Chapter One

Introduction to Computer

1.1 Information and Data processing

Data versus information

Data is any thing which can be observed using our sense organs. In digital age data can be found in the
form of sound, animation, text, picture, photograph or the combination of these.
Information is a collection of meaningful facts and figures that can be used as basic for guidance and
decision making. These facts are called data.
In other word, data is a collection of raw facts that represent features or details about something. Like
people, object, place, ideas or events. We must process and organize data in some way to produce
information. Hence, Information is a processed and an organized data, In short, data is the raw material
for information.
In general, Data is defined as raw facts or observations represented by characters such as letters, numbers
and others.
Data takes a variety of forms including numeric, text, voice and images.
Information is defined as data that has been transformed into a meaningful and useful context for specific
end users. It is a refined or processed data.
Data Processing
Data processing is the manipulation of data into a more useful form. Data processing includes not only
numerical calculation but also operations such as the c lassification of data and the transmissions of data
from one place to another.
Methods of Data Processing
Depends on the volume of task to be accomplished, there are two ways of data processing.
I. Manual data processing: Brain, pen and paper are the main tools.
Demerit: - It is exposed for human error and it is time consuming,
Limited productivity of employees,
Lack of control, and dishonesty
II. Electronic (Compute r): Electronic devices such as computers are used as the main processing
tools. The basic advantage is Accuracy and speed.

1 |P age
1.2 Computers and their Classification
What is computer?
Computer is an electronic machine capable of manipulating numbers and symbols, taking an input,
storing it, processing it and giving an output all under the control of a set of instructions (called program).
It is a programmable electronic device.
Types of computers
Computers are available in different shapes, sizes and weights, due to these different shapes and sizes they
perform different sorts of jobs from one another.
They can also be classified in different ways. All the computers are designed by the qualified computer
architectures that design these machines as their requirements.
A computer that is used in a home differs in size and shape from the computer being used in a hospital.
Computers act as a server in large buildings, while the computer also differs in size and shape performing
its job as a weather forecaster.
Classification of computers
1. Classification of computers based on the data they process (method of operation).
2. Classification based on purpose.
3. Classification based on functionality (Physical size, speed or performance, cost, capacity….).
Classification by the method of operation
They are classified into three:
I. Analog
Analog computers operate by measuring. They deal with continues variables; they don’t compute directly
with numbers, rather, they operate by measuring physical magnitude such as pressure, temperature,
voltage, current etc.
Examples: Thermometer, Voltmeter, Speedometer, gasoline pump, etc
 Gasoline pump – Contains an analog Computer that converts the flow of pumped fuel into two
measurements the price of the delivered gas and the quantity of pumped fuel.
They are special purpose computers.
Analog computers have limited accuracy
II. Digital Computers
Digital computers deal with discrete variables (which is not continues); they operate by counting rather
than measuring. They operate directly up on numbers (or digits) that represe nt numbers, letters, or other
special symbols.
Examples: Abacus, Desk & pocket computers, the general purpose computers

2 |P age
Digital computers have higher accuracy and speed than the analog ones.
III. Hybrid computers
The best features of analog and digital computers can be combined into a single device to form a hybrid
computer. A hybrid computer processes the information by collecting input data with analog method,
converts it into digital quantities, processes the digital values and converts the output from digital to
analog form.
Example:
In hospital insensitive-care unit analog devices may measure a patient’s heart function, temperature and
other vital signs. These measurements may then be converted into numbers and supplied to a digital
component in the system. This component is used to monitor the patient’s vital signs and to send an
immediate signal to the nurse’s station.
Classification by purpose of application
Computers can be applied or used for different purposes. Based upon their application, they are classified
as special purpose or general-purpose computers
1. Special purpose computers
They are designed to solve a single type of problem, that is their components and function are uniquely
adapted to a specific situation involving specific applicatio n.
Example:
 The public telephone box, Traffic control system, Ticket machines (used in grocery, super market
etc.), Pocket calculators etc.
Most analog computers are special purpose computers.
2. General-purpose computers
They are designed to solve variety of problems through the use of “store program concept”. A program or
set of instructions designed to solve a problem is read and stored into the memory and then executed by
the computer one by one. The same computer can be applied to solve another set of problem using
different program. General purpose computers are more flexible and versatile.
Examples: Micro computers, Mini computers, Super computers etc.
Classification by functionality (physical size, price, capacity and performance)
At this stage, by a computer, we mean a general-purpose digital computer.
There is a wide variety of general purpose digital computers on the market place today, in terms of
physical size, price, capacity, and performance.
They are then classified as follows by their capacity and size:

3 |P age
Super computers : - are the fastest, largest and most potential types of computer. They have speed of
hundreds of millions of operation per second, a primary memory capacity of about 80 million characters,
and a secondary memory of capacity of about 20 times its primary memory.
 They are multi- user systems in intercontinental range.
 They can carry out enormously complex scientific calculations.
 They are used to process huge amount of data and are commonly used in space technology centers,
meteorology stations, astronomical observatories, intercontinental communications etc.
Mainframe computers:- Smaller in size, capacity, lower in speed, memory capacity than the super
computers. However they are multi- user systems and handle hundreds of users, usually used in large
organizations. Insurance company, banks, airline and railway reservation systems use them.
Mini computers: - Have relatively lower speed, can handle multi- users, are smaller in size than the
mainframe computers. They use terminals for inputs and output. Mini computers are used in small
organizations. Popular in scientific laboratory, research centers, colleges, universities, etc.
Micro computers:-Micro computer (personal or desktop computer) is a computer whose CPU is
microprocessor. Microprocessor is a processor all of whose components are on a single integrated-circuit
chip. Since its CPU is integrated in a single circuit, it can serve only a single user at a time. Most of home
and personal office computers are microcomputers. The relative performance and usage of personal
computer is relatively increased with a very high rate.
Desktop computer
• The most widely used type of personal PC
• This computer primary parts rest separately on top of desk. Those primary parts are keyboard,
system unit, and monitor.
Laptop/Notebook computer
• This type of computer called portable
• Smaller versions of microcomputer.
• Portable type of single user computer.
• All primary parts are in one light, compact case.
1.3 Characteristics of computers
The characteristics of a computer show the capability and the potential of the computer for processing data. This
saves time, space, money, labors etc. And they answer the questions why computers are used? Why have they
become so popular?

4 |P age
1. Speed
The ability of the computers to carry out their instructions in a very short period of time is one of the main
reasons for their popularity. Computers can perform within a matter of seconds or minutes tasks that
would be impossible for a person to complete by hand in lifetime.
Its speed is measured by the amount of time it took to perform or carry out a basic operation. And its
speed measured in terms of micro second (10-6 one millionths), nano second (10-9 one billionths), and
Pico second (10-12 one trillionths). Hence a computer with speed 1 microsecond can perform 1 million
instructions in just 1 second.
2. Accuracy
Now a days computers are being used life-and-death situations (For example, jet pilots rely on computer
computations for guidance, Hospitals rely on patient- monitoring systems in critical –care units) which
needs almost hundred percent accuracy. From this we can understand that computer is accurate and
consistent. Unless there is an error in the input data or unreliable program the computer processes with a
very accurate.
3. Storage: They have got good built- in and auxiliary storage memory system.
4. Durability and reliability: Computers are durable and extremely reliable devices. They can operate
error- free over long periods of time.
5. Diligence: They are free from lack of concentration, tiredness and e.t.c. They constantly perform
similar tasks over and over again.
6. Automation: More than calculator machines (need human operator) whereas computers work
automatically once the process begun it continues until the completion.
7. Versatility: Because of technological advancements in the computer industry, most computers today are
considered to be general-purpose computers. That is both their computation and input/output processing
capabilities are such that they can be used for almost any type of application. For example, the same
computer that is used to handle engineering company’s mathematics, and design computations can also be
efficiently used by the company to track inventory, process payroll, project earnings, and fulfill all its
reporting needs.
Note: Even if the above main characteristics of computers are increasing with time, the cost and size of
computers are decreasing.
1.4 Application of Computers
Why we use Computers?
The following are some of the capability of Computers, which are reasons to use computers.
 Store and process large amount of information with high speed and accuracy;
 Transmit information across continents via communication channels;
5 |P age
  Perform complex mathematical computations and make comparisons;
 Monitor ongoing industrial operations;
 Perform repetitive processes with great ease, speed, and reliability;
Therefore, computers are applicable for any functions or process that requires these abilities.
The main areas of computer applications can be listed as follows:
1. Learning Aids (Educational Application):
Example: learning toys, programs range from simple arithmetic to calculus, from English grammar to creative
writing and foreign language, and from basic graphics to engineering design models,
2. Entertainment: Examples: Games, Video …
3. Commercial or business applications
Computers are needed to perform business operations that require handling large amounts of data.
Examples are:
 Text processing, Accounting and Finance management, Inventory control, Database management,
Statistical analysis.
4. Scientific, Engineering and research applications
Using computers for scientific research, complex mathematical calculations, design work and analysis and control
of physical systems.
Examples are: Space technology, Meteorological observatory systems, Astronomical investigations,
Design of machines and Control of manufacturing process.
1.5 Limitations of computers
 They don’t think. Its I.Q. is zero.
 Computers are merely tools, useless without humans.
 It cannot identify its problem
 It cannot decide the input needed to solve the problem
 Software that generate automatically is also designed by humans
1.6 Generation of Computers (reading assignment)
Although computer professionals do not agree on exact dates or specifics, computer developments are often
categorized by generations. Actually there are four generations and major characteristics that distinguish these
generations are the following;
 Dominant type of electronic circuit elements used.
 Major secondary storage media used.
 Computer language used.
 Types or characteristic of operating system used.
 Memory access time (time to store or retrieve a word or data from memory).
Computer generations are usually categorized by dramatic improvement in the hardware, typically refold or better
increases in speed and reliability.
6 |P age
First generation (1940-1956)
 Used vacuum tubes as components for the electronic circuit.
 Punched cards were the main source of inputs, and magnetic drams were used for internal storage.
 Operate in a speed of milliseconds (thousands of a second) and could handle more than 10,000 additions
each second.
 Most applications were scientific calculations (limited commercial use).
Followings are the major drawbacks of First generation computers.
• The operating speed was quite slow.
• Power consumption was very high.
• It required large space for installation.
• The programming capability was quite low.
• The tubes produced a lot of heat and so they require ventilation
• They were unreliable because when the vacuum tubes get hot they would corrupt.
Second generations (1956-1963)
 Transistors were the main circuit components. (Transistors are a solid state device made from silicon which
is smaller, cheaper, faster, dissipate less energy and more reliable than vacuum tube but work in the same
way with the vacuum tube.)
 Magnetic tapes (similar with home tape caste), used for main storage,
 Operate in microseconds (millionths of a second) with more than 200,000 additions possible each second.
 Business applications become more common place, with large data files stored on magnetic tape and disk.
 Moved from binary machine language to symbolic, or Assembly languages.
 High-level languages COBOL and FORTRAN were introduced during this period.
Third generation (1964-1971)
The development of the Integrated Circuit (IC) was the hallmark of the third generation of computers, which
drastically increased the speed and efficiency of computers.
• They were use magnetic disk as secondary storage.
• First time became accessible to a mass audience because they were smaller and cheaper than their
predecessors.
 Software become more important with sophisticated operating systems, improved programming languages,
 Instead of punched cards and printouts, users interacted with third generation computers through keyboards
and monitors.
Fourth generation (1971-present)
The Microprocessor brought the fourth generation of computers, as thousands of integrated circuits were built onto
a single silicon chip and the introduction of very large scale integration (VLSI). Has a large-scale integrated circuits
(LSI) which has several hundred thousands transistors placed on one tiny silicon chip. Greatly expanded storage
capabilities and improved circuitry. Computer memory operates at speeds of nano seconds (billionths of a second)

7 |P age
with large computers capable of adding 15 million numbers per second. Fourth generation computers also saw the
development of GUIs, the mouse and handheld devices. As these small computers became more powerful, they
could be linked together to form networks, which eventually led to the development of the Internet.
 Languages: Applications oriented and Secondary storage: Mass storage.
The fifth generation computer (future generation)
• Based on Artificial intelligence, are still in development.
• The concept of Artificial intelligence has been introduced to allow the computer to take its own decision.
• Some applications, such as voice recognition and use of parallel processing.
• Develop devices that respond to natural language.
Revision Questions

1. What is Computer?
2. Numbers, pictures or words without context or meaning are known as?
3. A collection of words, numbers or pictures which have meaning is known as?
4. Compare and contrast data and information?
5. What is data processing?
6. What are advantages and disadvantages of manual data processing?
7. A monthly report summarizing a companies sales turnover by store, by region using charts and
tables is: A. Data B. Information (why?)
8. Review different computer classification criteria?
9. List and explain characteristics of computer?
10. List and explain application areas of computer?
11. Explain limitations of computer with example?
12. The acronym PC stands for:
A. Private Computer. B. Personal Computer C. Personal Compact
13. This computer is a multiprocessing computer system that is smaller and slower than a
mainframe: A. Supercomputer B. Personal Computer C. Minicomputer
14. Complex scientific research is usually done using:
A. Mainframe Computer B. Supercomputer C. Minicomputer
15. Computer is automatic means ______________.

A. You dont have to wait long for a computer to do a certain job

B. It took time for you to get the output from a computer
C. None of the above

8 |P age