Introduction Basic Computer Concepts Abacus  ultimate ancestors of today’s computers became the arithmetic tool of early merchants the only relation that can be claimed between abacus and computers is that they are both used to aid in handling numerical/logical computations

Basic Computer Concepts Charles Babbage  called the “Father of Computing” invented the Analytical and Difference Engines born on December 26, 1791 in Teignmouth, Devonshire in the UK had an interest in various fields, from statistics to philosophy and religion to machines, having accredited to him numerous publications in these fields his conceptualization of his engines began with an analysis of the calculations of tables of Greenwich star positions

Introduction Basic Computer Concepts Difference Engine  conceived to perform quick tabular calculations, the workings of which were based on the Method of Differences, an algorithm that lent itself to the easy creation of a wide range of mathematical tables was powered by steam embodied the basic concepts and elements of a modern general-purpose computer

Introduction Basic Computer Concepts Analytical Engine  utilized I/O media called Jacquard’s punched cards, originally used to lay down thread arrangements in weaving used the punch cards for storing operating instructions (programs), and would have been able to store around 1,000 numbers of up to 50 decimal places also allowed output devices for displaying results

Basic Computer Concepts Generation of Computers The First Generation  computers that were based on the use of wired circuits containing vacuum tubes, and which utilized punch cards as the main storage medium and designed for a specific task used binary codes of “machine language”  Introduction Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC), a hulk of machinery consist of 18,000 vacuum tubes, 70,000 resistors, and 5 million soldered joints, and occupied a space equal to a small warehouse Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer (EDVAC), a pioneer in implementing von Neumann’s architecture, the key to which was the Central Processing Unit (CPU), which allowed all computer functions to be coordinated through a single source

Introduction Basic Computer Concepts Generation of Computers The Second Generation  development of the “transistor”  smaller size and increased reliability resulted to smaller and smaller computers, which were faster and more energy- efficient than their predecessors  used a more specialized language with easier abbreviated programming codes called “assembly language”

Introduction Basic Computer Concepts Generation of Computers The Third Generation  “integration”, a process in which numerous electronic components are brought together to compose a system unit (an integrated circuit) that combines them in a dynamic, coordinated manner the first integrated circuit (IC) was invented independently by Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce

Introduction Basic Computer Concepts Generation of Computers The Fourth Generation  development of user-friendly software packages that offered non-technical users many of the advantages of computer applications characterized by the application of advanced engineering techniques that allow for very- large-scale-integration (VLSI), and ultra-large- scale-integration (ULSI), which allow for the placement of millions of electronic components in a single chip

Basic Computer Concepts Generation of Computers The Fifth Generation  computers that can understand human speech, can recognize patterns like faces and other complex images  Introduction artificial intelligence expert systems natural language processing

Introduction Basic Computer Concepts Computer Applications  Business – they use computers to store information, easy interface with customers, and facilitate processing and presentation of data Mathematics and Science – Watson and Crick’s discovery of the structure of the DNA Engineering – degrees of miniaturization and integration have multiplies n-fold Medicine – more reliable artificial hearts are being offered to those with heart problems Education – ease of use in the creation of presentation materials and documents Entertainment – interactive games and virtual simulations, computer- generated effects