INTRODUCTION TO

COMPUTING
 MODULE OBJECTIVES
 Categorizes computers.
 Contrasts elements of computer system
 Identifies various events/improvements in the
computing world.
 Qualifies the understanding of computer usage
 Basics of Computers – Introduction *

 The literal meaning of computer is a device that can calculate.

However, modern computers can do a lot more than calculate.
Computer is an electronic device that receives input, stores or
processes the input as per user instructions and provides
output in desired format.
 Input-Process-Output Model

 Computer input is called data and the output obtained after

processing it, based on user’s instructions is called
information. Raw facts and figures which can be processed
using arithmetic and logical operations to obtain information
are called data.
 The processes that can be applied to data are of two
types

 Arithmetic operations − Examples include calculations like addition,

subtraction, differentials, square root, etc.

 Logical operations − Examples include comparison operations like

greater than, less than, equal to, opposite, etc
The corresponding figure for an actual
computer looks something like this -
 The basic parts of a computer are as
follow
 Input Unit − Devices like keyboard and mouse that are used to input
data and instructions to the computer are called input unit

 Output Unit − Devices like printer and visual display unit that are
used to provide information to the user in desired format are called
output unit.

 Control Unit − As the name suggests, this unit controls all the
functions of the computer. All devices or parts of computer interact
through the control unit.
 Arithmetic Logic Unit − This is the brain of the computer
where all arithmetic operations and logical operations take
place.

 Memory − All input data, instructions and data interim to the

processes are stored in the memory. Memory is of two types
– primary memory and secondary memory. Primary memory
resides within the CPU whereas secondary memory is
external to it
 *
 Characteristics of Computer
 To understand why computers are such an important part of our lives, let
us look at some of its characteristics –

 Speed − Typically, a computer can carry out 3-4 million instructions per
second.

 Accuracy − Computers exhibit a very high degree of accuracy. Errors

that may occur are usually due to inaccurate data, wrong instructions or
bug in chips – all human errors.
 Reliability − Computers can carry out same type of work repeatedly
without throwing up errors due to tiredness or boredom, which are very
common among humans

 Versatility − Computers can carry out a wide range of work from data
entry and ticket booking to complex mathematical calculations and
continuous astronomical observations. If you can input the necessary data
with correct instructions, computer will do the processing.

 Storage Capacity − Computers can store a very large amount of data

at a fraction of cost of traditional storage of files. Also, data is safe from
normal wear and tear associated with paper.
 Advantages of Using Computer *
 Computers can do the same task repetitively with same
accuracy.

 Computers do not get tired or bored.

 Computers can take up routine tasks while releasing human

resource for more intelligent
 Disadvantages of Using Computer
 Computers have no intelligence; they follow the instructions
blindly without considering the outcome.

 Regular electric supply is necessary to make computers work,

which could prove difficult everywhere especially in developing
nations.
 Booting

Starting a computer or a computer-embedded device is called

booting. Booting takes place in two steps

 Switching on power supply

 Loading operating system into computer’s main memory
 Keeping all applications in a state of readiness in case needed by
the user
*BIOS
 There are two types of booting

 Cold Booting − When the system is started by switching on the power

supply it is called cold booting. The next step in cold booting is loading of
BIOS.

 Warm Booting − When the system is already running and needs to

be restarted or rebooted, it is called warm booting. Warm booting is faster
than cold booting because BIOS is not reloaded.
 Historically computers were classified according to processor types
because development in processor and processing speeds were the
developmental benchmarks. Earliest computers used vacuum tubes for
processing, were huge and broke down frequently. However, as vacuum
tubes were replaced by transistors and then chips, their size decreased
and processing speeds Historically computers were classified according to
processor types because development in processor and processing
speeds were the developmental benchmarks. Earliest computers used
vacuum tubes for processing, were huge and broke down frequently.
However, as vacuum tubes were replaced by transistors and then chips,
their size decreased and processing speeds
 All modern computers and computing devices use microprocessors whose
speeds and storage capacities are skyrocketing day by day. The
developmental benchmark for computers is now their size. Computers are
now classified on the basis of their use or size –

  Desktop
  Laptop
  Tablet
  Server
  Mainframe
  Supercomputer
 Desktop
 Computers are personal computers (PCs)
designed for use by an individual at a fixed
location.
 IBM was the first computer to introduce and
popularize use of desktops.
 A desktop unit typically has a CPU (Central
Processing Unit), monitor, keyboard and mouse.
Introduction of desktops popularized use of
computers among common people as it was
compact and affordable
 Laptop

 Despite its huge popularity, desktops gave

way to a more compact and portable
personal computer called laptop in 2000s.
Laptops are also called notebook computers
or simply notebooks. Laptops run using
batteries and connect to networks using Wi-
Fi.
 They also have chips for energy efficiency
so that they can conserve power whenever
possible and have a longer life.
 Tablet
 After laptops computers were further miniaturized
to develop machines that have processing power
of a desktop but are small enough to be held in
one’s palm. Tablets have touch sensitive screen
of typically 5 to 10 inches where one finger is
used to touch icons and invoke applications.

 Keyboard is also displayed virtually whenever

required and used with touch strokes.
Applications that run on tablets are called apps.

 Apple computers have developed their own tablet

called iPad which uses a proprietary OS called iOS
 Server
 Servers are computers with high processing
speeds that provide one or more services to
other systems on the network. They may or
may not have screens attached to them. A
group of computers or digital devices
connected together to share resources is
called a network.

 Servers have high processing powers and can

handle multiple requests simultaneously.
 File or Storage server
 Game Server
 Mainframe
 Mainframes are computers used by organizations like
banks, airlines and railways to handle millions and
trillions of online transactions per second. Important
features of mainframes are −

  Big in size
  Hundreds times Faster than servers, typically hundred
megabytes per second
  Very expensive
  Use proprietary OS provided by the manufacturers
  In-built hardware, software and firmware security
feature
 Supercomputer
 Supercomputers are the fastest
computers on Earth. They are used for
carrying out complex, fast and time
intensive calculations for scientific and
engineering applications.
Supercomputer speed or performance
is measured in teraflops, i.e. 1012
floating point operations per second.

 Chinese supercomputer Sunway

TaihuLight is the world’s fastest
supercomputer with a rating of 93
petaflops per second, i.e. 93 quadrillion
floating point operations per second.
 Most common uses of supercomputers include −

  Molecular mapping and research

  Weather forecasting
  Environmental research
  Oil and gas exploration
 Basics of Computers - Software
Concepts
 As you know, the hardware devices need user instructions to function. A set
of instructions that achieve a single outcome are called program or
procedure. Many programs functioning together to do a task make a software.

 There are two categories of software –

 System Software
 Application Software
 Utility Software
 System Software
 Software required to run the hardware parts of the computer and other
application software are called system software. System software acts as
interface between hardware and user applications. An interface is needed
because hardware devices or machines and humans speak in different
languages
 Based on its function, system software is of four types −
 Operating System
 Language Processor
 Device Drivers
 Operating System
 System software that is responsible for functioning of all hardware parts
and their interoperability to carry out tasks successfully is called operating
system (OS).

 Language Processor
 As discussed earlier, an important function of system software is to convert
all user instructions into machine understandable language.
 Language Process
 When we talk of human machine interactions, languages are of three types

  Machine-level language − This language is nothing but a string of 0s and

1s that the machines can understand. It is completely machine dependent.

  Assembly-level language − This language introduces a layer of

abstraction by defining mnemonics. Mnemonics are English like words or
symbols used to denote a long string of 0s and 1s.
 High level language − This language uses English like statements and is
completely independent of machines. Programs written using high level
languages are easy to create, read and understand.

 Assembler − Converts assembly level program into

 Interpreter − Converts high level programs into machine level program line
by line.

 Compiler − Converts high level programs into machine level programs at

one go rather than line by line
 Device Drivers
 System software that controls and monitors functioning of a specific device
on computer is called device driver. Each device like printer, scanner,
microphone, speaker, etc.

Application Software
 A software that performs a single task and nothing else is called application
software. Application software are very specialized in their function and
approach to solving a problem.
 Utility Software
 Application software that assist system software in doing their work is called
utility software.
 Thus, utility software is actually a cross between system software and
application software.

  Antivirus software – Norton, Surfshark, Avira

  Disk management tools
  File management tools
  Compression tools
  Backup tools
 Elements of a Computer System
 There are six main elements that make up a computer system. They all
interact with each other and perform the task at hand. Let us take a look at all
of them.

 1. Hardware - These are all the physical aspects of a computer system. They
are tangible, i.e. you can see and touch them. Hardware components are the
electronic or mechanical instruments, like keyboard, monitor, printer etc.
 Hardware can actually be of four types, depending on which function they
perform. The four types of hardware are,

 Input Hardware: For users to input data into the computer system.
Examples: Keyboard, mouse, Scanner

 Output Hardware: To translate and display the result of the data

processing. Example: Monitor Screen, Printer etc.

 Processing and Memory Hardware: Where data and information are

processed and manipulated to perform the task at hand. It is also the
workspace of the computer, where it temporarily stores data. Examples:
Central Processing Unit (CPU), Read Only Memory (RAM) *
 Secondary Storage Hardware: Where the computer system stores data
permanently. Example: Harddisk, Pendrive etc.

Software
 Software is nothing but a set of programmes (computer instructions), which
helps the user to do a set of specific tasks. It helps the user interact with the
computer system with the help of hardware.

 Basically, there are six main types of software, which are as follows,
  Operating System: These specialized programmes allow the
communication between software and hardware. The operating systems
run all the other computer programmes, and even regulate the startup
process of the computer. Examples: Windows XP, Macintosh etc.

  Application Software: These are designed to perform a specific task or

a bunch of tasks. They can be user-designed (specific to the user’s needs)
or readymade application software. Example: PowerPoint, Tally etc.

  Utility Software: Like operating systems, it is a system software. It helps

maintain and protect the computer system. For example, Anti-virus software
is a utility software.
  Language Processors: Software that interprets computer language and
translates it into machine language. It also checks for errors in language
syntax and fixes the problems.

  System Software: This types of software control the hardware, the

reading of the data and other such internal functions.

  Connectivity Software: The special software that facilitates the

connection between the computer system and the server. This allows the
computer to share information and communicate with each other
 People
 The people interacting with the computer system are also an element of it.
We call this element the Liveware. They are the ultimate “users” of the
computer systems.

 There are three types of people that interact with the system, namely

  Programmers: Professionals who write the computer programs that allow

users to interact with the computer. They must have technical knowledge of
computers and computer languages.
   System Analyst: They mainly design data processing systems, and solve
problems that arise in data processing
  End-Users: Also known as operators, they are the people who interact with
the computer system

Procedures
 These are a set of instructions, written in code, to instruct a computer on
how to perform a task, run a software, do calculations etc.

  Hardware-Oriented Procedure: Instructs the hardware components of the

system, ensures they work smoothly.
  Software Oriented Procedure: Provides instructions to launch and run
software programs
  Internal Procedures: Directs the flow of information and sequences the
data

Data
 Data is essentially the raw facts and figures that we input in the computer.
The data gets processed via the computer system and becomes
information, which is processed and organized data. Information can then
be used for decision-making purposes.

 Measurement
 One kilobyte
 1 megabyte
 1 gigabyte
 Connectivity

 This is when the computers are linked to a network. It facilitates sharing of

information, files, and other facilities. Computers can connect to a network
via LAN cables, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, satellites etc. The internet is the most
obvious example of connectivity in a computer system.
 CAPABILITIES
 1. Can process data faster than any other machine designed to perform a
similar task.

 2. Can tirelessly perform the similar operations million of times in exactly the
same way without getting bored.

 3. Can make decisions based on alternative courses of action.

 4. Can store facts, instructions, and information.

 5. Can verify the accuracy of its own work by means of a parity check.
 6. Capable of executing the instructions on its own, without human
intervention.
 7. Provides new time dimension.

Limitations

1. Cannot generate information on its own.

2. Cannot correct wrong instructions.
3. Cannot come out with an original decision.
 History of Computers: A Brief Timeline
 History of Computers: A Brief Timeline The computer was born not for
entertainment or email but out of a need to solve a serious number-
crunching crisis. By 1880, the U.S. population had grown so large that
it took more than seven years to tabulate the U.S. Census results.
The government sought a faster way to get the job done, giving rise
to punch-card based computers that took up entire rooms. Today, we
carry more computing power on our smartphones than was available
in these early models. The following brief history of computing is a
timeline of how computers evolved from their humble beginnings to
the machines of today that surf the Internet, play games and stream
multimedia in addition to crunching numbers.
 1801: In France, Joseph Marie Jacquard invents a loom that uses punched wooden cards to
automatically weave fabric designs. Early computers would use similar punch cards.

 1822: English mathematician Charles Babbage conceives of a steam-driven calculating

machine that would be able to compute tables of numbers. The project, funded by the
English government, is a failure. More than a century later, however, the world's first
computer was actually built.

 1890: Herman Hollerith designs a punch card system to calculate the 1880census,
accomplishing the task in just three years and saving the government $5 million. He
establishes a company that would ultimately become IBM.

 1936: Alan Turing presents the notion of a universal machine, later called the Turing
machine, capable of computing anything that is computable. The central concept of the
modern computer was based on his ideas.
 1937: J.V. Atanasoff, a professor of physics and mathematics at Iowa State
University, attempts to build the first computer without gears, cams, belts or
shafts.

 1939: Hewlett-Packard is founded by David Packard and Bill Hewlett in a Palo Alto,
California, garage, according to the Computer History Museum

 1941: Atanasoff and his graduate student, Clifford Berry, design a computer that
cansolve29equations simultaneously. This marks the first time a computer is able
to store information on its main memory.

 1943-1944: Two University of Pennsylvania professors, John Mauchly and J.

Presper Eckert, build the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator (ENIAC).
Considered the grandfather of digital computers, it fills a 20-foot by 40-foot room
and has 18,000 vacuum tubes.
 1946: Mauchly and Presper leave the University of Pennsylvania and receive
funding from the Census Bureau to build the UNIVAC, the first commercial
computer for business and government applications.

 1947: William Shockley, John Bardeen and Walter Brattain of Bell Laboratories
invent the transistor. They discovered how to make an electric switch with solid
materials and no need for a vacuum.

 1953: Grace Hopper develops the first computer language, which eventually
becomes known as COBOL. Thomas Johnson Watson Jr., son of IBM CEO Thomas
Johnson Watson Sr., conceives the IBM 701 EDPM to help the United Nations keep
tabs on Korea during the war.

 1954: The FORTRAN programming language, an acronym for FORmula

TRANslation, isdeveloped by a team of programmers at IBM led by John Backus,
according to the Universityof Michigan.