INTRODUCTION
Computer is a Scientific Electronics Device Which Helps Input Data, Process Data and Output Data as a Reports.
INPUT PROCESSING OUTPUT
Computer can not only store and process data but also retrieve data i.e. take out data from the memory or storage as and when desired.
DATA & INFORMATION
Data in general refers to the raw facts gathered from different sources
Let us say that you have to do a job that to find out the total population of a city and to rank them on the basis of sex i.e.How many man, Women and Children are there ?
Before going to solve the problem you eed some DATA; i.e. you require the name, age, & sex of people. Then you have to process to choose whether the person is a male or female or a children and then to rank them. After processing you will get the list of male, female and children which will be your Information.
So in a simple meaning data after processing will give a meaningful result is known as Information.
FEATURES OF COMPUTER
SPEED : It’s main strength lies in the fact that it works at fantastic speeds. Which is much beyond the capabilities of man.
The unit of speed of a Computer-
1 Milli Second = 10 -3
1 Micro Second = 10 -9
1 Pico Second = 10 -12
ACCURACY : Computers are very accurate and reliable. It produce
100% correct result. Error can occur in a Computer, but these are mainly due to human rather than Technology weakness.
MEMORY : A computer can store and recall any amount of Information because of its Secondary Storage capabilities.
VERSATILITY : There is no limitations for Computer applications. It can perform more than one problem at a time.
DILIGENCE : Unlike human being Computer is free from Monotony tiredness etc. hence it can work for hours together without creating any error and without grumbling.
CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTER :
ANALOG :
This type of computers are mostly used for process control application and Temperture measurement .It has very low memory capacity.
USE : A service station gasoline pump contains an Analog Computer that convert fuel flow measurement into quantity and price values. Thermometer, Voltameter and Ammeter.
DIGITAL :
A Digital Computer is that directly count the numbers or digits. These computers accept digital data, process them and give output in aprinted form.
USE : It is used for Business application.
HYBRID :
Combination of Analog and Digital Computers are called Hybrid Computer.
USE : These are used for both Temperature measurement and Business application. Also these are very useful for Space Research.
MICRO :
These are the lowest end of the computer range. It has a Microprocessor Chip as its CPU. MICRO Computers basically refer to small computers, which are essentially single use system.
USE : It is mostly use for Word Processing calculating and Data Base Management.
MINI :
These are larze in size, faster and powerful than MICRO Computers. It also support multiuser capabilities and time sharing. MINI Computer has only one CPU but many Terminals and Keyboard. Storing capacity is very large than MICRO.
USE : It is used in Image Processing.
MAINFRAME :
These are typically more powerful than MINI. These are the large size m/c which is mean to be used by number of users. It support Multiuser and Multitasking. It can support up to hundred of users. It has very high speed and large storage capacity.
USE : This is mainly used for Scientific and Engineering Problems.
SUPER :
These are the highest end of the Computer range. Super Computers are the fastest and the most expensive m/c.
USE : It is used for weather forcasting, Missile Technology, Geology, Crystallographic.
PERSONAL COMPUTER :
PC are meant for Professionals and small companies. It is used by one person time. These are mostly for carrying out a single task at a time. Most pc are self contained units, which are light enough to be moved. PC have a wide range of application.
HOME :
It is essentially a single board computer. It is for entertainment basic education and home managment. It has very low mwmory capacity.
HISTORY OF COMPUTER :
The computing History starts from the early civilization of 4000 years ago. A instrument with horizontal bars having beads called ABCUS was the first instrumental used for computations. The first Mechanical m/c wasinvented by BLAISE PASCAL in 1642. CHARLES BABBAGEis considered to be the father of modern digital computer(1842).
FIRST GENERATION OF COMPUTER :
ENIAC, EDVAC, EDSCA etc are the first generation computers. Which are started 1942 to 1955. This generation was made by the invention of Vaccum tube generation.
ENIAC-Electronic Numerical Business Machine. EDVAC-Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer. EDSAC- Electronic Delay Stroage Automatic calculator.
ADVANTAGES :
1. Vaccum tubes were the only components available during these days.
2. These components were the fastest calculating device.
DISADVANTGES :
1. Too bulk in size.
2. Unreliable.
3. Airconditioning required.
4. Prone to frequent hardware failure.
5. Constant maintenance required.
6. Commercial production was difficult and costly.
SECOND GENERATION :
This generation was called Transister generation. The Transister is a smaller and more reliable to the Vacuum tube. So this generation Transister being the brain of the computer.
1. Smaller in sive compare to 1st generation.
2. More reliable
3. Less heat generated.
4. Less prone to hardware failure.
DISADVANTAGES :
1. A/C required.
2. Frequent maintenance required.
3. Commercial production was difficult and costly.
THIRD GENERATION :
Advance electronics technology continued and the advent of Micro electronics technology made it possible to integrate large number of circuit elements in to very small (less than 5mm square) surface of silicon known as CHIPS. This New technology was called INTEGRATED CIRCUITS(IC).
ADVANTAGES :
1. Smaller in size as compared to second generation.
2. More reliable than second generation.
3. Lower heat generated than second generation.
4. Commercial production was easier and cheaper.
5. Maintenance cost is low because hardware failures are rare.
DISADVANTAGES :
1. A/C required.
2. Highly sophisticated technology required for the manufacture of IC Chip.
FOURTH GENERATION :
This generation was started from 1975 onwards and covers four stages.
a. Initially the generated circuits contained only about 10 to 20 numbers of components. This technology was named Small Scale Integration(SSI).
b. Later with the advancement in technology far manufacturing IC, it become possible to integrate up to hundred components on a single chip. This is known as Medium Scale Integration(MSI).
c. Further advancement in technology it became possible to integrate 30 thousand component on to a single Chip. So this technology was named Large Scale Integration(LSI).
d. Again further advancement in technology it became possible to integrate more than 1 million component on to a single chip. This is Known as Very Large Scale Integration(VLSI)
ADVANTAGES :
1. Smaller in size because of high component density.
2. Very reliable.
3. Heat generated is neglisible.
4. No A/C required in most cases.
5. Much Faster in computation than 3rd generation computer.
DISADVANTAGES :
1. Highly sopisticated technology required for the manufacturing of LSI Chips.