Evolution of Computer

What is Computer?

Computer is a programmable electronic device that works according to the instruction giving by user. It has the ability to accept data, process it and give useful output.

Early Calculating Devices:

Abacus

Ø  Abacus was one of the earliest counting devices.

Ø  Invented by Chinese in 500 BC or by Babylonians in 300 BC

Ø  Used for Simple calculation like addition and subtraction.

Napier's Bones

Ø  This is calculating device. It consists of nine bones or sticks with numbers marked on them

Ø  Invented by Scottish mathematician John Napier in 1614

Ø  Used for multiply, dividend calculate square and cube roots by moving the rods around and placing them in specially constructed boards.

Pascaline Calculator

Ø  World's first mechanical adding machines. (Mechanical means to performing tasks manually)

Ø  Invented by Blaise Pascal in 1642.

Ø  It was its limitation to addition and subtraction.

Ø  It is too expensive.

Difference Engine

Ø  First automatic calculating engine.

Ø  Invented by Charles Babbage in 1800.

Ø  Used for Perform complex mathematical calculations like small set of polynomial coefficients.\

Analytical Engine

Ø  It was the world's first general-purpose computer.

Ø  Invented by Charles Babbage in 1832

Ø  Used for all arithmetic operations.

Computer – Generations:

FIRST GENERATION

Useful Points:

• Period:1942-1955
• Component used:Vacuum tubes and magnetic drums
• Speed:Milliseconds
• Maximum memory capacity:2000 inch

Advantages:

1. It made use of vacuum tubes which are the only electronic component available during those days.
2. These computers could calculate in milliseconds.

Disadvantages:

1. These were very big in size; weight was about 30 tones.
2. These computers were based on vacuum tubes so require a large cooling system. 
3. These computers were very costly.
4. Very less work efficiency.
5. Large amount of energy consumption.
6. Not reliable and constant maintenance is required.
7. Punch cards were used for input.

Few Examples are:
ENIAC, EDVAC, UNIVAC  1

ENIAC:

• ENIAC stands for Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer
• It was the first electronic general-purpose computer
• Completed in 1946.
• Developed by John Presper Eckertand John W. Mauchl.

EDVAC:

• EDVAC stands for Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer
• The First Stored Program Computer
• Designed by Von Neumann in 1952.
• It has a memory to hold both a stored program as well as data.

UNIVAC  1:

• The UNIVAC I (Universal Automatic Computer 1) was the first commercial computer.
• Designed by J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly.

SECOND GENERATION

Useful Points:

• Period: 1955-1964
• Component used: Transistors and magnetic core
• Speed: microseconds
• Maximum memory capacity: 128000 inches

Advantages:

1. Due to the presence of transistors instead of vacuum tubes, the size of electron component decreased.
2. Less energy and not produce as much heat as the first generation.
3. Low cost than first generation computers.
4. Better speed calculate data in microseconds.
5. Assembly language and punch cards were used for input.

Disadvantages:

1. A cooling system was required.
2. Constant maintenance was required.
3. Only used for specific purposes.

Few Examples are:

IBM 1401, IBM 700, UNIVAC III

THIRD GENERATION

Useful Points:

• Period: 1964-1975
• Component used: Integrated Circuits (IC). IC was a single component containing number of transistors.
• Speed: nanoseconds
• Maximum memory capacity: 4 million inches

Advantages:

1. These computers were cheaper as compared to second-generation computers.
2. They were fast and reliable.
3. Use of IC in the computer provides the small size of the computer.
4. Improves the performance of the computer as compared to previous computers.
5. This generation of computers has big storage capacity.
6. Instead of punch cards, mouse and keyboard are used for input.
7. They used an operating system for better resource management and used the concept of time-sharing and multiple programming.
8. These computers reduce the computational time from microseconds to nanoseconds.

Disadvantages:

1. IC chips are difficult to maintain.
2. The highly sophisticated technology required for the manufacturing of IC chips.
3. Air conditioning is required.

Few Examples are:

PDP-8, PDP-11, ICL 2900, IBM 360, IBM 370

FOURTH GENERATION

Useful Points:

• Period: 1975 onward
• Component used: Very Large-Scale Integrated Circuits (IC)
• Speed: Picoseconds
• Maximum memory capacity: 200 million inches

Advantages:

1. Fastest in computation and Small in size as compared to the previous generation of computer.
2. Heat generated is negligible.
3. Less maintenance is required.
4. All types of high-level language can be used in this type of computers.

Disadvantages:

1. The Microprocessor design and fabrication are very complex.
2. Air conditioning is required in many cases due to the presence of ICs.
3. Advance technology is required to make the ICs.

Few Examples are:

IBM 4341, DEC 10, STAR 1000, PUP 11

FIFTH GENERATION

Useful Points:

• Period: 1980 - onward.
• Component used: This generation is based on ULSI (Ultra Large-Scale Integration) chips instead of VLSI.
• This generation is based on artificial intelligence (AI).
• That provide the ability to reason logically and with real knowledge of the world like human do.

Advantages:

1. It is more reliable and works faster.
2. It is available in different sizes and unique features.
3. It provides computers with more user-friendly interfaces with multimedia features.

Disadvantages:

1. They need very low-level languages.
2. They may make the human brains dull and doomed.

Few Examples are:

Desktop, Laptop, Notebook, Ultrabook, Chromebook

Characteristics of a Computer:

Speed:
A computer can perform large number of calculations in a fraction of a second.

Accuracy:
A computer always gives correct results. If the data given as input to the computer is correct.

Diligence:
A computer does not get tired. It can keep working for long hours, and can do the same work again and again, with the same accuracy and speed.

High Storage:
The present-day computer is capable of storing large amounts of data and programs for future use. This data can be retrieved as and when required.

Limitations of Computer Systems:
Zero IQ:
A computer has zero Intelligence Quotient (IQ). They are unable to see and think the  actions to perform in a particular situation unless that situation is already programmed into them.

Lack of Decision-making Power:
Computer cannot take any decision of its own. It does only those tasks which are already instructed to it.

No Heuristics:
Heuristics is the ability to learn from the past mistakes. The computer do not possess any such ability.

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