Basic Computer Concepts

ultimate ancestors of todays computers

became the arithmetic tool of early merchants
the only relation that can be claimed between
abacus and computers is that they are both
used to aid in handling numerical/logical
computations

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Basic Computer Concepts

called the Father of Computing

invented the Analytical and Difference Engines
born on December 26, 1791 in Teignmouth,
Devonshire in the UK
had an interest in various fields, from statistics
to philosophy and religion to machines, having
accredited to him numerous publications in
these fields
his conceptualization of his engines began with
an analysis of the calculations of tables of
Greenwich star positions

1791-1871
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conceived to perform quick tabular

calculations, the workings of which were based
on the Method of Differences, an algorithm
that lent itself to the easy creation of a wide
range of mathematical tables
was powered by steam
embodied the basic concepts and elements of
a modern general-purpose computer

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utilized I/O media called Jacquards punched

cards, originally used to lay down thread
arrangements in weaving
used the punch cards for storing operating
instructions (programs), and would have been
able to store around 1,000 numbers of up to 50
decimal places
also allowed output devices for displaying
results

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The First Generation

computers that were based on the use of wired
circuits containing vacuum tubes, and which
utilized punch cards as the main storage medium
and designed for a specific task
used binary codes of machine language
Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer
(ENIAC), a hulk of machinery consist of 18,000
vacuum tubes, 70,000 resistors, and 5 million
soldered joints, and occupied a space equal to
a small warehouse
Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic
Computer (EDVAC), a pioneer in implementing
von Neumanns architecture, the key to which
was the Central Processing Unit (CPU), which
allowed all computer functions to be
coordinated through a single source

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The Second Generation

development of the transistor
smaller size and increased reliability
resulted to smaller and smaller computers,
which were faster and more energyefficient than their predecessors
used a more specialized language with easier
abbreviated programming codes called
assembly language

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The Third Generation

integration, a process in which numerous
electronic components are brought together to
compose a system unit (an integrated circuit)
that combines them in a dynamic, coordinated
manner
the first integrated circuit (IC) was invented
independently by Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce

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The Fourth Generation

development of user-friendly software
packages that offered non-technical users
many of the advantages of computer
applications
characterized by the application of advanced
engineering techniques that allow for verylarge-scale-integration (VLSI), and ultra-largescale-integration (ULSI), which allow for the
placement of millions of electronic
components in a single chip

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The Fifth Generation

computers that can understand human speech,
can recognize patterns like faces and other
complex images
artificial intelligence
expert systems
natural language processing

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Business - they use computers to store

information, easy interface with
customers, and facilitate processing
and presentation of data

Mathematics and Science - Watson and

Cricks discovery of the structure of the
DNA

Engineering - degrees of
miniaturization and integration have
multiplies n-fold

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Medicine - more reliable artificial

hearts are being offered to those with
heart problems

Education - ease of use in the creation

of presentation materials and
documents
Entertainment - interactive games and
virtual simulations, computergenerated effects

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