Basic Computer Concepts

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Basic Computer Concepts
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History of Computer

• The abacus was an important counting machine in
  ancient Babylon, China, and throughout Europe
• Mechanical counting machines were used in the
  1930s
• The first computer like machine was the Mark I
  developed by a team from IBM and Harvard
  University . It processed data entered on punch
  cards

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• In June 1943, work began on the world's first
  electronic computer at the University of
  Pennsylvania as a secret military project. It
  weighed 1500 square feet and weighed 30 tons.
• 1946-The computer solved a problem in 20
  seconds. It used vacuum tubes instead of relay
  switches. It contained over 17,000 of these
  tubes, which were the same type tubes used in
  radios at that time.
• 1960s-The use of transistor made the computer
  smaller. Storing data on tape instead of punch
  cards.

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Classification of Computers

• Mainframe computers-are very large, often
  filling an entire room
• -store enormous of information
• -perform many tasks at the same time
• -very expensive
• -used by large businesses, government
  agencies, and
• universities

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2. Minicomputers-much smaller than mainframe
computers - possess most of the features
found on mainframe computers, but on a more
limited scale - used by medium and small
businesses
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3. Microcomputers -desktop models and laptop
models -much slower than the larger
computers -are excellent when used in small
businesses, homes, and school classrooms
4. Supercomputers-A mainframe computer that is
among the largest, fastest, or most
powerful of those available at a given time
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Computer Tasks Input Storage (memory
chips) Processing (CPU) Output CPU-electronic
brain of the computer -usually a single chip
-has two important parts namely arithmetic and
logic unit and the control unit
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Input devices 1. Keyboard 2. Mouse 3.
Scanner 4. Microphone 5. CD-ROM 6.
Joystick Memory- means of storing of
information ROM-Read Only Memory (start-
up) RAM-Random Access Memory Permanent Memory
(Auxiliary Memory)
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Byte The amount of space in memory or on a disk
needed to store one character. 8 bits 1
Byte Kilo means 1000 Kilobyte (KB) 1000
Bytes Mega means 1,000,000 Megabyte (MB)
1,000,000 Bytes Giga Means 1,000,000,000
Gigabyte (GB) 1,000,000,000 Bytes
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Output Devices 1.Monitor 2.Speakers 3.Printer Imp
act Dot Matrix Non-Impact Ink Jet
Laser Storage Devices Hard disk Floppy
disk Tape drive CD-ROM