Chapter 1 : Computer Concepts

Objectives
At the end of this module you should be able to:
Explain how computer works State the functions of each basic hardware component of a computer system Classify computers

Computer
is an electronic device that accepts data, stores and processes the data and generates information as output.

input Data

Computer (stores and process data)

output

info

A computer

Data and Information

Data is a raw, unprocessed data

Information is a processed data

Four Basic Functions:

Input the procedure of feeding data into a computer Process refers to the operation of manipulating and transforming data into something useful.
Program a set of written instructions, is what tells the computer how to manipulate and transform the data it was given into information

Output the result of the processing function. Storage computers can save data so that ir can be used at another time.

SAQ 1-1
How does the computer process data?

ASAQ 1-1
The computer processes data by following a set of instructions called a program

Computer Systems Components

Hardware refers to the tangible components of a computer system Software refers to the set of instructions written in a code.

Basic Hardware Components

Input devices perform the two most basic computing tasks : issuing commands and entering data.
Data entry defined as the process of entering data into the computer memory and issuing commands that tell the processor how to work with the data.

Examples of Input device:

Keyboard Mouse Trackball Joystick Lightpen Video input device Scanners

Basic Hardware Components

Output Device
after processing data fed into the computer with the use of input devices, the information must now be outputted in a form understood by human beings. For this purpose, computer system components collectively called as output devices are used.

Examples of Output device:

Printer Video monitors Speakers modem

Basic Hardware Components

Central Processing Unit (CPU)
CPU does the data processing. Its job is to fetch instructions (programs) from the main memory, decode, and execute it.

Parts of a CPU:
Control Unit (CU)
Performs the arithmetic and logical operations using some electronic circuitry.

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

Involves comparing two items and determining whether one is greater than, equal or less than the other.

SAQ 1-2
What specific components of the computer does the arithmetic computations?

ASAQ 1-2
The arithmetic/logic unit (ALU)

Basic Hardware Components

Main Memory and Secondary Memory
when the CPU processes the data, it uses the memory as temporary storage to aid in the calculations.

Bits and bytes

The data and programs are stored in the memory in the form of binary digits (0 and 1). Numbers are all represented using the binary system, and text and characters are coded in binary.
8 bits = 1 byte 1024 bytes = 1 kilobyte 1024 kilobytes = 1 megabytes 1024 megabytes = 1 gigabyte

Computer Memory
Consists of the main memory and the secondary memory. The difference between the two types of memory lies in the technology used. Main Memory stores data using electric current flowing around the loop of wire. Secondary Memory usually uses magnetic materials, just like those found in cassette tapes.

Comparison of Computer Memory

Memory Type Main Memory Technology Limitations, Advantages and Disadvantages -Very expensive -Fast access -Volatile

Uses electric current

Secondary Memory

Uses magnetic materials

-Relatively cheap -Slow access -Non-volatile

SAQ 1-3
Why do computers need to use both types of memories (main and secondary)?

ASAQ 1-3
It uses main memory to be able to process data at high speeds (remember how the memory is used as temporary storage?) and it uses secondary memory to preserve data.

COMPUTER SOFTWARE
It can be categorized into two classes :
Applications Software System Software

Application Software
Are programs that are used by people to solve their individual needs.
Examples:
Word Processor Spreadsheet programs

Systems Software
Are programs that control the operations of the computer hardware.
Task of Systems Software
Starting up of the computer Loading Executing applications software.

CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS
Computers are usually classified according to their sizes and processing speeds. But since technology changes very rapidly, no absolute measures to classify computers exist.

Classification of Computers
Microcomputers
refer to small desktop systems made popular by IBM in the early 80s. They are also called personal computers and are usually used for individual tasks such as word processing, spreadsheet computations and other interactive applications.

Classification of Computers
Minicomputers
are more powerful than microcomputer and are intended to support several users who are concurrently doing different tasks. They are widely used in real time applications such as air traffic control.

Classification of Computers
Mainframes
are large systems that can process huge amounts of data at a very high rate. The main difference between mainframes and minicomputers is their input/output capacity and the applications for which it is used.

Classification of Computers
Supercomputers
are the fastest computers and achieve processing speeds more than 10 times that of the minicomputers. To achieve high speeds, they usually consists of several processors running simultaneously.

SAQ 1-4
Differentiate microcomputer and minicomputers.

ASAQ 1-4
Microcomputers are less powerful than minicomputers. They are designed for individual use, while minicomputers are designed to handle several users at a time.

HISTORY OF COMPUTERS
Name of Computer
Mark I
ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer) UNIVAC (UNIVersal Automatic Computer

Year Constructed
1994, at Harvard University
1946, at University of Pennsylvania

Features
-First electromechanical computer - Used electromechanical switching devices
-First fully electronic digital computer -Used vacuum tubes -Worked about 1,000 times as fast as Mark I -Performed approximately 5,000 arithmetic operations per second -First computer with program stored in its memory -Used vacuum tubes -First computer to be mass-produced and commercially available -Used Vacuum tubes

1949

1951

SAQ 1-5
What distinguishes the first-generation, second generation and third-generation computers from one another?

ASAQ 1-5
The technology used. First-generation computers use vacuum tubes, second-generation computers use transistors and third-generation computers use integrated circuits.

THANK YOU.