CET 101

Introduction to Information Technology

Dennise Monique E. Dayondon

Instructor
COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS
WHAT IS A COMPUTER?
What is a Computer?
• The word computer comes from the word “compute”,
which means, “to calculate”
• Thereby, a computer is an electronic device that can
perform arithmetic operations at high speed
• A computer is also called a data processor because it can
store, process, and retrieve data whenever desired

❑A computer is an electronic data processing device,

which accepts and stores data input, processes the data
input, and generates the output in a required format.
Characteristics of Computers
Automatic: Given a job, computer can work on it
automatically without human interventions

Speed: Computer can perform data processing jobs

very fast, usually measured in microseconds (10-6),
nanoseconds (10-9), and picoseconds (10-12)
Characteristics of Computers
Accuracy: Accuracy of a computer is consistently high
and the degree of its accuracy depends upon its design.
Computer errors caused due to incorrect input data or
unreliable programs are often referred to as Garbage-
In-Garbage-Out (GIGO)

Diligence: Computer is free from monotony, tiredness,

and lack of concentration. It can continuously work for
hours without creating any error and without grumbling
Characteristics of Computers
Versatility: Computer is capable of performing almost
any task, if the task can be reduced to a finite series of
logical steps

Power of Remembering: Computer can store and

recall any amount of information because of its
secondary storage capability. It forgets or looses certain
information only when it is asked to do so
Characteristics of Computers
No I.Q.: A computer does only what it is programmed
to do. It cannot take its own decision in this regard

No Feelings: Computers are devoid of emotions. Their

judgement is based on the instructions given to them in
the form of programs that are written by us (human
beings)
EVOLUTION OF COMPUTERS
Evolution of Computers
❑ Blaise Pascal invented the first mechanical adding
machine in 1642
❑ Baron Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz invented the first
calculator for multiplication in 1671
❑ Keyboard machines originated in the United States
around 1880
❑ Around 1880, Herman Hollerith came up with the
concept of punched cards that were extensively used as
input media until late 1970s
Evolution of Computers
❑ Charles Babbage is considered to be the father of
modern digital computers

✓ He designed “Difference Engine” in 1822

✓ He designed a fully automatic analytical engine in
1842 for performing basic arithmetic functions
✓ His efforts established a number of principles that
are fundamental to the design of any digital
computer
Difference Engine
Difference Engine

Fully operational difference engine at the Computer History

Museum in Mountain View, California
COMPUTER GENERATIONS
First Generation
The period of first generation: 1946-1959. Vacuum tube
based.

The computers of first generation used vacuum tubes as

the basic components for memory and circuitry for CPU
(Central Processing Unit).

These tubes, like electric bulbs, produced a lot of heat and

the installations used to fuse frequently. Therefore, they
were very expensive and only large organizations were able
to afford it.
First Generation
The main features of the first generation are:
▪ Vacuum tube technology
▪ Unreliable
▪ Supported machine language only
▪ Very costly
▪ Generated a lot of heat
▪ Slow input and output devices
▪ Huge size
▪ Need of AC
▪ Non-portable
▪ Consumed a lot of electricity
Some computers of this generation were:
▪ ENIAC
▪ EDVAC
▪ UNIVAC
▪ IBM-701
▪ IBM-650
Second Generation Computers
The period of second generation was from 1959-1965. In this
generation, transistors were used that were cheaper, consumed
less power, more compact in size, more reliable and faster than
the first generation machines made of vacuum tubes. In this
generation, magnetic cores were used as the primary memory
and magnetic tape and magnetic disks as secondary storage
devices.

In this generation, assembly language and high-level

programming languages like FORTRAN, COBOL were used. The
computers used batch processing and multiprogramming
operating system.
Second Generation
The main features of the second generation are:
▪ Use of transistors
▪ Reliable in comparison to first generation computers
▪ Smaller size as compared to first generation computers
▪ Generated less heat as compared to first generation
computers
▪ Consumed less electricity as compared to first generation
computers
▪ Faster than first generation computers
▪ Still very costly
▪ AC required
▪ Supported machine and assembly languages
Some computers of this generation were:
▪ IBM 1620
▪ IBM 7094
▪ CDC 1604
▪ CDC 3600
▪ UNIVAC 1108
Third Generation Computers
The period of third generation was from 1965-1971. The
computers of third generation used Integrated Circuits (ICs) in
place of transistors. A single IC has many transistors, resistors,
and capacitors along with the associated circuitry.

The IC was invented by Jack Kilby. This development made

computers smaller in size, reliable, and efficient. In this
generation remote processing, time-sharing, multi-programming
operating system were used. High-level languages (FORTRAN-II
TO IV, COBOL, PASCAL PL/1, BASIC, ALGOL-68 etc.) were used
during this generation.
Third Generation
The main features of the third generation are:
▪ IC used
▪ More reliable in comparison to previous two generations
▪ Smaller size
▪ Generated less heat
▪ Faster
▪ Lesser maintenance
▪ Costly
▪ AC required
▪ Consumed lesser electricity
▪ Supported high-level language
Some computers of this generation were:
▪ IBM-360 series
▪ Honeywell-6000 series
▪ PDP (Personal Data Processor)
▪ IBM-370/168
▪ TDC-316
Fourth Generation Computers
The period of fourth generation was from 1971-1980. Computers
of fourth generation used Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI)
circuits. VLSI circuits having about 5000 transistors and other
circuit elements with their associated circuits on a single chip
made it possible to have microcomputers of fourth generation.

Fourth generation computers became more powerful, compact,

reliable, and affordable. As a result, it gave rise to Personal
Computer (PC) revolution. In this generation, time sharing, real
time networks, distributed operating system were used. All the
high-level languages like C, C++, DBASE etc., were used in this
generation.
Fourth Generation
The main features of the fourth generation are:
▪ VLSI technology used
▪ Very cheap
▪ Portable and reliable
▪ Use of PCs
▪ Very small size
▪ Pipeline processing
▪ No AC required
▪ Concept of internet was introduced
▪ Great developments in the fields of networks
▪ Computers became easily available
Some computers of this generation were:
▪ DEC 10
▪ STAR 1000
▪ PDP 11
▪ CRAY-1(Super Computer)
▪ CRAY-X-MP(Super Computer)
Fifth Generation Computers
The period of fifth generation is 1980-till date. In the fifth
generation, VLSI technology became ULSI (Ultra Large Scale
Integration) technology, resulting in the production of
microprocessor chips having ten million electronic components.

This generation is based on parallel processing hardware and AI

(Artificial Intelligence) software. AI is an emerging branch in
computer science, which interprets the means and method of
making computers think like human beings. All the high-level
languages like C and C++, Java, .Net etc., are used in this
generation.
Fifth Generation
AI includes:
▪ Robotics
▪ Neural Networks
▪ Game Playing
▪ Development of expert systems to make decisions in real-
life situations
▪ Natural language understanding and generation
The main features of the fifth generation are:
▪ ULSI technology
▪ Development of true artificial intelligence
▪ Development of Natural language processing
▪ Advancement in Parallel Processing
▪ Advancement in Superconductor technology
▪ More user-friendly interfaces with multimedia features
▪ Availability of very powerful and compact computers at
cheaper rates
Some computers of this generation were:
▪ Desktop
▪ Laptop
▪ NoteBook
▪ UltraBook
▪ ChromeBook
TYPES OF COMPUTER
Types of Computer

1. PC (Personal Computer)
2. Workstation
3. Mini Computer
4. Main Frame
5. Supercomputer
PC (Personal Computer)
▪ It is a single user computer system having moderately
powerful microprocessor
Workstation
▪ It is also a single user computer system, similar to
personal computer however has a more powerful
microprocessor
Minicomputer
▪ It is a multi-user computer system, capable of supporting
hundreds of users simultaneously.
Main Frame
▪ It is a multi-user computer system, capable of supporting
hundreds of users simultaneously. Software technology is
different from minicomputer.
Supercomputer
▪ It is an extremely fast computer, which can execute
hundreds of millions of instructions per second.
THE FIVE BASIC OPERATIONS OF A
COMPUTER SYSTEM
The Five Basic Operations of a Computer
System
1. Inputting - The process of entering data and instructions
into the computer system

2. Storing - Saving data and instructions to make them

readily available for initial or additional processing
whenever required
The Five Basic Operations of a Computer
System
3. Processing - Performing arithmetic operations (add,
subtract, multiply, divide, etc.) or logical operations
(comparisons like equal to, less than, greater than, etc.)
on data to convert them into useful information

4. Outputting - The process of producing useful information

or results for the user such as a printed report or visual
display
The Five Basic Operations of a Computer
System
5. Controlling - Directing the manner and sequence in
which all of the above operations are performed
Data Processing
The activity of processing data using a computer is called
data processing

Data is raw material used as input, and information is

processed data obtained as output of data processing.
Basic Organization of a Computer System
INPUT UNIT,
OUTPUT UNIT,
STORAGE UNIT
Input Unit
An input unit of a computer system performs the
following functions:

1. It accepts (or reads) instructions and data from

outside world
2. It converts these instructions and data in computer
acceptable form
3. It supplies the converted instructions and data to
the computer system for further processing
Output Unit
An output unit of a computer system performs the
following functions:

1. 1. It accepts the results produced by the computer,

which are in coded form and hence, cannot be
easily understood by us
2. It converts these coded results to human
acceptable (readable) form
3. It supplies the converted results to outside world
Storage Unit
The storage unit of a computer system holds (or stores)
the following :

1. Data and instructions required for processing

(received from input devices)
2. Intermediate results of processing
3. Final results of processing, before they are released
to an output device
Two Types of Storage
1. Primary storage
2. Secondary storage
Two Types of Storage
Primary Storage

✓ Used to hold running program instructions

✓ Used to hold data, intermediate results, and results
of ongoing processing of job(s)
✓ Fast in operation
✓ Small Capacity
✓ Expensive
✓ Volatile (looses data on power dissipation)
Two Types of Storage
Secondary Storage

✓ Used to hold stored program instructions

✓ Used to hold data and information of stored jobs
✓ Slower than primary storage
✓ Large Capacity
✓ Lot cheaper that primary storage
✓ Retains data even without power
ARITHMETIC LOGIC UNIT (ALU)
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
Arithmetic Logic Unit of a computer system is the place
where the actual executions of instructions takes place
during processing operation
CONTROL UNIT (CU)
Control Unit (CU)
Control Unit of a computer system manages and
coordinates the operations of all other components of the
computer system
CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU)
Central Processing Unit (CPU)

✓ It is the brain of a computer system

✓ It is responsible for controlling the operations of all other
units of a computer system