Welcome to

YIC

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER
SCIENCE
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 General Course Objectives
In this course you will:-
• Explain foundation ,concepts and principles of computer science.
• Identify different application areas of computers.
• Distinguish hardware and software components of the computer
system.
• Explain how data is represented in the computer system.
• Explain the computer organization and architecture.
• Explain about the basic concepts of computer networking and the
Internet.
• Explain basic concepts of programming in general.

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 Chapter One

Introduction to computers
In this chapter you will specifically:
• Define the discipline computer science.
• Define clearly what is term computer.
• Identify the characteristics of computer.
• Explain the application areas of computer.
• Explain History and generation of computer.
• Identify the different type of computer.
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 Introduction to computers
What Computer Science?
It is a science concerned with representation, storage,
manipulation and presentation of information.
computer science uses a special device called computer.
Sub disciplines(specialization) of computer science:
 Software Engineering:- concerned about the development of a
better quality software by applying scientific and basic
engineering principle.
 Computer Engineering (Architecture) :-studying, analyzing and
designing of computer hardware and its working principle.
(organization & interconnection of computer system
component)

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 Introduction to computers

What is COMPUTER?
• A computer is an electronic device that accepts data,
processes the accepted data, and then displays the result.
• More accurately, A computer is a machine which receive an
input(data), processes it according to a predefined
program/instruction and then stores it, and gives an output,
i.e. provides the result in printed or visual form.

• The word ‘computer’ comes from the Latin word ‘compute’

means to calculate.

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 History of computers
 Computers was first invented to calculate huge
mathematical tasks.
 A. The Abacus
 It is the earliest mechanical computational device.
 It was in use in the middle east as early as 2500B.C.
 Simple addition and subtraction can be carried out rapidly and
efficiently by positioning the beads appropriately.

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 History of computers
B. Pascal’s calculator
 It is the first true mechanical calculator.
 It was invented by a French mathematician called Blasé Pascal in
1642 and its known as Pascaline (Pascal's calculator)
C. The difference engine
 Charles Babbage, a nineteenth century professor at Cambridge
University, is considered to be the father of modern digital
computers.
 The important contribution of Babbage’s engine was its ability to
perform computations and print results automatically.

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 History of computers
 In 1842, Babbage comes out with his new idea of
Analytical Engine that was intended to be completely
automatic.

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 History of computers
 D. Herman Hollerith's tabulating machine
 Herman Hollerith is a statistician in 1880 and he develop
his machine to speed up the process of census data.
 He develops his machine that uses the punched card.
E. Mark I
 Developed by Howard A. at Harvard university (1944)
 which were the first electromechanical computer.

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 History of computers
 F. The ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and
Calculator)
 It was the first general purpose digital computer.
 It is very huge occupying 15,000 square feet room and use 18000
vacuum tubes.
 The major drawback was it has to be programmed manually by
setting switches and plugging & Unplugging cables.
 It doesn’t use internally stored memory.

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 History of computers
G. The Von Neumann Machine
 Van Neumann forward the stored program. concept of
the ENIAC project.
i.e. It designing the computer to get its instruction by
reading them from memory.
H. Commercial Computers
 The 1950s century was the birth of computers industry
with two companies, Spery and IBM, by demonstrating
the market place.
i.e. The development of successful commercial
computer called UNIVACI(Universal Automatic
Computer) 11
 Generation of computers
 Generation in computer language is a steps in
technology.
 We have five generation of computer
 The major characteristics that distinguish these
generations of computer are the following.
 Types of electronic circuit element used
 Major secondary storage media used
 Computer language used.
Types of operating system used
Memory access time (time to store or retrieve a
word of data from memory).
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 Generation of computers
A. First Generation computers (1944-1955)
 used vacuum tubes as the principal electronic components.
 punched cards were the main sources of input and
 magnetic grams were used for internal storage.
 Memory access time was expressed in milliseconds.
 Very large in size, slow in performance and expensive in price.
 They uses machine & assembly language.
 Most application were scientific calculation.
 ENIAC & UNIVACI are examples of 1st generation computers.

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 Generation of computers
B. Second Generation Computers (1955-1964)
 Transistor were the main ckt element.
-Transistors are solid state device made from silicon.
 Magnetic tapes were used for main storage media.
 Memory access times were expressed in microseconds
 Emergence of high-level programming languages, like FORTRAN,
COBOL, & ALGOL. (Easy to write)
 Batch operating systems is used that permit rapid processing of
magnetic tape files.
 They are much faster than 1st generation computers.

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 Generation of computers
C. Third Generation Computers (1964-1975)
 Transistors are replaced by Integrated circuits(IC)
 Magnetic disc storage became popular and provided
direct access to very large data files.
 Access time in these computers was measured in
nanoseconds (billionths of a second).
 Structured programming languages were
introduced :PASCAL and BASIC.
 Creation of an independent software industry.

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 Generation of computers
 D. Fourth Generation Computers (1975-1989)
 ICs are replaced by Large Scale Integration (LSI)
 Access time in these computers was measured in
nanoseconds (billionths of a second).
 Creation of MICROPROCESSOR. (for PCs).
 Spread of high-speed computer networking. (LAN & WAN)
 Several new operating systems were developed, like MS-
DOS, Ms- Windows, and UNIX.
 Totally general purpose machines.

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 Generation of computers
E. Fifth Generation computes (1989- Present)
 Totally general purpose machines.
 Very Large Scale Integration(VLSI) technology and
also Ultra Large Scale Integration (ULSI) emerged.
 Larger main memory > = 256 Mb, and hard disk >= 80 GB
are common
 Optical disks emerged named as CD-ROMs
 Distributed operating system for computer network.
 Portable notebook computers, powerful desktop
PCs, and workstations, powerful servers and
supercomputers
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 Generation of computers
E. Fifth Generation computes (1989- Present)
 VLSI technology becomes Ultra Large Scale Integration (ULSI).
 Portable notebook computers, powerful desktop PCs, and workstations,
powerful servers and supercomputers
 Larger main memory > = 256 Mb, and hard disk >= 80 GB are common
 Optical disks emerged named as CD-ROMs
 Distributed operating system for computer network.

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Generation 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

Circuit Vacuum tube Transistor IC LSI VLSI

element

SSD Punched Magnetic Magnetic Mass

card Tape disk Device
storage

Language Machine & Fortran, Structured Application

Assembly COBOL language oriented
Etc
Operating Operator Batch Application Time
system control system oriented sharing

Mem. 1ms 10µs 10ns 1ns

Access time

Approx. date 1946-57 1958-64 1965-71 From 1971

above
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 Characteristics of Computer
1. STORAGE
 Computes can handle large amount of data.
 Once recorded, The information can never be
forgotten and can be retrieved with a fraction of
a second.

Its storage capacity is measured as follows:

Bit = The smallest information stored in a computer(0 or
1).
 Byte = character = 8 bits.
 Kilobyte (KB) = 1024 bytes.
 Megabyte (MB) = 1024 Kilobytes.
 Gigabyte (GB) = 1024 Megabytes.
 Terabyte (TB) = 1024 Gigabytes 20
 Characteristics of Computer
2. SPEED
 Computers are very fast devices.
 They work at an incredible speed and perform
millions of calculations and comparisons in a
second.
Its speed is measured by:
 Millisecond = 1/1000 of a second.
 Microsecond = 1/1000,000 of a second.
 Nanosecond = 1/1000,000,000 of a second.
 Pico second = 1/1000,000,000,000 of a second.

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 Characteristics of Computer
3. ACCURACY
 Computers process vast amount of data in a very high
speed without committing errors
 Errors can occur mainly due to humans’ incorrect input
data, and program instructions with a problem.
4. DILIGENCE
 Computers are not bored or become tired of
performing many thousands of calculations
repeatedly.
5. VERSATILITY
 A computer is capable of performing almost any
task provided that the task can be reduced to a
series of logical steps.
For example, the same computer used for process
payroll can also be used for Design computations
or to track Inventory.
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 Characteristics of Computer
6. DURABILITY and RELIABILITY
 Computers are durable and extremely reliable
devices.
 They can operate error-free over long periods of
time.
7. LACK of DECISION-MAKING
 Computers do not have the capacity to think by
their own.
 Their IQ is zero and they had to be told what to
do and in what sequence.

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 Types of Computers
 Their are different types of Computers. Their difference
is depending on different categories of characteristics.
Classification by the method of operation
(processing)
1.Analog 2. Digital 3. Hybrid
1. Analog Computers
 Analog computers operate by measuring.
 They deal with continues variables;
 They are special purpose computers.
 They have limited accuracy.
Examples:
• Thermometer • Voltmeter
• Speedometer
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 Types of Computers
2. Digital Computers
 It deal with discrete variables.
 They operate by counting rather than
measuring.
Examples:
• Abacus
• Desk & pocket computers
• The general purpose computers.
 Digital computers have higher accuracy and
speed than the analog ones.

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 Types of Computers
3. Hybrid computers
 The best features of analog and digital
computers can be combined into a single device
to form a hybrid computer.
Example:
 hospital insensitive (will convert the
patient’s heart function, temp, etc in to
number and supplied to digital comp,)
 Gasoline pomp (will convert the flow of
pumped fuel)

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 Types of Computers
Classification by purpose of application
 Classified into two(Special & General)
1. Special purpose computers
They are designed to solve a single type of
problem,
Example:
 The public telephone box.
 Traffic control system .
 Ticket machines (used in hotel, super market etc.)
 Pocket calculators etc.
 Most Analog computers are special purpose
computers.
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 Types of Computers
2. General purpose computers
 They are designed to solve variety of problems
through the use of “store program concept”.
 The same computer can be applied to solve
another set of problem using different program.
 They are more flexible and versatile.
Example:
 Micro computers
 Mini computers
 Super computers etc.

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 Types of Computers
Classification based on their size, cost and
power of execution
• Supercomputers • Mainframe computers
• Minicomputers • Microcomputers
1. Supercomputers
 Supercomputers are the largest, most
powerful, fast, extremely high storage and
most expensive computers.
 computing speeds several times faster than
mainframe computers
 primarily used for processing complex
scientific applications.
 speeds measured in nanoseconds and even
in picoseconds 29
 Types of Computers
Some application areas of super computers
 Weapons research (Military Industry)
 Large simulation in Aerospace & Automobile
industry
 Oil exploration in the petroleum industry etc.
2. Main frame computers
 Mainframe computers are large computers
frequently used in large organizations like
banks, insurance companies, hospitals, airline
reservation etc,
 Needs to process large number of transaction
online and require computer system having
massive data storage and processing power. 30
 Types of Computers
 They are housed in a controlled and central
location with several user terminal connected to
them.
 The main difference between a mainframe and a
super computer is that,
 a super computer channels all its power into
executing a few programs as fast as possible,
where as a mainframe uses its power to
execute many programs concurrently.

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 Types of Computers
3. Minicomputers
 They are mainframe having smaller
configuration (small hosts, less storage space
and fewer user terminals)
 They are used in small companies.
 They can be accessed by more than one user at
a time and are used in many application areas.
 They are smaller & less powerful than
mainframe.
 They are large and more powerful than micro
computers
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 Types of Computers

4. Microcomputers
 Also known as personal computers (pc).
 Use Microprocessors inside it.
 Generally designed to be used by one person at
a time. (Single user).
 They have limited input and output capacities
and little storage capacity.
 A microcomputer with a powerful
microprocessor & a high quality monitor is
called a workstation.

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 Types of Computers
Two physical models of PCs are:
 Desktop model
 Tower model

 Other portable PCs are:-

Laptop, Notebook, palmtop etc.

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 Application of Computers
Why we use Computers?
Store and process large amount of information
with high speed and accuracy.
Transmit information across continents through
communication medias.
Perform complex mathematical computations
and make comparisons.
Simulate events;
Monitor ongoing industrial operations;
Perform repetitive processes great ease, speed,
and reliability.

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 Application of Computers
The main areas of computer applications
IN OFFICES: - Type writers are being
replaced by computers.
IN EDUCATION: - Computers are widely
used in educational fields; for instruction
and administration /Interactive education/
• CAL-Computer Aided Learning
• CAI-Computer Assisted Instruction
IN LIBRARIES

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 Application of Computers
IN COMMUNICATION:- Computers can be
used in different ways for communication
purpose between users. This can include:
- Fax- hard copy - Electronic mail -Internet
IN RESEARCH
IN BUSINESS
IN MANUFACTURING
Computers can be used in production process,
from the design stage to the manufacturing stage.
CAD- Computer Aided Design
CAM- Computer Aided Manufacturing

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 Application of Computers

IN MEDICINE E.g. telemedicine

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