INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

Unit I and II

BY IBRAHEEM GARBA KALLACHI

 Introduction to Computer
What is Computer?
Computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in its own
memory that can accept data (input), process the data according to specif ic rules, produce
information (output), and store the information for future use.
 Classification of Computer

Classification of computer, a computer generally classified into three (3) basic classes below:
• Classification based on Size and Capacity
• Classification based on Purposes
• Classification based on Hardware design and type
 Classification of Computer
Classification based on Size and Capacity: this is one of the computer class categorized
base on size and storage capacity of a computer, system examples are
• Mainframe Computer
• Super Computer
• Mini Computer and
• Micro Computer

Mainframe Computer: the term mainframe computer was created to distinguish the traditional,
large institutional computer intended to service multiple users from the smaller. Single-user
machines. These computers are cable of handling and processing very large amount of data
quickly. Mainframe computers are used in large institutions such as government, banks, and
large corporations. They are measured in MIPS (million instructions per second) and can
responds to hundred of millions of users at a time.
Classification of Computer
Classification of Computer
Super Computer: a super computer is focused on
p e r f or m i n g t a sk s i n v ol v i n g i n t e n se n u m e r i ca l
calculations such as weather forecasting, fluid dynamics,
nuclear simulations, theoretical astrophysics, and
complex scientif ic calculations. A super computer is a
computer that is at the front-line of current processing
capacity, par ticularly speed of calculation. Super
computer processing speeds are measured in f loating
point operations per second, or FLOPS. An example of
f lo a t i n g p o i n t o p e r a t i o n i s t h e c a l c u l a t i o n o f
mathematical equations in real numbers. In terms of
computational capability. Memory size, and speed, Input
and Output (I/O) technology and topological issues such
as bandwidth and latency, super computers are the
m ost powerful, are very expensive, and not cost -
effective just to perform batch or transaction processing.
Classification of Computer
Mini Computer: mini computer is a digital and multi-user computer system with the connection of
many CPU. Thus, different users can operates on these computers simultaneously instead of
single person. Mini computers are the medium type of computers that have more functionality
power and expensive than microcomputers. On the other hand, the size, storage and speed of
minicomputers are large but less than the mainframe and supercomputers. Mini computers are
used as real-time applications in industries, bookings, banks and research centers.
 Classification of Computer
Microcomputer: microcomputer is known as personal computer like a small computer that
contains a microprocessors as its central processor. Microcomputers are designed with
microprocessor as well as it consists single chip that is CPU (Central Processing Unit), data
memory (RAM, ROM), and I/O (Input/Output) buses these are connected on the motherboard. In
the technical form, meaning of the microcomputer is a micro controller. It is used in the home
appliances such as microwaves, TV, refrigerator and more.
Types of Microcomputer, types or examples are:
• Desktop microcomputers
• Laptop or notebook microcomputers
• Tablet or Smartphone microcomputers
• Personal digital assistant and Palmtop microcomputers
• Workstation and server microcomputers
• Mini Tower and full tower microcomputers
 Classification of Computer
Classification based on Purposes: there are two types of computer under classification based on purposes
below
• Special Purpose and
• General Purpose
Special Purpose Computer: these computers are designed to perform a particular or specialized task. The size,
storage capacity, and cost of such computers mainly depend on the nature and size of the work. The function of
these computers is consistent with any particular task.
The special computer needs specific processors and inputs and devices to conduct work efficiently. These
computers are use for special purposes in weather forecasting, agricultural research, engineering, traffic control,
satellite operation, and chemical & scientific research.
Examples of special computers are:
• Automatic Teller Machine (ATM)
• CT-Scan Machine
• Traffic Control Computers
• Weather forecasting simulators
• Oil exploration systems and so on…..
Classification of Computer
Classification Based on Purposes
General Purpose Computers: are design to perform a range of tasks. They have the ability to
store numerous programs, but lack in speed and ef ficiency. General computers can do various
everyday tasks such as writing a word processing letter, Document preparation, recording,
creating database, f inancial analysis, calculating with accuracy and consistency. The storage
capacity, and cost of such computers are mainly less. The ability of these computers is limited in
performing specialized tasks. Still, it has Versatility and useful for serving people’s basic needs at
home or in the workplace in the environment.
Examples of General purpose computers are: the desktop computer, Laptops, smartphones and
tablets are used on daily basis for general purpose.
 Classification of Computer
Classification Base on Hardware Design and Type: are
• Analog Computer
• Digital Computer and
• Hybrid Computer
Analogue Computer: an analog computer performs tasks using continuous data (physical amount
that changes continuously). Analog computers are used primarily to measure physical units like
voltage, pressure, electric current, temperature, and convert them into digits, its also used to measure
and perform arithmetic calculations of numbers, the length of object, or the amount of voltage that
passes through a point in an electric circuit. Analog computers obtain all their data from some
measurement way, and they are mainly used in fields of technology, sciences, research and
engineering etc, because quantities like voltage, pressure, electric current, temperature are used
more in these areas, these types of computers give only approximate estimates. Analog computers
are slow and equipped to measure things rather than countable or check.
Examples of Analog Computer: a simple clock, the vehicle’s speedometer, voltmeter etc.
 Classification of Computer
Classification Base on Hardware Design and Type
Digital Computer: a computer that performs calculations and logical operations with quantities
represented as digits, usually in the binary number system 0 or 1,their speed is fast. As its name
suggests, a digital computer represents the digital computer’s letter’s, numerical values, or any other
special symbols. This computer is the computer that calculates the number for processing the data.
Digital computers use discrete electrical signals for operation rather than continuous electrical signals
as analog computers have, making the best common form of computers today because of their
versatility, speed, and power. The computer desktop or Laptop at our home is one of the common and
best examples of a digital computer. Today most of the computers available in the market are digital
computers.
Examples of Digital Computers
• Personal Desktop Computers
• Laptops, Smartphones and Tablets
• Digital Thermometer
• Digital watch, digital clock
• Calculators
• Accounting Machines, etc.
Classification of Computer
Classification Base on Hardware Design and Type
Hybrid Computer (Analog + Digital): a hybrid computer is a combined complex computer unit built using both
‘Analog and Digital’ properties and united by a single control system. The purpose of designing hybrid
computers is to provide functions and features that can be found on both Analog and Digital devices.
The aim behind creating a hybrid computer is to create a kind of work unit that offers the best of both types of
computers. Hybrid computers are extremely fast when driving equations, even when those calculations are
incredibly complex. Incorporating the properties of both (analog and digital) computers into hybrid computers
makes it possible to resolve more difficult and complex equations immediately.
Application of Hybrid Computer; hybrid computers are most commonly used in vast industries, scientific
research centers, organizations and manufacturing firms (where many equations need to be solved).
Examples of hybrid computer,
• Auto Gasoline Pump
• Normal and Digital Thermometer
• Electric prepaid meter
 Generation of
•
Computer
Generation of computer are:
First Generation
• Second Generation
• Third Generation
• Fourth Generation and
• Fifth Generation
First Generation: the period of 1940 to 1956 is roughly considered as the first generation of computer. The first
generation of computers were developed by using vacuum tube or thermionic valve machine, the input of this system
was based on punched cards and paper tape however the output was displayed on printouts.
Second Generation: the period of 1956 to 1963 is roughly considered as the period of Second Generation Computers,
the second generation computers were developed by using transistor technology, in comparison to the first generation
the size of second generation was small, in comparison to computers of the first generation, the computing time taken
by the computers of the second generation was lesser.
Third Generation: the period 1963 to 1971 is roughly considered as the period of third generation of computers, they
were developed by using the Integrated Circuit (IC) technology, in comparison to the computers of 2nd generation the
size of the computers of the third generation was smaller and the computing time taken by the 3rd generation computers
was lesser, they consume less power and generated less heat, the maintenance was low and the third generation
computers was easier for commercial use.
Generation of
Computer
Fourth Generation: the period of 1972 to 2010 is roughly considered as the fourth generation of
computers, this generation of computers were developed by using microprocessor technology, by
coming to this generation computers became very small in size, it also became portable. The
machine of this generation started generating very low amount of heat, its much faster and
accuracy became more reliable, the production cost reduced to very low in comparison to previous
generation, it became available for the command people as well.
Fifth Generation: the period 2010 to till date, and beyond roughly considered as the period of fifth
generation of computers by the time computer generation was being categorized as the basis of
Hardware only, but the fifth generation technology also included software. The computers of this
generation had high capability and large memory capacity, working with computers of this
generation was fast and multiple tasks could be perform simultaneous. Some of the popular
advance technologies of this fifth generation include Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computation,
Nano Technology, Parallel Processing etc.
Generation of
Computer

Fist Second
Generation Generation

Artificial
Intelligence
used in Fifth
Generation
Components of Computer
System
The two (2) basic components of computer are:
• Hardware Component and
• Software Component
Hardware Component: this is physical part of computer system that you can touch, see and feel.
Computer Hardware divided into two (2):
o System Unit
o Peripherals
System unit is the electronic components such as CPU, primary memory and other devices that are
used to process and store data.
Peripherals of a computer system are the input devices, output devices, secondary memory and
communication devices.
Examples of peripherals devices are: monitors, keyboards, mouse, printers, scanners, modems,
digital cameras, drives (hard disk, CD, DVD, Flash memory, SD Card) and so on.
Components of Computer System
 Components of Computer System
Software Component, computer software is a collection of computer programs and related data
that provide the instructions to a computer on what to do and how to do it. In another ward software
is a set of programs, procedure, algorithms and its documentation. In contracts to hardware,
software is intangible, meaning it “cannot be touch”
Types of Software, software divided into two (2) major classes namely:
• System Software and
• Application Software
System software is a computer software design to operate the computer hardware and to provide
and maintain the platform for running application software. It includes the combination of the
following:
o Device drivers
o Operating system like Windows
o Utilities
o Servers
 Components of Computer
System
Application Software, this is also known as software application, application, or app, is a computer
software designed to help the user to perform a singular or multiple related specific tasks. Some
of the examples of this category software are:
o Educational Software, example Microsoft Encarta
o Database management system (DBMS), example Microsoft Access
o Word processors like MS Word
o Spreadsheets like MS Excel
o Mathematical software, example system calculator
o Image editing, example Adobe Photoshop
o Computer – aided design, example Corel Draw
o Business software, example SAP
o Media players, example VLC, RealPlayer and Gomplayer
Components of Computer System
 Inputs and Outputs Devices
Inputs Device: an input device is a hardware that allows you to communicate with a computer, also
inputs device is any peripheral that is used to provide data and control signals to a computer.
Examples of Input Devices
o Keyboard
o Mouse/Trackball
o Scanner
o Microphone
o Joystick
o Card Readers
o Light Pen
o Digital Cameras
o Bar code reader
o Touch screen
Input Devices

 Outputs Device
Output Device: an output device is any piece of
computer hardware equipment used to communicate
the results of data processing carried out by a
computer to the outside world. In computing,
input/output or I/O refers to the communication
between information processing system (such as a
computer), and the outside world. Inputs are the
signals or data sent to the system, and outputs are the
signals or data sent by system to the outside world.
Examples of Output Devices
o Monitor
o Printer
o Projector
o Plotter
o Modem
Output Device
CPU Processor
 Computer Storage (Memory)
Computer Memory: is a storage locations where data, programs and information are stored.
The two (2) types of computer memory storage are:
• Primary Storage/Main Memory
• Secondary Storage/Auxiliary Memory
PRIMARY STORAGE (Main Memory): the primary storage represents the core or internal storage areas of
the computer system. Its where information and programs are stored for immediate processing by CPU.
The two types of Primary Storage are:
• Read Only Memory (ROM)
• Random Access Memory (RAM)
ROM is a non – volatile memory that retains the data stored on it even after the computer’s shut down. The
data inside the ROM cannot be changed. The operating system boot records are stored inside the ROM.
The three different variations of ROM includes: PROM (Programmable ROM), EPROM (Erasable
Programmable ROM), and EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM).
 Computer Storage (Memory)
Random Access Memory (RAM): the RAM is the part of the primary memory that holds the data
and programs that the CPU is processing. The CPU reads and write into the RAM as often as
required. They are volatile because the content is lost when you shut down the computer.

SECONDARY STORAGE
The secondary storage or auxiliary storage is any storage device that used to stored data, information
and programs outside the primary memory. They are volatile and higher storage capacity, but the
access time is slow compared to the primary storage. Its also referred to as backup storage.
The following are common types of secondary/auxiliary storage devices:
• Hard Drive
• Flash Drive
• Optical Disks Compact Disk (CD) and Digital Video Disk (DVD)
• Floppy Disk
Computer Storage (Memory)
Computer Storage (Memory)
Any Questions?..........








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