Evolution of the Computer

Computers have technically been in use since the ‘Abacus’ approximately 5000 years ago.

The computer was born in the attempt to make an adding machine.

Adding machine (1642) - Blaise Pascal [1st Mathematical machine]
Mechanical loom with punch card system  (1801) – Joseph Jacquard

Analytical engine using punch card concept (1837) – Charles Babbage
This was based on
  • input
  • process
  • output
  • storage

So ‘Charles Babbage’ is the ‘Father of Computing’ 

Writes programs for the Analytical engine - Madam Ada Augusta Lovelace [The 1st Programmer]
Automatic Sequence Control Calculator (1944) - Howard Aiken [MARK 1]

Before 1944, all the versions of earlier computers were ‘Mechanical’ in nature.
Since 1944, the automated versions of the computers were categorized into various generations


First Generation Computers


First Generation Computers

Period: 1940 – 1956
Major hardware technology: Vacuum tubes
Input device: Punch cards
Processing device: Punch cards
Output device: Punch cards
Storage device: Punch cards
Main features: Machine language & Assembly language were used
  Stored Program concept
Characteristics: High heat generation
  Slow in processing
  Huge in size
  Not portable
  Consume a lot of electricity
  Expensive
Example Models: ENIAC, EDVAC, EDSAC, UNIVAC, IBM 701
Size: Mainframe

Vacuum tubes

Second Generation Computers


Second Generation Computers

Period: 1956 - 1963
Major hardware technology: Transistors
Input device: Punch cards
Memory device: RAM , ROM
Processing device: Punch cards
Output device: Punch cards
Storage device: Magnetic tape and Floppy disks
Main features: High level programming language & Assembly language
Characteristics: Less heat generation, Perform operations in micro sec
  Smaller in size
  Low power consumption
  Comparatively faster than 1st generation
  Expensive, Air conditioning required
Example Models: Honey well 400, IBM 7030, CDC 1604, UNIVAC LARC
Size: Mainframe

Transistors

Third Generation Computers


Third Generation Computers

Period: 1964 - 1975
Major hardware technology: Integrated Circuit (IC)
Input device: Keyboard, Mouse
Processing device: Processor
Memory device: DRAM , PROM
Output device: Monitor screen
Storage device: Hard disk drive, Magnetic tape and Floppy disks
Main features: Birth of Operating Systems (OS)
  Well developed programming languages
  High level computer languages for coding
Characteristics: Smaller in size, More reliable
  Less heat generation
  Comparatively faster than 2nd generation
  Expensive, Good storage
  Lower power consumption
Example Models: IBM 360/370, PDP-8, PDP-11, CDC-6600
Size: Minicomputer

Integrated Circuit (IC)


Fourth  Generation Computers



Period: 1975 - 1989
Major hardware technology: Very Large Scale Integrated Circuits (VLSIC)
Input device: Keyboard, Mouse, Joy stick, Trackball
Memory device: SRAM, EPROM
Processing device: Micro Processor
Output device: Monitor, Printer
Storage device: IDE Hard disk, CD, Floppy disk
Main features: Birth of Operating Systems with GUI
  UNIX OS
Characteristics: Very small in size, General purpose
  Portable, No air conditioning required
  Upgradable, Low maintenance cost
  Calculations in Picoseconds
Example Models: IBM PC, Apple II
Size: Micro computers


Fifth Generation Computers






Period: 1990 - Present
Major hardware technology: Ultra Large Scale Integrated Circuits (ULSIC)
Input device: All present day input devices
Memory device: EEPROM,DIMM, SIMM
Processing device: Intel Core i3 or higher
Output device: Monitor, Printer & Projector
Storage device: SATA Hard disk, CD, DVD, Flash drive, SD card
Main features: Operating Systems with GUI
  Internet and multi – media applications
  Voice recognition based on Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  Character recognition
  Hand – writing recognition system
Characteristics: Portable
  Less Expensive
  Smaller in size
  Easy operation
  High reliability
  High efficiency
Example Models: IBM notebooks, Pentium PCs, Sun workstations,
  Digital diary, Palm top


Applications of Information and Communication Technology


e-Government


e-Government is the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to improve the activities of public sector organizations.


  • Government to Citizen (G2C)
  • Government to Government (G2G)
  • Government to Business (G2B)
  • Government to Employees (G2E)

An example for e-Government service in Sri Lanka : http://www.gov.lk

e-Education


The way of using ICT in the field of education:



In the classroom:


Examples for e-Education service in Sri Lanka :

  • http:// www.schoolnet.lk
  • http:// www.nenasala.lk
  • http:// www.e-thaksalawa.moe.gov.lk


Learning Management System (LMS)


A software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting and delivery of educational courses or training programs.


Online Distance Learning



This system helps a person from any country can connect with a university or any other learning center of his /her choice and pursue higher education at a considerably low cost.

e-Health


We can categorize this topic as

  • Use of ICT in diagnosis
  • Telemedicine

Use of ICT in diagnosis


Diagnosis machine
Function
CAT
Computer Aided Tomography Machine
3D images of different parts of the body
(helpful in the diagnosis of diseases)
MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Machine
Create digitalized images of internal organs of the body
(Uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves)
ECG
Electro Cardiogram Machine
Records electrical impulses
(Uses to monitor heart beat)
EEG
Electro –encephalography Machine
Records the activities of the brain
BST
Blood Sugar Testing Machine
Analyzes the sample of blood and determine the blood glucose level
BPM
Blood Pressure Measuring Machine
Measures blood pressure
(Can be used when a person is involved in some physical activity)

CAT machine
MRI machine
ECG machine
EEG machine
BST  machine
BPM machine

Telemedicine




The use of ICT to examine and provide healthcare to a patient who is far away from the hospital is known as ‘Telemedicine’. This has several advantages. Some of them are,

  • Emergency telemedicine
  • Home health medicine
  • Telemedicine consultation
  • Telesurgery
  • Medical teletraining


e-Agriculture


ICT for farming

  • Meteorological devices
  • Automated Insect Control
  • Field condition measuring devices
  • Drip Irrigation
  • Automated weed remover
  • Seedlings planter using robotics
  • Crop harvesting using robots
  • Green house

ICT for farm house management
  • Radio frequency Identification device
  • Automated milking and examination of cows
  • CCTV for security purpose



ICT for fishing industry

  • Sensors placed in different parts of the sea



e- Industry and Business


Video conferencing
Human Resource Management
e-Banking system
Online shopping

  • One can select any global commercial organization
  • Open 24 hours
  • Ability to see things and order at one’s convenient place
  • Ability to pay using the electronic payment method
  • Home delivery of goods and services

e- Entertainment


  • Listen to music to overcome a monotonous life
  • Watch missed TV programmes or movies of own choice through the internet
  • Exchange information between friends and relatives who live abroad or whom we have lost touch through social media
  • Watch high definition video using technology
  • Surf the internet
  • Read e-books on internet
  • Take photographs of interesting places and store them in the computer



Robotic Technology in production




e.g:

  • Computer manufacturing
  • Manufacture of packaging material
  • Packaging
  • Car production
  • Labeling
  • Filling bottles


Uses of Robots:

  • 24 hour service
  • Never get tired
  • Efficiency
  • Accuracy
  • Hygiene


Demerits of ICT



  • Addiction
  • Building unsuitable friendships through social media
  • Improper usage of computer may cause harm to software or hardware or both and malfunction may occur
  • Mental disorders may affect a person causing harm to himself/herself and to the society by visiting inappropriate websites
  • Publishing distorted photographs and videos of individuals affecting their personal lives
  • Obesity due to less exercise
  • Isolation
  • Violating copyrights