Download Why a computer is known as data processor

BQS: 214.
QUESTION 1.
Why a computer is known as data processor.
A computer is known as a data processor because it accepts data, stores data, process data
according to a set of instructions, and also retrieve the data when required. In essence it accepts
and stores input data, processes them and produces results under the direction of step by step program.
Any Process that uses a computer program will enter data and summarize, analyze or otherwise convert
data into usable information. The process may be automated and run on a computer.
It involves recording, analyzing, sorting, summarizing, calculating, disseminating and storing data.
QUESTION 2.
Generation
First
generation
Magnetic
drum
Second
generation
Magnetic
core
Circuitry
Vacuum
tubes
transistors
Memory
capacity in
characters
thousands
Ten
thousands
Main memory
Third
generation
Magnetic core
Fourth
generation
Large
integrated
semiconductor
circuit.
Integrated
Large
semiconductor integrated
circuit.
semiconductor
circuit(present:
micro processor)
Hundred
millions
thousands
Fifth
generation
Artificial
intelligent.
Artificial
intelligent.
billions
QUESTION 3.
Fifth generations computers are only in the minds of advance research scientists and being tested out in
the laboratories. These computers will be under Artificial Intelligence (AI), they will be able to take
commands in an audio visual way and carry out instructions. Many of the operations which require low
human intelligence will be performed by these computers. Parallel Processing is coming and showing
the possibility that the power of many CPU's can be used side by side, and computers will be more
powerful than those under central processing. Advances in Super Conductor technology will greatly
improve the speed of information traffic. Future looks bright for the computers
Fourth Generation computer
Fifth Generation Computers
These computers use LSI and VLSI technologies.
The speed will be extremely high in fifth generation
computer.
These computers will be using Ultra Large Scale
Integration (ULSI) technology.
The goal of fifth generation computers is to develop
machines that will be able to think and take
decisions.
) It can perform large number of parallel processing.
Its sizes were reduced to desktop and laptop
computer
These computers are highly reliable and
accurate.
They have a large memory and high functional
speed.
The operating speed is measured in beyond
picoseconds and MIPS (Millions of instruction
per second)
Biochips and Gallium Arsenide (GaAS) will be used
as memory devices.
Fifth generation computing devices, based on artificial intelligence, are still in development,
though there are some applications, such as voice recognition, that are being used today. The
goal of fifth-generation computing is to develop devices that respond to natural language input
and are capable of learning and self-organization
QUESTION 4.
Why did the size of computers get reduced in the fifth generation?
The third Generation Computers were generally much smaller in size than the second and first
generation computers. This is because these newer computers made us of integrated circuits and
semiconductors. Third generation computers also contained operating systems, which acted as
overseers to the performance of a computer and which allowed computers to run different programs at
once. Another function of operating systems is to make sure everything is flowing smoothly inside the
computer. The third generation computers made the transition from transistors to integrated circuits
and from punch cards to electronic.
QUESTION 5.
A) Versatility: - It means the capacity to perform completely different type of work. You may
use your computer to prepare payroll slips. One moment, it is preparing the results of particular
examination, the next moment it is busy preparing electricity bills, and in between it may be
helping an office secretary to trace an important letter in seconds. It can perform different
types of tasks with same ease. All that is required to change its talent is to slip in a new program
into it. Briefly, a computer is capable of performing almost any task provided that the task can
be reduced to a series
B) Storage: - The Computer has an in-built memory where it can store a large amount of data.
You can also store data in secondary storage devices such as floppies, which can be kept
outside your computer and can be carried to other computers.
C) Slide rule. Is a mechanical analog computer. The slide rule is used primarily for multiplication and
division, and also for functions such as roots, logarithms and trigonometry, but is not normally used for
addition or subtraction. Slide rules come in a diverse range of styles and generally appear in a linear or
circular form with a standardized set of markings essential to performing mathematical computations
D) Babbage analytical engine:-In this process, Babbage designed a “Difference Engine” in the
year 1822 which could produce reliable tables. In 1842, Babbage came out with his new idea of
Analytical Engine that was intended to be completely automatic.
It was to be capable of performing the basic arithmetic functions for any mathematical problem
and it was to do so at an average speed of 60 additions per minute. His Engine could evaluate
algebraic expression correctly and was also able to produce mathematical and statistical tables
correct up to 20 digits.
The Engine had five components:
*A storage unit that held the numbers
*An arithmetic unit called Mill, to perform the arithmetic calculations
*A control unit that controlled the activities of the computer
*An input device that gave the numbers and instructions to the computer
*An output device that displayed the result
Unfortunately, he was unable to produce a working model of this machine mainly because the
precision engineering required to manufacturer the machine was not available during that
period. However, his effort established a number of principles which have been shown to be
fundamental to the design of any computer
QUESTION 6.
Distinguish between microcomputers and mainframe computers.
A microcomputer is most often taken to mean a computer with a microprocessor as its CPU.
Another general characteristic of these computers is that they occupy physically small amounts
of space. Many microcomputers are also personal computers (in the generic sense)
Mainframes are computers used mainly by large organizations for critical applications, typically
bulk data processing such as census, industry/consumer statistics, ERP, and financial
transaction processing. They are mostly accessed by use of terminals.
.