DRM1201 Chapter1
DRM1201 Chapter1
INFORMATION
CHAPTER 1
LECTURER: SMALL
Introduction to Computing 3
What is a Computer cont..?
• It consists of Hardware and Software:
– Hardware: The physical/or tangible parts of a
computer
– Software: Computer programs that run on
Computer Hardware;
• System Software
• Application Software
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Benefits of a Computer
• Computers are very fast. Modern computers, even those
commonly sold in retail stores, can perform millions of
operations in a second.
• Computers are very accurate. When a computer is
programmed correctly and when its input is without error,
the accuracy of the output, as made possible by the
capabilities of the processor, is virtually guaranteed.
• Computers have very large storage capacities. They can
store huge amounts of data in very small physical spaces.
The also enable very fast and convenient access to stored
data.
• Computers perform large numbers of tasks without getting
tired. Computer programs written to predict weather
patterns could run for days or longer. If this was done
manually by humans, they could get tired, allowing mistakes
to creep in, leading to erroneous results. 5
Uses of Computers in everyday life
• Education: The Promise of More Interactive
& Individualized Learning
– Online Learning, or distance learning, is becoming
common. Tutoring, simulation, and avatars are also
aspects of IT in education:
• Health: High-Tech for Wellness
– Telemedicine: Medical care via telecommunications lets
doctors treat patients from far away.
– Health websites provide medical information.
• Government & Electronic Democracy:
– help governments to improve services, including police
services
– Online voting is becoming common.
– Information is easier to disseminate. 6
Uses of Computers in everyday
life cont..
• Jobs & Careers
– People now use computers to post résumés and find
jobs.
– It is used in starting new business ventures.
– Basic computer skills are needed for most jobs:
• Your Personal Life
– “Digital is embedded into the fiber of every aspect of
our culture and our personal lives”– public safety and
security; in the home; entertainment; finance;
communications; traveling; shopping; medical care;
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and so on.
Basic functions of a computer
The basic operations of a computer: All computers
use 4 basic operations + communications:
– Input: What goes into the computer system
– Processing: The manipulation a computer does to
transform data into information
– Storage:
• Primary storage, or memory, is temporary storage for data
waiting to be processed
• Secondary storage is permanent storage: media such as
hard disk, DVDs, and CDs
– Output: What comes out—the results of processing,
such as on the screen, printouts, sound
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– Communications: Sending and receiving data
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Explain the Functions of a Computer
The information processing cycle converts raw data collected from viewers of a TV talent
show into useful information that determines the winners.
Computer Devices
• Different devices are required to perform the 4 basic functions:
– Input is received through input devices such as mouse,
keyboard, touch screen, etc.
– Processing on the data received is carried out by the CPU
and working memory, which is within the system Unit
– After data processing output devices are used to display the
results, example Monitor, Printer
– This output can then be stored for later use on storage
devices such as hard disk, magnetic tape, memory stick etc.
– Communications hardware
e.g Modem
• Some devices can be used for several purposes; e.g. a printer,
scanner and photocopier can be combined as one device. 11
Basic PC System
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More on Basic Functions of a Computer
• The parts mentioned work together to
perform four basic functions of a computer:
– Input
– Processing
– Output
– Storage
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Central Processing Unit
• Central Processing Unit(CPU)
– basic instructions that operate the computer are carried
out here; responsible for managing everything the
computer does
– It consists of :
➢Arithmetic Logic Unit- This is where calculations are
done i.e. it executes all arithmetic and logical
operations
➢Control Unit- Carries out the instructions stored in the
CPU. The order in which instructions are carried out is
controlled here. Coordination of all hardware
operations
➢ Main (working) Memory- works with the CPU closely to hold
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data and instructions for processing
Processing
• Central Processing Unit
CPU
Arithmetic/L Control Unit
ogic Unit Output
Input
Memory
Secondary Storage
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Main Memory/Primary
Memory
There are two types:
• Read Only Memory (ROM)
– Holds data that can be stored and used but
cannot be modified
– Typically contains manufacturer’s instructions
– Non volatile
• Random Access Memory (RAM)
– Temporarily stores/holds data that the CPU is
currently processing (Analogy - Workbench)
– Volatile
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Secondary Memory/Mass
Storage
• Permanent storage, stores data as long as
you want
• Stores data that the computer is NOT
currently Processing (Analogy – Cabinet)
• Persistent memory that keeps data even
when power is switched off
• Secondary -backing storage, mass storage
• Relatively low speed
• Relatively cheaper than main memory
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Secondary Storage Devices
• Examples of Storage Devices:
– Magnetic Tape –Common for Backup storage
– Hard Disk
– CD/DVD R
– Flash Drive
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Exercise: Storage
• Primary vs Secondary Storage
In which Categories does each of these two
devices belong?
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Exercise: Peripheral Devices
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Peripheral Devices
Input Devices Output Devices
• keyboard • monitor
• mouse • projector
• digital pen • printer
• joystick • speakers
• keyboard
• scanner Both Input/Output
• microphone • external hard drives
• digital camcorders
• touch screen 21
Types of Computers
• Today there are many types of computers, very
difficult to keep track of how many are out there,
but these can be categorized and be classified
under few categories:
• The classification is generally according to:
– Their Speed
– Processing Capabilities
– Price
– Size
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All Computers, Great & Small: The Categories of
Machines
Supercomputer Mainframe
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1. Supercomputers
Supercomputers are used in very special situations.
• Priced from $1 million to over $350 million.
• High-capacity machines with thousands of
processors that can perform more than several
quadrillion calculations per second.
• Faster and largest computer available.
• Used for government census, weather forecasting,
designing aircraft, scientific projects, etc.
• The Titan (U.S.A.) computer is currently the largest
supercomputer.
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2. Mainframes
Mainframe computers are used in many large
businesses.
– Capable of supporting hundreds of users
simultaneously
– Mainly used by large organizations for critical
applications such as registration, records, reports
– Priced from $5,000 to $5 million
– Process billions of instructions per second
– Size is dependent on the use
– Used by banks, airlines, insurance companies, colleges, and the like
for millions of transactions
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3. Workstations
• Workstations are used for graphics, special effects, and certain professional
applications.
• Tablets
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Types of Microcomputers
• Mobile devices & PDAs
• E-readers
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Computing Skills Fundamentals 32