History of Computer and its Characteristics

Concept:

The word computer has been derived from the Latin word, which means to calculate. The computer was 

made as a programmable electronic device, which performs with the help of arithmetical and logical 

operations. It can process large volumes of data simultaneously with enormous speed and absolute 

accuracy according to given commands.

Computer is one of the main components of Information Technology. Government and Corporate 

sectors, agencies, institutions, schools, and all the similar institutions are using it. The use of computers 

is also being done in Libraries and Information centers to improve their services. It is a transition period 

now, all libraries have initiated in computerization of libraries.

History of Computer:

The first mechanical calculator was developed by 1623 by William Schickhard. Another mechanical 

calculator was developed in 1642 by the French philosopher and Scientist Blaise Pascal. This machine 

could do addition and subtraction automatically. In 1971 German philosopher Gottfried Leibniz 

extended Pascal‘s machine to perform multiplication and division automatically. In 1823 Charles 

Babbage built a mechanical computing machine capable of performing automatic multistep 

calculations. In 1830 Charles Babbage developed a powerful mechanical computer. He named the 

machine an “Analytical Engine”. This machine was developed to perform mathematical calculations 

automatically. It contained all the required and essential components of a modern digital computer.

The first electronic computer using valves was invented by John V. Atanasoff in the late 1930s at Iowa 

State University. Several electronic computers were developed in the early 1940s. The first popular 

general-purpose electronic digital computer was ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and 

Calculator ) which was developed at the University of Pennsylvania.

Computer Generations:

1.      First Generation (1946-1954) - The digital computers using electronic valves (Vacuum Tubes) are known as first-generation computers. Some examples of the first generation computers are IBM 700 Series –IBM 701, IBM 704, and IBM 709. The first-generation computers usually used vacuum tubes as CPU components. They stored information in the form of sound waves. Electrostatic memories have also been utilized in first-generation computers. It used Machine Language and Assembly Language for programming. First-generation computers were very huge in size.

2.      Second Generation (1955-1964) - The Second generation computers used Transistors for CPU components. They used high-level languages such as FORTRAN (1956), ALGOL (1960), and COBOL (1960) for programming. Examples of second-generation computers are IBM 1620 (1960).IBM70941 (1962). Floating point Arithmetic hardware was widely used.Input/output Processor (IOP) to control  Input/output operation. It relieved the CPU from many repeating repetitive tasks. Computer size was reduced because of transistors. Less energy was consumed in this computer.

3.      Third Generation (1965-1974) - Third Generation computer used Integrated Circuit (IC). These IC chips consist of thousands of electronic components. It was a combination of Resistors, Transistors, and Capacitors. The electronic components are assembled and connected with the printed circuit board. The Introduction of IC and PCB reduced the size of Computers. At this time computers were named Mini Computers. A new concept revolved at this time was Virtual Memory. Cache memory was also incorporated along with microprogramming, parallel processing, multiprocessing, multiprogramming .etc. An example of a third-generation computer is the IBM370 Series (1970).

4.      Fourth Generation (1975-1990) – in the fourth generation computer Microprocessors were used as CPU.VLSI Chips were also used for CPU so computers became very fast. The Microprocessor chip had control of the whole computer. At this time the Computers were called Micro Computers. Examples of Fourth Computer were Intel’s 8088, 80286, 80386 and 80486.

5.      Fifth Generation (1991- Till Date) – Supercomputers and laptops are the fifth Generation Computers. These computers are very efficient.PARAM-1000 is a supercomputer invented by our country. These computers are used for scientific research. Fifth-generation computers used ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration) Chips. Millions of transistors are placed in a single IC in ULSI Chips. Fifth-generation computers emerged as powerful computers. Examples of Processors are Intel Pentium to Pentium 4. Core i3 to Core i7 Processor. Operation System available today are Windows 10, Linux, etc.

Characteristics of Computers:

1.      Speed – The computer can perform any task very fast in comparison with man. It can also do complex tasks with high speed. If you are using a computer with more RAM and the latest processor then it can multi-task with good speed.

2.      Arithmetical and Logical Operations- Computers can do all types of calculations.

3.   Accuracy- Computers are devices that give accurate results as the instruction is given. There is no doubt about its accuracy.

4.      Reliability- Computers of the modern day are reliable and the crash rate is low. It creates no problem and so it is reliable.

5.      Storage-Computers have Internal Storage (Memory) . Storage is of no issue as 2TB storage is available on its hard disk.

6.   Retrieving Data- The computer lets retrieve its stored documents. It can be searched by different approaches.

7.   Automation-Computer automates the services. Automation leads to efficiency and productivity. Different devices are attached to computers like scanners and printers.

8.   Versatility-Computer is versatile in nature. It performs different tasks simultaneously. If you are listening to music and composing mail together. At the Railway station, Trains are controlled as well and ticketing is also done.

9.      Communications- Computers have a great role in communications. Today every school going kids to corporate level, Government and Research, etc are communicating by the use of computers. Lots of application software available like Zoom, Skype, Webex, etc. which are installed and can do video conferencing.

10.   Diligence- Computers work for hours without being tired. It can work continuously for months to years. It has no issue of headache or any problem.

11.   No Emotion- Computers have no emotions. It can’t be angry or sad. It detects objects based on the command given to it. The results or output is based on the instruction given to it.