Unit 1

A World of Computers

 Computers are everywhere

 What is a Computer?

 A Computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in

its own memory, that can accept data, process the data according to specified rules,
produce results, and store the results for future use.

Collects Produces
data Processing information
(input) (output)

Information Processing Cycle

What is a Computer?
Advantages and Disadvantages
of Using Computers
Advantages of Disadvantages of
Using Computers Using Computers

Speed Health Risks

Reliability Violation of Privacy

Consistency Public Safety

Storage Impact on Labor Force

Communications Impact on Environment

 Advantages and Disadvantages
of Using Computers

 Green Computing involves reducing the electricity

consumed and environmental waste generated
when using a computer.
 Green Computing is the term used to denote
efficient use of resources in computing. • It Is also
known as Green IT.
 Green Computing is “ Where organizations adopt a
policy of ensuring that the setup and operations of
Information Technology produces the minimal
carbon footprint”.
 Strategies include:
i. Recycling
ii. Regulating manufacturing processes
iii. Extending the life of computers
iv. Immediately donating or properly disposing
of replaced computers
 Types of Computers

Personal Computers

Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

Game Consoles

Servers

Mainframes

Supercomputers

Embedded Computers
 Personal Computers

 A Personal Computer can perform all of its input, processing, output, and storage
activities by itself.
 Two popular architectures are the PC and the Apple
 Desktop computer
Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

Mobile Mobile
Computer Device
Personal computer Computing device
you can carry from small enough to hold
place to place in your hand

Examples include smart

Examples include
notebook computers,
laptop computers,
netbooks, ultra-thins,
and Tablet PCs
phones and Personal
Digital Assistant (PDAs),
e-book readers,
handheld computers,
portable media players,
and digital cameras
Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

Notebook computer

Tablet PC

Smart phones and PDAs

E-book reader
Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

Handheld computer

Portable media player

Digital camera
 Game Consoles

 A Game Console is a mobile computing

device designed for single-player or
multiplayer video games
 Servers

 A Server controls access to the

hardware, software, and other
resources on a network
 Provides a centralized storage area
for programs, data, and information
 Mainframes

 A Mainframe is a large, expensive,

powerful computer that can handle
hundreds or thousands of connected
users simultaneously
 Supercomputers

 A Supercomputer is the fastest, most

powerful computer
 Fastest supercomputers are capable
of processing more than one
quadrillion instructions in a single
second
 Embedded Computers

 An Embedded Computer is a special-purpose computer that functions as a component in

a larger product

Home Process Computer Devices

Consumer
Automation Automobiles Controllers and and Office
Electronics Machines
Devices Robotics
• Mobile and • Thermostats • Antilock • Remote • Keyboards
digital telephones brakes monitoring
• Sprinkling • Printers
• Digital televisions systems
systems • Engine control • Faxes
• Cameras modules
• Security • Power • Copiers
• Video recorders
monitoring • Airbag monitors
• DVD players and
recorders systems controller • Machine
• Answering • Appliances • Cruise control controllers
machines • Lights • Medical
devices
Embedded Computers
18 Generation of Computers

 Based on the characteristics of various computers developed from time to time, they are
categorized as generation of computers.
19 Generation of Computers

 Time Period: 1951 to 1959

 Technology : Vacuum Tubes
 Size: Very Large System
 Processing : Very Slow
 Characterized By:-
• Magnetic Drums
• Magnetic Tapes
• Difficult to program
• Used machine language & assembly
language

First Generation Computers

 Disadvantages of First Generation of
Computers

The disadvantages of the first-generation computers are;

1. They were too bulky.
2. They emitted large amounts of heat because they used lots of vacuum tubes.
3. AIR conditioning was required.
4. They were likely to frequent failure that’s why they were unreliable.
5. They were not portable.
21 Generation of Computers

 Time Period : 1959 to 1963

 Technology : Transistors
 Size: Smaller
 Processing : Faster
 Characterized By:-
• Magnetic Cores
• Magnetic Disk
• Used high level language
• Easier to program

Second Generation Computers

 Advantages and Disadvantages of
Second Generation

Following are the advantages and disadvantages are;

23 Generation of Computers

 Time Period : 1963 to 1975

 Technology : ICs (Integrated Circuits)
 Incorporated many transistors &
electronic circuits on a single chip
 Size : Small as compared to 2nd
generation computers
 Processing : Faster then 2nd generation
computers
 Characterized by:-
• Minicomputers accessible by multiple
users from remote terminals.

Third Generation Computers

“IC” (Integrated Circuit)
Advantages of Third Generation

The advantages that the third-generated computers had over the second-generation
computers were;
1. They were smaller in size as compared to the second-generation computers.
2. They generated less heat.
3. They reduced computational time.
4. They involved low maintenance cost.
5. They were easily portable.
6. They were comparatively cheaper.
25 Generation of Computers

 Time Period : 1975 to Today

 Technology : VLSI (Very Large Scale
Integration)
 Incorporated many millions of transistors
& electronic circuits on a single chip
 Size : Small as compared to first generation
computer
 Processing : Faster then first generation
computer
 Characterized by:
 The personal computer and user friendly
micro-programs, very fast processor chip
high level language, OOP (Object Oriented
Programming)

Fourth Generation Computer “VLSI”

(Very Large Scale Integration)
Advantages of Fourth-Generation

The advantages of Fourth-Generation Computers over Third-Generation Computers are:

1. They were cheaper.
2. They had a larger memory and high functional speed.
3. They consumed less power.
4. They generated a negligible amount of heat.
27 Generation of Computers

 Time Period : Future Technology

 Technology : AI (Artificial Intelligence)

Fifth Generation Computer AI (Artificial Intelligence)

 Advantages of Fifth-Generation

1. Less power consumption.

2. High performance, lower cost and very compact.
3. Computers based on artificial intelligence are available.
4. Portable note book computers introduced.
5. Memory chips up to 1 GB, hard disk drives up to 180 GB and optical disks up to 27 GB are
available (still the capacity is increasing) .
29 Next Generation Optical Disk

The following formats go beyond the

current third-generation discs and have the
potential to hold more than one terabyte
(1TB) of data;
1. Holographic Versatile Disc (3.9TB=850
DVDs)
2. LS-R (Layer-Selection-Type Recordable
Optical Disk)
3. Protein-coated disc
30 Holographic Versatile Disc

 The Holographic Versatile Disc (HVD) is

an optical disc technology still in the
research stage which would hold up to
3.9 terabytes (TB) of information which
is equivalent to around 850 DVDs.
 It was introduced in 2004.
 Future of Touch Screen

 “The future of touch screen seems

bright. A company named synaptic is
developing a touch screen called
'ClearPad'. It is a thin, high resolution
capacitive touch screen that can be
placed on top of any display where a
finger-touch is required. If this
technology is mass-accepted then the
need of mechanical keys will be
eliminated.”
 The Components of a Computer

 A computer contains many electric, electronic, and mechanical components known as

Hardware

Input Device • Allows you to enter data and instructions into a computer

• Hardware component that conveys information to one or

Output Device
more people

• Case that contains the electronic components of the computer

System Unit
that are used to process data

• Records (writes) and/or retrieves (reads) items to and from

Storage Device
storage media

Communications • Enables a computer to send and receive data, instructions, and

Device information to and from one or more computers or mobile devices
The Components of a Computer
 Input Devices

 Input Devices:- An input device is any hardware component

that allows you to enter data and instructions into a computer.
Five widely used input devices are the keyboard, mouse,
microphone, scanner, and Web cam.
1) A computer keyboard contains keys you press to enter data into
the computer. For security purposes, some keyboards include a
fingerprint reader, which allows you to work with the computer
only if your fingerprint is recognized.
2) A mouse is a small handheld device. With the mouse, you
control movement of a small symbol on the screen, called the
pointer.
3) A microphone allows you to speak into the computer.
4) A scanner convert printed material (such as text and pictures)
into a form the computer can use.
5) A Web cam is a digital video camera that allows you to create
movies or take pictures and store them on the computer instead
of on tape or film.
 Output Devices

 Output Devices:- An output device is

any hardware component that conveys
information to one or more people.
Three commonly used output devices
are a printer, a monitor, and speakers.
1) A printer produces text and graphics on
a physical medium such as paper.
2) A monitor displays text, graphics, and
videos on a screen.
3) Speakers allow you to hear music, voice,
and other audio (sounds).
36 Processing Devices

 Processing Devices:- The system unit is a

case that contains the electronic components of
the computer that are used to process data. The
circuitry of the system unit usually is part of or is
connected to a circuit board called the
motherboard. Two main components on the
motherboard are the processor and memory.
1) The processor, also called a CPU (central
processing unit), is the electronic component
that interprets and carries out the basic
instructions that operate the computer.
2) Memory consists of electronic components that
store instructions waiting to be executed and
data needed by those instructions. Although
some forms of memory are permanent, most
memory keeps data and instructions
temporarily, which means its contents are
erased when the computer is shut off.
37 Storage Devices

 Storage Devices:- Storage holds data, instructions, and

information for future use. For example, computers can
store hundreds of millions of customer names and
addresses. Storage holds these items permanently. A
computer keeps data, instructions, and information on
storage media. Examples of storage media are USB flash
drives, hard disks, optical discs, and memory cards. A
storage device records (writes) and/or retrieves (reads)
items to and from storage media. Drives and
readers/writers, which are types of storage devices, accept
a specific kind of storage media. For example,
1) DVD drive (storage device) accepts a DVD (storage media).
Storage devices often function as a source of input because
they transfer items from storage to memory.
2) USB flash drive is a portable storage device that is small
and lightweight enough to be transported on a keychain or
in a pocket. The average USB flash drive can hold about 4
billion characters. You plug a USB flash drive in a special,
easily accessible opening on the computer.
38 Storage Devices

3) Hard disk provides much greater storage capacity than a

USB flash drive. The average hard disk can hold more than
320 billion characters. Hard disks are enclosed in an
airtight, sealed case. Although some are portable, most are
housed inside the system unit. Portable hard disks are
either external or removable.
4) External hard disk is a separate, freestanding unit, whereas
you insert and remove a removable hard disk from the
computer or a device connected to the computer.
5) Optical disc is a flat, round, portable metal disc with a
plastic coating. CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray Discs are three
types of optical discs. A CD can hold from 650 million to 1
billion characters. Some DVDs can store two full-length
movies or 17 billion characters. Blu-ray Discs can store
about 46 hours of standard video, or 100 billion characters.
Some mobile devices, such as digital cameras, use memory
cards as the storage media. You can use a card
reader/writer to transfer the stored items, such as digital
photos, from the memory card to a computer or printer.
 Communication Devices

 Communication Devices:- A communication

device is any device that can be used to convey
any kind of message from one person to another.
The best example of a communication device is a
computer Modem, which is capable of sending
and receiving a signal to allow computers to talk
to other computers over the telephone.
 Types of communication devices.
1) Router A router is an intelligent device, which
can route subnets together, routers are also used
across the internet to transfer the data across
the world. A router uses a routing table which is
configured with ip address, so when a user sends
data from one network the data on the other
network can be received due to the router.
Wireless routers are also the same accept
transferring the data wirelessly using a normal
2.4 ghz frequency.
 Communication Devices

2) Modems Modem stands for

Modulate/demodulate.
3) Hub A hub is a non intelligent device, the reason
for this is because when a node on port one for
example sends a message to someone on port 5
the message is sent out to all of the ports on the
hub, as well as this making the device slower, it
also makes the device insecure because it makes
it easy for people to sniff packets on a network.
4) Switch A switch is an intelligent device, when
data is sent from a node for example on port one
sending the data to port 5 the switch knows
exactly which port to send to making it a faster
and more secure device to use.
 Communication Devices

5) Network Interface Card This is a device which

is connected to a users computer which
allows them to connect their computer to a
device for example a switch or a hub,
allowing them to communicate using this
device.
6) Servers A server is used in a network to
provide the users of a network with different
features, for example a client server which
allows the nodes on a network to connect on
any computer system allowing them to
always have the same interface when they log
in, another server could be an e-mail server
this is used to hold accounts of the users of
the e-mail programs, when the messages are
being sent and other various features on the
e-mail server.