ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY

School of Information System

2016 E.C /2023/2024 G.C Academic Year

Foundation of Information Systems and
Society
Individual Assignment

Name: Hawlet Muhidin

Section : 3 (C)
Submitted to: Instructor Fasil
Submission Date: 1/12/2023
 History of Computers
The computer – this amazing technology went from a government/business-
only technology to being everywhere from people’s homes, work places, to
people’s pockets in less than 100 years.
Before computers were developed people used sticks, stones, and bones as
counting tools. As technology advanced and the human mind improved with
time more computing devices were developed like Abacus, Napier’s Bones, etc.
These devices were used as computers for performing mathematical
computations but not very complex ones.

Some of the popular computing devices are described below, starting from the
oldest to the latest or most advanced technology developed:

Abacus
Around 4000 years ago, the Chinese invented the Abacus, and it is believed to
be the first computer. The history of computers begins with the birth of the
abacus.

Structure: Abacus is basically a wooden rack that has metal rods with beads
mounted on them.

Working of abacus: In the abacus, the beads were moved by the abacus operator
according to some rules to perform arithmetic calculations. In some countries
like China, Russia, and Japan, the abacus is still used by their people.

Napier’s Bones
Napier’s Bones was a manually operated calculating device and as the name
indicates, it was invented by John Napier. In this device, he used 9 different
ivory strips (bones) marked with numbers to multiply and divide for calculation.
It was also the first machine to use the decimal point system for calculation.

Pascaline
It is also called an Arithmetic Machine or Adding Machine. A French
mathematician-philosopher Blaise Pascal invented this between 1642 and 1644.
It was the first mechanical and automatic calculator. It is invented by Pascal to
help his father, a tax accountant in his work or calculation. It could perform
addition and subtraction in quick time. It was basically a wooden box with a
series of gears and wheels. It is worked by rotating wheel like when a wheel is
rotated one revolution, it rotates the neighbouring wheel and a series of
windows is given on the top of the wheels to read the totals.

Stepped Reckoner or Leibniz wheel

A German mathematician-philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz in 1673
developed this device by improving Pascal’s invention to develop this machine.
It was basically a digital mechanical calculator, and it was called the stepped
reckoner as it was made of fluted drums instead of gears (used in the previous
model of Pascaline).

Difference Engine
Charles Babbage who is also known as the “Father of Modern Computer”
designed the Difference Engine in the early 1820s. Difference Engine was a
mechanical computer which is capable of performing simple calculations. It
works with help of steam as it was a steam-driven calculating machine, and it
was designed to solve tables of numbers like logarithm tables.

Analytical Engine
Again in 1830 Charles Babbage developed another calculating machine which
was Analytical Engine. Analytical Engine was a mechanical computer that used
punch cards as input. It was capable of performing or solving any mathematical
problem and storing information as a permanent memory (storage).

Tabulating Machine
Herman Hollerith, an American statistician invented this machine in the year
1890. Tabulating Machine was a mechanical tabulator that was based on punch
cards. It was capable of tabulating statistics and record or sort data or
information. This machine was used by U.S. Census in the year 1890.
Hollerith’s Tabulating Machine Company was started by Hollerith and this
company later became International Business Machine (IBM) in the year 1924.

Differential Analyzer
Differential Analyzer was the first electronic computer introduced in the year
1930 in the United States. It was basically an analog device that was invented
by Vannevar Bush. This machine consists of vacuum tubes to switch electrical
signals to perform calculations. It was capable of doing 25 calculations in a few
minutes.

Mark I
In the year 1937, major changes began in the history of computers when
Howard Aiken planned to develop a machine that could perform large
calculations or calculations involving large numbers. In the year 1944, Mark I
computer was built as a partnership between IBM and Harvard. It was also the
first programmable digital computer marking a new era in the computer world.

Classification of generations of computers

The evolution of computer technology is often divided into five generations.

First Generation Computers

The main characteristics of first generation of computers (1940s-1950s)

 Main electronic component – vacuum tube

 Main memory – magnetic drums and magnetic tapes
 Programming language – machine language
 Power – consume a lot of electricity and generate a lot of heat.
 Speed and size – very slow and very large in size (often taking up entire
room).
 Input/output devices – punched cards and paper tape.
 Examples – ENIAC, UNIVAC1, IBM 650, IBM 701, etc.
 Quantity – there were about 100 different vacuum tube computers
produced between 1942 and1963.
Second Generation of Computers

The main characteristics of second generation of computers (1950s-1960s)

 Main electronic component – transistor

 Memory – magnetic core and magnetic tape / disk

 Programming language – assembly language
 Power and size – low power consumption, generated less heat, and
smaller in size (in comparison with the first generation computers).
 Speed – improvement of speed and reliability (in comparison with the
first generation computers).
 Input/output devices – punched cards and magnetic tape.
 Examples – IBM 1401, IBM 7090 and 7094, UNIVAC 1107, etc.

Third Generation of Computers

The main characteristics of third generation of computers (1960s-1970s)

 Main electronic component – integrated circuits (ICs)

 Memory – large magnetic core, magnetic tape / disk
 Programming language – high level language (FORTRAN, BASIC,
Pascal, COBOL, C, etc.)
 Size – smaller, cheaper, and more efficient than second generation
computers (they were called minicomputers).
 Speed – improvement of speed and reliability (in comparison with the
second generation computers).
 Input / output devices – magnetic tape, keyboard, monitor, printer, etc.
 Examples – IBM 360, IBM 370, PDP-11, UNIVAC 1108, etc.

Fourth Generation of Computers

The main characteristics of fourth generation of computers (1970s-present)

 Main electronic component – very large-scale integration (VLSI) and

microprocessor.
 VLSI– thousands of transistors on a single microchip.
 Memory – semiconductor memory (such as RAM, ROM, etc.)
 o RAM (random-access memory) – a type of data storage (memory
element) used in computers that temporary stores of programs and
data (volatile: its contents are lost when the computer is turned off).
o ROM (read-only memory) – a type of data storage used in
computers that permanently stores data and programs (non-volatile:
its contents are retained even when the computer is turned off).
 Programming language – high level language (Python, C#, Java,
JavaScript, Rust, Kotlin, etc.).
o A mix of both third- and fourth-generation languages
 Size – smaller, cheaper and more efficient than third generation
computers.
 Speed – improvement of speed, accuracy, and reliability (in comparison
with the third generation computers).
 Input / output devices – keyboard, pointing devices, optical scanning,
monitor, printer, etc.

 Network – a group of two or more computer systems linked together.

 Examples – IBM PC, STAR 1000, APPLE II, Apple Macintosh, etc.

Fifth Generation of Computers

The main characteristics of fifth generation of computers (the present and the
future)

 Main electronic component: based on artificial intelligence, uses the Ultra

Large-Scale Integration (ULSI) technology and parallel processing
method.
o ULSI – millions of transistors on a single microchip
o Parallel processing method – use two or more microprocessors to
run tasks simultaneously.
 Language – understand natural language (human language).
 Power – consume less power and generate less heat.
 Speed – remarkable improvement of speed, accuracy and reliability (in
comparison with the fourth generation computers).
 Size – portable and small in size, and have a huge storage capacity.
 Input / output device – keyboard, monitor, mouse, trackpad (or touchpad),
touchscreen, pen, speech input (recognise voice / speech), light scanner,
printer, etc
 

Characteristics of Computers
The characteristics of the computer system are as follows −

Speed
A computer works with much higher speed and accuracy compared to humans
while performing mathematical calculations. Computers can process millions
(1,000,000) of instructions per second. The time taken by computers for their
operations is microseconds and nanoseconds.
Accuracy
Computers perform calculations with 100% accuracy. Errors may occur due to
data inconsistency or inaccuracy.
Diligence
A computer can perform millions of tasks or calculations with the same
consistency and accuracy. It doesn’t feel any fatigue or lack of concentration. Its
memory also makes it superior to that of human beings.
Versatility
Versatility refers to the capability of a computer to perform different kinds of
works with same accuracy and efficiency.
Reliability
A computer is reliable as it gives consistent result for similar set of data i.e., if
we give same set of input any number of times, we will get the same result.
Memory
A computer has built-in memory called primary memory where it stores data.
Secondary storage are removable devices such as CDs, pen drives, etc., which
are also used to store data.

Logical
A computer system has certain characteristics, such as the capability of
thinking, reasoning, and learning.
These characteristics help them perform tasks logically and these characteristics
have been further developed into what we today know as Artificial Intelligence.
Automation
Automation is the use of technology to complete a task with as little human
interaction as possible.
In computing, automation is typically accomplished through the use of a
program, a script, or batch processing.
Consistency
In the context of databases, consistency means that data cannot be written
because it would violate the database’s own rules for valid data.

Types of Computers

Types of Computers based on Data Type

Based on the data type handling, computers can be categorized as Digital,
Analog, and Hybrid

Digital

Personal computers are an example of a digital computer. These computers

accept input in the form of 0s and 1s. The computer processes binary input and
provides the output. These computers perform all the logical & arithmetical
operations. Any input given in any language is first converted into binary
language and then the computer processes the information. Examples – laptops,
PCs, mobile phones, desktops, etc.

Analog
These computers process analog data. Analog data keep varying. Hence, it does
not have any discrete value. They read the continuous change in the input,
process it, and then provide the output. Analog computers perform with equal
diligence and accuracy. They are however slower than digital computers. They
are also slightly less precise.
Analog computers are for a Speedometer, thermometer, frequency, and signal of
voltage, measuring the resistance of a capacitor.

Hybrid
Hybrid computers are a mix of both analog and digital computers. These
computers perform a high level of calculations. Hybrid computers are quick and
efficient. They take input in analog form, convert it into digital form, and then
process it to produce an output. scientists are also using hybrid computers for
complex calculations. For example, in hospitals to measure the heartbeat of the
patients, and at research institutes to measure earthquakes and other natural
calamities.

Types of Computers Based on the Purpose

Microcomputer
Microcomputers are nothing but personal computers. These are single-chip
systems. These are useful for personal use and can perform all the basic
functions of the computer. Microcomputers require very little space and are
comparatively inexpensive. Such computers have the most minimalistic
requirement in terms of I/O devices. And have all the circuitry mounted on a
single PCB. For example tablets, I pads, smartwatches, laptops, desktops

Minicomputer
Standing in between a microcomputer and a mainframe computer is the
minicomputer. These computers are useful if people around 5 to 300. Those
who want to operate the system at the same time. You can see such computers
at the billing counters of malls or large institutions.

Mainframe
Mainframe computers are useful when a large number of people are involved.
Like in the health care or retail sector who want to access data simultaneously.
These computers process large amounts of data.

In addition, mainframe computers have evolved a lot over the years in terms of
speed, size, and efficiency. These computers are just below the supercomputers.
And sometimes are even more useful than a supercomputer. Examples – IBM z
Series, System z9, etc.
Supercomputers
The biggest and fastest computers are supercomputers. Such computers can
process trillions of functions within a few seconds. We generally use
MPIS( Million Instructions Per Second) to measure their performance. These
computers are specifically designed for scientific applications such as –

1. Encryption decryption of passwords

2. Weather forecasting
3. Testing of nuclear weapons
4. Scientific research of earth and other planetary systems, etc.
Example- Gravity Pipe for astrophysics, Deep Crack for deciphering codes, etc.

Types of Computers Based on the Functionality

Workstations
Workstation computers are for single usage and professional purposes. These
are like our basic laptops and desktops but with added superior features. For
example, double-processor motherboard, added graphic card, ECC RAM, etc.
The workstations are more powerful as compared to generic PCs. These can
handle heavy-duty functions. Like animation, CAD, audio & video editing,
professional gaming, etc.
Examples: Apple PowerBook G4, SPARC CPU, MIPS CPU, etc.

Servers
These are hardware components or software programs that are built to assist
other computers termed as clients. Together this architecture is called the client-
server model. The client sends a request to the server and the server responds in
return with a result or a solution. This proves that these server computers are
more powerful than standard computers. The main purpose of these computers
is to share data and resources with other computers.
Different types of servers are useful for different needs and applications. For
example, cloud server, application server, database server, file server, etc. Each
of these servers has a different purpose for different client needs.
Embedded
These computers are mainly microcontroller-based systems. Used for
processing specific tasks. Embedded computers have a combination of software
and hardware components. But, are usually a part of a larger system. Each of its
components is designed from scratch to serve a specific purpose or complete a
specific task. Another characteristic that distinguishes them from a standard PC
is that all of its components are integrated into a single PCB or motherboard.
They are most helpful for industrial use. this is because of their ruggedness.
Examples: GPS systems, centralized heating systems, fitness trackers, digital
watches, electronic calculators, etc.

Information appliances
Mostly portable devices designed for specific functions come under this
category. They can perform very restricted tasks for which they are built like
text editors, music players, photography, videography, etc. The most common
example is mobile phones. Many wearable devices are also available in the
market.

This completes our article on the different types of computers. To sum up, it can
be said that there is everything for everyone.

REFERENCES
Advanced Computer Architecture: Parallelism, Scalability,
Programmability : Hwang, Kai TMH

Business Applications Of Computers : Oka, M. M. 10th ed Everest

Business Applications Of Computers : Oka, M. M. 7th rev ed Everest

Computer Applications In Management : Dahiya, U/ Nagpal, S. Taxman
Allied Service

Computer Applications With C & C++: With Programs & Numerical

Problems : Abhyankar, A. K. C- Aditi

Computer Architecture & Organization : Hayes, J. P. 3rd ed MGH