Introduction to computer 7.

Expansion cards
 inserted into slots on the
Computer - are electronic devices capable of
motherboard to add extra
performing a wide range of tasks by processing
functionality to the computer.
and manipulating data according to a set of
8. Power supply unit (PSU)
instructions.
 Provides electrical power to the
Components of computer components in the computer.
9. Cooling system
1. Central processing unit (CPU)
 used to prevent overheating
 "brain" of the computer.
 (fans, heat sinks, and
 It performs the actual
sometimes liquid cooling
processing of data and
instructions, executing CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTER
calculations and managing
1. Speed
tasks.
 Computers can execute billions
2. Memory:
of instructions per second,
Random access memory (RAM)  enabling fast calculations and
data processing.
 volatile memory
 This speed is crucial for tasks
 provides the computer with fast
that require rapid analysis and
and temporary storage for data
response
that is currently being used or
2. Accuracy
processed
 highly accurate in performing
Read-only memory (ROM)
calculations and executing
 non-volatile memory.
instructions
 stores firmware and essential
 they follow predefined
system instructions. It retains
algorithms without human
data even when the computer is
error or bias.
turned off.
3. Versality
3. Storage Devices
 Computers can perform a wide
 Computers use various storage
variety of tasks by running
devices to store data
different software applications.
persistently, even when the
 They can handle tasks ranging
power is turned off.
from word processing and
4. Input devices
graphic design to scientific
 allow users to input data and
simulations and data analysis.
commands into the computer.
4. Storage
5. Output devices
 Can store vast amount of data
 display or present the results of
 continuously increased over
processed data to the user.
time with advancements in
6. Motherboard
technology.
 main circuit board that
5. Diligence
connects and interconnects all
 can work tirelessly without
the computer's components.
getting fatigued or bored.
6. Automation
 can automate complex tasks
and processes
 reducing the need for manual
intervention.
 This is particularly useful in
industrial, manufacturing, and
data processing settings
7. Reliability
 When properly maintained,
computers are reliable tools
8. Consistency
 consistently follow instructions,
ensuring that the same task
executed multiple times yields
the same results,
 crucial for tasks requiring
precision.
9. Multitasking
 allowing them to run multiple
applications and processes
simultaneously
10. Connectivity
 can communicate with other
devices and computers through
networks, enabling data
sharing, remote access, and
collaborative work.
11. Scalability
 can be easily upgraded and
expanded by adding more
memory, storage, or processing
power to accommodate
increasing demands.
12. User interaction
 offer various user interfaces
 including graphical user
interfaces (GUIs) and
command-line interfaces (CLIs),
 enabling users to interact with
the system and software
13. Portability
 allowing users to carry their
computing power with them
 laptops, tablets, and
smartphones
14. Security Concerns
 measures are implemented to
protect against unauthorized
access, data breaches, and
cyberattacks.
15. Upgradability
 allowing users to improve
performance, replace outdated
hardware, and keep up with
technological advancements.
16. Customizability
 can customize their computers
with software, applications, and
settings to suit their specific
needs and preferences.
17. Environmental Impact
 Computers consume energy
and generate heat, contributing
to environmental concerns.
 Energy-efficient designs and
responsible disposal practices
are important to minimize their
ecological footprint.
THE FUTURE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
 IT will involve smart robots, biometrics
and other technologies that use body
measurements and statistical analysis of
people’s unique physical and behavioral
characteristics.
 IT will also change the functionality of
computers and the way they serve the
needs and expectations of users in
various sectors like e-commerce, health,
education, and government
 IT is a complex web of systems that
store and send information, and it
requires educated professionals who
develop and implement it.
 Advantages of computers  This access to a wealth of
knowledge benefits education,
1. Speed and efficiency
research, and staying informed
 Computers can process
7. Multitasking
information and perform tasks
 Modern operating systems
at incredibly high speeds, far
enable computers to perform
surpassing human capabilities.
multiple tasks simultaneously
 This leads to increased
8. Creativity And Entertainment
productivity and faster decision-
 provide tools for digital art,
making
music composition, video
2. Automamtion
editing, and more.
 Computers enable automation
 They also offer entertainment
of repetitive tasks, reducing
through gaming, streaming, and
human effort and minimizing
virtual experiences.
errors.
9. Education and E-learning
 This is especially useful in
 Computers have transformed
industries like manufacturing,
education, offering online
data entry, and customer
courses, interactive learning
service.
platforms, and digital resources
3. Storage Capacity
 enhance learning experiences.
 Modern computers can store
10. Medical Advancement
vast amounts of data
 Computers play a vital role in
 making information retrieval
medical diagnostics, imaging,
efficient.
research, and patient
4. Data Processing
management
 Computers can process large
 leading to more accurate
amounts of data and perform
diagnoses and better patient
complex calculations quickly
care.
and accurately.
 essential for scientific research,
financial modeling, and data
DISADVANTAGES OF COMPUTERS
analysis.
5. Communication
1. Dependency
 Computers facilitate
 Overreliance on computers can
communication through various
lead to difficulties when
means
systems fail
 They have revolutionized how
 potentially causing significant
people connect globally
disruptions in various sectors
6. Global Information Access
like finance, transportation, and
 e internet allows computers to
healthcare.
access information from all over
the world.
2. Health Concerns
 Prolonged computer use can
lead to health issues such as
eyestrain, carpal tunnel
syndrome, and sedentary
lifestyle-related problems.
3. Privacy and security
 Computers store vast amounts
of personal and sensitive data,
making them susceptible to
hacking, identity theft, and
breaches of privacy.
4. Job Displacement
 Automation driven by
computers can lead to job loss
in certain industries
 machines replace human
workers
5. Wnvironmental Impact
 production and disposal of
computers contribute to
electronic waste, which poses
environmental challenges due
to toxic materials and inefficient
recycling practices.
6. Distraction and addiction
 can be a source of distraction,
leading to decreased
productivity
 addictive behaviors, especially
with excessive use of social
media and online
entertainment.
7. Cybercrime
 Computers are vulnerable to
various forms of cybercrime,
including phishing, malware,
ransomware, and online scams
8. Digital devide
 Not everyone has equal access
to computers and the internet,
creating a digital divide that can
exacerbate socioeconomic
disparities.
9. Loss of human interaction
 Excessive use of computers can
lead to a decline in face-to-face
social interactions, affecting
communication skills and
interpersonal relationships.
10. Ethical Concerns
 rise of artificial intelligence
raises ethical questions about
issues like bias in algorithms,
job displacement, and the
ethical use of autonomous
systems
HISTORY OF COMPUTERS
ABACUS- first computer
TYPES OF COMPUTER
1. Supercomputer
 biggest and fastest computers
(in terms of speed of processing
data)
characteristics
i. the fastest and they are
also very expensive.
ii. calculate up to ten
trillion individual
calculations per second
iii. used in the stock
market or big
organizations for
managing the online
currency (bitcoin)
iv. used in scientific
research areas for
analyzing data obtained
from exploring the solar
system, satellites, etc.
 2. Mainframe Computer
 designed in such a way that
they can support hundreds or
thousands of users at the same
time
characteristics
 also an expensive or costly computer.
 has high storage capacity and great
performance.
 can process a huge amount of data
 runs smoothly for a long time and has a
long life.
Characteristics
3. minicomputer
 medium size multiprocessing
computer.
 In this type of computer, there
are two or more processors,
and it supports 4 to 200 users at
one time.
Characteristics
 weight is low.
 easy to carry anywhere
 less expensive than a mainframe
computer
 fast
4. Workstation computer
 designed for technical or
scientific applications.
 It consists of a fast
microprocessor, with a large
amount of RAM and a high-
speed graphic adapter.
 It is a single-user computer.
Characteristics
 expensive or high in cost.
 exclusively made for complex work
purposes.
 \provides large storage capacity, better
graphics, and a more powerful CPU
when compared to a PC.
 used to handle animation, data analysis,
CAD, audio and video creation, and
editing
5. Personal computer (PC)
 also known as a microcomputer.
It is basically a general-purpose
computer designed for
individual use.
 limited number of software can be
used.
 smallest in size.
 designed for personal use.
 Easy to use
6. Server computer
 are computers that are
combined data and programs.
 Electronic data and applications
are stored and shared in the
server computer.
 does not solve a bigger problem
like a supercomputer but it
solves many smaller similar
ones.
7. Analog Computer
 particularly designed to process
analog data.
 Continuous data that changes
continuously and cannot have
discrete values.
 8. Digital computer
 designed in such a way that
they can easily perform
calculations and logical
operations at high speed.
 It takes raw data as input and
processes it with programs
stored in its memory to produce
the final output.
9. Hybrid computers
 combination of both analog and
digital computers.
 Hybrid computers are fast like
analog computers and have
memory and accuracy like
digital computers.
10. Tablets and smartphones
 types of computers that are
pocket friendly and easy to
carry is these are handy

HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE

Computer hardware

 physical components of computer

types of computer hardware

 Input devices
 Output devices
 Storage devices
 Internal component

Computer software

 collection of instructions, procedures,

and documentation that performs
different tasks on a computer system.

Types of computer software

 system software
 application software
Operating system
 acts as a communication bridge
(interface) between the user and
computer hardware.
 a piece of software that manages the
allocation of Computer Hardware
 a program on which application
programs are executed and acts as a
communication bridge (interface)
between the user and the computer
hardware
 includes programs to manage these
resources, such as a traffic controller, a
scheduler, a memory management
module, I/O programs, and a file
system.
Purpose
 to provide a platform on which a user
can execute programs conveniently and
efficiently.
Main task
 allocation of resources and services,
such as the allocation of memory,
devices, processors, and information.
FUNCTION OF OPERATING SYSTEM
Process Management
 is the set of activities involve in
creating, scheduling and terminating
processes.
Memory Management
 handles or manages primary memory
and moves processes back and forth
between main memory and disk during
execution.
File Management
 refers to the set of processes and
techniques involved in creating,
organizing, accessing, manipulating and
controlling files stored on storage
devices
Device Management
 is responsible in managing device
communication through their respective
drivers.
Security
 uses password protection to protect
user data and similar other techniques.
it also prevents unauthorized access to
programs and user data.
Job Accounting
 Keeps track of time and resources used
by various tasks and users, this
information can be used to track
resource usage for a particular user or
group of users.
SECONDARY MANAGEMENT
 important aspect of operating systems.
Disks are the mainly used secondary
storage devices.
 They provide the bulk of secondary
storage in operating systems today.
 The main activity that is performed in
secondary storage management is disk
scheduling.
Networking
 OS provides network connectivity and
manages communication between
computers on a network.
Coordination between another software usage
 coordinate and assign interpreters,
compilers, assemblers, and other
software to the various users of the
computer systems.