Chapter One Course Content

Definition of computer -> (input (data), process, Output(information), storage (hard disk))
Uses of computers and their limitations.
Characteristics of computers
Follow Book (Computer Applications in Business by Dr. Liaqat Ali Ch. 10th E) for above content

Follow Slides for

Generations of computer (First , Second , Third, Fourth, Fifth)
Types of computer on the basis of principle of construction (analog , digital, difference, hybrid)
Classification of Digital Computers (Super, mainframe, Mini, Micro/Personal [Desktop, laptop,
palmtop, tablet])

Generations of Computers
There are five generations of computers.
Each generation of computer is characterized by a
major technological development that fundamentally
changed the way computers operate, resulting in
increasingly smaller, cheaper, portable, more
powerful and more efficient and reliable devices.

Language Hierarchy (Class Discussion)

First generation (1940-1956) Vacuum Tubes

Technology

Vacuum Tubes(use for Amplify and Switch Electronic Signals )

Language

The instructions were written in machine language (low level language)

binary coded programs) because high-level programming languages were
introduced much later .
Since machine languages are very difficult to work with , only a few
specialists understood how to program these early computers.

Storage
(Memory)

Magnetic Drums

Operating System No Operating System . Operating instructions were used to operate

computers for specific tasks.
Input Device

Punch Cards

Output Device

Print Outs

Note : Advantage & Disadvantage . Ref: (Computer Application in

Business By Dr. Liaqat Ali Chaudhry) 1-4 Generation

Example:
ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and computer)

Technology: Vacuum Tube

Storage Memory : Magnetic Drum

Input: Punch Cards

Output: Printuts

Punch Card Machine

Punch Card Machine

Second Generation(1956-1963)Transistors
Technology

Transistors -> Electronic component transistor was invented

in 1948.
-Smaller in size and more reliable than vacuum tube.

Language

Assembly Language -> (Allow abbreviated programming odes

to replace long difficult binary codes).
Also at this time , high level language such as Cobol, Fortran
came into existence but their use was limited.

Storage Memory

Using Core Magnetic Technology invent Magnetic Tap

(Magnetic memory)

Operating System

also contained operating systems, which acted as overseers to

the performance of a computer and which allowed computers to
run different programs at once.

Input Device

Punch Card

Output Device

Print Outs

High Level

Assembly
language

Example:
The first large-scale machines to take advantage of
this transistor technology were early supercomputers,
Stretch by IBM and LARC (Livermore Atomic
Research Computer) by Sperry-Rand. The IBM 7030, also
known as Stretch, was IBM's first transistorized supercomputer.

These computers, both developed for atomic energy

laboratories, could handle an enormous amount of
data, a capability much in demand by atomic
scientists.

Stretch and LARC Computer

Third Generation(1964-1971)Integrated circuits

Technology

IC (Integrated Circuits ) -> In a small IC

Silicon Chip (5 mm square size) a circuit
is designed having large number of
electronic components.
Such as -> transistor , diode , capacitor ,
registers etc.
Initially it contain 10 to 20 components.
IC technology was named as Small Scale
Integration (SSI).

Language

C, C++ , COBOL, FORTRAN (High Level

Language )

Storage Memory

Magnetic Disk

Operating System

also contained operating systems, which

acted as overseers to the performance of a
computer and which allowed computers to
run different programs at once.

Input Device

keyboard

Output Device

Monitor

Note : Advantage & Disadvantage . Ref: (Computer Application in

Business By Dr. Liaqat Ali Chaudhry)

Magnetic Disk

Example:
1964-1965: IBM 360
The IBM 360 was introduced by IBM (duh!) in April of 1964, and
was finally delivered in 1965. It was not actually a single computer,
but was rather a family of six computers and their peripherals.
These computers were all mutually compatible and all worked
together.
The first models of the IBM 360 used transistors, but later these
computers made a transition from transistors to integrated circuits.

1966: HP-2115
With the invention of the HP-2115, the company Hewlett Packard
enters the computer business.

1964-1965: IBM 360

1966: HP-2115

Fourth Generation(1971-present)Microprocessors
Technology

Using IC (Integrated Circuits ) microchip technology was introduced

in this generation.
By Large Scale Integration could fit hundreds of components onto a
one chip.
By 1980 used Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) mean hundreds of
thousands components onto a chip.
Now a days Ultra large Scale Integration increased that number into
the billions.

Language

High Level such c, c++, Java etc.

Memory Storage

HARD DISKS

Operating System

also contained operating systems, which acted as overseers to the

performance of a computer and which allowed computers to run different
programs at once.

Input Device /
Output Device

Keyboard, mouse, CD-ROM, DVD ROM, floppy, usb, microphone, using

touch screen , lcds , modern monitors etc.

Hard Disk

First Microprocessors
The basis of the fourth generation was the invention of the
microprocessor by a team at Intel.

On November 15, 1971, Intel released the world's first

commercial microprocessor, the 4004.
Processor: 740 kHz clock rate .

1972: Intel 8008

In November of 1972, Intel came out with a new 8-bit processor, known as the
Intel 8008.

1974: Intel 8080

The Intel 8080 is a re-engineered version of the Intel 8008. It had a larger and
more versatile instruction set.

1975: Altair 8800

The Altair 8800 is often called the first personal

computer.
Clock rate 2 MHz (2 million cycles/second)
1983: msword
1990: window 3.0

Class Discussion
IBM Introduces World's Fastest Processor: 5.2GHz
Enterprise Chip
the z196 processor is a four-core chip that contains 1.4 billion
transistors on a 512-square millimeter (mm) surface.
50 billion instructions per second.
IBM says that the record-breaking speed is necessary for businesses managing
huge workloads, such as banks and retailers, especially as the world becomes
increasingly more inter-connected, data has grown beyond the world's storage
capacity, and business transactions continue to skyrocket.

Fifth Generation(present-future)Artificial Intelligence

Technology

Artificial Intelligence also called the

knowledge processor. Is base on
ULSIC(Ultra Large Scale Integrated
Circuits )

Language

LIST PROCESSOR / PROLOG

Memory storage

Hard Disks with big databases.

Operating System

also contained operating systems, which

acted as overseers to the performance of a
computer and which allowed computers to
run different programs at once.

Input

Voice, action etc.

Output

Answer to action or voice.

Note : Fifth generation computers are supposed to be the ideal

computes. But do not exist.

Examples:

game playing You can buy machines that can play master level chess for a few
hundred dollars. There is some AI in them, but they play well against people
mainly through brute force computation--looking at hundreds of thousands of
positions. To beat a world champion by brute force and known reliable
heuristics requires being able to look at 200 million positions per second.
1996: Deep Blue
In 1996, IBM invents a supercomputer named "Deep Blue." Able to compute
more than 100 million chess positions per second, Deep Blue challenged the
reigning world chess champion Garry Kasparov to a chess match. Kasparov
wins the match, with 3 wins, 2 ties, and 1 loss. This was the first time ever that
a computer has beaten a reigning world chess champion. It brings up the
question: will computers soon surpass humans in chess playing and in other
aspects of intelligence?

Types of Computers

On the basis of principle of construction

Computers are divided into three types:

Analog Computers
Digital Computers
Hybrid Computers

Analog Computers
An analog computers is a form of computer that uses the
continuously changeable aspects of physical phenomena such
electrical, mechanical, or hydraulic quantities to model the
problem being solved.
As mechanical computers used in World War Second II for
controlling gun fire.
Analog computers are also used in science and industry.
Analog computers deal with measure data.
Examples: 1. Thermometer because it measures the length of a
mercury column, which varies continuously.
2. Analog Clock
3. Car Speedometer

Digital Computers
A digital computer is an electronic computing machine that
uses the binary digits(bits) 0 and 1 to represent all forms of
information internally in digital form.
Every computer has a set of instructions that define the basic
functions it can perform.
Sequences of these instructions constitute machine-language
(Low level language in the form of 0s and 1s )programs that
can be stored in the computers.
Examples:
1. Calculator (a small computer)
2.Digital clock, Digital watches
3. Weighing machines
4. Consumer electronic equipment (such as microwave oven )
5. Automobiles
6. Mini, Micro, Mainframe and super computers.

Diff b/w : Analog and Digital

Analog

Computers

Digital

Analog computer works with continuous values.

Digital computers works with discrete value (0,1). It

can work only with digits

It has very limited memory.

It can store large amount of data.

It has no state.

It has two states on and off

It can perform certain types of calculations.

Its speed of calculation is very high.

It is difficult to use

It is easy to use.

Analog computers is used in engineering and

scientific applications.

Digital computer is widely used in almost all fields

of life.

Analog computer is used for calculations and

measurement of physical quantities such as weight,
height, temperature and speed.

Digital computer is used to calculate mathematical

and logical operations.

Its accuracy is high.

Its accuracy is comparatively low.

Its readability is low.

Its readability is high.

Examples: Thermometer, analog clock, older

weighing machines. Car speedometer, voice ,
radio/tv signal etc.

Examples: digital watches, digital weighing

machines, mini computers, microcomputers,
mainframe computers and super computers.

Hybrid Computers
Hybrid computes are computers that exhibit features of
analog computers and digital computers.
The digital component normally serves as the controller and
provides logical operations.
The analog component normally serves as a solver of
differential equations.

Examples:
1.

2.
3.

An example of a hybrid computer system is a cement plant where all

calculations are made by digital systems(digital computers) and
accordingly actions such ass increase of certain material in the
furnace and increase / decrease of fuel for temperature is performed
by the help of analog system.
ICU (Intensive care unit) of hospital.
Gas Pump Station (where measurement of gas by analog system,
and displaying such calculation by digital system(computer).

Classification of Digital
Computers

Computers are classified according to sizes, speed and memory capacity.

Computers are different types:

Super Computers
Mainframe Computers
Mini Computers
Micro/Personal Computers

Desktop Computes
Laptop Computers
Tablet Computers
Palmtop (handheld pc) Computers

Super Computers
Supercomputer are very fast computers that can perform hundreds of
millions of instructions per second. These are the fastest calculating
devices.

Uses:
Super computer are used by government agencies .
Used for scientific and engineering applications that must handle very
large databases or do a great amount of computation.
Astronomers and space scientists use super computers to study the Sun
and space weather.
Supercomputers are used in nuclear technology.
Supercomputers are used to research in the field of medicine. For
example Cancer.
Supercomputers are used for the heavy stuff like weather maps,
construction of atom bombs, finding oil, earthquake prediction, and
sciences where a lot of calculations must be done.

World's Fastest Super Computers

Ref: www.top500.org
RANK

SUPER COMPUTER NAME

SPEED
1.75 petaflop/s

Jaguar (US )
which is located at the Department of
Energys

Anebulae (China)

1.271 petaflop/s
1.04 petaflop/s.

Roadrunner (US)
owned by the US Department of Energy.

A petaflop/s is equivalent to 1,000 trillion calculations per second.

China was rapidly becoming a "player" in high performance computing. China aims to
become supercomputer superpower
The fastest machine in the UK It has a top speed of 0.27 petaflops.

Jaguar Super Computer

Mainframe Computers
Mainframe computers are smaller than Super Computers. Usually, a
main frame would occupy an entire room and could cost over million
dollars.
The name comes from the way the machine is build up: all units
(processing, communication etc.) were hung into a frame. Thus main
computer is build into a frame, therefore it is called mainframe.
Mainframes are typically manufactured by large companies such as IBM,
Hitachi etc.

Uses:
Mainframe computers are the big, powerful, expensive computers used in
the background by most large organizations.
Mainframe computers are used to run commercial applications and
other large-scale computing purposes.
It is also used in banking and insurance businesses where enormous
amounts of data are processed.
For example millions of records , each day.

Mainframe Compuer

Mini Computers
Minicomputers are relatively low cost and small .
This setup (mini Computers) allowed more people to have access to
computers.
minicomputer is a class of multi-user Computer that lies in
the middle range of the computing spectrum, in between the
largest Multi-user systems (mainframe computer) and the
smallest single-user systems (Microcomputers or personal
computers.

Uses:
Mainframe computers are used to run commercial applications and
other large-scale computing purposes.
It is also used in banking and insurance businesses where enormous
amounts of data are processed.
For example millions of records , each day.

Mini Computer Name: PDP 7

Personal (Micro) Computers

The term microcomputer came into popular use after the introduction
of the minicomputer.
A personal computer (PC) is any general-purpose Computer whose size,
capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which
is intended to be operated directly by an end user.
A personal computer may be a desktop computer, a laptop, a tablet PC, or a
handheld PC (also called a palmtop).
Software applications for personal computers include word processing,
spreadsheets, databases, Web browsers and e-mail clients, games and specialpurpose software applications.
A PC may be used at home or in an office. Personal computers may be
connected to a local area network (LAN), either by a cable or a wireless
connection.

Personal (Micro) Computers :

Features

Cheap and easy to use:

Micro computers are cheap and easy to use.

Limited Support for I/O device

They support very limited input and output capacities.

Storage Capacity
They have less storage capacity

Software Capacity
These computers support very limited number of software

Architecture
Most of microcomputers are self-contained unit, which are light enough and can be
moved easily.

Number of Operators
They are designed to be used by one person at a time.

I/O devices
In addition to CPU , a microcomputer has diff input / output devices like.

Personal (Micro) Computers :

Features

Data Storage
Hard disk and floppy disk drivers are used to enter and store data and programs.

Softcopy Output
A visual display screen (monitor) and / or a printer is used to get the output.

Personal (Micro) Computers : Uses

Like other computers (super, mainframe, micro), personal
computers can be instructed to perform a variety of individual
functions.
A set of instructions that tells a computer what to do is called a
program.
Today, thousands of application programs are available for use on
personal computers. They include such popular programs as word
processing programs, spreadsheet programs, database programs,
and communication programs.
Desktop Computers
Today the desktop computers those computers which have the
different desktop computer cases that can be laid on the desk and they
are different from the tower computers on the basis of the design of the
case as in tower computers .

Personal Computer (Desktop)

Personal (Micro) Computers : Uses

Laptop Computers
A laptop is a personal computer designed for mobile use.
It is small and light enough to sit on a persons lap while in use.
A laptop integrate most of the typical components of a desktop
computer , including a display , keyboard, a pointing device ( a touch
pad, also known as a track pad, and / or a point stick, speakers, and
often including a battery, into a single small and light unit.

Personal Computer (Laptop)

Personal (Micro) Computers : Uses

Palmtop Computers
A computer small enough to hold in one hand and operate with the
other. Also called a handtop
These ultra-small computers may have specialized keyboards or
keypads for data entry applications or have small qwerty keyboards.
Because of their small size, most palmtop computers do not include
disk drives .
However, many contain PCMCIA(Personal Computer Memory Card
International Association) slots in which you can insert disk drives,
modems, memory, and other devices.

Personal Computer (palmtop)

Personal (Micro) Computers : Uses

Tablet Computers
A tablet personal computer (tablet PC) is a portable personal
computer equipped with a touchscreen as a primary input device
and designed to be operated and owned by an individual
The Tablet PC provides all of the features, reliability and
power of Windows XP, plus pen and ink capabilities that
allow you to write directly on the screen or use the pen as
you would a mouse and keyboard.
The Tablet PC extends the way you would use a laptop or
notebook computer.
You can use the wireless pen to take notes while in
meetings, sketch ideas, even add personality to your email and instant messages.

Tablet Computers

Discussion
Chapter is over

By: Muhammad Qasim Rafique

Ref:1. Computer Applications in
Business (Dr Liaqat Ali Ch.)