A computer is an electronic device that processes data into useful information by following programmed instructions. Early mathematicians in the 17th century tried to build machines for basic math functions. In 1804, Charles Babbage designed the difference engine, which had a mechanical memory. Computers have since progressed through generations based on technological advancements - from vacuum tubes to transistors to integrated circuits and microprocessors - making them smaller, faster, and more efficient. Today, supercomputers are the most powerful for complex tasks, mainframes are for large organizations, and personal computers are most common.

2. WHAT IS COMPUTER
In basic term, a computer is an
electronic device that processes data,
converting it into information that is
useful to people. Any computer-
regardless of its type- is controlled by
programmed instructions, which gives
the machine a purpose and tell it what
to do.

3. Asearly as the seventeenth century,
mathematicians were trying to create a machine
that could perform basic mathematical functions
such as, addition, subtraction, division and
multiplication.

4. 1804 British inventor, Charles Babbage,
designed an all-purpose problem-solving machine,
the difference engine, which had a mechanical
memory to store the results of calculations.

5. Second Generation - 1956-1963:
Transistors
Transistors replaced
vacuum tubes and ushered
in the second generation of
computers. The transistor
was invented in 1947 but
did not see widespread use
in computers until the late
50s.
*smaller,faster and cheaper.

6. Third Generation - 1964-1971:
Integrated Circuits
The development of the integrated
circuit was the hallmark of the third
generation of computers. Transistors
were miniaturized and placed on silicon
chips, called semiconductors, which
drastically increased the speed and
efficiency of computers.

7. Fourth Generation - 1971-Present:
Microprocessors
The microprocessor
brought the fourth
generation of
computers, as
thousands of
integrated circuits
were built onto a single
silicon chip.

8. Fifth Generation of Computer
Personal computers
Fifth generation computing
devices, based on artificial
intelligence, are still in
development, though there are
some applications, such as voice
recognition, that are being
used today.

9. Computers
Today

10. Supercomputers are the most
powerful computers made.
Supercomputers are used to
process huge amount of data for
complex processes such as
nuclear fission.

11. Mainframe computers are the largest
among the computers in use
today. Mainframe computers are
used where many people in large
organizations are frequently
accessing similar information.

13. Personal Computers are the most
common computers in use today.
A personal computer can be a
desktop computer, a notebook or a
laptop or a Personal Digital
Assistant.

17. ADVANTAGES AND
DISADVANTAGES OF
COMPUTER