SCRUTINIZING

Explores the evolution of computers so as to be able to describe and compare

the performance of a modern computer
ANDREW EUGENE ANALYSIS
The introduction of electronic programmable
computers with vacuum tubes
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WHY MICROPROCESSORS

With development people needed more efficiency and people went for more quality things. Its
function is to conduct arithmetic and logic operations. Microprocessors differ from ICs, Transistors
& Vacuum Tubes from many ways. Specially speed, which is 3GHz (gigahertz). Capable of performing
3 billion tasks per second. More complicated mathematical operations, like operating on the floating
point numbers.
ERAS OF COMPUTERS

1. Pre-Mechanical Era All computation done by humans (before 1450)
2. Mechanical Era All computation done by machines and gears (1450 1840)
3. Electromechanical Era Electricity involved in the use of computational devices
4. Electronic Era Where computers were born (Below are the generations)
THE 5 GENERATIONS OF COMPUTERS

Computer history begins in 1940.
1. Vacuum Tubes
2. Transistors
3. Integrated Circuits
4. Microprocessors
5. Artificial Intelligence


THE TRANSISTOR
Electronic valves were used in the construction of computers before the invention of transistors.
Valves were often burned out due to the immense heat emitted. A circuit built by using several
transistors is called a chip.





The first mathematical
calculating device, the
Abacus has been used in
China around 3000BC
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SPECIFICATION OF A PROCESSOR

BUS
Bus is the name used to call the physical path along which data travels within the components of a
computer or computer to computer.
1. Data Bus The bus carrying data from one place to another is called a data bus
2. Address Bus To write or read data a particular location is needed. The address of this
location is known as the address bus.
3. Control Bus This carries the needed control signals to various locations.
REGISTERS
Where the signals of Arithmetic and logic unit are stored temporarily is called registers.
CLOCK SPEED OF A CPU
The speed at which instructions provided to a processor is implanted, is called the clock speed of the
CPU. Measured in MHz or GHz.
WORD SIZE
The number of bits in a machine language word used in a computer is called its size or its word
length.
CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS
Classifiable methods for computers
1. According to size
2. According to technology used
3. According to purpose of use
CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS ACCORDING TO SIZE
Super Computers
Mainframe Computers
Mini Computers
Micro Computers
CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS ACCORDING TO TECHNOLOGY USED
Digital Computers
Mainframe Computers
Mini Computers
Micro Computers

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CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS ACCORDING TO PURPOSE OF USE
General Purpose
Special Purpose

LIST OF MICRO COMPUTERS
Desktop Computers
Workstations
Laptop Computers
Palmtop Computers
Notebook Computers
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) or Digital Diary
Pocket Computers


















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SCRUTINIZING by Andrew Eugene is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-
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Based on a work at http://www.scribd.com/AndrewEugene