Computer Knowledge

Computer Knowledge

First Generation Of Computer(1940-1956)

  World War gave rise to numerous developments and started off the computer age.  Variable Automatic Computer (EDVAC) in 1945 with a memory to hold both a stored program as well as data." Von Neumann's computer allowed for all the computer functions to be controlled by a single source.

Then in 1951 came the Universal Automatic Computer (UNIVAC I), designed by Remington rand and collectively owned by US census bureau and General Electric. UNIVAC amazingly predicted the winner of 1952, presidential elections, Dwight D. Eisenhower.
In first generation computers, the operating instructions or programs were specifically built for the task for which computer was manufactured.  First Generation computers used Vacuum tubes and magnetic drums (for data storage).


The IBM 650 Magnetic Drum Calculator

                     Second Generation Computers (1956-1963)
The invention of Transistors marked the start of the second generation. These transistors took place of the vacuum tubes used in the first generation computers. First large scale machines were made using these technologies to meet the requirements of atomic energy laboratories.
Second generation computers also started showing the characteristics of modern day computers with utilities such as printers, disk storage and operating systems. Many financial information was processed using these computers.
In Second Generation computers, the instructions (program) could be stored inside the computer's memory. High-level languages such as COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language) and FORTRAN (Formula Translator) were used, and they are still used for some applications nowadays.

The IBM 7090

The IBM 7090, announced in 1958, was a transistorized version of the vacuum-tube-logic 709 and the first commercial computer with transistor logic (the first such computing device, according to , was the IBM 608, but that was not a general-purpose stored-program computer).

Grayson Kirk, President of Columbia University (right) and Kenneth M. King, director of the University's new Computer Center, 1963, in the machine room at the IBM 7090 console, "one of the largest computers in existence" at the time.

The IBM 7090 Console in the Columbia Computer Center machine room, 1966. Pictured: A group of particle physicists who discovered the violation of charge-conjugation invariance in interactions of intermediate strength: Charles Baltay and Lawrence Kirsch of Nevis Lab (back row);

Third Generation Computers (1964-1971)
. The Integrated Circuit(IC) was invented in 1958 by Jack Kilby. It combined electronic components onto a small silicon disc, made from quartz. More advancement made possible the fittings of even more components on a small chip or a semi conductor. Also in third generation computers, the operating systems allowed the machines to run many different applications. These applications were monitored and coordinated by the computer's memory.


The IBM 360/91

Installation of the IBM 360/91 in the Columbia Computer Center machine room in February or March 1969. Photo: AIS archive. 


                                   Fourth Generation (1971-Present)
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."

In 1981, IBM introduced personal computers for home and office use. "The number of personal computers in use more than doubled from 2 million in 1981 to 5.5 million in 1982. Ten years later, 65 million PCs were being used." Computer size kept getting reduced during the years. It went down from Desktop to laptops to Palmtops. Mackintosh introduced Graphic User Interface in which the users don’t have to type instructions but could use Mouse for the purpose.
 Soon the internet and World Wide Web appeared on the computer scene and fomented the Hi-Tech revolution of 90's.

Desktop Computer. 

 

                                      Fifth generation computers

Fifth generation computers are mainly future computers. Voice recognition is a special feature in these computers. By using superconductors and parallel processing computer geeks are trying to make artificial intelligence a reality. Quantum computing, molecular and nanotechnology will change the face of computers in the coming years.

Full form of Computer:

• C – Commonly
• O – Operated
• M – Machine
• P – Particularly
• U – Used for
• T – Technical
• E-Education
• R – Research

Characteristics of Computer

• Speed
• Accuracy
• Storage
• Diligence
• Versatility
• Automation
• Computer – An Introduction
  • A computer is a device that can receive process and store data.
  • However, all computers have several parts in common:
  • Input devices allow data and commands to the computer (Mouse, Keyboard etc.)
  • Memory for storing commands and data.
  • Central Processing Unit which controls the processing.
  • Monitor Process the information in the form of output.
  • Laptops
    1. The Laptops are lightweight mobile PCs with a thin screen.
    2. Laptops can operate on batteries, so you can take them anywhere.
    3. Unlike desktops, laptops combine the CPU, screen, and keyboard in a single case.
    4. The screen folds down onto the keyboard when not in use.
    Handheld computers (PDA)
    1. Handheld computers, also known as personal digital assistants (PDAs), are battery-power computers small enough to carry almost anywhere.
    2. These are useful for scheduling appointments, storing addresses and phone numbers, and playing games.
    3. Some have advanced capabilities, such as making telephone calls or accessing the Internet.
    4. Instead of keyboards, handheld computers have touch screens that you use with your finger.
    Peripheral Devices
    1. The peripheral device connects to a computer system to add functionality. Examples are a mouse, keyboard, monitor, printer and scanner.
    2. A computer peripheral is a device that connects to a computer but is not part of the core computer architecture.
    3. The core elements of a computer are the central processing unit, power supply, motherboard and the computer case that contains those three components.

    Types of Peripheral Devices

    • There are many peripheral devices, but they fall into three general categories:
    • Input devices, such as a mouse and a keyboard
    • Output devices, such as a monitor and a printer
    • Storage devices, such as a hard drive or flash drive