Introduction To Computer

Definition:

A computer is an electronic device that process the inputs given it by user and give output/results.

History:

• Computer was made for the purpose of calculation.         
• The history of computers goes back over 200 years.

The abacus:

The earliest known calculating device is probably the abacus. It dates back at least to 1100 BCE and is still in use today, particularly in Asia. Now, as then, it typically consists of a rectangular frame with thin parallel rods strung with beads.

Analog calculators:

Calculating devices took a different turn when John Napier, a Scottish mathematician, published his discovery of logarithms in 1614.

Digital calculators:

In 1623 the German astronomer and mathematician Wilhelm Schickard built the first calculator in 1624.

GENERATIONS OF COMPUTERS:

Computer generation refer to the advancement of computer technology. With each new generation the circuitry has gotten smaller and more advanced than previous generation.

First Generation (1946-1959)      

Vacuum tubes were used in the first generation of computers. The first generation of computer were slow, expensive and often unreliable. One of the first generation of computer was the ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) that used thousands of vacuum tubes. It took up a lot of space and produced a tot of heat The UNIVAC.       

SSecond Generation(1959-1965)

Transistors replaced vacuum tubes and were used in the second generation computers. Transistor is a device composed of semiconductor material. It was invented in 1947 at Bell Labs. The transistor was fast, more reliable, smaller in size and much cheaper to build than a vacuum tube. One transistor replaced about 40 vacuum tubes. Second-generation computers moved from machine language to assembly languages, which allowed programmers to specify instructions in words.

 Third Generation (1965-1971)

The development of the integrated circuit (ICs) was the hallmark of the third generation of computers Integrated circuits placed on silicon chips, called semi-conductors. Increased the speed and efficiency of computers. ICs were a tremendous breakthrough m advancing the computer. The IC packs a huge number of transistor onto a single chip. The invention of integrated circuits reduced both the size and cost of computers even further and further enhancing its power.

  Fourth Generation (1971-1980)

The Fourth Generation can be characterized by both, the integrated circuits, and the invention of the microprocessor. (A single chip that could do all the processing of a full-scale computer) By putting the millions of transistors onto one single chip, move calculations and faster speed could be achieved by computer. It led to the invention of personal computers, or microcomputers.

 Fifth Generation(1980-onwards)

Fifth generation computers are based on artificial intelligence and are still in development phase. Robots and such other intelligent systems are major developments of this generation. The main objective of fifth-generation computing is to develop devices that respond to natural language input and are capable of learning and self-organization. 

USES OF COMPUTER:

Education

The computer technology has a deep impact on education. Computer education is now a part of the school and college curricula. Students find it easier to refer to the Internet than searching for information in reference books. The process of learning has gone beyond learning from prescribed textbooks. It is easier to store information on computers than maintaining handwritten notes. Online education has revolutionized the education industry. The computer technology has made the dream of distance learning, a reality. Education is no more limited to classrooms. It has reached far and wide due to computer technology. Physically distant locations have come close to each other only due to computer networking.

Business

Computers are extremely important in today's business. Ordering products, shipping ' information, price checks in retail stores, etc. is done using computers. Computers have become a requirement in the business industry.

Defence

There are many uses of computers in defence such as:

• Controlling unmanned air-crafts.

• They are also used on Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) that use GPS (Global Positioning System) and Computers to help the missile get to the target.

• Computers are used to track incoming missiles and destroy them.

• Computers are used in tanks, planes and _ships to target enemy forces.

• Computers are used in designing and testing of arms and other equipments.

• Almost all of the modern weapons and other defense equipments involve computers for their proper functioning.

Media

Now days computers are extensively used in both print and electronic media. Computer are extensively used in the "Print Media" that includes newspapers, magazines, etc. Electronic Media is using the latest computer technology. Internet has opened up several new opportunities for mass communication which include email, websites, blogging, Internet, TV and many other mass media which are booming today. which include email, websites, blogging, Internet, TV and many other mass media which are booming today.

Manufacturing In industry computers are widely being used to design and manufacture products .CAD (Computer-aided designing) and CAM (Computer-aided manufacturing) are the use of computer software and hardware to control machine tools and related machinery in the manufacturing of products. The primary purpose of CAD/CAM is to create a faster production with more precise dimensions and material consistency and reducing energy consumption. It allows instructions and procedures to be communicated directly to the manufacturing machines.

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