Introduction to Computer
- Digital and analog computers
- Characteristics of computer—Speed, accuracy, diligence, storage capability, versatility
- History of computer—Calculating machines, Napier’s bones, slide rule, Pascal’s adding and subtraction machine, Leibniz’s multiplication and dividing machine, punch card system, Babbage’s analytical engine, Hollerith’s punched card tabulating machine
- Generations of computer
- First generation (1940 to 1956): Using vacuum tubes
- Second generation (1956 to 1963): Using transistors
- Third generation (1964 to 1971): Using integrated circuits
- Fourth generation (1971 to present): Using microprocessors
- Fifth generation (present and next): Using artificial intelligence
- Classification of computer—Microcomputers (desktop computer or Personal Computer (PC), notebook computers or laptop, netbook, tablet computer, handheld computer or Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), smart phones), minicomputers, mainframe computers, supercomputers
- The computer system—Hardware, software, data, users
- The Input-process-output concept
- Components of computer hardware—Input/output unit, central processing unit, storage unit
- Application of computers—Education, entertainment, sports, advertising, medicine, science and engineering, government, home