Chapter 1
Introduction to Computers
CHAPTER OUTLINE
- Introduction
- Characteristics of Computers
- Evolution of Computers
- Generations of Computers
- Classification of Computers
- The Computer System
- Applications of Computers
1.1 INTRODUCTION
In 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 a clue into the origin of early computing concepts. With the growth of civilization, the computing needs also grew. The need for a mechanism to perform lengthy calculations led to the invention of the first calculator and then the computers.
The term ‘computer’ is derived from the word ‘compute’, which means to calculate. ...
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