Let us begin with the word ‘compute’. It means ‘to calculate’. We all are familiar with calculations in our day-to-day life. We apply mathematical operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, etc. and many other formulae for calculations. Simple calculations take less time. But complex calculations take much longer time. Another factor is accuracy in calculations. So man explored with the idea to develop a machine, which can perform this type of arithmetic calculation faster, and with full accuracy. This gave birth to a device or machine called ‘computer’.
Objectives
After going through this lesson, you would be in a position to:
- define a computer
- l identify the characteristics of a computer
- l explain the origin and evolution of a computer
- l identify the capability of computer in terms of speed and accuracy
- l distinguish computer from human beings and calculator
- l appreciate the evolution of computer through five generations
- l define the different types of computers based on electronics
- l explain the classification of computer on the basis of size of memory