Evolution of ICT Applications 🖥️
First of all What is ICT?
ICT is the abbreviation for Information and Communication Technology. It is the use of computers to digitally store, process and exchange data and information.
Let's see what are the Components of ICT,
Cloud Computing Software Hardware Digital Transactions Communications Technology Digital Data Internet Access
In today's world ICT plays a critical role in humans' day to day life activities. ICT is used in every single industry and it keeps growing day by day.
What is a Computer?
A computer is an electronic device that performs various operations, like storing information, processing data, and communicating with other devices.
A computer consists of several hardware components, a central processing unit (CPU), memory (RAM), storage devices such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD), input/output devices such as mouse, keyboard, a stereo speaker system, a display monitor, and various ports for connecting to other devices.
History of Computers
The first computer was invented by Charles Babbage (1822),but was not built until 1991.
A computer consists of several hardware components, a central processing unit (CPU), memory (RAM), storage devices such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD), input/output devices such as mouse, keyboard, a stereo speaker system, a display monitor, and various ports for connecting to other devices.
History of Computers
Generations of Computers
There are five generations of computers, each characterized by significant technological advancements that have led to smaller, faster, more powerful, and more reliable computers.
- First Generation (1940s - 1950s): This generation of computers used vacuum tubes for processing data. They were huge, expensive, and unreliable.
- Second Generation (1950s - 1960s): This generation of computers used transistors instead of vacuum tubes. They were smaller, cheaper, and more reliable than first-generation computers.
- Third Generation (1960s - 1970s): This generation of computers used integrated circuits (ICs) to increase processing power and reduce the size of computers. The development of ICs led to the creation of the minicomputer.
- Fourth Generation (1970s - 1980s): This generation of computers used microprocessors, which allowed for even greater processing power and smaller size. Personal computers (PCs) were also developed during this era.
- Fifth Generation (1980s - present): This generation of computers is characterized by the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced computing technologies such as quantum computing. It also includes the use of parallel processing, where multiple processors work together to solve complex problems.
- First Generation (1940s - 1950s): This generation of computers used vacuum tubes for processing data. They were huge, expensive, and unreliable.
- Second Generation (1950s - 1960s): This generation of computers used transistors instead of vacuum tubes. They were smaller, cheaper, and more reliable than first-generation computers.
- Third Generation (1960s - 1970s): This generation of computers used integrated circuits (ICs) to increase processing power and reduce the size of computers. The development of ICs led to the creation of the minicomputer.
- Fourth Generation (1970s - 1980s): This generation of computers used microprocessors, which allowed for even greater processing power and smaller size. Personal computers (PCs) were also developed during this era.
- Fifth Generation (1980s - present): This generation of computers is characterized by the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced computing technologies such as quantum computing. It also includes the use of parallel processing, where multiple processors work together to solve complex problems.
First Generation of Computers
The main characteristics of first generation of computers (1940s-1950s)
- Main electronic component – vacuum tube
- Main memory – magnetic drums and magnetic tapes
- Programming language – machine language
- Power – consume a lot of electricity and generate a lot of heat.
- Speed and size – very slow and very large in size (often taking up entire room).
- Input/output devices – punched cards and paper tape.
- Examples – ENIAC, UNIVAC1, IBM 650, IBM 701, etc.
- Quantity – there were about 100 different vacuum tube computers produced between 1942 and1963.
- Main electronic component – vacuum tube
- Main memory – magnetic drums and magnetic tapes
- Programming language – machine language
- Power – consume a lot of electricity and generate a lot of heat.
- Speed and size – very slow and very large in size (often taking up entire room).
- Input/output devices – punched cards and paper tape.
- Examples – ENIAC, UNIVAC1, IBM 650, IBM 701, etc.
- Quantity – there were about 100 different vacuum tube computers produced between 1942 and1963.
Second Generation of Computers
The main characteristics of second generation of computers (1950s-1960s)
Main electronic component – transistor
- Memory – magnetic core and magnetic tape / disk
Programming language – assembly language- Power and size – low power consumption, generated less heat, and smaller in size (in comparison with the first generation computers).
- Speed – improvement of speed and reliability (in comparison with the first generation computers).
- Input/output devices – punched cards and magnetic tape.
- Examples – IBM 1401, IBM 7090 and 7094, UNIVAC 1107, etc.
Main electronic component – transistor
- Memory – magnetic core and magnetic tape / disk
- Programming language – assembly language
- Power and size – low power consumption, generated less heat, and smaller in size (in comparison with the first generation computers).
- Speed – improvement of speed and reliability (in comparison with the first generation computers).
- Input/output devices – punched cards and magnetic tape.
- Examples – IBM 1401, IBM 7090 and 7094, UNIVAC 1107, etc.
Third Generation of Computers
The main characteristics of third generation of computers (1960s-1970s)
Main electronic component – integrated circuits (ICs)- Memory – large magnetic core, magnetic tape / disk
- Programming language – high level language (FORTRAN, BASIC, Pascal, COBOL, C, etc.)
- Size – smaller, cheaper, and more efficient than second generation computers (they were called minicomputers).
- Speed – improvement of speed and reliability (in comparison with the second generation computers).
- Input / output devices – magnetic tape, keyboard, monitor, printer, etc.
- Examples – IBM 360, IBM 370, PDP-11, UNIVAC 1108, etc.
- Main electronic component – integrated circuits (ICs)
- Memory – large magnetic core, magnetic tape / disk
- Programming language – high level language (FORTRAN, BASIC, Pascal, COBOL, C, etc.)
- Size – smaller, cheaper, and more efficient than second generation computers (they were called minicomputers).
- Speed – improvement of speed and reliability (in comparison with the second generation computers).
- Input / output devices – magnetic tape, keyboard, monitor, printer, etc.
- Examples – IBM 360, IBM 370, PDP-11, UNIVAC 1108, etc.
Fourth Generation of Computers
The main characteristics of fourth generation of computers (1970s-present)
Main electronic component – very large-scale integration (VLSI) and microprocessor.- VLSI– thousands of transistors on a single microchip.
- Memory – semiconductor memory (such as RAM, ROM, etc.)
- RAM (random-access memory) – a type of data storage (memory element) used in computers that temporary stores of programs and data (volatile: its contents are lost when the computer is turned off).
ROM (read-only memory) – a type of data storage used in computers that permanently stores data and programs (non-volatile: its contents are retained even when the computer is turned off).
- Programming language – high level language (Python, C#, Java, JavaScript, Rust, Kotlin, etc.).
- A mix of both third- and fourth-generation languages
- Size – smaller, cheaper and more efficient than third generation computers.
- Speed – improvement of speed, accuracy, and reliability (in comparison with the third generation computers).
Input / output devices – keyboard, pointing devices, optical scanning, monitor, printer, etc.
- Network – a group of two or more computer systems linked together.
- Examples – IBM PC, STAR 1000, APPLE II, Apple Macintosh, etc.
- Main electronic component – very large-scale integration (VLSI) and microprocessor.
- VLSI– thousands of transistors on a single microchip.
- Memory – semiconductor memory (such as RAM, ROM, etc.)
- RAM (random-access memory) – a type of data storage (memory element) used in computers that temporary stores of programs and data (volatile: its contents are lost when the computer is turned off).
- ROM (read-only memory) – a type of data storage used in computers that permanently stores data and programs (non-volatile: its contents are retained even when the computer is turned off).
- Programming language – high level language (Python, C#, Java, JavaScript, Rust, Kotlin, etc.).
- A mix of both third- and fourth-generation languages
- Size – smaller, cheaper and more efficient than third generation computers.
- Speed – improvement of speed, accuracy, and reliability (in comparison with the third generation computers).
- Input / output devices – keyboard, pointing devices, optical scanning, monitor, printer, etc.
- Network – a group of two or more computer systems linked together.
- Examples – IBM PC, STAR 1000, APPLE II, Apple Macintosh, etc.
Fifth Generation of Computers
The main characteristics of fifth generation of computers (the present and the future)
- Main electronic component: based on artificial intelligence, uses the Ultra Large-Scale Integration (ULSI) technology and parallel processing method.
- ULSI – millions of transistors on a single microchip
- Parallel processing method – use two or more microprocessors to run tasks simultaneously.
- Language – understand natural language (human language).
- Power – consume less power and generate less heat.
- Speed – remarkable improvement of speed, accuracy and reliability (in comparison with the fourth generation computers).
- Size – portable and small in size, and have a huge storage capacity.
Input / output device – keyboard, monitor, mouse, trackpad (or touchpad), touchscreen, pen, speech input (recognise voice / speech), light scanner, printer, etc.- Example – desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones, etc.
- Main electronic component: based on artificial intelligence, uses the Ultra Large-Scale Integration (ULSI) technology and parallel processing method.
- ULSI – millions of transistors on a single microchip
- Parallel processing method – use two or more microprocessors to run tasks simultaneously.
- Language – understand natural language (human language).
- Power – consume less power and generate less heat.
- Speed – remarkable improvement of speed, accuracy and reliability (in comparison with the fourth generation computers).
- Size – portable and small in size, and have a huge storage capacity.
- Input / output device – keyboard, monitor, mouse, trackpad (or touchpad), touchscreen, pen, speech input (recognise voice / speech), light scanner, printer, etc.
- Example – desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones, etc.
Types of Computers
- Based on Size
- Based on Type
- Based on Purpose
1. Based on Size
- Based on Size
- Based on Type
- Based on Purpose
1. Based on Size
- Super Computers
- Mainframe Computers
- Mini Computers
- Micro Computers
- Super Computers
- Mainframe Computers
- Mini Computers
- Micro Computers
2. Based on Type
- Analog Computers
- Digital Computers
- Hybrid Computers
- Analog Computers
- Digital Computers
- Hybrid Computers
3. Based on Purpose
- General Purpose Computers - Designed to perform more than one task.
- Special Purpose Computers - Designed to perform a specific task. (eg. ATMs, Automatic cars, Cameras)
Hope to see you in another blog post.
Thank you and have a great day.
- General Purpose Computers - Designed to perform more than one task.
- Special Purpose Computers - Designed to perform a specific task. (eg. ATMs, Automatic cars, Cameras)
Hope to see you in another blog post.
Thank you and have a great day.
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