INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

Chapter 1
Introduction to Computers
Ansar Javed
Govt. Graduate College Garhmaharaja, Jhang.
 What is Computer?
• “Computer” derived from “compute” → means to calculate
• In past, computer was normally considered to be a calculating device used to
perform arithmetic operations
• But today, computers are used in every field of life to solve problems of
different kinds
• Definition of Computer
• A computer is an electronic machine that is used to solve different kinds of problems
according to a set of instructions given to it
• Function of computer
• Accepts data and instructions (as input) and stores them in its own memory
• Processes or manipulates data according to given instructions and produces information
(known as output)
• Stores information permanently on storage devices for later use
• Retrieves information from storage devices when required
 What is Computer?
• Computer consists of many electric, electronic, and mechanical components
→ components known as hardware
• A computer performs different operations under the control of instructions
• These instructions tell the computer how to perform a particular task
• Some instructions also control the operations of different components of computer
• A set of instructions that can be given to a computer to perform a particular
task or to control different operations of computer → computer software or
computer program
• A computer cannot perform any task without software
• A combination of hardware and software → computer system
• Small computers are also fitted (embedded) into many other electronic
devices → mobile phones, toys, microwave ovens, vehicles, and MP3 players
 Data & Information
Data
• Word ‘data’ refers to facts concerning things, people, objects, events, etc.
• A collection of raw facts and figures → data
• Word ‘raw’ means unprepared or unprocessed
• Data may consist of text, numbers, images, audio, and video
• Data is collected for different purposes
• It does not give clear and proper meanings
• It cannot be used directly for decision-making
• Example → A list of class students, showing students roll numbers, names, obtained
marks, etc.
Information
• Processed data
• Processed data (information) gives clear and proper meanings
• It can be used for decision-making
 Data Processing
• A process to convert data into information
• Different operations are performed on data to convert it into useful
information
• Operations → arithmetic, data sorting, and data formatting
• Data can be processed manually or by using a computer
• Today, data is processed using a computer
• Data and instructions are given to computer, It processes data according to
given instructions and converts into required information or results
 Information Technology
• Technology used for processing, storing, and communicating information
• Technology → Easiest way of working using some technique and machine
• Combination of telecommunication technology and computer technology (hardware
and software)
• It combines computing with high-speed communication links for carrying data from
one place to another, all over the world
• Website is a type of information technology
• Major components of information technology
• Data or information
• Medium or communication network
• Computer hardware and software
• World has become a global village due to IT
• Global village → people living in the world know each other as if they are living in a village
• People can exchange information or messages in such a manner as if they are sitting
in a drawing-room, face to face
 Characteristics of Computer
Speed
• High-speed electronic device
• A computer can perform billions or trillions of operations or tasks per second
• Operations → arithmetic & sorting operations, displaying images, recording audio/video,
playing music, and showing video or movie
• Speed of a computer → in microseconds or nanoseconds
• Usually, measured in Mega Hertz (MHz) or Giga Hertz (GHz)
• Different computers have different speeds
Accuracy
• Computer does not make any kind of mistakes in calculations
• It processes data and produces a 100% accurate result
• Accuracy of result depends upon correct input data and set of instructions given to
computer
• If any mistake in input data → computer does not produce an accurate result
• Computer can perform billions or trillions of operations in one second without any
error
 Characteristics of Computer
Reliability
• Electronic components in a modern computer have a very low failure rate
• Modern computer can perform complicated calculations without creating any problem
• In general, computers are very reliable and do all tasks accurately
• Many personal computers have never needed a service call
• Communication networks are also very reliable and generally available whenever needed
• Nowadays, all large industries and organizations/companies are dependent on computers
and their entire business is running through computers → have blindly trust in computers
Consistency
• People often have difficulty to repeat the same actions again and again in same way and to
get the same result
• For example, a lecturer feels difficulty to repeat a lecture in a classroom again and again
• A computer can repeat same actions consistently (again and again) without losing its
concentration
• To run a spell checker (built into a word processor) for checking spelling in a document
• To play multimedia animation for training purposes
• To deliver a lecture through a computer in a classroom etc.
• A computer will carry out the activity in an exact manner every time
 Characteristics of Computer
Memory / Storage
• A computer has internal memory (storage) → primary memory (RAM)
• Computer stores instructions of the program and data in primary memory during data
processing
• Temporary memory
• Data and programs can be stored in it as long as computer is processing data
• When a computer is turned off, everything from primary memory is erased (Volatile Memory)
• A computer also has external storage → secondary storage
• A large amount of data and programs can be stored permanently
• Stored data or information is available anytime
• Examples → hard disk, USB drive, and CD
Automation
• Once data and instructions are given to the computer; it can automatically perform
different operations on data
• A computer can also control automatically different devices attached to it
• It executes automatically program instructions one by one without any human
assistance
 Characteristics of Computer
Versatility
• Versatility refers to capability of a computer to perform different kinds of tasks
with same accuracy & efficiency
• Different types of tasks can be performed through computer
• At one moment we are playing a game on computer, the next moment we are
composing and sending an e-mail, etc.
• In colleges and universities, computers are used to deliver lectures to students
• That is why computers are being used in every field of life such as
universities/colleges, hospitals, banks, offices, hotels, at homes, industries for
manufacturing products, etc.
Multitasking
• A computer has the capability of multitasking
• A user can perform multiple tasks on computer at the same time
• Example → a user can print a document on printer, while listening to naats.
 Characteristics of Computer
Communication
• A computer has capability of communicating with other computers in a computer network
• Nowadays, computers are mostly used for exchanging messages or information through
computer networks all over the world
• Example → information can be received or sent through Internet with the help of computers
Diligence
• A computer can continuously work for hours without creating any error
• It does not get tired while working
• After hours of work, it performs operations with same accuracy and speed as first one
No Feelings
• A computer has no feelings or emotions
• It detects objects based on the instructions given to it
• Based on our feelings, taste, knowledge, and experience we can make certain decisions and
judgments in our daily life
• On the other hand, a computer cannot make such judgments on its own
• Its judgments are totally based on the instructions given to it
 Disadvantages of using Computers
• Health Risks
• Data Security Problems
• Wastage of Time
• Computer Viruses
• Unemployment
• Privacy Violation
• Computer Crimes

Details are given in book on each point

Categories of Computers
Chapter 1 - Introduction to Computer
 Categories of Computers
• Computers are being manufactured in different sizes, data processing speeds, etc.
• Computers are classified according to their data processing speed, amount of data
that they can hold, and price
• Generally, a computer with high processing speed and large internal storage is called
a big computer
• Due to rapidly improving technology, however, distinction among categories of
computers is not always clear-cut
• Today many mobile phones (cell phones) are available that also have many
computing features
• For example, they have a media player and web browsing capabilities
• Depending upon the computer’s size, speed, memory size, and price, computers are
classified into the following categories:
• Supercomputers
• Mainframe Computers
• Minicomputers
• Personal Computers
 Supercomputer
• Most powerful and fastest computer
• It can process huge amounts of data and can solve complicated problems
• It can perform more than one trillion calculations per second
• A modern supercomputer consists of thousands of processors that work
parallel to complete a specific task
• In a single supercomputer, thousands of users can be connected at same time
• Supercomputer handles work of each user separately
• Most expensive → cost is up to several billion dollars
• Example → Deep Blue (developed by IBM)
• Purpose of Supercomputers in
• Weather forecasting
• Nuclear energy research
• Aircraft design etc. etc.
 Mainframe Computers
• Second powerful and expensive computer
• Physically large sized computer (about 1000 sq feet)
• Consists of multiple processors
• It can process trillions of instructions per second (TIPS)
• Can handle thousands of connected users simultaneously
• Users often access the mainframe computer by a device → terminal
• In some mainframe environments, however, users can use a standard personal
computer to access the mainframe computer
• Mainframe computers are also specially used as servers in a network
environment
• Example → IBM S/390
 Minicomputers
• This category of computer is named as minicomputer because of their small size as
compared to other computers at that time
• Capabilities of a minicomputer are less than a mainframe computer but more than a
personal computer
• Also known as midrange computer
• First minicomputer was introduced in the mid–1960s
• Like a mainframe computer and supercomputer, a minicomputer also consists of
multiple processors
• Largest minicomputer can handle hundreds of users simultaneously
• Users can access minicomputer through terminals or standard personal computers
• Minicomputers are used in small businesses, education, scientific research, and
many other government departments
• Although some minicomputers are designed for a single user but most are designed
to handle multiple users
• A minicomputer can also be used as a server in a network environment
• Example → IBM AS/400
 Personal Computers
• Personal computers (or simply PCs) → also called microcomputers
• Personal computers are typically developed for individual users
• It can be used by only one person at a time
• A personal computer contains a processor (microprocessor), memory, input/output devices,
and storage devices
• It also contains communication devices
• Personal computers are very small in size and less expensive e.g. Laptops and Desktops
• They are commonly used in almost every field of life such as at homes, small offices,
education, etc.
• They are available in different sizes and shapes
• IBM company designed first personal computer in 1981 → named IBM-PC
• After this, many computer hardware companies copied the design of IBM-PC
• Most popular architectures of personal computers → PC and Apple
• Term “PC-compatible” refers to any personal computer based on the original IBM personal
computer design
• PC and PC-compatible computers use the Windows operating system
• Apple computers usually use the Macintosh operating system (Mac OS)
 Mobile Devices
• Small computing devices that can fit in the hand (or in a pocket)
• These devices have small screens and some of them have small physical
keyboards
• These devices store information and programs permanently on special storage
media → memory cards (or smart cards)
• A mobile device can be connected to personal computer for exchanging data
• Today, most of the mobile devices are Internet-enabled
• It means that they can be connected to Internet wirelessly for accessing information on
the Internet
• Most of the mobile devices are operated by a rechargeable battery
• Most popular types of mobile devices → smartphones, handheld computers,
PDAs, portable media players, and e-book readers
 Mobile Devices
Smartphones
• Today, smartphones/mobile phones are commonly used for communications
between people
• A smartphone is an Internet-enabled phone
• It provides the functions to receive & send e-mails and to access WhatsApp,
Facebook, etc. through Internet
• Most of the smartphones have touch screens for dialing phone numbers and
for entering information
• Smartphones can communicate wirelessly with other devices or computers
• Similarly, many smartphones can function as a media player
• They include built-in digital cameras so that users can share videos or photos
• They also offer a variety of other application software such as word
processing, spreadsheet, games, and the capability of conducting live video
conferences
 Mobile Devices
PDAs
• PDA stands for Personal Digital Assistant
• PDA is one of the more popular lightweight mobile devices in use today
• Many PDAs are web-based and users can send/receive e-mails and access
Internet
• Similarly, some PDAs also provide telephone capabilities
• Primary input device of a PDA → stylus
• A stylus is an electronic pen and looks like a small ballpoint pen
• Some PDAs have a small built-in keyboard
• Some PDAs also support voice input
• They also have built-in cameras and can function as a portable media player
Questions?
For more details, refers to

PM Series

Introduction to Computer

by
CM Aslam, Aqsa Aslam, Mussadiq Fida, & Mudassir
Ahmad

Publisher:Majeed Sons
22- Urdu Bazar, Lahore