Introduction to Computers

Lecture Notes # 1

Course Instructor: Fariha Sabahat

 The World of Computers
 Computers are everywhere at offices, at homes and at schools
 One of the biggest source of communications for many people (email, handhelds
devices like PDAs and advanced mobiles)
 One of the instant access point of for news regarding current affairs, sports, politics,
jobs etc
 Normal life also now having computers in various forms
 ATM (Auto Teller Machines) Cash Vending Machines
 In offices the computers are used to create documents, presentation and at school
students develop assignments and use computers for research
 All above examples indicate that there is a clear need for computer literacy
What is Computer?
 A World of Computers
 What is computer literacy?
Knowledge and understanding of computers and their uses
since Computers are everywhere
Also called Digital Literacy
 What are Computer Systems?
 Computer
 An Electronic device that (work on the method of “Command and
Retrieve”) take input from users, process it, store it and finally produce it
when desired by the users.
 Computer System (For Business Purposes specially)
 “An organized combination of people, hardware, software, that collect,
transforms (Process), store, present and disseminates information to the
users.”
 Information Processing Cycle

Produces
Collects data
Processing Storing information
(input)
(output)
History of Computer
 History of Computers
 Abacus (500 years ago)  Analytical Engine (1842)
Subtraction, Addition Charles Babbage invented automatic
difference engine to perform 60
additions per minute

 Pascaline Calculator (1642)

 Tabulator (1889)
Subtraction, Addition,
Multiplication, Division Herman used punch cards for input
and output
 History of Computers
 Berry Computer (1937)  EDVAC (Electronic Discrete
Atanasoff and Berry build 1st digital Variable Automatic Calculator)
computer using Boolean algebra Developed by Neumann to store
instructions and data

 UNIVAC (Universal Automatic

 ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Computer (1951))
Integrator And Computer (1946))
Mauchly & Eckert developed 1st
Mauchly & Eckert built first large scale commercially available electronic
electronic general purpose digital digital computer
Computer
Generations of Computer
Generations of Computer
 First Generation (1946-1959)

 Second Generation (1947-1965)

 Third Generation (1965-1971)

 Fourth Generation (1971-1980)

 Fifth Generation (1980-till date)

Features of First Generation
➢ Vacuum tube technology
➢ Unreliable
➢ Supported Machine
language only
➢ Very costly
➢ Generate lot of heat
➢ Slow Input/output device
➢ Huge size
➢ Need of A.C.
➢ Non-portable
Features of Second Generation
➢ Use of transistors
➢ Reliable as compared to First generation
computers
➢ Smaller size as compared to First
generation computers
➢ Generate less heat as compared to First
generation computers
➢ Consumed less electricity as compared
to First generation computers
➢ Faster than first generation computers
➢ Still very costly
➢ A.C. needed
➢ Support machine and assembly
languages
 Features of Third Generation
➢ IC used
➢ More reliable and Faster
➢ Smaller size
➢ Generate less heat
➢ Lesser maintenance
➢ Still costly
➢ A.C. needed
➢ Consumed lesser electricity
➢ Support high-level language
 Features of Fourth Generation
➢ VLSI technology used
➢ Very cheap
➢ Portable and reliable
➢ Use of PC's
➢ Very small size
➢ Pipeline processing
➢ No A.C. needed
➢ Concept of internet was
introduced
➢ Great developments in the fields
of networks
➢ Computers became easily
available
 Features of Fifth Generation
➢ ULSI technology
➢ Development of true artificial
intelligence
➢ Development of Natural language
processing
➢ Advancement in Parallel Processing
➢ Advancement in Superconductor
technology
➢ More user friendly interfaces with
multimedia features
➢ Availability of very powerful and compact
computers at cheaper rates
Generations of Programming
Languages
Generations of Programming Languages
Generation Language / Type

1 Machine language

2 Assembly language

3 Imperative languages

4 Object oriented languages

5 Logic languages
 Machine Language

 Low level language

 1s and 0s
 Complex and long-winded for programming
 High level of developer control
 Lots of time in writing and modifying programs

Ultimately everything is translated into machine language.

 Assembly Language

 Low level language.

 Shortened instructions in the form of symbols called
Mnemonics
 Symbolic Language
 Needs thousands of instructions to perform one useful task.
 Assembler program is needed to translate.
 Used for writing system software
 Imperative languages

 High level language

 Also called Procedural languages
 Programming as a predefined set of instructions which are
processed by computers in a sequence
 Must have some form of translation.
 Usually written for a specific area of use:
 COBOL – business language
 BASIC – beginning programmer’s instruction code mostly
by students to solve problems
 FORTRAN – scientists and engineers
 Structured and sequential – logical sequence
Object Oriented & Event Driven Languages

 High level language.

 Object oriented languages organise coding around
objects (collection of data and functions)
 Specific characteristics: inheritance, polymorphism,
classes etc…
 Event driven – the event triggers the outcome (eg: a
click event).
 Non-procedural

Examples: VB.NET, C++

 Logic Languages

 High level language.

 4GL
 Works on the principle of “What to do”
 Associated with Artificial Intelligence.
 Uses knowledge bases and expert systems.
 Less programmer control.
 Used in database applications and report generation

Example: Prolog, SQL, Oracle

Components of Computer
Components of a Computer System

 Hardware

 Software

 Users

 Information

 Procedures
 Computer Components (Hardware)
 Hardware
 Input
 Mouse
 Keyboard
 Microphone
 Processing
 Central processing unit
 Primary memory
 Mother Board
 Storage
 Hard Disk
 Floppy
 CD/ DVD / Blu-ray ROM
Computer Components (Hardware)
 Output
 Monitor
 Printers
 Communication Devices
 Cables
 Modem
 Satellites
 The System Unit
 One Box that connects all devices to a single platform
Computer Components (Software)
Software a program that includes series of instructions telling
computer what to do and how to do it

Types of Software
1. System Software
It consists of programs that controls or maintains the
operations of the computer and its devices (Bridge Interface)
➢ Operating System . . . Set of Programs that coordinates all the
activities among computer hardware devices.
Example is the Operating Systems e.g. Microsoft XP, Windows
Vista
➢ Utility Program . . . A program that performs a specific task
related to the management of computer functions, resources,
devices or files
Examples include password protection, memory management, virus
protection, and file compression.
 Computer Components (Software)
2. Application Software
 Specific programs that are used to perform specific
tasks
 Examples are Microsoft Word, Microsoft
PowerPoint etc
Computer Components (Software)

What is Application Software?

Word
Spreadsheet
Processing

Presentation
Database
Graphics

Programs that perform

specific tasks for users
Computer Components (Software)
Installing and Running Programs
There is a process of using the programs on the computer
 Need to find the CDs, Floppies or other things that have a
copy of programs
 Then you set up the program on your computer which is
popularly known as “installation”
 Once installed you can use the program by running it by
clicking on its icon (symbol)
 Computer hardware is just nothing without the software
(programs)
 Computer Components (Software)
What is a User Interface?
It controls how to enter data &
instructions and how information is
displayed on the screen.

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

Allows you to interact with the
software using text & graphics
or visual images called icons
 Computer Components (People)
People (from computer perspective) are those human beings that are directly
or/and indirectly involved with computer usage and computer applications
 These people are usually known as “Users”
 Five major Categories
 Home Users
 Budgeting, Web Access, Communication & Entertainment
 Small Office/Home Office User
 Small self-managed business users
 Mobile Users
 Workers using computers while away from main office or home (sales
representatives, insurance agents, journalists)
 Large Business Users
 Organization having large number of employees (organization wide
information systems)
 Power Users
 Technical people (Industry-specific software I.e. Engineers,
Designers)
 Home Home Office Users Mobile Users

Large Business Users Power Users

Computer Components
 Information (Data v/s Information)
 Text
 Voice
 Video
 Pictures
 Procedures (A set of instructions that
performs a specific task; a subroutine or
function)
 Operations
(Computers designed and built to perf
orm)
 Backup
 Security
Categories of Computer
 Categories of Computers
▪ Personal Computers
▪ Designed specially for use by a single person
▪ Examples are “Desktop Computers” (What we people commonly use)
▪ Workstation (Computers used in networking) detail in coming lectures
▪ Mobile Computers and Devices
▪ Designed for people traveling (mobile users)
▪ Notebooks (Laptops)
▪ Tablet PCs, PDAs & Smart Phones
▪ Mainframes
▪ Larger and powerful computers and are usually connected with
thousands of users and handling lots of data
▪ Larger companies use mainframes for handling their huge data traffic
(PIA uses mainframes in their head offices to store and manage
information regarding flights)
▪ Supercomputers
▪ One of the fastest computers and the most expensive
▪ It weighs in tons 100 tons and can do millions of instruction per second
▪ Supercomputers are used at nuclear plants and at places where huge
amount of data is stored like at “Pentagon”
▪ Embedded Computers
▪ Special-purpose computer that functions as a component in a larger
product
Categories of Computers (Personal Computers)
What is a Desktop Computer?
Designed so all of the components fit on or under
a desk or table
 Categories of Computers (Personal Computers)
What are the two most popular series of personal computers?

➢ PC and compatibles ➢ Apple Macintosh

use the Windows uses the Macintosh
operating system operating system
(Mac OS)
Categories of Computers (Personal Computers)

What is a Workstation?

 It is used for work that requires intense calculations

and graphic capabilities.
 Architect  for designing buildings and homes
 Graphic Artist  for creating computer animated
special effects motion pictures and video games.
 Categories of Computers (Mobile Computers)

Mobile Mobile
Computer Device
Personal computer you Computing device small
can carry from place to enough to hold in your
place hand

Examples include
Examples include Smart phones and
Notebook computers, PDAs, E-book readers,
Laptop computers, Handheld computers,
Netbooks, Ultra-thins, Portable media
and Tablet PCs players, and Digital
cameras
Categories of Computers (Mobile Computers)

What is a Notebook Computer?

Portable, small enough

to fit on your lap
Also called a laptop
computer
Generally more
expensive than a
desktop computer
Categories of Computers (Mobile Computers)

What is a Tablet PC?

Resembles a letter-sized slate

Allows you to write on the
screen using a digital pen
Especially useful for taking
notes
Some also support voice input
Mostly Web enabled
 Categories of Computers (Mobile Devices)
What are Smart phones?
➢ Internet enabled phones also providing personal information
management functions.
➢ Offers variety of application softwares like Word Processing etc
➢ Also serves as Media Player and Digital Camera
➢ Have built-in, slide-in or touch screen mini keypads to send
messages in the form of text, instant, picture or video messages
 Categories of Computers (Mobile Devices)

What is a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)?

Provides personal organizer functions

Calendar
Appointment book
Address book
Calculator
Notepad

Because of increasing similarity & convergence between smart phones and

PDAs, they are both generally refers as Handhelds.
 Categories of Computers (Mobile Devices)

What are E-book Readers?

➢ Handheld device for reading e-book which

is an electronic version of printed books
readable on computer and other digital
devices.
➢ Used for purchasing magazines and
newspapers
➢ Have a touch screen and are web-enabled
➢ Smaller than Tab PC but larger than Smart
Phones.
 Categories of Computers (Mobile Devices)

What are Portable Media Players?

➢ A mobile device to store, organize and play

digital media including music, videos,
movies and television shows.
➢ Mostly web-enabled for direct downloading
or transferring of digital media from
websites or from other computers.
➢ Also include ear-buds as speakers with a
touch screen or touch sensitive pad for
setting adjustment.
 Categories of Computers (Mobile Devices)

What is a Digital Camera?

➢ A mobile device to take and store

photographed images or videos digitally.
➢ Uses internal storage or memory cards
to store pictures or videos.
➢ Can wirelessly connect to a printer
➢ Has the ability to review and modify
pictures while they are still in the
camera.
 Categories of Computers (Mobile Devices)

What is a Game Console?

➢ A mobile computing device
designed for single-player or
multiplayer video games.
➢ Uses handheld controller as input
device, television screen as output
device and hard/optical disks or
memory cards for storage.
➢ Examples include Microsoft’s
Xbox 360, Sony’s Playstation
Portable (PSP)
 Categories of Computers (Servers)

 Server is a physical computer dedicated

to run one or more services as a host to
serve the needs of the users of other
computers on the network.
 It could be a database server, file
server, mail server, print server, web
server, gaming server etc.
 Provide essential services across a
network, either to private users inside a
large organization or to public users via
the Internet.
 Categories of Computers (Servers)
What types of Servers are there?
Mainframe Very powerful,
expensive computer that supports
thousands of computers

Midrange server Powerful, large

computer that supports up to a few
thousand computers
Supercomputer The fastest, most
powerful, most expensive
computer. Used for applications
requiring complex mathematical
calculations
Difference between Mainframe and a Supercomputer
Mainframe Supercomputer
 Parallel processing  Parallel processing
 A bit slower than  Multiple processing units,
supercomputers making its speed unimaginably
 Optimized for comparatively fast.
simple computations involving  Can even run a whole virtual
huge amounts of external data world updating every giga-
like Insurance business or second.
payroll processing for  Complicated computations that
organization. take place largely in memory
 Handle a wider variety of tasks like weather forecasting
(E.g. Data processing,  Purpose-built for one or a very
warehousing). few specific institutional tasks
 Part of a manufacturer's (E.g. Simulation and Modeling)
standard model lineup.  One-off designs
 Categories of Computers (Embedded Computers)

An embedded computer is a special-purpose computer that

functions as a component in a larger product

Computer Devices
Consumer Home Automation Process Controllers
Automobiles and Office
Electronics Devices and Robotics
Machines
• Mobile and digital • Thermostats • Antilock brakes • Remote monitoring • Keyboards
telephones • Sprinkling systems • Engine control systems • Printers
• Digital televisions • Security modules • Power monitors • Faxes
• Cameras monitoring systems • Airbag controller • Machine • Copiers
• Video recorders • Appliances • Cruise control controllers
• DVD players and • Lights • Medical devices
recorders
• Answering
machines
Advantages and Disadvantages
of Using Computers
Advantages of Disadvantages of
Using Computers Using Computers

Speed Health Risks

Reliability Violation of Privacy

Consistency Public Safety

Storage Impact on Labor Force

Communications Impact on Environment

 Computers in Society
 Pervasiveness of Computers
 Virtually every area of life now utilizing computers for
operational and decision support activities
 Doctors using computers and Internet for automated
operations (decreases the chances of errors)
 Students uses computers for research and report writing
 Entertainment and Sports
 Almost in every functional area (accounts, marketing,
monitoring etc) of business (Let us see some examples!!!)
Computers and Engineers
Computer Games
Some advance utilization of computers
Computers in Automobiles (Navigators)
References
 Imran Saeed et al “Concepts of Information
Technology”

 Gary Shelly, Thomas Cashman, & Misty Vermaat (2010).

“Discovering Computers 2010: A Gateway to
Information”. (Complete Edition). Chapter 1