Computer Workbook Assignment
Definition of Computer
A computer is a general purpose device that can be
programmed to carry out a finite set of arithmetic or logical
operations. Since a sequence of operations can be readily
changed, the computer can solve more than one kind of
problem.
1. CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS ACCORDING TO
SIZE, FEATURES AND LATEST VERSIONS OF
OPERATING SYSTEMS OF COMPUTERS.
Types Of Computers
Digital Computer
The computer, which operates only on counting method, is called digital computer.
In digital computers, mathematical expressions are represented as binary digits (0 and 1) and all operations are done using these digits at a very high rate. It means that the computer operates on electrical inputs that have only two states, ON and OFF. These computers are widely used in commercial and control systems. Now a days when we use the word computer, we mostly refer to a digital computer.
Analog Computer
These computers which operate on measuring method are called Analog computer. This computers are used for scientific and engineering purpose.
An analog computer is a form of computer that uses the continuously-changeable aspects of physical phenomena such as electrical, mechanical, or hydraulic quantities to model the problem being solved. These computers are used in Hospitals, Air-crafts and so on.
Mechanical analog computers have existed for thousands of years, with the oldest known example being the Antikythera. This is a Greek machine, thought to have been made around 100 BC, designed for calculating astronomical positions. A more recent and common mechanical analog computer is the slide rule.
HYBRID COMPUTER
It is used under very special circumstances specially in the area of scientific research and they are combination of both Analog and digital computer.
Computers vary widely in performance, size and cost. Depending upon these parameters, the computer industry classifies them into the following catogories:
1. Microcomputers
2. Minicomputers
3. Mainframes
4. Supercomputers
1. Microcomputers
A microcomputer is a computer with a microprocessor as its central processing unit (CPU). It includes a microprocessor, memory, and input/output (I/O) facilities.
Such computers are physically small compared to mainframes and minicomputers, although present-day mainframes such as the IBM System z machines use one or more custom microprocessors as their CPUs. Many microcomputers (when equipped with a keyboard and screen for input and output) are also personal computers (in the generic sense).
2. Minicomputers
The word "minicomputer" (colloquially, "mini") is a term for a class of smaller computers that evolved in the mid-1960s and sold for much less than mainframe and mid-size computers from IBM and its direct competitors.
In a 1970 survey, the New York Times suggested a consensus definition of a minicomputer as a machine costing less than $25,000, with an input-output device such as a teleprinter and at least 4K words of memory, that is capable of running programs in a higher level language, such as Fortran or Basic. The class formed a distinct group with its own hardware architectures and operating systems.
3.Mainframes
Mainframe computers (colloquially referred to as "big iron") are powerful computers used primarily by corporate and governmental organizations for critical applications, bulk data processing such as census, industry and consumer statistics, enterprise resource planning, and transaction processing.
The term originally referred to the large cabinets that housed the central processing unit and main memory of early computers. Later, the term was used to distinguish high-end commercial machines from less powerful units. Most large-scale computer system architectures were established in the 1960s, but continue to evolve.
4.Supercomputers
A supercomputer is a computer at the frontline of current processing capacity, particularly speed of calculation. Supercomputers were introduced in the 1960s and were designed primarily by Seymour Cray at Control Data Corporation (CDC), and later at Cray Research. While the supercomputers of the 1970s used only a few processors, in the 1990s, machines with thousands of processors began to appear and by the end of the 20th century, massively parallel supercomputers with tens of thousands of "off-the-shelf" processors were the norm.
Supercomputers are used for highly calculation-intensive tasks such as problems including quantum physics, weather forecasting, climate research, oil and gas exploration, molecular modeling (computing the structures and properties of chemical compounds, biologicalmacromolecules, polymers, and crystals), and physical simulations (such as simulation of airplanes in wind tunnels, simulation of the detonation of nuclear weapons, and research into nuclear fusion).
Computer Operating Systems
GENERATIONS OF COMPUTER
First Generation Computers (1940-1956)
The first generation computers used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory and were often enormous, taking up entire rooms.
Vacuum Tubes
The Vacuum tube was the primary electronic element used in first generation computers. These early computers, while useful, were still quite unreliable. Vacuum tubes generated so much heat that water cooling was necessary. Even with these cooling systems, computers were in constant need of repair.
Data and programs were entered most often by punched cards; computer output was produced either on cards or on paper. Cards were the primary form of storage, but by the end of this time period, Magnetic Tapes were commonly used for secondary storage.
Work to improve the Transistor continued through out the 1950s. After using the larger Vacuum Tubes working with Transistors was rather like doing surgery on the head of a pin, but by 1958, advances in Transistors were bringing the first computer generation to an end. The leading electronic circuit technology at that time stacked components on top of one another, like dishes, with connecting wires running up through holes cut in the components.FEATURES of First Generation Computers
- Used Vacuum tubes or valves as main electronic components
- Larger in size and slow processing with small storage capacity
- Consumed lot of electricity
- Used machine level language for programming
A video presentation on First Generation Computers
EXAMPLES
UNIVAC
ENIAC
Second Generation Computers (1956-1963) :Transistors
Transistors replaced vacuum tubes and ushered in the second generation of computers.
By 1948, the invention of the transistor greatly changed the computer’s development. Coupled with early advances in magnetic-core memory, transistors led to second generation computers that were smaller, faster, more reliable and more energy-efficient than their predecessors.
Features of 2nd Generation Computers
1. Transistors were used
2. Core Memory was developed
3. Faster than First Generation computers
4. First Operating System was developed
5. Programming was in Machine Language & Aseembly Language
6. Magnetic tapes & discs were used
7. Computers became smaller in size than the First Generation computers
8. Computers consumed less heat & consumed less electricity
A Video presentation on Second generation of computers
Examples
UNIVAC LARC
IBM 1401
Third Generation Computers (1964-1971) : Integrated Circuits
The development of the integrated circuit was the hallmark of the third generation of computers. Transistors were miniaturized and placed on silicon chips called semiconductors, which drastically increased the speed and efficiency of computers.
The integrated circuit, or as it is sometimes referred to as
semiconductor chip, packs a huge number of transistors onto a
single wafer of silicon. Robert Noyce of Fairchild Corporation
and Jack Kilby of Texas Instruments independently discovered
the amazing attributes of integrated circuits. Placing such large
numbers of transistors on a single chip vastly increased the power
of a single computer and lowered its cost considerably.
Features of 3rd Generation Computer
Examples
UNIVAC 1107
IBM 360
The development of the integrated circuit was the hallmark of the third generation of computers. Transistors were miniaturized and placed on silicon chips called semiconductors, which drastically increased the speed and efficiency of computers.
The integrated circuit, or as it is sometimes referred to as
semiconductor chip, packs a huge number of transistors onto a
single wafer of silicon. Robert Noyce of Fairchild Corporation
and Jack Kilby of Texas Instruments independently discovered
the amazing attributes of integrated circuits. Placing such large
numbers of transistors on a single chip vastly increased the power
of a single computer and lowered its cost considerably.
Features of 3rd Generation Computer
1. Integrated circuits developed
2. Power consumption was low
3. SSI & MSI Technology was used
4. High level languages were used
A Video explaining about 3rd Generation of Computers
Examples
UNIVAC 1107
IBM 360
Fourth Generation Computers (1971-Present) :Microprocessors
The Microprocessor brought the fourth generation of computers, as thousands of integrated circuits were built on a single silicon chip.
Microprocessor
FEATURES
- A microprocessor incorporates the functions of a computer's central processing unit (CPU) on a single integrated circuit (IC),[1] or at most a few integrated circuits.[2]
- It is a multipurpose, programmable device that accepts digital data as input, processes it according to instructions stored in its memory, and provides results as output. It is an example of sequential digital logic, as it has internal memory.
- Microprocessors operate on numbers and symbols represented in the binary numeral system.
COMPUTERS
FEATURES
- Fourth Generation computers are the modern day computers.
- The Size started to go down with the improvement in the integrated circuits.
- Very Large Scale (VLSI) and Ultra Large scale (ULSI) ensured that millions of components could be fit into a small chip.
- It reduced the size and price of the computers at the same time increasing power, efficiency and reliability. "The Intel 4004 chip, developed in 1971, took the integrated circuit one step further by locating all the components of a computer (central processing unit, memory, and input and output controls) on a minuscule chip."
A Video that gives an inside scoop on 4th Generation Computers
Fifth Generation - Present and Beyond: Artificial Intelligence
Fifth generation computing devices, based on artificial intelligence, are still in development, though there are some applications, such as voice recognition, that are being used today.
The Fifth Generation Computer Systems project (FGCS)
was an initiative by Japan's Ministry of International Trade
and Industry, begun in 1982, to create a "fifth generation
computer" which was supposed to perform much calculation
using massive parallel processing. It was to be the result of
a massive government/industry research project in Japan
during the 1980s. It aimed to create an "epoch-making
computer" with supercomputer-like performance and to
provide a platform for future developments in artificial
intelligence.
FEATURES
was an initiative by Japan's Ministry of International Trade
and Industry, begun in 1982, to create a "fifth generation
computer" which was supposed to perform much calculation
using massive parallel processing. It was to be the result of
a massive government/industry research project in Japan
during the 1980s. It aimed to create an "epoch-making
computer" with supercomputer-like performance and to
provide a platform for future developments in artificial
intelligence.
FEATURES
1. Used in parallel processing
2. Used superconductors
3. Used in speech recognition
4. Used in intelligent robots
5. Used in artificial intelligence
CONFIGURATION OF MY LAPTOP
Name: HP G32
Processor model: Intel core i5 @ 2.7 Ghz
Main board chips group: Intel HM55
Standard memory capacity: 4GB DDR3
Hard disk capacity: 500GB 5400RPM
CD-ROM type: DVD burner
Video card chips: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5470
Screen size: 13.3 inches
Wireless network card: support 802.11b/g/n wireless agreement
Network card : 1000Mbps Ethernet card
Battery type: 6-cell Li batteries
Operating system: Genuine Windows Premium
