Introduction To Computers
Introduction To Computers
Introduction To Computers
• Since the first computer was made in the late fifties, the
technology has developed extremely. Computers which took
the place of a living-room then, are now being made in
creditcard-formats. More and more areas are being taken
over by the computer. As computers are capable of handling
large amounts of data in a very short time, they are well
suited for wordprocessing.
• Computers are greatly influencing the way people interact,
there has been an increase in non-face-to-face interaction
which may be good or bad depending on the circumstance.
Technologies have a good side and a bad side.
Terminology
• Computer science, like many other disciplines, uses
terminology that is specific to the subject. In certain
cases we may encounter words that have a particular
meaning when in normal use but acquire a different
meaning when used in the context to the subject,. It is
thus important that we define their meanings in
advance. We will be doing this for each lecture
throughout the module.
Terminology
Term Meaning
Execute Carry out an instruction/s
Program A collection of set of instructions
Software A collection of programs that that allow
the computer to be used to undertake
a particular task
• What is the origin of the word “computer”
• What is a computer
Terminology
• The word "computer" was first used around 1613 and it
referred to a person who carried out calculations, or
computations. From the end of the 19th century the word
began to take on its more familiar meaning that of a machine
that carries out computations.
• In the broadest sense, a computer is an electronic device
that manipulates information, or "data." It is able to store,
retrieve, and process data according to a set of instructions
given to it and this would normally result in meaningful
information and actions.
• From the above answers, we see that any device that can undertake
one or all of the above functions is a computing device. We have
tended to use the word to refer to a computer in its classical meaning,
i.e. a machine with a keyboard and screen and probably data storage
mechanism. However, we can now appreciate the fact that a
television set, mobile phone and microwave oven have within them
tiny computers that enable then perform the functions that they do.
We can deduce that a computer has two principal characteristics
• It responds to a specific set of instructions in a well-
defined manner.
• It can execute a prerecorded list of instructions (a
program).
• Computers have not always been electronic. Different
mechanical devices have been used that have performed the
functions of the classical computer for example an abacus
• Computers are widely used in the society today. They occur in every
aspect of our lives, featuring in social interactions, education,
commerce research etc. There are also devices that contain
computers within them and I believe it is most likely that you have
one such device with you namely a mobile phone, either in your
pocket, handbag or on the table next to you. These devices play a
significant role in enabling us lives the way we do
• Let us now take few moments and list devices that one may
find at home that contain computing units within them.
• Calculator Microwave oven
• Mobile Phones DVD Players
• Televisions Entertainment units
• Modern Cars Cameras
• What is it that makes computers or devices containing
computers so popular? The answer lies in the fact that unlike
humans, computers can carry our repetitive actions without
getting bored and the can do this with amazing speed,
accuracy and reliability not forgetting information storage
capability. Think for a moment the number of telephone
contacts in your phone and how many of the numbers you
can remember, not many.
• We can see from the list above that even though we
have restricted ourselves to the home, the range of
uses of the computers is still quite diverse. If we
extend it to outside the home, then the range
becomes mind-boggling. In the next sections we are
going to discuss uses of computing devices the
following areas:
• Social interactions
• Health
• Industry
• Education
• Commerce
Use of computing devices in the social interactions