IT101

COMPUTER APPLICATION I.

LECTURE 2

Introduction to Computer II

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 Computer Generation

The term ‘computer generation’ is often used in

connection with computer hardware.
These are in fact phases of computer development
characterized by type of switching circuit it utilizes.

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 First Generation Computer
The first generation computers used vacuum tubes.
Vacuum tubes used for amplification and switching purposes.
Unreliable
Programming using machine language only (complex)
Very costly
Generated a lot of heat
Slow input and output devices
Huge size
Consumed a lot of electricity
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 Second Generation Features
Transistor replaced vacuum tube
Computers became smaller
Generate less heat
Lower electricity consumption
More reliable, Faster than first Generation computers
Magnetic tapes and disks were used to store data.
First operating system developed.
Programming in machine as well as assembly
languages.
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 Third Generation Features
Integrated Circuits (IC) in place of transistors
Smaller, faster and more reliable than second
generation computers.
Smaller size
Generated less heat
Expensive
Consumed lesser electricity
Supported high-level programming language
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 Fourth Generation Features
Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits.
Affordable price and easily available
Portable(small size) and reliable
Great developments in the fields of
networks(Internet ) and data communication.
All the high-level languages like C, C++, DBASE etc.,
were used in this generation.
Different types of secondary memory with high
storage capacity & fast access developed

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 Fifth Generation Feature
Ultra Large Scale Integration (ULSI) technology
Development of true artificial intelligence
Development of Natural language processing
More user-friendly interfaces with multimedia
features
Availability of very powerful and compact computers
at cheaper rates
All the high-level languages like C and C++, Java, .Net
etc., are used in this generation.
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 Application of Fifth Generation
Decision making robots, which can take visual inputs and
respond on its own, working without any step by step
instructions.
Applications examples of fifth generation computers are:-
Intelligent systems that could control the route of a missile
and Defence-systems that could fend-off attacks.
Word-processor that could be controlled by means of
speech recognition
Programs that could translate documents from one
language to another.
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 Types of computer
1. Supercomputers
2. Mainframe Computers
3. Midrange Computers (Min Computers)
4. Microcomputers
5. Workstations

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 Super Computer

The fastest type of computer.

Supercomputers are very expensive and are employed for
specialized applications that require immense amounts of
mathematical calculations.
For example, weather forecasting requires a supercomputer.
Other uses of supercomputers include animated graphics,
fluid dynamic calculations, nuclear energy research, and
petroleum exploration.

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 Mainframe computer
A very large and expensive computer capable of
supporting thousands, of users simultaneously.
In some ways, mainframes are more powerful than
supercomputers because they support more
simultaneous programs.
But supercomputers can execute a single program
faster than a mainframe.
Users access through a terminal.
Used in larger organization.
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 Minicomputer

Also known as midrange computers, Medium-size

companies
Power between mainframe and workstation
But in general, a minicomputer is a multiprocessing
system capable of supporting from 4 to about 200
users simultaneously
Users access through a terminal
Used in small organizations.
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 Microcomputer (Desktop and Workstation)
Microcomputer is microprocessor-based computer.
Microprocessor is a single-chip or chipset CPU
Desktop computer are Least powerful & Widely used
Designed to be used by a single person a time.
Examples of laptops/Notebook, desktop, tablets and
handheld.
Workstations
Specialized computers optimized for science or graphics
More powerful than a desktop
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 Operating System(OS)
A program which acts as an interface between a user and
the computer resources(hardware and other software).
Basic functions of (OS)
Control and manage hardware and software.
Manages the way information is stored or retrieved from
disks.
Multitasking/ multiprogramming
Multiprocessing
Provide Graphical user interface (GUI)
Ensures that your computer is functioning properly

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 Types of Operating System
1. Real-time OS
Used to control machinery, control systems and industrial systems and have
very less or in certain case no user-interface capability.

2. Single User Operating System

Provides a platform for only one user at a time.-Can be divided into two.
Single User, Single Task OS:This is a typical computer system where one user
can work effectively only on one task. Cell phones and palm tops are
examples.
Single User, Multi-tasking : Computer Operating Systems of desktops or
laptops typically fall within this category. Here, the user can use several
applications at a time.

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 Types of Operating System
3. Multi User Systems
Refers to computer systems that support two or more simultaneous
users.
Another term for multi-user is time sharing.
eg: All mainframes are multi-user systems.
4. Batch processing OS
Batch processing is a technique in which an Operating System collects
the programs and data together in a batch before processing starts
4. Multiprogramming OS
Shares processor, when two or more programs reside in memory at the
same time
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 Binary form (Bits and Bytes)
• Binary form(machine language): The form in which
data and instructions can be read by the Central
Processing Unit (only 0s and 1s).
• Everything in the computer is held as 1 or 0 = On or
Off. This is a Bit.
• Byte: An 8-bit string of data, needed to represent any
one alphanumeric character or simple mathematical
operation.(1 byte = 8 bits).
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 Hierarchy of Memory Capacity
Memory capacity are measured in KB, MB, GB… e.g.
256MB, 8GB
Kilobyte (KB): approximately one thousand bytes.
Megabyte (MB): approximately one million bytes
(1,048,576 bytes, or 1,024 x 1,024).
Gigabyte (GB): actually 1,073,741,824 bytes (1,024 x
1,024 x 1,024 bytes).
Terabyte (TB): = 240 approximate One trillion bytes.
Petabyte : = 250.
Exabyte:= 260.
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 Using a Computer
To turn on a computer, press the power button on
the system unit.
Log in to the operating system by your user name
and password (access security).
Access Security :Authentication & authorization
Computers allow you to create, modify, and save
files.
To shut down a computer, will depends on OS
used.........
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 Desktop
The opening (first) screen after logging into the
computer.
In addition to the background picture there will be a
number of small pictures or icons for the applications
,folders and files which you will most regularly use.
At the top or bottom or side ways of the screen is the
task bar (or panel).
Mouse pointer.
Start button – with different icon and location
depending on OS used.
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 Introduction to Window
A window represents an open program or folder.
 A program or folder is visible as a window on the
computer screen.
You can have more than one window open at a time.
The window you are working in is called the active
/current window.
The active window will be on top of any other open
windows.
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 Common Elements of a Window
 Title bar
Minimize, maximize, restore and Close buttons
Scroll bar
Insertion point
Menu bar
Tool bar
Status bar
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 Using Mouse Buttons
Left Click - Use your index finger to click the left button once
Double Click - Use your index finger to click the left mouse
button twice quickly
Right Click - Use your second finger to click the right button
once
Click-and-Drag or Drag-and-Drop - Click and hold the left
mouse button, move the mouse as necessary then release
the left mouse button
Scroll wheel - Helps to move up and down a document in
some applications
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 Mouse Actions
Click – Select the item over which the mouse pointer
is positioned.
In some cases this will also activate it, such as the Start
menu or an item in a menu.
Double Click – activate the selected item. If it is a
program, run it. If it is a document, open it with the
appropriate programme.
Right Click – show a context sensitive menu.
Click-and-Drag or Drag-and-Drop
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 Touch typing
Touch typing is the process of typing without the sense of
sight.
With practice you can be able to type while concentrating
on what you type by looking on the typed content on the
screen.
Set of keys are supposed to be typed by each of your
fingers.
Special application programs may help you to learn touch
typing. You can install these in your computer. E.g Ktouch,
Mavis Beacon
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 Touch Typing

Use the program KTouch

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 Quiz
List 5 computer generations and explain their features.
List and explain types of computer
Explain the use of password and user name when you log in
to a computer OS.
Differentiate authentication and authorization
Distinguish between mouse pointer and cursor
List and explain common elements of windows.
Explain functions of OS.
What is touch typing
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