CSC 201: Introduction to

Computer Science
Department of Computer Science
College of Physical Sciences,
Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta
2019/2020 Session
Salako O. S.

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Course Outline
• Definition, historical background and generations of
computer
• Type, classification and characteristics of computer.
• Computer hardware: functional components, modern
input/output units.
• Software: system software, operating systems and
utilities, application software: areas of application of
computers.
Course Outline
• Data storage and internal representation of data, bits
and character representation concept of data.

• Data compression, records file, basic models of files

processing and their advantages.

• Problem solving Strategies, Concepts and properties

of algorithm, the science of algorithm and concept of
abstraction
Course Outline
• Algorithm representation and discovery, iterative and
recursive structures.

• Algorithmic tools, pseudocode, flowcharts,

introduction to efficiency and correctness of
algorithms.

• Introduction to computer programming

• Programming with C/C++

 Definition
WHAT IS A COMPUTER ?

• A device or set of devices that work under the control of a

stored program, automatically accepts and processes data to
provide information.

• A computer accepts and then processes input data according

to the instructions it is given. The elements of any sort of
processing are INPUT, PROCESSING, STORAGE, and OUTPUT

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Definition

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 Definition
• Computing: The process of utilizing computer technology to
complete a task.

• Computing may involve hardware and/or software, but must

involve some form of a computer system.

• Most Individuals use some form of computing everyday e.g.

sending e-mail, telemedicine, business transaction and many
more.

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 Definition
Computing includes:

• designing, developing and building hardware and software

systems;

• designing a mathematical sequence of steps known as

an algorithm;

• processing, structuring, and managing various kinds of

information;

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 Definition
The field of computing includes :
• Computer engineering,
• Software engineering,
• Information systems,
• Information technology and
• Computer science,

Computer science : is the study of the theory, experimentation,

and engineering that form the basis for the design and use
of computers.

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 History and generation of Computers
• History of computer development is often mentioned in
reference to different generations of computing devices.

• Each generation of computer is characterized by a major

technological development that fundamentally changed the
way computers operate,

• resulting in increasingly smaller, cheaper, more powerful,

more efficient and reliable devices.

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 History and generation of Computers
•
First Generation (1940-1956)
- Used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory
- Very Big
- Very expensive
- Consumes electricity
- Generate a lot of heat
- They relied on machine language for performance
- Solve one problem at a time
- Input was based on punched cards and paper tape

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 History and generation of Computers
• Universal Automatic Computer (UNIVAC) - 1951
- First fully electronic digital
computer built in the U.S.

- Created at the University of

Pennsylvania

• ENIAC(Electronic Numerical
Integrator And Calculator )

• First general –purpose computer

• weighed 30 tons
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 History and generation of Computers
Second Generation – 1956 -1963

1956 – Computers began to

incorporateTransistors

Replaced vacuum tubes with

Transistors

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 History and generation of Computers
Second Generation (1956-1963)
- They used Transistors
- Smaller, faster, cheaper and more energy efficient computers
- Still relied on punched cards for input and output
- Transition from binary machine language to symbolic or
assembly language
- High level programming languages were also developed, such as
BASIC, COBOL and FORTRAN
- The first set of computer that stored their instruction on memory

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 History and generation of Computers
Third Generation – 1964-1971
• Development of Integrated Circuit
- Integrated Circuits are transistors, resistors, and
capacitors integrated together into a single “chip”
• Interaction through keyboards and mouse.
• Smaller and Cheaper Computers.
• Development of Operating System (OS)
- OS is the set of programs that controls a computer.
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History and generation of Computers
Third Generation – 1964 -1971

Integrated 16
 History and generation of Computers
Fourth Generation – 1972 - 2010
• Availability of microprocessor
• Thousands of integrated circuits were built
onto a single silicon chip
• Intel 4004 chip and IBM computers
introduced
• Smaller computers were linked together to
form networks
• This development led to Internet
• Development of Graphical User Interface (GUI)
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 History and generation of Computers
The First Microprocessor (Intel 4004) – 1971

The 4004 had 2,250 transistors

four-bit chunks (four 1’s or 0’s)
108Khz
Called “Microchip”

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 History and generation of Computers

Birth of Personal Computers(MITS Altair) - 1975

256 byte memory (not Kilobytes or

Megabytes)
2 MHz Intel 8080 chips
Just a box with flashing lights
cost $395 kit, $495 assembled.

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 History and generation of Computers
Generations of Electronic Computers

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History and generation of Computers
Evolution of Electronics
Microchip
(VLSIC)
Integrated
Circuit

Transistor

Vacuum
Tube

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 History and generation of Computers
Fifth Generation (2010 - Present)
• Based on Artificial Intelligence
• With the use of voice recognition, processing
and super conductors
• Parallel processing and super conductors which
is helping to make artificial intelligence a reality.
• Quantum computation, molecular technology
will radically change the face of computers in
years to come.
• The goal is to develop devices that will
respond to natural language and capable of
learning.
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 History and generation of Computers
Fifth Generation (2010 to present)

Artificial Intelligence

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 Types, Classification and Characteristics of
Computer System

Computer can be classified based on:

- Representation of numbers

- Size

- Purpose

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 Types, Classification and Characteristics of
Computer System
A. Representation of numbers

• Digital computers – They store or represent

information in binary (digital) form

• Analogue computers – They represent

information using physical quantities

• Hybrid computers – They combine analogue

and digital computers’ properties
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 Types, Classification and Characteristics of
Computer System

B. Classification by size

• Super computer
• Mainframe computer
• Mini computer
• Micro computer – personal computer (PC)

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Classification of Computers by Size
.

Supercomputer

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Classification of Computers by Size
.

Mainframe Computer

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Classification of Computers by Size
.

Minicomputer

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Classification of Computers by Size
.

Micro-computer

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Classification of Computers by Size
.

Micro-computer

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 Types, Classification and Characteristics of
Computer System
C) Classification by Purpose

• Special purpose computers – designed for

particular job or task to solve problems

• General purpose computer- designed to

solve a wide variety of problems and can
be used to carry out different jobs.
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 Types, Classification and Characteristics of
Computer System
Characteristics of Computers

• Speed
• Capacity
• Versatility - can be used for many things
• Diligence
• Accuracy
• Automatic

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 Benefit of Computer systems
Computer are being used in the following areas:-

Engineering
 Science
Health
Marketing
Security
Education
Management
Production etc.
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 COMPUTER SYSTEMS

•
Hardware

•
Software

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 Hardware
• Hardware is the physical part of the computer that can be seen,
touched or handled.
• The hardware consists of the physical and internal components of the
system.

The Hardware has the following basic components:

• Input Unit
• The Central Processing Unit
• Storage Unit
• Output Unit

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(1) Input Unit

• An input device is the main source by which a computer receives

information.

• It is the Electro-mechanical system, which aids the transferring

of data into the computer, that is, it is the medium through which
data can be supplied to the computer

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(1) Input Unit
Examples are:
a) Keyboard b) Mouse c) Joystick d) Trackball

e) Light Pen and Stylus f) Graphic Tablet or Digitizer

g) Touch Screen h) Scanner i) Magnetic Tapes and Cassettes Readers

j) Audio input units or Voice Data Entry (VDE)

k) Computer Disk and DVDs Readers

l) Floppy and Hard Disk drives

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Input Devices

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Input Devices

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Input Devices

Body Scanners

CT (computerized tomography' (CT) (or

'computerized axial tomography' (CAT) scan)
scanners and MRI scanners allow doctors to
investigate what is happening inside a patient's
body without intrusive surgery.

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Input Devices
Body
Scanners

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Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

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Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

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(2) Central Processing Unit (CPU)
- This is otherwise known as the heart of the computer
where
all manipulations are done and main operation is being
carried out.
- It stand between the input and output devices.
- It receives incoming data and instructions, works upon
the data and sends to destination unit
- It consists of the arithmetic and logic unit, the control
unit
and the memory unit.
- It performs most of the calculations within the computer
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Central Processing Unit (contd)
responsible for the smooth running of your operating system as well
as your application programs, such as word processors,
-

spreadsheets and databases.

A small amount of memory associated with the CPU is used to perform

these operations.
-

It also accesses and uses the main memory (RAM - Random

Access Memory) within your computer.
-

- Is the single most important item within your computer that

governs the overall speed of your computer.

The CPU's speed is measured in MHz, the higher the MHz

rating of your CPU the faster your computer will run
-

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The System (mother) board
• contained within the System unit

• all vital computer part are plugged directly to the system

board.

• Other items such as the hard disk are attached to the

system board, either directly or via cables.

• These boards are getting smaller and smaller as the

components become more integrated

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MAIN MEMORY
• The main memory is also called Internal storage or primary storage/memory.

• The Internal memory of a computer is an integral element of the

processing unit and may be referred to as the computer’s working memory.

• It is used for storing software in the form of operating system, application

programs and utility routines, etc.

• Internal storage has to be complimented by external storage, that is,

storage external to the processor, which is referred to as
“BANKING STORAGE”.

• This is used for mass storage whereas storage is used for immediate
access requirements.
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 THE CONTROL UNIT
It coordinates and supervises all activities within CPU.

(i) Receives instructions from the input unit and decode the
instruction.

(ii) Fetches data from the main memory and generates signals that
are required to act on and execute the instruction.

(ii) Keeps constant touch with input equipment, coordinates and

keeps tracks of the instructions that have been executed.

(iv) It does not partake in the processing function or store data,

rather directs the sequence of operations in and outside the CPU.

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Random Access Memory (RAM)
• main 'working' memory used by the computer
• modern computer can effectively house as much
RAM as you can afford to buy.
• modern computers are supplied with over 128 MB
of RAM.
• a Microsoft Windows based computer will operate
faster if you install higher size RAM
• Data and programs stored in RAM are volatile (i.e.
The information is lost when you switch off the
computer). 51
(3) STORAGE UNIT
Read only Memory (ROM)
This unit is also known as Secondary storage, Auxiliary
storage, Backing storage or External storage. Data coming
to the computer are received by the memory and passed to
a permanent storage device. This memory is used to store
data not currently being operated on but which will be
transferred to the main storage when required. Secondary
storage is non-volatile and retains data even when the
computer is turned off. There are many kinds of secondary
storage; the most common ones are magnetic tape,
magnetic disk and compact disk.
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 Difference between RAM and ROM
Primary (RAM) Secondary (ROM)

1 Primary storage/memory is also Secondary storage or memory is also

called Internal or main storage called External or auxiliary storage
2 It has high speed It has low speed low

3 It is very expensive It is not expensive

4 It holds data or programs It holds data or programs

temporary permanently
5 It holds programs and data in It holds program or data that will still
current use in CPU be used in primary storage
6 It is faster It is not fast (as primary)

7 It holds less data It holds large volume of data or files

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 (4) Output Unit
An output unit is a medium which a computer uses to
produce out processed or computed results for users in
readable form. Results are either soft copy or hard copy
type. A software copy output is the result displayed on
the monitor while hardcopy is the output printed on
paper.
Output devices on the other hand, decode the data into
information. Examples are:
Monitors
Printers
Plotters
Computer Output Microfilm (COM)
Voice Output 54
 COMPUTER SOFTWARE
Software can be defined as the sets of instruction
and procedures passed to the computer to perform
certain activities or tasks. That is, it is the set of
instruction directed to a computer system to
perform a specific task. It is often called computer
program. It is the program, which direct the
operations of computer systems. It is the invisible
part of the computer system. Without the software,
the computer system is useless.

There are two types of software namely:

• System software
• Application software 55
 SYSTEM SOFTWARE
System software is sets of one or more programs
designed to control and supervise the operation and
performance of a computer system. They are the
software that acts as interface between the hardware
and the user or computer resources. The overall control
of the hardware operations and the user self-written
programs is done by the system software.

The systems software may be divided into the following:

Operating systems
Utilities and service programs
Translators
Database Management System
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 Operating System (OS): is a software that manages the
resources of the computer. The workings of all hardware
components as well as execution of application
programs are controlled by the operating systems (OS).
Those programs are concerned with the internal control
and co-ordination of all aspects of the computer system,

 Utilities and service programs: are used for general

housekeeping on the computer. They are system
programs that provides useful service to the user of the
computer by providing facilities for performing common
tasks in a routine nature. These tasks are: Formatting a
disk, copying of files, sorting, printing, editing, back-up e.
t.c
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These services include translators for any languages
supported by the system and utility programs such as
program editors and other aids to programming;

- graphical user interfaces (GUls) providing intuitive, easily

learned methods for using microcomputer systems.

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 APPLICATION SOFTWARE
• Application software or program is a computer
program designed to help users perform a certain
kind of activity. Depending on the task(s) for which
it was designed, an application program can
manipulate text, numbers, graphics or a
combination of these elements.

• Application software consists of a number of

programs designed to perform specific tasks for
users.
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 SUMMARY
Computer is made up of two components:
Hardware Component
Software Component

Hardware Component
The Hardware has the following basic components:
 Input Unit
 The Central Processing Unit
 Storage Unit
 Output Unit

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Software Component
There are two types of software namely:
• System software
• Application software

The systems software may be divided into the

following:
• Operating systems
• Utilities and service programs
• Translators
• Database Management System

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• What is an Operating System?
An operating system (OS) is the interface between
the user and the hardware. It implements a virtual
machine that is
• easier to program than bare hardware
• OS provides standard services (an interface)
which are implemented on the hardware, including:
Processes, CPU scheduling, memory
• Management- file system, networking
• OS coordinates multiple applications and users in
a fair and efficient manner - The goal of OS
development is to make the machine convenient
to use and efficient
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Why Study Operating Systems?
• Abstraction — how do you give the users the
illusion of infinite resources (CPU time, memory,
file space)?
• System design —trade-offs between:
• performance and convenience of these
• abstractions
- performance and simplicity of OS
- functionality in hardware or software
• Primary intersection point — OS is the point where
hardware, software, programming languages,
data structures and algorithms all come together
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The main functions of operating systems

• the function of an operating system is to

manage the resources of the computer
system.
• Generally, the resources managed by OS are
- CPU,
- Memory,
- Input/Output Devices,
- Backing Store and Files.
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Other functions include:
- interpretation of the command
- error handling- detecting and reporting malfunctioning
peripherals;
- Security: protection of data files and programs from unauthorized
use;
Accounting and logging of the use of the computer resources.
- Program loading to the main memory for processing
- Multiprogramming
- Interrupt handling
- Job Sequencing and Scheduling
- File Management
- Peripheral Control
- Recovery from System Failure
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Some operating systems are:

•
Windows 95, 98, ME, 7, 8, 9,10
•
Windows XP, VISTA,
•
UNIX,
•
MS-DOS,
•
Windows NT etc.

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- Single Program OS: allow one user’s program at a
time

- Simple Batch Systems: Provides multiprogramming of

batch programs but have few facilities for multi-access

- Multi-access and Time-sharing: Allows multiple

access to system resources and therefore share
processors time to cope with numerous users

- Real-time system: Used in any real time data

processing technique
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 Graphical User Interfaces (GUl)
• The vast majority of microcomputer users are
interested merely in using a computer as a tool, without
any real interest in the technical details of its operation.

• A typical user will probably want to run one or more

common general-purpose applications, organize files
into directories, delete files and format disks.

• Though the operating system will provide these

services, the user needs to have a certain amount of
technical knowledge to perform these tasks.

• GUI helps to bridge the loopholes

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Commercial Packages
• These are the kind of application packages that are
produced by software professionals and be sold for a
wide variety of users. This falls into two main
categories:
a) Special-purpose packages: Though commercial, it is
designed for a specific purpose such as a section of an
organization. Examples are
- Airline Seat Reservation
- Theatre Seat Reservation
- Hotel Room Reservation
- Point of Sales Software
- A Payroll Program

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• b) General Purpose: These provide facilities which
might be used in a wide variety of business
situations and which might therefore be used
across many department e.g.
1.Word-processing : These are programs that turn a
computer system into a powerful typewriting tool. It
helps us to produce letters, reports, magazines,
memos, etc.
Example of Word-processing programs are:
Microsoft word. Page maker, WordStar, WordPerfect,
PC Write, MultiMate, etc.

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 2.Database Management: They store and retrieve
information such as customer lists, inventories and
notes. These programs help us to record and
maintain information about people, places, things and
management reports of all types.
• Examples are MySQL, Dbase III & IV, FoxBASE,
Oracle, FoxPro and Clipper, Microsoft Access,
Paradox,

3.Spreadsheet: Spreadsheets are software packages

that turn a c omputer system into a sophisticated
electronic calculator. 71
GUIDELINES FOR ACQUISITION OF APPLICATION
SOFTWARE
• The software to be acquired must be one that the
use will improve the particular operating function of
that business.
• high performance
• ease in learning. If a software package is complex
then training is required
• should be available when needed
• Good documentation: how the package is to be
installed and used.

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 COMPUTER SYSTEM MAINTENANCE

• Computer care and maintenance is often

overlooked by the average user. Yet, taking a few
precautions as you work, and learning to use the
computer and its file system properly, can save you
trouble in the long run.

• perform a few simple clean up procedures and use

a couple of maintenance utilities can make a big
difference in how your computer performs.
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• You can reduce the number of freeze-ups, the
number of fatal errors and the number of reboots
your computer has. You can also reduce the
amount of downtime your system experience as a
result of having to cope with these problems, as
well as reducing your stress level.

• Not only that, but with a little preventive

maintenance and proper computer care, you can
increase the overall speed and efficiency of your
computer.
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 System Maintenance

There are some basic clean up steps you

should do regularly to keep your machine
running well. They are:
• Deleting Temporary files,
• Running Scandisk,
• Emptying the Recycle Bin
• Running Defragmenter.

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Temporary files- What are they?
• They are duplicates of a file you are creating or
working on.
• Windows creates them and when you are done with
the file and close it, the temporary file disappears.
• Most of the time when you reboot your computer
Windows should delete these temporary files,
sometimes it does not.
• Where are they found? In the C:\Windows\Temp
directory. (Not to be confused with the Temporary
Internet Files directory).
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 Defragmenter
Defragmenter is a utility built in to most
versions of Windows. Its job is to organize
your hard drive more efficiently. When
files are saved to the hard drive they are
not necessarily saved as a whole, they are
broken up and saved in various spots on
the hard drive. This is because the hard
drive itself is divided into millions of
chunks. 77
 Scandisk
Scandisk is a utility built into most
versions of Windows. It looks for files
that have been fragmented or
corrupted in some ways. Usually if a
computer is just shut off instead of
being shutdown, or if the computer
freezes or if there is a power outage,
this will create the need to run scandisk
and it may find fragmented or
corrupted files.

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