What does the acronym

The term "computer" typically refers to an electronic device that is designed to process and store data, perform calculations, and carry out various tasks according to a set of instructions known as a program. Computers come in various forms, sizes, and capabilities, ranging from small personal devices like laptops and desktops to larger servers and mainframes.

Key characteristics of computers include:

1. Processing Power: Computers are capable of performing complex calculations and executing instructions at high speeds.

2. Storage: They can store and retrieve large amounts of data in various forms, including text, images, videos, and more.

3. Input and Output: Computers accept input from users or other devices and produce output, often through displays, speakers, or other peripherals.

4. Programmability: Computers can be programmed to perform a wide range of tasks. Programming languages are used to create instructions for the computer to follow.

5. Versatility: Computers can handle diverse applications, from word processing and web browsing to complex scientific simulations and data analysis.

6. Electronic Components: Most modern computers use electronic components, such as transistors and integrated circuits, to process and transmit information.

7. Connectivity: Computers can connect to networks, enabling communication with other devices and access to online resources.

Computers play a crucial role in various aspects of modern life, including education, business, research, entertainment, and communication. They have evolved over time, with advancements in technology leading to more powerful, compact, and efficient computing devices.

Second generation computers used transistors, which were superior to vacuum tubes. A transistor is made up of semiconductor material such as germanium and silicon. It usually has three leads and performs electrical functions such as voltage, current or power amplification with low power requirements. Since transistor is a small device, the physical size of computers was greatly reduced. Computers became smaller, faster, cheaper, energy efficient and more reliable than their predecessors. In second generation computers, magnetic cores were used as primary memory and magnetic disks as secondary storage devices. However, they still relied on punched cards for input and printouts for output.One of the major developments of this generation includes the progress from machine language to assembly language. Assembly language uses mnemonics (abbreviations) for instructions rather than numbers, for example, ADD for addition and MULT for multiplication. As a result, programming became less cumbersome. These computers were more reliable and less prone to hardware failure, hence, they required less frequent maintenance. Moreover, these were more portable and generated less Fundamentals of Computers I-7amount of heat. However, the second generation computers still required air conditioning and manual assembly of individual components into a functioning unit. Some examples of second generation computers are PDP-8, IBM 1401 and IBM 7090.