Know the Computer

• Introduction

• What does computer stand for?

• Strengths of computers

• Limitations of computers

• Fundamental uses of computers

• Development of computers

• Types of Computers

• Generations of Computers

Introduction

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Suppose you are a student or a teacher or a professional concerned with any trade and you are asked what computer is. Can you afford ‘No’? It is quite amazing that somebody is literate and does not know what computer is. Seems unbelievable? Today, computer is everywhere and anybody on the earth can hardly ignore the truth of its existence. You go to a departmental store there you will find a bar code reader that checks bar code on your products purchased and a printer that prints your bill having connected to a computer. The maching loking like an has changed the way of our complete style of living. Post cards have been replaced with emails. Banking has got new dimensions. Ticketing has taken a new shape. All look like as if some hidden power is commanding like a Sanskrit word Tatha- Astu that means-‘Be as you wish’. When this machine has changed the way of our life, should not this be our responsibility to know every bit and byte of this divine creation? I personally do not call it human creation, rather it is a divine creation whose idea was thrust upon human minds to make our lives comfortable. This chapter is an effort to deliver you maximum information on what this is.

What does computer stand for?

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Simply defining, a computer is an electronic machine that performs arithmetic and

logical operations. In other words, computer can be defined as a machine that can be

used for manipulating data according to a list of instructions. However, computer is

not limited today to a few works as it was in its infancy. Early electronic computers were

of the size of a large room, consuming as much power as several hundred modern personal

computers. Today, computers take numerous physical forms. Computers can be made

small enough to fit into a wrist watch and be powered from a watch battery. We can find

around us personal computers and their portable equivalents as well. There are embedded

computers in vogue also. Embedded computers are small, simple devices that are often

used to control other devices—for example, they may be found in machines ranging from

fighter aircrafts to industrial robots, digital cameras, and even children’s toys.

The ability to store and execute programs makes computers extremely versatile and distinguishes

them from calculators. Any computer with a certain minimum capability is, in

principle, capable of performing the same tasks that any other computer can perform.

Therefore, computers with capability and complexity ranging from that of a personal digital

assistant to a super computer are all able to perform the same computational tasks as long

as time and storage capacity are not considerations.

Why computer literacy ?

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Why is it necessary to know about computers ? Is it just an effort to establish an industry

or has it really become so important that one can't do without knowing about it ? Before

finding an answer to it, please have a glance at the application of computers around you.

You must be watching T.V. everyday. Is it possible to telecast news or other programs

without being aided by computer ? Not at all. In Television studio, one uses computerised

graphics and high level computer operated light system. In addition, in live telecast of the

news and so many other activities, the application of computer is a must. Have you ever

paid attention to weather news? How are you given weather forecast? The meterological

department, besides using an extensive computer network for it, uses satellite linked

computer forecast system. Have you ever paid attention to the utility of computer in a car

or bike ? The fuel system of a bike or car is controlled by a computer itself. Have you

ever glanced at then Traffic control system ? The entire traffic-light system is controlled by

a computer. In developed countries the entire traffic is controlled by a computer. You must

be aware of the utility of computer in the banking system, which is completely based on

computer. The automated taylor machine in itself is a complete computer. Can you think

of an area where computer is not in use ? Computer helps us in air-craft landing, medicinal

treatment, telecom, education, maintaining the relationship, managing the finance, doing

research, entertainment, and in many such things.

● Computer is an electronic machine that performs arithmetic and logical operations as well.
● Strengths of computers include speed, automation, accuracy, storage capacity, versatility, diligence and reliability.
● Weaknesses of computers include lack of intelligence and common sense. In addition, computer is unable in self - protection.
● Electronic Fund Transfer is the system that gives us the liberty to manage our banking transactions from home.
● In 1801, a French weaver Joseph Jacquard invented a loom which was able to give pattern and design, automatically, to the fabric.
● Beginning of the nineteenth century was a golden era in the history of computers.
● Charles Babbage developed "Difference Engine" in 1822.
● In 1833, Charles Babbage, developed an advanced version of "Difference Engine" called Analytical Engine.
● In year 1896, Hollerith established a company "Tabulating Machine Company", this company was engaged in making punch card machines.
● IBM developed "Automatic Sequence Control Calculator" in 1944.
● ABC means Atanasoff-Berry Computer. It was the first electronic digital computer.
● In year 1946, Eckert and Mauchly developed a computer, named ENIAC.
● ENIAC was 100 feet long, 10 feet high and weighing around 80 tonnes. It was having 18000 vacuum tubes and used to consume 140 Kilowatt of energy.
● Period for Different generation of computers are as under :
First generation - 1946-1956
Second generation - 1956-1964
Third generation - 1964-1971
Fourth generation - 1971-Present
Fifth generation - Present-Future
● Second generation computers were having main logic element - transistors-instead of vacuum tubes.
● EDVAC stands for Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer.
● Transistors were developed by William Shockley in 1947.
● Third generation computers were having IC as logic element instead of transistors.
● Super Computer developed by India is PARAM.
● Workstations are more powerful machines than micro computers, however incorporate many features of those computers.
● Embedded computers are small, simple devices that are often used to control other devices.
● Mini Computers have multiple CPUs.
● Examples of mainframe are IBM-4381, ICL-39 series, CDC Cyber Series.
● Super computers work on "Non-von Neumann principle."
● In Super Computer, a CPU has many ALUs

1. A computer is an electronic machine that performs arithmetic and logical operations. In other words, computer can be defined as a machine that can be used for manipulating data according to a list of instructions.
2. Strengths of Computer :
• Good Speed
• Automotion
• Accuracy in output
• High storage capacity
• Versatility
• Reliability.
3. Limitations of Computers :
• Lack of Intelligence
• Lack of Common Sense
• Unable in Self Protection.
4. Attributes of the First Generation :
• Vacuum Tubes
• Punch Card for Input/Output
• Magnetic Drum Internal Memory
• Limited Application
• Programming in Machine and Assembly Language.
5. Classification on the basis of size – This classification has following categories :
• Micro computers
• Workstations
• mini computers
• mainframe computers
• super computers
• embedded computers
6. Palmtop Computers–Palmtop computers are the most portable personal computers and can be held in your palm. They can be said pocket computers also though the term is not prevalent officially. Palmtop computers are now available in several forms. They can be Tablet PCs and PDAs.
7. Super Computers–Super computers are computers with biggest capacity and highest working speed among all the categories of computers. It has multiple CPUs arranged and working parallel to each other.