Introduction to Computer and parts of Computer

Introduction to Computer

1. The objective of this lesson is to familiarize students with the basic functions and parts of a computer. By the end of this lesson, students should be able to identify and explain the essential components and understand their respective functions. Define the term computer and discuss the four basic computer operations: input, process, output, and storage

2. COMPUTER

3. main five generations of the computer system: First Generation - VACUUM TUBES (1940–1956) The first computer systems used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for main memory, and they were often enormous, taking up entire rooms. These computers were very expensive to operate, and in addition to using a great deal of electricity, the first computers generated a lot of heat, which was often the cause of malfunctions.

4. SECOND GENERATION: TRANSISTORS (1956–1963) The transistor was far superior to the vacuum tube, allowing computers to become smaller, faster, cheaper, more energy-efficient, and more reliable than their first-generation predecessors. Though the transistor still generated a great deal of heat that subjected the computer to damage, it was a vast improvement over the vacuum tube. A second-generation computer still relied on punched cards for input and printouts for output.

5. THIRD GENERATION: INTEGRATED CIRCUITS The third-generation computer are Integrated Circuit (ICs), it replaced the second- generation compute Transistors. They performed computation in Nanoseconds. It used high-level languages like FORTRAN, PASCAL, COBAL, ALGO-68, BASIC was used. In this generation, remote processing, time-sharing, multi-programming operating system were used.

6. FOURTH GENERATION: MICROPROCESSORS The fourth-generation computers are used Vary Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) Semi-conductor devices are as primary memory. Magnetic disks are used as secondary storage. Problem-oriented fourth generation language (4GL) are used. In fourth generation computer (VLSI) Multi-processing and multiprogramming operating system are used. VLSI circuits having 5000 transistors and other circuit elements with their associated circuit on a single ship made it possible to have microcomputer of fourth generation computer. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

7. Fifth Generation Computers – (1980- Present Using) The fifth-generation computer use Ultra Large Scale Integrated (ULSI) chips that contain millions of components on a single chip. They are in the development stage which is based on the artificial intelligence. These computers can also response to natural language input. Biochips will be used as memory devices and KIPS (Knowledge-based Information Processing System) architecture will be used in fifth generation computers.

8. The Five Generations of Computers can be described as the overall development of computer technology respective to their size, power, memory, cost, and application. Compared to the first generations of the computer, modern-day computers are faster, smarter, stronger, and cheaper and can store a huge amount of data. Due to vast development and huge improvement of the modern computer, the work of mankind has been made much more accessible than ever before with the development of high-speed and advanced processors (CPU).

9. Main Functions of Computer Input - In order for the computer to function, data and instructions have to be input into it in a suitable form. This is done via input devices. Examples of input devices are the keyboard, the mouse, and microphone. It involves receiving information from the environment, or from storage devices, through an input device.

10. Main Functions of Computer Output- Presentation of data to the environment from main memory of the computer to media external to the CPU. Common output devices, like the printer and the monitor present the information to the user in a format he/she can immediately understand (e.g. printed on paper or displayed on screen)

11. MONITOR A monitor displays information in visual form, using text and graphics. The portion of the monitor that displays the information is called the screen. Like a television screen, a computer screen can show still or moving pictures. There are two basic types of monitors: CRT (cathode ray tube) monitors and the newer LCD (liquid crystal display) monitors. Both types produce sharp images, but LCD monitors have the advantage of being much thinner and lighter.

12. BASIC PARTS OF COMPUTER A. SYSTEM UNIT The system unit is the core of a computer system. Usually it's a rectangular box placed on or underneath your desk. Inside this box are many electronic components that process information. The most important of these components is the central processing unit (CPU), or microprocessor, which acts as the "brain" of your computer. Another component is random access memory (RAM), which temporarily stores information that the CPU uses while the computer is on. The information stored in RAM is erased when the computer is turned off.

13. STORAGE our computer has one or more disk drives—devices that store information on a metal or plastic disk. The disk preserves the information even when your computer is turned off.

14. RAM AND ROM RAM, which stands for random access memory. ROM which stands for read-only memory, are both present in your computer.  RAM is volatile memory that temporarily stores the files you are working on. ROM is non-volatile memory that permanently stores instructions for your computer.