Chapter - 1

What is a computer?
 A computer is an electronic device that accepts data as input, processes data into
information, stores information for future uses, and outputs the information whenever
it is needed.

Storage

Input Process Output

Hardware and Software

What is Hardware?
 Hardware are the physical components which make up the computer system.
 Hardware can be either external or internal.
 Internal hardware devices:
 Motherboard
 Random access memory (RAM)
 Read only memory (ROM)
 Video cards
 Sound cards
 Network interface card (NIC)
 hard disk drive (HDD) and solid-state drive (SSD)
 External hardware devices:
- Monitor, speaker, keyboard, printer, and etc.

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Motherboard
 The motherboard is a printed circuit board found in all computers.
 It allows the processor and other computer hardware to function and communicate
with each other.

Random access memory (RAM)

 Random access memory (RAM) is an internal chip where data is temporarily stored
when running applications.
 This memory can be written and read.
 Its contents are lost when power to the computer is turned off, it is often referred to
as a volatile or temporary memory.
 RAM stores the data, files of part of the operating system currently in use.

Read only memory (ROM)

 Read only memory (ROM) is a memory used to store information that needs to be
permanent.
 It is often used to contain, for example, configuration data for a computer system.
 These chips cannot be altered and can only be read.
 ROM chip is not lost even when the power is turned off to the computer.
 They are often referred to as non-volatile memories.

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RAM and ROM differences

Video cards
 A video card allows the computer to send graphical information to a video display
device such as a monitor, television or projector.
 It usually connects to the motherboard.
 Video cards are usually made up of:
- A processing unit
- Memory unit (usually RAM)
- A cooling mechanism (often in the form of a heat sink since these cards generate
much heat)
- Connections to a display unit (monitor, television or projector)

Sound cards
 A sound card is an integrated circuit board that provides a computer with the ability
to produce sounds.
 Sound cards also allow a user to record sound input from a microphone connected
to the computer, and to manipulate sounds stored on a disk.
 Sound cards use two basic methods to translate digital data into analogue signals
(needed for speakers)
 FM synthesis mimics different musical instruments according to built-in formulas
 Wavetable synthesis relies on recordings of actual instruments to produce sound

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Network interface card (NIC)
 A network interface card (NIC) is a component that allows a computer or any other
device to be connected to a network (For example, the internet); it can be wired or
wireless.
 Each NIC is hard-coded with a unique MAC (media access control) address code.

Internal hard disk drive/ solid state drive (HDD/ SSD)

 Hard disk drives (HDD) are magnetic in nature and are one of the main methods for
storing data, files (text, photos and music) and most of the system and application
software.
 More modern computers (and all tablets) use newer storage systems that make use
of solid-state drive (SSD) technology and are replacing HDD in many cases.
 Their function is the same as HDD.

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Analogue Vs digital data
 Digital data – binary format (0 and1)
 Analogue – physical data that changes smoothly from one value to the next

Peripherals
 A peripheral device is any equipment that is externally connected to the system unit
such as: keyboard, printer, mouse, monitor, speakers, etc.

What is Software?
 Software is a collection of instructions (programs) that can be ‘run’ on a computer.
These instructions tell the computer what to do.
 Software is not a physical thing (but it can of course be stored on a physical medium
such as a CD-ROM), it is just a bunch of codes.
 There are two types of software:
- application software
- system software

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Application Software
 Programs that allow the user to do specific tasks.
 Examples of application software are:
 Word processor
 Spreadsheet
 Database
 Control and measuring software
 Graphics editing
 Video editing
 Audio editing
 Apps and applets
 Computer-aided design (CAD)

Examples of application software

 Word Processing: used to manipulate text documents, such as letters or reports.
Provides tools for inserting photos/images, chancing text formatting, spell checking
and mail merging.

 Spreadsheet: used for organizing and manipulating numerical data. These numbers
are organized in a grid of cells. Can use formulas to carry out calculations, produce
graphs and it is also used for modelling and predictions.

 Database: Helps to organize, manipulate and analyze large quantities of data.

Provides the ability to carry out queries and produce reports. Also enables to add,
delete and modify data in a table.

 Control and measuring software: are designed to allow a computer or

microprocessor control devices to measure physical variables in the real world and
control applications.

 Audio editing: Audio editing software allows a user to edit, manipulate and generate
audio data on a computer.

 Video editing: Can manipulate videos to produce an edited video, by adding titles,
altering sounds of frames. Also, can color correct and include transitions between
clips. Graphics manipulation software: Allows bitmap and vector images to be
manipulated.

 Apps and applets: also known as applications. Apps are the software which runs on
mobile phones. They usually come with the phone or can be downloaded and
updated. Applets are small applications that perform a single task on a device.

 Computer-aided design (CAD) software: This is software used to help in the

creation, manipulation, modification and analysis of a drawing/design. It can be used
to produce 2D or 3D diagrams.

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System Software
 Programs that allow the hardware to run properly and allow the user to communicate
with the computer.
 Examples of system software are:
 Operating Systems
 Device Drivers
 Utilities
 Linkers
 Compiler

Examples of system software

 Operating Systems: Manages computers functions including hardware devices
(input/output). Also provides users with a GUI interface.

 Device Drivers: Allows hardware devices to run on the computer including printers,
sound, graphics and network cards.

 Utilities: Help to manage and maintain computer resources and performance by

running specific tasks.

 Linkers: Combines object files produced by a compiler into a single program.

 Compiler: Translates a program written in a specific language which can be

understood by the computer.

Main components of a Computer System

• Input devices (keyboard, mouse, …)

• Processor and internal memory (RAM, ROM)
• Output devices (printer, monitor, speakers, etc.)
• Backing/ secondary storage devices (hard disk drive, solid-state drive, pen drive,
etc.)

Main Components
• Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• Internal Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
• Random Access Memory (RAM)
• Read-Only Memory (ROM)

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Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• CPU is the part of the computer that interprets and executes the commands from the
computer hardware and software.
• It is part of the computer motherboard.
• CPU is referred to as a microprocessor.
• CPU is made up of a control unit (CU), which control the input and output devices.
• An arithmetic and logic unit (ALU), which carries out calculations and make logical
decisions.

Tasks for a typical Operating System (OS)

• Control of the operation of the input, output and storage devices.
• Supervising the loading, running and storage of programs
• Dealing with errors that occur in programs
• Maintaining security of the whole computer system
• Maintaining a computer log
• Allowing communication between the user and computer

User Interfaces (UI)

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

 GUI allows the user to interact with a computer using picture or icons.
 End user who doesn’t have any great knowledge of how computer works and who
want to play games, run software, store photos use GUI.
Advantages:
 User doesn’t need to learn any commands.
 It is more user-friendly; icons are used to present applications
 WIMP (Windows, Icons, Menu and Pointing Device)
 Post-WIMP (touch-screen, screen rotating/ pinching plus WIMP)
Disadvantages:
 It uses more computer memory than CLI.
 The user is limited to the icons provided on the screen.

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Command Line Interface (CLI)
 CLI requires a user to type in instructions to choose options from menus, open
software, and so on.
 Programmer, System Analysts, Security Person or Technician; who needs to have
direct communication with a computer to develop new software, locate errors, etc;
use CLI.
Advantages:
 The user is in direct communication with the computer.
 The user is not restricted to a number of predefined options.
 It is possible to alter computer configuration settings.
Disadvantages:
 The user needs to learn a number of commands to carryout basic operations.
 All commands need to be typed in.
 Each command must be typed in user the correct format.

Dialogue-based User Interface

 Use the human voice to give commands to a computer system
 Could also be used in the home: by using voice commands, it is possible to switch
on/off lights, operate electronic equipment and so on
Advantages:
 No need for a driver to take their hands off the steering wheel
 In a home, very useful for people with disabilities because many tasks can be
carried out by the spoken word only.
 Possible to use as a security feature because voice recognition could be used to
identify a person.
Disadvantages:
 Still unreliable, with many commands not being recognised or needing to be
repeated several times
 Can be quite complex to set up
 User needs to know which commands can be used

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Gesture-based Interfaces
 Rely on human interaction by the moving of hands, head or even the feet
 Gesture recognition allows humans to interface with a computer in a more natural
fashion without the need for any mechanical devices.
 This type of interface uses techniques known as computer vision and image
processing.
Advantages:
 Replaces mechanical input devices
 No physical contact required
 Very natural interface for a human operator
 No training needed to interface with the computer
Disadvantages:
 Possible for unintentional movement to be picked up
 Only works fairly near to the camera or sensor
 May only accept a limited number of movements

Types of Computers
 PC / desktop computers
 Laptop Computers
 Tablets
 Phablets
 Smartphones

Advantages and Disadvantages of each type

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 Impact of emerging technologies
1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) biometric
2. Robots
3. Virtual reality (VR)
4. Augmented reality

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Biometric

 AI refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines
 AI biometric system learns by using AI about a person fingerprint on every scan.
 The system learns form the different alignments.
 It is still able to match the fingerprints stored on a database.
 Uses: facial – recognition system, eye – recognition system

Robotics
 Use in manufacturing industry
 Use in car factories to weld, spray car bodies
 Use of drones by military and civilians
 Civilians use of survey landscape, to investigate weather
 Use in surgical procedures

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Virtual Reality (VR)
 Virtual reality is an artificial environment created by software.
 The user makes use of data goggles, sensor suites, data gloves, helmets to get a
feeling of reality.
Virtual Reality is used in all of the following areas:
- Military applications - Business
- Education - Real Estate
- Healthcare - Engineering
- Entertainment - Sports
- Fashion - Media
- Heritage - Scientific Visualisation

Augmented Reality (AR)

 Augmented Reality is a technology that superimposes a computer – generated
image on the user’s view of the real world, thus providing a composite view.
Augmented Reality is used in all of the following areas:
- Safety and rescue operation
- Healthcare
- Entertainment
- Shopping and retail

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