This document provides an overview of fundamentals of information technology. It discusses the definition of a computer as a machine that performs calculations and processes information quickly and accurately. It then covers the characteristics, classifications, and generations of computers from the first generation that used vacuum tubes to the current fifth generation focused on artificial intelligence. The document explains how each new generation incorporated technological advancements like transistors, integrated circuits, and microprocessors to make computers smaller, faster, and more powerful over time.

1. FUNDAMENTALS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
UNDER THE GUIDENCE : MS.D.SEETHALAKSHMI, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
SUBMITTED BY : S.HARINI, M.ABIRAMI, P.ESKALIN DERANCIA
REGISTER NUMBER : CB17S 250373,CB17S 250367,CB17S 250342
SUBJECT CODE : 16SNMECA2
CLASS : III BCA A
BATCH : 2017 - 2020
YEAR : 2019 - 2020

2. UNIT I
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS

3. INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER
 computer is a machine that performs calculation and processes information with astonishing
speed and precision. a computer can take thousands of individual pieces of data and turn them
into more usable information with blinding speed and almost unfailing accuracy.
 The two principal characteristics of a computer :
 it responds to a specific set of instruction in a well defined manner.
 It can execute a prerecorded list of instruction.
 Modern computer are electronic and digital. the actual machinery-wires, transistors, circuits
called HARDWARE. the instruction and data are called SOFTWARE.

4. Importance of computers
 SOLVING NUMERICAL PROBLEMS :one of the most important and most
difficult jobs performed by computer is the solution of complicated problems involving number.
computer can solve such problems amazingly quickly.
 STORING AND RETRIEVING INFORMATION : people use computer
to store large quantity of data. information stored in computer is called a database.
 CREATING AND DISPLAYING DOCUMENTS AND PICTURES:
computer can store a huge number of wordsinawaythatmakesiteasy tomanipulatethem.

5. Characteristics of computer
Speed : computer can calculate at very high speed. a microcomputer can execute millions
of instruction per second over and over again without any mistake
Storage : computer have main memory and auxiliary memory system. they can store a
large amount of data. with more and more auxiliary storage device which are capable of
storing huge amount of data, the storage of capacity of a computer is virtually unlimited.
Versatility: computer are very versatile machine. they can perform activities ranging from
simple calculation to performing complex(CAD modeling).
Automation: the level of automation achieved in a computer is phenomenal. It is not a
simple calculator where you have to punch in the number and press the ‘equal to’ sign to get
the result.

6. Classification of computer
Micro computer : micro computer are the smallest computer system. Their size range
from calculator to desktop size. Its CPU is microprocessor. Its application is personal
computer, multi computer ,offices.
Mini Computer : these are also small general purpose system. They are generally more
powerful and most useful as compared to micro computer . Mini computer are also
as mid range computer. Its application is departmental system, network server.

7. Main frame computer: these computers offer faster processing and grated
storage area. The word“ main frame ”comes from the metal frames. Its application is
host computer ,central database server.
Super computer: these computer which are designed for scientific job like
whether forecasting. They are fastest and expensive. It application is weapons
and development.

8. GENERATION OF COMPUTER
 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.

9. First Generation Computers
(1945-1955)
 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.

10. Second Generation Computers
(1956-1963)
 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.

11. Third Generation Computers
(1964-1971)
 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.

12. Fourth Generation Computers
(1972 onwards)
 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.
 The microprocessor brought the fourth generation of computers, as
thousands of integrated circuits were built onto a single silicon chip.

13. Fifth Generation Computers
(present and future)
 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.