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An introduction to Computer Technology
This document provides an introduction to the history of computing machines and computer basics. It discusses early calculating devices like the abacus and mechanical calculators. The four generations of computers are outlined, from the first generation using vacuum tubes to the modern fourth generation using microprocessors. Key early computers like ENIAC, the IBM PC, and Apple Macintosh are mentioned. The document also provides an overview of computer hardware components like the processor, RAM, ROM, and factors that impact performance. It concludes with a discussion of parallel processing and the goals of fifth generation computing.
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An introduction to Computer Technology
- 1. Introduction, History and ComputerBasics Introduction to Computers and Computer Technology
- 2. Computer Science: Afoundation • Programming • Game Development • Software Engineering 2 A computer science foundation Software Development Networking and IT Digital Media General Education • Web design and development • Animation • Modeling • Networking • Security • System Administration • Information Technology • History • Perspective • Social issues • Economic issues • Ethic issues • Consumer issues
- 3. 3 Role of Algorithms •Algorithm: A set of steps that defines how a task is performed • Program: A representation of an algorithm • Programming: The process of developing a program • Software: Programs and algorithms • Hardware: Equipment used to input information (data) and output the results of the programs, algorithms. Algorithm Program Programming Software Hardware
- 4. 4 Origins of ComputingMachines: Early computing devices – Abacus: positions of beads represent numbers Abacus 300 BC by Babylonians around 1200 A.D. in China and Japan
- 5. Early computing devices 5 Pascal’smechanical calculator - 1645 Gear-based machines (1600s-1800s) Positions of gears represent numbers Inventors: Blaise Pascal, Wilhelm Leibniz, Charles Babbage
- 6. 6 Early Data Storage •Punched cards – First used in Jacquard Loom (1801) to store patterns for weaving cloth – Storage of programs in Babbage’s Analytical Engine – Popular through the 1970’s
- 7. 7 Early programming • AugustaAda King (Byron), Countess of Lovelace (1815-1852) • She is known as the "first programmer". • The computer language Ada, created by the U.S. Defense Department, was named after Ada Lovelace.
- 8. 8 Babbage’s Difference Engine(1822) • Babbage is credited with inventing the first mechanical computer that eventually led to more complex designs. (1822) • The first difference engine was composed of around 25,000 parts, weighed fifteen tons (13,600 kg), and stood 8 ft (2.4 m) high. Although he received ample funding for the project, it was never completed. (Wikipedia) Part of the Difference Engine (below)
- 9. 9 Early Computers • Hereis a brief overview of some of the early computers and trends in computing. Vacuum tube Transistor Microchip
- 10. 10 First Generation –Vacuum Tubes • 1930’s – Vacuum tubes were used as electronic circuits or electronic switches.
- 11. 11 1946 - ENIAC •First large-scale electronic digital computer was ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator) • 30 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 8 feet high • 3 additions every second, (incredibly slow by today’s standards). • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAnhFNJgNYY
- 12. 12 Second Generation –Transistors • 1947 - Walter Brittain and Willaim Shockley invented the transistor at Bell Laboratories • Replaced the vacuum tube as an electronic switch
- 13. 13 Third Generation –Integrated Circuits • 1959, Jack Kirby and Robert Noyce (who later became the cofounder of Intel Corp.) developed the first integrated circuit (silicon chip or microchip). • An integrated circuit (IC) is a system of interrelated circuits packaged together on a single sliver of silicon. • It is a way of placing multiple (millions) transistor devices into as single, smaller device, the “microchip.” • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWVywhzuHnQ&feature=related
- 14. 14 Fourth Generation -Microprocessor • A microprocessor is a Central Processing Unit (CPU) on a single chip. • 1971, Intel Corp. introduced the first microprocessor chip. – Intel 4004 • 108 kHz and contained (equivalent of) 2300 transistors
- 15. IBM Personal Computer •On August 12, 1981, IBM released their new computer, named the IBM PC • 2004 – IBM sells PC business to Lenovo 15
- 16. Apple Computers • 1975– Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak starts Apple Computer • 1984 – Apple Macintosh with Graphical User Interface (GUI) 16
- 17. Laptops • 1981 -Adam Osborne, produced the Osborne 1 • 1988 - Compaq laptop with color screen • 2008 – Macbook Air – thinnest laptop • 2011 – Dell XPS 15Z – thinnest Windows laptop 17
- 18. 18 Trends from 1990to today… • Microsoft continues to update Windows with latest version Windows called “Windows 8” • LINUX operating system, an open source version of UNIX, is taking on MS Windows and gaining in popularity • IBM has stopped making small computers; sold their business to Lenovo • HP, the largest maker of PC is planning to sell their PC division • Apple continues to be a major player in personal computers, especially for the “creative market”, iPods, iPads, iPhones, etc. • Google has become a major player in the Internet solutions
- 19. 19 Trends from 1990to today… • Faster • Smaller • More reliable • Less expensive • Easier to use
- 20. Fifth Generation • Fifthgeneration computing devices, based on artificial intelligence, are continuing to be in development. • Parallel Processing is coming and showing the possibility that the power of many CPU's can be used side by side, and computers will be more powerful than those under central processing. • The goal of fifth-generation computing is to develop devices that respond to natural language input and are capable of learning and self-organization. 20
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- 22. 2222 What is acomputer? • A computer is a digital device which can be programmed to change (process) information from one form to another. – Do exactly as they are told. – Digital devices: Understand only two different states (OFF and ON - 0 and 1)
- 23. 2323 Traditional Types ofComputers • General purpose computers –Super computer –Mainframe –Personal Computer
- 24. Traditional types ofcomputers: • Super computers – fast processing power – used by NASA and similar organizations – Example: CRAY supercomputers 24
- 25. 2525 Traditional Types ofComputers: • First computers, introduced in 1950s • Used by large businesses • Typically supported thousands of users • Very expensive • Used for very large processing tasks • IBM’s new Mainframe – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LN4J4mClckA • Mainframe Computers
- 26. 2626 Traditional Types ofComputers: Personal Computers • Small, self-contained computers with their own CPUs • Uses a microprocessor, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) on a single chip.
- 27. 2727 Personal Computers • Desktopcomputers • Laptop computers • Tablets • Wearables
- 28. 2828 Hardware versus Software •Hardware = The physical components that make up a computer system.
- 29. 2929 Hardware versus Software •Software = The programs (instructions) that tell the computer what to do. – System Software – Application Software – Stored on a storage media such as hard disk, CD-ROM, floppy disk, tape, etc.
- 30. 3030 Hardware Components SYSTEM UNITINPUTOUTPUT PERMANENT STORAGE Know these! PROCESS
- 31. 3131 The Processor Let’s openthe box!
- 32. 3232 The Processor circuit board= a board with integrated circuits (microchips) • system board or motherboard • interface boards or expansion boards system board or motherboard = a single circuit board with the components which make up the computer’s processor for a microcomputer, including the: • CPU (Central Processing Unit) • Memory – RAM – ROM or ROM BIOS • expansion slots
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- 34. 34Rick Graziani [email protected]34 The Processor: The CPU CPU (Central Processing Unit) = A complex collection of electronic circuits on one or more integrated circuits (chips) which: 1. executes the instructions in a software program 2. communicates with other parts of the computer system, especially RAM and input devices The CPU is the computer!
- 35. 3535 RAM RAM is TEMPORARYmemory RAM is volatile • stores ON and OFF bits (software and data) electrically • when power goes off, everything in RAM is lost
- 36. 3636 ROM (Read OnlyMemory) ROM (Read Only Memory) = integrated circuits (microchips) that are used to permanently store start-up (boot) instructions and other critical information Read Only = information which: • Cannot be changed • Cannot be removed • Fixed by manufacturer
- 37. 3737 ROM (Read OnlyMemory) ROM is sometimes known as ROM BIOS (Basic Input Output System software) ROM contains: • start-up (boot) instructions • instructions to do “low level” processing of input and output devices, such as the communications with the keyboard and the monitor
- 38. 3838 Computer Performance: • CPUspeed (and type) • Amount of RAM (and speed) • Hard disk capacity