What is a Computer System?

Characteristics of a Computer System

• Input and Output (I/O)
• Processing
• Storage
• Software
• Hardware

Basic Computer Terms

• Vacuum Tube: An early electronic device used in switches, amplifiers, and early computers.
• Transistor: An electronic component that regulates electricity, serving as an amplifier or switch.
• Integrated Circuit (IC): A silicon chip containing circuit elements like transistors and resistors.
• Microprocessors: CPU components on a single integrated circuit, the heart of computers.
• Central Processing Unit (CPU): The computer's "brain," responsible for processing instructions.
• Magnetic Drum: A cylindrical data storage device used in early computers.
• Magnetic Core: Arrays of small magnetic rings used for data storage.
• Memory: Storage for data, information, and programs, including RAM and storage devices.
• Machine Language: A low-level programming language using binary digits (0s and 1s) that computers understand directly.

Computer Generations

• First Generation (1940s-1950s)
• Second Generation (1950s-1960s)
• Third Generation (1960s-1970s)
• Fourth Generation (1970s-Present)
• Fifth Generation (1980s-Present)

Fifth Generation (1980s-Present)

• The first-generation computers were massive and used vacuum tubes for processing.
• They were slow and generated lots of heat.
• An example is the ENIAC, which was as big as a room and could perform basic calculations.
• The input was through punched cards, and the output was printed on paper.

Second Generation (1950s-1960s)

• Second-generation computers replaced vacuum tubes with transistors, resulting in a reduction in size and improved reliability.
• They were faster and used punched cards and magnetic tapes for input and output. The IBM 1401 is a well-known example.

Third Generation (1960s-1970s)

• Third-generation computers introduced integrated circuits (chips), which made them even smaller and more powerful.
• They used magnetic disks for storage and keyboards for input.
• The IBM System/360 is an iconic third-generation computer.

Fourth Generation (1970s-Present)

• Fourth-generation computers brought microprocessors, which are tiny yet powerful CPUs.
• Personal computers like the IBM PC and Apple Macintosh were born in this era.
• Keyboards and mouse became standard input devices, and monitors displayed colorful graphics.

Fifth Generation (1980s-Present)

• The fifth generation is characterized by advancements in artificial intelligence and parallel processing.
• These computers, like IBM's Watson, or virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa, can understand and respond to human language.
• They also use advanced graphics and touchscreens for input and output.

Conclusion