Week 001

Introduction to
Computers
Week 001: Introduction to Computers

Objectives

At the end of this module you are expected to:

• To introduced the evolution of computers and differentiate the
improvement of computer according to its generation.
• To determine the different developer of computer system during the
evolution phase.
• To identify the meaning of computer and enumerate the four parts of
computer system.
• To determine the capabilities, limitations and different uses of
computer.
Week 001: Introduction to Computers

Lesson 1: The evolution of computers

1. First Generation (Vacuum Tubes) 1939 – 1954

2. Second Generation (Punched card / transistor) 1954 – 1959
3. Third Generation (Chip / Integrated Circuit (IC)) 1959 – 1971
4. Fourth Generation (Microprocessor) 1971-1991
5. Fifth Generation (Under the development) 1991 – beyond
Week 001: Introduction to Computers

First Generation (Vacuum Tubes) 1939 – 1954

Vacuum Tube
• also known as electron , thermionic valve or valve
ABC
• Was called Atanasoff Berry Computer or ABC in 1939
• Developed by John V, Atanasoff
• Developed in 1937
Z Machine
• Developed by Konrad Zuse
• Developed in 1941
ENIAC
• Also known as Numerical Integrator and Calculator (ENIAC)
• Developed by Vonn Neuman
• Developed in 1946
Week 001: Introduction to Computers

Second Generation (Punched card / transistor) 1954 – 1959

Punch Card
• also known as punch card, punched card, punchcard, or Hollerith Card
ERMA
• Electronic Recording Machine Accounting
• Developed in 1959
Week 001: Introduction to Computers

Third Generation (Chip / Integrated Circuit (IC)) 1959 – 1971

IC
• also known Integrated Circuits
PDP-8
• Launch by DEC company in 1968
• Followed by the APRAPNET in 1969
Week 001: Introduction to Computers

Fourth Generation (Microprocessor) 1971-1991

8080
• The first microprocessor developed in 1972
Week 001: Introduction to Computers

Fifth Generation (Under Development) 1991 and beyond

• Computer system under the fifth generation is going to be based on

principles of Artificial Intelligence and Natural Language recognition.
Week 001: Introduction to Computers

Lesson 2: What is Computer?

CPU
• Central Processing Unit (also known as CPU)
that execute programs or tasks. The power of
the computer depends on its specifications
• Program is simply a list of instructions
preordained to be followed mechanically by a
computer
• Machine Language – a language that a
Figure 1.0 - Central Processing Unit
computer can understand Retrieved from:
https://www.webopedia.com/TERM/C/CPU.html
• Data consist of individual facts or bits of Retrieved: August 13, 2018

information.
• Binary number is made up of just two possible
digits, zero and one
Week 001: Introduction to Computers

Four parts of computer

1. Hardware - The physical parts that make up the computer .

2. Software - Software is the set of instruction that makes the computer
perform tasks.
3. People - are the computer operator, also known as users.
4. Data consist of individual facts or bits of information
Week 001: Introduction to Computers

Capabilities of Computer

1. The computer has the ability to perform arithmetic operation like:

addition, subtraction, multiplication division, etc.
2. The computer can perform logical operations
3. The computer has the ability to store and retrieve information
because a computer has a storage area called memory.
4. The computer has the ability to process information at a very high
speed
5. The computer can direct itself in a predetermine manner without
human intervention
Week 001: Introduction to Computers

Limitation of Computer

1. Computers do not think for you.

2. The computer cannot correct inaccurate data.
3. The computer is subject to breakdown.
Week 001: Introduction to Computers

Uses of Computer

1. Personal Computing
2. Science and Research
3. Information System / Data Processing
4. Education
5. Medicine
6. Artificial Intelligence
Week 001: Introduction to Computers

Lesson 3: Looking inside the Computer: The Processor

Processing
• Is a procedure that transforms raw data into useful information
• The processor is like the brain of the computer, it organizes and
carries out instructions that come from either the user or the
software.
Motherboard
• is a rigid rectangular card containing the circuitry that connects the
processor to the other hardware.
• The motherboard is an example of circuit board.
Week 001: Introduction to Computers

Lesson 3: Looking inside the Computer: The Memory

Memory
• It is like an electronic scratch pad inside the computer.
• The most common type of memory is Random Access Memory (RAM) as a result, the term
memory is commonly used to mean RAM
• It is the part of the computer where all computer processing takes place. It consists of three (3)
parts.
1. ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)
- The ALU perform all arithmetic operations and logical processes required to solve a computer
problem.
2. Control Unit
- The Control Unit is the little supervisor of the CPU.
3. Memory
- This is the storage area of the hardware which contains the program and data being worked
with by the computer. You can also call it “primary memory” or “main memory”.
Week 001: Introduction to Computers

Lesson 3: Looking inside the Computer: Input and Output Devices

Example of Input Devices

1. Keyboards
2. Trackball
3. Touchpad
4. Touchpad
5. Digital Camera
Example of Output Devices
1. Printer
2. Monitor
Week 001: Introduction to Computers

Lesson 3: Looking inside the Computer: Storage

- is an electronic file cabinet and RAM as an electronic worktable.

There are three major distinctions between storage and memory.
1. There is more room in storage than memory.
2. Contents are retained in storage when the computer is turned-off, whereas the program or
the data you put into the memory disappear when you shut down the computer.
3. Storage is very slow compared to memory, but it is much cheaper than memory.
Examples of Storage
1. Tape disk
2. Removable hard drives
3. Hard disk
4. Compact disk read only
5. CD re-writable