INTRODUCTION OF COMPUTERS CHAPTER1: INTRODUCTION OF COMPUTERS

OBJECTIVES Explaining basic functions of a computer (input, output, process and storage). Getting familiar with different types of computers: Personal computers Mobile computers Mainframe computers Super computers Explaining the different parts of a personal computer. Giving an idea about hardware. Explaining about software and the difference between hardware and software. Explaining the difference between System software (OS) and Application software. Explaining the basic hardware setup of a computer system. Brief description of evolution of computer systems. Introduction to social media and topics related to that. Explaining reasons for the computer being powerful.

WHAT IS A COMPUTER? A computer is an electronic device that takes in data known as input and then processes the data into information: output. Text, graphics, audio and video are types of data inputs

4 BASIC COMPUTER FUNCTIONS INPUT PROCESS Input: The user enters the data as raw facts, the computer then accepts the (data) input Process: The brain of the computer interprets all data and processes into information (meaningful) Output: The computer produces the information via output Storage: All results are now stored STORAGE OUTPUT

4 TYPES OF COMPUTERS Personal Computers Mobile Computers Mainframe Computers Super Computers

PERSONAL COMPUTERS Most common type of personal computer: PC/Desktop. Comprises of keyboard, mouse, monitor and system unit (chassis).

SYSTEM UNIT The system unit generally encloses the main parts of a computer and differentiates from the computer’s peripheral devices It contains all the electrical components. These include the motherboard, wires, disk drives, ports, switch mode power supply and add-on cards. Desktop versions are available in two models: horizontal and tower.

MOBILE COMPUTERS (SMARTPHONES) This is a tiny computer that fits in your hand and most (ALL-IN-ONE) commonly comes with a touch screen. Out of the 7 billion people in the world approximately 6 billion have access to a mobile computers.

MOBILE COMPUTERS CONTINUED There are wide variety of mobile computers based on functionality, size and weight. All laptops were created to have similar features but most importantly they should be portable and compact. Mobile phones are primarily used for vocal communication software but are not limited to these. Within 3 minutes of delivery, 90% of text messages are read.

MAINFRAME COMPUTERS This computer allows hundreds of users to perform their daily tasks simultaneously. It is commonly found in a server room. Most Mainframes resemble a tall filing cabinet. These machines are used in many different areas such as schools and businesses.

SUPER COMPUTERS This is the fastest of all computers on the Earth and can perform trillions of functions per second. A super computer named Watson was used during a game of jeopardy and destroyed his competition with a overwhelming win.

BASIC STRUCTURE OF COMPUTERS Hardware Software Physical parts of the computer system; the parts which you can literally touch. Software: Programs that tell your computer what to do. You cannot touch them. A programmer writes the instructions for a software. OS: consists of several computer programs that facilitate all the computer activities Instead of typing commands most tasks are done with the mouse. Application software are designed for a specific Operating Systems (Ex: Windows).

BASIC SETUP OF A PC Mouse: Mouse is used to input and issue commands by clicking. Keyboard: Keyboard is used to input data by typing a keyboard, and is very important as it makes using the computer a lot easier. Monitor: Monitor is needed to display the output of the process data, which is now information. Motherboard: Motherboard is the main system board. Hard disk: Hard disk, also called the hard drive, is where you store data on a computer. Modem: Modem is used to connect to the Internet to surf the Web. Speakers: Speakers output sound. Power source: Supplies the power electricity.

EVOLUTION OF COMPUTERS The term generation in computer world means a change in the technology (hardware & software) of the already existing system. Five main generations of computers: First: 1946-59 (Vacuum tube based). Second: 1959-65 (Transistor based). Third: 1965-71 (Integrated Circuit based). Fourth: 1971-80 (VLSI microprocessor based). Fifth: 1980 onwards (ULSI microprocessor based). 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH 5TH

FIRST GENERATION Known as the vacuum tube based computers, these computers were first invented by John Ambrose Fleming in 1904 This “vaccuum tube” was actually a glass tube with electrodes The tube was filled with gas and then removed This would contribute to controlling the electron flow of the computer

SECOND GENERATION In this generation transistors were used that cost less, consumed less energy, more compact, more reliable, and faster than the first generation. Magnetic cores were the primary source of memory. FORTRON and COBOL were the programming languages used. These computers used batch processing and multiprogramming operating systems.

THIRD GENERATION Thanks to Moore’s Law, complex circuits have led to smaller system units that are more advanced and efficient computers. The invention of integrated circuits (IC) made it possible for computers to be made with more hardware and less space Computer components such as the capacitor, resistor,and transistor were miniaturized during this time period

FOURTH GENERATION The computers of fourth generation used Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits. VLSI circuits have about 5,000 transistors and other circuit elements and their associated circuits on a single chip. This made it possible to have the microcomputers of the fourth generation. These computers were more powerful, compact reliable, and affordable than its predecessors. This generation gave rise to time sharing, real time, networks, and distributed operating system.

FIFTH GENERATION This generation is defined by the Ultra Large Scale Integration microprocessor This processor consists of millions of transistors fitted onto a silicon microchip. This generation is based on parallel processing hardware and AI (Artificial Intelligence) software. AI is emerging in computer science, it is the interpretation of computers thinking like humans.

SOCIAL MEDIA Social media is a new exciting trend, which allows people to communicate and share information among friends, family, and colleagues using an online networking site such as twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. Social media websites are being used by millions on a daily basis.

WHY IS A COMPUTER SO POWERFUL? High Speed Can Store lots of data/information Easy to use—user-friendly Portability—can work anywhere Economical—saves time and more Accurate Convenient