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Introduction to Computing

Lecture 1

Sara Ali
About the course
This course covers the basics of Information and Communications
Technologies. The main topics covered in this course are as follows - Basic
Definitions; Concepts and History of Computers; The Parts of Computer
Hardware: Computer Systems & Components, Storage Devices, Machine
Level Representation of Data, Number Systems, Machine Cycle, and
Microcomputer Processor; Software: Operating Systems, Programming and
Application Software; Introduction to Programming; Introduction to Databases
and Information Systems; Networks; Data Communication; Foundational
Concepts in IT Security and other Related Issues.
About the course
Credit Hours:
2+1

Prerequisites:
None

Text Book:
Introduction to Computers, Peter, N., 6th Edition (2013), McGraw Hill.

Reference Book:
Using Information Technology: A Practical Introduction to Computer &
Communications, Stacey, W.S & Sawyer, C., 10th Edition (2012), McGraw
Hill.
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
 Describe basic concepts and components of computers.
 Explain fundamental concepts related to software, databases and
information systems.
 Discuss key concepts of networks and security.
 Describe fundamental concepts of variables, conditional and
repetitive structures, functions and user interface design in python.
 Apply computer programming concepts to write entry-level program
in python.
Assessment Plan for the Course
Quiz/Assignment Policy
 Quizzes can both be announced as well as unannounced.
 Late submission of assignments will not be entertained.
Plagiarism Policy
 Any assignment copied from the internet will be marked 0
(ZERO).

 Any assignment copied from the classmate will also be marked


0 (ZERO).

 No consideration will be made regarding plagiarized


assignments.
Attendance Policy
Any student late in class by 15 min shall be marked
absent.
Contact
 Office
 First Floor, CS Department, Academic Block II.

 Email
 saraali@comsats.edu.pk
What Is a Computer?
 An electronic device used to process data

 Modern computers are digital


 Two digits combine to make data (1s and 0s)

 Older computers were analog


 A range of values make data

An electronic device which is capable of receiving data and perform a


sequence of operations according to predefined set of instructions to
produce results in the form of information.
What Is a Computer?

A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of


instructions stored in its own memory

Collects Produces
data Processing information
(input) (output)

11
What is Processing?
 Conversion of Data into Information
 Data
 The raw facts and figures that are processed into information
 Information
 When data is processed, interpreted, organized, structured or
presented so as to make it meaningful or useful, it is called
information.

optional
Record Daily Milk Expenses
 Sun 20 Rs
 Mon 30 Rs
 Tues 35 Rs
 Wed 23 Rs
 Thurs 34 Rs
 Fri 50 Rs
 Sat 30 Rs
Processing Data
 Finding Weekly expenditure on Milk
 Finding a Daily Average of milk expenditure

20,30,35,23,
Find Total/Average 222/31.7
34,50,30
Information Processing Cycle
 Input
Computer accepts data from some source

 Processing
Computer’s processing components perform actions on the data based on
instructions from user or program

 Storage (optional)
Permanently store result on some medium

 Output
Computer conveys result to user. Text, numbers, graphic, image, video,
sound
How Computers Work?
All computers follow the same four basic operations.
 Input

 Processing
 Storage/Memory
 Output
Devices that allow people to put data
into the computer in a form that the
computer can use.
How Computers Work? - Input
Input devices accept data
 Keyboard:
 An input device that converts letters, numbers, and other
characters into electrical signals readable by the processor

 Mouse:
 Select options from onscreen menu
How Computers Work? - Input
Other Input devices?
 Scanners

 Microphone
 Webcam
 Digital Camera
How Computers Work?
All computers follow the same four basic operations.
 Input

 Processing
 Storage/Memory
 Output
How Computers Work?
 Processor
 Brain of the computer
 Carries out instructions from the program

 Manipulate the data


 Most computers have several processors
 Central Processing Unit (CPU)

 Processors are made of silicon and copper


How Computers Work?
All computers follow the same four basic operations.
 Input

 Processing
 Storage/Memory
 Output
How Computers Work? - Storage
 Memory devices
 Stores data or programs temporarily or permanently

 Random Access Memory (RAM)

 Volatile

 Stores current data and programs

 More RAM results in a faster system

 Read Only Memory (ROM)

 Permanent storage of programs

 Holds the computer boot directions


How Computers Work? - Storage
 Floppy-disk drive
 Stores data on removable 3.5-inch-diameter diskettes.

 Typical Capacity 1.4MB

 Hard-disk drive
 a storage device that stores billions of characters of data on a
non-removable disk platter
 Capacity 1GB-1TB (Terabyte) or even more
How Computers Work? - Storage
 CD (Compact Disk) drive or DVD (Digital Video Disk)
drive
 a storage device that uses laser technology to read data from
optical disks.

 700MB for CD

 4.7GB for DVD


How Computers Work? - Storage
 Storage capacity is represented in:
 1 byte - 1 character of data. (1 byte has 8 bits)
 1 kilobyte – 210 bytes/char; 1,000 bytes; 1,024 characters
(actual).
 1 megabyte - 220 bytes/char; 1,000,000 bytes; 1,048,576
characters (actual).
 1 gigabyte - more than 1 billion characters.

 1 terabyte - more than 1 trillion characters.


How Computers Work?
All computers follow the same four basic operations.
 Input

 Processing
 Storage/Memory
 Output
Devices which translate info processed by
the computer into a form that humans can
understand
How Computers Work? - Output
 Sound Card
 Coverts audio signal from digital to
analog and vice versa
 Both Input and Output device
 Speakers
 the devices that play sounds transmitted
as electrical signals from the sound card.
How Computers Work? - Output
 Video card
 converts the processor’s output
information into a video signal that can be
sent through a cable to the monitor
 Monitor
 the display device that takes the electrical
signals from the video card and forms an
image using points of colored light on the
screen
 Printer
 an output device that produces text and
graphics on paper.
Parts of the Computer System
 Computer systems have four parts
 Hardware
 Software
 Data
 User

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Parts of the Computer System
 Hardware
 Mechanical devices in the computer
 Anything that can be touched
 Software
 Tell the computer what to do
 Also called a program
 Thousands of programs exist

1B-32
Parts of the Computer System
 Data
 Pieces of information
 Computer organize and present data
 Users
 People operating the computer
 Most important part

1B-33
Computer Hardware parts``
``
 Keyboard
 Mouse
 Motherboard.
 Central Processing Unit (CPU)
 Random Access Memory (RAM)
 Power Supply.
 Video Card.
 Sound card
 Speakers
 Hard Drive (HDD)
 Optical Drive (e.g. BD/DVD/CD drive)
Put all the hardware together and…

 What is Left?

 Power
 Inside system cabinet
Some types of hardware devices.

Output
Processor
Memory

Input and
output Storage
Input
Software Runs The Machine
 Tells the computer what to do

 Reason people purchase computers

 Two types
 System software
Program that controls computer’s hardware

 Application software
 Software that tells the computer how to accomplish specific
tasks.
Software Runs The Machine
 System software - Most important software
 Operating system
 Acts as an interpreter between hardware, application programs and the
user.

 Network operating system (OS)


 OS that includes special functions for connecting computers and devices
into a local-area network

 Utility
 Program intended to analyze, configure, monitor, or help maintain a
computer.
Software Runs The Machine
 Application software
 Accomplishes a specific task

 Most common type of software


 MS Word

 Covers most common uses of computers


Computer data
 Fact with no meaning on its own
 Stored using the binary number system

 Data can be organized into files


Computer users
 Role depends on ability
 Setup the system

 Install software

 Mange files
 Maintain the system

 “Userless” computers
 Run with no user input
 Automated systems
Page 7 43 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Figure 1-3
Computers For Individual Use – PC

Desktop computers

Workstations

Notebook computers

Tablet computers

Handheld computers

Smartphones
Computers For Individual Use
 Desktop computers
 The most common type of computer

 Sits on the desk

 Performs a variety of tasks

 Workstations
 Specialized computers

 Optimized for science or graphics


 More powerful than a desktop
Computers For Individual Use
 Notebook computers
 Small portable computers

 Weighs between 3 and 8 pounds

 About 8 ½ by 11 inches
 Typically as powerful as a desktop

 Also called mobile computers

1A-46
Computers For Individual Use
 Tablet computers
 Newest development in portable
computers
 Touchscreen interface

 Input is through a pen called stylus

1A-47
Computers For Individual Use
 Handheld computers
 Very small computers

 Personal Digital Assistants (PDA)

 Note taking or contact management


 Data can synchronize with a desktop

 Smart phones
 Touch screen interface
 Web surfing, e-mail access

1A-48
Computers For Organizations
 Network servers
 Centralized computer

 All other computers connect

 Have more processing power, memory and storage than client


computers

 Provides access to network resources

 Often simply a powerful desktop

1A-49
Computers For Organizations
 Mainframes
 Used in large organizations where many people frequently
need to use the same data
 Handle thousands of users

 Example: ATM cash withdrawal

1A-50
Computers For Organizations
 Minicomputers
 Called midrange computers

 Power between mainframe and desktop

 Handle hundreds of users


 Used in smaller organizations

1A-51
Computers For Organizations
 Supercomputers
 The most powerful computers made
 Handle large and complex calculations

 Process trillions of operations per second


 Used for solving complex problems
 Found in research organizations

1A-52
Computers are everywhere
 Not just Desktops, Workstations, Tablet PCs, Handheld PCs
(PDAs), Servers, Mainframe computers, Minicomputers

 But also…
 Cell phones

 Alarm Clocks

 Microwave Ovens

 Lighting control in a building

 Washing Machines
Computers In Society
 More impact than any other invention
 Changed work and leisure activities

 Used by all demographic groups

 Computers are important because:


 Provide information to users
 Information is critical to our society

 Managing information is difficult

1A-54
Computers In Society
 Computers at home
 Business
 Entertainment

 Communication
 Education

1A-55
Computers In Society
 Computers in education
 Computer literacy required at all levels

 Computers in small business


 Makes businesses more profitable
 Allows owners to manage

 Computers in industry
 Computers are used to design products
 Assembly lines are automated

1A-56
Computers In Society
 Computers in government
 Necessary to track data for population

 Police officers

 Tax calculation and collection

1A-57
Computers In Society
 Computers in health care
 Revolutionized health care

 New treatments possible

 Scheduling of patients has improved


 Delivery of medicine is safer

1A-58
Examples of Computer Usage

Home User Small Office/Home Mobile User


• Personal financial Office User • Connect to other
management • Look up information computers on a network or
• Web access • Send and receive e-mail the Internet
• Communications messages • Transfer information
• Entertainment • Make telephone calls • Play video games
• Listen to music
• Watch movies

Pages 2859
– 31 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Figures 1-30 – 1-32
Examples of Computer Usage

Power User Enterprise User


• Work with • Communicate among
multimedia employees
• Use industry-specific • Process high volumes
software of transactions
• Blog

Pages 3160
– 32 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Figures 1-33 – 1-34
Computer Applications in Society

Education

Finance

Government

Health Care
Pages 3461
- 36 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Figures 1-36 – 1-39
Computer Applications in Society

Science

Publishing

Travel

Manufacturing
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Concept Check

What is the difference between data and information?


Concept Check

Which computer device consists of electronic circuitry that


executes instructions to process data?

CPU (Central Processing Unit)


Concept Check

What is the name of the main circuit board in the computer,


to which everything else is attached via connections called
ports?

Motherboard
Concept Check

How many characters can be represented by a byte? A


kilobyte?

1 character in a byte; 1024 in a kilobyte


1 byte has 8 bits.
Concept Check

 What is the name for the unit of storage capacity


representing one billion characters?

 One gigabyte

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