ASSIGNMENT OF

COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS
SUBMITTED TO: MR. PRABHJINDER SINGH

SUBMITTED BY: MANISH(32)

MANJU(36)
MEHAK(40)
 INTRODUCTION
The word “computer” comes from the word “compute”, which means, “to calculate”.
Hence, people usually consider a computer to be a calculating device that can perform
arithmetic operations at high speed. Although the original objective of inventing a computer
was to create a fast calculating device, we now define a computer as a device that operates
upon data because more than 80% of work done by today`s computers is data processing.
A computer is often referred to as a data processor because it can store, process, and
retrieve data whenever desired. The name data processor is more inclusive because modern
computers not only compute in the usual sense but also perform other functions with data
that flows to and from them. The activity of processing data using a computer is called data
processing. Data processing consists of three sub- activities: capturing input data,
manipulating the data and managing output results.
The straightforward meaning of a computer is a machine that can calculate.
However, modern computers are not just a calculating device anymore. They can
perform a variety of tasks. In simple terms, a computer is a programmable electronic
machine used to store, retrieve, and process data.
According to the definition, "A computer is a programmable electronic
device that takes data, perform instructed arithmetic and logical
operations, and gives the output."
Whatever is given to the computer as input is called 'data', while the output received
after processing is called 'information'.
1.
DEFINITIONS
In 1860s, computer term was first used as “one who calculates”. From 1897, term
changed and got a new meaning “ calculating machine”. From 1945 the term indicates as
“ Programmable Digital Electronic Computer”
( DINESH THAKUR)

2. A device that computes, especially a programmable electronic machine that performs

high-speed mathematical or logical operations or that assembles, stores , correlates, or
otherwise processes information.
( AMERICAN HERITAGE)

3. Computer is an electronic device which is capable of receiving information(data) in a

specific form and of performing a sequence of operations in accordance with a
predetermined but variable set of procedural instructions(program) to produce a result in the
form of information or signals.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTER
Increasing popularity of computers has proved that it is very powerful and useful tool. The
power and usefulness of this popular tool are mainly due to its following characteristics:
1. AUTOMATIC: An automatic machine works by itself without human invention.
Computers are automatic machines because once started a job, they carry out the job until
it is finished. However, computers being machines cannot start themselves and cannot go
out and find their own problems and solutions.
2. SPEED: A Computer is a very fast device. It can perform in a few seconds ,the amount
of work that a human being can do in an entire year. In other words, a computer can do in
few minutes what would take a man his entire lifetime.
3. ACCURACY: In addition to being very fast, computers are very accurate. Accuracy of a
computer is consistently high and the degree of its accuracy depends upon its design. A
computer perfoms every calculation with the same accuracy.
4. DILLIGENCE: unlike human beings, a computer is free from monotony, tiredness and lack of
concentration. It can continously work for hours without creating any error and without grumbling.
Hence computers score over human being in doing routine types of jobs that require great accuracy. If
ten million calculation have to be performed, a computer will perform the last one with the same
accuracy and speed as the first one.

5. VERSATILITY: Versatility is one of the most wonderful things about a computer. In brief a
computer is capable of performing almost any task, if the task can be reduced to a finite series of
logical steps.

6. POWER OF REMEMBERING: A computer can store and recall any amount of information
because of its secondary storage capability. It can retain a piece of information as long as a user desires
and the user can recall the information whenever required. Even after several years, a user can recall
exactly the same information that he/she had stored in the computer several years ago.
7. NO I.Q.
A computer is not a magical device. It possesses no intelligence of its own. Its I.Q. is zero ,at
least until today. It has to be told what to do and what in what sequence. Hence, only a user
determinates what tasks a computer will perform. A computer cannot takes its own decision in
this regard.
8. NO FEELINGS:
Computers are devoid of emotions. They have no feelings and no instincts because they are
machines. Although men have succeeded in building a memory for compute, but no computer
possesses the equivalent of a human heart and soul. Based on our feelings, taste, knowledge and
experience we often make certain judgements in our day to day life whereas, computers
cannot make such judgements on their own.
9. STORAGE CAPACITY:
computer can store vast amount of data. Today’s computers have increased storage capacity
compared to earlier days. We have the option to store data in secondary devices such as external
drives, or floppies,etc. These secondary devices can be kept separate from the computer or
attached to other computers.
 History of Computer
The history of computers goes back over 200 years. At first theorized by mathematicians
and entrepreneurs, during the 19th century mechanical calculating machines were designed
and built to solve the increasingly complex number-crunching challenges. The
advancement of technology enabled ever more-complex computers by the early 20th
century, and computers became larger and more powerful.
Today, computers are almost unrecognizable from designs of the 19th century, such as
Charles Babbage's Analytical Engine — or even from the huge computers of the 20th
century that occupied whole rooms, such as the Electronic Numerical Integrator and
Calculator.
There are five prominent generations of computers. Each generation has
witnessed several technological advances which change the functionality of the computers.
This results in more compact, powerful, robust systems which are less expensive.
Classification of generations of computers
The evolution of computer technology is often divided into five generations.

Five Generations of Computers

Generations of computers Generations timeline Evolving hardware

First generation
1942-1955 Vacuum tube based

Second generation
1955-1964 Transistor based

Third generation
1964-1975 Integrated circuit based

Fourth generation
1975-1989 Microprocessor based

Fifth generation
First Generation of Computers
The technology behind the primary generation computers was a fragile glass device, which was called vacuum
tubes. These computers were very heavy and really large in size. These weren’t very reliable and programming on
them was a really tedious task as they used high-level programming language and used no OS. First-generation
computers were used for calculation, storage, and control purpose. They were too bulky and large that they
needed a full room and consume rot of electricity.
It was the only high speed electronic switching device available in those days .
The memory of these computers used electromagnetic relays , and all data and instructions were fed into the
system from punched cards . The instructions were written in machine and assembly language because high –
level programming language were introduced later . Since machine language and assembly language are very
difficult to work with , only a few specialists understood how to program these early computers.
The main characteristics of first generation of
computers (1940s-1950s)
•Main electronic component – vacuum tube
•Main memory – magnetic drums and magnetic tapes
•Programming language – machine language
•Power – consume a lot of electricity and generate a lot of heat.
•Speed and size -very large in size (often taking up entire room).
•Input/output devices – punched cards and paper tape.
•Examples – ENIAC, UNIVAC1, IBM 650, IBM 701, etc.
•Quantity – there were about 100 different vacuum tube
computers produced between 1942 and1963.
Second Generation of Computers
The second generation computer were manufactured using transistors instead of vacuum tubes due
to the properties of transistors listed above these computer were powerful ;more reliable; less
expensive; smaller and cooler to operate then the first computers. They used magnetic cores for
main memory ; and magnetic disk and tape as secondary storage media punched cards were still
popular and widely used for preparing and feeding program and data to these computers.
On software font; high level programming languages (like fortran ;cobol;algol and snobol) and
batch operating system emerged during second generation . High level programming languages were
easier for people to understand and work with than assembly or machine languages making second
generation easier to program and use than first generation computer introduction of batch operating
system causes automatic transition from one job to another as soon as the former job completes this
concept helped in reducing human intervention while processing multiple jobs resulting in faster
processing , enhanced through put, and easier operation of second generation computers.
The main characteristics of second generation
of computers (1950s-1960s)
•Main electronic component – transistor
•Memory – magnetic core and magnetic tape / disk
•Programming language – assembly language
•Power and size – low power consumption, generated less
heat, and smaller in size (in comparison with the first
generation computers).
•Speed – improvement of speed and reliability (in comparison
with the first generation computers).
•Input/output devices – punched cards and magnetic tape.
•Examples – IBM 1401, IBM 7090 and 7094, UNIVAC 1107,
etc.
Third Generation of Computers
During the third generation, technology envisaged a shift from huge transistors to
integrated circuits, also referred to as IC. Here a variety of transistors were placed on
silicon chips, called semiconductors. The most feature of this era’s computer was the
speed and reliability. IC was made from silicon and also called silicon chips.
A single IC, has many transistors, registers, and capacitors built on one thin slice of
silicon. The value size was reduced and memory space and dealing efficiency were
increased during this generation. Programming was now wiped out Higher level languages
like BASIC (Beginners All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code). Minicomputers find their
shape during this era.
The main characteristics of third generation of
computers (1960s-1970s)
•Main electronic component – integrated circuits (ICs)
•Memory – large magnetic core, magnetic tape / disk
•Programming language – high level language
(FORTRAN, BASIC, Pascal, COBOL, C, etc.)
•Size – smaller, cheaper, and more efficient than second
generation computers (they were called minicomputers).
•Speed – improvement of speed and reliability (in
comparison with the second generation computers).
•Input / output devices – magnetic tape, keyboard,
monitor, printer, etc.
Examples – IBM 360, IBM 370, PDP-11, UNIVAC 1108,
etc.
Fourth Generation of Computers
In 1971 First microprocessors were used, the large scale of integration LSI circuits built on one chip called
microprocessors. The most advantage of this technology is that one microprocessor can contain all the circuits
required to perform arithmetic, logic, and control functions on one chip.
The computers using microchips were called microcomputers. This generation provided the even smaller size of
computers, with larger capacities. That’s not enough, then Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits replaced
LSI circuits. The Intel 4004chip, developed in 1971, located all the components of the pc from the central
processing unit and memory to input/ output controls on one chip and allowed the dimensions to reduce
drastically.
Technologies like multiprocessing, multiprogramming, time-sharing, operating speed, and virtual memory made
it a more user-friendly and customary device. The concept of private computers and computer networks came
into being within the fourth generation.
The main characteristics of fourth generation of
computers (1970s-present)
•Main electronic component – very large-scale integration
(VLSI) and microprocessor.
•VLSI– thousands of transistors on a single microchip.
•Memory – semiconductor memory (such as RAM, ROM, etc.)
•RAM (random-access memory) – a type of data storage
(memory element) used in computers that temporary stores of
programs and data (volatile: its contents are lost when the
computer is turned off).
•ROM (read-only memory) – a type of data storage used in
computers that permanently stores data and programs (non-
volatile: its contents are retained even when the computer is
turned off).
•Programming language – high level language
(Python, C#, Java, JavaScript, Rust, Kotlin, etc.).
• A mix of both third- and fourth-
generation languages
•Size – smaller, cheaper and more efficient than third
generation computers.
•Speed – improvement of speed, accuracy, and
reliability (in comparison with the third generation
computers).
•Input / output devices – keyboard, pointing devices,
optical scanning, monitor, printer, etc.
•Network – a group of two or more computer systems
linked together.
•Examples – IBM PC, STAR 1000, APPLE II, Apple
Macintosh, etc.
Fifth Generation of Computers
The technology behind the fifth generation of computers is AI. It allows computers to behave like humans. It
is often seen in programs like voice recognition, area of medicines, and entertainment. Within the field of
games playing also it’s shown remarkable performance where computers are capable of beating human
competitors.
The speed is highest, size is that the smallest and area of use has remarkably increased within the fifth
generation computers. Though not a hundred percent AI has been achieved to date but keeping in sight the
present developments, it is often said that this dream also will become a reality very soon.
In order to summarize the features of varied generations of computers, it is often said that a big improvement
has been seen as far because the speed and accuracy of functioning care, but if we mention the dimensions,
it’s being small over the years. The value is additionally diminishing and reliability is in fact increasing.
The main characteristics of fifth generation of
computers (the present and the future)
•Main electronic component: based on artificial intelligence, uses the
Ultra Large-Scale Integration (ULSI) technology and parallel
processing method.
• ULSI – millions of transistors on a single microchip
• Parallel processing method – use two or more
microprocessors to run tasks simultaneously.
•Language – understand natural language (human language).
•Power – consume less power and generate less heat.
•Speed – remarkable improvement of speed, accuracy and reliability
(in comparison with the fourth generation computers).
•Size – portable and small in size, and have a huge storage capacity.
•Input / output device – keyboard, monitor, mouse, trackpad (or
touchpad), touchscreen, pen, speech input (recognise voice / speech),
light scanner, printer, etc.
•Example – desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones, etc.
 Analog computer
• A computer that uses a continuous signal to process is called an
analog computer.
• Mihailo Prtovic Alas invented the analog computer. He was an
influential Serbian mathematician and inventor. He was also a
distinguished professor at Belgrade University.
• Analog computer system is a type of computer system that operates on
the mathematical variables that consist of changeable physical
quantities like mechanical or electrical etc.
• Used to measure voltage, pressure, electric current, temperature etc.
 Analog computer
• These computers make use of continuous values in place
of discrete values that generate an analog signal.
• Analog computers were in use during the 1950-1960s
which were in itself a successor to code-breaking
machines used during World War II.
• Analog computers have a limited capacity in accepting
and computing problems and may not always be accurate
in their result.
• They show the results in a simple or graphical way within
short period of time.
 DIGITAL COMPUTER
• A computer that uses a discrete signal for its operation
is called a digital computer.
• Digital computers are the machines that employ a
binary number system which has two digits only: 0
and 1. Using this binary system, many complicated
tasks are undertaken.
• It processes the data represented in discrete and the
main three components of digital computers are as
follows: 1.input 2.processing 3.output
 Digital computer
• The first digital computer was designed for numerical
computations during the 1940s and made several
advancements over the years.
• Presper Eckert, John William Mauchly and their associates
at the Moore School of Electrical Engineering of the
University of Pennsylvania invented the first electronic
digital computer(called the ENIAC) during the years 1943-
1946.
• Digital computers have more accuracy than the analog
computers as they are not dependent on physical
Difference between analog and digital computer
Analog computer
• It is a computer that uses a
continuous signal to process.
• Output of analog computers is in the
form of graphical or voltage signals.
• Analog computers transmit the data
on a continuous signal.
• Analog computers are slower.
• These computers are used in specific
fields such as mechanical engineering
and medicine as they are difficult to
use.
Digital computer
• It is a computer that uses a discrete
signal for its operation.
• Output of digital computers is in the
form of binary numbers
• Digital computers transmit the data
on a discrete signal.
• Digital computers are high-speed
device.
• These computers are used around the
world as they are quite easy to use.
 Analog
•
computer
Readability of analog computers is
low.
• Power consumption is high.
• These computers have low or
limited memory and it stores less
amount of data.
• The best examples of an analog
device are 3 hands wrist watch
and oscilloscope(an instrument
used to display and analyze the
waveform of electronic signals)
used by engineers.
Digital computer
• Readability of digital computers is
high.
• Power consumption is low.
• Digital computers have large
memory and hence it stores large
amount of data.
• The best examples of digital
devices are PC, smart phones ,
calculators, a pedometer(which
counts the exact number of steps
while walking).
•THANKYOU!!!!