HISTORY OF COMPUTERS

It could rightly be called the first mechanical computing device. It

ABACUS
was used as far back as 2,600 B.C and is still used today.
The first mechanical calculating machine that was developed by
Blaise Pascal in the early 1600s. This device could add and
PASCALINE
subtract. Later Gottfried von Leibnitz developed a calculator that
could also multiply and divide.
This was invented by weaver Joseph Jacquered in LOOM the
AUTOMATED LOOM
early 1800s that uses punched cards to record data.
This is where modern computer history began. This machine was
proposed by Charles Babbage in ENGINE the 1800s which bears
DIFFERENCE ENGINE
the resemble of today’s computers which is capable of computing
and at the same time print results.
The American chapter of computer history began when Herman
ELECTROMECANICAL
Hollerith successfully completed his tabulating machine for the
ENGINE
Census Bureau in 1890.
ELECTRONIC John Anatasoff is generally credited with building the first
COMPUTER electronic computer as lowa State University.
Was developed by Howard Aiken with the help of IBM, is the first
MARK I large-scale, general-purpose, electromechanical computer. It was
completed in 1994.
This was the world’s first large-scale electronic digital computer
ENIAC which was developed by J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly in
1946. This computer is designed to calculate missile trajectories.
Was later developed by mathematician John von Neuman in the
EDSAC and EDVAC
1940s which runs in the concept of stored programs.
This is the first commercial computer which was completed and
UNIVAC
delivered to the U.S. Census Bureau in 1951.

MICROCOMPUTER BASICS

4
 The greatest application of digital circuits is in digital computers. A digital computer
is a device that automatically processes data using digital techniques. Data are pieces of
information. Processing refers to the variety of ways that data can be manipulated.

Digital computers are classified by size and computing power. The largest computers
are called Mainframes. These computers are expensive, having extensive memory and
high-speed calculating capabilities. Smaller scale computers – the minicomputer and
microcomputer – are more widely used. Even though they represent a small percentage of
the total computer dollars invested, small-scale computers represent the largest number of
computers in use. The Microcomputer is the smallest and least expensive of the digital
computers that still retains all the features and characteristics of a computer.

Mainframe Microcomputer

Minicomputer
Computers are also classified by function. The most common function is data
processing. Industry, business, and government use computers to maintain records,
perform accounting tasks, keep inventory, and provide a wide variety of other data
processing functions.
Computers can be general purpose or special purpose. General-purpose computers are
flexible and can be programmed for any task. Special-purpose, or dedicated, computers
are designed to perform a single task.
All digital computers consist of five basics blocks or sectors: control, arithmetic
logic unit (ALU), memory, input, and output. In some cases the input and output
blocks are a single block identified as input / output (I/O). Because the control unit and
the arithmetic logic unit are closely related and difficult to separate, they may be
collectively referred to as the central processing unit (CPU) or microprocessing unit (MPU).

INPUT

ARITHMETIC
LOGIC UNIT MEMOR
CONTROL
(ALU) Y

What is a OUTPUT
Computer?
5
A computer is an electronic machine used to process information. However, we
can do a whole lot more with computers than just calculate numbers or print out
data. We can draw pictures, write memos and reports, and even communicate
with other computer users. Educators can use the computer to write lesson plans,
notices, letters, make visual aids, create presentations and share and collaborate
with other teachers from around Uganda and the world.

There are two basic parts of a computer: hardware and software.

Hardware is a generic term for all the physical components of the computer.
Software is a generic term for the programs that run on a computer.

Hardware
Hardware is another term for the physical components of a computer. This is the
most basic level on which the computer operates. The key point to remember is
that all information is processed electronically. PC stands for Personal Computer,
although that abbreviation is most often associated with computer running the
Windows operating system. Below is a picture of a standard PC with each
hardware part labeled. The photo on the right shows how the monitor, keyboard
and mouse are connected to the System Unit.

Back View of a System Unit

Computer Hardware Parts How the hardware parts are
connected

How a Computer Works

6
Input devices:
Input devices give/enter information into the PC's System Unit.
Common types of input devices are the following:

• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Trackball
• Joystick
• Scanners
• Digital Cameras
• Web cam
• Pen or Stylus
• Touch Screen
• Touch Pad
• Barcode Reader
• Card Reader

System Unit:
Is the box which contains the CPU and RAM. It is where the information
from the input devices gets processed.

CPU (Central Processing Unit):

Electronically processes the incoming information. The CPU is a complex
microelectronic switch which evaluates the incoming signal and instructs other PC
components to take certain actions.

RAM (Random Access Memory):

RAM is temporary electronic memory located inside the CPU that stores
information.

Output devices:
The CPU sends signals to the output devices. The output devices then
display the information. Common output devices are the following

• Monitor - the computers basic output device and produces the softcopy
• Printer - prints the softcopy and produces hardcopy
• Plotter - remarkably large printers for printing posters, blue prints, etc.
• Speakers - an audio output device
• Headphones
• LCD projector

Storage: A storage device is used to save a permanent copy of documents.

Common types of storage devices include floppy disks and hard disks. You may
also store data on zip disks and CD-ROMS.