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THE OVERVIEW OF COMPUTER BASICS
 I n t ro d u c t i o n
 Data vs. Information
 Information and Communication Technology
(ICT)
 Information Technology (IT)
 Sources of Information
1. Documentary Sources
2. Non- Documentary Sources
 Measurement of Information
 Characteristics of a Computer
 Limitations of a Computer

2
THE HISTORY AND GENERATIONS OF COMPUTERS
 Computer Science History
o Blaise Pascal (approx. 1650)
o Joseph Marie Jacquard (early 1800’s)
o Herman Hollerith (1890)
o Charles Babbage (1860’s)
o Early Electronic Computers
1. Konrad Zuse Computer (1941)
2. Atanasof-Berry Computer (ABC) 1937
3. Mark I computer, Harvard and IBM (1944)
o John von Neumann (1940's)
 Computer Generations
o The 1st Generation of Computers (1946-1959)
o The 2nd Generation of Computers (1959-1965)
o The 3rd Generation of Computers (1965-1971)
o The 4th Generation of Computers (1971-1980)
o The 5th Generation of Computers (1980-till date)
 Software Giants

3
THE TYPES OF COMPUTERS
 Classification of computers
 Applications of computers
 Types of computer
1. Micro Computers (Personal Computers - PC)
2. WorkStation Computers
3. Mini Computers
4. Main Frame Computers
5. Super Computers

4
Introduction
 Today’s world is an information rich world and it has
become a necessity for everyone to know about
computers.
 Purpose of this course is to introduce you about computer
systems and its fundamentals.
 Functionalities of a computer any digital computer carries
out five functions in gross terms:
o Takes data as input.
o Stores the data/instructions in its memory and can use
them when required.
o Process the data and convert it into useful information.
o Output the information.
o Control all the above four steps. 5
Cont.

 Definition:- Computer System is an electronic data

processing device which does the following:
o Accept and store an input data.
o Process the data input.
o And output the processed data in required format.

6
Cont.
Data vs. Information
 The frequency of the use of the words data and information are very
high in our daily lives.
 Both data and information are types of knowledge or something used to
attain knowledge.
o Data is consists of the raw facts and figures that are processed into
information.
o Information is summarized/processed data that is useful for 98..
Data Information
It is a collection of facts and figures. It is a collection of final results.
It is in an unorganized (raw) form. It is in an organized form.
It is not in directly useful form. It is in directly useful form.
It needs processing. It does not need any processing.
It is also termed as input. It is also termed as output.
It requires observations and recordings. It requires analysis.
7
Cont.
What is Information?
 Information is organized or classified data so that it has
some meaningful values to the receiver.
 Information is the processed data on which decisions and
actions are based.
 For the decision to be meaningful, the processed data must
qualify for the following characteristics.
o Timely: Information should be available when required.
o Accuracy: Information should be accurate.
o Completeness: Information should be complete.

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Cont.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
 ICT refers to technology that provides access to information
through telecommunications.
 It focuses primarily on communication technologies. This
includes the Internet, wireless networks, cell phones, and
other communication media.
 ICT is a combination of Computers and Communications
Technologies that merges computing with high-speed
communication links so as to accept, convert, store, protect,
process, transmit and retrieve information.
 ICT is about the combination of several important industries
dealing with computers, telephones, TV and communication
devices.
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Cont.
Components of ICT
1. Computer Technology: is a technology having computers as a
support of its application.
o Computer is a programmable, multiuse machine that
accepts data, process, into information that can be used.
E.g. Reports
2. Communication Technologies: is a technology consists of
electromagnetic devices and systems for communicating
over long distances carrying data, sound, and video through
the electronic media. E.g. TV, radio etc

 Note: The whole purpose of both technologies to produce

and transmit usable information.
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Cont.
 Technology is the usage and knowledge of tools, crafts,
techniques, or systems, or methods of organizations.
o Science is concerned with how and why things happen.
o Technology focuses on making things happen.
 Now a days, technology is an integrated part of lives of human beings. For
example, the technology in communications such as mobile phones helps us to
connect with the other people easily.
 Information Technology (IT) refers to anything related to
computing technology, such as networking, hardware,
software, the Internet, or the people that work with these
technologies.
 IT is the study, design, development, implementation
support and/or management of any computer based
information systems.
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Cont.
Sources of Information
 Information is not something that we get readily available. So
information can be obtained from different sources.
 In general the various sources of information are classified into
two categories.
1. Documentary Sources
2. Non- Documentary Sources
1. Documentary Sources - these are documented or recorded
sources of information in different forms. We can categorized
into three groups based on the sequence they are available for
public use. These are:
3. Primary Documentary Sources
4. Secondary Documentary Sources
5. Tertiary Documentary Sources 12
Cont.
 That is the primary sources appear first followed by
secondary and finally by tertiary.
1. Primary Documentary Sources: are the first published
records of original research.
o It may also be new interpretation or application of an old
idea.
o In other words if, a document represents unfiltered and
original idea, it is a primary documentary source of
information.
o It constitutes the latest available information and is
difficult to use and get them.
E.g. New researches, periodicals, standards, etc.

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Cont.
2. Secondary Documentary Sources: these are the compiled
forms of primary source of information.
o The original information in the primary sources is
modified, selected and reorganized to produce secondary
sources of information.
o Unlike the primary sources of information, a secondary
source of information contains filtered, organized, and
digested knowledge rather than new knowledge.
o It is also very easy to use and get secondary source than
primary sources. Are always produced after primary
sources. E.g. Textbooks, Modules, Tutorials etc.

14
Cont.
3. Tertiary Documentary Sources: are the refined or distilled and collected
forms of primary and secondary sources of information.
o Tertiary sources are organized with the aim of assisting the searcher
of information in addition to the use of primary and secondary
sources.

15
Cont.
2. Non-Documentary Sources: are sources of information, which are not
intentionally organized and documented to serve a wide range of actual
users.
o These sources provide information that the primary and secondary
sources do not address.
o Can generally be grouped into two.
1. Formal Non-Documentary Sources Information
2. Informal Non-Documentary Sources Information
1.Formal Non-Documentary Sources Information: include professional
societies, industries, and universities.
o User formally consults the formal non-documentary sources to get the
required information.
2.Informal Non-Documentary Sources: includes conversation with friends,
visitors professional, and meetings. Are live sources that are important in
the process of exchange of information?
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Cont.
Measurement of Information
 As computers are capable of storing large amounts of information, it is
useful to have a means of measuring information.
 The smallest amount of binary digital information we can have is a
single value (i.e. either a 0 or a 1). This is called a bit, or binary digit.
 In computers bits are stored in groups of 8, which are referred to as a
byte.
 Few higher storage
units are following Unit Description
1 byte 8 bits
Kilobyte (KB) 1KB = 1024 bytes
Megabyte (MB) 1MB = 1024 KB
Gigabyte (GB) 1GB = 1024 MB
Terabyte(TB) 1TB = 1024 GB 17
Cont.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A COMPUTER
 Computers are capable of performing highly complex tasks, which
human beings cannot perform efficiently.
 The following are the main characteristics of computers, which make
them so powerful:
1. HIGH SPEED
o Computer is a very fast device (amazing speed) without any
mistakes.
o The computer has units of speed in milliseconds (10–3 seconds),
microsecond (10–6 seconds), nanosecond (10–9 seconds) & even the
picosecond.
o It can perform millions of calculations in a few seconds as compared
to man who can spend many months for doing the same task.
o The speed of computers is measured in Hertz (Hz) cycles per second.
1 GHz is 1 billion Hz.
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Cont.
2. ACCURACY
o A computer performs its task with great accuracy.
o The computer has performed calculations 100% error free &
perform all jobs with 100% accuracy.
o It never commits mistakes in processing the data.
o It produces errors when we enter inaccurate input, i.e., Garbage In
Garbage Out (GIGO).
3. STORAGE CAPABILITY
o The computer has much more storage capacity than human beings.
It can store large amount of data.
o It can store any type of data such as images, videos, text, audio and
any other type.
o Modern computers can store many gigabytes of information
(remember that 1GB is equal to approximately a billion bits).
o 19
Cont.
4. DILIGENCE
o Unlike human beings, a computer is free from monotony, tiredness
and lack of concentration.
o It can work continuously without creating any error and boredom.
o It can do repeated work with same speed and accuracy.
5. VERSATILITY
o A computer is a very versatile machine.
o It is very flexible in performing the jobs to be done.
o This machine can be used to solve the problems relating to various
different fields.
o At one instant, it may be solving a complex scientific problem and
the very next moment it may be playing a card game.

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Cont.
6. RELIABILITY
o A computer is a reliable machine.
o Modern electronic components have failure free long lives.
o Computers are designed to make maintenance easy.
7. AUTOMATION
o Computer is a automatic machine.
o Automation means ability to perform the task automatically.
o Once a program is given to computer i.e stored in computer
memory, the program and instruction can control the program
execution without human interaction.

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Cont.
8. POWER OF REMEMBRANCE
o The ability of refunding stored information.
9. REDUCTION IN PAPER WORK
o The use of computers for data processing in an
organization leads to reduction in paper work and speeds
up the process.
o As data in electronic files can be retrieved as and when
required, the problem of maintenance of large number of
files gets reduced.
10. REDUCTION IN COST
o Though the initial investment for installing a computer is
high but it substantially reduces the cost of each of its
transaction.
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Cont.
LIMITATIONS OF A COMPUTER
1. NO I.Q
o A computer is a machine and has no intelligence of its own to
perform any task.
o A computer can not take any decision on its own.
2. DEPENDENCY
o It can perform function as instructed by user. So it is fully
dependent on human being.
3. ENVIRONMENT
o The operating environment of computer should be dust free and
suitable to it.
4. NO FEELING
o Computer has no feeling or emotions.
o It cannot make Judgment based on feeling, taste, experience and
knowledge unlike a human being. 23
COMPUTER SCIENCE HISTORY
 When the human race started doing some trade, it felt a need for a
calculating device.
 The first calculating device, which was used 2000 years
ago was called abacus and the improvements in the
calculating device in that age were slow.

Blaise Pascal (approx. 1650)

 Built a machine with 6 gears called the Pascaline to assist French
government in compiling tax reports.

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Cont.
Joseph Marie Jacquard (early 1800’s)
 Developed loom that used punched cards (the equivalent of stored
programs)
 Punched cards is information coded on cards.
 Punched cards could be linked in a series (forerunner of programs);
such programs can automate human tasks.

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Cont.
Herman Hollerith (1890)
 An American inventor applied the idea of punch boards in the form of
for input and output .
 Use Jacquard's punched cards to represent the census data, and to then
read and order this data using an automatic machine.
 Invented a tabulating machine using punched cards.
 Useful for a wide variety of
statistical applications.
 1924: Hollerith's company
changed its name to
International Business
Machines (IBM).

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Cont.
Charles Babbage (1860’s)
 British scientist and inventor known as ‘the Father of the Computer’
 The Analytical Engine is steam powered calculating machine using
programs on punched cards.
 Analytical engine which was the vase for the modern digital computer.
 Analytical Engine contained all the elements of modern computers
including
o 'mill' (for calculating)
o 'store' (for holding instructions)
o 'operator' (for carrying out instructions)
o reading and writing device

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Cont.
 The calculating engines of English mathematician Charles Babbage
(1791-1871) are among the most celebrated icons in the prehistory of
computing.
 The International Charles Babbage Society (later the Charles Babbage
Institute) took his name to honor his intellectual contributions and their
relation to modern computers.

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Cont.
Early Electronic Computers
1. Konrad Zuse Computer (1941)
 Zuse is popularly recognized in Germany as the “father of the
computer,” having built the world’s first programmable computing
machine.
 Zuse is less well known in other countries because most of his early
computers were built during World War II and became famous in and
outside Germany only several years after the war.
 Developed the Z1, Z3, and Z4 the first programmable
(modern) computer.
 Wrote the first algorithmic programming language
called 'Plankalkül' in 1946.
 One of the first people to create a commercial computer
and computer company.

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Cont.
2. Atanasof-Berry Computer (ABC) 1937
 ABC is considered the first electronic digital computer, and was the first
machine to use vacuum tubes.
 Professor John Vincent Atanasof and graduate student Clifford
Berry developed the ABC in 1937 and continued development until 1942
at the Iowa State College (now Iowa State University).

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Cont.
3. Mark I computer, Harvard and IBM (1944)
 Automatic calculator used paper tapes.
 Also known as the IBM Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator
(ASCC) the new computer was notable for producing reliable results and
its ability to run 24/7.
 Harvard electrical engineer Howard Aiken first dreamt (imagined) up a
large-scale calculator in 1937.
 Aiken went back to the drawing board and came up with a proposal that
convinced IBM, whose big product at the time was a punch-card
processor.
 The Harvard Mark I computer is officially presented at Harvard
University on August 7, 1944.
 The relay-based Harvard-IBM MARK I a large programmable-
controlled calculating machine provides vital calculations for the U.S.
Navy.
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Cont.
John von Neumann (1940's)
 Invented the stored program concept (data and instructions stored in
memory in binary form).
 Help create von Neumann architecture, a single-memory stored program
architecture still in use today.
 Although not described as a computer virus, John von Neumann is the
first to describe how a computer program could reproduce itself.
 Helped develop flowcharts.

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Cont.
Computer Generations
 Generation in computer terminology is a change in technology a
computer is/was being used.
 Initially, the generation term was used to distinguish between changing
hardware technologies. But nowadays, generation includes both
hardware and software, which together make up an entire computer
system. There are totally five computer generations.
 It took around 50 years of continuous developments to bring the
computer in its present form.
 Each new generation resulting changes:
o Increase speed, storage, Capacity and reliability
o Decrease in cost and size
 We've used approximate dates against each generations which are
normally accepted.

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Cont.
The 1st Generation of Computers (1946-1959)
 1st generation of computer started with using vacuum tubes as the basic
components for memory and circuitry for CPU(Central Processing
Unit).
 These tubes like electric bulbs produced a lot of heat and were prone to
frequent fusing of the installations, therefore, were very expensive and
could be afforded only by very large organizations.
 In this generation mainly batch processing operating system were used.
 In this generation Punched cards, Paper tape, Magnetic tape Input and
Output device were used.
 Machine language: 0's and 1's, the only language a computer can
directly execute.
 Assembly language made programming easier it uses abbreviations
instead of binary code i.e., LD for load.

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Cont.
Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator (ENIAC)
 ENIAC was the first Electronic calculator, it is said to be the first
electronic computer used for general purposes, such as solving numerical
problems.
 It was invented by J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly at the
University of Pennsylvania in an effort to calculate weaponry firing
tables for the United States Army's Ballistic Research Laboratory.
 The ENIAC occupied about 1,800 square feet, used 17,468 vacuum
tubes, 15,000 relays, weighed almost 50 tons, uses 200 kilowatts of
electricity, and cost about $500,000.
 Although it was not completed until the end of the World War II, the
ENIAC was created to help with the war effort against German forces.

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Cont.
 The picture is a public-domain U.S. Army Photo of the ENIAC. All of the
wires, switches and components are part of the ENIAC with two of the
team of operators helping run the machine.
 The ENIAC is now being displayed at the Smithsonian Institution in
Washington D.C.

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Cont.
Universal Automatic Computer (UNIVAC)
 UNIVAC trademark of the Unisys corporation when developed by J.
Presper Eckert and John Mauchly.
 The U.S. census Bureau developed the first business computer in the
year 1951, it was called UNIVAC.
 It used vacuum tube (see Fig.) circuits for processing.
 The UNIVAC is an electrical computer containing thousands of vacuum
tubes that utilizes punch cards and switches for inputting data and
punch cards for outputting and storing data.
 The UNIVAC was later released the UNIVAC II, and III with various
models, such as the 418, 490, 491, 1100, 1101, 1102, 1103, 1104, 1105,
1106, 1107, and 1108.

Fig. Vacuum Tube

37
Cont.
 The picture is an example of the UNIVAC computer.
 Note: In 1952 UNIVAC predicted the outcome of the US presidential
election and help introduce people to the Computer.

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Cont.
 The main features of 1st Generation are:
o They are single purpose computers
o They used vacuum tubes as Storage media and restricted computing
capacity
o They were prone to failures (unreliable)
o Supported Machine language only
o Very costly (Expensive)
o Huge size (Room Size) and Non portable (Movable)
o Consumed lot of electricity and generate lot of heat and also need of
A.C.
o They have short span of life and complex maintenance schedules
o Slow Input/Output device & slow operating speed
o Speed of computing was measured by Milliseconds

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Cont.
 Some computer of this generation were:
o ENIAC
o EDVAC
o UNIVAC
o IBM-701
o IBM-650

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Cont.
The 2nd Generation of Computers (1959-1965)
 Bell Labs of U.S.A. invented transistors (see Fig.) that were used instead
of vacuum tubes.
 This generation using the transistor were cheaper, consumed less power,
more compact in size, more reliable and faster than the 1st GC.
 In this generation, magnetic cores were used as primary memory and
magnetic tape and magnetic disks as secondary storage devices.
 In this generation assembly language and high level programming
language like FORTRAN, COBOL were used.
 There were Batch processing and Multiprogramming Operating system
used.

Fig. Transistor

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Cont.
 The main features of 2nd Generation are:
o They used transistors instead of vacuum tubes as Storage media.
o Reliable and Faster as compared to 1st GCs
o Smaller size (closet size) as compared to 1st GCs
o Generate less heat and consumed less electricity as compared to 1st
GCs
o A.C. needed
o Still very costly
o support machine and assembly languages
o Used core memories, magnetic tapes and disks.
o Speed of computing was measured by Microseconds.

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Cont.
Some computer of this generation were:
o IBM 1620
o IBM 7094
o CDC 1604
o CDC 3600
o UNIVAC 1108

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Cont.
The 3rd Generation of Computers (1965-1971)
 It is marked by the use of Integrated Circuits (IC's) in place of
transistors. I.C was invented by Jack Kilby.
 A single I.C has many transistors, resistors and capacitors along with the
associated circuitry.
 This development made computers smaller in size, reliable and efficient.
 In this generation Remote processing, Time-sharing, Real-time, Multi-
programming Operating System were used.
 High level language (FORTRAN-II TO IV, COBOL, PASCAL PL/1,
BASIC, ALGOL-68 etc.) were used during this generation.

Fig. Integrated Circuit

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Cont.
 The main features of 3rd Generation are:
o Integrated Circuits (IC's) used
o More reliable and Faster as compared to 2nd GCs
o Smaller size (Desk Size – Minicomputer)
o Generate less heat and consumed lesser electricity
o Lesser maintenance
o Still costly but less expensive than the previous generations
o A.C needed
o Support high level language
o Support remote processing and sharing
o Speed of computing was measured by Nanoseconds.

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Cont.
 Some computer of this generation were:
o IBM-360 series
o Honeywell-6000 series
o PDP(Personal Data Processor)
o IBM-370/168
o TDC-316

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Cont.
The 4th Generation of Computers (1971-1980)
 The 4th generation of computers is marked by the use of Very Large
Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits.
 VLSI circuits having about 5000 transistors and other circuit elements
and their associated circuits on a single chip made it possible to have
microcomputers of 4th generation.
 4th GCs became more powerful, compact, reliable, and affordable.
 As a result, it gave rise to personal computer (PC) revolution.
 In this generation Time sharing, Real time, Networks, Distributed
Operating System were used.
 All the Higher level languages like C and C++, DBASE etc. were used in
this generation.

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Cont.
 The main features of 4th Generation are:
o Very Large Scale Integrated(VLSI) technology used
o They are comparable to the early generations are very small size,
Portable, more reliable, more powerful but very cheap
o Concept of internet was introduced
o Great developments in the fields of networks
o They contain high-speed microprocessors
o They contain huge storage volumes in the form of magnetic and
optical storage
o They contain main memories up to GBs
o Computers became easily available
o Speed of computing was measured by Nanoseconds and Picoseconds

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Cont.
 Some computer of this generation were:
o DEC 10
o STAR 1000
o PDP 11
o CRAY-1(Super Computer)
o CRAY-X-MP(Super Computer)

Fig. VLSI chip

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Cont.
The 5th Generation of Computers (1980-till date)
 In the 5th generation, the VLSI technology became Ultra Large Scale
Integration (ULSI) technology, resulting in the production of
microprocessor chips having ten million electronic components.
 All the Higher level languages like C and C++, Java, SQL, .Net etc. are
used in this generation.
 Recent research has focused on developing “thinking computers”.
 5th generation computers will have the power to learn and apply
knowledge to solve a problem.
 They would be able to work like humans do.
 The other possibility is to develop a system that incorporates a high level
of artificial intelligence.
 Such a system is known as expert system.

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Cont.
 This generation is based on parallel processing hardware and AI
(Artificial Intelligence) software.
 AI is an emerging branch in computer science, which interprets means
and method of making computers think like human beings.
 AI includes:
o Robotics
o Neural networks
o Game Playing
o Development of expert systems to make decisions in real life
situations
o Natural language understanding and generation
 You can watch a movie named “AI” by Steven Spielberg to have an idea
of such computers.

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Cont.
 The main features of 5th Generation are:
o ULSI technology
o Development of true artificial intelligence
o Development of Natural language processing
o Advancement in Parallel Processing
o Advancement in Superconductor technology
o More user friendly interfaces with multimedia features
o Availability of very powerful & compact computers at cheaper rates

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Cont.
 Some computer types of this generation are:
o Desktop
o Laptop
o NoteBook
o UltraBook
o ChromeBook

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Cont.
SOFTWARE GIANTS
Bill Gates and Steve Jobs
STEVE JOBS (Feb 24, 1955 – Oct 5, 2011)
 He was an American inventor of the personal
computer revolution.
 In 1970, Jobs co-founded Apple Computer with
Steve Wozniak.
 He is the creative entrepreneur whose passion
for perfection and ferocious drive revolutionized
six industries: Personal Computers, Animated
Movies, Music, Phones, Tablet Computing, and
Digital Publishing.

BILL GATES (born Oct 28, 1955)

 He is an American inventor, computer
programmer, business entrepreneur, investor
and donor.
 In 1975, Gates co-founded Microsoft, the world’s
largest PC software company, with Paul Allen.
 Gates has authored and co-authored several
books.
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TYPES OF COMPUTERS
Classification of computers
 Computers are classified in to three types: -
1. Analog Computers
2. Digital Computers
3. Hybird Computers

4. Analog Computers: it processes analog data (information) or the

continuous data is representing by analog signal.
o The operating speed is faster than digital computers but have less
memory.
o E.g. Temperature, Current voltage (Factories and Industries) etc.

55
Cont.
2. Digital Computers: are commonly used for data processing and
problem solving using programs.
o It operates by counting digital in the binary form (A=1010,B=1011)
& they have large memory store.
o E.g. offices, your LAB etc.
3. Hybird Computers: are the combination of Digital and Analog
computers.
o It helps the user to process both the continuous and discrete data.
o The computer converts the analog information in to digital by the
help of Analog to Digital Converts (ADC) circuit.
o E.g. Forecasting weather, Industrial Process Control, Research
Control, Sound Recording & Editing etc.

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Cont.

Analog Computers Hybird Computers

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Cont.
Applications of computers
 One important distinction is the application of the computer (i.e. what it is used
for).
 In this regard, computers can be categorized as special-purpose or general-
purpose.
1. Special-Purpose Computers: are designed with a specific task in mind, and are
not used for any other purpose.
o They are pre-programmed with instructions to perform a specific role.
o E.g. air traffic control systems and many household appliances such as TVs
and video cassette recorders will make use of such tailor made computers.
2. General-Purpose Computers: can be used to meet the needs of many different
applications.
o They are programmable, in that they allow the user to specify different sets
of instructions to program them for different tasks.

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59
Cont.
Types of computer
 Computers can be further subdivided, depending on the way in which
they are used.
 Computer can be broadly classified by their speed and computing
power.
 Size, Cost, Performance (Speed of processing data, Storage capacity, and
Ability to handle input and output devices)
 Computers can be classified:
1. Micro Computers (Personal Computers - PC)
2. WorkStation Computers
3. Mini Computers
4. Main Frame Computers
5. Super Computers

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Cont.
Micro Computers (Personal Computers - PC)
 A PC can be defined as a small, relatively inexpensive computer designed
for an individual user.
 PCs are based on the microprocessor technology that enables
manufacturers to put an entire CPU on one chip.
 Businesses use personal computers for word processing, accounting,
desktop publishing, and for running spreadsheet and database
management applications.
 At home, the most popular use for personal computers is for playing
games and surfing the Internet.
 Although personal computers are designed as single-user systems, these
systems are normally linked together to form a network.

61
Cont.
 In terms of power, now-a-days High-end models of the and PC offer the
same computing power and graphics capability as low-end workstations
by Sun Microsystems, Hewlett-Packard, and DELL.
 Some examples are Apple II, IBM PC, PS/2, DELL and Macintosh.

Desktop Microcomputer Tower Micro computer

62
Cont.
 PCs are the popular form of computers. Individuals as well as
organizations use these computers. The classification of PCs is as: -
1. Desktops: these PCs are those in which the case or main housing
sits on a desk, with keyboard in front and screen (monitor) often on
top.
2. Portables: these PCs are so small that they can be placed on your
lap.
 The difference between portables and desktops is that portables can be
carried while travelling unlike desktops. The portables are classified as: -
1. Laptops: these are small-sized machines that have the same power of a
desktop.
o The weight of a laptop is around 7 to 12 kg.
o The disadvantage of a laptop is that it is too large.
o E.g. Toshiba 5200C and SLT/286.

63
Cont.
2. Notebooks: these are smaller than a laptop and are designed to
overcome the drawbacks of a laptop.
o They have the size of a notebook but are as powerful as a desktop.
They weigh 3 to 4 kg.
o E.g. Contura 3/20 and Acer AnyWare
3. Palmtops or Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs): these are handheld
computers which have the size of a pocket calculator.
o They are not as powerful as a desktop.
o PDAs combine personal organization tools schedule planners,
address books, to-do lists with the ability in some cases to send e-
mail and faxes.
o E.g. HP95LX

64
Cont.
k

Notebook

Laptop

Palmtops or Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) 65

Cont.
WorkStation Computer
 Workstation is a computer used for engineering applications
(CAD/CAM), desktop publishing, software
development, and other such types of applications which require a
moderate amount of computing power and relatively high quality
graphics capabilities.
 Workstations generally come with a large, high-resolution graphics
screen, large amount of RAM, inbuilt network support, and a graphical
user interface.
 Most workstations also have a mass storage device such as a disk drive,
but a special type of workstation, called a diskless workstation, comes
without a disk drive.
 Common operating systems for workstations are UNIX and Windows
NT. Like PC, Workstations are also single user computers.

66
Cont.
 However, workstations are typically linked together to form a local-area
network, although they can also be used as stand-alone systems.

Fig. WorkStation Computer 67

Cont.
Minicomputer
 Minicomputers are small general-purpose computers, also called
midrange servers and workgroup system.
 It is a midsize computer. A minicomputer is a multi-processing system
capable of supporting from up to 250 users simultaneously.
 These computers can perform more complex tasks and cost more than
microcomputers.
 It can serve as a network server. They are larger in size and they have
small to medium storage capacity.
 They are used for processing data and analyzing results of experiments.
 They are also used for controlling and monitoring production processes.
 E.g. PDP 11/42 and VAX 11

68
Cont.
i

Fig. Minicomputer

69
Cont.
Mainframe Computers
 Mainframe is a very large in size and is an expensive computer.
 They are used in wide area networks capable of supporting hundreds, or
even thousands, of users simultaneously.
 Mainframe executes many programs concurrently and they more
powerful than minicomputers.
 They have high processing speeds and can store large amounts of data.
 However, these computers consume more electricity. It can serve as
heart of teleprocessing system with remote connections all over the
world.
 E.g. IBM 3000 series and Univac 1180.

70
Cont.

Fig. Mainframe Computer

71
Cont.
Super Computer
 Supercomputers are one of the largest and fastest computers currently
available.
 Supercomputers are very expensive (costliest) and are
employed for specialized applications that require immense amounts of
mathematical calculations (number crunching).
 E.g. Weather Forecasting , Scientific Simulations, (Animated) Graphics,
Fluid Dynamic Calculations, Nuclear Energy Research, Electronic
Design, Aircraft Design, Automobile Design, Biomedical Research,
Designing and Launching Arms, Analysis Of Geological Data
(Petrochemical Prospecting).
 E.g. IBM Blue Gene/L, IBM Roadrunner and Cray Jaguar

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Cont.
 Supercomputers are designed with the primary aim of making the
computer as fast as possible.
 Due to the high cost of supercomputers they are quite uncommon. There
are only a few super computers throughout the world.

Fig. Super Computer 73

 Cont.
No. Type Specifications
1 PC (Personal Single user computer system. Moderately
Computer) powerful microprocessor.
2 WorkStation Single user computer system. Similar to
Personal Computer but have more
powerful microprocessor.
3 Mini Computer Multi-user computer system. Capable of
supporting hundreds of users
simultaneously.
4 Main Frame Multi-user computer system. Capable of
supporting hundreds of users
simultaneously. Software technology is
different from minicomputer.
5 Supercomputer An extremely fast computer which can perform
74
hundreds of millions of instructions per second.