Introduction to Computer Application

Shimelis Techane
Lecturer of Computer Science
Mobile: +251 910…000
Email: shimetechane@gmail.com
Target Group { BSc in any Students at Salale University, Ethiopia}
 Course Outline
 Introduction to computer

 ICT

 Computer Science

 Characteristics of computers

 Application of Computes

 Generation of Computers

 Types of Computers Classification

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 Information and Communication Technology & Computer Science
ICT
 The processing of data using computers, and the movement of data between computers
 The creation of computer systems and applications, especially those that move data
around a computer network between client and server or over the internet

Computer Science
 The study of computer and their architecture, languages, and application, in all aspects
 As well as the mathematical structures that relate to computers and computations

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 Introduction to Computer

 A machine that is controlled by internally stored programs and that can perform
operations without human intervention.
 collection of hardware and software components.
 Today’s computers not only process numbers, they process texts, pictures, multimedia
and so on.

 Generally, A programmable electronic machine capable of accepting data, processing,

storing and then displays the output to the user.

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 Characteristics of computers
The increasing popularity of computers has proved that it is a very powerful
tool. Computers have the following characteristics:-
 Automatic: once a program is in the computer’s memory, it continues
without the need for human intervention until completion.
 Speed: a computer is a very fast device.
 Accuracy: The computer’s accuracy is consistently high.
 Storage capacity: computers help to save space and economy by storing very
large amount of data.
 Versatility: A computer is capable of performing almost any task provided
that the task can be reduced to a series of logical steps.

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 Characteristics of computers…

 Power of remembering: a computer can store and recall huge amount of information
because of its secondary storage capability.
 No feeling: computers are devoid of emotion.
• They have no feelings and no instincts because they are machines.
• Computers can not make judgment on their own.
 Reliability: now a day’s computers are used in sensitive areas that need very high
reliability.
 Resource sharing: by connecting computers each other resource sharing is achievable in
the computer system. E.g. printer
 Flexibility: a computer is a versatile machine. It is difficult to find an area where
computers are not being used.

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 Application of computers
 Computer technology has revolutionized the businesses and other aspects of human
life all over the world.
 Some application areas of computers are listed below:-
 Science:
 scientists have been using computers to develop theories, to analysis, and test the date.
 The fast speed and the accuracy of the computer allow different scientific analysis to be carried out.
 Education: Currently, the class room, libraries, and museums are effectively utilizing
computers to make the education much more interesting.
 Medicine and health care: now doctors are using computers right from diagnosing the illness
to monitoring a patient’s status during complex surgery.
 Engineering (architectures): the architects and engineering are extremely using computers
in designing and drawings.
 Entertainment:
 computers are used to control the images and sounds.
 The special effects, which mesmerize the audience, would not have been possible without the computer.
 In addition, computerized animation and color full graphics have modernized the film industry.
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 Application of computers …

 Communication: E-mail or electronic mail is one of the communication media in which

computer is used.
 Business application: in business forecasting, to prepare pay bills and personal record,
in banking operation and data storage, in the various types of life
insurance business, and as an aid to management.
 Publishing: computers have created a field known as DTP (Desk Top Publishing).
• In DTP, with the help of computer and laser printer one can perform the
publishing job all by oneself.
 Banking: in the field of banking and insurance computers are extensively used.
• People can use the ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) services 24 hours of the
day in order to deposit and withdraw cash.
 Industries: - it is used for designing products, assisting labors, controlling the work of the
machineries in factory etc..

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 Generation of computers
 All modern computers can be categorized in to five generation based on the
following five dimensions:-
 Basic electronic component used by the computer
 Secondary storage device used
 Operating system
 Access time of the computer
 Computer language used
 The most common improvements which are made from one generation to
next.
 Enhanced power in terms of speed processing data, storage
 More Convenient to use
 Better reliability
 Reduced physical size &loss Expensive

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 First generation (1942-1955)
First generation of computer is characterized by:-
 It uses vacuum tubes as main component
 It is very big ,expensive & slow
 It uses magnetic drums for memory (external storage)
 It is very expensive to operate.
 It uses machine language to perform operation.
 It uses punched cards and paper tape for input purpose.
 Output was displayed on printouts.

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 Second generation(1955-1964)
 Second generation of computer is characterized by:-
 It uses transistor instead of vacuum tubes
 B/c of the transistors, the computer becomes smaller in size, fast in speed & more reliable
than 1st generation.
 It uses punched cards for input and printouts for output
 It controls by Assembly programming language
 Magnetic tape is introduced for store data

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 Third generation (1964-1975)

Integrated circuits(IC) called chips are replaced to transistor.

 IC is a collection transistor.
 Because of IC, Computers became:-
 Smaller in size &power requirement
 Very fast &more reliable
 Magnetic disk is replaced to magnetic tape storage device.
 It uses keyboard instead of punched cards.
 It uses monitors instead of printout.

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 Fourth generation (1975-Present)
This generation of computer is Characterized by:-
 Use of Very Large Scale Integration
 It uses Microprocessor replaces Integrated Circuit.
 Cheaper in price
 More powerful
 Introduction of Personal Computers
 It uses Graphical user interface and mouse.
Fifth Generation (Present & Beyond)
The Fifth Generation is characterized by:-
 It uses an artificial intelligence & interact with the natural language
 The main is to narrow the gap b\n human being and computer

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 Data Vs Information
 Data is unprocessed facts and figures.
 Plain collected data, as raw facts cannot help in decision making.
 However, data is the raw material that is organized, structured and
interpreted to create useful information systems.
 Data is defined as 'groups of nonrandom symbols in the form of text, images,
voice representing quantities, action and objects'.
 Information is interpreted data; created from organized, structured and
processed data in a particular context.

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 Types of computer classifications
 Computers also differ based on their data processing abilities. Hence,
 computers can be classified according to purpose, data handling, and functionality
Classification of
computers
Based on
Functionality, size,
cost and speed
Based on
Purpose
Micro computer
General
Mini Computer

Specific Mainframe
Computer

Super Computer

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 Computers classification according to purpose
 
 General purpose
 Design to perform a range of tasks these computers have the ability to perform a range of tasks
.
 computers have the ability to store numerous programs.
 Used for various applications, ranging from scientific as well as business applications.
 Computers are versatile, they generally lack in speed and efficiency.
 Use home and schools are general purpose computers.
 Specific purpose
 Design to handle a specific problem or to perform a single specific task built into the machine.
 They lacked versatility .
 However, being designed for specific tasks; they can be providing the result very quickly and
effectively.
 Used for airline reservation, satellite tracking, and air traffic control.
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 Classification of computers according to functionality
 Based on the functionality (size, speed, cost and performance) we can divide digital
computers in to four categories.
 Microcomputers
 often called PCs are the smallest but most important and most frequently used of
computer particularly for end users.
 Small or compact in size and are often found on a tablet or desktop
 Microcomputers come in a variety of sizes and shapes for a variety of purposes.
 Grouped into three: Laptop. Palmtop and Desktop computers.
 Laptop: smaller versions of microcomputers, the size of a briefcase designed for portability.
 Palmtop: smallest microcomputer that is about the same size as a pocket calculator.
 Functions, such as maintaining personal calendar, name and address files, or electronic
worksheets.
 Desktop: most widely used type of personal computer (microcomputers).

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 Classification of computers according to functionality…

 In general, microcomputers are used for

 Word processing (automated, electronic typing and editing) to prepare letters, reports,
memos and other documents.
 Computerized worksheet analysis and modeling. This computerizes business
performance and assists decision-making activities.
 Graphics in the generation of charts and other graphic images. This visually
enhances both the analysis and presentation of information in reports and group
presentations.
 Engineering activities. Computer-aided design and analysis can be performed by the
use of powerful microcomputers.
 Personal and home use. Entertainment, home management, personal finances,
education, and other activities can easily supported by the use of personal computers.

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 Classification of computers according to functionality…

 Minicomputers
 Larger and more powerful than most microcomputers but are smaller and less powerful
than mainframe computer systems.
 Size prevents it from being easily portable although it can be moved more easily than a
mainframe computer.
 Cost less to buy and maintain than mainframe computers.
 Used for a large number of business and scientific applications.

scientific laboratories, research centers,

 They are popularly used in
universities and colleges, engineering firms, industrial process
monitoring and control etc.

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 Classification of computers according to functionality…

Mainframes
 Large, powerful computers that are physically larger than micros and minis and usually
have processors with faster instruction processing speeds.
 For example, they may be able to process from 10 to 200 million instructions per second
(MIP).
 They are designed to handle the information processing need of organization with many
employees and customers or with complex computational problems.
 To give some example, mainframes can handle the processing of thousands of customer
inquiries, employee paychecks, student registrations, sale transactions, and inventory
changes.
 They are also used as the center of computer networking.

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 Classification of computers according to functionality…

 Supercomputer
 Powerful computer designed for high-speed processing.
 Characterized as being the fastest, most powerful, and most expensive computer.
 Supercomputers demand special cooling requirement and the room itself should be air-
conditioned.
 Some supercomputers require extra floor support to hold the extreme weight of the
complete system that includes storage units.
 These computers can take inputs from over 10,000 individual computers and users at the
same time.
 Super computers are largely used by research organizations, military defense
systems, national weather for casting agencies, large corporations, aircraft
manufacturer, etc.

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 Classification of computers according to functionality…

Type Component Physical Cost Usage

Size &
Capacity
Microcomputer All components in a Smallest Cheapest At homes, in schools and offices
single unit

Minicomputer Several functional Small Cheap In universities, medium-sized

units companies, departments of large
companies

Mainframe Several separate units Large Expensive In large organizations,

computer universities, government

Supercomputer Several separate units Largest More Expensive In scientific research, weather
forecasting, space exploration,
military defense

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