time. To execute the counting, electronic paths known as circuits were invented in 1946. It took
the place of the counting gears and other mechanical pieces used in prior computers.

First Generation Computers

Computers of the first generation (1946-1959) were sluggish, large, and costly. The primary
components of the CPU and memory of these computers were vacuum tubes. The batch system
software and punch cards were the mainstays of these machines. This generation employed
permanent magnet cassette and paper tape as output and input technologies. Some of the popular
first generation computers are;

 ENIAC ( Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer)

 EDVAC ( Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer)

Second Generation Computers

The transistor computers dominated the second generation (1959-1965). Transistor computers
were quicker than first-generation computers because they employed transistors, which were
inexpensive, small, and consumed less power. Magnetic cores were employed as the primary
memory, and magnetic discs and tapes were used as supplementary storage in this generation.
Some of the popular second generation computers are;
 IBM 1620
 IBM 7094

5|Page
 Introduction to Computer

Third Generation Computers

Integrated circuits (ICs) replaced transistors in the third generation of computers. A single
integrated circuit (IC) may hold a large number of transistors, increasing the computing
capability while lowering the cost. Computers also got more dependable, efficient, and compact.
As an operating system, these machines employed remote processing, time-sharing, and multi
programming. Some of the popular third generation computers are;

 IBM-360 series

 Honeywell-6000 series

Fourth Generation Computers

Very large scale integrated (VLSI) circuits were employed in the fourth generation of computers
(1971-1980), which consisted of a chip with millions of transistors and other circuit parts. These
processors made this generation's computers smaller, more powerful, faster, and less expensive.
Real-time, time-sharing, and distributed operating systems were employed on these machines.
Some of the popular fourth generation computers are;

 DEC 10
 STAR 1000

Fifth Generation Computers

In fifth generation (1980-till date) computers, the VLSI technology was replaced with ULSI
(Ultra Large Scale Integration). It made possible the production of microprocessor chips with ten
million electronic components. This generation computers used parallel processing hardware and
AI (Artificial Intelligence) software. Some of the popular fifth generation computers are;

 Desktop
 Laptop
 Note Book

6|Page