The document discusses the history and evolution of computers through five generations. The first generation used vacuum tubes and magnetic drums, were enormous in size, and relied on machine language. The second generation used transistors which made them smaller and more reliable. The third generation saw the development of integrated circuits which further miniaturized computers. The fourth generation is defined by the invention of microprocessors which placed all computer components on a single chip. The fifth generation still being developed aims to develop artificial intelligence capabilities.

1. COMPUTER BASICS
by
Manju Pal

2. CONTENTS
 Introduction to a Computers
 Types of Computers
 Parts of a Computer
 Hardware
 Software
 Generations of Computers
 First Generation
 Second Generation
 Third Generation
 Fourth Generation
 Fifth Generation 2
Department
of
Education,
I.P.S.
Gangoh,
C.C.S.
University
Meerut
(UP)

3. INTRODUCTION TO A COMPUTERS
 A computer system consists usually of a computer and its
peripherals.
 Computer peripherals include input devices, output devices, and
secondary memories.
3
Department
of
Education,
I.P.S.
Gangoh,
C.C.S.
University
Meerut
(UP)

4. TYPES OF COMPUTERS
 Supercomputers...are used to process very large
amounts of information including processing
information to predict hurricanes, satellite images and
navigation, and process military war scenarios.
 Mainframes...are used by government and
businesses to process very large amounts of
information.
 Mini-Computers...are similar to mainframes...they are
used by business and government to process large
amounts of information.
 Personal Computers (PC)…
Department
of
Education,
I.P.S.
Gangoh,
C.C.S.
University
Meerut
(UP)
4

5. TYPES OF COMPUTERS
 Personal Computers (Continued)
Personal Computers...also known as PC’s...are
smaller and less powerful than the others. They
are used in homes, schools, and small businesses.
Department
of
Education,
I.P.S.
Gangoh,
C.C.S.
University
Meerut
(UP)
5

6. TYPES OF COMPUTERS
There are 3 main types of PCs
 Desktop
 Portable (Notebook/Laptop)
When portable (notebook/laptop) computers were first
created they were HUGE. They weighed around 100
lbs., and were carried in a large luggage suitcase. The
creators of the portable (notebook/laptop) computer
dreamed that one day it would be the size a notebook
or pocket dictionary. With today’s technology, we have
been able to accomplish this goal and more..
 Hand-Held
Department
of
Education,
I.P.S.
Gangoh,
C.C.S.
University
Meerut
(UP)
6

7. PARTS OF A COMPUTER
 There are two basic parts that make up a
computer...
Department
of
Education,
I.P.S.
Gangoh,
C.C.S.
University
Meerut
(UP)
7

8. HARDWARE
 Hardware is basically anything that you can touch with
your fingers.
Computer Case (Cabinet)
CPU (central processing unit...Pentium chip)
Monitor
Keyboard & Mouse
Disk Drive, Zip Drive, CD-ROM, DVD,
Hard Drive
Memory (RAM)
Speakers
Printer
Department
of
Education,
I.P.S.
Gangoh,
C.C.S.
University
Meerut
(UP)
8

9. HARDWARE (CONTINUED)
 There are three
types/categories of
hardware
1. Input Devices
2. Output Devices
3. Storage Devices
Department
of
Education,
I.P.S.
Gangoh,
C.C.S.
University
Meerut
(UP)
9

10. INPUT DEVICES
 Input basically means getting data into the
computer to be processed.
Keyboard, Mouse,
Trackball, Touch Pad
Light Pen, Laser Scanner,
Pointing Stick
Touch Screen,
Bar Code Reader, Scanner
Microphone, Joystick
Department
of
Education,
I.P.S.
Gangoh,
C.C.S.
University
Meerut
(UP)
10

11. OUTPUT DEVICES
 Output basically means getting data out of the
computer.
Monitor
Printer
Speakers
Headphones
Modem
Fax
Department
of
Education,
I.P.S.
Gangoh,
C.C.S.
University
Meerut
(UP)
11

12. STORAGE DEVICES
 Storage devices are both input and output devices in
one. A storage device is a place to keep data that
has been processed so that it can be retrieved at a
later time to be used again.
Hard Disk
Floppy Disk
CD’s, DVD’s
Magnetic Tape
Flash Memory, Jump Drive
Department
of
Education,
I.P.S.
Gangoh,
C.C.S.
University
Meerut
(UP)
12

13. GENERATIONS OF COMPUTERS
 The computer has evolved from a large-sized simple
calculating machine to a smaller but much more powerful
machine.
 The evolution of computer to the current state is defined
in terms of the generations of computer.
 Each generation of computer is designed based on a
new technological development, resulting in better,
cheaper and smaller computers that are more powerful,
faster and efficient than their predecessors.
Department
of
Education,
I.P.S.
Gangoh,
C.C.S.
University
Meerut
(UP)
13

14.  Currently, there are five generations of computer. In the
following subsections, we will discuss the generations of
computer in terms of the technology used by them
(hardware and software), computing characteristics
(speed, i.e., number of instructions executed per
second), physical appearance, and their applications.
GENERATIONS OF COMPUTERS
Department
of
Education,
I.P.S.
Gangoh,
C.C.S.
University
Meerut
(UP)
14

15.  The first computers used vacuum tubes(a sealed glass tube
containing a near-vacuum which allows the free passage of
electric current.) for
circuitry and magnetic drums for memory.
 They were often enormous and taking up entire room.
 First generation computers relied on machine language.
 They were very expensive to operate and in addition to using
a great deal of electricity, generated a lot of heat, which was
often the cause of malfunctions(defect or breakdown).
 The UNIVAC and ENIAC computers are examples of first-
generation computing devices.
FIRST GENERATION COMPUTERS
(1940-1956)
Department
of
Education,
I.P.S.
Gangoh,
C.C.S.
University
Meerut
(UP)
15

16. Advantages :
 It was only electronic device
 First device to hold memory
Disadvantages :
 Too bulky i.e large in size
 Vacuum tubes burn frequently
 They were producing heat
 Maintenance problems
FIRST GENERATION COMPUTERS
Department
of
Education,
I.P.S.
Gangoh,
C.C.S.
University
Meerut
(UP)
16

17. • Transistors replaced vacuum tubes and ushered in
the second generation of computers.
• Second-generation computers moved from
cryptic binary machine language to symbolic.
• High-level programming languages were also
being developed at this time, such as early versions
of COBOL and FORTRAN.
• These were also the first computers that stored
their instructions in their memory.
SECOND GENERATION COMPUTERS
(1956-1963)
Department
of
Education,
I.P.S.
Gangoh,
C.C.S.
University
Meerut
(UP)
17

18. Advantages :
 Size reduced considerably
 The very fast
 Very much reliable
Disadvantages :
 They over heated quickly
 Maintenance problems
SECOND GENERATION COMPUTERS
Department
of
Education,
I.P.S.
Gangoh,
C.C.S.
University
Meerut
(UP)
18

19.  The development of the integrated circuit was the
hallmark of the third generation of computers.
 Transistors were miniaturized and placed
on siliconchips, called semiconductors.
 Instead of punched cards and printouts, users
interacted with third generation computers
through keyboards and monitors and interfaced
with an operating system.
 Allowed the device to run many
different applications at one time.
THIRD GENERATION COMPUTERS
(1964-1971)
Department
of
Education,
I.P.S.
Gangoh,
C.C.S.
University
Meerut
(UP)
19

20. Advantages :
 ICs are very small in size
 Improved performance
 Production cost cheap
Disadvantages :
 ICs are sophisticated
THIRD GENERATION COMPUTERS
Department
of
Education,
I.P.S.
Gangoh,
C.C.S.
University
Meerut
(UP)
20

21.  The microprocessor brought the fourth generation
of computers, as thousands of integrated circuits
were built onto a single silicon chip.
 The Intel 4004 chip, developed in 1971, located all
the components of the computer.
 From the central processing unit and memory to
input/output controls—on a single chip.
 . Fourth generation computers also saw the
development of GUIs, the mouse and
handheld devices.
FOURTH GENERATION COMPUTERS
(1971-PRESENT)
Department
of
Education,
I.P.S.
Gangoh,
C.C.S.
University
Meerut
(UP)
21

22. FOURTH GENERATION COMPUTERS
Department
of
Education,
I.P.S.
Gangoh,
C.C.S.
University
Meerut
(UP)
22

23.  Fifth generation computing devices, based
on artificial intelligence.
 Are still in development, though there are some
applications, such as voice recognition.
 The use of parallel processing and superconductors
is helping to make artificial intelligence a reality.
 The goal of fifth-generation computing is to develop
devices that respond to natural language input and
are capable of learning and self-organization.
FIFTH GENERATION COMPUTERS
(PRESENT AND BEYOND)
Department
of
Education,
I.P.S.
Gangoh,
C.C.S.
University
Meerut
(UP)
23

24. FIFTH GENERATION COMPUTERS
Department
of
Education,
I.P.S.
Gangoh,
C.C.S.
University
Meerut
(UP)
24

25. Thank You
25
Department
of
Education,
I.P.S.
Gangoh,
C.C.S.
University
Meerut
(UP)