WHAT IS A COMPUTER?

The word “computer” comes from the Latin computare, which means “to compute” or to count.

A computer is an electronic device that:

• Receives data input.
• Processes data.
• Provides information.
• Uses programs stored in its memory.
• Stores programs and processing results.
• Works automatically.

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THE EARLY DAYS

ABACUS The very beginning of computing machines.

Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) Invented the Pascaline, a numerical wheel calculator.

Other notable milestones:

• 1617: John Napier developed Napier’s Bones.
• 1674: Gottfried Leibniz invented the Leibniz Calculation Machine.
• 1812: Charles Babbage created the Difference Engine (The Father of Computing).
• 1890: Herman Hollerith developed a punch card system (The Father of Modern Computing).

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COMPUTER GENERATIONS

1. First Generation (1946–1959)

• Circuits used Vacuum Tubes.
• Programs were written in machine language: ASSEMBLER.
• Physically massive and generated extreme heat.
• Slow processing speeds and very small storage capacity.
• Required enormous amounts of electricity.
• Primarily oriented toward business applications.

• 1946 - ENIAC: The world’s first electronic computer. It weighed 30 tons, was 30 meters long and 2.4 meters high, and used 174 kilowatts of power.
• 1953 - IBM 701: A popular large-scale commercial computer.

2. Second Generation (1959–1964)

• Used Transistors, allowing for high-level languages: COBOL, FORTRAN, ALGOL.
• Increased main memory capacity.
• Faster operational processing.
• Consumed less power.
• Oriented toward both business and technical applications.

Popular models included the IBM 401 (business) and the IBM 1602 & 7094 (technical).

3. Third Generation (1964–1970)

• Used IC (Integrated Circuits).
• Significantly faster processing.
• Larger memory capacity.
• Improved power efficiency.
• Smaller physical size.
• The beginning of widespread application software.

• 1964 - IBM S/360: The first third-gen computer used for both business and technical tasks.
• 1969 - NOVA: Developed by Data General Corporation, the first 16-bit minicomputer.

4. Fourth Generation (1970–1990)

• Used Large Scale Integration (LSI).
• Development of microcomputers using microprocessors and semiconductor memory chips.

Notable milestones:

• IBM 370: The first fourth-gen computer.
• Cray I: The first supercomputer.
• Apple II: The first personal computer.
• The original IBM PC.
• Pentium II and AMD K6 3D.

5. Fifth Generation (1990s–Present)

• Uses Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI).
• Advanced microprocessors and semiconductors.
• Developing computers that can interact with humans and mimic human intelligence (AI).
• Known as the Pentium generation and beyond.

6. Sixth Generation (21st Century and Beyond)

• This is the future generation, often referred to as the Titanium Generation. It focuses on nanotechnology, quantum computing, and even more advanced integration with everyday life.