LECTURE 0

GETTING FAMILIAR WITH BASICS

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 COMPUTER

A computer is a machine that can be

programmed to perform generic sets
of operations and perform a wide
range of tasks for the ease of users.

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 At the highest level, two things are required for computing

Hardware: The physical equipment in a computing environment such as the

computer and its peripheral devices (printers, speakers, etc.)

Software: The set of instructions that operates various parts of the

hardware. Also termed as “computer program”

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SECTION 1: HARDWARE REVIEW
INPUT & OUTPUT DEVICES

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 ALL COMPUTERS HAVE THE FOLLOWING
ESSENTIAL HARDWARE COMPONENTS:

Input – the component through which a user instructs a computer about what to
do

Processor – the engine that processes the instructions given by the user

Memory – where the processor stores information that is required during its
computations

Storage – where information that is required to be used much later is stored

Output – the component that communicates the results of a computation to the

user

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 SECTION 2: SOFTWARE REVIEW

System SW
Programs that generally perform the background tasks in a computer. These programs,
many times, talk directly to the HW, e.g. (Operating System)

Application SW
Programs that generally interact with the user to perform work that is useful to the user.
These programs generally talk to the HW through the assistance of system SW

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 Language Scientific Business Productivity Entertainment
Utility
Translator Apps. Apps. Apps. Apps.

Device Driver
Operating System

Hardware

System software

Application software

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DATA VS.
INFORMATION
• Data
• Raw, unorganized facts
• Can be in the form of text, graphics, audio, or video

• Information
• Data that has been processed into a meaningful form

• Information processing
• Converting data into information

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 TYPES OF COMPUTER
Computer

Digital Computer Analog Computer Hybrid Computer

Super Mainframe Mini Micro

Computer Computer Computer Computer

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 DIGITAL COMPUTER

• Digital computer are specialized in counting

• The input data is represented by a number
• There are used for logical and arithmetic operations
• All commonly used computers are digital

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 ANALOG COMPUTER

• Analog computers were commonly used for scientific and engeneering problem
• These types of computers are rarely use in current world
• Electric current meter
• Fuel pump station meter

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 HYBRID COMPUTER

• The combination of features of analog and digital computer is called Hybrid computer
• Used in Various area of engineering,
• space vehicle simulation
• Training of Astronauts

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CLASSIFICA
TION OF
COMPUTERS

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 MICRO COMPUTER

• The term micro-computer is generally synonymous with personal computer (PC).

• Micro-computers are designed to be used by individuals.
• These computers are low in cost
• Examples of microcomputers are
• Desktop Computer
• Laptop Computer
• Tablet

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 MINI COMPUTER

• Mini Computers are also called Mid-range computer.

• A minicomputer is a type of computer that possesses most of the features and capabilities of a
large computer but is smaller in physical size
• They are generally more powerful; and most useful as compared to micro-computer
• They are used in small business

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 MAINFRAME COMPUTER

• Mainframe computers are those computers that offer faster processing and greater storage area
• Different people can operate these computers at the same time
• Memory in GB’s and storage in TB’s
• Use in large business

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 SUPER COMPUTER

• Super computers are largest, fastest and expensive computers

• Super Computer are those computer which are designed for scientific job like weather
forecasting and artificial intelligences
• A super computer contains a number of CPU which operate in parallel to make it faster

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 CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS

Mainframe Computers Workstation

Super Computers

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Server Desktop Laptop Tablet

 COMPUTERS TO FIT EVERY NEED

• Six basic categories of computers:

• Embedded computers
• Mobile devices
• Personal computers
• Midrange servers
• Mainframe computers
• Supercomputers

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 COMPUTERS TO FIT EVERY NEED

• Embedded computer
• Embedded into a product and designed to perform specific tasks or functions for that product
• Cannot be used as general-purpose computers

• Mobile device
• A very small device with some type of built-in computing or Internet capability
• Typically based on mobile phones
• Personal computers
• A small computer designed to be used by one person at a time
• Also called a microcomputer

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 COMPUTERS TO FIT EVERY NEED
• Notebook (laptop) computers
• Typically use clamshell design
• Tablet computers
• Can be slate tablets or convertible tablets
• Netbooks
• Small notebooks; rapidly growing type of PC
• Ultra-mobile PCs (UMPCs)
• Handheld computers
• Midrange server
• A medium-sized computer used to host programs and data for a small
network
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 COMPUTERS TO FIT EVERY NEED
• Mainframe computer
• Powerful computer used by several large organizations to manage large amounts of centralized data
• Standard choice for large organizations, hospitals, universities, large businesses, banks, government offices
• Also called high-end servers or enterprise-class servers
• Supercomputer
• Fastest, most expensive, most powerful type of computer
• Commonly built by connecting hundreds of smaller computers, supercomputing cluster

Note: Supercomputers are used for large and complex mathematical computations. While Mainframe
computers are used as a storage for large database and serve as a maximum number of users
simultaneously. Supercomputer's speed is more than Mainframe computer. It can execute billions of
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 COMPUTER IN SOCIETY

• How important are computers in our society?

“COMPUTERS HAVE CHANGED OUR WORLD”
• Manage your schedule on a daily or hourly basis
• Manage a list of Contacts
• Send Faxes and Email
• Carry your data with you
• Be able to work anywhere
• Communicate and share data from anywhere

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 WHY ARE COMPUTERS SO IMPORTANT

• Home
• Communication
• Business Work done at home
• Schoolwork
• Entertainment
• Finances

• Education
• Healthcare

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 WHY ARE COMPUTERS SO IMPORTANT

• Industry
• Design
• Shipping
• Process Control
• Government
• Population
• Taxes
• Military
• Police

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 COMPUTERS IN YOUR LIFE

• Before 1980
• Computers were large, expensive
• Very few people had access to them
• Computers were mostly used for high-volume processing tasks

• Microcomputers in the early 80s

• Inexpensive personal computers
• Computer use increased dramatically

• Today
• More than 80% of US households include a computer, and most use computers at work
• Electronic devices are converging into single units with multiple capabilities
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 COMPUTERS IN THE HOME

• Computers used for a variety of

• Smart appliances
tasks:
• Looking up information and news • Traditional appliances with built-
in computer
• Exchanging e-mail
• Shopping and paying bills • Smart homes
• Watching TV and videos • Household tasks are
monitored and controlled
• Downloading music and movies by a main computer in
• Organizing digital photographs the house
• Playing games

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 COMPUTERS IN EDUCATION

• Colleges and universities are now more computer oriented and integrated
• Wireless hotspots allow usage of personal laptops to connect to the college network
• Some colleges require a computer for enrollment/ online assessments

• Distance learning
• Students participate from locations other than the traditional classroom setting using
computers and Internet access

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COMPUTERS ON THE JOB

• Computers have become a universal on-the-job

tool for decision-making, productivity, and
communication
• Used by all types of employees
• Used for access control and other security
measures
• Use by service professionals is growing
• Used extensively by the military
• Employees in all lines of work need to
continually refresh their computer skills

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 COMPUTERS ON THE GO

• Computers are encountered in nearly every aspect of daily life

• Consumer kiosks
• ATM transactions
• POS systems at retail stores
• Portable computers or mobile devices

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 QUICK ASSESSMENT

1. A tablet PC is an example of a(n) _____________.

a. Desktop computer
b. Portable PC
c. Supercomputers

2. True or False: The terms mainframe computer and supercomputer are interchangeable; both refer
to the largest, most powerful computers.
3. A smartphone is an example of a(n) _____________.

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Answers: 1) b; 2) False; 3) mobile device