LITE 111 PRELIMS

Computer

An electronic device that accepts data and instructions, performs logical and mathematical operations, and generates the outputs of the processing.

Outputs/Results

The information that we need.

Speed

The computer can work very fast. It takes only a few seconds for calculations that we take hours to complete. A computer can perform millions (1,000,000) of instructions and even more per second.

Accuracy

Its degree of precision of a computer is very high and every calculation is performed with the same precision.

Diligence

A computer is free from tiredness, lack of concentration, fatigue, etc. It can work for hours without creating any errors.

Versatility

It means the capacity to perform completely different types of work.

Power of Remembering

A computer has the power of storing any amount of information or data. Any information can be stored and recalled as long as you require it, for any number of years.

No IQ (Intelligence Quotient)

A computer is a dumb machine and it cannot do any work without instruction from the user. A computer cannot take its own decision as you can.

No Feelings

It does not have feelings or emotions, taste, knowledge, or experience. Thus it does not get tired even after long hours of work. It does not distinguish between users.

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.

Speed, accuracy, diligence, versatility, power of remembering, no IQ, no feelings, storage

Enumerate the 8 characteristics and capabilities of a computer (SADVEPENNS)

Information technology (IT)

Use of any computers, storage, networking, and other physical devices, infrastructure, and processes to create, process, store, secure, and exchange all forms of electronic data.

Hardware

Physical equipment

Software

Virtualization and management or automation tools, operating systems, and applications used to perform essential functions.

IT domain

User devices, peripherals, and laptops, smartphones, recording equipment, architectures, methodologies, and regulations governing the use and storage of data are all included in this.

Part of our everyday lives and greatly impacted society

Importance of IT

Protecting and Storing Information

Electronic storage systems are being created to hold the information that is being shared over the internet and internal intranets. (ex. Virtual vaults, Security systems)

Automated Processes

The ability to find ways to complete more work in a shorter amount of time is essential to the success of a company. IT improves a company’s efficiency by implementing automated processes, easing heavy workloads.

Communication

A aspect of human interaction is essential. In the business world, it is imperative to the success of the company. Emailing, video conferencing, and chat rooms allow for easier interactions.

Remote Access/Telecommuting

This enables employees to work from home or while on the road. This gives the employees more flexibility and they are more productive because they can still work when not in the office.

Protecting and storing information, automated processes, communication, remote access or telecommuting

Enumerate the 4 advantages of IT.

Expenses of Implementation and Maintenance

Setup costs for implementing an information technology system within a home or business as well as software training can be very costly.

Elimination of Jobs

By implementing IT systems into a company, tasks take less time. Companies are finding that they can combine jobs and need a smaller staff to operate fully.

Breaches in Security

Information is stored electronically so there are more chances of having security breaches.. Security systems that were state-of-the-art last year are now out-of-date and in desperate need of upgrading.

Security specialist

To protect company data, this person should be kept on staff.

Expenses of implementation and maintenance, elimination of jobs, breaches in security

Enumerate the 3 disadvantages of IT (EXELB).

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

Technology required for information processing, in particular, the use of electronic computers, communication devices, and software applications to convert, store, protect, process, transmit and retrieve information from anywhere, anytime.

Information

Knowledge obtained from reading, investigation, study, or research.

Communication

Act of transmitting messages. It is a process whereby information is exchanged between individuals using symbols, signs, or verbal interactions.

Technology

Use of scientific knowledge, experience, and resources to create processes and products that fulfill human needs. It is vital in communication.

Communication, job opportunities, education, socializing

Enumerate the 4 uses of ICT in our daily lives.

Access to information, New tools, new opportunities, Communication, Information management

Enumerate the 4 positive impacts of ICT (ANNCI).

Job loss, Reduced personal interaction and physical activity, Cost, Competition

Enumerate the 4 negative impacts of ICT (JOREPHCC).

Pre-Modern Era

There are three classifications of devices that evolved during this era, namely manual-mechanical devices, electromechanical, and electronic devices.

Manual-Mechanical Devices

Devices that are operated manually by the user.

Tally Sticks

An ancient memory aid device to record and document numbers, quantities, or even messages.

Abacus/Counting frame

Considered the first man-made computing device that uses beads and was invented in China.

Napier’s Bones

It is a manually-operated device used for calculating products, quotients, square and cube roots.

John Napier, 1614

Inventor of Napier's bones and its year.

Oughtred’s Slide Rule

It is a mechanical analog computer consisting of movable bars with a precise scale that uses approximations for solving problems like multiplication, division, roots, logarithms, and trigonometry.

William Oughtred

Inventor of Oughtred’s Slide Rule.

Pascaline Calculator/Adding Machine

It is the first mechanical calculating device that uses cogged wheels that can be used to add and subtract two numbers.

Blaise Pascal,1642

Inventor of Pascaline Calculator and its year.

Stepped Reckoner

The machine can add, subtract, multiply, and divide automatically.

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, 1672

Inventor of Stepped Reckoner and its year.

Babbage’s Difference and Analytical Engines

These engines embodied most of the design of modern computers. It was invented by Charles Babbage.

The Difference engine

Can compute tables

The Analytical engine

Completely automatic and is capable of calculating any mathematical problems.

Arithmometer

The first reliable, useful, and commercially successful calculating machine. The machine could perform the four basic mathematic functions. The first mass-produced calculating machine.

Thomas de Colmar, 1820

Inventor of Arithmometer and its year.

Electronic Devices

The principal components of these are circuit boards, transistors, or silicon chips, and use electrical switches and circuitry instead of mechanical relays.

Atanasoff-Berry-Computer (ABC)

The first special-purpose digital computer that solves simultaneous equations.

John Atanasoff

Inventor of Atanasoff-Berry-Computer.

Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator (ENIAC)

The first fully electronic general-purpose digital computer ever completed.

John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert

Inventors of Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator

Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer (EDVAC)

The program for the computer stored inside the computer. It has more internal memory than any other computing device to date. Memory was to be provided through the use of mercury delay lines. It is a completely internally programmed machine.

Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator (EDSAC)/Electronic Binary Digital computer

Uses a binary representation of data and internally stored programs; the first full-size stored-program computer provided a formal computing service for users.

Von Neumann

The machine principles the EDSAC was built according to.

Maurice Wilkes, University of Cambridge, England

Builder of the EDSAC and its location.

First Generation Computers

The size of computers during this generation's computers are mainframes. The major hardware features are vacuum tubes and magnetic drums and the processing speed is 1,000 instructions per second.

1951-1958

Years of First Generation Computers

Universal Automatic Computer (UNIVAC)

It is the first commercial business computer.

John Eckert and John Mauchly

Developers of UNIVAC.

IBM 701

The first generation IBM computers.

IBM 650

Most popular 1st generation computer.

Second Generation Computers

The major hardware features of this-generation's computers are transistors and magnetic cores. Its processing speed is 1,000,000 instructions per second and the size is mainframe.

1959-1963

Years of Second Generation Computers.

TRADIC

It is the first transistorized computer.

Third Generation Computers

During this generation, minicomputers already became available. The major hardware features are integrated circuits or “chips” and the processing speed is 10,000,000 instructions per second.

1964-1970

Years of Third Generation Computers

IBM System 360

It is the first general-purpose machine used in science and business.

Fourth Generation Computers

The size of a computer varies from mainframes, minicomputers, and microcomputers. The major hardware features are microprocessors or large-scale integrated circuits. The minimum processing speed is 100,000,000 instructions per second. Led to the development of the Internet. Saw the development of GUIs, the mouse, and handheld devices

1971-present

Years of Fourth Generation Computers.

Fifth Generation Computers

Based on AI. Still in development. The use of parallel processing and superconductors is helping to make artificial intelligence a reality. The goal is to develop devices that respond to natural language input and are capable of learning and self-organization. There are some applications, such as voice recognition, that are being used today.

Present-future

Years of Fifth Generation Computers.

General and special-purpose

Classification of computers according to purpose.

General-purpose computers

Ability to store different programs of instruction and thus, perform a variety of operations. (ex. personal computers, laptops, and tablets)

Special-purpose computers

Designed to perform one specific task. The program of instructions is built into, or permanently stored in the machine. (ex. highway tolls, air traffic control, satellite tracking, airline reservations, and automated teller machines).

Analog, digital, hybrid

Classification of computers according to data handled.

Analog Computers

Used for scientific, engineering, and process control purposes. They deal with quantities that are continuously variable. (ex. speedometer in an automobile).

Analogous

The word analog comes from this word that means similar.

Digital Computers

Machines that specialize in counting. It operates by counting values that are discrete, or separate and distinct.

Hybrid Computers

Combines the measuring capabilities of the analog computer and the logical and control capabilities of the digital computer. It offers an efficient and economical method of working out special types of problems in science and various areas of engineering.

Microcomputers, minicomputers, mainframes, supercomputer

Classification of computers according to capacity.

Supercomputers

Most powerful in terms of speed and accuracy. They are types of computers used in solving complex mathematical computations. They are capable of executing trillions of instructions per second, which is calculated in floating point operations per second (FLOPS).

Mainframe computers/Big iron

Large-sized computer types. Powerful but fall short in terms of the computation ability. They are like big file servers, enabling multiple users from nearby and remote locations to access resources at the same time. These systems can handle massive amounts of data going in and out simultaneously. This makes them popular with businesses.

Minicomputers/Mid-range computers

General-purpose devices without the monumental expenses associated with a larger system. Has become almost extinct because of the popularity of personal computers.

Microcomputers/Personal computers

Smallest, least expensive, and most used types of computers. They have small memories, less processing power, are physically smaller, and permit fewer peripherals compared to super and mainframe computers.

Input unit, central processing unit, output unit

The 3 important components of a computer.

Input unit

Input devices that are attached to the computer that convert it into binary language that the computer understands. (ex. keyboard, mouse, joystick, scanner, etc.)

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Brain of the computer because it is the control center of the computer. Fetches instruction from memory, interprets, performs computations, then stores or displays output.

Arithmetic Logic Unit, Control Unit, Memory registers

3 main components of the CPU.

Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)

Main, fundamental component of the CPU. Performs mathematical calculations and makes logical decisions.

Control Unit

Coordinates and controls the data flow in and out of the CPU, the ALU, memory registers, and input/output units. Responsible for carrying out all the instructions stored in the program from decoding, interpreting, and sending control signals.

Output Unit

Output devices that are attached to the computer. It converts the binary data coming from the CPU to human understandable form. (ex. monitors, printers, plotters, etc.)

Memory

Stores data and instructions before the execution and the processed data as well.

Internal and external

2 types of memory.

Random-access and read-only

2 types of internal memory.

Random-Access Memory (RAM)

Volatile type of memory referred to as Main Memory or Primary Memory.

Read-Only Memory (ROM)

Contains permanently stored instructions that cannot be changed.