INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

Unit I and II

BY IBRAHEEM GARBA KALLACHI

 Classification of computer, a computer generally classified into three (3) basic classes below:
• Classification based on Size and Capacity
• Classification based on Purposes
• Classification based on Hardware design and type
 Classification of Computer
 Classification based on Size and Capacity: this is one of the computer class categorized base on
size and storage capacity of a computer, system examples are
• Mainframe Computer
• Super Computer
• Mini Computer and
• Micro Computer

Mainframe Computer: the term mainframe computer was created to distinguish the traditional, large
institutional computer intended to service multiple users from the smaller. Single-user machines. These
computers are cable of handling and processing very large amount of data quickly. Mainframe computers
are used in large institutions such as government, banks, and large corporations. They are measured in
MIPS (million instructions per second) and can responds to hundred of millions of users at a time.
Classification of Computer
 Classification of Computer
 Super Computer: a super computer is focused on performing
tasks involving intense numerical calculations such as weather
forecasting, fluid dynamics, nuclear simulations, theoretical
astrophysics, and complex scientific calculations. A super
computer is a computer that is at the front-line of current
processing capacity, particularly speed of calculation. Super
computer processing speeds are measured in floating point
operations per second, or FLOPS. An example of floating
point operation is the calculation of mathematical equations in
real numbers. In terms of computational capability. Memory
size, and speed, Input and Output (I/O) technology and
topological issues such as bandwidth and latency, super
computers are the most powerful, are very expensive, and not
cost-effective just to perform batch or transaction processing.
Classification of Computer
 Mini Computer: mini computer is a digital and multi-user computer system with the connection of many
CPU. Thus, different users can operates on these computers simultaneously instead of single person. Mini
computers are the medium type of computers that have more functionality power and expensive than
microcomputers. On the other hand, the size, storage and speed of minicomputers are large but less than the
mainframe and supercomputers. Mini computers are used as real-time applications in industries, bookings,
banks and research centers.
 Classification of Computer
 Microcomputer: microcomputer is known as personal computer like a small computer that contains
a microprocessors as its central processor. Microcomputers are designed with microprocessor as well as it
consists single chip that is CPU (Central Processing Unit), data memory (RAM, ROM), and I/O
(Input/Output) buses these are connected on the motherboard. In the technical form, meaning of the
microcomputer is a micro controller. It is used in the home appliances such as microwaves, TV,
refrigerator and more.
 Types of Microcomputer, types or examples are:
• Desktop microcomputers
• Laptop or notebook microcomputers
• Tablet or Smartphone microcomputers
• Personal digital assistant and Palmtop microcomputers
• Workstation and server microcomputers
• Mini Tower and full tower microcomputers
 Classification of Computer
 Classification based on Purposes: there are two types of computer under classification based on purposes below
• Special Purpose and
• General Purpose
Special Purpose Computer: these computers are designed to perform a particular or specialized task. The size, storage capacity, and
cost of such computers mainly depend on the nature and size of the work. The function of these computers is consistent with any
particular task.
The special computer needs specific processors and inputs and devices to conduct work efficiently. These computers are use for
special purposes in weather forecasting, agricultural research, engineering, traffic control, satellite operation, and chemical &
scientific research.
Examples of special computers are:
• Automatic Teller Machine (ATM)
• CT-Scan Machine
• Traffic Control Computers
• Weather forecasting simulators
• Oil exploration systems and so on…..
Classification of Computer
 Classification Based on Purposes
General Purpose Computers: are design to perform a range of tasks. They have the ability to store
numerous programs, but lack in speed and efficiency. General computers can do various everyday tasks
such as writing a word processing letter, Document preparation, recording, creating database, financial
analysis, calculating with accuracy and consistency. The storage capacity, and cost of such computers are
mainly less. The ability of these computers is limited in performing specialized tasks. Still, it has Versatility
and useful for serving people’s basic needs at home or in the workplace in the environment.
Examples of General purpose computers are: the desktop computer, Laptops, smartphones and tablets are
used on daily basis for general purpose.
 Classification of Computer
 Classification Base on Hardware Design and Type: are
• Analog Computer
• Digital Computer and
• Hybrid Computer
Analogue Computer: an analog computer performs tasks using continuous data (physical amount that changes
continuously). Analog computers are used primarily to measure physical units like voltage, pressure, electric
current, temperature, and convert them into digits, its also used to measure and perform arithmetic calculations
of numbers, the length of object, or the amount of voltage that passes through a point in an electric circuit.
Analog computers obtain all their data from some measurement way, and they are mainly used in fields of
technology, sciences, research and engineering etc, because quantities like voltage, pressure, electric current,
temperature are used more in these areas, these types of computers give only approximate estimates. Analog
computers are slow and equipped to measure things rather than countable or check.
 Examples of Analog Computer: a simple clock, the vehicle’s speedometer, voltmeter etc.
 Classification of Computer
 Classification Base on Hardware Design and Type
Digital Computer: a computer that performs calculations and logical operations with quantities represented as digits,
usually in the binary number system 0 or 1,their speed is fast. As its name suggests, a digital computer represents the
digital computer’s letter’s, numerical values, or any other special symbols. This computer is the computer that calculates
the number for processing the data. Digital computers use discrete electrical signals for operation rather than continuous
electrical signals as analog computers have, making the best common form of computers today because of their versatility,
speed, and power. The computer desktop or Laptop at our home is one of the common and best examples of a digital
computer. Today most of the computers available in the market are digital computers.
 Examples of Digital Computers
• Personal Desktop Computers
• Laptops, Smartphones and Tablets
• Digital Thermometer
• Digital watch, digital clock
• Calculators
• Accounting Machines, etc.
Classification of Computer
 Classification Base on Hardware Design and Type
Hybrid Computer (Analog + Digital): a hybrid computer is a combined complex computer unit built using both
‘Analog and Digital’ properties and united by a single control system. The purpose of designing hybrid computers is to
provide functions and features that can be found on both Analog and Digital devices.
The aim behind creating a hybrid computer is to create a kind of work unit that offers the best of both types of
computers. Hybrid computers are extremely fast when driving equations, even when those calculations are incredibly
complex. Incorporating the properties of both (analog and digital) computers into hybrid computers makes it possible
to resolve more difficult and complex equations immediately.
Application of Hybrid Computer; hybrid computers are most commonly used in vast industries, scientific research
centers, organizations and manufacturing firms (where many equations need to be solved).
 Examples of hybrid computer,
• Auto Gasoline Pump
• Normal and Digital Thermometer
• Electric prepaid meter
 Generation of Computer
 Generation of computer are:
• First Generation
• Second Generation
• Third Generation
• Fourth Generation and
• Fifth Generation
First Generation: the period of 1940 to 1956 is roughly considered as the first generation of computer. The first generation
of computers were developed by using vacuum tube or thermionic valve machine, the input of this system was based on
punched cards and paper tape however the output was displayed on printouts.
Second Generation: the period of 1956 to 1963 is roughly considered as the period of Second Generation Computers, the
second generation computers were developed by using transistor technology, in comparison to the first generation the size of
second generation was small, in comparison to computers of the first generation, the computing time taken by the computers
of the second generation was lesser.
Third Generation: the period 1963 to 1971 is roughly considered as the period of third generation of computers, they were
developed by using the Integrated Circuit (IC) technology, in comparison to the computers of 2 nd generation the size of the
computers of the third generation was smaller and the computing time taken by the 3 rd generation computers was lesser, they
consume less power and generated less heat, the maintenance was low and the third generation computers was easier for
commercial use.
 Generation of Computer
 Fourth Generation: the period of 1972 to 2010 is roughly considered as the fourth generation of
computers, this generation of computers were developed by using microprocessor technology, by coming to
this generation computers became very small in size, it also became portable. The machine of this
generation started generating very low amount of heat, its much faster and accuracy became more reliable,
the production cost reduced to very low in comparison to previous generation, it became available for the
command people as well.
 Fifth Generation: the period 2010 to till date, and beyond roughly considered as the period of fifth
generation of computers by the time computer generation was being categorized as the basis of Hardware
only, but the fifth generation technology also included software. The computers of this generation had high
capability and large memory capacity, working with computers of this generation was fast and multiple
tasks could be perform simultaneous. Some of the popular advance technologies of this fifth generation
include Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computation, Nano Technology, Parallel Processing etc.
Generation of Computer

Fist Generation Second Generation

Artificial
Intelligence
used in Fifth
Generation
Components of Computer System
 The two (2) basic components of computer are:
• Hardware Component and
• Software Component
 Hardware Component: this is physical part of computer system that you can touch, see and feel.
Computer Hardware divided into two (2):
o System Unit
o Peripherals
System unit is the electronic components such as CPU, primary memory and other devices that are used to
process and store data.
Peripherals of a computer system are the input devices, output devices, secondary memory and
communication devices.
Examples of peripherals devices are: monitors, keyboards, mouse, printers, scanners, modems, digital
cameras, drives (hard disk, CD, DVD, Flash memory, SD Card) and so on.
Components of Computer System
 Components of Computer System
 Software Component, computer software is a collection of computer programs and related data that provide
the instructions to a computer on what to do and how to do it. In another ward software is a set of programs,
procedure, algorithms and its documentation. In contracts to hardware, software is intangible, meaning it
“cannot be touch”
 Types of Software, software divided into two (2) major classes namely:
• System Software and
• Application Software
 System software is a computer software design to operate the computer hardware and to provide and
maintain the platform for running application software. It includes the combination of the following:
o Device drivers
o Operating system like Windows
o Utilities
o Servers
 Components of Computer System
 Application Software, this is also known as software application, application, or app, is a computer software
designed to help the user to perform a singular or multiple related specific tasks. Some of the examples of
this category software are:
o Educational Software, example Microsoft Encarta
o Database management system (DBMS), example Microsoft Access
o Word processors like MS Word
o Spreadsheets like MS Excel
o Mathematical software, example system calculator
o Image editing, example Adobe Photoshop
o Computer – aided design, example Corel Draw
o Business software, example SAP
o Media players, example VLC, RealPlayer and Gomplayer
Components of Computer System
 Inputs and Outputs Devices
 Inputs Device: an input device is a hardware that allows you to communicate with a computer, also inputs
device is any peripheral that is used to provide data and control signals to a computer.
 Examples of Input Devices
o Keyboard
o Mouse/Trackball
o Scanner
o Microphone
o Joystick
o Card Readers
o Light Pen
o Digital Cameras
o Bar code reader
o Touch screen
Input Devices
 Outputs Device
 Output Device: an output device is any piece of computer
hardware equipment used to communicate the results of data
processing carried out by a computer to the outside world. In
computing, input/output or I/O refers to the communication
between information processing system (such as a
computer), and the outside world. Inputs are the signals or
data sent to the system, and outputs are the signals or data
sent by system to the outside world.
 Examples of Output Devices
o Monitor
o Printer
o Projector
o Plotter
o Modem
Output Device
CPU Processor
 Computer Storage (Memory)
 Computer Memory: is a storage locations where data, programs and information are stored.
 The two (2) types of computer memory storage are:
• Primary Storage/Main Memory
• Secondary Storage/Auxiliary Memory
PRIMARY STORAGE (Main Memory): the primary storage represents the core or internal storage areas of the
computer system. Its where information and programs are stored for immediate processing by CPU.
The two types of Primary Storage are:
• Read Only Memory (ROM)
• Random Access Memory (RAM)
ROM is a non – volatile memory that retains the data stored on it even after the computer’s shut down. The
data inside the ROM cannot be changed. The operating system boot records are stored inside the ROM. The
three different variations of ROM includes: PROM (Programmable ROM), EPROM (Erasable Programmable
ROM), and EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM).
 Computer Storage (Memory)
 Random Access Memory (RAM): the RAM is the part of the primary memory that holds the data and
programs that the CPU is processing. The CPU reads and write into the RAM as often as required. They are
volatile because the content is lost when you shut down the computer.

 SECONDARY STORAGE
The secondary storage or auxiliary storage is any storage device that used to stored data, information and
programs outside the primary memory. They are volatile and higher storage capacity, but the access time is slow
compared to the primary storage. Its also referred to as backup storage.
 The following are common types of secondary/auxiliary storage devices:
• Hard Drive
• Flash Drive
• Optical Disks Compact Disk (CD) and Digital Video Disk (DVD)
• Floppy Disk
Computer Storage (Memory)
Computer Storage (Memory)
Any Questions?..........

Thanks For Your Time