Republic of the Philippines

UNIVESITY OF EASTERN PHILIPPINES

University Town, Northern Samar
College of Engineering

M
odul
(Inform
ation
e)in
Technology

ES
515
COMPUTER HARDWARE

Mechille M. Fabiala
Subject Professor
First Semester, S.Y. 2021-2022
MODULE 1
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES IN MODERN
ORGANIZATION
Introduction

Information Technology (IT) encompass the study and application of

computers and any form of telecommunications that store, retrieve and send
information. IT includes a combination of hardware and software used together to
perform the essential functions people need and use everyday. Most IT
professionals will work with an organization to focus on and meet their needs
technologically by understanding what they need, showing them options on what
current technology is available to do their needed tasks, then implementing the
technology into their current setup, or creating a whole new set up.

This module is Part 1 of the course Information Technology in Electrical

Engineering which will serve as a teaching-learning means for BSEE students in
flexible learning mode. This will topics as stated in the course syllabus which will
discuss on: introduction to computer, its brief history, generation, and classification of
computers.

Learning Outcomes
After completing this module, you are expected to:
1. Discuss what is a computer, its advantages and disadvantages;
2. Trace the evolution of computers, its generations and classification;
3. Explain the basic units of a computer system;
4. Discuss the role information technology plays in modern organizations;

Learning Plan

1.1 What is a Computer?

The Oxford Dictionary defines a computer as ‘an automatic

electronic apparatus for making calculations or controlling operations
that are expressible in numerical or logical terms’.

A computer is a data processor. It can accept input, which may be

either data or instructions or both. The computer remembers the input by
storing it in memory cells. It then processes the stored input by performing
calculations or by making logical comparisons or both. It gives out the result of
the arithmetic or logical computations as output information. The computer
accepts input and outputs data in an alphanumeric form. Internally it converts
the input data to meaningful binary digits, performs the instructed operations
on the binary data, and transforms the data from binary digit form to
understandable alphanumeric form.
1.2 Brief History on the Evolution of Computers

 Computing in the Mechanical Era

The concept of calculating machines evolved long before the invention
of electrical and electronic devices. The first mechanical calculating apparatus
was the abacus, which was invented in 500 BC in Babylon. It was used
extensively without any improvement until1642 when Blaise Pascal designed
a calculator that employed gears and wheels.
In 1823, Charles Babbage, aided by Augusta Ada Byron, the Countess
of Lovelace, started an ambitious project of producing a programmable
calculating machine for the Royal Navy of Great Britain. Input to this
mechanical machine, named the Analytical Engine, was given through
punched cards. This engine stored 1,000, 20-digit decimal numbers and a
modifiable program, which could vary the operation of the machine so that it
could execute different computing jobs.

 Computing in the Electrical Era

With the availability of electric motors in 1800, a host of motor-operated

calculating machines based on Pascal’s calculator was developed. A
mechanical machine, driven by a single electric motor, was developed in 1889
by Herman Hollerith to count, sort, and collate data stored on punched cards.
Hollerith formed the Tabulating Machine Company in 1896. This company
soon merged into International Business Machines (IBM) and the mechanical
computing machine business thrived.

The transistor was invented at Bell Labs in 1948. In 1958, IBM,

International Computers Limited (ICL), Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC),
and others brought out general-purpose computers using transistors that were
faster, smaller in size, weighed less, needed less power, and were more
reliable.

Meanwhile, at Texas Instruments, Jack Kilby invented the integrated

circuit in 1958 that led to the development of digital integrated circuits in the
1960s. Along with the development of computer hardware, programming
languages were devised and perfected. In the 1950s, Assembly language was
developed for UNIVAC computers. In 1957, IBM developed FORTRAN
language. Then in the years that followed came programming languages such
as ALGOL, COBOL, BASIC, PASCAL, C/C++, ADA, and JAVA.

1.3 Generation of Computers

With advancement in the generation, the performance of computers

improved not only due to the implementation of better hardware technology
but also superior operating systems and other software utilities. This is shown
in the table below.
 Generation Technology Operating Year of Specific computers
Number System introduction
1 Vacuum None 1945 Mark 1
Tube
2 Transistor None 1956 IBM 1401, ICL 1901, B5000,
MINSK-2
3 SSI and MSI Yes 1964 IBM S/360/370, UNIVAC 1100,
HP 2100A, HP 9810
4 LSI and VLSI Yes 1971 ICL 2900, HP 9845A, VAX
11/780, ALTAIR 8800, IBM P
5 HAL Yes Present and -
beyond

(source: Computer Fundamentals & Programming by Pradip Dey et.al.)

1.4 Classification of Computers

The classification of computers is presented below based on their

power and their use.

 Supercomputer

Supercomputer is the most expensive and fastest type of computer that

performs at or near the currently highest operational rate for computers. A
Cray supercomputer is a typical example. These are employed for specialized
applications that require immense amounts of mathematical calculations such
as weather forecasting, nuclear energy research, and petroleum exploration
etc.

 Mainframe

A mainframe computer supports a vast number of users to work

simultaneously and remotely. Apart from providing multi-user facility, it can
process large amounts of data at very high speeds and support many input,
output and auxiliary storage devices. These computers are very large in size,
and expensive. The main difference between a supercomputer and a
mainframe is that a supercomputer can execute a single program faster than
a mainframe, whereas a mainframe uses its power to execute many programs
concurrently. The IBM 370 and IBM 3090 are examples of mainframe
computers.

 Minicomputers

A minicomputer is powerful enough to be used by multiple users

(between 10 to 100) but is smaller in size and memory capacity and cheaper
 than mainframes. Two classic examples were the Digital Equipment
Corporation VAX and the IBM AS/400.

 Microcomputers

The microcomputer has been intended to meet the personal computing

needs of an individual. It typically consists of a microprocessor chip, a
memory system, interface units and various I/O ports, typically resided in a
motherboard. There are many types of microcomputers available.

 Desktop computer
A micro-computer sufficient to fit on a desk.

 Laptop computer

A portable microcomputer with an integrated screen and keyboard.

 Palmtop computer/Digital diary/Notebook/PDAs

A hand-sized microcomputer having no keyboard. The screen serves

both as an input and output device.

Learning Assessment 1

1. What is computer? Discuss how are computers used in

engineering?
2. Research on impact of IT to Electrical Engineers. Conduct an
online interview from an employee of other industry as to how IT
plays in their organization.

Reference

Introduction to Information Technology

(https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Introduction_to_Information_Technology/Print_version#
Introduction)