Introduction to Computing

The Basics – What is

Information?
•
• Information is Information can only
it must be relevant
data(raw facts) be considered to be
for achieving some
processed for some 'real' Info if it meets
purpose
• purpose certain criteria i.e.

•
•
• it must be it must be in a
it must be in a
communicated to language that is
suitable form
the recipient understood
Information -

• is any form of
communication that
provides
understandable and
useful knowledge for
the person receiving
it.
The term “Information” refers to “any
communication or representation of
knowledge such as facts, data or opinions
in any medium or for, including textual,
numerical, graphic Cartographic,
narrative or audiovisual forms.

Technology is the practical form of

scientific knowledge or the science of
application of knowledge to practical.
"ICT stand for information and communication technologies and
is defined, as a "diverse set of technological tools and resources
"ICT implies the technology which consists of electronic devices
used to communicate, and to create, disseminate, store, and
and associated human interactive materials that enable the user
manage information."
to employ them for a wide range of teaching - learning processes
in addition to personal use."

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 • Information technology (IT) that
can help in coping with the
information explosion

Concept • Information technology (IT) is the

acquisition, processing, storage and
of ICT dissemination of vocal, pictorial,
textual and numerical information
by a micro-electronics - based
combination of computing and
telecommunication.
• What Is A Computer?
• A computer is a
general purpose,
programmable
device that is used
for the production
and processing of
information
• capable of
calculating
and storing
results
What do we mean by
general-purpose
⚫ Most devices can be described by their function e.g
Washing Machine, DVD Player
⚫ Computers, however, can be used for almost any
purpose:
- typewriter
- video editor
- accounts tracker
- database / address book
- DVD / CD Player
- and many others…
Computers Are
Programmable
• Computers respond to
instructions in the form of
programs
• Programs are written in
order to make computers
behave in specific ways
i.e. word processor,
systems control
• Programs are stored in the
Computer memory
 • Computers accept inputs ( i.e. data)
• The input is translated into binary
How numbers and ‘processed’
computers • The process produces output (i.e
information)
process • This sequence can repeat
information endlessly: outputs can be inputs!
• Illustrating this - the ‘Black Box’
model
Processing - the ‘Black Box’ model
⚫ We can think of a computer as a ‘black
box’ :

input process output

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Components of a
Computer System

• Computer Systems are

made up of:
• Hardware – the physical
parts
• Software - the
instructions or programs
that control the hardware
• The Human Being – the
brains behind the
whole system
(peopleware)
Types Of
Computer
• Mainframe Computer
• Minicomputer
• Personal Computer
(Microcomputer /
Desktop)
• Laptop
• Network Computer /
Server
– Uses two types of
terminal: “Dumb” and
“Intelligent”
⚫ Most Computers are based on a model
proposed by John Von Neumann in 1946
⚫ The ‘logical’ units of this model are:
Stored program
Central Processing Unit: fetches and executes the
program instructions sequentially
Memory
Input and Output devices
Computer Hardware
components
⚫ A typical PC System is made up of:
– System Unit
– Keyboard
– Monitor (VDU)
– Mouse
– Printer
– Modem
– Multimedia Devices
Hardware – The System Unit
⚫ The central component of the system
⚫ Houses:
– The Processor: corresponds to the CPU
– Memory: RAM and ROM
– Storage: Hard Disk, Removable Storage devices
The Processor (CPU)

• Types include Intel

Pentium series, Celerion,
AMD Athlon
• Chip at the heart of
the computer- does
the calculations
• Speed is very important –
measured in megahertz
(MHz): the faster the
processor the more
calculations performed per
second.
Memory
⚫ A computer must be able to store its calculations
and programs
⚫ Two types of memory: “Volatile” and permanent.
⚫ Measured in bytes
⚫ One byte = eight bits
Storage - Hard Disk
and Solid-State
Drive

• Permanent Memory -

records and stores all

programs and data /
information magnetically
 • Floppy Disks
• CD/DVD ROM
Other types • Zip Drive
of Storage • Magnetic Tape
• Flash/memory
stick/USB storage
Input Devices
⚫ Keyboard
⚫ Mouse: used in conjunction with the GUI
(Graphical User Interface), point and click
⚫ Other types of Input Devices:
–
Trackballs
– Light Pens
– Touch Screens
– Tablets
Output Devices
⚫ Monitor: also known as the Visual Display Unit
(VDU)
⚫ Printers
– Laser Printer
– Inkjet Printer
– Impact
Software
⚫ Generic name of all programs
⚫ Made up of code interpreted by the hardware
⚫ Written in programming languages - Java, C,
C++, Perl
⚫ Two kinds of Software:
– System
– Application
 System Software
• Concerned with the computer
itself: devices, file and storage
management, error correction

• OS: the driving program of the

computer
• communicates
between all
programs and
the hardware
• controls timing and
sequence of events
• manages data to ensure
security and integrity
Application
Software

CONCERNED WITH THE GIVES THE COMPUTER

WORLD OUTSIDE THE ITS GENERAL-PURPOSE
COMPUTER NATURE

USED FOR THE THINGS

YOU WANT THE
COMPUTER TO DO
 • Involves a cycle of research, analysis, development
and testing

How Software • Systems Analysts - study the business processes and

designs the software
is made? • Programmers - develops the software
Problems with Software

⚫ Software is complex
⚫ Difficult to test comprehensively
⚫ Can have bugs: these can be trivial or major
⚫ Software errors
–
⚫ Symptoms of bugs
– hanging
crashes
Peopleware (The Human Being)
• Users
• Manipulate the computer and make it useful.
Vital Components of a Computer
System
• Hardware
• Software
• Peopleware