Chapter 1:

An Overview of Computer System

Introduction to Software Engineering

and Computing
.

By: Kassahun Admkie

PhD candidate in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics , AASTU

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 Outline
• What is Computing
• Definition and characteristics of computer
• Limitations of computers
• Types of computers
• Applications of modern computers and future computing trend
• Components of computing system
• Software development process
• Problem solving using computers

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 What is computing?
• The activity of using computers or computer
software in order to do a task
• Any activity that uses computers to manage,
process, and communicate information that
includes development of both hardware and
software.
• Software Engineering is one of the major
discipline of computing

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Computer
• The word computer is derived from the word
compute. Compute means to calculate. The
computer was originally defined as a super
fast calculator.
• An electronic device that perform diverse
operation with the help of predefined
instruction called a program to process the
information in order to archive desired results.

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• It is an electronic device, operating under the control
of instructions stored in its own memory that can
accept data (input) from user, process the data
according to specified rules, produce information
(output), and store the information for future use.
• Functionalities of Computer- steps
▪ Accepts input/data
▪ Stores data/instructions in its memory and use
them when required
▪ Process data and convert it into useful
information
▪ Produces output

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Characteristics of Computer
• Both computers and humans can do tasks such
as:
– Compute numbers
– Sort large number of lists
– Search items from a list etc
• What makes the computer special are the
following basic characteristics
a. Speed
– Speed of computers refers to the amount of time it
takes to carryout a basic operation
• In the order of micro, nano and pico seconds

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b. Storage
– Fast and efficient
– Efficient because it can store large amount of
information within a limited space
• In a very organized manner
– Fast because it can access the stored information in a
fraction of a second
c. Accuracy
– Unless there is an error in the input data or in the
instruction used to process data computers perform
tasks with a highest possible accuracy
• Consistent accuracy
– GIGO

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d. Automatic
– Once necessary data and instruction is feed to the
computer, it can perform the task without human
intervention
e. Diligence
– Computers do not get tired, get bored, loss
concentration
– Can work for hours, or days …
– Makes them suitable for routine type of work
f. Versatility
– Capacity to perform completely different type of
work.
• As an accountant, secretary …

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Limitations of Computer
1. No IQ
– Cannot think, Need to be instructed by users
– Cannot take its own decision
2. Not self directing
– Computers are not self-directing & independent
machines.
• Precise instructions are needed even for the simplest
action. However, once put in operation they hardly
ever fail

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3. No Feeling/Sympathy
– Does not distinguish between what is wrong and
what is right
4. No Accountability
– Do not take responsibility to what they do
5. No working through trial and error
– Do not learn by experience
6. No Interpretation
– Do not know the interpretations of actions they
take
– Do what they are fed to do
• 1 and one are different for computers

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In general terms computers can use for the
following purposes:-
➢To make the work easy.
➢To do the work efficiently (Efficiency).
➢To improve the quality of the result of work
(Quality).
➢To assist the work (Assistance).
➢To finish the task faster (Speed).

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 Types of Computer
▪ There are different types of computers. The
classification depends on different characteristics of
computers such as:
➢ Purpose or Functionality

➢ Type of data handled

➢ Physical size, price, capacity, performance and

processing power of computers.

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 According to Purpose of Function
1. Specific Purpose
➢ Designed to perform a single specific task.

➢ They have set of instructions permanently programmed

(pre-programmed instructions) into them that are designed
to perform only one major function.

➢ Often used as training simulator.

Examples: The public telephone box, Traffic control system, Ticket machines (used
in grocery, super market etc.), ATM, Washing Machine etc...

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2. General Purpose Computers
➢ Designed to handle variety of tasks.

➢ Programmed to do many different kinds of tasks, rather

than one that is limited by design to a specific task.

➢ More flexible, versatile and store large amount of data

➢ Can have software installed for many different uses.

Example: Desktop computer, Laptop Computer, Smart phones

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 According to Type of Data Handled
1. Analog Computers
➢ Recognize data as a continuous measurement of physical
quantity.
➢ Don’t compute directly with numbers, rather they use
physical quantity such as electric current, voltage,
mechanical motion and distance to represent and Process
data.
➢ Most of them are special purpose computers
Examples: Thermometer, voltmeter, speedometer of a car, and Gasoline pomp.

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2. Digital Computers
➢ handle information that can be counted. Uses digital circuits
and are designed to operate on two states, namely bits ( 0 or1).
➢ These bits can be combined to denote information such as
numbers, letters, graphics, images and program instructions.
➢ are suitable for complex computation and have higher
processing speeds. They are programmable.
➢ are the most widely used, and have higher accuracy and speed
than analog computers

Examples: The general purpose computers like Desktop, smart phones etc…

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3. Hybrid Computers
➢ is a combination of both analog and digital computer. Can
handle both analog and digital data.
➢ combines the best characteristics of both the analog and
digital computer. It can accept data in both analog and
digital form
➢ Applicable in areas such as manufacturing, transportation,
power systems, healthcare and others.
Example: Petrol pomp ICU device in hospitals

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ACCORDING TO SIZE & PROCESSING POWERS
1. MICROCOMPUTERS ( Personal Computers)
➢ They are relatively small or compact in size and are often found
on a tabletop or desktop

➢ come in a variety of sizes and shapes for a variety of purposes.

Basically they can be grouped into three namely: Laptop,
Palmtop and Desktop computers.

➢ Laptop computers are smaller versions of microcomputers

about the size of a briefcase designed for portability.

➢ Unlike desktop PCs that have mostly detachable components,

laptops include all their components (except their printer) in a
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 Cont’d
➢ Palmtop computer is the smallest microcomputer that is about
the same size as a pocket calculator.

➢ Palmtops are typically used for a limited number of functions,

such as maintaining personal calendar, name and address files,
or electronic worksheets.

➢ Desktop computer is the most widely used type of personal

computer (microcomputers).

➢ Unlike laptop and personal computers, desktop computers have

detachable parts. However, since its size is larger than the other
types of personal computers, it is not easily portable.
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2. Minicomputers
➢ Are midrange computers that are larger and more
powerful than most microcomputers but are smaller and
less powerful than mainframe computer systems.
➢ The size prevents it from being easily portable although it
can be moved more easily than a mainframe computer.
➢ Most minicomputers can function in ordinary operating
environments, as they do not need special air conditioning
or electrical wiring.
➢ Are being used for a large number of business and
scientific applications.
➢ They are popularly used in scientific laboratories, research
centers, universities and colleges, engineering firms,
industrial process monitoring and control etc.

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3. Mainframe Computers
➢ are large, powerful computers that are physically larger
than micros and minis and usually have processors with
faster instruction processing speeds.
➢ able to process from 10 to 200 million instructions per
second.
➢ generally found in a special computer room where
environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, dust
and air conditions are closely monitored.
➢ Because of the computer’s cost and the value of the
information stored there, the rooms in which mainframes
are located have security systems allowing only authorized
personnel to enter.

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 Cont’d
➢ have the capacities to host multiple operating systems
and can handle hundreds of users (can serve up to
50,000 users simultaneously)
➢ Designed to handle the information processing need of
organization with many employees and customers or with
complex computational problems.
➢ To give some example, mainframes can handle the processing
of thousands of customer inquiries, employee paychecks,
student registrations, sale transactions, and inventory
changes.
➢ They are also used as the center of computer networking.
These computers are used by organizations that have
enormous and complex data processing assignments.

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4. SUPERCOMPUTERS
➢ the fastest and most expensive type of computers
➢ Operates 4 to 10 times faster than mainframe computers
➢ can take inputs from over 10,000 individual computers
and users at the same time.
➢ highly trained data processing professionals are required
to operate supercomputers.
➢ largely used by highly calculation-intensive tasks and
research organizations, military defense systems, national
weather forecasting agencies, large corporations, aircraft
manufacturer etc …

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 Cont’d
• Some supercomputers require extra floor support to hold the
extreme weight of the complete system that includes storage
units.

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Applications of Modern Computers
Now a days every field or discipline either directly or indirectly uses
computer in order to process information. Here are some of the
application areas of computer:
➢ Science and Engineering

➢ Education

➢ Medicine and health care

➢ Entertainment

➢ Communication

➢ Business application

➢ Publishing

➢ Banking etc…
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 Assignment 1
➢Write and briefly discuss the evolutions of
Computers.
➢What are the different computer generations.
➢Briefly discuss the technology and
programming language used in each
generation.
• Compare and contrast each computer
generation.

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 Components of computing system

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 Computing Hardware Trends
• Trend: a general direction in which something
is developing or changing.
• Computing hardware trends: changes or
evolutions in the ways that computer
hardware are used which become widespread
and integrated into popular thought with
regard to systems and computing devices.

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 Software Vs. Program
• Components of software

• Software = Program + Documentation +

Operating Procedures
• Software is more than programs.
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• Any program is a subset of software and it
becomes software only if documentation and
operating procedure manuals are prepared.
• Documentation consists of different types of
manuals.

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Operation procedures manuals consist of instructions
– to setup and use the software system and
– how to react to system failure.

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 Software Vs Program

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 Characteristics of good SW
• Operational: how well it is working
– Budget - Usability
– Efficiency - Correctness
– Functionality - Safety and Security
• Transitional: movability across platforms
– Portability - Interoperability
– Reusability - Adaptability
• Maintenance: ability to maintain itself in changing
environment
– Maintainability - Flexibility
– Scalability
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 Types and Classes of Software
System Software
– It is a type of computer software that is designed for
running the computer hardware parts and the
application programs.
– Operating system is an example of System Software
• For desktop computers, laptops and tablets:
– Microsoft Windows
– Mac (for Apple devices)
– Linux
• For smartphones:
– Apple’s iOS
– Google’s Android
– Windows Phone OS
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Cont’d
Application Software
– It is designed for the users to perform some
specific tasks like writing a letter, listening to
music or watching any video.
Example: An application software program for making
spreadsheets.

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Cont’d
Application Software Type Examples

Word processing software MS Word, WordPad and Notepad

Database software Oracle, MS Access etc.

Spreadsheet software Apple Numbers, Microsoft Excel

Multimedia software Real Player, Media Player

• Types of Application Software
Presentation Software Microsoft PowerPoint, Keynotes

• The different types of application software

Enterprise Software Customer relationship management system

include the following:

Information Worker Software Documentation tools, resource management tools

Educational Software Dictionaries: Encarta, BritannicaMathematical:

MATLABOthers: Google Earth, NASA World Wind

Simulation Software Flight and scientific simulators

Content Access Software Accessing content through media players, web browsers

Application Suites OpenOffice, Microsoft Office

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Programming Software
– is the type of software that is used by software
programmers
– are programs that are used to write, develop,
test, and debug other software, including apps
and system software.
– They are facilitator software used to translate
programming languages (i.e., Java, C++, Python,
PHP, etc) into machine language code.
Examples: Different programming language editors, debuggers,
compilers and IDEs are examples of programming software like
Eclipse, Notepad++, Android studio etc…

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Driver Software
– They operate and control devices and peripherals
plugged into a computer.

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 Software Development Life Cycle -
SDLC

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 SDLC
• Software development process

• Sequence of stages in software engineering

to develop software product.

• Series of steps to be followed to design and

develop a software product efficiently

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 SDLC

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 Stages of SDLC
1. Planning Requirement
– This is the first phase in the systems development
process.
– It identifies whether or not there is the need for a new
system to achieve a business's strategic objectives
– Feasibility study: Detailed study by the analysts whether the
desired system and its functionality are feasible to develop.
– Planning: for the quality assurance requirements and
identification of the risks associated with the project.

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Stages of SDLC- cont’d
2. Requirement analysis
• Clearly define and document the product requirements
and get them approved from the customer
• This is where teams consider and define the
functional requirements of the project or solution.
• Software Requirement Specification (SRS): document
which consists of all the product requirements to be
designed and developed during the project life cycle.
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 Stages of SDLC- con’t
3. System Design

▪ Includes the design of application, network, databases, user interfaces, and

system interfaces.

▪ Transform the SRS document into logical structure, which contains detailed

and complete set of specifications that can be implemented in a

programming language.

• Design Document Specification(DDS): document which clearly defines all

the architectural modules of the product along with its communication
and data flow representation with the external and third party (if any)
modules.

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 Stages of SDLC- con’t
4. Implementation
– Implement the design into source code through
coding.
– A test report which contains errors is prepared
through test plan that includes test related tasks such
as test case generation, testing criteria, and resource
allocation for testing
– The programming code is generated as per DDS
– A programming language is chosen with respect to the
type of software being developed.
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Stages of SDLC- con’t
5. Testing
• Software defects are reported, tracked, fixed and
retested, until the software product reaches the
quality standards defined in the SRS.
• Checks whether the developed system
➢meets the requirements
➢responds correctly to all kinds of inputs,
➢performs its functions within an acceptable time
➢can be installed & run in its intended environment
➢achieves stakeholder’s desire.
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 Stages of SDLC- con’t
6. Deployment
– all of the activities that make a software system
available for use.

– The product may first be released in a limited

segment and tested in the real business
environment (UAT- User acceptance testing).

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 Stages of SDLC- con’t
7. Maintenance
– is the process of modifying a software product
after it has been delivered to the customer.

• Need for Maintenance

– Correcting faults
– Improving the design
– Implementing enhancements/new features etc…

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 Problem solving using computers

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 Problem Solving Using Computer
• A problem is a kind of barrier to achieve something
• Problem solving is a process to get that barrier
removed by performing some sequence of activities
• There are some problems which have no solution and
these problems are called Open Problems
• If you can solve a given problem then you can also
write an algorithm for it

So, what is an algorithm?

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 Algorithm
• Defined as: “A sequence of activities to be processed
for getting desired output from a given input.”
• Webopedia defines an algorithm as: “A formula or set
of steps for solving a particular problem.
• To be an algorithm, a set of rules must be
unambiguous and have a clear stopping point”.
• There may be more than one way to solve a problem,
so there may be more than one algorithm for a
problem.
From the above definition of algorithm we can say that:

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 Algorithm (Cont.)
i. Getting specified output is essential after algorithm is executed.
ii. One will get output only if algorithm stops after finite time.
iii. Activities in an algorithm to be clearly defined in other words for
it to be unambiguous.
Before writing an algorithm for a problem, one should find out
• What is/are the inputs to the algorithm
• What is/are expected output after running the algorithm
While writing algorithms we will use following symbol for different
operations:
‘+’ for Addition, ‘-’ for Subtraction, ‘*’ for Multiplication, ‘/’ for
Division and
‘← ’ for assignment.
• For example : A ←X*3 means, A will have a value of X*3.

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 Properties of Algorithm (Cont.)
Donald Ervin Knuth has given a list of five properties for an algorithm,
these properties are:
i. Finiteness:
• An algorithm must always terminate after a finite number of steps
• It means after every step one reach closer to solution of the
problem
and after a finite number of steps algorithm reaches to an end point.
ii. Definiteness:
• Each step of an algorithm must be precisely defined.
• It is done by well thought actions to be performed at each step of
the algorithm.
• Also the actions are defined unambiguously for each activity in the
algorithm.

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 Properties of Algorithm (Cont.)
iii. Input:
• Any operation you perform need some beginning
value/quantities
associated with different activities in the operation.
• So the value/quantities are given to the algorithm before it
begins.
iv. Output:
• One always expects output/result (expected
value/quantities) interms of output from an algorithm
• The result may be obtained at different stages of the
algorithm
• The output is expected value/quantities always have a
specified relation to the inputs
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 Properties of Algorithm (Cont.)
V. Effectiveness:
• Algorithms to be developed/written using
basic operations.
• Actually operations should be basic, so that
even they can in principle be done exactly and
in a finite amount of time by a person, by
using paper and pencil only.

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 Algorithm (Cont.)
Examples of Algorithm
Problem 1: Find the area of a Circle of radius r.
Inputs to the algorithm:
✓ Radius r of the Circle
Expected output:
✓ Area of the Circle
Algorithm:
Step 1: Start
Step 2: Read\input the Radius r of the Circle
Step 3: Area PI*r*r // calculation of area
Step 4: Print Area
Step 5: End
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 Algorithm (Cont.)
Problem 2: Write an algorithm to read two numbers and find their
sum.
Inputs to the algorithm:
✓ First num1.
✓ Second num2.
Expected output:
✓ Sum of the two numbers
Algorithm:
Step 1: Start
Step 2: Read\input the first num1.
Step 3: Read\input the second num2.
Step 4: Sum num1+num2 // calculation of sum
Step 5: Print Sum
Step 6: End
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 Algorithm (Cont.)
Problem 3: Converting Temperature Fahrenheit to Celsius
Inputs to the algorithm:
✓ Temperature in Fahrenheit
Expected output:
✓ Temperature in Celsius
Algorithm:
Step 1: Start
Step 2: Read Temperature in Fahrenheit F
Step 3: C ←5/9*(F-32).
Step 4: Print Temperature in Celsius: C
Step 5: End

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 Types of Control Structure
The algorithm and flowchart, classified into the three types of control

structures. They are:

1. Sequence

2. Branching (Selection)

3. Loop (Repetition)

• These three control structures are sufficient for all purposes.

The sequence:

• Is exemplified by sequence of statements place one after the other – the one above or before
another gets executed first.

• In flowcharts, sequence of statements is usually contained in the rectangular process box

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 Types of Control Structure (Cont.)
The Branching (Selection):
• Refers to a binary decision based on some condition.
• If the condition is true, one of the two branches is
explored; if the condition is false, the other
alternative is taken.
• This is usually represented by the ‘if-then’ construct
in pseudo-codes and programs.
• In flowcharts, this is represented by the diamond-
shaped decision box
• The branching is also known as the selection
structure
Example: The branching used to ask a question that can
be answered in a binary format (Yes/No, True/False) 60
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 Examples of Branching (Selection)
Problem 1: write algorithm to find the greater number
between two numbers
Algorithm:
Step 1: Start
Step 2: Read/input A and B
Step 3: If A greater than B then C=A
Step 4: if B greater than A then C=B
Step 5: Print C
Step 6: End

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 Examples of Branching (Selection)
Problem 2: Write algorithm to find the result of
equation:
Algorithm:
Step 1: Start
Step 2: Read/input x
Step 3: If X Less than zero then F=-X
Step 4: if X greater than or equal zero then F=X
Step 5: Print F
Step 6: End

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 Examples of Branching (Selection)
Problem 3: A algorithm to find the largest value of any three
numbers.
Algorithm:
Step 1: Start
Step 2: Read/input A,B and C
Step 3: If (A>=B) and (A>=C) then Max=A
Step 4: If (B>=A) and (B>=C) then Max=B
Step 5: If (C>=A) and (C>=B) then Max=C
Step 6: Print Max
Step 7: End

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 The Loop (Repetition)
• The loop allows a statement or a sequence of statements to be
repeatedly executed based on some loop condition
• It is represented by the ‘while’ and ‘for’ constructs in most
programming languages, for unbounded loops and bounded
loops respectively.
• Unbounded loops refer to those whose number of iterations
depends on the eventuality that the termination condition is
satisfied
• Bounded loops refer to those whose number of iterations is
known before-hand
• The loop is also known as the repetition structure
• You must ensure that the condition for the termination of the
looping must be satisfied after some finite number of iterations,
otherwise it ends up as an infinite loop

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 Examples of Loop
Problem 1: An algorithm Printing Numbers
From 1 to 5
Algorithm:
Step 1. Start
Step 2. I ← 1
Step 3. Write I in standard output
Step 4. I ← I+1
Step 5. If (I <=5) then go to STEP 3
Step 6. End

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 Examples of Loop
Problem 2: An algorithm to display even
numbers from 0 and 99
Algorithm:
Step 1. Start
Step 2. I ← 0
Step 3. Write I in standard output
Step 4. I ← I+2
Step 5. If (I <=98) then go to STEP 3
Step 6. End

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 Examples of Loop cont.
Problem 3: Design an algorithm with a natural number, n, as its input
which calculates the following formula and writes the result in the
standard output:
S = ½ + ¼ + … +1/n
Algorithm:
1. Start
2. Read n
3. I ← 2 and S ← 0
4. S= S + 1/I
5. I ← I + 2
6. If (I <= n) then go to line 4
else write S in standard output
7. End

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 Flowchart
• The flowchart is a diagram which visually presents
the flow of data through processing systems.
• This means by seeing a flow chart one can know the
operations performed and the sequence of these
operations in a system.
• Algorithms are nothing but sequence of steps for
solving problems.
• So a flow chart can be used for representing an
algorithm.
• You can see a flow chart as a blueprint of a design
you have made for solving a problem.
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 Flowchart Cont.
• There are 6 basic symbols commonly used in
flowcharting of assembly language Programs:
i. Terminal
ii. Process
iii. Input/output
iv. Decision
v. Connector
vi. Predefined Process
• This is not a complete list of all the possible
flowcharting symbols, it is the ones used most often
in the structure of Assembly language programming.
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 Flowchart Symbols

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 Flowchart Symbols (Cont.)

Example of on page connector

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 Some Examples of Flowcharts

Problem 1: Find the area of a circle of Problem 2: Convert temperature

radius r. Fahrenheit to Celsius.

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 Some Examples of Flowcharts

Problem 3: Algorithm which gets two Problem 4: Algorithm for find the
numbers and prints sum of their value greater number between two numbers

Start

Read A,B

True False
If A>B

Print A Print B

END

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 Some Examples of Flowcharts

Problem 5: Flowchart for the problem of printing even numbers between 9

and 100:

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 Advantages of Using Flow Chart
• Flow chart is used for representing algorithm in pictorial
form.
• This pictorial representation of a solution/system is having
many advantages.
These advantages are as follows:
1) Communication: A Flowchart can be used as a better way
of
communication of the logic of a system and steps involve in
the solution.
2) Effective analysis: A flowchart of a problem can be used for
effective
analysis of the problem.

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 Advantages of Using Flow Chart (Cont.)
3) Documentation of Program/System: Program document is used for
various purposes like knowing the components in the program, complexity
of the program etc.

4) Efficient Program Maintenance: Once a program is developed and

becomes operational it needs time to time maintenance.

• With help of flowchart maintenance become easier.

5) Coding of the Program: Any design of solution of a problem is finally

converted into computer program.

• Writing code referring the flowchart of the solution become easy.

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 Exercise
1. What is an algorithm?
2. Explain the need of an algorithm?
3. Find factorial of N? Write an algorithm.
4. Draw a flowchart to find the largest of three
numbers x, y and z.
5. Draw a flowchart to find the sum of first 100
natural numbers.

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