Big Picture

Unit Learning Outcomes-UNIT 1 (ULO-1): At the end of the unit, you are expected to:

a. review concepts and principles of different elements and generation of a

computer system.
b. apply principles and concepts of different number systems and its relation to
computer system, and
c. understand computer programming principles and apply tools in developing
program logic.

Big Picture in Focus:

ULO-1a. review concepts and principles of different elements and generation of a
computer system

Metalanguage
In this section, the most fundamental terms concerning basic computer
study, and to demonstrate ULO-1a will be reviewed to have uniform understanding
in dealing with the challenges that may be encountered in this course. You will
encounter these terms as we go through the study of the operations of the computer
system. Please refer to these definitions in case you will face difficulties in
understanding the course.

1. Computer. It is an electronic device capable of storing, retrieving, and

processing data into useful information.
2. Computer Program. Instructions or codes feed into the computer memory to
make or perform it do something
3. Programmer. The person who writes instructions (programs) to make the
computer perform a task
4. Computer Systems. The computer system is divided into two main
components: Computer Hardware and Computer Software
 4.1 Computer Hardware refers to the TANGIBLE materials in the
computer system and divided into five main categories namely:

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Main memory (RAM)
Secondary storage devices
Input Devices Output Devices

4.1.1 Central
Processing Unit.
Central Processing Unit or CPU is an electronic circuitry within a computer
that executes instructions. It promises with Arithmetic and Logic Unit or
(ALU) that performs basic arithmetic and logic analysis as well as Control
Unit (CU) that coordinates computer operation and input/output operations.

4.1.2 Main Memory. Typically refers to the device that is used to

retain the information being processed. It generally is a metal-
oxide-semiconductor (MOS) where data is stored within MOS
memory cells on a silicon integrated chip. Main memory is a
volatile type of memory

4.1.3 Secondary Storage Devices (SSD). This refers to computer

memory, but a non-volatile type, meaning data retained when
the program is not running or computer is turned off—
examples of SSD floppy disk, hard disk drive, CD or DVD or
USB flash drive.

4.1.4 Input Devices. Input devices are computer components use

to send information to the computer from

4.1.5 Output Devices. Output devices are computer components

use to send information from the computer to the outside.
Computer screen, printer, speakers, disk drive, CD/DVD
recorder, USB flash drive.
 4.2 Computer Software. Software is a program that enables a
computer to perform specific task. Computer systems categorize
computer software into three different classes. Namely, the operating
system, programming language, and application software.

4.2.1 Operating Software is programs that manage the computer

hardware and the applications that run on the computer. Ex.
Windows, Linux, Unix,Mac
4.2.2 Programming Language is a set of commands, instructions
and other syntax used to create application software.
Examples of programming languages are C++,Java, Visual
Basic, DevC++ and many more.
4.2.3 Application Software is a product of programming language
that performs a specific task. Application software are
designed to assist the user with a particular process.

Essential Knowledge
To perform the aforesaid big picture (unit learning outcomes) for the first
three (3) weeks of the course, you need to review basic knowledge in computer
fundamentals and computer programming principles that will be laid down in the
succeeding pages. Please note that you are not limited to exclusively refer to these
resources. Thus, you are expected to utilize other books, research articles and
other resources that are available in the university’s library e.g. ebrary,
search.proquest.com etc.

Overview of the History and Generations of Computer

First Generation of Computer (1946-1959)

The computers of first-generation used vacuum tubes as the necessary components
for memory and circuitry for CPU (Central Processing Unit). These tubes, like
electric bulbs, produced a lot of heat, and the installations used to fuse frequently.
Therefore, they were costly and only large organizations were able to afford it.
In this generation, mainly batch processing operating system was used. Punch
cards, paper tape, and the magnetic tape were used as input and output devices.
The computers in this generation used machine code as the programming
language.
The main features of the first generation are huge size devices, unreliable, supported
machine language only, very expensive, generated too much of heat, slow input, and
output devices, non-portable, consumed a lot of electricity.

Computers developed during the first generation were Electronic Numerical

Integrator and Computer (ENIAC) in 1945, Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic
Computer EDVAC in (1946), UNIVersal Automatic Computer (UNIVAC) in 1951, IBM
701 and IBM 650.

Figure1. ENIAC (www.computerhoop.com)

Figure2. UNIVAC(www.computerhistory.org)

Second Generation of Computer (1959-1965)

In this generation, transistors were used that were cheaper, consumed less power,
more compact, more reliable, and faster than the first-generation machines made of
vacuum tubes. In this generation, magnetic cores were used as the primary memory
and magnetic tape and magnetic disks as secondary storage devices. In this
generation, assembly language and high-level programming languages like
FORTRAN, COBOL were used. The computers used batch processing and
multiprogramming operating system.
Compare to the previous generation, the main features of the second generation are
the invention of transistors the reduce the size of the machine. Second-generation
computers are more reliable in comparison to first-generation computers, generated
less heat as compared to first-generation computers, consumed less electricity as
compared to first generation computers. Faster data processing than first-generation
computers and its already supported with assembly languages.
Some computers of this generation were IBM 1620,IBM 7094,CDC 1604,CDC 3600,
UNIVAC 1108.

Third Generation of Computer (1965-1971)

The computers of the third generation used Integrated Circuits (ICs) in place of
transistors. A single IC has many transistors, resistors, and capacitors, along with the
associated circuitry. The IC was invented by Jack Kilby. This development made
computers smaller in size, reliable, and efficient. In this generation, remote
processing, time-sharing, multiprogramming operating system were used. High-level
languages such as FORTRANII TO IV, COBOL, PASCAL PL/1, BASIC, ALGOL-68,
etc. were used during this generation.

Compared to the prior generations, the third generation becomes advantageous with
the invention of the Integrated Circuit (IC), it becomes more reliable. Products were
smaller in terms of size, generated less heat, faster in terms of performance, lesser
maintenance, consumed lower electricity, and it supports high-level programming
language.

Fourth Generation of Computer (1971-1980)

Computers of fourth-generation used Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits.
VLSI circuits having about 5000 transistors and other circuit elements with their
associated circuits on a single chip made it possible to have microcomputers of the
fourth generation. This is commonly known as microprocessors.
This generation of computers became more powerful, compact, reliable, and
affordable. As a result, it gave rise to the Personal Computer (PC) revolution. In this
generation, timesharing, real-time networks, distributed operating system were used.
All the high-level languages like C, C++, DBASE, etc., were used in this generation.
Fifth Generation of Computer (1980-present)
In the fifth generation, VLSI technology became ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration)
technology, resulting in the production of microprocessor chips having ten million
electronic components.
This generation is based on parallel processing hardware and AI (Artificial
Intelligence) software. AI is an emerging branch in computer science, which
interprets the means and methods of making computers think like human beings. All
the high-level languages like C and C++, Java, .Net etc., are used in this generation.

Self-Help: You can also refer to the sources below to help you
further understand the lesson

[1] G. Bronson, C++ Programming principles and practices for scientists and
engineers, Boston: Cengage Learning, 2013.

[2] D. Malik, C++ Programming: from problem analysis to program design, Stamford:
Cengage Learning, 2015.

[3] J. Smith, C++ programs to accompany logic and design 8th edition, Boston:
Cengage Learning, 2015.

[4] D. Zak, An introduction to programming with C++ (8th Edition), Andover: Cengage
Learning, 2016.

[5] M. Main, Data structures and other objects using c++, Boston: Pearson, 2011.

Let’s Check
Activity 1: Minimum of 150 words, discuss your appreciation of the computer
system.
Activity 2: Other than computer mouse and keyboard, make a list of input and output
devices that allow the computer to interact with. Describe each usage of every device.
Let’s Analyze!
1. What is the difference between System software and application software?

2. In the generations of computers both VLSI and ULSI is called microprocessor

or microchip of CPU. But what is the difference between the two?

3. What probably is the main reason why the sizes of a computer significantly
reduced from the first generation to the recent?

4. How CPU works to connect input devices to the output devices?

5. In your recent and future challenges as an engineer, how computers and

related computer devices can help and achieve tasks?

In a Nutshell
We are now done with the review of the computer system, which we recall the
generations and history of the computer, parts of the computer systems, etc. Before
proceeding to the next unit, learning outcomes, be reminded of some essential points
in this section.
• The computer system is composed of two main parts the hardware and the
software. Hardware is the tangible materials in the computer system, while the
computer software is the computer program coded for the computer to perform
its function.

• The computer has an electronic circuitry called microprocessor that made up of

thousands of transistors that fetch and execute instructions.

Q&A List
If you have questions about computer system, kindly write down on the table provided.
Questions Answers