Lecture 1 Introduction to computers & VB.Net

What is a Computer? Examples? A device capable of  Performing computation  Making logical decisions  Faster than human Process data using computer programs

What is a computer program? A set of instructions Application & software

Computer Organization Input devices: keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone, digital camera, & etc. Output devices: monitor, printer, projector, device control, & etc. Memory: Primary memory, RAM. Voatile. Arithmetic & logic unit (ALU): Performs calculation, logical comparison, decision making. Continue 

Central processing unit (CPU): Administrates process operations. Secondary storage: Long-term storage of applications and data. E.g. hard drive, CD/DVD drive, & etc.

Three Types of Languages Machine language: A natural language of a particular computer  machine dependent Continue 

Assembly language: English-like. Translator program called assembler converts to machine language. LOAD BASEPAY ADD OVERPAY STORE GROSSPAY High-level language: More convenient for programmers. GrossPay = BasePay + OverPay

High level languages Visual Basic.Net: Evolved from Visual Basic. GUI. Object Oriented. Pascal, C, C ++, C # COBOL Java HTML?, JavaScript?, VBScript?

Language Relationships Refer to

What is.Net A set of software technologies for connecting information, people, systems, and devices. Based on Web services—small building- block applications that can connect to each other as well as to other, larger applications over the Internet. Continue 

What is a program? Sets of instructions that control processing data. Guides the computer through orderly sets of actions specified by people called computer programmers.

What is a "good" program? Readable Modula Efficient Why do we learn Visual Basic? learn and write. Wide applications such as VBA, VBScript, ASP, and other Microsoft Products.