Introduction To Computer: by Kiramat Rahman Department of Computer & Software Technology

Introduction to Computer
By
Kiramat Rahman
Department of Computer & Software
Technology
Outline
• Define Computer
• Characteristics of Computer
• The Evolution of Computer
• The Computer Generation
Computer Definition
• The Word “Computer” comes from “Compute”
which mean calculate.
• Original Objective of Computer invention was
• To create fast calculating machine.
• Computer is a calculating device but
• Computer Today Perform non-mathematical or non-
numerical nature of work(up to 80%)
• Hence Defining computer as calculating device
• Mean to ignore over 80% of its work.
Computer Definition cont……
• More Accurately a Computer may be define as
a “Device that operate upon information or
data”
• Data can be any thing such as
• Bio data, marks obtained by student in various
subject, scientific research data, passenger
detail etc
Computer definition cont….
• Data comes in various shapes and sizes
depend on
• The type of computer application used
• A computer can
• Store, process, and retrieve data.
Characteristics of Computers
Speed:
• Computer is fast device
• It can perform in few seconds the amount of work
that a human being can do in an entire year.
• Speed of computer we do not talk in terms of
seconds or even milliseconds
• Our units of speed are the microseconds (10-6)
nanoseconds(10-9), and even the picoseconds(10-
12),
Characteristics of Computers cont…
Accuracy:
• Accuracy of computer is consistently high
• Degree of accuracy of a particular computer
depends upon its design. But
• For a particular computer, each and every
calculation is performed with the same accuracy.
• Errors may occur in a computer, but these are
mainly due to human
• rather than technological.
• Diligence
• Unlike human beings, a computer is free from
• Tiredness, lack of concentration, etc and
hence can work for hours together without
creating any error and without grumbling.
• Computer perform ten millionth calculation
with exactly the same accuracy and speed as
the first one.
• Versatility: computer is capable of performing
almost any task provided that the task can be
reduced to a series of logical steps.
• Power of Remembering
• No I.Q
• No Feelings
The Evolution of Computers
• Necessity is the mother of invention.
• Same is true for Computer because
• Man search for fast and accurate calculating
devices and
• Invented Computer
The Evolution of Computers cont…
• The earliest device was “abacus” also know as
“soroban”.
• Abacus invented around 600 B.C
• This device permits user to represent number by
the position of beads on a rack.
• Simple addition and subtraction can be carried
out
• Rapidly and efficiently by positioning the beads
appropriately.
The Evolution of Computers cont….
• In 17th century a manual calculating device was John
Napiers bone or cardboard multiplication calculator
• Its upgraded version were in use even around 1890.
• The first mechanical adding machine was invented
by Blaise Pascal in 1642.
• Later in the year 1671 Baron Gottfried Wilhelm von
Leibniz of Germany invented the first calculator for
multiplication.
The Evolution of Computers cont….
• In 1880 first Keyboard machines originated in
the United States and are
• Extensively used even today.
• Around this period only, Herman Hollerith
came up with the concept of Punched card
The Evolution of Computers cont…
• In Nineteenth century Charles Babbage a
Professor at Cambridge University.
• He is the father of modern digital computers.
• In 1822 babbage designed a “ Difference
Engine”. Which could produce reliable table.
• In 1842 babbage came out with his new idea
of “Analytical Engine”.
The Evolution of Computer cont…
• It was to be capable of performing the basic
arithmetic functions for any mathematical
problem and
• It was to do so at an average speed of 60
addition per minute.
• Although he has not provide a workable model
yet establish a number principles which is a
fundamental to the design of any digital
computer.
We will now discuss about some of the well

known early computers.
THE MARK I COMPUTER(1937-44)
• Also know as automatic sequence controlled calculator.
• This was the first automatic calculating machine.
• Designed by Howard A. Aiken in collaboration with
IBM(International Business Machines)
• Its Designed was based on the techniques already
developed for punched card machinery.
• Extremely reliable but complex in design and huge in
size
• It used over 3000 electrically activated
switches to control its operations.
• It was 50 feet long and 8 feet high.
• Capable of performing five basic arithmetic
operation.
• 23 decimal digit could be used in this machine
• It took 0.3 second and 4.5 seconds for add and
multiplication respectively.
• Mechanical and Electronic components were
used in its design.
• Its operation were not controlled
electronically.
• Aiken,s machine is often classified as
computer because its instruction, which
entered by means of punched paper tape,
could be altered.
THE ATANASOFF BERRY COMPUTER(1939-42)
• Dr John Atanasoff and his assistant clifford
berry have developed this electronic machine
• For solving mathematical equations
• It was called ABC (Atansoff-Berry Computer)
• It used 45 Vacuum tubes for internal logic and
• Capacitors for storage
THE ENIAC(1943-46)
• Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator(ENIAC)
• Professors J Presper Eckert and john Mauchly
constructed this machine.
• ENIAC was developed as a result military need
• It took up the wall space in a 20 X 40 Square feet room
and used 18,000 vacuum tubes.
• Addition and multiplication of two numbers was
achieved in 200 microsecond and 2000 microseconds
respectively.
• ENIAC have two shortcomings.
• It could store and manipulate only a very
limited amount of information and
• Its programs were wired on board.
• These limitation make it difficult to detect
errors and to change programs.
THE EDVAC (1946-52)
• Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer was
design on stored program concept.
• Dr John Von Neumann developed a new concept of
“stored program”. That is
• Instruction as well data can be stored in the memory of
the computer for the purpose of
• Automatically directing the flow of operations
• Because of this feature we often refer to modern digital
computers as stored program digital computers
• Von Neuman have also introduce the idea of
storing both instructions and data in the
binary form instead of
• the decimal numbers or human readable
word.
THE EDSAC (1947-49)
• Britishers developed the Electronic Delay Storage
Automatic Calculator(EDSAC).
• The machine executed its first program in may 1949.
• Machine was develped by a group of scientis headed
by Prof: Maurice Wilkes at Cambridge University.
• In this machine addition and multiplication operation
was accomplished in 1500 microsecond and 4000
microsecond respectively.
MANCHESTER MARK I (1948)
• This was a small experimental machine based on the
• Stored program concept
• It was design at manchester University by a group of
scientists headed by
• Prof: M.H.A newman.
• Storage capacity was 32 words, each of 31 binary digits.
• It was too limited to store data and instruction.
• Hence Manchester Mark I was hardly of any practical use.
THE UNIVAC I (1951)
• The Universal Automatic Computer(UNIVAC)
• Commercially available digital computer that
• Could be used for business and scientific
application has arrived.
• Many UNIVAC machine were produced.
• The first of which was installed in the Census
Bureau in 1951 and used continuously for 10
years.
• The first Business use of a computer, a UNIVAC
I was by General Electric Corporation in 1954.
• IBM in 1952 introduced 701 commercial
computer.
• 700 series were introduced rapidly
• IBM in 1953 produced the IBM-650 and sold
over 1000 of these computer
THE COMPUTER GENERATION
• “Generation” in computer is a step in technology.
• It provides a framework for the growth of
computer industry.
• Originally, the term “ generation” was used to
distinguish between varying hardware
technologies .
• Now a days hardware and software both are
included which make the entire system.
• There are totally five computer generation.
THE COMPUTER GENERATION cont..
FIRST GENERATION (1942-1955)

• The vacuumed tube computers are referred to
as first generation computers.
• Vacuum tube was a fragile glass device that
could control and amplify electronic signals.
• Some of them we have discuss early ENIAC,
EDVAC, EDSAC etc.
THE COMPUTER GENERATION cont..
Advantages
• Vacuum tubes were the only electronic
component available during those days
• Vacuum tubes technology made possible the
advent of electronic digital computers.
• These computers were the fastest calculating
device of their time. They could perform
computations in milliseconds.
THE COMPUTER GENERATION cont…
Disadvantages
• Too bulky in size
• Unreliable
• Thousands of vacuum tubes that were used
emitted large amount of heat and burnt out
frequently.
• Air conditioning required
• Prone to frequent hardware failures
• Constant maintenance required

• Nonportable
• Manual assembly of individual components
into functioning unit required
• Commercial production was difficult and
costly
• Limited commercial use
SECOND GENERATION (1955-1964)
• Transistor, a small and more reliable successor to the
vacuum tube, was invented in 1947.
• The second generation emerged with transistors being the
brain of the computer.
• With both the first and the second generation computers,
the basic component was a discrete or separate entity.
• The cost of assembling these component are two high
and make commercial production of these computers
difficult.
Advantages
• Smaller in size as compared to first generation.
• More reliable
• Less heat generated
• These computers were able to reduce computational
times from milliseconds to microseconds
• Less prone to hardware failure
• Better portability
• Wider commercial use
Disadvantages
• Air conditioning required
• Frequent maintenance required
• Manual assembly of individual components
into a functioning unit was required.
• Commercial production was difficult and
costly
• THIRD GENERATION (1964-1975)

• Third generation was based on “ Integrated
circuits” (ICs).
• The computer that were designed with the
use of integrated circuits were called third
generation computers.
Advantages
• Smaller in size as compared to pervious generation
computers.
• Even more reliable than second generation computers.
• Even lower heat generated than second generation
computers.
• These computers were able to reduce computational
times from microseconds to nanoseconds
• Maintenance cost is low because hardware failure are
rare.
• Easily portable.
• Totally general purpose widely used for various
commercial applications all over the world.
• Less power requirement than previous
generation computers.
• Manual assembly of individual component into
a functioning unit not required.
• Commercial production are easier and cheaper.
Disadvantages
• Air conditioning required in many cases
• Highly sophisticated technology required for
the manufacture of IC chips.
FOURTH GENERATION (1975 ONWARDS)
• A fourth generation computer which is what we have
now has LSI (large scale integration) chips as its brain.
• LSI led to very small but powerful computer
• It was the start of social revolution.
• A whole computer circuit was soon available on a
single chip.
• It become possible for anyone and every one to own
a computer.
Advantages
• Smaller in size because of high component density.
• Very reliable
• Heat generated is negligible
• No air conditioning required in most cases.
• Much faster in computation than previous generation
• Hardware failure is negligible and hence minimal maintenance is
required
• Easily portable because of their small size
• Totally general purpose
• Minimal labour and cost involved at assembly stage
• Cheapest among all generation.
• Disadvantages
• Highly sophisticated technology required for
the manufacture of LSI chips.
FIFTH GENERATION (YET TO COME)

• The last four generation naturally followed its
predecessor
• The fifth generation will be totally different,
totally novel, totally new.
• They aim to bring us machines with genuine I.Q
• The ability to reason logically, and with real
knowledge of the world.
• In structure it will be parallel and will be able

to do multiple task simultaneously.
• In function, it will not be algorithmic(step by
step with one step at a time)
• In nature, it will not do just data processing
but knowledge processing.
• In inference it will not be merely deductive

but also inductive.
• In programing it will interact with human in
ordinary language.
• In architecture, it will have KIPS (Knowledge
Information Processing System) rather than
• The present DIPS/LIPS(data/logic information
processing system.
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Introduction to Computer

We will now discuss about some of the well

FIRST GENERATION (1942-1955)

• Constant maintenance required

• THIRD GENERATION (1964-1975)

FIFTH GENERATION (YET TO COME)

• In structure it will be parallel and will be able

• In inference it will not be merely deductive

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