FUNDAMENTAL OF COMPUTERS
FUNDAMENTAL OF COMPUTERS
UNIT-1
Introduction to Computers: Basics and Applications
Digital Computer Systems:
- Characteristics
- Digital vs. Analog Computer System
What is Computer?
- A computer is a programmable electronic device that can process and store data, follow instructions (programs), and perform various tasks. It receives input, processes it according to the instructions given, and produces output based on the processed information. Computers come in various forms, from desktops and laptops to smartphones and tablets, and they play crucial roles in numerous aspects of modern life, including communication, entertainment, education, business, and scientific research.
- Understanding Digital Computers:
- A digital computer is a type of electronic device that processes and stores data in a digital format, represented by discrete values or digits. Unlike analog computers, which process continuous data, digital computers operate on discrete binary digits, commonly known as bits, which can have only two possible values: 0 or 1.
- Characteristics of Digital Computers:
i) Automatic: These machines work by themselves once they're turned on. They can handle tasks without needing humans to constantly guide them. This is super useful for doing repetitive or complex tasks that might tire out our brains.
ii) Speed: Digital computers work in steps, like taking tiny leaps forward. But even though they work this way, they're super fast! They can do millions or even billions of actions in just one second.
iii) Accuracy: Digital computers store information in a special way that keeps it safe and accurate for a long time. So when you ask them for something, they can find it exactly how you left it.
iv) Flexibility: These computers are like multitaskers – they can handle different jobs all at once without getting confused. They're really good at changing what they're doing based on the information they're given.
v) Memory: Digital computers have a great memory! They can remember lots of things without forgetting. It's like having a super organized filing cabinet inside the computer's brain where it keeps all the stuff it needs to know.
Digital vs. Analog Computer Systems:
Feature Digital Computers Analog Computers Representation Data represented using discrete values Data represented using continuous signals Processing Logical operations on binary digits (bits) Manipulation of physical quantities Accuracy High accuracy and precision Limited accuracy due to analog nature Flexibility Versatile and capable of diverse tasks Often specialized for specific applications Examples Personal computers, smartphones, servers Historical: weather prediction, simulations - Computer Generations:
- 1. First Generation (1940s-1950s): - Main technology: Vacuum tubes - Examples: ENIAC, UNIVAC I - Characteristics: - Used vacuum tubes for computation. - Large, expensive, and unreliable. - Programmed using machine language and assembly language. 2. Second Generation (1950s-1960s): - Main technology: Transistors - Examples: IBM 1401, UNIVAC 1107 - Characteristics: - Replaced vacuum tubes with transistors, reducing size and cost. - Introduction of magnetic core memory. - Batch processing and early operating systems. 3. Third Generation (1960s-1970s): - Main technology: Integrated circuits (ICs) - Examples: IBM System/360, DEC PDP-11 - Characteristics: - Integrated circuits allowed for smaller, faster, and more reliable computers. - Introduction of high-level programming languages (e.g., FORTRAN, COBOL). - Multiprogramming and time-sharing operating systems. 4. Fourth Generation (1970s-1980s): - Main technology: Microprocessors - Examples: IBM PC, Apple II - Characteristics: - Microprocessors enabled the development of affordable personal computers (PCs). - Introduction of graphical user interfaces (GUIs) and desktop operating systems (e.g., Windows, Mac OS). - Expansion of software applications and the software industry. 5. Fifth Generation (1980s-Present): - Main technology: VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) microprocessors - Examples: Modern PCs, smartphones, tablets - Characteristics: - Continued miniaturization and integration of components. - Proliferation of mobile computing devices and embedded systems. - Advancements in networking, internet technologies, and cloud computing.
- Types of Computers and Their Classifications:
Computer Hardware: The physical components of a computer system, including the CPU, memory, storage devices, input/output devices, and peripherals.
Computer Software: Programs, instructions, and data that tell the computer hardware how to perform tasks and interact with users, including operating systems, utility programs, and application software.
Elements of Computer Hardware: 1. CPU (Central Processing Unit): The primary component responsible for executing instructions and performing calculations in a computer system. 2. I/O Devices (Input/Output Devices): Hardware components that allow users to input data into the computer and receive output from it. Examples include keyboards, mice, monitors, printers, and scanners. 3. Storage Devices: Hardware components used to store data and programs permanently or temporarily. Examples include hard disk drives (HDDs), solid-state drives (SSDs), optical drives (CD/DVD drives), and USB flash drives. 4. Media Used in PCs: Various types of storage media used to store and transfer data in computer systems. Examples include magnetic disks (hard disks, floppy disks), optical discs (CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray discs), and flash memory (USB drives, memory cards).
Computer Software: Types of Software:
Software can be broadly categorized into two main types: System Software and Application Software. 1. System Software: Software designed to provide a platform for running other software and managing computer hardware. It includes operating systems, device drivers, and utility programs. 2. Application Software: Software designed for specific tasks or applications, such as word processing, spreadsheet management, graphic design, and web browsing. It enables users to perform various functions and tasks on a computer system.
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