Page 18 - DCAP101_BASIC_COMPUTER_SKILLS

Unit 1: Computer Fundamentals

computers within an organization or within a campus. Similarly, wide area networks Notes
(WANs) became popular for connecting computers located at larger distances. This gave rise
to networks computers and distributed systems.
On software front several new developments emerged to match the new technologies of
fourth generation. For examples, several new operating systems were developed for PCs.
Notable among these were MS-DOS, MS-windows, and apple’s propriety OS. Since PCs were
for individuals who were not computer professionals, companies developed graphical user
interfaces for making computers more user friendly (easier to use). A graphical user interface
((U1) provides icons (pictures) and menus (list of choices) that users can select with a mouse.
This enables new computer users to learn to use a PC quickly. Several new PC-based
applications were also developed to make PCs a powerful tool. Notable among these were
powerful word processing packages that allowed easy development of documents, spreadsheet
package that allowed easy manipulation and analysis of data organized in columns and
rows, and graphics packages that allowed easy drawing of pictures and diagrams. Another
very useful concept that became popular during fourth-generation period was that of multiple
windows on a single terminal screen. This feature allowed users to see the current state of’
several applications simultaneously in separate windows on same terminal screen. During
fourth-generation period, UNIX operating system and C programming language also became
very popular.

Characteristic features of fourth-generation computers are as follows:
1. PCs were smaller and cheaper than mainframes or minicomputers of third generation.
2. Although the fourth-generation mainframes required proper air-conditioning of the
rooms/areas in which they were located, no air-conditioning was required for PCs.
3. They consumed less power than third-generation computers.

4. They were more reliable and less prone to hardware failures than third-generation
computers requiring negligible maintenance cost.
5. They had faster and larger primary and secondary storage as compared to third-
generation computers.
6. They were general-purpose machines.

7. Their manufacturing did not require manual assembly of individual components into
electronic circuits resulting in reduced human labour and cost involved at assembly
stage. Hence, commercial production of these systems was easier and cheaper. However,
highly sophisticated technology and expensive setup was required for manufacturing
LSI and VLSI chips.

8. Use of standard high-level programming languages allowed programs written for one
computer to be easily ported to and executed on another computer.

9. Graphical user interface (GUI) enabled new users to quickly learn how to use computers.
10. PC-based applications made PCs a powerful tool for both office and home usage.
11. Network of computers enabled sharing of resources like disks, printers, etc. among
multiple computers and their users. They also enabled several new types of applications
involving interaction among computer users at geographically distant locations.
Computer Supported Cooperative Working (CSCW), or groupware is one such application
in which multiple members working on a single project and located at distant locations
cooperate with each other by using a network of computers.

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