INTRODUCTION TO

INFORMATION SYSTEMS
 What is a Computer?

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 CH 1: COMPUTERS IN PERSPECTIVE

1.1 What is a Computer?

A computer is an electronic device that takes in data and instructions (input),

works with the data (processing), and produces information (output) that is
useful for decision making.

Basic Terms
Data refers to the raw facts that are fed to a computer.

Information is data that has been processed and can be used for decision
making.

Processing is the act of converting data into information.

A Computer is made up of two parts i.e.

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Components of a Computer System
External Storage

Internal Storage

Arithmetic & Output Units

Input Units Logic Unit

Control Unit

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 CH 1: COMPUTERS IN PERSPECTIVE

1.1 Classification of a Computer?

Hardware –The physical (Tangible) part of

a computer.

Software – The non physical part of a computer. It comprises of instructions fed to

the computer
to manipulate the hardware.

A computer system includes computer hardware, software and people.

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 CH 1: COMPUTERS IN PERSPECTIVE

Data and Information can take either of the

following formats:

•Text – These are number, characters or special ABC 123 !@$!#

symbols. They are used when preparing reports,
letters, etc.

•Graphics – These are images. Used when

preparing charts, graphs, pictures

•Multimedia – These are audio and video

recordings that may or may not combine of text and
graphics.
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1.2 History of Computers

"Computer" was originally a job
title: it was used to describe
those human beings
(predominantly women) whose
job it was to perform the
repetitive calculations required
to compute such things as
navigational tables, tide charts,
and planetary positions for
astronomical almanacs.

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The first computational device was the
abacus.

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 CH 1: COMPUTERS IN PERSPECTIVE
First Generation Computers - 1940-1956: Vacuum Tubes
• Used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory,
• were enormous, taking up entire rooms.
• Input was based on punched cards and paper tape.

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• The UNIVAC and ENIAC computers are examples of first-generation
computing devices.

A Photograph of ENIAC
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 A Photograph of UNIVAC

(Universal Automatic Computer)

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Vacuum tube Magnetic Drum Punched
cards

Vacuum tube computation Punched card reader & writer

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• Characteristics of 1st Gen Computers:

-Were very large

-Used vacuum tubes & magnetic drums

-Unreliable & overheated

-Very expensive

-Required a lot of power

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 CH 1: COMPUTERS IN PERSPECTIVE

Second Generation - 1956-1963:

Transistors
•The transistor was invented, enabling the birth of vastly less expensive, more
reliable computers.
•Transistors replaced vacuum tubes . It functions like a vacuum tube i.e. it can
be used to relay and switch electronic signals.
•Allowed computers to become smaller, more energy-efficient.
•Second-generation computers still relied on punched cards for input and
printouts for output.

A Transistor
IBM Stretch computer of 1959
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• Characteristics of 2nd Gen Computers:

- Used transistors

-Got smaller

-Required less power

-More reliable

-Still generated a lot of heat & large

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Early systems
– bring cards to 1401
– read cards to tape
– put tape on 7094 which does computing
– put tape on 1401 which prints output

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 CH 1: COMPUTERS IN PERSPECTIVE

Third Generation - 1964-1971: Integrated Circuits

•The development of integrated circuit chip.

•Transistors were miniaturized and placed on silicon
chips, called semiconductors
•Increased the speed and efficiency of computers.
•Instead of punched cards and printouts, input was done
through through keyboards and monitors
•The use of an operating system, which allowed the
device to run many different applications at one time
•Computers became accessible to a mass audience
because they were smaller and cheaper than their
predecessors.

The DEC PDP-12

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• Characteristics of 3rd Gen Computers:

-Used IC technology

-Got smaller & used less power

-Used keyboards & monitors

-Contained memory management (OS)

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 CH 1: COMPUTERS IN PERSPECTIVE

Fourth Generation - 1971- Present: Microprocessors

• Thousands of integrated circuits were built onto a single silicon
chip. The result was the microprocessor.
• A computer could now fit in the palm of the hand.
• The Intel 4004 chip, developed in 1971, located all the components
of the computer - from the central processing unit and memory to
input/output controls - on a single chip.
• In 1981 IBM introduced its first computer for the home user (the
personal computer), and in 1984 Apple introduced the Macintosh.
Microprocessors also moved out of the realm of desktop computers
and into many areas of life as more and more everyday products
began to use microprocessors.

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The original IBM Personal Computer (PC)
• Characteristics of 4th Gen Computers:

-Used large, very large, & ultra large scale integration

-Were cheaper, smaller, faster, & more efficient

-The first viable personal computers are produced

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 What happened after the fourth
generation computers???

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 CH 1: COMPUTERS IN PERSPECTIVE

Fifth Generation - Present and Beyond: Artificial Intelligence

•Based on artificial intelligence
•Are still in development, though there are some applications, such
as voice recognition, that are being used today.
•The goal of fifth-generation computing is to develop devices that
respond to natural language input and are capable of learning and
self-organization.

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 Technology of Tomorrow

1. Nanoscience
2. Biomedical Chip Implants
3. Artificial Intelligence

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 Nanoscience

• A field of applied science that involves the study of

molecules and structures (called nanostructures).
• The aim is to build devices on an extremely small
scale. Scientists have built microscopic machines that perform
tasks

5.4n
m

Fluid flow inside

Nanomachines

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 Biomedical Chip Implants

• Technological solutions to physical problems. Electronic implants

are replacing damaged nerves.
Retinal Implants
• Identity chips - embedded as identification devices to prove a
person is who he says he is

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 Artificial Intelligence

• Robots – Routine tasks

• Neurons vs Microchips - make decisions
based on criteria

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 CH 1: COMPUTERS IN PERSPECTIVE

1.3 Benefits of using a Computer

Too many people and organizations purchase and use Computers for
the wrong reasons. Computers are practical tools to be used in helping
you get results.

Computers are needed where:

1. We need accurate knowledge to assist decision making.
2. There are time constraints or sheer magnitude of work involved.
3. We need to reduce effort in tackling certain tasks.
4.We need cost efficiency.
5.There is a need to assist in enhancing Customer service.
6.There is a Decisions making process such as forecasting of market
trends to ensure business survival.

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CH 1: COMPUTERS IN PERSPECTIVE

1.4 Computer Applications in Society

 Education
 Finance
 Government
 Healthcare
 Science
 Publishing
 Travel
 Industry

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 Other Applications

Computers in Business
• Point of Sale Terminals
• Tracking merchandise

• Data mining

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Computers in the Arts

• Virtual art
• Virtual dance

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Computers in the Medical Field

• Virtual reality in medical applications

• Patient simulator • Da Vinci Surgical System

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 Tele-surgery

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 Telemedicine

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Computers in Law Enforcement

• Computer forensics

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Computers in the Legal Fields

• Surveillance cameras
• Forensic animation

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Computers in Education

• Computers in the classroom

• Distance Education
• Computerized research
• The Internet

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Computers and the Sciences

• Supercomputers
• Archeology
• Meteorology

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Computers in Sports

• Training
• Timing and
scorekeeping
• Data storage and
statistics

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Computer Gaming Careers

• Programming
• 3D animation

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Computers at Home

• Robotics
• Smart appliances

Internet-
connected
refrigerator Robomower

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 Is there any field today that
cannot make use of a computer?

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 CH 1: COMPUTERS IN PERSPECTIVE

1.5 Types of computers

A computer may be classified by technology, purpose, and size.

1.5.1 Classification by technology

•Digital: Digital computers are so called because they process data
that is represented in the form of discrete values (e.g. 0,1,2,3 …) by
operating on it in steps.

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•Analog: Analog computers are
similar to measuring instruments
such as thermometers and
voltmeters with pointers on circular
dials. They process data in the form
of electrical voltages, which are
variable like the variable positions of
a pointer on a dial.

•Hybrid: Hybrid computers, as their

name suggests, are computers that
have the combined features of digital
and analog computers.

NB: We are only going to

concentrate on digital computers
since they are the most widely
used

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Analog

Digital

Digital

Analog 0 0 01
0 1 11
0
0 01

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 CH 1: COMPUTERS IN PERSPECTIVE

1.5.2 Classification by purpose

•Special purpose computers: as their name suggests,
are designed for a particular job only; to solve problems
of a restricted nature.

•General Purpose Computers: are designed to solve a

wide variety of problems. Within the limitations imposed
by their design capabilities, they can be adapted to
perform particular tasks or solve problems by means of
specially written programs.

NB: we are mainly concerned with general purpose

digital computers.

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 CH 1: COMPUTERS IN PERSPECTIVE
1.5.3 Classification by size

Micro-Computer (Desktop) – can be positioned on top of a table

where a person is working.

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Mini-Computers (Laptops, Notepad, PDAs) - combines the CPU, the
monitor, the keyboard, and the mouse in one unit.

•so small that you can carry it on your laps when commuting.

•Includes laptops, notebooks, PDAs etc.

•Other parts can be connected to the laptop.

•Can do anything that a desktop can do.

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Macro-Computer (Server) - Holds information that other computers, can
retrieve.

•The computers are connected to the server via cable, wireless connection, etc
to be able to retrieve this information.
•Although not particularly recommended, any computer, including a desktop or
even a laptop can be used as a server, as long as it can do the job required.
•A server is more defined by the program (called an operating system) that is
installed in it, not how the machine looks.

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 CH 1: COMPUTERS IN PERSPECTIVE

Macro-Computer (The Mainframe) - Does jobs

for other types of computers that are connected to
it.
•Like a server, the program (operating system)
that runs in the mainframe defines its role.

Photo of HP supercomputer
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Macro-Computer (Supercomputers)- are built to minimize distance
between circuit boards
•They operate at very high speed for complex uses such as designing
airplanes, solving complex engineering formulas having billions of steps
mathematically etc.

•Supercomputers are the main servers in the Internet System.

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 CH 1: COMPUTERS IN PERSPECTIVE
1.6 Caring for your computer
Here are some general tips on the care of your PC:

Air circulation

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 Dust free environment.

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 Uninterruptible Power Supply.

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 Surge protector

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 Do not plug in devices (Unless USB) into
the computer while it is on,

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 Monitors, CPU and Printers should be
turned off by the power button

Do not eat or drink around your PC.

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 Use Anti-Virus software.

Backing up your data.

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Use Defrag on storage disks

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Perform disk cleanup

Empty your Recycle Bin on a regular basis.

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 Tips on caring for your computer

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