Computer Programming and IT

Chapter 1

Introduction to Computers

CHAPTER OUTLINE

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Characteristics of Computers

1.3 Evolution of Computers

1.4 Computer Generations

1.5 Classification of Computers

1.6 Application of Computers

1.7 Basic Computer Organization

1.8 Stored Program Architecture of a Computer

1.9 Evolution of Processors

1.1 INTRODUCTION

At the beginning of civilization, people used fingers and pebbles for computing purposes. In fact, the word digitus in Latin actually means finger and calculus means pebble. This gives us a clue to the origin of early computing concepts. With the development of civilization, computing needs also grew. The need for a mechanism to perform lengthy calculations led to the invention of the calculator first and then ...