| Microcomputer | Minicomputer |
| A microcomputer is a standard desktop computer used at a home and in business. | Minicomputers are mid-sized computer used in universities, research labs and small corporations. |
| A microcomputer is a computer with a microprocessor as its CPU. | Minicomputers are faster than microcomputers. |
| They are cheap, compact and can be easily accommodated on a study table. | They are expensive and larger than microcomputer. |
| Microcomputer is a single-user computer. | Minicomputer is a multi-user computer. |
| The two most common types of storage devices used with microcomputers are tapes and disks. | For secondary storage, most minicomputers use magnetic disks or tapes. |
| Microcomputer is not powerful or as fast as minicomputer | Minicomputer is powerful than microcomputer but not as super computer and mainframe computer. |
| Examples are- Modern computers like desktop, laptop etc. | Examples are- IBM 9375, Motorola 68040 etc. |
Saturday, January 15, 2011
What is the difference between a microcomputer and a minicomputer?
Compare computer on the basis of size and cost.
Supercomputer: Super computers are the biggest in size, the most expensive in price than any other computer. This computer is not used as a PC in a home neither by a student in a college. Governments specially use this type of computer for their different calculations and heavy jobs. Different industries also use this huge computer for designing their products. It is also used in Hollywood movies for animation purposes.
Mainframe computer: Another giant in computers after the supercomputer is Mainframe, which can also process millions of instructions per second and is capable of accessing billions of data. It is commonly used in big hospitals, air line reservation companies, and many other huge companies because of its capability of retrieving data in a huge basis. This is normally too expensive and out of reach from a salary-based person who wants a computer for his home.
Mini computer: This computer is next in line but offers less than mainframe in work and performance. These are the computers which are mostly preferred by the small type of business personals, colleges etc.
Microcomputer: Micro computers are also called Personal Computer or PC which are mostly preferred by the home users. These computers are lesser in cost than any other computer. It is small in size and can easily arrange it to fit in your single bedroom with its all accommodation. It is the most popular computer in all.What is super computers and explain their applications in real life situation.
A supercomputer is a computer that is among the largest, fastest or most powerful of the computers available. They are used for solving very large and complex problems.
The applications of super computers in real life situation are as follows-
a) Climate researchers use supercomputers to forecast weather.
b) Astronomers and space scientists use super computers to study the sun and space weather.
c)Scientists use supercomputers to simulate how a tsunami would impact a coastline or a given city.
d) Supercomputers are used to simulate supernova explosions in space.
e) Supercomputers are used for designing aircrafts.
f) Supercomputers are used to model nuclear explosions, limiting the need for real nuclear testing.
g) They are used in designing robots.Write short notes on: a) Microcomputer b) Super computer
a)Microcomputer: A micro computer is a computer with a microprocessor as its CPU. They are cheap, compact and can be easily accommodated on a study table. Now-a-days mostly used computers are microcomputers. It is called Home PC or Personal Computer (PC) because it is a single user computer. It supports many higher level languages, multimedia, graphics, 3D graphics and games. The Internet is popular due to PC and it is available for all income groups. It contains memory in the form of ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory), I/O (input/output) ports, and a bus or system of interconnecting wires, housed in a unit that is usually called a motherboard. IBM, Hewlett Packard, Apple, Compaq are some well known companies which manufacture microcomputers.
Write short notes on: a) Mainframe computer, b) Minicomputer
a) Mainframe computer: Mainframe computers are very large computers with a very high capacity of storage. It is a high performance computer used for large scale computing purposes that require greater availability and security than a smaller scale machine. Mainframe computers are large and expensive computers used mainly by government institutions, examination department of examinations and large companies to process data of complex nature. It can response several hundred requests very quickly and uses several CPU for data processing. It is very powerful multi-user computer where more than 100 users can use at a time because it works on time sharing mode. It supports a wide range of I/O terminals with high speed. IBM built the first mainframe computer, IBM S/360 in 1964.
Write short notes on: a) Analog computer, b) Micro computer
a) Analog computer: Analogue computers are the computers that measure physical quantities such as pressure and temperature and convert them to numeric values for different calculation. It operates on continuously varying data i.e. analog computer’s output can vary even if the input is identical. For example, a service station gasoline pump contains an analog processor and analog device that converts fuel flow measurements into quantity and price values. Speedometer in cars is another example of analog computer.
b) Micro computer: A micro computer is a computer with a microprocessor as its CPU. They are cheap, compact and can be easily accommodated on a study table. Now-a-days mostly used computers are microcomputers. It is called Home PC or Personal Computer (PC) because it is a single user computer. It supports many higher level languages, multimedia, graphics, 3D graphics and games. The Internet is popular due to PC and it is available for all income groups. It contains memory in the form of ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory), I/O (input/output) ports, and a bus or system of interconnecting wires, housed in a unit that is usually called a motherboard. IBM, Hewlett Packard, Apple, Compaq are some well known companies which manufacture microcomputers.
Who is known as the first computer programmer?
Who is called ‘Father of stored program’?
Who invented the punched card?
Who is called ‘Father of modern computer’?
The transistors are more reliable than vacuum tubes. Why?
What developments in computers have taken place in the fourth generation computers?
What were the languages which emerged during the second generation computers?
What type of main memory technology was used in second generation computers?
Which was the first commercially produced computer?
Describe about the following: a) Mark – I (IBM ASCC) b) ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) c)EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable AC
a) Mark – I (IBM ASCC): The Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator (Harvard Mark - I) was the first operating machine that could execute long computations automatically. It was an electro-mechanical computer built at IBM by Harvard engineer Howard H. Aiken and other three engineers.
- It was 51 ft long, 8 ft height and 3 ft wide.
- 18,000 vacuum tubes were used.
- It consists of 7 lakhs 50 thousand parts.
- Cable connections were nearly 500 miles long.
It was the largest electro-mechanical calculator.
b) ENIAC: ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) was the first general purpose electronic computer. It was designed and built by John Mauchly, an American physicist and John Presper Eckert, an American Engineer at University of Pennsylvania, USA in 1946.
- It weighed more than 27,000 kg.
- It contained 18,000 vacuum tubes and 70,000 resistors.
- It consumed 150 Kw of power.
- Input was possible from an IBM card reader, and an output was possible from IBM card punch i.e. punch card were used as input and output devices.
EDVAC: EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer) is the successor of the ENIAC made by the same designers John Mauchly and John P.Eckert in 1950 at Pennsylvania University, USA. It was the first stored program computer ever designed. It used approximately 4000 vacuum tubes and some internal storage.Write short notes on the achievement of the following computer scientists. a) Howard Aiken b) Herman Hollerith
a) Howard Aiken: Howard H. Aiken designed and built the IBM ASCC (Automatic Sequence Control Calculator) the first digital computer in the United States to work from a program and produce reliable results. The machine was also called Mark I.
- It was 51 ft long, 8 ft height and 3 ft wide.
- 18,000 vacuum tubes were used.
- It consists of 7 lakhs 50 thousand parts.
- Cable connections were nearly 500 miles long.
Describe at least five ways in which information technology (IT) can help students studying subjects other than computing.
‘Computer Science’ and ‘information technology’ are completely different subjects. Information Technology (IT) is-
(i) the study,
(ii) design,
(iii) development,
(iv) implementation, and
(v) support or management
of computer-based information systems, particularly software applications and computer hardware.
Information Technology (IT) deals with the use of electronic computers and computer software to-
(i) convert,
(ii) store,
(iii) protect,
(iv) process,
(v) transmit, and
(vi) securely retrieve information.
Shortly, information technology (IT) itself means learning to use technology in business or in studies of some subject matter using technology.
Hence, IT could help students studying subjects other than computing with the above mentioned points considered.What do you mean by the generation of computer? Explain the characteristics of third generation of computers.
a) These computers used integrated circuits.
b) They were small, efficient and reliable.
c) Operating systems were developed.
d) Monitors and keyboards were introduced for input and output of data.
e) Magnetic disks were used for secondary storage.
f) The operating speed was measured in nano seconds.
g) They could understand large number of high level languages.
The examples are – IBM 360, ICL -1900, and IBM 370 etc.Compare the distinctions between first, second, third, fourth and fifth generation of computers.
The first generation computers were developed during 1943-1958. It used vacuum tubes as the active electronic components and was therefore very large. However some of the features are as follows-
a) They were extremely large and occupied a very large space.
b) They used vacuum tubes as memory device.
c) They were very expensive and consumed a lot of electrical power.
d) The operating speed was measured in milliseconds.
e) These computers had low level of accuracy and reliability.
f) Storage capacity was too small only 1 to 4Kb.
g) They used machine level programming language.
The examples are- UNIVAC, ENIAC, EDSAC, EDVAC, and UNIVAC.
The second generation computers were developed during 1959-1965. The invention of the transistor by three scientists of Bell Telephone Laboratories in 1947 greatly changed the development of computers. However some of the features are as follows-
a) These computers used transistor.
b) They were smaller, faster and cheaper than first generation of computer.
c) They consumed less electrical power than first generation.
d) The operating speed was measured in microseconds.
e) They were more reliable and accurate than the first generation computers.
f) They could understand high level language such as COBOL.
g) Magnetic tapes were used as secondary storage media.
The examples are – IBM 1620, IBM 1401, and CDC 3600.
The third generation computers were developed during 1966-1973. The development of Integrated Circuit (IC) signaled the beginning of the third generation computers. However some of the features are as follows-
a) These computers used integrated circuits.
b) They were small, efficient and reliable.
c) Operating systems were developed.
d) Monitors and keyboards were introduced for input and output of data.
e) Magnetic disks were used for secondary storage.
f) The operating speed was measured in nano seconds.
g) They could understand large number of high level languages.
The examples are – IBM 360, ICL -1900, and IBM 370 etc.
The fourth generation computers were developed during 1974-1990. This generation of computer is presently in use. The development of microprocessor signaled the beginning of the fourth generation of computers. However some of the features are as follows-
a) These computers use LSI and VLSI technologies.
b) Its sizes were reduced to desktop and laptop computer.
c) These computers are highly reliable and accurate.
d) They have a large memory and high functional speed.
e) The operating speed is measured in beyond picoseconds and MIPS (Million of instruction per second)
f) Magnetic disk is the common source of external storage.
g) Multiprocessing and multiprogramming OS (operating system) are used.
h) 4GL are also used.
The examples are – IBM PC, Apple/Macintosh, 8086, 80286 SX, 80386 SX etc.
The computers having artificial intelligence (AI) and high processing capacity undergoing on the development stage from 1990 are said to be fifth generation computers. However some of the features are as follows-
a) The speed will be extremely high in fifth generation computer.
b) These computers will be using Ultra Large Scale Integration (ULSI) technology.
c) The goal of fifth generation computers is to develop machines that will be able to think and take decisions.
d) It can perform large number of parallel processing.
e) Biochips and Gallium Arsenide (GaAS) will be used as memory devices.
f) Large uses of natural language processing and user friendly.
Able to make decisions like human beings.Explain the evolution of computer describing the technologies used in different generations.
The evolution of computers started way back in the late 1930s. Binary arithmetic is at the core of the computers of all times. History of computers dates back to the invention of a mechanical adding machine in 1642. Abacus, an early computing tool, invention of logarithm by John Napier and the invention of slide rules by William Oughtred were significant events in the evolution of computers.
Evolution of computer technology can be divided into five generations.
First generation computer consisted of vacuum tubes and they were used from 1943-1958. ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator) computer is an example of first generation computer.
Second generation (1959-1965) computer consisted of transistors i.e. vacuum tubes were replaced by transistors. Thus the size of the computer got reduced considerably.
Third generation (1966-1973) computer consisted of integrated circuits (IC) i.e. many transistors in single silicon chip. A single IC has many transistors, registers and capacitors built on a single thin slice of silicon.
With the invention of microprocessor (1971), fourth generation of computer evolution started and present day computers are also categorized in the fourth generation.
The fifth generation computers are under development. They are going to be based on principles of artificial intelligence and natural language recognition. Developers are aiming at computers capable of organizing themselves. The evolution of computer continues.
| Generation | Duration | Memory device |
| First | (1943-1958) | Vacuum tubes |
| Second | (1959-1965) | Transistor |
| Third | (1966-1973) | LSI (Large Scale Integration) IC |
| Fourth | (1974-1990) | VLSI (Very large Scale Integration) Microprocessor. |
| Fifth | (1990 onwards) | Biochips (concept of AI) |
Define (a) Abacus, (b) Pascaline, (c) Analytical Engine, (d) Punch card.
Abacus: One of the first devices used for mechanical computations was the abacus. It usually consist of a rectangular frame divided into two parts by mid bar enclosing rods on which balls or beads are moved. The upper part is called heaven consists of two beads and each bead equal to value 5 and lower part is called earth, consists of five beads and each bead equal to value of 1. A person moves the beads to perform arithmetic calculations.
(b) Pascaline: Blaise Pascal, a French Mathematician invented the first mechanical calculating machine called Pascaline in 1642 when he was 19 years old. The Pascaline is a numerical wheel calculator which had 8 movable dials. It worked on the principle of rotating wheels. This machine could only do addition, subtraction and multiplication by repeated addition and division by repeated subtraction. The numbers of calculating capacity of Pascaline was 9,99,99,999.
(c) Analytical Engine: In 1833, an English mathematician named Charles Babbage began designing a new general purpose calculating device, called the Analytical Engine. The idea of Babbage engine can be summarised below.
a) Data and program instructions are fed by suitable device called punched card.
b) Storage device for data and instruction.
c) The unit for calculation called mill.
d) A suitable output device to display result.