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Today we will study about the components and history of a computer. Let's start.

<h2 id="content-id-1864-0">Components of computer</h2>

The main components of a computer system are what enables an electronic device to perform more quickly and smoothly. There are three fundamental components of computer:

<ol>
	<li>Input unit</li>
	<li>Central processing unit</li>
	<li>Output</li>
</ol>

Input Unit:

Computers respond to commands that are entered into them through input units or input devices like a keyboard, joystick, etc., as numbers, alphabets, graphics, etc. After that the processing units translate it into computer language, and then the output is the response, either in the language we understand or the one we trained the computer with. For example, if we use a keyboard to enter text into a notepad, the computer will process the information and display the outcomes on the screen.

Central Processing Unit (CPU):

The central processing unit (CPU) is a computer system’s brain. It includes the computer’s three main parts.

<ol>
	<li>Memory unit: Through an input device, we can enter data into a computer, which is automatically saved in the memory of the central processing unit (CPU). Because there is some previous programming, the Memory Unit sends the data to the other components of the CPU. Similar to this, the output of our command is stored in the memory unit by the computer before being provided to the user.</li>
	<li>Control unit: This is the primary component that regulates how the entire computer system functions. It is one of the most crucial parts of the computer system. The control unit gets the information entered through the input unit, processes it, receives the outcome, and presents it to the user. It can be considered as the center of all computer-related processing activities. In general, the Control Unit handles all of the instructions received, data interpretation, signals for data processing, and data retrieval.</li>
	<li>Arithmetic and logical unit (ALU): This unit has the capacity to carry out all arithmetic and logical operations. Mathematical calculations, arithmetic operations, data comparison, and decision-making are all done in this unit. It features circuits designed for computations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and other calculations. Together, these three components of CPU support the effective functioning and processing of data. No action can be carried out by a device without the execution and approval of the Central Processing Unit, also referred to as the “Brain of the Computer.” This makes the CPU the main processing component of the computer.</li>
</ol>

Output Unit:

A computer responds to our commands by reversing the action and returning a result. This is known as output. Many output devices are linked to the computer. A monitor is one of the most basic. The monitor displays whatever we type on the keyboard or click with the mouse. As a result, after all processing within a device’s mechanism is done, the output unit gives us the final result. For example, when we use an ATM, we enter our information— such as our language preference, pin number, desired withdrawal amount, etc.—and the money that is eventually released by the cash dispenser is the result. In this example, the cash dispenser is an output unit.

<h2 id="content-id-1864-1">History of computers</h2>

Early Computing Devices:

Prior to the invention of computers, people used sticks, stones, and bones as counting tools. As technology advanced and the human intellect improved, more computing devices were developed. Here are a few examples of early computing devices used by humans.

Abacus: The Chinese invented the abacus around 4000 years ago. It is a calculation tool that performs mathematical functions by sliding counters along rods or grooves.

Napier’s Bone: Napier’s Bones, the first machine to calculate the decimal point system, was invented by John Napier. It was used to multiply and divide, by using 9 separate ivory strips (bones) marked with numerals.

Pascaline: Biaise Pascal, a French mathematician and philosopher, invented Pascaline, the first mechanical and automated calculator, in 1642.

Stepped Reckoner or Leibniz wheel: In 1673, a German mathematician-philosopher named Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz invented a digital mechanical calculator that used fluted drums instead of gears. This apparatus was created by improving Pascal’s invention.

Difference Engine: Charles Babbage invented the steam powered mechanical computer in the early 1820s that could perform basic computations such as solving numerical tables such as logarithmic tables.

Analytical Engine: In 1830, Charles Babbage created the calculating machine the Analytical Engine (calculating machine). It was capable of storing data in an indefinite memory.

Mark I: The Mark I computer was built in 1944 as a collaborative effort between IBM and Harvard. In 1937, Howard Aiken planned to build a machine capable of performing massive calculations also involving enormous numbers.

Early History:

Before the true power of computing could be realized, the naive understanding of computation had to be overcome. The computer’s creators had to recognize that what they were creating was more than just a number cruncher or a calculator. They had to deal with all of the challenges that come with creating such a machine, implementing the design, and actually building it. The history of computers is the story of these problems being solved. For thousands of years, devices have been used for calculations since the evolution of humans. An abacus was one of the first and most well-known devices.

Charles Babbage, the father of computers, began developing the first mechanical computer in 1822. In 1833, he created the Analytical Engine, which was a general-purpose computer. It included an ALU, some basic flowchart principles, and the integrated memory concept.

The first electronic computer was invented more than a century later in the history of computers by John W. Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert for general purpose. It was known as the ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer).

This was all about basics of computer. Stay tuned for more.

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