Lecture 1

Introduction to Computer Science

Computer Fundamentals
& Generations

Babar Hameed
Computer
• The word ‘Computer’ is derived
from the ‘Latin’ word ‘Compute’
means to perform calculations
• Computer is a calculating device
that can perform arithmetic and
logical operations at a very fast
speed 2
 Modern computer is an electronic
machine that can:
• Accept data/inputs
• Store it arithmetically
• Process the data logically
• Give some results/outputs
3
Uses of Computer
• Country Defense
• Missile System
• Atomic Advancement
• Research
• Education
• Medical Sciences
• Internet
• Business Applications
4
Characteristics of
Computer
• Speed

• Accuracy

• Efficiency

• Data Storage -- storage and retrieval of data,

it can store and recall any information

5
History of Computer
Abacus
• 5000 years ago
• Sliding beads on the racks
• Top most slide used for ‘units’
• Second top used for 10’s
• Third top used for 100’s
• And so on…
6
Blaise Pascal (1623 -1662)

• In 1642, Numerical wheel calculator

was invented by Blaise Pascal
• It consists of series of numbered
wheels and dials, from zero to nine
• When one unit passes from 9 to 0, one
number is added in the next wheel
• Only additions and subtractions are
performed
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Gottfield Vilhem Van Leibniz
(1646-1716)

• In 1694
• German mathematician made
improvements in the machine
• Enabled the machine to multiply
numbers
• Machine worked by using gears and
dials
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Herman Hollerith (1860 -
1929)
• In 1889

• American scientist applied the idea of

punch cards

• Used for giving computer the input and

receiving the output
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George Boole (1815 -1864)

• Clarified binary system of algebra

• TRUE / FALSE

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• 1941 – German developed Z3 to design
airplanes

• 1943 – British made Colossus to break the

secret codes

• 1944 – American made Mark I, half as long as

foot ball field, 500 miles wiring used

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• 1945 – John Von made EDVAC
(Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic
Computer), CPU (Central Processing
Unit) is the key in this computer

• 1951 – Remington Rand made 1st

commercially available computer
named Universal Automatic Computer
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Generations
• Steps of technological differences
are called generations

13
First Generation
(1945 – 1956)
• Vacuum Tubes, glass devices that
control and amplify electronic signals

• Each computer had a different machine

language that tells that how to operate
the computer. This made computers
difficult to program

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• Disadvantages

– Large in size
– Unreliable
– Air-conditioning required
– Non portable
15
Second Generation
(1956 – 1963)
• Transistors invented

• Machine Language is replaced

with Assembly Language

• COBOL and ForTRAN developed

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• Advantages

– Lesser in size
– More reliable
– A bit more portable

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• Disadvantages

– Maintenance Required
– Air-conditioning required
– Commercial production was
costly
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Third Generation
(1964 – 1971)
• Integrated Circuits (IC) allowed
dozens of transistors to be put on
a single chip

• Operating systems used

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• Advantages

– Smaller in size
– Faster
– Portable
– Less power required
– Easier production 20
• Disadvantages

– Air-conditioning required
– Difficult to manufacture IC chips

21
Fourth Generation
(1971 - Present)
• Large Scale Integration (LSI)
could fit hundred of components
on one chip
• In 1980, Very Large Scale
Integration (VLSI) squeezed
hundred of thousands of
components on one chip 22
• Disadvantages

– Only disadvantage is highly

difficult technology is required
for microprocessors

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Fifth Generation
• Ultra Large Scale Integration
(ULSI) used

• Voice Recognition

• Parallel Processing
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