Introduction To Computers

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Overview of computers in society

• 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

• Let us start off by looking at the use of computing devices in social


life. Our entertainment and pleasure-time have been greatly
influenced by computers. We use remote controls to control our
television sets in which we have stored various channels,
manipulating it by pressing buttons on the remote. We can even
program it to switch itself off at a predetermined time freeing us from
the need of having to be there physically to do it.
• Popular social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace are
only possible because of computers.
• Monitoring Systems
• Diagnosis of Diseases
• Clinical Image Processing
Use of computing devices in industry

• Computers are used in industry in different types of systems.


Computer-controlled robots are used to perform many complicated
jobs in industry, like pick and place different parts, welding or painting
cars etc. Today, computer-controlled robots are used to assemble
cars. No doubt, these systems work faster than human beings.
Another popular and efficient use for computer controlled robots is in
the field of spray painting. Perhaps the most popular applications of
robots are in industrial welding. The repeatability, uniformity quality,
and speed of robotic welding is unmatched
Use of computing devices in education
• Computers have had a dramatic impact in the
education sector. Getting the right kind of information
is a major challenge as is getting information to make
sense.. Research shows that computers can
significantly enhance performance in learning.
Students exposed to the internet say they think the
web has helped them improve the quality of their
academic research and of their written work
Distance Learning
• One revolution in education is the advent of distance
learning. This offers a variety of internet and video-
based online courses. In the area of self-learning, self-
directed learners often use computers to continue
their education outside of, or in addition to,
traditional facilities
Scientific research
• Computers used in scientific research have the ability to
analyze data in ways and at speeds not possible with the
human eye. They are able to analyze percentages of
materials present in a variety of compounds from soil
samples to chemicals and even the air you breathe.
Additionally, computers used in this manner can determine
trends in data samples. For example, computer analysis of
data in research could determine the temperature at which
certain chemical compounds break down
Prediction Modeling
• Scientists and researchers are able to use computer
programs to model how data might manifest itself in the
future. This ability is useful in predicting climate patterns,
simulating how engineered products might perform in the
field, predicting the erosion rate of beaches and anticipating
the absorption rate of medications in the body. Scientists and
engineers are then able to adjust building strategies or
chemical compositions of products to ensure safe operation
and consumption
Use of computing devices in commerce
• What examples do we have?
Summary
• We have seen from this lecture that computers can be found all
around us. They range from mobile phones, television sets,
calculators, standard computers found in our homes to automatic
teller machines, high end diagnostic medical equipment and industrial
robots They affect every aspect of our lives, assisting us in learning
and doing our work. They are indispensable in commerce and
industry. It is no longer surprising for one to carry financial
transactions from the comfort of one’s home because of computing
devices.
• Computers are enabling us communicate in new innovative ways, are
allowing us to work faster, better and give more reliable information
This roles are only going to keep on increasing as we continue to
develop.

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