Discovering computers

A gateway to information

Introduction to Computers
What Is a Computer?

 Electronic device operating under the control of

instructions stored in its own memory

The computer
first, Accepts data such as raw facts, figures, and
symbol
then, Processes data into information (Data that is
organized, meaningful, and useful )
finally, Produces and stores results
What Is a Computer?
Characteristics of Computer
 Accuracy
• Every calculation should be
performed with the same accuracy.

• High degree of accuracy.

• Any inaccuracy is the result of
inaccurate data.

 Speed
• Modern computers run millions and
billions of instructions in a second.

• Even the slowest computers should

perform calculations much faster
than humans.
Characteristics of Computer
 Reliability
• High speed.
• Provided accurate data, it should output correct data.
• Results should be reliable.

 Automation
• To be able to schedule tasks to be performed without human intervention.
• Procedures that are executed one after another in an automated manner.

 Diligence
• Free from tiredness.
• No fatigue.
• No lack of concentration.
Characteristics of Computer
 Versatility
• Should be able to be used in multiple areas:
 Scientific research
 Medicine
 Multimedia
 Astronomy
 Agriculture and many more.

 Memory
• Stores huge amounts of data, from GBs to hundreds of TBs

 AI and Decision Making

• Modern computers can imitate human intelligence and can perform intelligent
decision making alongside logical and arithmetic operations.
• AI is applied in robotics, gaming, medicine, scientific research and more.
Types of Computer
 Embedded Computer
• A small computer device built into another
device, e.g. the computer embedded in an ATM
machine.

 Personal Computer
• Also called PC or desktop computer.
• Screen separated from the case containing mother
board and power supply.
• Mouse, keyboard and other external peripherals.
• Several categories including:
 Tower model
 Desktop model
 Laptop and Notebook
 Tablet
 Hybrid computer
 Personal digital assistant (PDA) and
Types of Computer
 Wearable Computer
• Computer devices strapped to human body, e.g.
 Smart watches
 Devices used for augmented memory
 Devices used for immediate access to important
data.
 Devices used to take notes.

 Microcomputer
• A standard personal computer
• Consists of CPU, RAM, Modem, sound card
and video card etc.
Types of Computer
 Server Computer
• Run server software to respond to clients.
• Powerful, capable of responding to several clients.

 Mainframe Computer
• Powerful computers
• Multiple user interfaces
• Reliability, availability, serviceability.
• Applied where processes are to be done
with no downtime.
Types of Computer
 Mini Computer
• Mid range computers.
• Small computers with most of the features of large
computers.
• Smaller than mainframe and larger than
microcomputers.
• Mostly used as server computers.
PDP-8, a minicomputer from the 1960s

 Workstation
• Comparatively powerful computer for
individual use.
• More capable and faster than PC.
• Used for processor and memory
extensive tasks.
Types of Computer
 Super Computer
• A very powerful computer or a collection of several computers acting as a single
computer.
• Very powerful.
• Used to solve problems where the primary constraint is processing speed.
• Used in nuclear research, weather forecasting, Bitcoin mining and more.

Ra System Cores Ra System Cores

nk nk
1 Sunway TaihuLight - 10,649,60 6 Sequoia - United 1,572,86
China 0 States 4
2 Tianhe-2 (MilkyWay-2) - 7 Trinity - United
3,120,000 979,968
China States
3 Piz Daint - Switzerland 361,760 8 Cori - United States 622,336
4 Gyoukou - Japan 19,860,00 9 Oakforest- Japan
List of top ten supercomputers as of 2018, 556,104
0
ranked by power.
5 Titan - United States 560,640 10 K computer - Japan 705,024
The Components of a Computer
What is an _____
input device?
 Hardware used
to enter data
and instructions
The Components of a Computer
What is an ______
output device?
 Hardware that
conveys
information
to a user
The Components of a Computer
What is the system unit?
 Box-like case
containing
electronic
components
used to process
data
What is the magical inside the black box?
Storage
Units

Memory Video
card Card

Power
Supply
PU
C

Sound
Card
The Components of a Computer

What are two main components on the

motherboard?

 Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Also called a processor
Carries out instructions
that tell computer what to do

 Memory
Temporary holding place for data
and instructions
The Components of a Computer
What is storage?
 Holds data, instructions, and information
for future use

Storage
Storagemedia
media
Physical
Physicalmaterial
materialon
onwhich
whichdata,
data,instructions,
instructions,
and
andinformation
informationare
arestored
stored

Storage
Storagedevice
device
Records
Recordsand
andretrieves
retrievesitems
itemstotoand
andfrom
from
aastorage
storagemedium
medium
Storage device
What is a floppy disk?
 Thin, circular,
flexible disk
enclosed in rigid
plastic shell

 A Zip® disk looks

similar but has
much greater
storage capability
(=170 floppy disk)

18
The Components of a Computer
What is a hard disk?
 Provides much
greater storage
capacity than a
floppy disk or
Zip® disk
 Housed inside the
system unit
The Components of a Computer
What is a compact disc?
 Flat, round, portable metal disc
 CD-ROM
 CD-RW
Capacity: 673~768 MB

 DVD-ROM
 DVD+RW
Capacity:4.7 ~ 17.1 GB
The Components of a Computer
What is miniature storage
media?

Digital
Digital
Portable,
Portable, thin
thin cameras
cameras
memory
memory cards
cards
used
used in:
in:
Handheld
Handheld
computers
computers