INFS 214: Introduction to Computing

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1 INFS 214: Introduction to Computing Session 1 History of Computing Lecturer: Dr. Ebenezer Ankrah, Dept. of Information Studies Contact Information: eankrah@ug.edu.gh College of Education School of Continuing and Distance Education 2014/ /2017

2 Session Overview Computer systems play a critical role in all aspects of life. Computer systems have made a very vital impact on society. The use of computer technology has affected every field of life. This session seeks to introduce students to the history of computing. At the end of the session, the student will Give a brief history of computing Identify the various generations and their corresponding major developments Be able to explain the differences between the generations Understand the future of computer systems DR. EBENEZER ANKRAH Slide 2

3 Session Outline The key topics to be covered in the session are as follows: Brief History of Computing Generations of Computers Future of Computer Systems DR. EBENEZER ANKRAH Slide 3

4 Reading List Hutchinson, S. E., & Sawyer, S. C. (2013). Computers: The user perspective. Boston: Irwin McGraw-Hill. (Chapter 1) e ading03.htm ml DR. EBENEZER ANKRAH Slide 4

5 Topic One BRIEF HISTORY OF COMPUTING DR. EBENEZER ANKRAH Slide 5

6 Brief History of Computing The history of computing hardware covers the developments from early simple devices to aid calculation to modern day computers. Before the 20th century, most calculations were done by humans. Early mechanical tools to help humans with digital calculations were called "calculating machines", by proprietary names, or even as they are now calculators. The machine operator was called the computer. The computer as we know it today had its beginning with a 19th century English mathematics professor name Charles Babbage. He designed the Analytical Engine and it was this design that the basic framework of the computers of today are based on. DR. EBENEZER ANKRAH Slide 6

7 Brief History of Computing The first aids to computation were purely mechanical devices which required the operator to set up the initial values of an elementary arithmetic operation, then manipulate the device to obtain the result. Later, computers represented numbers in a continuous form, for instance distance along a scale, rotation of a shaft, or a voltage. Numbers could also be represented in the form of digits, automatically manipulated by a mechanical mechanism. Although this approach generally required more complex mechanisms, it greatly increased the precision of results. A series of breakthroughs, such as miniaturized transistor computers, and the integrated circuit, caused digital computers to largely replace analog computers. DR. EBENEZER ANKRAH Slide 7

8 Questions Individual Assignment: What are the key characteristics of the various generations of computer systems? Forum Question: Discuss the generations of computer systems DR. EBENEZER ANKRAH Slide 8

9 Topic Two GENERATIONS OF COMPUTERS DR. EBENEZER ANKRAH Slide 9

10 Generations of Computers The history of computers has been categorized under 4 generations (sometimes 5) with respect to the major developments in computers over certain periods of time. These are the: 1 st Generation Computers ( ) 2 nd Generation Computers ( ) 3 rd Generation Computers ( ) 4 th Generation Computers ( ) *5 th Generation Computers (1991-and beyond) DR. EBENEZER ANKRAH Slide 10

11 Generations of Computers 1 st Generation Computers ( ) These were the earliest general purpose computers to be developed. Input and output activities were carried out by the use of punched cards and magnetic tapes. The main memory of computers then were made up of hundreds of vacuum tubes. The computers were therefore somewhat unreliable because the vacuum tubes failed frequently (almost every 7 minutes). DR. EBENEZER ANKRAH Slide 11

12 Generations of Computers The computers were slower, produced a lot of heat, and were very huge. They could run only one program at a time but were very expensive costing as much as $500,000 as at Examples of 1 st generation computers include ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) & UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computer). During the 1 st generation, data processing was done on a time available basis (batches), and computers were programmed by direct input of machine language. General Electric was the first firm to take delivery of a commercial computer, the UNIVAC 1. DR. EBENEZER ANKRAH Slide 12

13 Generations of Computers 2 nd Generation Computers ( ) This period was marked by the use of transistors in developing computer circuits. A transistor is an electronic switch that alternately allows or does not allow electronic signals to pass through it. Computer circuits were thus made of strands of wires woven together. The main memory of the computers were made of magnetic cores and data storage was by means of removable magnetic cores. Second generation computer were relatively smaller, more reliable, and significantly faster than the 1 st generation computers. DR. EBENEZER ANKRAH Slide 13

14 Generations of Computers 3 rd Generation Computers ( ) This period was marked by the use of integrated circuit (IC) in developing computer circuits. An IC is a complete electronic circuit that packages transistors and other electronic components on a small silicon chip on a computers motherboard. This made computer development much more cost effective. Data storage was by the use of magnetic disks. During this period computers begun to support multiprogramming (processing several programs simultaneously) and timesharing (people using the same computer simultaneously). Prices of computer reduced drastically to about $18,000 as at DR. EBENEZER ANKRAH Slide 14

15 Generations of Computers 4 th Generation Computers ( ) This period was marked by the use of large-scale integrated (LSI) and very large scale integrated (VLSI) in developing computer circuits. The Integrated circuits contained hundreds to millions of transistors on a small chip. For example an Intel processor could have an entire CPU, complete with memory, logic and control circuits embedded onto a single chip (microprocessor ) on the motherboard. The microprocessor technology caused radical changes in computers- sizes became smaller, appearance changed, computers were now available commercially, and processing speeds and computer capabilities increased. DR. EBENEZER ANKRAH Slide 15

16 Generations of Computers Also computers memory capacity increased though its cost decreased. Software applications like word processors, electronic spreadsheet, database management systems, desktop publishing and many others became commercially available. This period marked an increase in the use of personal computers in the world over. Laptops in particular were introduced in the year DR. EBENEZER ANKRAH Slide 16

17 Generations of Computers 5 th Generation Computers (1991-and beyond) Our current generation or the era of 5 th generation computers has been described as the connected generation because of the industry s massive effort to increase the connectivity of computers. It is characterized by the rapidly expanding Internet, World Wide Web, and intranets that have created an information superhighway for both computer professionals and home computer users to communicate with others across the globe. Typical of the 5 th generation is computer online services, online shopping, e-commerce, telecommuting, home video computers, web TV, among others. DR. EBENEZER ANKRAH Slide 17

18 Topic Three FUTURE OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS DR. EBENEZER ANKRAH Slide 18

19 Future of Computer Systems Clearly, recent technological changes and those to come in the future will produce significant changes and career opportunities to the society in the years ahead. The computer technology will grow far more sophisticated in the next few years in the following ways: Sophisticated software programs for personalized teaching and medical care Access to library materials via computers will be more convenient and less expensive than going to library Teleconferencing and internet will replace business travels Public and private networks will be common in society Most employers will require computer technology literacy DR. EBENEZER ANKRAH Slide 19

20 References Hutchinson, S. E., & Sawyer, S. C. (2013). Computers: The user perspective. Boston: Irwin McGraw-Hill. O Leary, T. J., & O Leary, L. I. (2014). Computer Today. Boston: McGraw Hill. Williams, B. K., & Sawyer, S. C. (2014). Using Information Technology: A practical introduction to computers and communications (11 th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education. DR. EBENEZER ANKRAH Slide 20

INFS 214: Introduction to Computing

INFS 214: Introduction to Computing Session 9 The System Unit Lecturer: Dr. Ebenezer Ankrah, Dept. of Information Studies Contact Information: eankrah@ug.edu.gh College of Education School of Continuing