Sie sind auf Seite 1von 28

Lecture 2

Introduction to Information Technology


What is a Computer?

Introduction to Information Technology


Characteristics of computer
 It is a Machine.
 It is electronic.
 It is Automatic.
 It can manipulate data.
 It has Memory.
 It has Logical Functions.

Introduction to Information Technology


Capabilities of Computers
 Speed. Computers process data in a relatively high speed.
Computer operations like adding two numbers are
measured in milliseconds, microseconds, nanoseconds
and picoseconds.

 Accuracy. Computers process user’s prepared


instructions. That is, if the input is wrong, it will yield a
wrong output (GIGO – Garbage In, Garbage Out). The
so-called “computer errors” are usually programming
(logic errors) and encoding errors (syntax errors) that
are human errors. Thus, the computer’s accuracy is 100%.

Introduction to Information Technology


Capabilities of computers
 Repetitiveness. Computers can work continuously
and repetitively without getting bored and fainted.
They don’t take sick leaves or coffee breaks.
 Storage. Computers can store vast amount of data
for present and future processing depending on its
capacity. Likewise, they can retrieve these data
anytime.
 Programmable. Computers can take a series of
instructions and automatically execute each
instructions one after the other.

Introduction to Information Technology


Limitation of Computers
 Computers cannot operate without being
given a set of instructions.
 Computers cannot derive meanings from
objects.
 Computers can detect errors but cannot
correct them.
 Computers are subject to occasional
breakdowns.
Introduction to Information Technology
Generations of Computer
 In the computer industry, the word
“generation” is used as a term of general
characterization rather than absolute
distinction. These generations are:
 First generation computers
 Second generation computers
 Third generation computers
 Fourth generation computers
Introduction to Information Technology
First Generation [1951-1956]
 Major Hardware Features:
Vacuum Tubes
 Processing Speed: 1,000
instructions per second
 Size: Mainframe only
 Vacuum tubes are glass tubes with
circuits inside.
 Vacuum tubes have no air inside of
them, which protects the circuitry.
 It was invented by an American
inventor named Lee de Forest.

Introduction to Information Technology


Second Generation [1956-1963]
 Major Hardware Feature: Transistors
 Processing speed: 1,000,000
instructions per second
 Size: Mainframe only

 The transistor is a three


terminal, solid-state electronic
device.
 Developed in 1947 by William
Shockley, Walter Brattain, and
John Bardeen. They won a Nobel
prize for Physics for their work.

Introduction to Information Technology


Third Generation [1964-1971]
 Third Generation Computers used Integrated
Circuits (chips).
 Third generation computers had a processing
speed of 10,000,000 instructions per second.
 Integrated Circuits are transistors, resistors, and
capacitors integrated together into a single “chip”
 The size of the computers in this era are
Mainframes and Minicomputers.

Introduction to Information Technology


The Integrated Circuit
 In 1959, JACK KILBY
developed the integrated
circuit at Texas Instruments.
While conducting research into
miniaturization he built the
first true integrated circuit, a
phase-shift oscillator with
individually wired parts.
 Kilby received a patent in 1959,
the same year in which Robert
Noyce received a patent for
his own more practical design
of an integrated circuit.
Introduction to Information Technology
Fourth Generation 1971 – present
 Major Hardware Features:
Microprocessors
 Processing Speed: 100,000,000 instructions
per second
 Size: Microcomputers
 In 1968, Robert Noyce form INTEL Corporation
with Gordon Moore and in 1971, Intel designer Ted
Hoff developed the first microprocessor, the 4004.
Introduction to Information Technology
The 1970’s – The Microprocessor
Revolution
 The first
microprocessor, 4004,
had 2,250 transistors,
four-bit chunks (four
1’s or 0’s), 108Khz
 Often called
“Microchip”.
 Getting smaller and
smaller, but we are
still using microchip
technology
Introduction to Information Technology
The 1970’s – The
Microprocessor Revolution
 A single chip
containing all the
elements of a
computer’s
central
processing unit.
 Small, integrated,
relatively cheap
to manufacture.
Introduction to Information Technology
The Birth of the Micro
Computer 1975
 Steve Jobs and Steve
Wozniak develop the
Apple II
 Commodore PET,
programs stored on a
cassette
 Tandy-Radio Shack
TRS-80
 5 1/2 inch floppy disk
becomes the standard for
software
Introduction to Information Technology
Apple Computers
 Founded 1977
 Apple II released 1977
 Widely used in schools

 Macintosh (right)
 Released in 1984, Motorola
68000 Microchip processor
 First commercial computer
with graphical user interface
(GUI) and pointing device
(mouse)
Introduction to Information Technology
IBM Personal Computer - 1981
 IBM-Intel-Microsoft joint
venture
 First wide-selling
personal computer used
in business
 8088 Microchip - 29,000
transistors
 4.77 Mhz processing speed
 256 K RAM (Random
Access Memory) standard
 One or two floppy disk
drives
Introduction to Information Technology
Classification of Computers
Computers are
classified into three
types, namely:
 According to
Purpose.
 According to Data
Handled.
 According to
Capacity.
Introduction to Information Technology
Classification According to
PURPOSE
Two types of computer falls under this
classification:

 General-Purpose Computers. Capable of


dealing with a variety of problems.
 Special-Purpose Computers. Designed to
perform a specific task. With limited capabilities,
and the program of instructions is built-in into the
machine.
Introduction to Information Technology
Classification according to DATA
HANDLED
There are essentially three different types of computer
processing. Each is made possible by a different kind
of circuitry, and each is suitable for different purposes.
 Analog Computers. The term analog comes from
the word “analogous” which means similar. These
computers deal with continuously changing physical
data such as pressure, temperature (or data that can be
measured). They are used for scientific, engineering,
and process-controlled purposes – operations that
result in approximated values.

Introduction to Information Technology


Classification according to DATA
HANDLED
 Digital Computers. These computer works with
values that are in a discrete form or data that can be
counted. They are used for business applications and are
ideal when 100% accuracy is desired, thus, resulting to
data that are exact in values.
 Hybrid Computers. Incorporates or combines in a
single machine the capabilities of the analog and
digital computers. They are used in space vehicle
simulations and training of astronauts.

Introduction to Information Technology


Classification According to
CAPACITY
The term “capacity” refers to the volume of work or
data processing capability a computer can handle.
These performance is judge by the:
 Amount of data that can be stored in memory.
 Speed of internal operation of the computer.
 Number and type of peripheral devices.
 Amount and type of software available for use
with the computer.

Introduction to Information Technology


Classification According to
CAPACITY
With that criterion in mind, computer
systems today are classified as follows:
Mainframes
Minicomputers
Microcomputers
Supercomputers
Introduction to Information Technology
MAINFRAMES
(often referred to as The Big Iron)
are large and “expensive”
computers used mainly by
government institutions and large
companies for mission critical
applications, typically bulk data
processes such as:
 Censuses
 Industry or consumer statistics
 ERP (Enterprise Resource
Planning), and
 Financial Transactions
Processing.

Introduction to Information Technology


MINICOMPUTERS
 Minicomputer is a term
for a class of multi-user
computers which makeup
the middle range of the
computing spectrum.
 Minicomputer systems
provide faster operating
speed and larger storage
capacities than
microcomputer systems.

Introduction to Information Technology


MICROCOMPUTERS
 The mass productions of silicon
chips since 1971 has made it
possible to put a “brain” into all
sort of machines. One such
machine is the microcomputer.
 It is most often taken to mean a
computer with a microprocessor
as its Central Processing Unit
(CPU).
 Microcomputers was originally
designed for hobbyist. They are
now beginning to compete with
Minicomputers in the market.

Introduction to Information Technology


Supercomputers
 The biggest and fastest
machines today and they are
used when billions or trillions
of calculations are needed.
 These machines are useful
for applications ranging from
nuclear weapon development
and accurate weather
forecasting.
 Seymour Cray is recognized
as the “Father of
Supercomputers”.

Introduction to Information Technology


Introduction to Information Technology

Das könnte Ihnen auch gefallen