LECTURE 1: INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER CONCEPTS

What is a computer?

 An electronic device that takes data, process the data according to a series of instruction
called program and produces information.

 Present in variety of physical packages

Program

 Series of instruction that a computer must follow in order to process data into
information.

Computers can be used in:

 Business
 Home
 Entertainment
 Scientific Research
 Military

Facts about Computers:

 Abacus
 considered as the 1st manual data processing device
 developed in China in 12th century A.D.

 Charles Babbage
 Father of Computing. It is not because of the machine (analytical machine) he
built but rather his ideas became the basis for modern computation devices
 Lady Ada Byron, worked w/ Babbage & considered as the First
Programmer
 Alan Turing is the Father of Modern Computer; ALU (Arithmetic Logic
Unit), logic flow control and memory

Generations of Computers:

 1st generation: vacuum tubes

 2nd generation: transistors

 3rd generation: integrated circuits (ICs)

 4th generation: microprocessors

  5th generation: not yet formally defined; artificial intelligence
 Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the branch of computer science concerned with
making computers behave like humans. The term was coined in 1956 by John
McCarthy
 Currently, no computers exhibit full artificial intelligence (that is, are able to
simulate human behavior).

FIRST GENERATION (1940-1956) VACUUM TUBES

 The first computers used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory,
and were often enormous, taking up entire rooms. They were very expensive to operate
and in addition to using a great deal of electricity, generated a lot of heat, which was
often the cause of malfunctions.

 First generation computers relied on machine language, the lowest-level programming

language understood by computers, to perform operations, and they could only solve one
problem at a time. Input was based on punched cards and paper tape, and output was
displayed on printouts.

 The UNIVAC and ENIAC computers are examples of first-generation computing

devices. The UNIVAC was the first commercial computer delivered to a business client,
the U.S. Census Bureau in 1951.

 ENIAC- Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer

SECOND GENERATION (1956-1963) TRANSISTORS

 Second-generation computers moved from cryptic binary machine language to symbolic,

or assembly, languages, which allowed programmers to specify instructions in
words. High-level programming languages were also being developed at this time, such
as early versions of COBOL and FORTRAN. These were also the first computers that
stored their instructions in their memory, which moved from a magnetic drum to
magnetic core technology.

 COBOL- Common Business Oriented Language

 FORTRAN- Formula Translator

THIRD GENERATION (1964-1971) INTEGRATED CIRCUITS

 The development of the integrated circuit was the hallmark of the third generation of
computers. Transistors were miniaturized and placed on silicon chips,
called semiconductors, which drastically increased the speed and efficiency of computers.
  Instead of punched cards and printouts, users interacted with third generation computers
through keyboards and monitors and interfaced with an operating system, which allowed
the device to run many different applications at one time with a central program that
monitored the memory. Computers for the first time became accessible to a mass
audience because they were smaller and cheaper than their predecessors.

FOURTH GENERATION (1971-Present) MICROPROCESSORS

 In 1981 IBM introduced its first computer for the home user, and in
1984 Apple introduced the Macintosh.
Microprocessors also moved out of the realm of desktop computers and into many areas
of life as more and more everyday products began to use microprocessors.

 As these small computers became more powerful, they could be linked together to form
networks, which eventually led to the development of the Internet. Fourth generation
computers also saw the development of GUIs, the mouse and handheld devices.

 GUI- Graphical User Interface

FIFTH GENERATION (Present and Beyond) ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

 Fifth generation computing devices, based on artificial intelligence, are still in

development, though there are some applications, such as voice recognition, that are
being used today.

 Games Playing: programming computers to play games such as chess and checkers

 Expert Systems: programming computers to make decisions in real-life situations (for

example, some expert systems help doctors diagnose diseases based on symptoms)

 Natural Language: programming computers to understand natural human languages

 Neural Networks: Systems that simulate intelligence by attempting to reproduce the

types of physical connections that occur in animal brains

 Robotics: programming computers to see and hear and react to other sensory stimuli.
 ASIMO- Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility
Capabilities of a Computer:
1. Perform arithmetic and logical operations.
2. Store or remember a great amount or variety of information and retrieve or recall the
information needed almost instantly.
3. Handle large volumes of repetitive tasks accurately over a long period of time.
4. Communicate with its operator and other machines.
5. Perform tasks at high speed like no other machine can.
6. Control error and check itself.

Limitations of a Computer:
1. The computer functions only when input and the necessary instructions to process the
information have been provided by a human being.
INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT
DTI: DATA TRANSFORMATION INFORMATION
2. It can detect but generally cannot correct inaccurate entry by itself.
3. It is subjected to compute breakdown or computer malfunctions because of power failure,
computer failure, humidity, temperature, and maintenance time.
 LECTURE 2: COMPONENTS OF INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM
Data vs. Information

 Data
 A collection or independent raw facts and figures
 Require to do some transformation

 Information
 Data after transformation
 Data that was made meaningful for someone
 A collection of facts organized in such a way that they have additional value
beyond the value of the facts themselves

Desirable Qualities of Information:

1. Relevant – all of the information supplied must be important to the person receiving it.
2. Complete – no vital information should be missed out.
3. Timely – information must be available when in time of need arises.
4. Accurate – Correctness or validity of information is necessary because no sound decision
is made of poor information.
5. Presentable – understandability of information is a function of presentation.

Data Processing Concepts

1. The INPUT – PROCESS – OUTPUT (I-P-O) Model

 refers to a conceptual framework wherein input in the form of data or information

is processed which result in the generation of an output basically in the form of
information
 Data Processing Methods:
1. Manual Data Processing

 Extensive use of manual labor in the processing of data.

 Such method is slow and relatively inaccurate and could not support the rapidly
expanding information requirements.

2. Mechanical Data Processing

 Involves use of machines or devices that alter, transmit and direct applied forces.

 The advantages are greater computational speed.

3. Electromechanical Data Processing

 Involves the use of mechanical devices with electric motors allowing them to
carry out any operation.

4. Electronic Data Processing

 Has superior capacity to perform computations and other functions at incredible

speeds.

Data Processing Concepts

 Data Processing Cycle

 the flow of data from the moment it is recorded until the time it becomes a usable
piece of information is traced taking into consideration what is actually done on
the data in the process of transforming it into information

SOURCE INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT USER

DATA INFORMATION

FEEDBACK/CONTROL
Major Phases of Data Processing Cycle:
1. Origination Phase

 Involves basic capturing and recording of data.

 Filling in the form is an act of data capture. Data are recorded on forms referred to as
source documents.
 Examples of source documents are sales orders, checks, materials requisition slip,
and birth certificate

2. Input Preparation Phase

 It is concerned with the accuracy and completeness of data to ensure data integrity.

Three Important Manual Steps or Procedures to Minimize Data Error:

a) Editing – process of selecting significant data and eliminating that, which does not need
to be recorded for processing.
b) Coding – process that reduces the amount of data to be processed through the use of a
code. A code is a symbolic representation of a thing or a fact and is comprised of
numeric or alphabetic characters.
c) Verifying – checking the accuracy of data gathered.

3. Processing Phase

 It is concerned with the accuracy and completeness of data to ensure data integrity.

Kinds of Processes:
a) Classifying - systematically grouping data into classes based on common characteristics
b) Sorting - physically separating classified data and rearranging these data into a
predetermined sequence, numerically or alphabetically in ascending or descending order
c) Calculating - applying arithmetical formulas/processes to the data
d) Summarizing - decreasing the level of details of data, generally involving listing or
tabulating data and totaling each list

4. Output Preparation Phase

 Preparation of processed information in a format acceptable to the user for analysis or as

input for a second cycle
 Report Production - makes the information gathered (in the form of a report)
readable and relevant to the users, in various formats
  Communicating to the user - may be written or oral via mail or telephone lines
(transmission in printed or oral form via signals)

5. Storage and Feedback Phase

 Storage function is the retention of the results of processed data for future use or
retrieval; the feedback function is the key to control business.
 Storing - for future references and/or for input for other processes for the
generation of other information; the cost of generating that same piece of
information is minimized.
 Feedback - the comparison of the output(s) and the goal set in advance; any
discrepancy is analyzed, corrected and fed back to the proper stage in the cycle.

System

 a group of organized interdependent components that interact with and complement one
another to achieve one or more predetermined goals

Basic Components of a System:

 Inputs – elements that enter the system and take the form of energy, materials or
information.

 Processes – actions on the inputs that converts it to outputs.

 Outputs – the finished product, which resulted from processing the inputs.

 Environment – the set of all outside elements or focuses that influence the system.

Characteristics of a System:

 Unitary Whole – a system is the sum of its parts glued into one distinct entity.

 Composed of Parts – a system is made up of functionally oriented

 Bounded – boundaries separate the system from its environment

 System Parts Interact With Each Other – the parts are related and have definite
interactions and interdependencies.

 Hierarchical – each system is likely to be part of another larger system. Just as it is

likely to be divided into subsystems.

 Goal-Oriented – the components all work toward a particular purpose of function.