Download AWINO ODIWUOR FREDRICK REG NO: F21/0812/2012

AWINO ODIWUOR FREDRICK
REG NO: F21/0812/2012
ENVIRONMENTAL AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING
FUNDAMENTALS OF COMPUTING ASSIGNMENT
1. Why is computer known as a data processor?
Computer is known as a data processor because it accepts stores and processes data
according to a set of instructions and also retrieves the data when required.
2. Explain in brief the various generations of computer?
i.
First Generation (1940-1956) Vacuum Tubes
The first computers used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory, and
were often enormous, taking up entire rooms. They were very expensive to operate in
addition to using a great deal of electricity, generated a lot of heat, which was often the cause
of malfunctions. They relied on machine language, the lowest level programming language
understood by computers, to perform operations and they could only solve one problem at a
time. Input was based on punched cards and papers tape, and output was displayed on
printouts. The UNIVAC and ENIAC computers are examples of first generation computing
devices.
ii.
Second Generation (1956-1963) Transistors
Transistors replaced vacuum tubes and ushered in the second generation of computers. The
transistor was invented in 1947 but was not widespreadly used until the late 1950s. The
transistor was far superior to the vacuum tubes, allowing computers to become smaller,
faster, cheaper, more energy efficient and more reliable than their first generation
predecessors. Though the transistors still generated a great deal of heat that subjected the
computer to damage, it was a vast improvement over the vacuum tubes. They still relied on
punched cards for inputs and printouts for outputs. They moved from cryptic binary machine
language to symbolic, or assembly languages, which allowed programmers to specify
instruction in words. High level programming languages were also being developed at this
time, such as early versions of COBOL and FORTRAN. These were also the first computers
that stored their instruction on their memory which moved from a magnetic drum to magnetic
core technology. The first computers of this generation were developed for the atomic energy
industry.
iii.
Third Generation (1964-1971) Integrated Circuits
The development of the integrated circuits was the basis of the third generation of computers.
Transistors were miniaturized and placed on silicon chips (semi-conductors), which
drastically increased the speed and efficiency of computers. Instead of punched cards and
printouts, users interacted with third generation computers through keyboards and monitors
and interfaced with an operating system, which allowed the device to run many different
applications with central program that monitored the memory. Computers for the first time
become accessible to mass audience because they were smaller than their predecessors.
iv.
Fourth Generation (1971-present) microprocessors
The microprocessor brought the fourth generation of computers as thousands of integrated
circuits were built onto a single silicon chip. What in the first generation filled an entire room
could now fit in the palm of hand. The Intel 4004 chip, developed in 1971, located on the
components of the computer-from the central processing unit and memory to input/output
controls –on a single chip. In 1981 IBM introduced its first computer for the home user, and
in 1984 Apple introduced the Macintosh. Microprocessors also moved out of the realm of
desktops computers and into many area of life as more and more every day products began to
use microprocessors. As these small computers became more powerful, they could be linked
together to from networks which eventually led to the development of the internet. They also
saw the development of GUIs, the mouse and hand held devices.
v.
Fifth Generation (present and beyond) Artificial Intelligence.
These computer devices, based on artificial intelligence, are still in development though there
are some applications such as voice recognition that are being used today. The use of parallel
processing and superconductors is helping to make artificial intelligence a reality. Quantum
computation and molecular and nanotechnology will radically change the phase of computers
in years to come. The goal of fifth generation computing is to develop devices that respond to
natural language input and are cable of learning and self organization.
3. Write a short note on the fifth generation computer. What makes it different from
the fourth generation computer?
The fifth generation computers project was an initiative by Japans’ of Ministry International
Trade and Industry began in 1982. This generation of computers was supposed to assist in the
performance of much calculation using massively parallel computing or processing. The
‘fifth generation’ was intended to convey the system as being a leap beyond existing
machines. The fifth generation computer can perform 100,000,000 operations per second
(making it superior over the fourth generation computer which performs 10, 000, 000
operations per second) due to its millions of integrated circuits incorporated on a single
silicon chip.
4. Why did the size of the computer get reduced in the third generation?
This is because the third generation computers made use of integrated circuits and semiconductors which was incorporated within a single piece of silicon material resulting to
efficiency and portability.
5. Give short notes on the following:
Versatility:-Having varied uses or serving many functions. In this context, a computer can
perform functions such as input and output functions, processing and data processing.
Storage:- This is the technology consisting of computer components and recording media
used to retain digital data. It is the core function and fundamental component of computers.
Slide rule:-Is a mechanical analog computer. It is used primarily for multiplication and
division, and also for functions such as roots, logarithms, and trigonometry, but is no
normally used for addition or subtraction.
Babbage’s analytical engine:- It was a proposed mechanical general-purpose computer
designed by English Mathematician Charles Babbage. The analytical engine incorporated an
arithmetic logic unit control flow in the form conditional branching and loops, and integrated
memory making it the first design for a general-purpose computer.
6. Distinguish between mainframe computer and micro computer.
Micro computer:-This is a computer whose central processing unit has been implemented
with a microprocessor. They are the smallest single user computer e.g. a work station, a
desktop, notebook, laptop etc.
Mainframe computer:-These are large room sized computers used by big businesses such as
airlines, banks and government departments. They have very high storage and processing
capacities, for example IBM 4381 and ICL 39 series.