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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