CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION TO
COMPUTER

Lecturer: Awil A.
Mohamed
What is Computer
• Computer is an electronic device that can
accept data (input), process the data and
produce information (output) and store it for
future use.
Modern Computers
Computer Components
o Any kind of computer contains
Hardware and Software.
 Hardware
o Collection of physical elements
that constitutes a computer.
Examples of hardware are:
Mouse, Keyboard, display,
Speaker motherboard,
Processor, Hard-disk, Ram, Rom,
Cards.
Hardware Components
1. Input Devices
o Input Divice is a peripheral
device that transelates data.
(Mouse, keyboard, Scanner)
 2. Output Devices
o Output Devise is an electronic
device that converts the
electronically generated
information into human readable
form.
 3. Central Processing
Unit
o CPU is the brain of the computer and
responsible for all functions and
processes.
 Parts of the CPU
o Arithmetic Logic Unit: Executes all
arithmetic and logical operations.
o Control Unit: controls and co-
ordinates computer components.
o Registers: Stores the data that is to be
executed next, "very fast storage area".
Central Processing Unit
 4. Computer Memories / Storage
o Computer memories are classified
into Primary and Secondery.
 Primary Memories
o Random Access Memory(RAM) and
Read Only Memory (ROM) .
o Ram: is a memory that stores data
on a temporary basis. It is Volatile in
nature.
o Rom: is a permanent memory of
storage. Non volatile in nature and the
data cannot be modified.
 Secondery Memories
o Stores data and programs
permanently.
o Its retained after the power is
turned off.
o Hard drive(HD): stores and
provides relatively quick access to
large amounts of data on an
electromagnetically charged
surface or set of surfaces.
o Optical Disk: is a disk drive that
uses laser light as part of the
process of reading or writing data
to or from optical discs. (CD, DVD
and Blue Ray)
o Flash Drive: A storage module
made of flash memory chips.
o The disk storage structure is
emulated.
Comparison Between Secondery and Primary
 Software
o Software is a generic term for
organized collections of computer
data and instructions, often broken
into two :
System software and Application
software.
 System Software:
o is responsible for controlling,
integrating, and managing the
individual hardware components of
a computer system so that other
softwares and the users of the
system see it as a functional unit.
 Application Software
o is used to accomplish specific
tasks other than just running the
computer system.
o It may contain a single program,
collection of programs (package),
larger collection programs (suite)
or software system (Database
Management System
 Computer
Languages
o Python o Dart
o JavaScript o Perl
o Java o Kotlin
o C# o Scala
oC o Swift
o C++
o PHP
 Units of
Measurement
 Storage Measurement
o The basic unit used in computer
data storage is called a bit (binary
digit). Computers use these little
bits, which are composed of ones
and zeros, to do things and talk to
other computers.
 Units of
Measurement…
 Speed Measurement
o The speed of Central Processing Unit
(CPU) is measured by Hertz (Hz),
Which represent a CPU cycle. The
speed of CPU is known as Computer
Speed.
o 1Hz = 1cycle per second
o 1MHz = 1000 KHz (1M Cycle/Second)
o 1GHz = 1000 MHz (1B Cycle/Second)
 Computer
Classifications
o Computers can be generally
classified by size and power as
follows, though there is
Considerable overlap.
 Personal Computer
o A small, single-user computer
based on a microprocessor.
o Which has a keyboard, monitor
and display.
 Personal Computer
o A small, single-user computer
based on a microprocessor.
o Which has a keyboard, monitor
and display.
 Workstation
oA powerful, single-user
computer.
o A workstation is like a personal
computer, but it has a more
powerful microprocessor and a
higher-quality monitor.
 Mini Computer
 A multi-user computer capable of
supporting from 10 to hundreds of
users simultaneously.
 Mainframe Computer
 A powerful multi-user computer
capable of supporting many
hundreds or thousands of users
simultaneously.
 Super Computer
o An extremely fast computer that
can perform hundreds of millions
of instructions per second.
 Laptop and Smartphone

Computers
Laptops
o is a battery or AC-powered personal
computer that can be easily carried and
used in a variety of locations.
 Smartphones
o A smartphone is a powerful mobile
phone that is designed to run a variety
of applications in addition to phone
service.
o Used for web browsing, watching,
reading e-books, playing games and
more.
 Data, Information and
Knowledge
 Data
o Facts and figures which relay
something specific, but which are
not organized in any way and which
provide no further information
regarding patterns, context, etc.
 Information
o Data become information when it is
contextualized, categorized,
calculated and condensed.
o Essentially information is found "in
answers to questions that begin with
such words as who, what, where,
when, and how many".
 Knowledge
o Knowledge is closely linked to doing
and implies know-how and
understanding.
o The knowledge possessed by each
individual is a product of his
experience.
Data, Information, Knowledge and
Wisdom
 Characteristics of Computer
 Speed
o The computer can process data very
fast, at the rate of millions of
instructions per second.
 Accuracy
o Computer provides a high degree of
accuracy
 Diligence
o When used for a longer period of
time, the computer does not get tired
or fatigued.
 Characteristics of Computer…
 Storage Capability
o Large volumes of data and
information can be stored in the
computer and also retrieved
whenever required
 Versatility
o Computer is versatile in nature.
o It can perform different types of
tasks with the same ease.
 Computer Problems
 Computer is Not Starting
o A computer that suddenly shuts off
or has difficulty starting up could
have a failing power supply.
 Accuracy
o If you are having troubles booting
Windows, then you may have to
reinstall it with the Windows
recovery disk or another Windows.
 Computer Problems…
 Screen is Frozen
o When you computer freezes, you
may have no other option than to
reboot and risk losing any unsaved
work
 Computer is Slow
o If your computer is slower than
normal, you can often fix the
problem simply by cleaning the
hard disk of unwanted files.
 Computer Problems…
 Noisy Computer
o A lot of noise coming from your
computer is generally a sign of
either hardware malfunction or a
noisy fan.
 Overheating
o If it lacks a sufficient cooling system,
then the computer’s components
may start to generate excess heat
during operation.
o turn it off and let it rest.
 Malicious Software
o Malicious Software always known
as Malware is any software that
causes damage or harm to
computers.
o It can be a Virus, Worms, Trojan
Horse, Spyware.
 Computer Virus
o A virus is a malicious software
which self-replicates and attaches
itself to other files/programs.
 Malicious Software…
 Worms
o Worms spread over a network and
are capable of launching a
cumbersome and destructive
attack within a short period.
 Trojan Horse
o Is a type of Malware that looks
legitimate but when you install can
damage or control your computer.
 Malicious Software…
 Spyware/Adware
o Spyware secretly records information
about a user and forwards it to third
parties.
o Adware as the name interprets
displays advertising banners while a
program is running.
 Rootkit
o Is a Malicious that hidden inside a PC
and allow hackers to take control of
your PC.
Real Trojan
Horse
 Avoiding Malicious Problems
o Install antivirus software.
o Regularly update the software.
o Regularly Scan your computer and
other attached drives such as flash
disks.
o Don’t click on suspicious links or
download attachment from unknown
sources.
o Install firewall or activate the windows
firewall.
o Back up your data regularly.
THE END CHAPTER ONE