Introduction of computer | The first generation of Computer

 

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A computer is an electronic device for storing and processing data, typically in binary form, according to instructions given to it in a variable program. A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information or data. It can store, retrieve and process data and is used to type documents, send emails, play games and browse the Web.

A computer is not an acronym and is sometimes abbreviated as PC (Personal Computer). The term "computer" was originally given to humans (human computers) who perform numerical calculations using mechanical calculators, such as the abacus and slide rule. The term was later on given to mechanical devices as they began replacing human computers Today's computers are electronic devices that

accept data (input), a process that data, produce output, and then store the results.

A computer is a device that accepts data or information (in the digital data form) and manipulates it for some result based on a program or sequence of instructions on how the data is to be processed. A program may be invariable and built into the computer (and called logic circuitry as it is on microprocessors) or different programs may be provided to the computer (loaded into its storage unit and then started by an administrator or user)

More precisely, a computer is a device that operates upon data. It takes through input devices,

process them (through CPU) and produces the desired output on different output devices. The computer does not understand human language, it works in binary mode Le 0 and 1 (two-state operation). The data on which a computer performs operations is of various sizes and shapes depending on the type of computer application. Since, a computer process data, therefore it is sometimes called a data processor, and the activity of processing data using a computer is called data processing.

Definitions of Computer

• A device that computes, especially a programmable electronic machine that performs a high-speed mathematical calculation on logical operations or that assembles, stores, correlates, or otherwise processes information.

•  A programmable device designed to accept data, perform prescribed mathematical and logical operations at high speed and display the results of these instructions.

In a computer system, each component performs its functions and also interacts with each other. Let

We discuss each component one by one: 

• Input Unit: Data and instructions are entered into the computer through the input unit. Input unit provides a link between the external environment and the computer system to perform its task. With the help of input devices, the user operates the computer. The most common input devices are the keyboard and mouse. Other examples are scanners, light pens, joysticks, microphones, optical mark readers, bar code readers, etc. Each input device is connected to the computer by a device called an input port.

• Storage Unit: The data and instructions that are entered into the computer system through input devices have to be stored inside the computer before the actual processing starts. The memory is stored in a computer in many ways depending on how the information is used. It provides storage for storing data intermediate results and also for the final results

• Central Processing Unit: The CPU is the main unit inside the computer. It is responsible for all events inside the computer CPU is the central unit of the computer where all operations are performed Each component of the computer is under control of the CPU which works as the brain of the computer Modem CPUs are small and square and the whole circuit can be packed in a single chip of semiconductor material. This chip is known as Microprocessor. Each manufacturer builds its microprocessor. For example, Intel's sixth-generation chip is Pentium Pro. When a digital computer contains a microprocessor

as its central processor, it becomes a microcomputer. CPU contains the following units:

1.  Arithmetic Logical Unit (ALU): The arithmetic and logical unit perform all the arithmetic and logical operations. It is the place where the actual execution of the instructions takes place during the processing operations. The data and instructions, stored in the primary storage are transferred to ALL when required. No Processing is done in the primary storage unit. The intermediate results generated in the ALU are transferred back to the primary storage. This unit contains logic circuits ALU gets the operand from resisters. As soon as it receives a command signal from the control unit, it performs the specified operations. ALU contains the following two sections:

•  Arithmetic Section: The arithmetic section undertakes arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. A feature of computing is that a computer does not subtract multiply or divide, it always performs addition. To perform subtraction, the computer adds complements For multiplication it performs repeated addition Division is performed by repetitive subtraction,

• Logic Section: Logical operations like comparing numbers, letters, AND, OR, NOT and shifting the bits of binary numbers are done by this unit. Comparison operations test for three

conditions

• Equal to-condition in which two values are the same. 
• Less than a condition in which one value is smaller than the other.

(i) Greater than a condition in which one value is larger than the other.

2. Control Unit: Like its name, the control unit controls every part of the machine. It controls and guides the interpretation, flow, and manipulation of all data and information. It doesn't perform any actual processing on the data, it acts as a central nervous system for the other components of the computer. The Control unit serves the instructions for ALU. After receiving a control signal from the control unit ALU operates. It also decides the sequence of operations to be performed.

3. Output Unit: The output unit is responsible for delivering the output to the user. Output devices are used to provide the result. The output coming from the CPU is in the form of electronic binary signals which need to convert into a human-understandable form. This task is done with the help of output interfaces Some popular output devices are monitor, printer, plotter, etc. Each output device is connected to a port on the computer which is called an output port.

 Evolution of Computer System / Generations of Computer

The generations of the computer refer to the technological step ahead. It determines the growth of the computer industry. 

Initially, generation distinguished varying hardware technologies, but these days, it is used to differentiate between the changing hardware and software. 

Based on the period of development and features I sure incorporated, the computers can be characterized under different generations, which are discussed as follows:

1. First Generation Computers (1942-1955): 

The computers built using vacuum tubes were categorized as the first generation

computers A vacuum tube was a fragile glass device. It implemented filament as the electronic source and was capable of controlling and amplifying electric signals In those days, a vacuum tube was a switching device with the highest speed that could perform computations in milliseconds

Since the development of generation introduction to the high-level language, therefore, they were written in a machine-level language and assembly language. In this generation. 

mainly batch processing operating system was used. Punch cards. paper tape and magnetic tape were used as input and output devices. 

The first generation o on computer EDSAC (Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator) was designed by John Von-Neumann at Cambridge University in the United Kingdom in the year 1949.

 Another first-generation computer UNIVAC 1 (Universal Automatic Computer I was built in the year 1951). ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer), EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer), and IBM 701 are other examples of first-generation computers.

• Advantages

•  At the time, vacuum tubes were the only electronic components available.

• 2 During the period, these computers were the fastest among the devices that performed computations as their speed was in milliseconds.

• Disadvantages

• The computer of the first generation could be accommodated only in large spaces and were bulky in size. in size. 

• These computers used thousands of vacuum tubes and as a consequence, a large amount of heat was emitted. This made air-conditioning essential and increased the maintenance cost 

•  These computers consumed a lot of power at the rate of half a watt per vacuum tube. 
•  The rate of machine failure was very high and it is very difficult to find faults if any occurred.

• These computers required frequent maintenance due to the low mean time between failures.
• It was difficult to produce these computers commercially as they were very much costly 
• Their Commercial use was hindered also because they were difficult to program and use.