What Is Computer?

 

What is Computer?

The term "computer" is derived from the Greek word "compute" which means to calculate.

A computer is a programmable electronic device that accepts raw data as input and processes it with a set of instructions (a program) to produce the result as output. It renders output just after performing mathematical and logical operations and can save the output for future use. It can process numerical as well as non-numerical calculations.

A computer is designed to execute applications and provides a variety of solutions through integrated hardware and software components. It works with the help of programs and represents the decimal numbers through a string of binary digits. It also has a memory that stores the data, programs, and result of processing. The components of a computer such as machinery that includes wires, transistors, circuits, hard disk are called hardware. Whereas, the programs and data are called software.

Generations of Computers – Computer Fundamentals

The modern computer took its shape with the arrival of your time. It had been around 16th century when the evolution of the computer started. The initial computer faced many changes, obviously for the betterment. It continuously improved itself in terms of speed, accuracy, size, and price to urge the form of the fashionable day computer. This long period is often conveniently divided into the subsequent phases called computer generations:

·        First Generation Computers (1940-1956)

·        Second Generation Computers (1956-1963)

·        Third Generation Computers (1964-1971)

·        Fourth Generation Computers (1971-Present)

·        Fifth Generation Computers (Present and Beyond)

 

Below are the 8 mechanical calculators before modern computers were invented.

1. Abacus (ca. 2700 BC)

2. Pascal’s Calculator (1652)

3. Stepped Reckoner (1694)

4. Arithmometer (1820)

5. Comptometer (1887) and Comptograph (1889)

6. The Difference Engine (1822)

7. Analytical Engine (1834)

8. The Millionaire (1893)