History of Computer

Evolution of computers

ð History of computer starts from that time when there were no any number systems discovered and no any device for calculation. As and when men faced problems, he invented new devices were developed, it is also known as day to day changes in technology, which can be described as follows:

1. Age of Mechanical Calculators:

a)     Abacus: It was the earliest counting device. It had a wooden frame and two sections called heaven and earth. Its section separated by a mid bar and each section having strings (rods). Each string having beads, in the heaven side two beads & value=5 for each and earth side five beads & value=1 for each. It could perform only add and subtract. It is believed to be discovered in China near 2000 BC first time and also found in Russia or Egypt.

b)    Napier’s Bones or Rods: Scottish mathematician John Napier invented a principle of calculation called logarithm in 1614 AD and based on the same principle he invented some bone rods engraved with numbers in 1617 AD, which was called Napier’s Bone. It could perform multiplication very fast.

c)     Slide Rule: English mathematician William Aughterd discovered a device in 1620 AD with two rulers and a slider on it for calculation.  It was based on Napier’s Bone. It could perform multiplication and division and it was the first analog device.

d)    Pascaline: French mathematician Blaise Pascal had developed a calculating machine called Pascaline. It was developed in 1642 AD and it is called Pascal’s calculator. It had cogs and gears rotating in complement to each other and it had a simple monitor to see the result.

It could perform operations add, subtract, multiply up to 8 digits, division. His honoured by Niklous Developed a Programming language named as  Pascal.

e)     Stepped Reckoner: German mathematician Baron Gottfried Wilhelm Von Leibniz (In Short: G.V. Leibniz) had modified Pascaline and invented ‘Stepped Reckoner’ in 1671 AD and used till 1960s before Electronic or Electromechanical devices came into existence. It could perform Add, Sub, Multiply, Division and Square root first time.

f)      Jacquard’s Loom and Punch Card: One of the Textile Manufacturer Joseph Marie Jacquard had developed a Mechanism for automatic weaving of clothes in 1802 AD. It was based on some present or absence of some holes, in which principle punch cards were developed afterward. So Jacquard is known as a father of Punch Card.

g)     Charles Babbage: One of the Great Mathematician of Cambridge University Charles Babbage Developed a First Engine in 1822 AD, called Difference Engine. It was not completed due to the lack of finance and after 10 years later he had invented another Engine in 1833 AD, called Analytical Engine. It was a great achievement of Charles Babbage due to the availability of finance as well as advancement of technology. Analytical Engine could perform the task same as Modern Computers, so he is known as father of Computer Science.

h)     Lady Augusta Ada Lovelace: She was a great follower of Charles Babbage. She had suggested to Babbage Use Binary Numbers System for his machine. She had developed a first program for Babbage’s machine and it was first program in computer field and that was used by the Defence Department of USA, so she is known as first Programmer of the Computer Field.

i)       George Boole: One of the greatest achievement of 19^th century was the discovery of mathematical logic called ‘Boolean Algebra’. George Boole studied and presented the symbolic logics, which are the foundation of modern computers. His logics provided basic idea of presenting the electric circuits with binary input (0 or 1) and its output.

j)       Dr. Herman Hollerith: He was a census statistician in US bureau of statistics. He is remembered in the history of computers for the following contributions:

·        He Invented a machine called Tabulating Machine in 1886 AD, which could process on the punch cards and performs census calculating faster then ever before.

·        He formed a TMC (Tabulating Machine Company) and later on he integrated other companies similar to the TMC and company name founded as IBM (International Business Machine) in 1923 AD. Today IBM is a large company in the world and he is regarded as founder of IBM.

2. Age of Electromechanical Computers:

a)    Mark-I: In 1937 prof. Howard Aiken developed an electromechanical computer (the first computer) called Mark-I. It was also Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator (ASCC). It was based on Charles Babbage’s principle after 100 years of his death. It was a very large computer and was used vacuum tubes (valves) as main memory. In 1944 AD, He modified it and invented Mark-II.

b)    ABC (Atanasoff Berry Computer): It is also called the first electronic digital computer. It was invented by J.V. Atanasoff and Clifford Berry in 1939-1942 AD. It was used vacuum tubes as memory and used punch cards as secondary storage.

3. Age of Electromechanical Computers:

b)                          ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator And Calculator):It was developed by John W. Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert. It was completed in 1946 and was used vacuum tube as main memory.

c)                           John Von Neumann: He was a mathematician and in 1945 AD discovered a principle of stored program. So, he is called the ‘father of stored program. Before it program was written in computer chips permanently, it was not so flexible and easy to modification.

d)                          EDSAC (Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Computer): It was invented by Maurice Wilkes in 1949. It also used vacuum tubes. It was the first computer to use stored program.

e)                           EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer): It was developed by J.P. Eckert and J. Mauchly in 1952. It was started before EDSAC but completed after it. So, some people say it was a first computer to use stored program. It is also used vacuum tube as memory.

f)                            UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computer): It was the first computer manufactured for commercial use and general purpose digital computer. Before this, all the computers were used either for defence or census. It was also developed by J.P. Eckert and J. Mauchly in 1961.

History of Computer in Nepal

There is no long history of computers in Nepal. Nepal hired some types of calculators and computers for its census calculation. Now days’ most of the organizations are using computers for their record keeping, database and communication purposes.

Following list shows its history in Nepal:

i.        In 2018 B.S., an electronic calculator called ‘Facit’ was used for census.

ii.      In 2028 B.S. census, IBM 1401, a second-generation mainframe computer was used.

iii.    In 2031 B.S., a center for EDP (Electronic Data Processing), later renamed as NCC (National Computer Center), was established for national data processing and computer training.

iv.   In 2038 B.S., ICL 2950/10, a second-generation mainframe computer was used for the census.

v.     Now days’ probably each and everywhere like schools, colleges, business organizations etc. are using computers.

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Generation of Computer

The advancement in Hardware technology with the span of time is termed as Computer generation. Or the development of the computer took place a stage and each stage is called the generation of computer. There are Five Generations:

First Generation (1951 -1959)

Electronic Circuit                      Vacuum Tubes

Input                                        Punched Cards

Output                                      Paper

Storage                                     Magnetic Tape

Example,     UNIVAC -1 IBM-650, 702, 705, BURROUGS - 220, EDVAC, EDSAC, Mark -II, UNIVAC-II etc.

Second Generation (1959 - 1965)

Electronic Circuitry                   Transistors

Input                                        Punched Card

Output                                      Paper

Storage                                     Magnetic Core Storage

Example,  IBM-1400, IBM-7000, Control Data -3600, General Electric-635, Honeywell-200, SS-80 NCR-300 CDC 1604 etc.

Third Generation                                                         

Electronic circuitry                    Integrated Circuits (IC), LSI

Input                                        Punched Cards, Keyboard

Output                                      Paper, Monitor

Storage                                     Magnetic Disks, Magnetic Tapes

Examples,    IBM System/360, UNVAC 1108, UNVAC 9000 series

Fourth Generation

Electronic circuitry                    VLSIC (Very Large scale Integrated Circuits)

Input                                        Keyboard, Mouse, Scanner, digitizers,

Output                                      Paper, monitor, Plotter, printer

Storage                                     Magnetic disk, Optical disk, DVD etc.

Example,     IBM System/370, HP-3000, AMD Athelon, Pentium etc.

Fifth Generation (Future)

Electronic Circuitry                   BIO Chips (Organic Chips)

Technology                              AI, Expert Systems, high Speed, large storage

capacity, Multi-point input and output etc.

Classification of Computers

A computer system exists in a wide range of sizes and power. It may be classified into different types according to the principles of operation or on the basis of their size, brand and model to have clear and better understandings. The classification of computing system varies with the advancement of technology. The chart given below shows the classification of computers.

PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION	SIZE	BRAND	MODEL
a. Analog Computer b. Digital Computer c. Hybrid Computer	a. Super Computer b. Mainframe Computer c. Mini Computer d. Macro Computer	a. IBM PC b. IBM Compatible c. Apple/Macintosh	a. PC/XT b. PC/AT c. PS/2 Model

Classification Based on Operating Principles

     1.         Digital Computer

The digital computer work upon discontinuous data. They convert the data into digits (binary) 0 or 1 and all operations are carried out on their digits at extremely fast rates. A digital computer basically knows how to count the digits and add the digits. Digital computers are much faster then analog computers and far more accurate. Computers used for business and scientific applications are digital computers. Digital computers are further classified into two ways.

i. Purpose -wise

Purpose-wise digital computers are classified into two types.

Special Purpose: - Computer is the one that is designed to perform a specific task. The instructions (programs) to carry out the task are permanently stored in the machine. For the specific tasks, this type of computer works efficiently but such computers are not versatile. Common examples include the computer installed in automobiles to control fuel of jet engines.

General Purpose: - General purpose computer is the one can work on different types program input to it and thus it can be used in countless applications. The programs are not permanently stored but are input at the time of execution. These computers are designed to do wide range of information processing tasks, from scientific to commercial file processing. It can be used to prepare sales reports, Banking system, graphs, payrolls etc.  These computers are very versatile.

ii. Size and performance wise

Size and performance wise digital computers can be classified into following four types.

i.                    Micro Computer: - A micro computer is a computer, which is having microprocessor CPU. A microprocessor is a processor whose all components are on a single integrated-circuit chip. Those are normally single-microprocessor, single-user system designed for performing basic operations like education, training, small business application, playing games etc. These are mainly used in offices, homes, schools, shops, stores etc. IBM PCs, Apple Mac, IBM PS/2, are some popular computers of this range.

 

ii.                          Mini Computer: - These are more powerful computers than micro-computers in terms of processing power and capabilities. Mini computers are mainly multi user system where many users simultaneously work on the systems. Mini computers process greater storage capacity and large memories as compared to micro computers. These are even capable of handling more input-output devices. For example, PDP-11, VAX7500, MAGNUM etc.

iii.                        Mainframe Computer: - These computers are larger in size, more storage capacity, faster in speed and more expensive than mini computers. It can contain up to 4 microprocessors. These computers are mainly used to store large volume of data. For example, IBM 1400, IBM 1401 etc. are the Mainframe computers.

iv.                       Super Computer: - These computers are very large more storage capacity, the speed of this computer is very high and more expensive. So these computers are only purchases by the government. These computers are only used by scientific and using in science research.

 It can contain 16 processors. For example, PRAM is a super computer, which is in India

Analog Computers:

In analog computers, continuous quantities are used.  Computations are carried out with physical quantities such as voltage, length, current, temperature etc. The devices that measure such quantities are analog devices e.g. voltmeter, ammeter. Analog computers operate by measuring rather than counting.

Hybrid Computers:

Hybrid computers utilize the best qualities of both the digital and analog computers. In these computers some calculations take place in analog manner and rest of them take place in digital manner. Hybrid computers are best used in hospital where analog part is responsible for measurement of patient's heart beat, blood pressure, temperature and other vital signs and then the operation is carried out digital fashion to monitor patient's vital signs. Hybrid computers are also used in whether forecasting.

Classification Based on Brand

a. IBM Personal Computer

IBM PC stands for International Business Machine Personal Computer. The IBM is one of the largest computers and other electronic equipments manufacturing company in world. It was established in USA in 1924. IBM sells mainframes, mini computers and micro computers. These computers are known as IBM computers. IBM PC is a micro computer produced by IBM Company. The computers produced by the company are reliable, durable and have high processing capability.

b. IBM Compatible

Many companies make clones of IBM's Personal Computers, which are often called compatibles. IBM compatible can be use hardware and software designed for the IBM PC. The internal architecture of IBM compatible is similar to INM PC. They are also called duplicate computers. The examples of IBM compatible computers are EPSON, ASER, SCAN, etc.

c. Apple/Macintosh

Apple/Macintosh Company is one of the largest personal computer manufactures, located in Cupertino, California. This company was established by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak on 1st April 1976. The internal architecture of these computers are totally different from that of IBM. They have their own software. Apple computers were among the first micro computers produced by this company. Later on, Apple computer manufactured new brand of computer popularly known as Macintosh in 1984. Macintosh became notable for popularizing the graphical user interface. The operating system produced by Apple Company for their Macintosh is called MacOS. Most of the Desktop Publishing Houses on Nepal use these computes.

Classification Based on Model

a. IBM PC/XT

XT stands for Extended Technology. It is an IBM PC with a slow hard disk. XT was released in March 1983. It has an Intel 8088 CPU, 128 KB of RAM, 10MB hard drive. And eight-bit-bus. These computers were slow in processing (4.77 MHz).

b .IBM PC/AT

AT stands for Advanced Technology. It was released in August 1984 with and Intel 80286 processor and 16 bit bus. It has a medium sped hard-disk and 1.2 megabyte floppy. Disk drive. The processing speed is also high in this computer compared to XT computer. The microprocessor used in AT computers are 80386SX, 80386DX, 80486SX, and 80586. It has an additional co-processor is a computer processor which speeds up the operation of the computer by helping the main processor or the CPU.

c. PS/2 Model Computers

IBM's second generation of personal computer is called PS/2 (Personal System -2). This computer was released in early 1990. It uses refined architecture making the computer faster than AT computers. It uses 3.5" micro floppy disk with the capacity of 1.44 Megabyte, VGA display and OS/2 Operating system.