ESSENTIALS OF COMPUTER

COMPUTER:
A computer is a Electronic Device that can be used to store, Process and Retrieve a Data.

The full form of a Computer is a Common Operating Machine Purposely Used for
Technological and Educational Research.

Components:
A computer has three basic components:
 the CPU,
 input devices,
 output devices.

Input Devices
Input devices allow users to interact with a computer by entering data or commands.
 Keyboard: The most widely used input device, featuring 104 keys, including alphabetic,
numeric, and function keys. Modern keyboards connect via Bluetooth, replacing traditional
wired connections.
 Mouse: A pointing device that controls the cursor on the screen. It features left, right, and
middle buttons for selection and interaction. The sensor inside the mouse detects its
movement speed, adjusting the cursor accordingly.
 Scanner: Scans documents, images, and other media, converting them into digital formats
for editing or processing, similar to a Xerox machine.

Output Devices
Output devices display the results of tasks given to the computer in a human-readable form.
 Monitor: The main output device. It is also called VDU(visual display unit) and it looks
like a TV screen. The Monitor displays the information from the computer. It is used to
display text, video, images, etc.
 Printer: A printer is an output device that transfers data from the computer in a printed
format by using text or images on paper. There are both coloured and black & white printers
 Speakers: It is a very common output device and it gives sound as an output. The speaker is
generally used to play music or anything having sound .

Storage Devices
Some devices are used for storage purposes and are known as secondary storage devices
Hard Disk : An hard disk is a non-volatile storage device that uses its read/write heads to
store digital data on the magnetic surface of a rigid plate.
Hard Drive: On a computer system, files, programs, and other types of information are
stored on hard drives, which are data storage devices

PROCESSING UNIT:
CPU (Central Processing Unit)
The CPU is also known as the heart of the computer.
The CPU handles tasks like:
 Doing math calculations (like adding or multiplying numbers).
 Running apps or games.
 Helping the keyboard, mouse, and screen work together.
 Storing and retrieving information during tasks.

Motherboard
It is the main circuit board inside a computer and it contains most of the electronic components
together. All the components of the computer are directly or indirectly connected to
the motherboard.
Random Access Memory (RAM)
Random Access Memory (RAM) is a type of computer memory that is used to temporarily
store data that the computer is currently using or processing. RAM is volatile memory.
Read-Only Memory (ROM)
Read Only Memory (ROM) is a type of computer memory that is used to permanently
store data that does not need to be modified. ROM is non-volatile memory

Power Supply
All of a computer system's parts are powered by a power source. Typically, a power cord is
used to connect a computer tower to an electrical outlet

What is Hardware?
Computer hardware is a physical device of computers that we can see and touch.
E.g. Monitor, Central Processing Unit, Mouse, Joystick,
What is Software?
Software/Computer Software refers to the collection of instructions, data, or programs that are
used to operate computers and execute specific tasks.
1. System Software
System software manages hardware and basic system operations and serves as a foundation for
application software.
2. Application Software
Application Software refers to the programs designed to perform specific tasks for end-users such
as web browsing, gaming, word processing, etc.

characteristics of a computer

1. Speed – Computers can perform millions of calculations or tasks in a fraction of a

second.
2. Accuracy – If programmed correctly, they give accurate results (errors usually come
from wrong input or instructions).
3. Automation – Once given instructions, computers can work automatically without
human help until the task is complete.
4. Storage – Huge amounts of data can be stored and retrieved quickly.
5. Versatility – Computers can do many different tasks (calculations, graphics,
communication, gaming, etc.).
6. Connectivity – Modern computers can connect and share information worldwide via the
internet.
7. Diligence – Unlike humans, computers do not get tired, bored, or distracted; they can
repeat tasks endlessly.
8. Multitasking – Computers can perform multiple tasks at the same time.
9. Communication – Computers can exchange information with other devices instantly.
10. Programmability – A computer can be instructed (programmed) to do almost any task.

History of Computer

Early Devices

 Abacus (3000 BC) → First counting device.

 Pascal’s Calculator (1642) → Blaise Pascal built a mechanical calculator.
 Leibniz Calculator (1671) → Performed multiplication and division.

Analytical Engine (1837)

 Proposed by Charles Babbage (called "Father of the Computer").

 Could perform any calculation using punched cards.

The Atanasoff–Berry computer (ABC) was the first automatic electronic digital
computer. The device was limited by the technology of the day
First Generation Computers

1. Time Period: 1940 – 1956

2. Technology Used: Vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory.
3. Size: Very large (took up entire rooms).
4. Speed: Very slow, performed only thousands of instructions per second.
5. Input/Output: Used punched cards and paper tapes for input; printouts for output.
6. Heat & Power: Produced a lot of heat, consumed huge amounts of electricity, often
unreliable.
7. Programming: Written in machine language (binary 0s and 1s).
8. Examples:
o ENIAC (1945) – First general-purpose electronic computer.
o EDVAC
o UNIVAC I (1951) – First commercial computer.

Second Generation Computers

1. Time Period: 1956 – 1963

2. Technology Used: Transistors instead of vacuum tubes.
o Smaller, faster, cheaper, and more reliable.
3. Size: Much smaller compared to first generation.
4. Speed: Faster, could perform thousands to millions of instructions per second.
5. Memory: Used magnetic core memory.
6. Input/Output: Punched cards, magnetic tape.
7. Programming: Used assembly language and high-level languages (like COBOL,
FORTRAN).
8. Power & Heat: Consumed less electricity, generated less heat than first generation.
9. Examples:
o IBM 1401
o IBM 7090
o UNIVAC II

Third Generation Computers

1. Time Period: 1964 – 1971

2. Technology Used: Integrated Circuits (ICs) – many transistors fitted into a single chip.
3. Size: Smaller, more compact, and reliable compared to 2nd generation.
4. Speed: Much faster – could perform millions of instructions per second.
5. Memory: Used magnetic storage devices (magnetic disks).
6. Input/Output: Keyboards, monitors, operating systems introduced → more user-
friendly.
7. Programming: High-level languages (COBOL, FORTRAN, BASIC, Pascal) widely
used.
8. Power & Heat: Required less power, generated less heat than previous generations.
9. Examples:
o IBM 360 series
 o IBM 370 series
o Honeywell 6000 series

Fourth Generation Computers

1. Time Period: 1971 – Present (some consider till mid-1980s, but microprocessors are still
used today).
2. Technology Used: Microprocessors (a single chip containing thousands/millions of
transistors).
3. Size: Very small compared to previous generations (desktop PCs, laptops).
4. Speed: Extremely fast – millions to billions of instructions per second.
5. Memory: Semiconductor memory (RAM, ROM) widely used.
6. Input/Output: Keyboards, mice, monitors, printers, touchscreens.
7. Programming: High-level languages like C, C++, Java, databases, GUI-based systems.
8. Networking: Introduction of the Internet, LAN, WAN, and networking technologies.
9. Examples:
o IBM PC (1981)
o Apple Macintosh (1984)
o Modern Intel and AMD microprocessor-based systems

Fifth Generation Computers

1. Time Period: 1980s – Present & Ongoing (still developing).

2. Technology Used:
o Artificial Intelligence (AI)
o Machine Learning (ML)
o Quantum Computing
o Parallel Processing & ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration) chips
3. Size: Very small, portable devices (laptops, tablets, smartphones).
4. Speed: Extremely fast – billions of instructions per second, supercomputers can perform
trillions.
5. Memory & Storage: Huge storage capacities, cloud computing, advanced
semiconductor memories.
6. Input/Output: Natural user interfaces – voice recognition, touch, handwriting,
gestures, VR/AR.
7. Programming: AI programming languages like Python, R, Prolog, LISP.
8. Networking: High-speed Internet, 5G, IoT (Internet of Things), cloud services.
9. Examples:
o AI-based systems (Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant)
o Quantum Computers (Google’s Sycamore, IBM Quantum)
o Supercomputers like Fugaku, Summit.