Chapter One: Introduction

Chapter 1
Introduction
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After going through this lesson you will be in a position to:

 define a computer
 identify characteristics of computer
 identify capability of computer in terms of speed and accuracy
 identify the role of computer
1.1 Overview of Computer Science

Let us begin with the word ‘compute’. It means ‘to calculate’. We all are familiar with calculations
in our day to day life. We apply mathematical operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication,
etc. and many other formulae for calculations. Simpler calculations take less time. But complex
calculations take much longer time. Another factor is accuracy in calculations. So man explored
with the idea to develop a machine which can perform this type of arithmetic calculation faster and
with full accuracy. This gave birth to a device or machine called ‘computer’.

Computer is an electronic device that converts data into information by following a set of step by
step operations.

The computer we see today is quite different from the one made in the beginning. The number of
applications of a computer has increased, the speed and accuracy of calculation has increased. You
must appreciate the impact of computers in our day to day life. Reservation of tickets in Air Lines
and Railways from home, payment of telephone and electricity bills, deposits and withdrawals of
money from banks, business data processing, medical diagnosis, weather forecasting, etc. are some
of the areas where computer has become extremely useful.

However, there is one limitation of the computer. Human beings do calculations on their own. But
computer is a dumb machine and it has to be given proper instructions to carry out its calculation.
This is why we should know how a computer works.

Computer is an electronic device. As mentioned in the introduction it can do arithmetic calculations

faster. But as you will see later it does much more than that. It can be compared to a magic box,
which serves different purpose to different people. For a common man computer is simply a
calculator, which works automatic and quite fast. For a person who knows much about it, computer
is a machine capable of solving problems and manipulating data. It accepts data, processes the data
by doing some mathematical and logical operations and gives us the desired output.

Therefore, we may define computer as a device that transforms data. Data can be anything like
marks obtained by you in various subjects. It can also be name, age, sex, weight, height, etc. of all

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 Chapter One: Introduction

the students in your class or income, savings, investments, etc., of a country. Computer can be
defined in terms of its functions. It can i) accept data ii) store data, iii) process data as desired, and
iv) retrieve the stored data as and when required and v) print the result in desired format. You will
know more about these functions as you go through the later lessons.

Fig. 2.1 below depicts a personal computer.

Fig.2.1: Personal Computer

Computer science is the science that is devoted to representation, storage, manipulation and
presentation of information.

Key terms:
 Data (singular: datum) is a collection of raw facts or figures that describe something.
 Information is a processed data.
 Representation: is the process of putting data in a machine readable form.
 Storage: the process putting data in memory for future use
 Manipulation: processing data in the way desired
 Presentation: putting the data in human readable and desirable format

1.2. CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTER

Let us identify the major characteristics of computer. These can be discussed under the headings of
speed, accuracy, diligence, versatility and memory.

1. Speed

Computers can work very fast. It takes only few seconds for calculations that we take hours to
complete if we make use of computers.

Computer can perform millions (1,000,000) of instructions and even more per second. Therefore,
we determine the speed of computer in terms of microsecond (10 -6 part of a second) or nano-second
(10-9 part of a second).

2. Storage

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The Computer has an in-built memory where it can store a large amount of data. It is also possible
to store data in secondary storage devices such as floppies, which can be kept outside a given
computer and can be carried to other computers.

3. Accuracy

Suppose some one calculates faster but commits a lot of errors in computing. Such result is useless.
There is another aspect. Suppose you want to divide 15 by 7. You may work out up to 2 decimal
places and say the dividend is 2.14. I may calculate up to 4 decimal places and say that the result is
2.1428. Some one else may go up to 9 decimal places and say the result is 2.142857143. Hence, in
addition to speed, the computer should have accuracy or correctness in computing.

The degree of accuracy of computer is very high and every calculation is performed with the same
accuracy. The accuracy level is determined on the basis of design of computer. The errors in
computer are due to human and inaccurate data.

4. Automatic

Once a program is in the computer’s memory, it continues without the need for human intervention
until completion. But don’t be confused that human intervention is unavoidable (for example it is
human that starts a computer).

5. Versatility

It means the capacity to perform completely different type of work. You may use your computer to
prepare payroll slips. Next moment you may use it for inventory management or to prepare electric
bills.

6. Diligence

A computer is free from tiredness, lack of concentration, fatigue, etc. It can work for hours without
creating any error. If millions of calculations are to be performed, a computer will perform every
calculation with the same accuracy. Due to this capability it overpowers human being in routine
type of work. Moreover, computer does not go on sick leave, nor annual leave, not maternity leave,
nor strike, nor require old age pension. As long as there is no failure of power and no defect in the
machine itself, it will never be unoperational.

7. Can’t Think

Even if it is artificially intelligent, it does nothing more than it is programmed to do nor does it
know whether it could do. It does not create a brand new idea.

8. No Feeling

It does not have feelings or emotion, taste, knowledge and experience. Thus it does not get tired
even after long hours of work. It does not distinguish between users.

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9. Power of Remembering

Computer has the power of storing any amount of information or data. Any information can be
stored and recalled as long as you require it, for any numbers of years. It depends entirely upon you
how much data you want to store in a computer and when to lose or retrieve these data.

10. No IQ

Computer is a dumb machine and it cannot do any work without instruction from the user. It
performs the instructions at tremendous speed and with accuracy. It is you to decide what you want
to do and in what sequence. So a computer cannot take its own decision as you can.

1.3. Subfields of Computer Science

Computer science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and
their implementation and application in computer systems. Computer science has many sub-fields;
some emphasize the computation of specific results (such as computer graphics), while others (such
as complexity theory) relate to properties of computational problems. Still others focus on the
challenges in implementing computations. For example, software engineering studies approaches to
describe computational problems, while computer programming applies specific programming
languages to solve specific computational problems.

Since computer science is an ever growing science, it has been and is being divided into many sub
disciplines. Few among them are the following:
1. Software Engineering: is concerned with the establishment and use of sound engineering
principles and good management practices to come up with software of high quality. Or in
short it is one of the sub disciplines of computer science that is devoted to producing
software.
2. Computer Engineering: is concerned with study, analysis and design of computer
architecture. It is the creative application of engineering principles and methods to the design and
development of hardware and software systems.
3. Complexity Theory: is the study and analysis of algorithms. Algorithms are steps we
should follow to come up with a desired output. Almost all algorithms are effective but not
all of them are efficient.
NB. Effectiveness is to succeed in producing an output
Efficiency is to become effective at low cost (time, financial, etc.)
4. Automata Theory: The mathematical study of machines and their capabilities for solving
problems by means of algorithms. It is the study of machines/devices, which accept input such
that the outputs are determined by the inputs.
5. Database Architecture: is the study and design of efficient methods of information storage
and retrieval.
6. Artificial Intelligence: is concerned with means by which computers may perform tasks
(example: theorem proving, recognition of visual and other patterns) which would be
characterized as intelligent if performed by human beings. That is AI is concerned with the
integration of human intelligence into computer systems.

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1.4. Computerization:

Business systems or organizations are computerized because of many reasons. Some of the
problems (push factors) that lead to computerization of organizations are the following:
Problem of capacity or volume: Companies face problems of handling huge volume of
data manually. Since computers are able to hold quite a lot of data electronically, companies tend to
use computers to relieve themselves of this problem.

Problem of accuracy: Human beings are inaccurate beings. Particularly when they get
tired, humans usually make mistakes. But computers do not make mistakes. The degree of accuracy
of computer is very high and every calculation is performed with the same accuracy. The accuracy
level is determined on the basis of design of computer. The errors in computer are due to human and
inaccurate data. So, to get rid of the problem of accuracy, computerization is made by companies.

Problem of Repetitiveness: There are a lot of repetitive tasks these days that are performed
in many organizations. Human is bored of doing repetitive tasks. But computers do not know
boredom and hence they do repetitive tasks tirelessly.
Problem of Complexity: These days, companies are working with a lot of complex data,
i.e., data and data processing of undetermined pattern. It is difficult (if not impossible) to handle this
data for human beings. But computers can totally or partially handle this complexity.

Problem of Speed: You will be surprised to know that computer can perform millions
(1,000,000) of instructions and even more per second. Therefore, we determine the speed of
computer in terms of microsecond (10-6 part of a second) or nano-second (10 -9 part of a second).
From this you can imagine how fast your computer performs work.

Even if you are pushed by these factors, ask yourself the following questions before you
computerize a company:

1.5. TYPES OF COMPUTERS

Based on the application of computers for various purpose computers can be classified into three
types:

1. Analog Computers
Computers that use analog signals for calculating and transmitting data are called analog computers.
It can be defined as “A device that operates on data in the form of continuously varying physical
quantities.” The values of the analog signals are continuously changing with states in between high
and low. Analog data is calculated using the concept of “measuring values” like magnitude in terms
of voltage, length, current, etc. The analog data is transmitted in a continuous form that closely

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reassembles the information it represents. Electrical signals on a telephone line are nothing but
analog data representing the original voice.
e.g. Slide Rule, Thermometer, Hydrodynamics

2. Digital Computers
The computers that use digital signals to calculate and transmit data are called digital computers.
The word digital is derived from the word “digit”. The word digit simply means numeral. The
digital signal has only two states in which it can be represented. They are ON and OFF or HIGH
and LOW or 1 and 0. Digital data is calculated using the concept of “counting values”. The result
obtained from the digital computer is more accurate when compared to the analog computers. These
computers manipulate digital data and perform arithmetic and logical operations on these data. To
facilitate the performance of digital computers intermediate languages such as BASIC, COBOL,
FORTRAN, PASCAL, C, C++, JAVA, etc. have been developed.

3. Hybrid Computers
Computer systems that use both analog and digital mechanisms are called hybrid computers.
Desirable features of analog and digital computers are combined to develop a hybrid computer. In
hospitals, the intensive care unit, an analog device measures a patient’s heart function, temperature
and other vital signs, these measurements are then converted into numbers and supplied to a digital
component that monitors the patient’s vital signs and signals to a nurse’s station.

1.6. TYPES OF COMPUTERS SYSTEMS (based on capacity and size of microprocessor)

Now let us discuss the varieties of computers that we see today. Although they belong to the fifth
generation they can be divided into different categories depending upon the size, efficiency,
memory and number of users. Broadly they can be divided into the following four categories.

1. Microcomputer: Microcomputer is at the lowest end of the computer range in terms of

speed and storage capacity. Its CPU is a microprocessor. The first microcomputers were
built of 8-bit microprocessor chips. The most common application of personal computers
(PC) is in this category. The PC supports a number of input and output devices. An
improvement of 8-bit chip is 16-bit and 32-bit chips. Examples of microcomputer are IBM
PC, PC-AT.
2. Mini Computer: This is designed to support more than one user at a time. It possesses large
storage capacity and operates at a higher speed. The mini computer is used in multi-user
system in which various users can work at the same time. This type of computer is generally
used for processing large volume of data in an organization. They are also used as servers in
Local Area Networks (LAN).
3. Mainframes: These types of computers are generally 32-bit microprocessors. They operate
at very high speed, have very large storage capacity and can handle the work load of many
users. They are generally used in centralized databases. They are also used as controlling
nodes in Wide Area Networks (WAN). Example of mainframes are DEC, ICL and IBM
3000 series.
4. Supercomputer: They are the fastest and most expensive machines. They have high
processing speed compared to other computers. They have also multiprocessing technique.
One of the ways in which supercomputers are built is by interconnecting hundreds of
microprocessors. Supercomputers are mainly being used for whether forecasting, biomedical

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research, remote sensing, aircraft design and other areas of science and technology.
Examples of supercomputers are CRAY YMP, CRAY2, NEC SX-3, CRAY XMP and
PARAM from India.

1.7. Application of computers

Main Application Areas:

 Commercial application
The emphasis is on date processing: it covers the use of computers for
clerical, administrative and business uses
 Scientific, engineering and research application
The emphasis is on scientific processing: it covers the use of computers for
complex calculations, design, analysis and control of physical system and
analysis of experimental data or results
Particular application areas:
 Computer in Education
The use of computers in education ranges from assisting teaching and
learning process to managing it. Hence the terms CAL (Computer Aided
Learning) and CAI ( Computer Aided Instruction).
Multiple choice questions can be processed.
 Computer in Medicine: In medicine, computers are used
o for analyzing medical research
o to aid in diagnosis
o to hold details of patients
 Computers in Manufacturing
 stock and production control (CAM-Computer Aided Manufacturing)
 engineering design (CAD -Computer Aided Design e.g. Auto CAD)

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