Lecture 1

Introduction to computer
The Computer Defined
• In basic terms, a computer is an electronic device that processes data,
converting it into information that is useful to people. Any computer
—regardless of its type—is controlled by programmed instructions,
which give the machine a purpose and tell it what to do.
• A lesser-known type of computer is the analog computer; which
works in a very different way from digital computers.
• The earliest computers were analog systems, and today's digital
systems owe a great deal to their analog ancestors. Analog and digital
computers differ in many respects, but the most important distinction
is the way they represent data.
Analog and Digital Computer.
• A computer that uses a continuous signal to process is called an
analog computer.
• Analog computer, any of a class of devices in which continuously
variable physical quantities, such as electrical potential, fluid pressure,
or mechanical motion, are represented in a way analogous to the
corresponding quantities in the problem to be solved.
Analog computer example
• Car speedo meter that measure the speed of car.
Computers for Individual Users
• Most computers arc meant to be used by only one person at a time. Such
computers are often shared by several people (such as those in your school’s
computer lab), but only one user can work with the machine at any given
moment (sec Figure 1 A.4). The six primary types of computers in this category
are
• » Desktop computers
• » Workstations
• »Notebook computers
• » Tablet computers
• » Handheld computers
• » Smart phones
Desktop Computers
• The most common type of personal computer is the desktop
computer—a PC that is designed to sit on (or under) a desk or table.
These are the systems you sec all around you, in schools, homes, and
offices, and they are the main focus of this book. Today's desktop
computers are far more powerful than those of just a few years ago,
and are used for an amazing array of tasks. Not only do these
machines enable people to do their jobs with greater ease and
efficiency, but they can be used to communicate, produce music, edit
photographs and videos, play sophisticated games, and much more.
Used by everyone from preschoolers to nuclear physicists, desktop
computers arc indispensable for learning, work, and play
Workstations
• A workstation is a specialized, single-user computer that typically has
more power and features than a standard desktop PC. These
machines are popular among scientists, engineers, and animators
who need a system with greater-than-average speed and the power
to perform sophisticated tasks.
• Workstations often have large, high-resolution monitors and
accelerated graphics handling capabilities, making them suitable for
advanced architectural or engineering design, modeling, animation,
and video editing
Notebook Computers
• Notebook computers, as their name implies, approximate the shape
of an 8.5-by-ll-inch notebook and easily fit inside a briefcase. Because
people frequently set these devices on their lap, they are also called
laptop computers. Notebook computers can operate on alternating
current or special batteries.
Tablet PCs
• The tablet PC is the newest development in portable, full-featured
computers. Tablet PCs offer all the functionality of a notebook PC, but
they are lighter and can accept input from a special pen—called a
stylus or a digital pen—that is used to tap or write directly on the
screen.
Handheld PCs
• Handheld personal computers are computing devices small enough to
fit in your hand A popular type of handheld computer is the personal
digital assistant (PDA). A PDA is no larger than a small appointment
book and is normally used for special applica* tions, such as taking
notes, displaying telephone numbers and addresses, and keeping
track of dates or agendas.
Smart Phones
• Some cellular phones double as miniature Because these phones offer
advanced features not typically found in cellular phones, they are
sometimes
Computers for Organizations
• Some computers handle the needs of many users at the same time.
These powerful systems arc most often used by organizations, such as
businesses or schools, and are commonly found at the heart of the
organization’s network.
Network Servers
• A network server is a computer designed to act as central repository and help in providing various resources like hardware access, disk space, printer
access, etc,. to other computers in the network.
• Types of network servers
• Network servers can be categorized based on the specific services they provide. Each type of server plays a unique role in a network infrastructure,
catering to different needs and functionalities. Here are some common types of network servers:
• Web server: Hosts and serves web pages to clients via the internet or an intranet, delivering requested web pages when a user accesses a website.
• File server: Dedicated to storing and managing files, allowing users to save, retrieve, and share files over a network, essential for data accessibility and
collaboration.
• Database server: Hosts databases and manages data queries from clients, crucial for managing large volumes of data efficiently and securely, often used
in business environments.
• Mail server: Manages and facilitates email communication, storing emails, processing incoming and outgoing messages, and ensuring secure and
efficient email delivery.
• Application server: Hosts and executes specific applications, providing a platform for running software, services, or applications accessible to network
users.
• Print server: Manages one or more printers and handles printing requests from clients, queuing print jobs, and managing print resources within a
network.
• Domain name system (DNS) server: Translates domain names into IP addresses, enabling users to access websites using familiar domain names instead
of numerical IP addresses.
• Virtual server: Uses virtualization technology to run multiple server instances on a single physical server, maximizing hardware utilization and providing
flexibility in server management.
• Proxy server: Acts as an intermediary between a client and another server, used for data caching, internet security, and to bypass restrictions.
Mainframe Computers
• A mainframe computer, informally called a mainframe or big iron, is a
computer used primarily by large organizations for critical applications
like bulk data processing for tasks such as censuses, industry and
consumer statistics, enterprise resource planning, and large-scale
transaction processing.
Minicomputers
• minicomputer, computer that was smaller, less expensive, and less
powerful than a mainframe or supercomputer but more expensive
and more powerful than a personal computer. Minicomputers were
used for scientific and engineering computations, business
transaction processing, file handling, and database management.
Supercomputers
• supercomputer, any of a class of extremely powerful computers. The
term is commonly applied to the fastest high-performance systems
available at any given time. Such computers have been used primarily
for scientific and engineering work requiring exceedingly high-speed
computations.
Importance of Computes
• Work with Graphics-Intensive or Desktop Publishing Applications. Complex
graphics and page-layout programs require a great deal of system resources,
and a desktop system’s large monitor reduces eye fatigue.
• » Design or Use Multimedia Products. Even though many portable
computers have multimedia features, you can get the most for your money
with a desktop system. Large screens make multimedia programs easier to
see, and stereo-style speakers optimize sound quality.
• » Set Up Complex Hardware Configurations. A desktop computer can support
multiple peripherals—including printers, sound and video sources, and
various external devices—at the same time. If you want to swap
components, or perform other configuration tasks, a desktop system wiU
provide many options.
Importance of Computes
• Home
• » Communications. Electronic mail (e-mail) continues to be the most popular use
for home computers.
• Business Work Done at Home. Thanks to computers and Internet connections,
more people arc working from home.
• Schoolwork. Today’s students are increasingly reliant on computers, and not just as
a replacement for typewriters.
• Entertainment. If you haw ever played a computer game, you know how enjoyable
they can be. For this reason, the computer has replaced the television as the
entertainment medium of choice for many people.
• Financcs.'Computcrs and personal finance software can make balancing your
checkbook an enjoyable.experience
Importance of Computes
• Education
• More and more schools are adding computer technology to their
curricula, not only teaching pure computer skills, but incorporating
those skills into other classes. Students may be required to use a
drawing program, for example, to draw a plan of the Alamo for a
history class, or use spreadsheet software to analyze voter turnouts
during the last century’s presidential elections.
Importance of Computes
• Small Business
• Many of today’s successful small companies simply could not exist
without computer technology. Each year, hundreds of thousands of
individuals launch businesses based from their homes or in small-
office locations. They rely on inexpensive computers and software not
only to perform basic work functions, but to manage and grow their
companies.
Importance of Computes
• Industry
• Today, enterprises use different kinds of computers in many combinations.
• Design. Nearly any company that designs and makes products can use a computer-
aided design or computer-aided manufacturing system in their creation
• Shipping. Freight companies need computers to manage the thousands of ships,
planes, trains, and trucks that are moving goods at any given moment. In addition to
tracking vehicle locations and contents, computers can manage maintenance, driver
schedules, invoices and billing, and many other activities.
• Proccss Control. Modem assembly lines can be massive, complex systems, and a
breakdown at one point can cause chaos throughout a company. So phisricatcd
proccss-control systems can oversee output, check the speed at which a machine runs,
manage conveyance systems, and look at parts inventories, with very little human
interaction.
Importance of Computes
• Government
• Population. The U.S. Census Bureau was one of the first organizations to use computer technology,
recruiting mechanical computers known as “difference engines" to assist in tallying the American
population in the early 20th century.
• » Taxes. Can you imagine trying to calculate Americans’ tax bills without the help of computers?
Neither could the Internal Revenue Service. In fact, the IRS now encourages taxpayers to file their tax
returns online, via the Internet.
• Military. Some of the world's most sophisticated computer technology has been developed primarily
for use by the military. In fact, some of the earliest digital computers were created for such purposes
as calculating the trajectory of missiles. Today, from payroll management to weapons control, the
armed forces use the widest array of computer hardware and software imaginable.
• Police. When it comes to stocking their crime-fighting arsenals, many police forces consider computers
to be just as important as guns and Today’s police cruisers are equipped with laptop computers and
wireless Internet connections that enable officers to search for information on criminals, crime scenes,
procedures, and other kinds of information.
• Health Care
• Pay a visit to your family doctor or the local hospital, and you'll find
yourself surrounded by computerized equipment of all kinds. Computers,
in fact, arc making health care more efficient and accurate while helping
providers bring down costs. Many different health care procedures now
involve computers, from ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, to
laser eye surgery and fetal monitoring.
• Surgeons now can use robotic surgical devices to perform delicate
operations, and even to conduct surgeries remotely. New virtual-reality
technologies are being used to train new surgeons in cutting-edge
techniques, without cutting an actual patient
Parts of a Computer System
• » Hardware
• » Software
Hardware
• Hardware refers to the component of a system and consist of the
different combination of semiconductor components (electronics) like
transistors, integrated circuit (IC), along with the corban and other
metals like resistors and capacitors.
• Hardware (H/W), in the context of technology, refers to the physical
elements that make up a computer or electronic system and
everything else involved that is physically tangible. This includes the
monitor, hard drive, memory and the CPU.
Cont…
• Type of Hardware
• 1. Programmable hardware. (Embed systems)
• 2. Non-Programmable hardware. (electronic circuits)
cont
• Programmable hardware.
• Programmable hardware consist of Programmable logic devices (e.g.,
PLDs, FPGAs) and Microprocessors. In the programmable hardware
has its own integrated memory (RAM, ROM, EPROM, cache, flash).
This type of hardware has the ability to perform mort hen task like
handling of motors, temperature sensors and other type of sensors.
This type of hardware are used in the robot. Arduino MEGA or UNO is
mostly used in making robot.
Computer hardware.
• Mother board: A motherboard is the main printed circuit board (PCB) in a computer. The motherboard is a
computer's central communications backbone connectivity point, through which all components and external
peripherals connect.
• Random Access Memory (RAM): A source of high-speed, volatile memory used for quick calculations.
• Processing Devices: The procedure that transforms raw data into useful information is called processing. To
perform this transform ation, the computer uses two components: the processor and memory. The processor is
like the brain of the computer; it organizes and carries out instructions that come from either the user or the
software.
• Storage Drives (hard disk, SSD): Non-volatile storage devices used to store data on a temporary or permanent
basis.
• Power Supply and Heat Sink: Used to supply all other components with power (electricity) converted the from
the outlet.
• Graphics Processing Unit (GPU): Processes images and videos and renders graphical input to project it as an
output to display devices (monitor). Also known as a video card.
• Sound Card: Just like the video card, the sound card converts audio input into sounds that can be heard
through speakers or headphones.
• Read-Only Memory: Unlike RAM, tead-only memory (ROM)
permanently stores its data, even when the computer is shut off. ROM
is called nonvolatile memory because it never loses its contents. ROM
holds instructions that the computer needs to operate. Whenever the
computer's power is turned on, it checks ROM for directions that help
it start up, and for information about its hardware devices.
Cont..
• Software
• The software can be best defined as a set of instructions, technically
referred to as programs, that perform operations and specific tasks
based on the commands of the user. Every single task that a user
intends to perform is regulated by software. Made of binary language
(ones and zeroes), there is a variety of software for different tasks.
Types of Software
• System Software
• Application Software
• Programming Software
System Software
• Operating System – The operating system is a collection of software that helps
execute programs and offers a computer application’s general services. There are
various types of operating systems, such as iOS, macOS, Windows, Unix, Linux, and
Ubuntu, among others.
• Device Drivers – Device drivers handle the operations of the hardware devices
connected to a computer. They act as a software interface for the hardware devices
so that applications and the operating system of a computer can run the hardware
functions without having the knowledge of the hardware’s exact specifications.
• Firmware – Firmware is embedded in the read-only memory of a system and is a type
of permanent software that offers low-level control for certain device hardware.
• Utility – Utility software functions to configure, maintain, and offer support in the
analysis and optimization of the computer.
Application Software

• Word Processors – Word processor software, as the name suggests, is designed for
making notes, typing data, and documentation. Users can also format, store, and print
their data and documents respectively using word processes.
• Database Software – Also known as Database Management System (DBMS), database
software allows users to perform various operations on quickly retrieved data, such as
creation, management, organization, and modification. Some popular examples of
DBMS are MS Access, dBase, MySQL, Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, and FileMaker.
• Multimedia Software – Users can perform certain actions on their computer, such as
playing and recording music and video files as well as creating images with the help of
multimedia software. This type of software has a massive application in the field of
graphic designing where users create gifs, images, animations, and edit videos. Adobe
Photoshop and Illustrator, Windows Movie Maker and Media Player, Corel Draw, and
Picasa are some common types of multimedia processors.
Cont…
• Web Browsers – Web Browsers are used for browsing the internet and
their primary function is to allow users to fetch data across the web
and also position the data. In simpler terms, you would access the
internet with the help of web browsers so that you find the
information that you need. Chrome, Opera, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft
Edge, Apple Safari, and UC Browser are very commonly used web
browsers.
Cont..
• Non-Programmable hardware.
• Non-programmable are the type of hardware are capable to perfume
only specific function at a time. This type of hardware are made with
the simple semiconductor components and have no microprocessor
in board. Computer power supply is the example of non-
programmable hardware.
Programming Software
• Compilers – The conversion of codes written by humans into lower-level machine code is
performed by compilers. These machine codes can be interpreted directly by computer
hardware. While compilers serve a very basic purpose, they are the basis for creating even
the most complicated and sophisticated software.
• Debuggers – Debuggers play an essential role in ensuring your software or application
performs well by testing and debugging the computer code.
• Linkers – Linkers are responsible for combining various individual files from a compiler into
a single executable file. The file converted, as a result, runs on its own without requiring a
programming environment.
• Malware – (virus) Malware is software developed to attack computers and their software
in a harmful way to cause them to misbehave or seize to work. This includes viruses,
ransomware, trojans, and worms. Since there are a variety of malware that may be
mistakenly downloaded, it is crucial to have antimalware software on your computer to
keep it safe from their attacks.
Data
• Data consist of individual facts or pieces of information that by
themselves may not make much sense to a person. A computer’s
primary job is to process these tiny pieces of data in various ways,
converting them into useful information.
The Information Processing Cycle
• The information processing cycle has four parts, and each part involves one or more specific
components of the computer:
• » Input. During this part of the cycle, the computer accepts data from some source, such as
the user or a program, for processing.
• » Processing. During this part of the cycle, the computer’s processing components perform
actions on the data, based on instructions from the user or a program.
• » Output. Here, the computer may be required to display the results of its processing. For
example, the results may appear as text, numbers, or a graphic on the computer’s screen or as
sounds from its speaker. The computer also can send output to a printer or transfer the output
to another computer through a network or the Internet. Output is an optional step in the
information processing cycle but may be ordered by the user or program.
• » Storage. In this step, the computer permanently stores the results of its processing on a disk,
tape, or some other kind of storage medium. As with output, storage is optional and may not
always be required by the user or program.
The Information Processing Cycle
storage devices
• RAM
• RAM means random access memory which is used to access any temporary data and to get intermediate
results for the usage of that information. It is also known as temporary memory because the data will be
stored only till the computer system is on, if it’s turned off the data will be lost.
• ROM
• ROM means read-only memory. This is also known as non-volatile memory as the information here is
stored permanently until and unless it’s deleted by the user.
• Magnetic storage devices
• Floppy disk
• It is a type of storage device which is used in the personal computer on a personal basis. Floppy disk is
generally used with plastic and is made secure by using protective cases.
• Hard disk
• It’s a hard disc drive (HDD) that uses magnetic storage to store and retrieve data. It’s a non-volatile
device that stores data that could be changed or deleted an infinite number of times.
Cont….
• Magnetic disk
• It’s a card that stores data by changing or reorganising the magnetism of microscopic metal magnetic
nanoparticles on the card’s band. A swipe card is another name for it.
• Flash memory devices
• Pen drive
• This is also called a USB drive since it has flash memory and a built-in USB interface. These devices can
be immediately connected to our desktops and laptops, allowing us to read data into them even more
quickly and efficiently.
• SSD
• It refers to Solid State Drive, a type of mass storage technology similar to hard disc drives. It is much
more resilient than hard drives as it does not require visual discs.
• Sd card
• A Contactless Smart Card is what it’s called. It is commonly used for storing greater information on
electronic devices such as phones, cameras, and so on.
Cont…
• Memory card
• It’s commonly found in digital cameras, printers, gaming consoles, and other electronic devices. It may be
used to carry lots of data and comes in a variety of sizes. A memory card reader is required to use a storage
device on a computer.
• Optical storage devices
• CD
• Compact Disc is the name for it. It has data-storage channels and sections on its surface. It has a round form
and is composed of polycarbonate plastic.
• DVD
• Digital Versatile Disc is the name given to it. DVDs are data storage discs that are round and flat. It is
available in two distinct sizes: 4.7Gigabyte solitary discs and 8.5Gigabyte dual discs.
• Cloud and virtual storage
• Digital or cloud storage systems have replaced secondary memory in recent years. We can keep our
documents and other items on the cloud for just as much as we subscribe to cloud storage. Many
corporations, namely amazon, google, Microsoft, and others, offer cloud services.