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LEC 1 CSE 1101 Introduction To Computers

A computer is an electronic device that processes data into useful information by accepting input, processing it, and generating output. The document then provides a brief history of computers from the abacus to modern computers like ENIAC. It describes key characteristics of computers like speed, reliability, memory, logical decision making, versatility, automation, and diligence. The document also outlines some limitations of computers and notes that a computer system has three main components: hardware, software, and people.

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170 views5 pages

LEC 1 CSE 1101 Introduction To Computers

A computer is an electronic device that processes data into useful information by accepting input, processing it, and generating output. The document then provides a brief history of computers from the abacus to modern computers like ENIAC. It describes key characteristics of computers like speed, reliability, memory, logical decision making, versatility, automation, and diligence. The document also outlines some limitations of computers and notes that a computer system has three main components: hardware, software, and people.

Uploaded by

yamakash70
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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What is a Computer?

A computer is an electronic device that processes data, converting


it into information that is useful to people.
A Computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to accept data (input),
process it, and generate results (output).

History of Computer
● It started with the introduction of Abacus about 5000 years ago

● In 1642, a French Mathematician Blaise Pascal invented Pascaline which


revolved to make calculations
● In 1842, Charles Babbage invented Difference engine and Analytical engine
which could add, subtract, divide and multiply in automatical sequence.
● Ada augusta love lace is said to be the first programmer as she gave a valuable
contribution that punched cards could instruct Babbage’s engine to perform
repetitive tasks.
● The First modern computer is called Atanasoff berry computer and it could
perform Binary arithmetic, parallel processing, storage and computer functions. It
could store 3000 bits of data and weighed around 340kg.
● ENIAC (Electronic numerical integrator and computer) is the First large-scale
digital computer invented in 1946.

Characteristics of a Computer:
- High Speed
- Reliability and accuracy
- Large memory
- Logical decision making
- Versatility
- Automation
- Diligence

High Speed
● Measured in Mega Hertz (MHz) : Millions of clock cycles per second.
● Most Microcomputer’s speed range from 300 MHz to 2 GHz
● A Typical 800 MHz computer takes a very small fraction of a second to complete
one cycle.
● Several clock cycles are needed to fetch a single instruction from the memory,
decode it and execute it
● The Speed of Workstations, mainframes and personal computers is measured in
millions of intructions per second (MIPS). These computers operate in the range
of 20 to 1000 MIPS.
● A 100 MIPS computer can execute 100 million instructions per second.
● The speed of super computers ca nbe measured in Floating point operations per
second (FLOPS).

Reliability and accuracy


● The results of computers are highly reliable and precise
● They are highly accurate and reliable as they work on electrical pulses that rarely
fail to convey correct information.
● There are error checking systems that reduce the chance of errors
● Organizations often provide backup computers that automatically take over when
main computer fails.
● Disaster recovery systems are also applied to further strengthen the reliability of
data.

Large Memory
● Large memory is used to store data and information temporarily or permanently.
● Temporary memory is also referred to as Random access memory or RAM. It is
used to temporarily store programs that are currently executing on your system.
- The contents of RAM are erased when the power is switched off.
- The size of temporary is measured in terms of kilo bytes and Mega bytes.

● Permanent Memory is used to permanently store large repositories of data, user


programs, applications like MS office and Operating Systems like MS Windows or
Unix.
- An example of permanent storage is hard disk.
- The programs stored on permanent memory are available when you
switch on the computer.
- It can store large amount of data
- ROM is a permanent memory.

● Compute memory has advanced feature to dynamically access any data


irrespective of its storage location.

Logical Decision Making


● It has the ability to take decisions
● The computer has special circuits to perform logical equations (which include
comparisons such as => , < ) Depending on the result of the logical operations, a
computer can take appropriate actions.
● It can also compare audio, images and videos
● This has led to the invention of artificial intelligence machines.

Versatility
● It is used to solve variety of problems
● The use of computer has grown in fields of communication, multimedia,
scientific research, designing, engineering, education and entertainment.

Automation
● The computer performs operations automatically
● When it is switched on, it automatically executes instructions, checks the
peripheral deives, loads the OS and provides interface without any human
interaction.

Diligence
● The computer never feels tired
● Performs different jobs
● Can perform a single task repeatedly without losing precision.

Limitation of computer:
● Lack of intelligence
- Can not think like a human
- Has no aesthetic sense like smell of a flower
● Need of proper environment for smooth operation
- They need to kept in a certain temperature and dust-free environment
● Need of special language
- Can understand only binary codes (i.e 0 and 1 and its combinations)
- Special software interpreters and compilers are needed to convert natural
languages to computer language.

A computer system has three main components: hardware, software, and people.
● Hardware - The equipment associated with a computer system.
● Software - set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do.
● People - they are most important component of a computer system - people use
the power of the computer for some purpose.

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