Grade 10 ICT Unit 1.3: Evolution of Computers
Evaluation of computers
- Earliest computing device was ABACUS. This was invented 5000 years ago.
- In 1617 John Napier invented ‘Napier’s bone’, which used logarithm for calculation.
- In 1642 Blaise Pascal (French mathematician) invented adding machine called ‘PASCALINE’. Adding machine was able to perform addition and subtraction operation.
- IN 1674 Gott Freid Wilhelm Von Leibnitz improved adding machine to perform multiplication and division operations. Improved version of Pascaline is called ‘STEP RECKONER’
- IN 1800 French scientist Jacquard invented punch card.
- In 1822 an English man Charles Babbage designed first mechanical calculation device called Deference Engine.
- In 1833 Charles Babbage developed ANALYTICAL ENGINE with Punch card concept. Charles Babbage is considered as the Father of computer because his his invention had the necessary component for modern computer such as Data input, Storage, Process& Output
- Ada Augusta Love Lase is the first computer programmer, who worked with Charles Babbage.
- In 1944 Howard Aiken designed AUTOMATIC SEQUENCE CONTROL CALCULATOR which was called MARK1
- development in the computer is categorized as following Generations.
2. 02nd generation (1957-1963) - Transistors
3. 03rd
generation (1964-1975) - Integrated Circuit
4. 04th
generation (1976-1989) - LSIC, VLSIC
5. 05th generation
(1990-now)
First generation computer(1940-1956)
- Vacuum tube was used for internal processing.
- Magnetic drum was used as main memory.
- It generated more heat and consumed more amount of electricity.
- Punch card technology was used for input and output.
- It needed large space to keep the machine (1500sq.f).
- Law level language ass MACHINE CODE used to give instruction to the computers.
- These computers were used in science, military and aerotic research centers and laboratories.
Eg:-ENIAC =(18000 vacuum tubes were used)
UNIVAC
Second generation computers (1957-1963)
- Transistors were used for internal processing.
- Magnetic core was used as primary memory.
- Consumed less amount of electricity and produced less heat than the 1st generation.
- Size reduced to a level of a table.
- High speed of performance than 1st generation.
- Assembly language was used as programming language.
- Punch card technology still used for input and output.
Eg: IBM1620, UNIVAC1108
Third generation computer (1964-1973)
- Integrated circuit was used for processing.
- Size was reduced, efficiency, and performance were increased, and memory capacity was also increased.
- New input and output devices such as KEYBORD, MOUSE, and MONITER were introduced.
- 1st commercial General Purpose computers were released.
Fourth generation computers (1964-1975)
- Large scale integration circuit (LSIC) and Very large scale integration circuit (VLSIC) were used for processing.
- LSIC and VLSIC are micro chips which were called as MICRO PROCESSOR.
- Different sizes of computers such as Micro, super computers were developed.
- Speed and memory capacity were increased.
- Parallel processing computers were introduced.
- OS with graphical user interface (GUI) was introduced.
- Many and different types of Input and output devices came into usage Web camera, light pen, scanner, barcode reader.
- Apple, IBM, Dell and Lenovo companies are so popular in PC production and Intel, AMD, IDT and Motorola are so popular in processor manufacturing.
Fifth generation computers
- It uses ultra large scale integration circuit (ULSIC) for internal processing.
- It has very high capacity hard disk.
- It uses artificial intelligent based applications such as Voice recognition, character recognition, hard writing recognition application.