IT101
COMPUTER APPLICATION I.
LECTURE 2
Introduction to Computer II
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Computer Generation
The term ‘computer generation’ is often used in
connection with computer hardware.
These are in fact phases of computer development
characterized by type of switching circuit it utilizes.
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First Generation Computer
The first generation computers used vacuum tubes.
Vacuum tubes used for amplification and switching purposes.
Unreliable
Programming using machine language only (complex)
Very costly
Generated a lot of heat
Slow input and output devices
Huge size
Consumed a lot of electricity
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Second Generation Features
Transistor replaced vacuum tube
Computers became smaller
Generate less heat
Lower electricity consumption
More reliable, Faster than first Generation computers
Magnetic tapes and disks were used to store data.
First operating system developed.
Programming in machine as well as assembly
languages.
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Third Generation Features
Integrated Circuits (IC) in place of transistors
Smaller, faster and more reliable than second
generation computers.
Smaller size
Generated less heat
Expensive
Consumed lesser electricity
Supported high-level programming language
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Fourth Generation Features
Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits.
Affordable price and easily available
Portable(small size) and reliable
Great developments in the fields of
networks(Internet ) and data communication.
All the high-level languages like C, C++, DBASE etc.,
were used in this generation.
Different types of secondary memory with high
storage capacity & fast access developed
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Fifth Generation Feature
Ultra Large Scale Integration (ULSI) technology
Development of true artificial intelligence
Development of Natural language processing
More user-friendly interfaces with multimedia
features
Availability of very powerful and compact computers
at cheaper rates
All the high-level languages like C and C++, Java, .Net
etc., are used in this generation.
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Application of Fifth Generation
Decision making robots, which can take visual inputs and
respond on its own, working without any step by step
instructions.
Applications examples of fifth generation computers are:-
Intelligent systems that could control the route of a missile
and Defence-systems that could fend-off attacks.
Word-processor that could be controlled by means of
speech recognition
Programs that could translate documents from one
language to another.
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Types of computer
1. Supercomputers
2. Mainframe Computers
3. Midrange Computers (Min Computers)
4. Microcomputers
5. Workstations
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Super Computer
The fastest type of computer.
Supercomputers are very expensive and are employed for
specialized applications that require immense amounts of
mathematical calculations.
For example, weather forecasting requires a supercomputer.
Other uses of supercomputers include animated graphics,
fluid dynamic calculations, nuclear energy research, and
petroleum exploration.
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Mainframe computer
A very large and expensive computer capable of
supporting thousands, of users simultaneously.
In some ways, mainframes are more powerful than
supercomputers because they support more
simultaneous programs.
But supercomputers can execute a single program
faster than a mainframe.
Users access through a terminal.
Used in larger organization.
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Minicomputer
Also known as midrange computers, Medium-size
companies
Power between mainframe and workstation
But in general, a minicomputer is a multiprocessing
system capable of supporting from 4 to about 200
users simultaneously
Users access through a terminal
Used in small organizations.
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Microcomputer (Desktop and Workstation)
Microcomputer is microprocessor-based computer.
Microprocessor is a single-chip or chipset CPU
Desktop computer are Least powerful & Widely used
Designed to be used by a single person a time.
Examples of laptops/Notebook, desktop, tablets and
handheld.
Workstations
Specialized computers optimized for science or graphics
More powerful than a desktop
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Operating System(OS)
A program which acts as an interface between a user and
the computer resources(hardware and other software).
Basic functions of (OS)
Control and manage hardware and software.
Manages the way information is stored or retrieved from
disks.
Multitasking/ multiprogramming
Multiprocessing
Provide Graphical user interface (GUI)
Ensures that your computer is functioning properly
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Types of Operating System
1. Real-time OS
Used to control machinery, control systems and industrial systems and have
very less or in certain case no user-interface capability.
2. Single User Operating System
Provides a platform for only one user at a time.-Can be divided into two.
Single User, Single Task OS:This is a typical computer system where one user
can work effectively only on one task. Cell phones and palm tops are
examples.
Single User, Multi-tasking : Computer Operating Systems of desktops or
laptops typically fall within this category. Here, the user can use several
applications at a time.
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Types of Operating System
3. Multi User Systems
Refers to computer systems that support two or more simultaneous
users.
Another term for multi-user is time sharing.
eg: All mainframes are multi-user systems.
4. Batch processing OS
Batch processing is a technique in which an Operating System collects
the programs and data together in a batch before processing starts
4. Multiprogramming OS
Shares processor, when two or more programs reside in memory at the
same time
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Binary form (Bits and Bytes)
• Binary form(machine language): The form in which
data and instructions can be read by the Central
Processing Unit (only 0s and 1s).
• Everything in the computer is held as 1 or 0 = On or
Off. This is a Bit.
• Byte: An 8-bit string of data, needed to represent any
one alphanumeric character or simple mathematical
operation.(1 byte = 8 bits).
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Hierarchy of Memory Capacity
Memory capacity are measured in KB, MB, GB… e.g.
256MB, 8GB
Kilobyte (KB): approximately one thousand bytes.
Megabyte (MB): approximately one million bytes
(1,048,576 bytes, or 1,024 x 1,024).
Gigabyte (GB): actually 1,073,741,824 bytes (1,024 x
1,024 x 1,024 bytes).
Terabyte (TB): = 240 approximate One trillion bytes.
Petabyte : = 250.
Exabyte:= 260.
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Using a Computer
To turn on a computer, press the power button on
the system unit.
Log in to the operating system by your user name
and password (access security).
Access Security :Authentication & authorization
Computers allow you to create, modify, and save
files.
To shut down a computer, will depends on OS
used.........
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Desktop
The opening (first) screen after logging into the
computer.
In addition to the background picture there will be a
number of small pictures or icons for the applications
,folders and files which you will most regularly use.
At the top or bottom or side ways of the screen is the
task bar (or panel).
Mouse pointer.
Start button – with different icon and location
depending on OS used.
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Introduction to Window
A window represents an open program or folder.
A program or folder is visible as a window on the
computer screen.
You can have more than one window open at a time.
The window you are working in is called the active
/current window.
The active window will be on top of any other open
windows.
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Common Elements of a Window
Title bar
Minimize, maximize, restore and Close buttons
Scroll bar
Insertion point
Menu bar
Tool bar
Status bar
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Using Mouse Buttons
Left Click - Use your index finger to click the left button once
Double Click - Use your index finger to click the left mouse
button twice quickly
Right Click - Use your second finger to click the right button
once
Click-and-Drag or Drag-and-Drop - Click and hold the left
mouse button, move the mouse as necessary then release
the left mouse button
Scroll wheel - Helps to move up and down a document in
some applications
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Mouse Actions
Click – Select the item over which the mouse pointer
is positioned.
In some cases this will also activate it, such as the Start
menu or an item in a menu.
Double Click – activate the selected item. If it is a
program, run it. If it is a document, open it with the
appropriate programme.
Right Click – show a context sensitive menu.
Click-and-Drag or Drag-and-Drop
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Touch typing
Touch typing is the process of typing without the sense of
sight.
With practice you can be able to type while concentrating
on what you type by looking on the typed content on the
screen.
Set of keys are supposed to be typed by each of your
fingers.
Special application programs may help you to learn touch
typing. You can install these in your computer. E.g Ktouch,
Mavis Beacon
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Touch Typing
Use the program KTouch
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Quiz
List 5 computer generations and explain their features.
List and explain types of computer
Explain the use of password and user name when you log in
to a computer OS.
Differentiate authentication and authorization
Distinguish between mouse pointer and cursor
List and explain common elements of windows.
Explain functions of OS.
What is touch typing
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