KISII UNIVERSITY MAIN CAMPUS

COMP101
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER
BRENDA CHERONO
ED15/0009/24
14/10/2024
ASSIGNMENTS ONE
BASIC COMPUTER COMPONENTS
Explain the basic components of
a computer system and how they
work together to perform
computing tasks.
Hardware:
Central Processing Unit (CPU):
Often called the "brain" of the
computer, it executes instructions
and performs calculations. It
consists of:Arithmetic Logic Unit
(ALU): Performs mathematical
and logical operations like
addition, subtraction, and
comparisons.Control Unit:
Decodes instructions and
coordinates other components to
carry them out.
Memory:Random Access Memory
(RAM): Temporarily stores data
and instructions currently being
used by the CPU. It's volatile,
meaning data is lost when the
computer powers off.Storage:
Holds data and programs
permanently, even when the
computer is off. Examples include
hard disk drives (HDDs), solid-
state drives (SSDs), and optical
drives.
Input Devices: Allow users to
interact with the computer, like
keyboards, mice, touchscreens,
scanners, webcams, etc.
Output Devices: Display
information and results, like
monitors, printers, speakers, etc.
Software:
Operating System (OS): Manages
hardware resources, provides a
platform for running other
software, and offers an interface
for interacting with the computer.
Examples include Windows,
macOS, Linux, Android, etc.
Applications: Software programs
designed for specific tasks, like
word processing, web browsing,
games, graphic design, etc.
· Compare and contrast the
different types of computers,
including supercomputers,
mainframes, personal computers,
and embedded systems.
Supercomputers: Supercomputers
are the most powerful and fastest
computers in the world. They are
designed to perform complex
calculations and process large
amounts of data at incredibly
high speeds. Supercomputers are
used for scientific research,
weather simulations, and other
tasks that require massive
computational power. They are
typically large, expensive, and
consume a lot of energy.
Mainframes: Mainframes are
large, powerful computers that
are typically used by large
organizations, such as banks,
universities, and government
agencies. They are designed to
process large amounts of data
and run multiple tasks
simultaneously. Mainframes are
highly reliable, secure, and can
operate for extended periods
without downtime. They are more
expensive than personal
computers but less expensive
than supercomputers.
Personal Computers (PCs):
Personal computers are the most
common type of computer and are
designed for individual use. They
come in various forms, including
desktop computers, laptops, and
tablets. PCs are used for a wide
range of such as web browsing,
email, word processing, gaming,
and multimedia entertainment.
They are more affordable than
supercomputers and mainframes
and are available in various price
ranges and configurations.
Embedded Systems: Embedded
systems are specialized
computers that are designed to
perform specific tasks within a
larger system or device. They are
typically built into everyday
objects, such as appliances, cars,
medical devices, and industrial
equipment. Embedded systems
are designed to be small, energy-
efficient, and reliable, and they
often have limited functionality
compared to personal computers.
They are programmed to perform
specific tasks and are not
intended to be user-modified
· Discuss the evolution of
computers, tracing their
development from the early
mechanical calculators to
modern-day computing devices.
· Analyze the advantages and
disadvantages of different
categories of computers (e.g.,
desktops, laptops, tablets, and
smartphones) in terms of
performance, portability, and
usability.
Desktop Computers: Desktop
computers are powerful
computers that are designed for
stationary use. They offer high
performance, large storage
capacity, and the ability to
upgrade components. Desktops
are ideal for tasks such as
gaming, video editing, and
software development. However,
they are not portable and require
a dedicated workspace.
Laptops: Laptops are portable
computers that combine the
functionality of desktops and the
convenience of mobility. They
offer good performance and are
suitable for tasks such as word
processing, web browsing, and
multimedia entertainment.
Laptops are more portable than
desktops but may have limited
storage capacity and shorter
battery life.
Tablets: Tablets are portable
devices that combine the
functionality of smartphones and
the convenience of touchscreens.
They are ideal for tasks such as
reading, browsing, and
multimedia consumption. Tablets
are more portable and user-
friendly than laptops but may
have limited performance and
storage capacity.
Smartphones: Smartphones are
portable devices that combine the
functionality of computers with
the convenience of mobile
communication. They are ideal for
tasks such as communication,
multimedia entertainment, and
mobile applications. Smartphones
are highly portable and user-
friendly but may have limited
performance and storage capacity
compared to desktops and
laptops.
· Describe the impact of
computers on modern society,
including their role in various
industries such as healthcare,
education, and entertainment.
Healthcare: Computers have
revolutionized the healthcare
industry in many ways. Electronic
medical records (EMRs) have
replaced paper-based records,
making it easier to store,
retrieve, and share patient
information. Computers are also
used for medical imaging,
diagnostics, and treatment
planning. Telemedicine has
enabled remote consultations and
monitoring, improving access to
healthcare services. Computers
have also facilitated drug
discovery and research, leading
to the development of new
treatments and therapies.
Education: Computers have
transformed the education sector
in many ways. Online learning
platforms and educational
websites have made it possible
for students to access educational
resources from anywhere in the
world. Computers are also used
for research, grading, and
administrative tasks. Virtual
classrooms and video
conferencing have enabled
remote learning, making
education more accessible to
students with disabilities or those
who live in remote areas.
Entertainment: Computers have
revolutionized the entertainment
industry in many ways. They are
used for creating, editing, and
storing multimedia content such
as music, videos, and games.
Streaming services such as Netflix
and Spotify have made it possible
to access entertainment content
anytime and anywhere.
Computers are also used for
gaming, social networking, and
virtual reality experiences.
Discuss the evolution / generation
of computers highlighting major
technologies employed.
First Generation (1940s-1950s):
The first generation of computers
used vacuum tubes for circuitry
and magnetic drums for memory.
They were large, expensive, and
consumed a lot of power. The first
electronic digital computer, the
UNIVAC I, was developed during
this period.
2 Generation (1950s-1960s): The
second generation of computers
used transistors instead of
vacuum tubes, which made them
smaller, faster, and more reliable.
Magnetic core memory was also
developed during this period,
replacing the magnetic drums.
The first high-level programming
language, FORTRAN, was also
developed during this period.
Third Generation (1960s-1970s):
The third generation of computers
used integrated circuits (ICs),
which made them smaller, faster,
and more powerful. The
development of ICs led to the
creation of microprocessors,
which are the brains of modern
computers. The first personal
computer, the Apple I, was
developed during this period.
Fourth Generation (1970s-1980s):
The fourth generation of
computers used microprocessors
and personal computers (PCs)
became popular. PCs were
smaller, more affordable, and
easier to use than mainframes.
The development of graphical
user interfaces (GUIs) and
operating systems made PCs
more user-friendly.
Fifth Generation (1980s-Present):
The fifth generation of computers
is characterized by the
development of artificial
intelligence (AI) systems.
Computers became faster,
smaller, and more powerful, with
the development of new
technologies such as wireless
communication, multimedia, and
virtual reality.
COMPUTER HARDWARE
Explain the functions and
importance of the Central
Processing Unit (CPU) in a
computer system.
Fetching and decoding
instructions: The CPU fetches
instructions from memory and
decodes them to determine what
action needs to be taken.
Executing instructions: The CPU
executes the instructions by
performing the necessary
operations, such as arithmetic or
logical operations.
Controlling the flow of data: The
CPU controls the flow of data
between different parts of the
computer system, such as
between the memory and
input/output devices.
Managing memory: The CPU
manages the memory by
allocating and deallocating
memory space as needed.
Coordinating input/output
operations: The CPU coordinates
input/output operations, such as
reading data from a keyboard or
writing data to a monitor.
1. Discuss the differences
between primary and
secondary storage in computer
hardware, providing examples
of each.
Speed: Primary storage, also
known as main memory or RAM
(Random Access Memory), is
much faster than secondary
storage. Data can be read from
and written to primary storage
almost instantly, while
secondary storage devices may
take longer to access data.
Volatility: Primary storage is
volatile, meaning that its
contents are lost when the
computer is turned off.
Secondary storage, on the other
hand, is non-volatile and retains
its contents even when the
computer is turned off.
Capacity: Secondary storage
devices typically have larger
capacities than primary storage.
For example, a typical computer
may have 8GB or 16GB of RAM,
while secondary storage devices
such as hard disk drives (HDDs)
or solid-state drives (SSDs) can
have capacities of several
terabytes.
Cost: Secondary storage devices
are generally cheaper than
primary storage. For example, a
1TB hard disk drive can be
purchased for a fraction of the
cost of 8GB of RAM.
Examples of primary storage
include RAM, cache memory, and
flash memory. Examples of
secondary storage include hard
disk drives (HDDs), solid-state
drives (SSDs), optical discs (CDs
and DVDs), and magnetic tape.
2. Analyze the role and
importance of input/output
(I/O) devices in computing
systems.
Allowing user interaction: I/O
devices enable users to interact
with the computer system. For
example, keyboards and mice
are input devices that allow
users to input data and
commands, while monitors and
printers are output devices that
display or output data.
Facilitating data transfer: I/O
devices facilitate the transfer of
data between the computer
system and the outside world.
For example, hard disk drives
and solid-state drives are
storage devices that allow data
to be stored and retrieved, while
network interface cards (NICs)
allow data to be transmitted
over networks.
Enabling communication: I/O
devices enable communication
between the computer system
and other devices or systems.
For example, modems allow
computers to communicate over
telephone lines, while network
interface cards (NICs) allow
computers to communicate over
networks.
Providing feedback: I/O devices
provide feedback to users,
allowing them to see the results
of their actions or commands.
For example, monitors display
the results of calculations or
data processing, while printers
produce hard copies of
documents or images.
3. Describe the different types
of computer memory, including
cache, RAM, ROM, and virtual
memory, and explain how they
impact system performance.
Cache Memory: Cache memory is
a small, high-speed memory that
acts as a buffer between the CPU
and the main memory (RAM). It
stores frequently used data and
instructions, allowing the CPU to
access them quickly. Cache
memory is volatile and is used to
speed up the processing of data.
RAM (Random Access Memory):
RAM is the main memory of a
computer system and is used to
store data and programs that are
actively being used or processed
by the CPU. It is volatile and loses
its contents when the computer is
turned off. The more RAM a
computer has, the more programs
it can run simultaneously and the
faster it can perform tasks.
ROM (Read-Only Memory): ROM is
a type of memory that is used to
store permanent data, such as
the BIOS (Basic Input/Output
System) or firmware. It is non-
volatile and retains its contents
even when the computer is turned
off. ROM is typically slower than
RAM and is used for storing data
that is not frequently changed.
Virtual Memory: Virtual memory is
a type of memory management
technique that allows a computer
to use more memory than its
physical RAM can hold. It uses a
portion of the hard disk drive as
an extension of RAM, allowing the
computer to handle larger
programs and data sets. Virtual
memory is slower than physical
RAM and can impact system
performance if it is frequently
used.
4. Evaluate the advancements
in graphics processing units
(GPUs) and their impact on
modern computing.
Increased Performance: GPUs
have become significantly
faster and more powerful,
enabling them to handle
complex computations and
large data sets with ease. This
has led to improvements in
areas such as scientific
computing, data analytics, and
machine learning.
Parallel Processing: GPUs are
designed to perform parallel
processing, which allows them
to handle multiple tasks
simultaneously. This has led to
significant improvements in
performance and efficiency,
making them ideal for
applications that require high
levels of parallelism, such as
graphics rendering and
scientific simulations.
Energy Efficiency: Advances in
GPU technology have led to
improvements in energy
efficiency, making them more
environmentally friendly and
cost-effective. This has led to a
reduction in the carbon
footprint of data centers and
has enabled the deployment of
larger-scale computing
systems.
Integration with Other
Technologies: GPUs have
become increasingly integrated
with other technologies, such
as artificial intelligence (AI)
and machine learning. This has
led to the development of
specialized GPUs that are
optimized for these
applications, enabling faster
and more accurate processing
of large data sets.
Democratization of Computing:
The advancements in GPU
technology have led to the
democratization of computing,
making it more accessible to a
wider range of users. This has
enabled the development of
new applications and services,
such as cloud computing and
edge computing, which have
 transformed the way we use
and interact with technology.
5. Explain FIVE features of
modern computers.
High-Speed Processing:
Modern computers are
equipped with powerful
processors that can perform
complex calculations and tasks
at lightning-fast speeds. This
enables them to handle large
data sets and perform multiple
tasks simultaneously, making
them ideal for applications
such as scientific computing,
data analytics, and machine
learning.
Large Storage Capacity:
Modern computers have large
storage capacities, allowing
them to store vast amounts of
data and files. This enables
users to store and access large
data sets, multimedia files, and
other types of content with
ease.
Advanced Graphics and
Visualization: Modern
computers are equipped with
powerful graphics processing
units (GPUs) that enable them
to perform complex graphics
rendering and visualization
tasks. This makes them ideal
for applications such as
gaming, video editing, and
scientific simulations.
Wireless Connectivity: Modern
computers are equipped with
wireless connectivity features,
such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth,
which enable them to connect
to the internet and other
devices without the need for
cables or wires. This makes
them more portable and
convenient to use, and enables
them to connect to a wide
range of devices and networks.
User-Friendly Interfaces:
Modern computers are
equipped with user-friendly
interfaces, such as graphical
user interfaces (GUIs) and
touchscreens, which make
them easy to use and navigate.
This enables users to interact
with the computer and access
its features with ease,
regardless of their technical
expertise.