THE FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC, MUBI

DEPERTMENT OF COMPUTER ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

CTE 111

Abubakar D.I Moh’d Dept Of Computer Engineering, FPM.

Introduction and Definition of Computer

The word computer is derived from the word compute. Compute means to
calculate. The computer was originally defined as a super-fast calculator. It had the
capacity to solve complex arithmetic and scientific problems at very high speed.
But nowadays in addition to handling complex arithmetic computations, computers
perform many other tasks like accepting, sorting, selecting, moving, comparing
various types of information. They also perform arithmetic and logical operations
on alphabetic, numeric and other types of information. This information provided
by the user to the computer is data. The information in one form which is presented
to the computer is the input information or input data.

The 20th century saw the birth of one of the most important tools widely in use
today called a computer. Today, computers are used for communication,
management, research, drawing and design as well as entertainment.

This 21st century is being referred to as the digital age

A computer is an electronic device that accepts user input data and processes it
under the influence of a set of instructions referred to as programs to produce the
desired output generally referred to as information.

Computer can also be define as any programmable machine that accepts data as an
input, process the data and produce and output information for present or future
use.

• Data are raw facts that will not make much meaning to the user.

• Programs are set of instructions that instruct a computer what to do.

• Information is result after data has been processed.

Abubakar D.I Moh’d Dept Of Computer Engineering, FPM.

 COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM

The basic Components of a computer system are:

 Input Unit

 Central Processing Unit

 Output Unit

MU

INPUT ALU OUTPUT

CU

CPU
Data Flow Control Flow

Fig. 1.0 Central Processing Unit

Abubakar D.I Moh’d Dept Of Computer Engineering, FPM.

The Input Unit:

Input devices are the devices which are used to feed programs and data to the
computer. The input system connects the external environment with the computer
system. The input devices are the means of communication between the user and
the computer system.

Typical examples of input devices includes;-

The keyboard

Floppy disks

Mouse

Microphone

Light pen

Joy stick

Magnetic tapes etc.

Abubakar D.I Moh’d Dept Of Computer Engineering, FPM.

The way in which the data is fed into the computer through each of these devices is
different. However, a computer can accept data only in a specific form. Therefore
these input devices transform the data fed to them, into a form which can be
accepted by the computer.

The Central Processing Unit:

This is the brain of any computer system. The central processing unit or CPU is
made of three parts:

(a) The control unit.

(b) Arithmetic and Logic Unit and
(c) The primary Storage Unit

The Control Unit:

The Control Unit controls the operations of the entire computer system. The
control unit gets the instructions from the programs stored in primary storage unit
interprets this instruction and subsequently directs the other units to execute the
instructions. Thus it manages and coordinates the entire computer system.

The Arithmetic Logic Unit:

The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) actually executes the instructions and performs
all the calculations and decisions. The data is held in the primary storage unit and
transferred to the ALU whenever needed. Data can be moved from the primary
storage to the arithmetic logic unit a number of times before the entire processing
is complete. After the completion, the results are sent to the output storage section
and the output devices.

Abubakar D.I Moh’d Dept Of Computer Engineering, FPM.

The Primary Storage Unit:

This is also called as Main Memory. Before the actual processing starts the data
and the instructions fed to the computer through the input units are stored in this
primary storage unit. Similarly, the data which is to be output from the computer
system is also temporarily stored in the primary memory. It is also the area where
intermediate results of calculations are stored. The main memory has the storage
section that holds the computer programs during execution. Thus the primary unit:

 Stores data and programs during actual processing

 Stores temporary results of intermediate processing

 Stores results of execution temporarily

Output Unit:

The output devices give the results of the process and computations to the outside
world. The output units accept the results produced by the computer, convert them
into a human readable form and supply them to the users. The most common
output devices are

Printers,

Plotters,

Display screens,

Magnetic tape drives etc.

Abubakar D.I Moh’d Dept Of Computer Engineering, FPM.

 EVOLUTION OF COMPUTERS

The computers of today are vastly different in appearance and performance as

compared to the computers of earlier days. But where did this technology come
from and where is it heading? To fully understand the impact of computers on
today’s world and the promises they hold for the future, it is important to
understand the evolution of computers.

The history of computer is considered with the generations of a computer from first
generation to fifth generation.

In 19th century English mathematics professor named Charles Babbage referred as

a “Father of Computer”. He designed the Analytical Engine and it was this design
that the basic framework of the computers of today are based on. Generally
speaking, computers can be classified into five generations. Each generation lasted
for a certain period of time and each gave us either a new and improved computer
or an improvement to the existing computer.

First Generation of Computer (1937 – 1946):

In 1937 the first electronic digital computer was built by Dr. John V. Atanasoff and
Clifford Berry. It was called the Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC). In 1943 an
electronic computer name the Colossus was built for the military. Other
developments continued until in 1946 the first general– purpose digital computer,
the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator (ENIAC) was built. It is said
that this computer weighed 30 tons, and had 18,000 vacuum tubes which was used
for processing. When this computer was turned on for the first time lights dim in
sections of Philadelphia. Computers of this generation could only perform single
task, and they had no operating system.

Abubakar D.I Moh’d Dept Of Computer Engineering, FPM.

The first generation computers made use of

 Vacuum tube technology

 Punched cards for data input

 Punched cards and paper tape for output

 Machine Language for writing programs

 Magnetic tapes and drums for external storage.

The computers of the first generation were very bulky and emitted large amount of
heat which required air conditioning. They were large in size and cumbersome to
handle. They had to be manually assembled and had limited commercial use. The
concept of operating systems was not known at that time. Each computer had a
different binary coded program called a machine language that told it how to
operate.

Characteristics:

Sizes of these computers were as large as the size of a room.

Possession of vacuum tubes to perform calculation.

They used an internally stored instruction called program.

Abubakar D.I Moh’d Dept Of Computer Engineering, FPM.

Use capacitors to store binary data and information.

They use punched card for communication of input and output data and
information

They generated a lot of heat.

They have about One Thousand 1000 circuits per cubic foot.

Examples:

i. Mark I developed by Aiken in 1944.

ii. ii. Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator (ENIAC) built at the
Moore School for Engineering of the University of Pennsylvania in 1946
by J. Presper Eckert and William Mauchley.
iii. Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer (EDVAC) also
developed in 1947 by Eckert and Mauchley.

Second Generation of Computer (1947 – 1962)

Second generation of computers used transistors instead of vacuum tubes which

were more reliable. In 1951 the first computer for commercial use was introduced
to the public; the Universal Automatic Computer (UNIVAC 1). In 1953 the
International Business Machine (IBM) 650 and 700 series computers made their
mark in the computer world. During this generation of computers over 100
computer programming languages were developed, computers had memory and
operating systems. Storage media such as tape and disk were in use also were
printers for output.

Abubakar D.I Moh’d Dept Of Computer Engineering, FPM.

Characteristics:

i The computers were still large, but smaller than the first generation of computers.

ii. They use transistor in place of Vacuum Tubes to perform calculation.

iii They were produced at a reduced cost compared to the first generation of
computers.

iv. Possession of magnetic tapes as for data storage.

They were using punch cards as input and output of data and information. The use
of keyboard as an input device was also introduced.

vi. These computers were still generating a lot of heat in which an air conditioner
is needed to maintain a cold temperature.

vii. They have about one thousand circuits per cubic foot.

Example:

i. Leprechaun, IBM built by Bell Laboratories in 1947

ii. Transis produced by philco, GE and RCA.
iii. UNIVAC 1107, UNIVAC III. iv. RCA 501.

Abubakar D.I Moh’d Dept Of Computer Engineering, FPM.

Third Generation of Computer (1963 – 1975)

The invention of integrated circuit brought us the third generation of computers.

With this invention computers became smaller, more powerful more reliable and
they are able to run many different programs at the same time.

Characteristics:

i. They used large-scale integrated circuits, which were used for both data
processing and storage.
ii. Computers were miniaturized, that is, they were reduced in size
compared to previous generation.
iii. Keyboard and mouse were used for input while the monitor was used as
output device.
iv. Use of programming language like COBOL and FORTRAN were
developed.

v. They have hundred thousand circuits per cubic foot.

Examples:

Burroughs 6700

Mini computers

Honeywell 200

Abubakar D.I Moh’d Dept Of Computer Engineering, FPM.

IBM system 360

UNIVAC 9000 series.

Fourth Generation of Computer (PC 1975 – Current)

At this time of technological development, the size of computer was redivided to

what we called Personal Computers, PC. This was the time the first
Microprocessor was created by Intel. The microprocessor was a very large-scale,
that is, VLS integrated circuit which contained thousands of transistors.

Transistors on one chip were capable performing all the functions of a computer’s
central processing unit.

Characteristics:

i. Possession of microprocessor which performs all the task of a computer

system use today.
ii. The size of computers and cost was reduced.
iii. Increase in speed of computers.

Abubakar D.I Moh’d Dept Of Computer Engineering, FPM.

 iv. Very large scale (VLS) integrated circuits were used.

v. They have millions of circuits per cubic foot.

Examples:

i. IBM system 3090, IBM RISC6000, IBM RT.

ii. ILLIAC IV.
iii. Cray 2 XMP.

iv. HP 9000.

v. Apple Computers.

Fifth Generation of Computers (Present and Beyond)

Defining the fifth generation computers is some what difficult because the field is
still in its infancy. The computers of tomorrow would be characterized by Artificial
Intelligence (AI). An example of AI is Expert Systems. Computers could be
developed which could think and reason in much the same way as humans.
Computers would be able to accept spoken words as input (voice recognition).

Many advances in the science of computer design and technology are coming
together to enable the creation of fifth generation computers. Two such advances
are parallel processing where many CPUs work as one and advance in
superconductor technology which allows the flow of electricity with little or no
resistance, greatly improving the speed of information flow.

Fifth generations computing devices, based on artificial intelligence (AI) are still in
development, although there are some application such as voice recognition, facial
face detector and thumb print that are used today.

Abubakar D.I Moh’d Dept Of Computer Engineering, FPM.

Characteristics:

i. Consist of extremely large scale integration.

ii. Parallel processing
iii. Possession of high speed logic and memory chip.

iv. High performance, micro-miniaturization.

V Ability of computers to mimic human intelligence, e.g. voice recognition,

facial face detector, thumb print.

v. Satellite links, virtual reality.

vi. They have billions of circuits per cubic.

Examples:

i. Super computers
ii. Robots
iii. Facial face detector
iv. Thumb print.

Abubakar D.I Moh’d Dept Of Computer Engineering, FPM.

 CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS

Computers can be classified according to the following methods

I-Computational Method

Ii-Size and capability

Classification based on the computational method

Based on the system performs the computation a computer can be classified as

follows;-

1-Digital

2- Analogue

3- Hybrid

Digital computer:

A digital computer can count and accept numbers and letters through various input
devices. The input devices convert the data into electronic pulses, and perform
arithmetical operations on numbers in discrete form. In addition to performing
arithmetical operations, they are also capable of

1. Storing data for processing

2. Performing logical operations

3. Editing or deleting the input data.

One of the main advantages in the use of digital computers is that any desired
level of accuracy can be achieved by considering as many places of decimal as are
necessary and hence are most suitable for business application.

Abubakar D.I Moh’d Dept Of Computer Engineering, FPM.

The main disadvantage is their high cost, even after regular reductions in price and
the complexity in programming.

Example: To calculate the distance travelled by a car in a particular time interval,

you might take the diameter of the tyre to calculate the periphery,

Take into consideration the number of revolutions of the wheel per minute, take
the time in minutes and multiply them all to get the distance moved. This is called
digital calculation. A computer using the principle of digital calculations can be
called a digital computer.

Analog Computer

Analog computers process data input in a continuous form. Data such as voltage,
resistance or temperature are represented in the computer as a continuous,
unbroken flow of information, as in engineering and scientific applications, where
quantities to be processed exists as waveforms or continually rising and falling
voltages, pressure and so on as the measurements in analog computer are carried
out by a few single-purpose the analog computer offers low cost and ease in
programming.

The main disadvantage of an analog computer is the accuracy factor, and the
limited storage capacity. Hence it is not suitable for processing business data.

Hybrid Computer:

Abubakar D.I Moh’d Dept Of Computer Engineering, FPM.

Computer can also be built using some parts employing digital computations, and
some parts based on Analog principles. Such computers are called Hybrid
computer

Example: In Process Control Computer Systems, the input comes from devices
likes’ pressure, gauze, thermometers, motors etc. This pressure control uses analog
methods in the relevant areas. The inputs from analog devices are sent to a digital
computation unit that runs the mathematical model for controlling the process.
These types of computers are called Hybrid because they use analog methodology
in some parts and digital methodology in some others

Classification of computer based on Size and Capability:

On the basis of size and capability, digital computers can be classified as:

•Supercomputer

•Mainframe Computer

•Minicomputer

•Microcomputer

Super computers are the largest and most powerful; microcomputers are the
smallest. Mainframe computers are large, expensive computers designed to meet a
large organization’s computing needs. Minicomputers are smaller than mainframes
but still large enough to meet the computing needs of a medium sized or small
organization. Personal computers, or microcomputers, meet the computing needs
of a medium sized or small organization. Notebook computers provide a personal
computer’s capabilities in a small lightweight portable package. All around us are

Abubakar D.I Moh’d Dept Of Computer Engineering, FPM.

embedded computers, special purpose computers that perform control functions in
such devices as microwave ovens, fuel-injected systems and wristwatches.

Super Computer

Supercomputers are the largest, fastest, most powerful, and most expensive
computers made. Like other large systems, many individuals can access
supercomputers at the same time. Super computers are used primarily for scientific
applications that are mathematically intensive. The aerospace, automotive,
chemical, electronics and petroleum industries use supercomputers extensively.
Supercomputers are used in weather forecasting and seismic analysis. They are
found in many public and private research centers, such as universities and
government laboratories. The first supercomputer was built in the 1960s for the
United States

Mainframe Computer

Mainframes are less powerful and cheaper than Super computers. However, they
are big general purpose computers capable of handling all kinds of scientific and
business applications. Mainframes are used for applications as payroll
computations, accounting, business transactions, information retrieval, and airline
seat reservations. Mainframes can process several million instructions per second.
More than 1,000 remote terminals can be supported by a Mainframe. Mainframes
have large on-line secondary storage capacity. A number of different types of
peripheral devices like magnetic tape drivers, hard disk drive, visual display units,

Abubakar D.I Moh’d Dept Of Computer Engineering, FPM.

plotters, printers and telecommunication terminals can be attached with Mainframe
computers.

Mini computers

This type of computer performs data processing activities in the same way as the
Mainframe but on a smaller scale. The cost of minis is lower. As the name, a
minicomputer is small compared with a Mainframe and may be called a scaled
down .The creation of integrated circuits suitable for computers enabled designers
to shrink the size of the computer. Before Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC)
released the first DEC PDP-8 minicomputer in 1968, most medium sized
organizations were priced out of the computer market because they couldn’t afford
mainframe computers. The DEC computer cost around $50,000 a considerable
savings compared with $200,000 mainframe of that like mainframes, most
minicomputers are multiuser systems. Many of today’s minicomputers can
accommodate as many as 200 users working from individual terminals.

Micro Computers

This is the smallest category of computers, consisting of a microprocessor and

associated storage and input/output devices. These are also called Personal
Computer systems. Microcomputers were first available for widespread use in the
1970’s, when it became possible to put the entire circuitry of computers (CPU) into
a small silicon chip.

Personal computers are so named because it is designed for personal use. IBM, the
foremost computer manufacturing firm in the world, introduced the first PC named
as IBM-PC. Personal computers are classified on the basis of size and portability.
There are different types of microcomputer platforms with varying capabilities.

Abubakar D.I Moh’d Dept Of Computer Engineering, FPM.

The most common type of microcomputer is a desktop computer, which is a non-
portable personal computer. Portable computers are those personal computers that
are light enough to be easily transported. Portable personal computers that are
small enough to be set on the lap of a user are called laptop computers, notebook
computers are approximately the size of a book. Portable personal computers that
can be put in a pocket are called pocket or palm sized computers.

Most microcomputers enable the user to switch between tasks. This capability is
known as multitasking, a single user variation on multiprogramming. Multitasking
can be a great timesaver.

Hardware and Software

We come across two terms quite frequently in relation to computers. These are
Hardware and Software. Let us define these terms. We will discuss about them in
more details later.

Hardware–Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer. The devices

that physically ensure intake of data, storing them, processing them and displaying
them are called Hardware

Software–Software consists of sequence of instructions, in the form of a program

to perform a particular task on a computer.

Application of Computer

Abubakar D.I Moh’d Dept Of Computer Engineering, FPM.

A computer has a processor, memory, storage devices, input/output devices, and
other components that allow it to perform these functions. The machine has its
presence in every domain. Be it Finance, IT, Healthcare or Gaming, a computer is
ubiquitous.

Domain Application

Finance Financial Modeling

Education Online Learning like Byju's

Entertainment YouTube, Netflix, Prime

Accounting Tally

Communication Zoom, Gmail

Mechanical Engineering CAD (Computer-Aided Design)

Advantages of Computers

The computer has become a necessity in our lives. It is the best way to
communicate with people all around the world. We can easily access information
from anywhere at any time. The computer also helps us to learn new things. Below
listed are the major advantages of computers.

1. High Speed

One of the reasons for improvement in the quality of life is personal computer's
speed. The modern computer offers a great speed, helping us to do our tasks
within a matter of seconds. Let's say, you want to watch a video. You'll just go to
YouTube and find the required video within seconds.

Abubakar D.I Moh’d Dept Of Computer Engineering, FPM.

2. Accuracy

Human make errors. Hence, while complex calculations, we check once with the
calculator. The fact that computers are extremely accurate makes them quite
reliable. You'll trust the information or answer that a calculator gives, just due to
its accuracy.

3. Automation

A lot of tasks can be automated saving a lot of time. For example, instead of
manually calculating some values like mean, median of a large dataset, we just use
excel. This saves a lot of time ensuring 100% accuracy.

4. Storage

Storage capacity of computer is usually in Giga- Bytes(GBs) or more. We can

store videos, images, games, etc. on our computer and access it easily after
downloading it.

5. Ease of Access

Let's say we have to search a book in a library and we don't know anything except
the name of the book. It would be an arduous task. But, in a computer, just type the
name of the file and voila! This ease of access provided by our personal computer
contributes towards saving our time and efforts.

6. Multitasking

Multitasking means working on multiple tasks simultaneously. Suppose you read

an article online and you need to write down the meanings of the words that are
unfamiliar. You, then search on Google, note down the meaning on a word file and
continue reading the article. This is one example of multitasking offered by
computers.

Abubakar D.I Moh’d Dept Of Computer Engineering, FPM.

7. Better understanding of data

A computer supports lot of tools for data analysis and mining. Organizations make
use of this benefit of computers to support data analysis and visualization helpful
for decision making.

8. Reduced Cost for Online Ventures

Affordable Computers and Laptops with internet connectivity are a boon for start-
ups that function online. It lowers the cost by reducing infrastructure, inventory
and rent expenses. Just they need a team with laptops and internet connectivity
with a software license relevant to their industry.

Disadvantages of Computers

Computers are great tools, but they have their disadvantages too. They can be
slow, unreliable, and expensive. They also require constant maintenance and
upgrades.

1. Online Cyber-Crimes

As with any device, cyber-crimes occur in computers. Data stealing is one of the
major threats in the world of computers. It may occur online or via offline
removable device like that of a USB.

2. Health-Issues

Prolonged use of personal computers result in many health related issues. Eye
strain, headache, back pain, etc. are some of them.

3. Fake News

Abubakar D.I Moh’d Dept Of Computer Engineering, FPM.

Computers enable a wide array of data sharing options. But, this becomes a
medium for spread of spurious news. Many cases are there when fake news is
shared among people using messaging apps.

4. E- waste

After the use of computers, it is nothing but a form of e-waste. This contributes
negatively by releasing harmful toxic materials.

5. Lack of Concentration and Irritation

As multitasking makes our lives easier, but it comes with its disadvantages. We try
to focus on multiple tasks and notifications. This leads to decrease in attention span
and lack of concentration on one particular task. Also, addictive games played on
computer contribute towards irritability when not allowed to play.

Abubakar D.I Moh’d Dept Of Computer Engineering, FPM.