CS1 - COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS
# What is a computer?
A computer is an electronic device which stores and processes data to give meaningful information.
# Characteristics of a Computer
Speed: It can perform several billion, even trillion, simple operations per
second
Accuracy: Computer provides a high degree of accuracy
Diligence: A computer is free from tiredness, lack of concentration, fatigue, etc.
Versatility: It can perform a variety of tasks
Memory: Large volumes of data and information can be stored in the computer
and also retrieved whenever required
No I.Q.: It cannot take its own decisions
No Feelings: It does not have feelings or emotion, taste, knowledge and experience.
# Generations of Computer
First Generation Vacuum tube technology was used
(1946-1959): Unreliable due to frequent fusing problem
Generated a lot of heat
Huge size, Non-portable
Consumed a lot of electricity
Second Generation Transistors were used
(1959-1965): Increased reliability
Smaller size
Generated less heat
Consumed less electricity
Third Generation IC (Integrated Chip) used
(1965-1971): More powerful than 2nd generation computers
Much smaller in size
Lower maintenance cost
Fourth Generation VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) technology was used
(1971-1980): Concept of internet was introduced
Very cheap
Portable and reliable
Very small size
Fifth Generation ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration) technology is used
(1980-present): Development of artificial intelligence
Development of Natural language processing
More user-friendly interfaces with multimedia features
# Basic Computer Organization/Computer Components
All types of computers follow the same basic logical structure and perform the following five basic operations
for converting raw input data into information useful to their users. They are
1. Inputting 2. Storing 3. Processing 4. Outputting 5. Controlling
Consequently a computer has 5 basic components.
Input Unit It accepts (or reads) instructions and data from outside world
It converts these instructions and data in computer acceptable
form
It supplies the converted instructions and data to the computer
system for further processing
Output Unit It accepts the results produced by the computer
It then converts the result into human readable form.
It supplies the converted results to outside world
Storage Unit Stores data and instructions required for processing (received from
input devices)
Holds Intermediate results of processing
Final results of processing, before they are released to an output
device
Arithmetic Logic Unit Arithmetic Logic Unit of a computer system is the place
(ALU) where the actual executions of instructions takes place during
processing operation
Control Unit (CU) Control Unit of a computer system manages and coordinates
the operations of all other components of the computer
system
ALU and CU of a computer system are together known as the Central Processing Unit (CPU). It is the brain of
a computer system.
Figure 1: Basic organization of a computer system
# Types of Computer
Notebook Computers Portable computer
Designed to operate with chargeable batteries
Normally run MS Windows or Linux operating system
Personal Computers Non-portable, general-purpose computer
Designed to meet personal computing needs of individuals
Popular OS are MS-DOS, MS-Windows, Windows-NT, Linux,
and UNIX
Workstations Powerful desktop computer designed to meet the computing
needs of engineers, architects, and other professionals
Provides greater processing power, larger storage, and better
graphics display facility than PCs
Commonly used for computer-aided design, multimedia
applications, engineering problems simulation etc.
Mainframe Mainly used by large organizations
Computers Used in such environments where a large number of users
need to share a common computing facility
Bulk data processing, such as industry and consumer
statistics, enterprise resource planning; and transaction
processing.
Supercomputers Most powerful and most expensive computers available
Primarily used for processing complex scientific applications
that require enormous processing power
Client-server In such a computing environment, there are multiple clients,
computers one/more servers, and a network
Client is a computer that sends service requests to the server
Server is generally a relatively large computer that manages
a shared resource and provides a specific services to the
clients
Handheld Computers Small computing device that are used by holding in hand
Tablet PC, PDA, Smartphones
