UNIT I

UNIT I

INTRODUCTION
Man's continuous search for fast and accurate calculating devices ultimately brings us to the
modern age that can be rightly called as the Computer Age. The computer – a package of metal,
plastic and wires is truly an amazing machine. This machine is creating sweeping and dramatic
changes in all spheres of our present life and working environment. It has transformed and is
transforming the ways in which we do our businesses; we learn; we conduct scientific and
engineering probes; we play and entertain ourselves … It is said that this machine will improve
world's culture by allowing people not only to be more productive but to have more free time
to create.

Definition of Computer

“A Computer is an Electronic device which accepts data from input device (Keyboard, Mouse),
process on it and gives desire output to display Screen/Monitor.”

Basic Computer Organization

1. Input Unit: Sending the data and instructions for the processing through the devices such
as Keyboard, Mouse etc. is called input unit. The devices translate the data from human
understandable form into electronic signal which are understood by the computer.

2. Central Processing Unit (CPU): This unit of the computer is the brain of computer system,
which does all the processing, calculations, problem solving and controls all other functions of
all other component of the computer. The CPU consists of the following three different units
namely. 1. Memory Unit 2. Control Unit 3. Arithmetic and Logic Unit 1.

a. Memory Unit: This holds the data in in terms of program and files. This memory unit
is usually referred as primary storage section. The units in which memory is measured
are known as BYTES.
b. Control Unit: This unit which coordinates all the activities of each and every element
of computer. It decodes the instructions given by various users and it sends commands
and signals that determine the sequence of various instructions. It also controls the flow
of data from the main storage.

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c. Arithmetic and Logic Units: This unit performs arithmetic operations such as
addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. It also does Logical Operations such
as comparison of numbers etc. Thus this unit helps by processing data and taking logical
decisions.

3. Output Unit: The processing of extracting the data from CPU through some suitable devices
is called output. The common used output devices are monitor, printers, plotter, etc.

Fig 1.1 Block Diagram of Computer Organization

Characteristics of Computer
Computers are not just adding machines; they are capable of doing complex activities and
operations. They can be programmed to do complex, tedious and monotonous tasks. All
computers have certain common characteristics irrespective of their type and size. The
following are the important characteristics which took together, enable a computer to surpass
its performance in some tasks in which the human beings cannot perform efficiently.

1. Speed: A computer is a very fast device capable of data processing at unbelievable

speed. It can perform in a few seconds the amount of work that a human being may not
be able to do in an entire year even if he works day and night and does nothing else.

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Computers can process millions of instructions per second thus carrying out even the
complex tasks in fractions of seconds without any mistake.
2. Accuracy: In addition to speed, the computer has high accuracy in computing. The
accuracy of a computer is consistently high. Errors can occur in a computer, but these
are mainly due to human rather than technological weakness. The errors in computer
are due to errors in programming and operation by human and due to inaccurate data.
3. Versatility: A computer is a very versatile machine. Versatility is one of the most
wonderful features of the computer in the sense that they are not only capable of
handling complex arithmetical problems, but can do equally well other number of jobs.
They can perform activities ranging from simple calculations to performing complex
CAD modelling and simulations to navigating missiles and satellites. In other words,
computers can be programmed to perform any task that can be reduced to a series of
logical steps. Computers can communicate with other computers and can receive and
send data in various forms like text, sound, video, graphics, etc.
4. Diligence: Unlike human beings, a computer is free from monotony, tiredness, lack of
concentration etc. and hence can work for hours together without creating any error and
without grumbling. Due to these property computers obviously score over human
beings in doing routine type of jobs, which require greater accuracy
5. Storage Capability: Computers have their main memory and auxiliary memory
systems. A computer can store a large amount of data. With more and more auxiliary
storage devices, which are capable of storing huge amounts of data, the storage capacity
of a computer is virtually unlimited. The factor that makes computer storage unique is
not that it can store vast amount of data, but the fact that it can retrieve the information
that the user wants in a few seconds. Even after several years, the information recalled
is as accurate as on the day when it was fed to computer.
6. Reliability: Reliability of the computers is indeed very high. Modern electronic
components have long failure free lives. A microprocessor chip is said to have a life of
40 years even under adverse conditions and much before it fails, it will become
obsolete. Computers are also designed in modular form so as to make maintenance
easy; when a component fails, it can be replaced or repaired at a minimal cost.
7. Automation: The level of automation achieved in a computer is phenomenal. Once a
task is initiated, computers can proceed on its own till its completion. Computers can
be programmed to perform a series of complex tasks involving multiple programs.

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Computers will perform these things flawlessly. They will execute the programs in the
correct sequence, they will switch on/off the machines at the appropriate time, they will
monitor the operational parameters, and they will send warning signals or take
corrective actions if the parameters exceed the control level, and so on. Computers are
capable of these levels of automation, provided they are programmed correctly.

Generations of Computer
First Generation (1946-1959):

1. The computers of first generation used vacuum tubes as the basic components
2. The computers of first generation are unreliable.
3. It supports only machine language only.
4. These computers are very costly.
5. They required lots of electricity and generated lot of heat.
6. They are huge in size and one room space.
7. Due to heat generation they Need of A.C.
8. The computers of first generation are non-portable.
Examples IBM-701 IBM-650

Fig 1.2 First generation Computer Fig 1.3 Vacuum Tube

Second Generation (1959-1965):

1. In second generation transistors were used as the basic components.

2. The second generation computer reliable in comparison to first generation computers.
3. Smaller size as compared to first generation computers

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4. Generated less heat as compared to first generation computers

5. Consumed less electricity as compared to first generation computers
6. Faster than first generation computers.
7. Still very costly
8. Second generation computer also required A.C. needed
Examples IBM 1620, IBM 7094

Fig 1.4 Second generation Computer Fig 1.5 Transistor

Third Generation (1965-1971):

1. The computers of third generation used integrated circuits (IC's) as a main component.
2. Smaller size as compared to second generation computers.
3. More reliable in comparison to previous two generations
4. Generated less heat as compared to second generation computers.
5. Consumed less electricity as compared to second generation computers.
6. Faster than second generation computers.
7. Still very costly
8. Third generation computer also required A.C. needed
9. Third generation computer supported high-level language.
Examples IBM-360 series, Honeywell-6000 series, PDP (Personal Data Processor)

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Fig 1.6 Third generation Computer Fig 1.7 Integrated Chips

Fourth Generation (1971-1980):

1. The computers of fourth generation used Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI)
circuits i.e. Microprocessor. VLSI circuits having about 5000 transistors
2. The computers of fourth generation are Very cheap.
3. The computers of fourth generation Portable and reliable.
4. These computers are used as a personal computer(PC).
5. Computer of this generation are very small size.
6. The A.C. is not needed.
7. In this generation Concept of internet was introduced.
8. Great developments in the fields of networks.
Examples: DEC 10 STAR 1000

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Fig 1.8 Fourth Generation Computer Fig 1.9 Microprocessor

Fifth Generation (1980-till date):

1. In the fifth generation, the VLSI technology became ULSI (Ultra Large Scale
Integration) technology, resulting in the production of microprocessor chips
having ten million electronic components.
2. Fifth-generation computer technology, based on artificial intelligence, is still in
development, though there are some applications, such as voice recognition,
that are being used today.
3. The use of parallel processing and superconductors is helping to make artificial
intelligence a reality.
4. The goal of fifth-generation computing is to develop devices that will respond
to natural language input and are capable of learning and self-organization.
5. nanotechnology will radically change the face of computers in years to come.
Example Desktop, Laptop, NoteBook

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Fig 1.10 Fifth Generation Computer Fig 1.11 Microprocessor

Types of Computer

1. Microcomputer (Personal Computer)

A PC can be defined as a small, relatively inexpensive computer designed for an

individual user. PCs are based on the microprocessor technology that enables
manufacturers to put an entire CPU on one chip. Personal computers use for business
purpose like word processing, accounting, desktop publishing, and for running
spreadsheet and database management applications. At home, the most popular use for
personal computers is playing games and surfing Internet. Although personal
computers are designed as single-user systems.

Fig 1.12 Microcomputer (PC)

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2. Minicomputer

A minicomputer is a class of smaller computers that developed in the mid-1960s. A

Minicomputer is a computer which has all the features of a large size computer, but its
size is smaller than those. A minicomputer lies between the mainframe and the
microcomputer. A minicomputer is also called as a midrange computer. Minicomputer
are mainly multi-users systems where more than one user can work simultaneously.
Minicomputer can support multi-users at a time or you can say that minicomputer is a
multiprocessing system. Also, the power of processing of minicomputers is not larger
than the power of mainframe and supercomputers. These minicomputers can do time-
sharing and online processing. Examples: IBM’s AS/400e, Honeywell200

Fig 1.13 Minicomputer

3. Mainframe Computer

Mainframe is very large in size and is an expensive computer capable of supporting

hundreds or even thousands of users simultaneously. Mainframe executes many
programs concurrently and supports many simultaneous execution of programs. A data
processing system employed mainly in large organizations for various applications,
including data processing, process control, industry and consumer statistics, enterprise
resource planning, and financial transaction processing.
Over the years they have evolved from being room-sized to networked configurations
of workstations and servers that are an extremely competitive and cost effective

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platforms for e-commerce development and hosting. Mainframes are so called because
the earliest ones were housed in Large Metal Frames.

Fig 1.14 Mainframe Computer

4. Workstation
Somewhere between multi-user midrange computers and personal computers are
workstations. Workstations are specialized, single-user computers with many of the
features of a personal computer but with the processing power of a minicomputer.
These powerful machines are popular among scientists, engineers, graphic artists,
animators, and programmers-users that need a great deal of number-crunching power.
Workstations typically use advanced processors and feature more RAM and storage
capacity than personal computers. Workstations often have large, high-resolution
monitors and accelerated graphics-handling capabilities, making them perfect for
advanced design, modelling, animation, and video editing. Although workstations are
often found in singleuser applications, they are more and more used as servers on
personal computer networks and as Web servers.
Some manufacturers of workstations are Silicon Graphics (SIG), Digital Equipment
Corporation (DEC), IBM, SUN Microsystems and Hewlett Packard (HP). The standard
Operating System in workstations is UNIX and its derivatives such as AIX (IBM),
Solaris (SUN) and HP-UX (HP).

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Fig 1.15 Workstation Computer

5. Client and Server

The client–server model is a distributed application structure that partitions tasks or

workloads between the providers of a resource or service, called servers, and service
requesters, called clients. Often clients and servers communicate over a computer
network on separate hardware, but both client and server may reside in the same system.
A server host runs one or more server programs which share their resources with clients.
A client does not share any of its resources, but requests a server's content or service
function. Clients therefore initiate communication sessions with servers which await
incoming requests. Examples of computer applications that use the client–server model
are Email, network printing, and the World Wide Web.

Fig 1.16 Client-Server

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