Computer Studies / Information Communication Technology (ICT)

Topic: History of Computers

Class: SS 1
Term: First Term
Week: Week 4

Reference Materials:

• Online Materials
• Scheme of Work
• Textbooks

Instructional Materials:

• Computer Studies
• Online Resources

Previous Knowledge:

Students have prior knowledge of Generations of Computers, which was taught in the previous lesson.

Behavioral Objectives:

At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Mention different generations of computers.
2. Explain the meaning of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
3. Describe the second generation of computers.

Content

Week Four

Topic: History of Computers

Computers have evolved significantly over the centuries, with early machines dating back to the 1600s. While the concept of computation existed for a long time, practical applications began emerging in the early 1800s.

In 1876, Charles Babbage designed the Analytical Engine, a pioneering machine capable of being programmed to perform tasks. Although it was never completed, it laid the groundwork for future computers.

In 1937, John Atanasoff and Clifford Berry developed the Atanasoff-Berry Computer, the first electronic computer, although it was not fully realized until 1973. By 1941, Konrad Zuse designed and built the first programmable computer, marking another milestone in computing history.

Early computers were large, expensive, and power-hungry. However, as technology progressed, computers became smaller, cheaper, and more powerful, evolving into essential tools in various fields, including business, science, medicine, education, and entertainment.

Generations of Computers

Explanation of the Second Generation of Computers

The second generation of computers, which emerged around 1959, was characterized by the use of transistors instead of vacuum tubes. Transistors are significantly smaller, more reliable, and consume less power than vacuum tubes, allowing computers to become more compact, faster, and energy-efficient.

1. Transistorized Computers: The first transistorized computer was the IBM 7090, released in 1959. This advancement allowed for more complex computations and programming.
2. Programming Languages: The second generation also saw the development of programming languages like FORTRAN and COBOL, which made it easier for programmers to write code that could be executed on various types of computers. These languages provided a more user-friendly way to interact with computers.
3. Computer Architectures: This era introduced new computer architectures, such as minicomputers and microcomputers, which made computing accessible to a wider range of users and applications.
4. Storage Devices: The second generation featured new storage technologies, including magnetic disk drives and tape drives, which allowed for greater data storage capacity and faster retrieval times.
5. Input/Output Devices: The introduction of user-friendly input/output devices, like keyboards and printers, enhanced human-computer interaction, making computers more accessible to non-technical users.

Understanding Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to programming computers to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. This includes decision-making, pattern recognition, and problem-solving.

1. Algorithms: AI often employs algorithms—a set of rules or instructions designed to help computers make decisions and solve problems. By recognizing patterns and making predictions, AI can perform tasks more efficiently.
2. Applications of AI: Some common applications include:
   • Autonomous Vehicles: Cars that can drive themselves using AI.
   • Fraud Detection: Systems that identify fraudulent activities in banking.
   • Speech Recognition: Technologies that understand and process human speech.
   • Predicting Consumer Behavior: Analyzing data to forecast purchasing trends.
   • Personalized Recommendations: Suggesting products or content based on user preferences.
   • Detecting Cyber Attacks: Identifying potential security threats in real-time.

AI is a rapidly evolving field, promising to enhance various aspects of technology and daily life.

General Evaluation Questions

1. Differentiate between the first and second generations of computers.
2. Which generation of computers uses microchips?
3. Which generation of computers used VLSI technology?
4. What is non-procedural programming?
5. What are the origins of computing, and how did it evolve?
6. What are some key inventions in computing history?
7. How did computers become more powerful over time?
8. What impact have computers had on society?
9. How will computing continue to evolve in the future?

Weekend Assignment

1. AI means:
   A. Artefact Intelligence
   B. Artificial Intellect
   C. Artificial Intelligence
   D. Attitude Intelligence
2. Which generation of computers was between 1975 and 1982?
   A. First
   B. Second
   C. Fifth
   D. Fourth
3. Which generation of computers used vacuum tubes?
   A. First
   B. Second
   C. Fifth
   D. Fourth
4. Which generation of computers used VLSIC?
   A. First
   B. Second
   C. Fifth
   D. Fourth
5. Which generation of computers introduced non-procedural programming?
   A. First
   B. Second
   C. Fifth
   D. Fourth
6. What was the storage capacity of the first computers?
   A. 1 bit
   B. 4 bits
   C. 8 Kilobytes
   D. 64 Kilobytes
7. Which company developed the first commercial computer?
   A. Zuse
   B. Apple
   C. IBM
   D. Microsoft
8. First generation computers used which type of memory?
   A. ROM
   B. RAM
   C. Cache
   D. All of the above
9. Which programming language was developed by John Backus?
   A. ALGOL
   B. BASIC
   C. COBOL
   D. Ada
10. The first computers were called _____________ because they used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory storage.
    A. Analog computers
    B. Digital computers
    C. Large-scale computers
    D. Mainframe computers
11. What is the full form of CPU?
    A. Central Processing Unit
    B. Control Processing Unit
    C. Complex Processing Unit
    D. Central Programmable Unit
12. The term “algorithm” comes from which language?
    A. English
    B. Arabic
    C. Urdu
    D. Persian
13. In binary language, which of the following is not a numeral?
    A. 0
    B. 1
    C. D
    D. 8
14. Which of the following is an ordered pair?
    A. (2, 4)
    B. {2, 4}
    C. 2 + 4
    D. 2 – 4
15. In a digital system, which of the following represents a HIGH state?
    A. 0
    B. 1
    C. 2
    D. 3
16. Which of the following is not an output device?
    A. Printer
    B. Plotter
    C. Monitor
    D. Keyboard
17. Magnetic disks were first used in ___________ computers.
    A. First generation
    B. Second generation
    C. Fifth generation
    D. Fourth generation
18. The speed of modern computers is measured in ____________.

Theory Questions

1. What is artificial intelligence?
2. Explain the characteristics of second-generation computers.
3. What are the key components of artificial intelligence?
4. How has artificial intelligence developed over the years?
5. What are some current applications of artificial intelligence?
6. What ethical concerns surround artificial intelligence?
7. What does the future of artificial intelligence look like?

Presentation

1. Step 1: The teacher reviews previous topics to refresh students’ memories.
2. Step 2: The teacher introduces the new topic: History of Computers.
3. Step 3: The teacher encourages students to share their own examples of computers and provides corrections as necessary.

Evaluation Questions

1. The first generation of computers used __________ for circuitry.
   A. Transistors
   B. Vacuum tubes
   C. Microchips
   D. Integrated circuits
2. The second generation of computers was introduced in the year __________.
   A. 1951
   B. 1959
   C. 1965
   D. 1959
3. The technology used in the third generation of computers is __________.
   A. Vacuum tubes
   B. Integrated circuits
   C. Transistors
   D. VLSI
4. The __________ generation of computers saw the introduction of artificial intelligence.
   A. First
   B. Second
   C. Fifth
   D. Fourth
5. FORTRAN and COBOL are examples of programming languages developed during the __________ generation of computers.
   A. First
   B. Second
   C. Third
   D. Fourth
6. The __________ is considered the first electronic computer.
   A. Analytical Engine
   B. Atanasoff-Berry Computer
   C. IBM 7090
   D. ENIAC
7. The storage device commonly used in the second generation of computers was __________.
   A. Floppy disks
   B. Magnetic tape
   C. SSD
   D. Cloud storage
8. __________ is a key characteristic of artificial intelligence.
   A. Limited decision-making
   B. Self-learning algorithms
   C. Manual data processing
   D. Basic calculations
9. The introduction of microprocessors occurred in the __________ generation of computers.
   A. Fourth
   B. First
   C. Second
   D. Third
10. The first transistorized computer was the __________.
    A. ENIAC
    B. IBM 7090
    C. Atanasoff-Berry Computer
    D. Analytical Engine
11. The main characteristic of the first generation of computers was their __________.
    A. Small size
    B. Large size and high power consumption
    C. Use of microchips
    D. High-speed processing
12. In artificial intelligence, an algorithm is a __________.
    A. User interface
    B. Set of rules for problem-solving
    C. Computer hardware
    D. Data storage method
13. The second generation of computers utilized __________ for data storage.
    A. Hard disks
    B. Magnetic disks
    C. Flash drives
    D. Optical disks
14. The introduction of high-level programming languages made it __________ for programmers to write code.
    A. Easier
    B. More complicated
    C. Slower
    D. Less efficient
15. The purpose of artificial intelligence is to make computers __________.
    A. More complex
    B. Smarter and more efficient
    C. Larger
    D. More expensive

Class Activity Discussion (FAQs with Answers)

1. What is the primary difference between the first and second generations of computers?
   The primary difference is that first-generation computers used vacuum tubes, while second-generation computers used transistors, which made them smaller and more energy-efficient.
2. What are some key features of the third generation of computers?
   The third generation introduced integrated circuits, which allowed for the development of smaller, faster, and more powerful computers that could run multiple programs simultaneously.
3. What role did programming languages like FORTRAN and COBOL play in computer development?
   These programming languages made it easier for programmers to write software for computers, increasing their accessibility and usability.
4. How has artificial intelligence changed over the years?
   AI has evolved from simple rule-based systems to complex machine learning algorithms that enable computers to learn from data and make decisions.
5. What are some common applications of artificial intelligence today?
   Common applications include autonomous vehicles, speech recognition systems, fraud detection, and personalized recommendations.
6. Why are transistors preferred over vacuum tubes in computer design?
   Transistors are smaller, more reliable, and consume less power than vacuum tubes, allowing for the development of smaller and more efficient computers.
7. What advancements were made in data storage during the second generation of computers?
   The second generation saw the introduction of magnetic disk drives, which allowed for more efficient data storage and retrieval.
8. What is meant by ‘artificial intelligence’?
   Artificial intelligence refers to the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, particularly computer systems.
9. How do microcomputers differ from minicomputers?
   Microcomputers are smaller and designed for individual use, while minicomputers are larger and can support multiple users simultaneously.
10. What are the ethical concerns surrounding artificial intelligence?
    Concerns include job displacement, privacy issues, algorithmic bias, and the potential for misuse of AI technologies.
11. What was the significance of the Analytical Engine?
    The Analytical Engine, designed by Charles Babbage, is considered the first concept of a general-purpose computer, paving the way for future developments.
12. How did computers impact society during their evolution?
    Computers have transformed communication, education, business operations, and entertainment, significantly improving efficiency and accessibility in many fields.
13. What technological advancements characterize the fourth generation of computers?
    The fourth generation is marked by the use of Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) technology, allowing thousands of transistors to be integrated into a single chip.
14. How do algorithms contribute to artificial intelligence?
    Algorithms provide the framework for AI to process data, learn from it, and make informed decisions or predictions.
15. What future developments are anticipated in the field of artificial intelligence?
    Future developments may include more advanced machine learning techniques, greater automation in various industries, and enhanced human-computer interaction.

Evaluation

1. Differentiate between the first and second generations of computers.
2. Which generation of computers uses microchips?
3. Which generation of computers used VLSI technology?
4. What is non-procedural programming?
5. What are the origins of computing, and how did it evolve?
6. What are some key inventions in computing history?
7. How did computers become more powerful over time?
8. What impact have computers had on society?
9. How will computing continue to evolve in the future?
10. What are the ethical implications of advancements in artificial intelligence?

Conclusion

The teacher wraps up the lesson by summarizing the key points covered in the topic, ensuring that all students have noted the important aspects. The teacher also circulates the classroom to check that notes are well copied and provides necessary corrections when needed.