Computer Awareness Part 3-History of computers for All Bank Exams

Many major and minor Bank Exams, like SBI Clerk/PO/RRB Clerk/PO and many others, entertain a Computer Awareness or Knowledge section in addition to other sections, because of the importance of computers in the daily workings of the Banks. Scoring maximum marks in the Computer Knowledge section is comparatively easier than other sections like Reasoning & QA. The best way to score full marks in this section, apart from completing the syllabus is by learning all the terms and basic definitions of Computers.

In this article we will be focusing on History of computers, which is very important topic from the point of view of all the competitive exams including the Bank Exams that consists of a Computer Awareness section.

You may also like to read: Imp. Computer Topics for All Bank Exams

History of Computers

Before delving into the complex terms of computers, one must know about the history of computers. Charles Babbage, known as the father of the present-day computers, designed an Analytical Engine which was a general computer. Let us know how the modern-day computer has evolved over the years.

Today, our modern-day conventional computers consist of at least one processing element, typically a central processing unit (CPU) as a microprocessor, coupled with a computer memory. The processing element carries out arithmetic and logical operations, and a sequencing and control unit can change the order of operations in response to stored information.

But the computers were very different from ours a hundred, or even two hundred years ago. Let us know the information behind its evolution!

History of Computers Generation

In 16th century, the word ‘computer’ was first used in for a person who used to compute or do calculations. This word was also in use in the same sense as a noun until the 20th century. Professionals, especially women were hired as human computers to carry out all types of calculations and computations. But, in late 19th century, people also started using this word to describe machines that performed all sorts of calculations. However, the modern-day usage of this word is used to describe many types of programmable electronic digital devices.

As per Encyclopedia Britannica, ‘The machine was designed to consist of four components: the mill, the store, the reader, and the printer. These components are the essential components of every computer today. The mill was the calculating unit, analogous to the central processing unit (CPU) in a modern computer; the store was where data were held prior to processing, exactly analogous to memory and storage in today’s computers; and the reader and printer were the input and output devices.’

Early History of Computer

We humans have been using devices for day-to-day calculations for the past thousands of years. One vibrant example, and one of the earliest and well-known devices was an abacus. In 1822, the father of computers, Charles Babbage laid the foundations of the first mechanical computer. He then went on to design an Analytical Engine in 1833, which was a big-sized general-purpose computer. Although not actually completed, the Analytical Engine was the first machine that deserved to be called a computer. It contained an ALU, some basic flow chart principles and the concept of integrated memory. Then the first electronic computers called ENIAC were introduced for general purposes. ENIAC, stands for Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer. The inventors of this computer were John W. Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert. Gradually the technology developed and the computers got smaller and the processing got faster. The first laptop was introduced by Adam Osborne and EPSON in the year 1981.

Generations of Computers

In the history of computers, the advancements of modern computers is referred to as the generation of computers. Currently, we use the fifth generation of computers.

1. First Generation Computer

Period: 1946 to 1959

2. Second Generation Computer

Period: 1959-1965

3. Third Generation Computer

Period: 1965 to 1971

4. Fourth Generation Computer

Period: 1971 to 1980 

Important features of these five generations of computers

Given below are the important features of the five generations of computers that you should be well-aware of in order to deal with questions related to it:

1. 1st Generation

This was a time when the machine language was developed for the use of computers. People used vacuum tubes for the circuitry and used magnetic drums as the memory of the computer.

2. 2nd Generation

This was a time when computers advanced from vacuum tubes to transistors. The computers were made smaller, faster and more energy efficient. Plus, these machines advanced from binary to assembly languages.

3. 3rd Generation

The period of third generation was from 1965-1971. The computers of third generation used Integrated Circuits (ICs) in place of transistors.

4. 4th Generation

The invention of the microprocessors brought an era of the fourth generation of computers. This era saw computers for home use. This was also the time when higher computer languages like C++ and Java developed.

5. 5th Generation

Our present era of artificial intelligence comes under this generation of Computers and would most probably be the future of the computer world. The implementation of parallel processing and superconductors is widening its scope for our future generations.

History of computing hardware

First generation (mechanical/electromechanical)	Calculators	Pascal’s calculator, Arithmometer, Difference engine, Quevedo’s analytical machines
Programmable devices	Jacquard loom, Analytical engine, IBM ASCC/Harvard Mark I, Harvard Mark II
Second generation (vacuum tubes)	Calculators	Atanasoff–Berry Computer, IBM 604, UNIVAC 60, UNIVAC 120
Programmable devices	Colossus, ENIAC, Manchester Baby, EDSAC, Manchester Mark 1, Ferranti Pegasus, Ferranti Mercury,  IBM 701, IBM 702
Third generation (discrete transistors and SSI, MSI, LSI integrated circuits)	Mainframes	IBM 7090, IBM 7080, IBM System/360, BUNCH
Minicomputer	HP 2116A, IBM System/32, IBM System/36, LINC, PDP-8, PDP-11
Desktop Computer	HP 9100
Fourth generation (VLSI integrated circuits)	Minicomputer	VAX, IBM AS/400
4-bit microcomputer	Intel 4004, Intel 4040
8-bit microcomputer	Intel 8008, Intel 8080, Motorola 6800, Motorola 6809, MOS Technology 6502, Zilog Z80
16-bit microcomputer	Intel 8088, Zilog Z8000,
32-bit microcomputer	Intel 80386, Pentium, , ARM
64-bit microcomputer	Alpha, MIPS, PA-RISC, PowerPC, SPARC,
Embedded computer	Intel 8048, Intel 8051
Personal computer	Desktop computer, Home computer, Laptop computer, Personal digital assistant (PDA), Portable computer, Tablet PC, Wearable computer
Theoretical/experimental	Quantum computer, Chemical computer, DNA computing, Optical computer, Spintronics-based computer, Wetware/Organic computer

Conclusion

From the above discussion, you may have understood how important the history of computers is to the General Awareness section of the Exam. Given below is chart that showcases the marking scheme and the number of computer related questions asked in various IBPS exams.

Paper Name	Number of Questions	Marks
IBPS PO Computer knowledge	40	40
IBPS Clerk Computer knowledge	40	20
IBPS SO Computer knowledge	50	75
IBPS RRB PO Computer knowledge	40	20
IBPS RRB Clerk Computer knowledge	40	40

So, the best way to prepare yourself to answer these questions easily and fetch full marks in it, you need to attempt as many IBPS RRB PO/Clerk Mock Tests as possible.

Study hard and stay tuned for Computer Awareness Part 4!

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