Contents
Digital and analog computers
Characteristics of computer—Speed, accuracy, diligence, storage capability, versatility
History of computer—Calculating machines, Napier’s bones, slide rule, Pascal's adding
and subtraction machine, Leibniz's multiplication and dividing machine, punch card
system, Babbage's analytical engine, Hollerith's punched card tabulating machine
Generations of computer
o First generation (1940 to 1956): Using vacuum tubes
o Second generation (1956 to 1963): Using transistors
o Third generation (1964 to 1971): Using integrated circuits
o Fourth generation (1971 to present): Using microprocessors
o Fifth generation (present and next): Using artificial intelligence
Classification of computer—Microcomputers (desktop computer or Personal Computer
(PC), notebook computers or laptop, netbook, tablet computer, handheld computer or
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), smart phones), minicomputers, mainframe computers,
supercomputers )
The computer system—Hardware, software, data, users
The Input-process-output concept
Components of computer hardware—Input/output unit, central processing unit,storage
unit
Application of computers—Education, entertainment, sports, advertising, medicine,
science and engineering, government, home