Chapter 1

Introducing Computer
Systems

McGraw-Hill Technology Education Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
 The Computer Defined
• An electronic device
• Can store, retrieves and manipulates or
process data. Converts data into
information
• It can not think or reason. It can only
carryout instructions given to it.
• Charles Babbage is considered to be the
father of computer

1A-2
 Characteristics of Computer
• Automatic: Computers are automatic machines
because once started on a job, they carry on, until
the job is finished.
• Speed: Computer can perform in a few seconds, the
amount of work that a human being can do in
an entire year.
• Accuracy: Computers are very accurate. The
accuracy of a computer is consistently high.
• Diligence: A computer is free from monotony,
tiredness and lack of concentration.
• Power of Remembering/ Storage capacity: A
computer can store and recall any amount of
information.
• Repetitiveness: Once programmed, task repeated.
1A-3
 Limitations
• Cannot think
• Can not do anything without human
instruction
• Can not make any adjustment that
human beings can do

1A-4
 Parts of the Computer System
• Computer systems have four parts
– Hardware
– Software
– Data
– User

1A-5
 Parts of the Computer System
• Hardware
– Mechanical devices in the computer
– Anything that can be touched
• Software
– Tell the computer what to do
– Also called a program
– Thousands of programs exist

1A-6
 Parts of the Computer System
• Data
– Pieces of information
– Computer organize and present data
• Users
– People operating the computer
– Most important part
– Tell the computer what to do

1A-7
 Information Processing Cycle
• Steps followed to process data
• Input
• Processing
• Output
• Storage

1A-8
 Essential Computer Hardware
• Hardware categorized into four types
• Processor, Memory, Storage devices
and I/O devices

1A-9
 Processor
• Processing devices
– Brains of the computer
– Carries out instructions from the program
– Manipulate the data
– Most computers have several processors
– Central Processing Unit (CPU)
– Secondary processors
– Processors made of silicon and copper

1A-10
 Memory
• Memory devices
– Stores data or programs
– Random Access Memory (RAM)
• Volatile
• Stores current data and programs
• More RAM results in a faster system
• Example: Ferry to cross the river/ taking books
from the shelf to read
– Read Only Memory (ROM)
• Permanent storage of programs
• Holds the computer boot directions
1A-11
 Storage Devices
• Storage devices
– Hold data and programs permanently
– Different from RAM
– Magnetic storage
• Floppy and hard drive
• Uses a magnet to access data
– Optical storage
• CD and DVD drives
• Uses a laser to access data
o Difference between RAM and storage
1A-12 devices
 I/O Devices
• Input and output devices
– Allows the user to interact
– Input devices accept data
• Keyboard, mouse
– Output devices deliver data
• Monitor, printer, speaker
– Some devices are input and output
• Touch screens

1A-13
 Software Runs The Machine
• Tells the computer what to do
• Reason people purchase computers
• Two types
– System software
– Application software

1A-14
 Software Runs The Machine
• System software: Programs used to
control the computer and develop and
run application programs
– Most important software
– Operating system
• Windows XP
– Network operating system (OS)
• Windows Server 2003
– Utility
• Symantec AntiVirus
1A-15
 Software Runs The Machine
• Application software
– Accomplishes a specific task
– Most common type of software
• MS Word, EXCEL, ACCESS etc.
– Covers most common uses of computers

1A-16
 Computer data
• Fact with no meaning on its own
• Stored using the binary number system
• Only two digits used to store data

1A-17
 Computer users
• Role depends on ability
– Setup the system
– Install software
– Manage files
– Maintain the system
a) A system analyst
b) A programmer
c) A computer operator

1A-18
 Classification of Computers
• Super computer
• Mainframe computer
• Minicomputer
• Micro computer
– Workstations
– Servers
– Clients
– Terminals

1A-19
 Super Computer : Computers For Organizations
• Supercomputers
– The most powerful computers
made
– Handle large and complex
calculations
– High storage capacity.
– It is used to solve very complex,
sophisticated scientific problems
and for national security
purposes. Found in research
organizations
– An extremely fast computer that
can perform hundreds of millions
of instructions per second.
– Cray X-MP
1A-20
 Mainframe Computer : Computers For Organizations
• Mainframes
– Largest computer
– A powerful multi-user computer
capable of supporting many hundreds
or thousands of users simultaneously
– Users access through a terminal
– They are sensitive to variations in
temperature, humidity, dust etc. and
should be kept in controlled
environment (air conditioned room).
– They have larger data storage
capacity and are faster.
– They are mainly used for government
and commercial administrative
purpose, military, university etc.
– Expensive, Huge power consumption
– Required trained staff to operate

1A-21
 Minicomputers :Computers For Organizations
• Minicomputers
– Called midrange computers, gained
popularity in mid sixties due to low cost and
ease of operations
– Physically smaller, less expensive, small
storage capacity compared to mainframes
– Power between mainframe and desktop
– Can handle hundreds of users in a time
shared mode
– Used in smaller organizations
1A-22 – Users access through a terminal
 Microcomputers: Computers for individuals
• It is a microprocessor based small
laptop or desktop system with varying
capacity.
• It is designed to be used by one person
at a time.
• They are cheap and easy to use.
• They are small in size and light enough
to be moved easily.

1A-23
 Microcomputers: Computers for individuals
• Desktop computers
– The most common type of computer
– Sits on the desk or floor
– Performs a variety of tasks
• Workstations
– Represents bridge between Micro and Mini
– Specialized computers having many
capabilities of minicomputers but costing less
– Optimized for science or graphics
– More powerful than a desktop
1A-24
 Computers For Organizations
• Network servers
– Centralized computer
– Make programs and data available for
users in a network
– All other computers connect
– Provides access to network resources
– Multiple servers are called server farms
– Often simply a powerful desktop

1A-25
 Microcomputers: Computers for individuals
• Clients
– To use server users run desktop programs
called clients
– Know how to contact the server and obtain
information from the server
• Terminals
– Lack process data on their own, called dumb
– Have screen, keyboard and the electronics
that allow them to communicate with the
computer which they are connected
1A-26
 Microcomputers: Computers for individuals
• Notebook computers
– Small portable computers
– Weighs between 3 and 8 pounds
– About 8 ½ by 11 inches
– Typically as powerful as a desktop
– Can include a docking station

1A-27
 Microcomputers: Computers for individuals
• Tablet computers
– Newest development
in portable
computers
– Input is through
a pen
– Run specialized
versions of office
products

1A-28
 Generations of Computer
• First generation (1945-60):
 Use of thousands of vacuum tubes.Tubes were bulky,
caused tremendous heat problems and was never
reliable
 Large number of breakdowns and inefficient operation
 Magnetic drum as primary storage medium.
 Limited storage capacity and slow operating speed.
 Slow input/output
 Low level machine language programming .
 Ex: IBM 650, UNIVAC1

1A-29
 Generations of Computer (Contd.)
• Second Generation (1960-65):
 Use of transistors and diodes.
 Increased storage capacity
 Faster input / output .
 Free from heat, compact in size
 Great reduction in size and heat generation.
 Increased speed and reliability.
 Used machine and symbolic language
 Ex: IBM 1602, IBM 1401

1A-30
 Generations of Computer (Contd.)
• Third generation (1965-70):
 Use of Integrated Circuits (IC).
 More flexibility with input / output.
 Increased storage and processing capabilities
 Started using telephone line
 Started scanning a page, accepted voice input
 High level programming language (C, C++).
 Availability of operating system.
 Ex: IBM system / 360. NCR 395.

1A-31
 Generations of Computer (Contd.)
• Fourth Generation (1972-present):
 Use of large scale and very large scale
integrated circuits.
 Most important advancement in software
 Increased storage capacity and speed.
 Greater versatility of input / output devices.
 Increased storage capacity through CD, DVD.
 High level programming language .
 Ex: IBM Pcs, Apple II.

1A-32
 Generations of Computer (Contd.)
• Fifth Generation (yet to come):
 Will be capable of reasoning, learning and
behaving like humans
 Largest capacity of memory with high speed.
 Shrink in size of hardware
 Incorporate Artificial Intelligence.
 Voice recognition

1A-33
 Chapter 1

End of Chapter

McGraw-Hill Technology Education Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.