CONCISE COMPUTER SCIENCE HISTORY OF COMPUTERS Performance objectives TEXTBOOK FOR CHILDREN Pupils should be able to: BOOK III i. Identify early counting devices ii. Identify early mechanical calculating devices iii. Identify the landmarks in the transition of early calculating devices to present day computers. EARLY COUNTING DEVICES , COUNTING WITH FINGERS, TOES, PEBBLES, STONES AND STICKS. In the olden days, before the introduction or invention of computers. Our forefathers were once using pebbles, stones, sticks and fingers to count their products and commodities. Also in the olden days, human being communicates only through words, both written and spoken. In the ancient times until about 150 years ago, messages and information were either verbal or written system. Getting a message to a distant recipient was often slow and sometimes the message (or the messenger) got lost in the process. As science and technology proceeded, scientists BY: developed devices as to help them calculate and communicate faster over greater distances. Traditional devices like Abacus and Calculator are traditional WOLE ADEDOYIN calculating devices used for solving simple calculations in the olden days. GENERATION OF COMPUTER (iii) Third generation computers (1965-1970) The growth of computer can be divided into five distinct generations. Each refers to the distinct technological break These are computer produced using the technology of the through in the development of computers. middle 1960’s. They were designed using Integrated Circuits (ICTs). With these ICs, hundreds of electrical components (i) First generation computer (1940-1958) were built into silicon Chip. The Magnetic Core and the Solid- This generation was characterized by the use of vacuum state remained the primary memory. They were faster, more tubes or thermionic valves. These tubes, though the best reliable, less expensive. and lighter in weight. IBM introduction material the technology could offer at this time, made the the IBM system/360 in 1964 and has ever remained in the computers unnecessarily big, dissipated a lot of heat, costly, fore-front. very slow and unreliable when compared with computers of The use of integrated Circuits was later followed by Medium later generations. They made use of Magnetic Drum as the Scale of Integration (MSI and large Scale of Integration of the primary storage medium. Examples are EDSAC, EDVAC, and electrical components. These led to a further reduction in size, UNIVAC 1 & II reliability and overall manufacturing costs. These gave birth to the microcomputers and minicomputers and the revolutionary (ii) Second generation computers (1959-1964) effect on the industry from the early 70s cannot be over- The computers of this generation were designed with emphasized. electronic transistors. They proved more reliable, cost less, faster and smaller in size. Similarly, the Magnetic Core (iv) Fourth generation computers (1971-1985) replaced the Magnetic Drum as the primary storage medium. Examples are Boroughs 200series. Honey-well 800, IBM This generation is characterized by the use of very large scale 7070, 7080, IBM 1600 series, UNIVAC III etc. integrated circuits (VLSICs) which mans many components in very small space, and the use of bubble memories. This was a thin line of demarcation between the third and the fourth generations. This further led to reduction in the physical fifth generation. This generation was characterized by the components of the computer. advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Speech Processing, Through VSLIC, it was possible to build over 20, 00 Parallel Architecture, Pattern Recognition, Expert System, and components onto a small piece or a single silicon chip (about Multimedia System. the size of a finger tip). This technique led to the invention of Microprocessors and hence the both of the pocket calculators and digital watches. Artificial Intelligence is the ability of the computer exhibit behaviors like an intelligent person. An Expert System, on the other hand, is an application program that has the capability of making judgments and decision like an expert in a particular field of application. It is an interactive system that pits users through question and answer sessions to clarify issues and make recommendations. An example is in the field of medicine, where a computer would prescribe like a doctor after performing the needed diagnoses. By the middle of (v) Fifth generation computer (1985-Date) 1998, the American celebrated the debut of the Voice Recognition System . Many schools of thought classified the advent of the Japanese industrial robots as a distinct generation. Hence the PHOTOGALLERY OF 2ND AN 3RD GENERATION OF COMPUTER Differential Analyzer Lord Kelvin’s Tide Predictor Harmonic Analyzer EARLY COUNTING DEVICES Hollerith tabulating machine Calculating Machine by Blaise Pascal Leibniz Wheel ENIAC Computer EARLY COMPUTING DEVICES Joseph Jacquard Loom Abacus The abacus is an instrument used to perform arithmetic calculations. Developed in ancient times, the abacus is still used in China, Japan, and Korea. Difference Engine complicated calculations were computed regularly by adept users until well into the 1960s. Slide Rule Prior to the invention of the hand-held calculator, the slide rule was a standard tool for engineers and scientists. Operating on the principle that all mathematical computations may be carried out on sets of sliding scales, the device looks much like a heavily calibrated ruler with a movable midsection. The ENIAC midsection, called the sliding center scales, is engraved with Philadelphia has long been a center of high technology. fine lines to allow the user to align different logarithmic scales ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer), the rapidly and efficiently. Multiplication, addition, subtraction, first fully electronic digital computer, was introduced at the division, squaring, cubing, extracting roots, and more University of Pennsylvania in 1946 and remained in service until 1955. ENIAC contained 18,000 vacuum tubes and required manual rewiring to be programmed. Early Vacuum Tube DIAGRAMATICAL ILLUSTRATION OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM Classes of Computer The followings are the 4 types of computers always found and use in different working places. 1. Micro-computer 2. Mini Computer 3. Mainframe computer 4. Super computer Micro- Computer: This is the smallest type of computer and is generally designed for a single user. Micro- computer gets name from the tiny electronic component called the micro- processor which does the processing, sorting, arranging and the An ancient microcomputer transformation of data into a useful information . Micro computers are most often found in the office, hospital, schools, home, banks, airports and supermarkets. An Electronic Data Recorder Mini Computer: Mini computers are very big in size. They process and solve complex tasks. They do not have the complex processing power and memory of the mainframe computers. They are bigger than micro- computers. They are mostly found in banks, airports, hospital and different organizations. Mainframe Computers: These computers are very fast, they have a complex (large) memory for storing and retrieving data and information. It allow many users (people working on the computer) at the same time. They are mostly used for performing complex calculations by the research organizations, industries etc. Computer Card Key Punch Supercomputer is the biggest of all. It processes multiple amount of data and also uses multiple processors for solving and carrying out its tasks. IBM System/360 Mainframe Computer Cm-5 Supercomputer Examples of output devices include : printer, plotter, monitor, speaker, modem, webcam etc. The two major popular output devices are: Monitors and Printers. The result gotten through the monitor is called Softcopy. The result gotten through the printer is called Hardcopy The result gotten through the speaker is called Voicecopy.0 USES / FUNCTIONS OF OUTPUT DEVICES Monitor: Displays the result on the screen. Another name for monitor is VDU – Visual Display Unit. Cray Supercomputer OUTPUT DEVICES USES/FUNCTIONS OF MONITOR Performance Objectives I. VDU display information on television like screen. Pupils should be able to: II. VDUs can typically display up to 32 lines of writing i. State the meaning of output devices (text up to 80 characters across the screen). ii. Recognize a printer and monitor as III. Information can be displayed on the VDUs on a output devices screen that has been divided into Windows, to iii. State the uses of a monitor and select particular items. printer. IV. Characters can be coloured, italicize, double height and line spaced. OUTPUT DEVICES V. It is used for watching films. Output devices are machines through which the result of VI. It is used for correction and editing errors. processing is made available to the user. another computer or use any number of specialized output devices like speakers, digital cameras, projectors etc. PROCESSING This part transforms data into a useful information. Once the data is in a computer, it is processed by the processor and its associated integrated circuit chips. Processors perform calculations and manipulations necessary to transform data into meaningful information. Also with the processor is the memory, which is used for storing data and programs while they are being used by the processor. OUTPUT Getting processed information out of the computer is the job You have already seen that computers can receive data, of output devices.