ASSIGNMENT 1-

FUNDAMENTALS OF IT SASINIKA
KALUBOWILA.
 1ST ASSIGNMENT

ESOFT METRO CAMPUS

D-TEC
BATCH 92
INDEX NO 8467

COMPUTER SYSTEM
COMPUTER GENERATION
 OMPUTERS ARE SUCH AN INTERGRAL PART OF OUR EVERY DAY LIFE NOW MOST

C PEOPLE TAKE THEM AND WHAT THEY HAVE ADDED TO OUR LIFE TOTLLY FOR

GRANTED

EVEN MORE SO THE GENARTION WHO HAVE GROWN FROM INFANCY WITHIN THE

GLOBAL DESKTOP AND LAPTOP. REVOLUTION SINCE THE 1980.THE HISTORY OF THE

COMPUTER GOES BACK SEVERAL DECADES HOWEVER AND THERE ARE FIVE DIFINABLE

GENARTIONS OF COMPUTERS.

EACH GENARTION IS DIFINED BY A SIGNIFICANT TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOMENT THAT

CHANGES FUNDAMENTALLY HOW COMPUTERS OPERATE- LEADING TO MORE COMPACT,

LESS EXPENSIVE, BUT MORE POWERFUL, EFFICIENT AND ROBUST MACHINES

1940-1956 FIRST GENERATION-VACUUM TUBES

These early computers used vacuum tubes as circuitry and

magnetic drums for memory. As a result they were
enormous, literally taking up entire rooms and costing a
fortune to run. These were inefficient materials which
generated a lot of heat, sucked huge electricity and
subsequently generated a lot of heat which caused
ongoing breakdowns.

These first generation computers relied on machine

language (which is the most basic programming language that can be understood by
computers) these computers were limited to solving one problem at a time. Input was based
on punched cads and paper type. Output came out on print outs. The two notable machines
of this era were the UNIVAC and machines the Univac is the first every commercial computer
which was purchased in 1951 by a
business the us census
bureau.
1956-1963 SECOND GENERATION-TRANSISTORS

The replacement of vacuum tubes by transistors saw the advent of the second generation
of computing.although first invented in1947,transistors werent used significantly in
computers until the end of the 1950. They were a big improvement over the vacuum
tube.despite still subjecting computers to damaging levels of heat . However they were
hugely superior to the vacuum tubes making computers smaller, faster, cheaper and less
heavy on electricity use. They still relied on punched card for input/printouts.

The language enolved from cryptic binary language to symbolic(assembly) languages. This
meant programmes could creat instructions in words. About the same time high level
programmeing languages were being developed.

Transistors-driven machines were the first computers to store instructions into their
memories moving from magnatic drum to magnatic core technology. The early versions
of these machines were developed for the atomic energy industry.
1964-1971 THIRD GENERATION-INTEGRATED CIRCUITS.

By the phase transistors were now being miniaturized and put on silicon chips (called
semiconductors), this led to massive increase in speed and efficiency of these machines.
These were the first computers where uses interacted using keyboards and monitors which
interfaced with an operating system, a significant leap up from the punch cards and printouts.
This enabled these machines to run several applications at once using a central programmed
which functioned to monitor memory.

As a result of these advances which again made machines cheaper and smaller a new mass
market of uses emerged during the 60s.
1972-2010 FOURTH GENERATION- MICROPROCESSORS

This revolution can be summed in one word Intel. The chip maker developed the Intel 4004
chip in 1972, which positioned all computer components (cup, memory, input output
controls) onto a single chip. What filled a rooming 1940s now fit in the palm of the hand .the
Intel chip housed thousands of integrated circuits. The year 1981 saw the first ever computer
(IBM) specially designed for home use and 1984 saw the Macintosh introduced by apple.
Microprocessors even moved beyond the ralm of computers and into an increasing number
of every products.
2010 FIFTH GENERATION ATFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Computer devices with artificial intelligence are still in development, but some of
these technologies are beginning to emerge and be used such as voice
recognition.

Ai is a reality made possible by using parallel processing and superconductors.

Leaning to the future, computers will be radically transformed again by quantum
computation, molecular and Nano technology.

The essence of fifth generation will be using these technologies to ultimately

create machines which can process and responds to natural language, and have
capability to learn and organize themselves.
 SIZE- PEFORMANCE

T
his list of computer size categories attempts to list commonly used
categories of computer by the physical size of the device and its chassis or
case, in descending order of size. Of course, one generation's
"supercomputer" is the next generation's "mainframe", and a "PDA" does not have
the same set of functions as a "laptop", but the list still has value, as it provides a
ranked categorization of devices. It also ranks some more obscure computer sizes.

1Supercomputers
2Mainframe
3Minicomputers
4Microcomputers
5Mobile computers

Supercomputers

Minisupercomputer

Mainframe

Mainframe computers are large and expensive but powerful, so they can
handle hundreds and thousands of connected users
at the same time.
Minicomputers

Superminicomputer
Minicluster
Server
Workstation

Microcomputers

Tower PC
Mid-Tower PC
Mini-Tower PC
Personal computer (PC)
Desktop computersee computer form factor for some standardized sizes of
desktop computers
Home computer

Mobile computers
Desktop replacement computer or desk note
Laptop computer
Notebook computer
Subnotebook computer, also known as a Knee top computer; clamshell
varieties may also be known as minilaptop or ultraportable laptop computers
Tablet personal computer
Slab top computers including "word-processing keyboards" and the TRS-80 Model
100
Handheld computers, which include the classes:

Ultra-mobile personal computer, or UMPC
Personal digital assistant or enterprise digital assistant, which include:
Handheld or Palmtop computer
Pocket personal computer
Electronic organizer
Pocket computer
Calculator, which includes the class:
Graphing calculator
Scientific calculator
 Programmable calculator
Accounting / Financial Calculator
Handheld game console
Portable media player
Portable data terminal
Information appliance
Smartphone, a class of mobile phone
Feature phone
Wearable computer
Single board computer
Wireless sensor network components
Plug computer
Microcontroller
Smart dust
Nano computer
 TECHNOLOGY
1. ANALOG COMPUTERS
2. DIGITAL COMPUTERS
3. HYBRID COMPUTERS

ANALOG COMPUTERS

They are used to process analog data .analog data is of continuous nature and which is not
discrete or separate. Such type of data includes temperature, pressure, speed weight,
voltage, depthect these quantities are continuous and having an infinite variety of values.

If measure continuous changes in some physical quantity eg.the speedometer of a car

measures speed ,the changes of temperature is measured by weight a themometer,the
weights is measured by weight mechines.these computers are ideal in situations where data
can be accepted directly from measuring ins tr u m ent without having to convert it into
numbers or codes.

Analog computers are the first computers being developed and provide the basis for the
development of the modern digital comp uters .analog computers aide widely used for
certain specialized engineering and scientific applications. For calculations and measurement
of analog quantities. They are frequently used to control process such as those found in oil
refinery where flow and temperature measurements are important. They are used for
example in paper marking and in chemical industry. Analog computers do not
require any storage capability because they measure and compare quantities in
single operation. Output from an analog computer is generally in the form of
reading on a serious of dial or a graph on strip chart.
DIGITAL COMPUTERS

A digital computer as its implies, works with digits to represent numerals, letters or other
special symbols. Digital computers operate on inputs which are on off signal. Normally an on
is represent by a 1 and off is represent by a 0. So we can say that digital computers process
information which is based on the presence or absence of an electrical change or we prefer
to say a binary 1or 0.

A digital computer can be used to processed numeric as well as non-numeric data. It can
perform arithmetic operations like add tion, subtraction, multiplication and division and also
logical operations. Most of the computers available today are digital computers. The most
common examples of digital computers are accounting machines.

The results of digital computers are more accurate than the results of analog computers.
Analog computers are faster than digital. Analog computers lack memory whereas digital
computers store information. We can say that digital computers count an analog computers
measures.
HYBRID COMPUTERS

A hybrid is a combination of digital and analog computers .it combines the best features of
both types of computers, i-e it has the speed of analog computers and the memory and
actuary of digital computers. Hybrid computers are used mainly in specialized applications
where both kinds of ate need to be processed. Therefore they help the user, to processed
both continues and discrete data. For example a petrol pump contains a processor that
converts fuel flow measurements into quantity and price values.in hospital intensive care
unit an analog devise is used which is measures patients blood pleasure and temperature
ect,which are than converted and displayed in the form of digits.hybried computers for
example are used for scientific calculations , in defense and radar systems.
 PURPOSE

Most computers in use today are General-Purpose computers those built

for a great variety of processing jobs. Simply by using a general purpose
computer and different software, various tasks can be accomplished,
including writing and editing (word processing), manipulating facts in a data
base, tracking manufacturing inventory, making scientific calculations, or
even controlling organizations security system, electricity consumption, and
building temperature. General purpose computers are designed to perform a
wide variety of functions and operations. You will probably use this type of
computer reading this article and I am using a general purpose computer
typing this article in some software (MS Word). A general purpose computer
is able to perform a wide variety of operations because it can store and
execute different programs in its internal storage. Unfortunately, having this
ability is often achieved at the expense of speed and efficiency. In most
situations, however, you will find that having this flexibility makes this
compromise a most acceptable one.

: Analog, Digital & Hybrid Computers

Special-Purpose Computer
As the name states, a Special-Purpose Computer are designed to be task
specific and most of the times their job is to solve one particular problem.
They are also known as dedicated computers, because they are dedicated to
perform a single task over and over again. Such a computer system would be
useful in playing graphic intensive Video Games, traffic lights control system,
navigational system in an aircraft, weather forecasting, satellite launch /
tracking, oil exploration, and in automotive industries, keeping time in a
digital watch, or Robot helicopter. While a special purpose computer may have
many of the same features found in a general purpose computer, its
applicability to a particular problem is a function of its design rather than to
a stored program. The instructions that control it are built directly into the
computer, which makes for a more efficient and effective operation. They
perform only one function and therefore cut down on the amount of memory
needed and also the amount of information which can be input into them. As
these computers have to perform only one task, therefore, they

: Super Computers, Mainframe Computers, Mini Computers & Micro Computers

NEW TRENDS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
1. ChatBotsAndConversationalInterfaces.
I think there will be more conversations with computers and technology that emerges
to automate even more of our daily processes at work and in life. This is starting to be
used now but is still not widely adopted. It will take more artificial intelligence to push
this trend forward.
 2. Virtual Reality

Technology usually takes off when businesses figure out how to make real money with
it. I predict this will soon happen with VR, as it's already starting to be used in
business communications, retail, entertainment, sports, health and other industries.
It has the potential to completely change how we work, shop, play and consume
media. And it's going to get here sooner than most people think.

3.
 Driverless Cars

Autonomous driving cars along with electric vehicles will have a huge impact on the
car industry that we know today. Autonomous vehicles will eliminate the need for car
ownership for the masses, and electric vehicles will change the game on fossil fuel
consumption.

4. Automations
The adoption of automation and how it impacts our life is still in its infancy. However,
its not just for assembly lines anymore, because technology is starting to be able to
adapt to dynamic circumstances. There are going to be more self-driving vehicles and
automation is going to work its way up the food chain from repetitive tasks to more
complex, decision-making routines.
5. Internet of Things

Hands down the most exciting technology trend

is the Internet of Things (IoT). For me, the real-world consumer application of IoT is
Amazon's Alexa. She just keeps getting more and more useful as I integrate her into
everything I can to automate my home and office. Within five years I believe I'll be
able to control.
-THE END-