EVOLUTION OF

COMPUTING
EVOLUTION OF COMPUTING
The computers in recent times have become a relevant too particularly in the areas of
storage and dissemination of information. The ease with which the computer function, i.e. the
speed, accuracy, and readiness. With the usefulness of the computer, it has become
fashionable for organizations to be computerized, that is, a computer department is created
to serve the whole organization and expert, or professionals are employed to manage the
department. It is today becoming increasingly difficult for computer illiterates to get good
employments, as computer literacy is now a pre-requisite for most jobs.

The world is becoming a global village using computer, thus there is the need for everyone to
be computer illiterate. The computer age was characterized by generation of computers,
which signified that computer had pass through stages of evolution or development. Before
we could arrive at the present-day computers, it has undergone stages of development
known as generation of computers
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF COMPUTER
Earliest Computer
•Originally calculations were computed by humans, whose job title was computers.
•These human computers were typically engaged in the calculation of a mathematical
expression.
•The calculations of this period were specialized and expensive, requiring years of training in
mathematics.
•The first use of the word "computer“ was recorded in 1613, referring to a person who carried
out calculations, or computations, and the word continued to be used in that sense until the
middle of the 20th century.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF COMPUTER
Tally Sticks
A tally stick was an ancient memory aid device to record and document numbers, quantities,
or even messages.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF COMPUTER
Abacus
•An abacusis a mechanical device used to aid an individual in performing mathematical
calculations.
•The abacuswas invented in Babylonia in 2400 B.C.
•The abacus in the form we are most familiar with was first used in China in around 500 B.C.
•It used to perform basic arithmetic operations.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF COMPUTER
Napier’s Bones
•Invented by John Napier in 1614.
•Allowed the operator to multiply, divide and calculate square and cube roots by moving
the rods around and placing them in specially constructed boards.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF COMPUTER
Slide Rule
•Invented by William Oughtred in1622.
•Is based on Napier's ideas about logarithms.
•Used primarily for
–multiplication
–division
–roots
–logarithms
–Trigonometry
•Not normally used for addition or subtraction.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF COMPUTER
Pascaline
•Invented by Blaise Pascal in 1642.
•It was its limitation to addition and subtraction.
•It is too expensive.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF COMPUTER
Stepped Reckoner
•Invented by Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz in 1672.
•The machine that can add, subtract, multiply and divide automatically.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF COMPUTER
Jacquard Loom
•The Jacquard loom is a mechanical loom, invented by Joseph-Marie Jacquard in 1881.
•It an automatic loom controlled by punched cards.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF COMPUTER
Arithmometer
•A mechanical calculator invented by Thomas de Colmar in 1820,
•The first reliable, useful and commercially successful calculating machine.
•The machine could perform the four basic mathematic functions.
•The first mass-produced calculating machine.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF COMPUTER
Difference Engine and Analytical Engine
•It an automatic, mechanical calculator designed to tabulate polynomial functions.
•Invented by Charles Babbage in 1822 and 1834
•It is the first mechanical computer.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF COMPUTER
First Computer Programmer
•In 1840, Augusta Ada Byron or also known as Ada Lovelace suggests to Babbage that he
use the binary system.
•She writes programs for the Analytical Engine.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF COMPUTER
Scheutzian Calculation Engine
•Invented by Per Georg Scheutz in 1843.
•Based on Charles Babbage's difference engine.
•The first printing calculator.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF COMPUTER
Tabulating Machine
•Invented by Herman Hollerithin 1890.
•To assist in summarizing information and accounting.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF COMPUTER
Havard Mark 1
•Also known as IBM Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator (ASCC).
•Invented by Howard H. Aikenin 1943
•The first electro-mechanical computer.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF COMPUTER
Z1
•The first programmable computer.
•Created by Konrad Zuse in Germany from 1936 to 1938.
•To program the Z1 required that the user insert punch tape into a punch tape reader and
all output was also generated through punch tape.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF COMPUTER
Atanasoff-Berry Computer(ABC)
•It was the first electronic digital computing device.
•Invented by Professor John Atanasoff and graduate student Clifford Berry at Iowa State
University between 1939 and 1942.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF COMPUTER
ENIAC
•ENIAC stands for Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer.
•It was the first electronic general-purpose computer.
•Completed in 1946.
•Developed by John Presper Eckert and John W. Mauchly.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF COMPUTER
UNIVAC 1
•The UNIVAC I (UNIVersal Automatic Computer 1) was the first commercial computer.
•Designed by J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF COMPUTER
EDVAC
•EDVAC stands for Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer
•The First Stored Program Computer
•Designed by Von Neumann in 1952.
•It has a memory to hold both a stored program as well as data.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF COMPUTER
The First Portable Computer
•Osborne 1–the first portable computer.
•Released in 1981 by the Osborne Computer Corporation.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF COMPUTER
The First Computer Company
•The first computer company was the Electronic Controls Company.
•Founded in 1949 by J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly.
Basic Computing Periods - Ages
 Basic Computing Periods - Ages
a. Premechanical
• The premechanical age is the earliest age of information technology. It can be
defined as the time between 3000B.C. and 1450A.D. We are talking about a long
time ago. When humans first started communicating they would try to use
language or simple picture drawings known as petroglyths which were usually
carved in rock. Early alphabets were developed such as the Phoenician alphabet.
• As alphabets became more popular and more people were writing information
down, pens and paper began to be developed. It started off as just marks in wet
clay, but later paper was created out of papyrus plant. The most popular kind of
paper made was probably by the Chinese who made paper from rags.
• Now that people were writing a lot of information down, they needed ways to keep
it all in ENCES GEED 20133 – Living in the IT Era PAGE | 16 16 permanent storage. This is
where the first books and libraries are developed. You’ve probably heard of
Egyptian scrolls which were popular ways of writing down information to save.
Some groups of people were actually binding paper together into a book-like form.
Also, during this period were the first numbering systems. Around 100A.D. was when
the first 1-9 system was created by people from India. However, it wasn’t until
875A.D. (775 years later) that the number 0 was invented. And yes, now that
numbers were created, people wanted stuff to do with them, so they created
calculators. A calculator was the very first sign of an information processor. The
popular model of that time was the abacus.
 Basic Computing Periods - Ages
a. Premechanical
 Basic Computing Periods - Ages
B. mechanical
The mechanical age is when we first start to see connections between our
current technology and its ancestors. The mechanical age can be defined as the
time between 1450 and 1840. A lot of new technologies are developed in this
era as there is a large explosion in interest with this area. Technologies like the
slide rule (an analog computer used for multiplying and dividing) were invented.
Blaise Pascal invented the Pascaline which was a very popular mechanical
computer. Charles Babbage developed the difference engine which tabulated
polynomial equations using the method of finite differences.
There were lots of different machines created during this era and while we have
not yet gotten to a machine that can do more than one type of calculation in
one, like our modern-day calculators, we are still learning about how all of our
all-in-one machines started. Also, if you look at the size of the machines
invented in this time compared to the power behind them it seems (to us)
absolutely ridiculous to understand why anybody would want to use them, but
to the people living in that time ALL of these inventions were HUGE.
 Basic Computing Periods - Ages
B. mechanical
 Basic Computing Periods - Ages
c. Electromechanical
Now we are finally getting close to some technologies that resemble our
modern-day technology. The electromechanical age can be defined as the time
between 1840 and 1940. These are the beginnings of telecommunication. The
telegraph was created in the early 1800s. Morse code was created by Samuel
Morse in 1835. The telephone (one of the most popular forms of
communication ever) was created by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876. The first
radio developed by Guglielmo Marconi in 1894. All of these were extremely
crucial emerging technologies that led to big advances in the information
technology field.
The first large-scale automatic digital computer in the United States was the
Mark 1 created by Harvard University around 1940. This computer was 8ft high,
50ft long, 2ft wide, and weighed 5 tons - HUGE. It was programmed using punch
cards. How does your PC match up to this hunk of metal? It was from huge
machines like this that people began to look at downsizing all the parts to first
make them usable by businesses and eventually in your own home
 Basic Computing Periods - Ages
c. Electromechanical
 Basic Computing Periods - Ages
d. Electronic
The electronic age is what we currently live in. It can be defined as the time between 1940 and
right now. The ENIAC was the first high-speed, digital computer capable of being
reprogrammed to solve a full range of computing problems. This computer was designed to be
used by the U.S. Army for artillery firing tables. This machine was even bigger than the Mark 1
taking up 680 square feet and weighing 30 tons - HUGE. It mainly used vacuum tubes to do its
calculations
There are 4 main sections of digital computing. The first was the era of vacuum tubes and
punch cards like the ENIAC and Mark 1. Rotating magnetic drums were used for internal
storage. The second generation replaced vacuum tubes with transistors, punch cards were
replaced with magnetic tape, and rotating magnetic drums were replaced by magnetic cores
for internal storage. Also during this time high-level programming languages were created such
as FORTRAN and COBOL. The third generation replaced transistors with integrated circuits,
magnetic tape was used throughout all computers, and magnetic core turned into metal oxide
semiconductors. An actual operating system showed up around this time along CES GEED
20133 – Living in the IT Era PAGE | 18 18 with the advanced programming language BASIC. The
fourth and latest generation brought in CPUs (central processing units) which contained
memory, logic, and control circuits all on a single chip. The personal computer was developed
(Apple II). The graphical user interface (GUI) was developed.
 Basic Computing Periods - Ages
d. Electronic
Computer Generations
There are five generations of computer:

•First generation–1946 -1958

•Second generation–1959 -1964

•Third generation–1965 -1970

•Fourth generation–1971 -today

•Fifth generation–Today to future

Computer Generations
The First Generation

•The first computers used vacuum tubes for circuitry

and magnetic drums for memory, and were often

enormous, taking up entire rooms.

•They were very expensive to operate and in addition to

using a great deal of electricity, generated a lot of heat,

which was often the cause of malfunctions.

Computer Generations
The First Generation

•First generation computers relied on machine

language, the lowest-level programming language

understood by computers, to perform operations, and

they could only solve one problem at a time.

•Input was based on punched cards and paper tape,

and output was displayed on printouts.

Computer Generations
The Second Generation

•Transistors replaced vacuum tubes and ushered in the

second generation of computers.

•One transistor replaced the equivalent of 40 vacuum

tubes.

•Allowing computers to become smaller, faster,

cheaper, more energy-efficient and more reliable.

•Still generated a great deal of heat that can damage

the computer.
Computer Generations
•Second-generation computers moved from cryptic binary

machine language to symbolic, or assembly, languages, which

allowed programmers to specify instructions in words.

•Second-generation computers still relied on punched cards

for input and printouts for output.

•These were also the first computers that stored their

instructions in their memory, which moved from a magnetic

drum to magnetic core technology.

Computer Generations
The Third Generation

•The development of the integrated circuit was the hallmark of

the third generation of computers.

•Transistors were miniaturized and placed on silicon chips,

called semiconductors, which drastically increased the speed

and efficiency of computers.

•Much smaller and cheaper compare to the second

generation computers.

•It could carry out instructions in billionths of a second.

Computer Generations
•Users interacted with third generation computers through

keyboards and monitors and interfaced with an operating

system, which allowed the device to run many different

applications at one time with a central program that

monitored the memory.

•Computers for the first time became accessible to a mass

audience because they were smaller and cheaper than their

predecessors.
Computer Generations
The Fourth Generation

•The microprocessor brought the fourth generation of

computers, as thousands of integrated circuits were built onto

a single silicon chip.

•As these small computers became more powerful, they could

be linked together to form networks, which eventually led to the

development of the Internet.

•Fourth generation computers also saw the development of

GUIs, the mouse and handheld devices.

Computer Generations
The Fifth Generation

•Based on Artificial Intelligence (AI).

•Still in development.

•The use of parallel processing and superconductors is helping to make artificial

intelligence a reality.

•The goal is to develop devices that respond to natural language input and are capable of

learning and self-organization.

•There are some applications, such as voice recognition, that are being used today.
Types Of Computers
Mechanical Computers: These computers were the computers of the old era that were
operated mechanically. Analytical engine, Pascal’s machine and Difference engine
explained above are some of the examples of mechanical computers. These were the
machines that made the modern digital electronic computers possible.

Electronic Computers: The first popular electronic computer was ENIAC. After that we are
having all the computers as electronic computers. The speed of the electronic computers
is increasing day by day. Initially these computers were using valves and then use of
transistors became prevalent. After that it was the turn of semiconductor chips. Now we
are using VLSI chips in electronic computers.
Types Of Computers
Analog Computers: The principle on which analog computer work is different from that of
digital computers. These work inputs of continuously varying electrical voltages. Data &
calculations are also in the form of voltages, current and temperature etc. Voltmeters,
Ammeters are some of the devices that measure these things. The analog computers are
faster because they do calculations in parallel but there are chances of error. Many
scientific & engineering types of equipment are analog based.

Digital Computes: The digital computers convert the data into binary digits & then do all
the processes. The data is discontinuous. The speed of the digital computers is very fast &
increasing further. The accuracy is more than analog computers. There is no branch of life
where we are not using digital computers.
Types Of Computers
Hybrid Computers: Hybrid computers use both analog & digital techniques in optimized
way. Many machines that work on some data to be collected from physical quantities work
on analog principle but the interface with the operator or the user is through the digital
principle.

Mainframe Computers: These computers are used where the transactions to be

performed on the same data are large in numbers. Mainframe computers are best in
handling the large databases. These are used in large corporate houses, banks, insurance
companies, Govt. offices, defense and airline industry.
Types Of Computers
Mainframe systems are very costly. As per their functionality also they are out of the
domain of the common man. One mainframe system can support many users around the
world working on the same data at the same time. The number of users a particular
mainframe can support can vary from few hundred to thousands. These use concepts of
Distributed database management system & parallel processing. Integrity & security of
data are the key features that have to be taken care.
Types Of Computers
Mainframe systems are very costly. As per their functionality also they are out of the
domain of the common man. One mainframe system can support many users around the
world working on the same data at the same time. The number of users a particular
mainframe can support can vary from few hundred to thousands. These use concepts of
Distributed database management system & parallel processing. Integrity & security of
data are the key features that have to be taken care.

Mini Computers: Most of the minicomputers are designed to act as servers in the labs
which are having many terminals connected to each other in the network. These
minicomputers serve the network sharing needs of the user. Now the days the scalable
mini computers are being used as web servers with different memory requirements of
different users. The cost of the minicomputers is less as compared to the mainframes, but
still these are out of the range of common man.
Types Of Computers
Super Computers: As the name suggests these are the best of all computers in terms of
speed & performance. These computers are very costly & occupy largest of the physical
space as compared to others. The latest Supercomputers can perform around 5 trillion
calculations per second that is near impossible for the human mind. The memory capacity
of some of the Supercomputers is also to the tune of many Terra Bytes. The
supercomputers are using the latest techniques like parallel processing, Vector Processing,
Pipelining, Distributed Processing.
Types Of Computers
Workstations: Workstations are often designed with specific applications in mind. The
companies are providing scalable architecture workstations for fulfilling the specific
demands of the customers. If a civil Engineer wants a workstation for designing with the
latest software using high end graphics & 3D simulation then the workstation will have the
powerful graphic processors besides other configuration matching the customer needs.
The workstations are always more powerful then a typical computer in terms of storage
capacity and processing speed.
Types Of Computers
Personnel Computers (PCs): when anyone uses the term personal computer,
microcomputer or desktop computer that means the small computers that are used in
offices, homes or classrooms.
These are called personal computers because they fulfill the needs & requirements of an
individual. These are called desktop because they can be fitted on to a single desktop.
These are called microcomputer because they generally have a single microprocessor
chip that performs all the functions of a CPU. These systems come in various sizes, shapes
& color. Different system have different configuration depending upon the individual
needs.
The applications of PCs are in word processing, Accounting, Education, Database
management, managing small businesses, Health, Painting, communication and playing
games etc.
Types Of Computers
Laptop Computers: These are similar to Personal computers in terms of performance but
they differ only in their size. The power requirements of a laptop computers are very less so
they can work on small batteries for a longer period. These are also called portable
computers due to their small size. These can fit in to a small bag & can be carried with
while traveling. These are very useful for the managers of the multinational companies
and for the marketing persons because they need to travel to different places most of the
time. The cost of the laptops are higher than a PC but are still in the affordable range.
These will further go down in the near future.
Types Of Computers
Handheld Computers: These are the computers that are of very small size & can be
carried in your pocket. These are called handheld computers. Personal Digital assistants,
Mobile phones with Internet facility, High-end calculators, palmtop computers and
personal organizer are all under this category.
These computers may not have the power equivalent to a PC but these are very handy for
performing small tasks when you are on the move. These devices have a fair amount of
memory and also good processing speed. These systems are evolving very fast &
everyone will be carrying a handheld computer in the very near future. The main works
which are done on these devices are to manage the addresses & contact information
Types Of Computers
Wearable Computers:
It is a computer that is part of the user always even while walking or doing any other
activity. These computers can be part of your jacket or glasses or belt or anything else that
you wear. Several wearable computers are already in the market. Wristwatch computers,
Pocket computers with display in the glasses are already popular.
Assignment
1. Who is the father of Computer?
2. Who is the inventor of programming languages?
3. In your own opinion, what is the major effect that computer contributes to the society.
4. Give an examples on each type of computers.