Lecture

 Notes
Module  1  – Part  1
SIT101  Introduction  to  Information  Technology
 MODULE  1  – PART  1

COMPUTER  BASICS
2

SIT101  -­‐ Introduction   to  Information  Technology  ©  F elicitas  Mokom

Objectives

SIT101  -­‐ Introduction   to  Information  Technology  ©  F elicitas  Mokom

• Characteristics  of  computers
• Evolution  of  computers
• Generations  of  computers
• Classification  of  computers
• Major  computer  system  components
• General  overview  of  how  computers  work
• Application  of  computers  in  various  fields

3
Introduction
§ Computer: derived from compute -­‐ to calculate.

§ Earlier times: fingers/pebbles used to compute

§ Computer: electronic data processing device capable of:

1. Receiving input
2. Storing and carrying out a set of instructions for solving
problems
3. Generating output with high speed and accuracy

4
Introduction
§ Data: collection of facts which can exist in different forms
(numbers, symbols, words, images, sound, video)

§ Computers manipulate data to produce information.

Information: data that is meaningful, organized and
useful.

§ Computers cover a huge area of applications.

§ Millions of complex calculations can be performed in a

fraction of second to achieve the desired result.

5
Computer   Description
Characteristic
Speed Process  data  at  millions  (MHz)  or  billions  (GHz)  

SIT101  -­‐ Introduction   to  Information  Technology  ©  F elicitas  Mokom

instructions  per  second.

Accuracy Always accurate  unless  faulty  instructions  –

Garbage  In  Garbage  Out  (GIGO)
Diligence Never tires  or  loses  concentration.

Reliability Processing  without  human  interference.

Built-­‐in  diagnostics  for  continuous  monitoring.
Storage  Capacity Large  storage capacity.
Rapid  access.
Versatility Multitasking  with  ease.

6
Resource Sharing Connected computers  share  expensive  
resources  and  data.
Computing  before  computers

SIT101  -­‐ Introduction   to  Information  Technology  ©  F elicitas  Mokom

• Counting  device  from  ancient  times  
built  in  Asia.
• Used  worldwide  for  centuries
• Still  used  today  for  fast  calculations
Abacus

• 1st functional  automatic  calculator

• 1642  by  French  mathematician  Blaise  
Pascal
• Used  8  movable  dials  to  add  numbers  
Pascaline up  to  8  figures  long 7
 SIT101  -­‐ Introduction   to  Information  Technology  ©  F elicitas  Mokom
• 1694  by  German  mathematician  
Gottfried  Wilhelm  von  Liebniz.

• Extended  Pascal’s  design  to  perform  

division,  multiplication  and  square  
Stepped  Reckoner root

• 1801  by  Frenchman  Joseph-­‐Marie  

Jacquard.
• Used  punch  paper  cards  to  program  
patterns  that  the  loom  outputted  as  
woven  fabrics.
8
Jacquard’s  Loom
 SIT101  -­‐ Introduction   to  Information  Technology  ©  F elicitas  Mokom
Punch  card

• Commands  and  data  represented  by  the  

presence/absence  of  holes  in  predefined  positions 9
Computers  era

SIT101  -­‐ Introduction   to  Information  Technology  ©  F elicitas  Mokom

• Began  with  English  mathematician  
Charles  Babbage  in  1822
• Machine  for  differential  equations.
• Powered  by  steam,  size  of  locomotive.
• Perform  calculations  and  print  results.
Difference  Engine
• Used  punch  cards  for  operating  
instructions  and  storage.
• Had  controlling  unit  for  processing  and  
devices  for  output.
• Both  machines  were  designed  but  
never  fully  functional.
10
Analytical  Engine
Hollerith’s  Tabulator

SIT101  -­‐ Introduction   to  Information  Technology  ©  F elicitas  Mokom

• 1889:  Herman  Hollerith  
working  for  US  Census  Bureau  

• Used  punch  cards  to  store  data,  

fed  into  a  machine  that  
compiled  results  mechanically.

• Founded  the  Tabulating  

Machine  Company  later  known  
as  IBM.

11
Mark I

SIT101  -­‐ Introduction   to  Information  Technology  ©  F elicitas  Mokom

• 1944:  partnership  between  
Harvard’s  physicist  Howard  Aiken  
and  IBM.

• Also  known  as  IBM  Automatic  

Sequence  Controlled  Calculator.

• Used  relays  and  electromagnetic  

components  to  replace  mechanical  
components.

12
Generations  of  computers

SIT101  -­‐ Introduction   to  Information  Technology  ©  F elicitas  Mokom

§ Stages  of  innovation  or  technological  
development.

§ Over  time  computers  became  smaller,  cheaper,  

more  powerful,  more  efficient  and  more  reliable.

§ Five  computer  generations  depending  on  type  of  

processor  installed  in  the  machine.
13
Generation Processor Language

First Vacuum  Tubes Machine language  

SIT101  -­‐ Introduction   to  Information  Technology  ©  F elicitas  Mokom

(1940-­‐1956) (binary  coded  ‘0’  &  ‘1’)

Second Transistors Assembly  language

(1956-­‐1963) (mnemonics:  ADD,  
MULT)
Third Integrated  Circuits High level  languages
(1964-­‐1971) (single chip  with  
transistors  and  resistors)
Fourth Microprocessors High  level  languages
(1971  – Present) (1000’s  of  components  on  
single  chip)
Fifth Mega-­‐chips Natural languages  
14
(Present and   (millions of  components   (human  simulations,  
Beyond) on  single  chip) voice  recognition)
Generation Characteristics Examples

First Speed:  milliseconds,  manual  assembly ENIAC,

(1940-­‐1956) Non-­‐portable,  slow,  hardware  failures,   EDVAC,  

SIT101  -­‐ Introduction   to  Information  Technology  ©  F elicitas  Mokom

expensive,  A/C  required UNIVAC
Second Speed: microseconds,  manual   PDP-­‐8,
(1956-­‐1963) assembly,  more  portable  and  energy   IBM  1401,
efficient  but  A/C  required IBM  7090
Third Speed: nanoseconds,  portable,  more   NCR  395,
(1964-­‐1971) efficient,  less  power/heat,  non-­‐ B6500
manual  assembly,  keyboard/mouse
Fourth Compact,  portable,  reliable,  cheapest,   Apple II,
(1971  – Present) computers linked, graphical  user   Altair  8800
interface  (GUI),  personal  computers CRAY-­‐1
Fifth Parallel  processing,  Artificial  
(Present and   Intelligence  – human like  computers  – 15
Beyond) reason,  make  decisions,  learn,  
become  experts
First

SIT101  -­‐ Introduction   to  Information  Technology  ©  F elicitas  Mokom

Generation ENIAC
Vacuum  tube

Second
Generation IBM
Transistor 1401

Third
Generation NCR
Integrated  circuit 395

Fourth 16
APPLE  II
Generation
Microprocessor
 Evolution  of  Computers

SIT101  -­‐ Introduction   to  Information  Technology  ©  F elicitas  Mokom

17
Classification  of  computers
• Four major categories: micro, mini, mainframes and
supercomputers
• Micro:
• Desktop
• Handheld
• laptop

18
Microcomputers

SIT101  -­‐ Introduction   to  Information  Technology  ©  F elicitas  Mokom

§ Small, low cost digital computer.
§ Consists of a microprocessor, storage unit, channels for
input and output.
§ Uses peripherals like keyboard, disk drives, monitor, and
printers.
§ It includes desktop, laptop and hand held models such as
PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants)

19
 SIT101  -­‐ Introduction   to  Information  Technology  ©  F elicitas  Mokom
A. Desktop  Computers
• Also  known  as  PC
• Stand-­‐alone,  individual  use
• System  unit,  monitor,  keyboard,  internal  hard  disk.
• Not  very  expensive
• Major  PC  manufacturers:  Apple,  IBM,  Dell,  HP
B. Laptop
• Lightweight,  portable  computer  with  all  features  of  desktop.
• Also  called  notebook  computers
• Can  be  used  without  external  power  supply
• Requires  charging  of  battery
• Expensive  compared  to  desktop 20
 SIT101  -­‐ Introduction   to  Information  Technology  ©  F elicitas  Mokom
C. Hand-­‐held  computers
§ Also known as palmtop
§ Portable computer that user can hold when using.
§ Slightly bigger than common calculators
§ Interaction through pen, electronic stylus or touch
screens instead of keyboard.
§ Small monitor is usually the only form of output
§ Usually no disk drive, small cards used to store the
program and data
§ Limited memory and less power
21
Microcomputers

Desktop Laptop

22
Hand-­‐held
Mini  Computers

SIT101  -­‐ Introduction   to  Information  Technology  ©  F elicitas  Mokom

§ Small digital computer that can process and store less
data than mainframes but more than microcomputers.
§ Known as mid-­‐range computers
§ Supports four to 200 simultaneous users.
§ Used in research labs, small to medium size business
environments.

ØEx: PDP 11,IBM 8000 SERIES ,VAX 7500

23
Mainframes

SIT101  -­‐ Introduction   to  Information  Technology  ©  F elicitas  Mokom

§ Ultra-­‐high performance computer made for high volume,
processor intensive computing and extensive data storage
and retrieval.
§ Second largest computer in capability and size.
§ Allows storing a large amount of data at centralized
location.
§ Computers at different locations access centralized data.

ØEx: IBM ES000, VAX 8000 , CDC 6600

24
Supercomputers

SIT101  -­‐ Introduction   to  Information  Technology  ©  F elicitas  Mokom

§ Largest computer in capability and size.
§ Special purpose machines
§ Highest processing speed – 400-­‐10,000 MFLOPS (millions
of floating point operations per second)
§ Several processors operate in parallel to make it faster.
§ Solve problems in seconds that take years with
pen/paper.
§ For complex scientific and engineering problems.
§ Limited market and expensive

25
ØEx: CRAY-­‐3, Cyber 205 , PARAM
 Minicomputer

Supercomputer
Mainframe

SIT101  -­‐ Introduction   to  Information  Technology  ©  F elicitas  Mokom

26
The  computer  system

SIT101  -­‐ Introduction   to  Information  Technology  ©  F elicitas  Mokom

• A computer consists of interrelated components
that work together with the aim of converting
data into information.

• HARDWARE refers to the tangible part of a

computer system
• SOFTWARE is the non-­‐tangible part that tells the
computer how to do its job.
27
 SIT101  -­‐ Introduction   to  Information  Technology  ©  F elicitas  Mokom
• Computers are NOT intelligent, thinking
machines.

• Computers must be instructed on exactly what

to do and how to do it.

• Instructions given to computers are called

programs, often used interchangeably with
software.
28
Major  computer  system  
components

SIT101  -­‐ Introduction   to  Information  Technology  ©  F elicitas  Mokom

• Central Processing Unit (CPU): internal component
that processes data (input) using instructions and
produces information (output).

• Input unit: accepts instructions and data

• Output unit: communicates the results to the user

• Storage unit:
• primary storage or main memory (RAM)
• secondary storage (Hard disk) stores temporary and
final results. 29
 Keyboard
Speaker,  Microphone
System  Unit,  Monitor/Screen,  

Mouse

SIT101  -­‐ Introduction   to  Information  Technology  ©  F elicitas  Mokom

30
How  do  computers  work?

31
 SIT101  -­‐ Introduction   to  Information  Technology  ©  F elicitas  Mokom
§ A task is assigned to a computer in a set of step-­‐
by-­‐step instructions which is known as a
program.
§ A computer performs three basic steps to
complete any task
§ Input
§ Processing
§ Output

32
• Step 1

SIT101  -­‐ Introduction   to  Information  Technology  ©  F elicitas  Mokom

• Accepts whatever is fed into the system as input (data)
supplied through keyboard, USB flash etc.
• Ex: words and symbols in document, numbers for
calculation, images, audio, video etc..
• Step 2
• Processes the data following instructions
• Ex: calculations, modifying documents, sorting lists etc.
• Step 3:
• Produces output.
• Ex: reports, documents and graphs through monitors,
printers etc. 33
Applications

34
Applications  of  computer

SIT101  -­‐ Introduction   to  Information  Technology  ©  F elicitas  Mokom

• Science
• Used  to  develop  theories,  carry  out  scientific  analysis.
• Education
• Used  in  classrooms,  libraries   etc.  to  make  
education  more  interesting.
• Computer-­‐aided  education  and  training.
• Medicine  /  Healthcare
• Patient  diagnoses,  treatment  plans
• Automated  imaging  techniques
35
Applications  of  computers

SIT101  -­‐ Introduction   to  Information  Technology  ©  F elicitas  Mokom

• Engineering/Architecture/Manufacturing
• Computerized  robots  for  hazardous  jobs.
• Designing/drawing  3  dimensional  objects
• Entertainment
• Control  images  and  sounds,  create  special  effects.
• Computerized  animation  and  colorful  graphics.
• Communication
• E-­‐mail  and  messaging
• Videoconferencing 36
Review  Questions

SIT101  -­‐ Introduction   to  Information  Technology  ©  F elicitas  Mokom

1. How  is  the  speed  of  a  computer  measured?
2. What  are  the  three  basic  steps  that  computers  
carry  out  to  complete  a  task?
3. Name  the  basic  component  on  which  each  of  
the  first  four  generation  of  computers  were  
based.
4. Which  category  of  computers  does  a  tablet  
computer  belong  to?
5. How  are  commands  represented  on  a  punch  
37
card?
Review  Questions

SIT101  -­‐ Introduction   to  Information  Technology  ©  F elicitas  Mokom

1. What  is  the  computer  language  of  0s  and  1s  
called?
2. What  does  CPU  stand  for?
3. What  was  the  first  electronic  general  purpose  
computer?
4. What  are  the  four  major  components  of  a  
computer  system?
5. Describe  some  characteristics  of  computers.
6. List  some  applications  of  computers
7. Why  are  transistors  better  than  vacuum  tubes? 38
Review  Questions

SIT101  -­‐ Introduction   to  Information  Technology  ©  F elicitas  Mokom

1. Which  are  portable  – mini  or  micro  computers?
2. What  will  distinguish  fifth  generation  
computers  from  previous  generations?
3. What  is  an  example  of  a  PDA?
4. What  does  GIGO  stand  for  and  what  does  it  
mean?
5. What  category  of  computers  does  the  CRAY  
family  of  computers  belong  to?
39