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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.