2019/20 Semester 1

IT1001 Introduction to Computing

Course Overview

Hyelim Oh, PhD

hyelim.oh@nus.edu.sg | 6516 6732 | COM2-0415

Department of Information Systems & Analytics

NUS School of Computing
Teaching Team
 Lecturer
 Assistant Professor OH Hyelim
 Office: COM2 Building #04-21
 Email: hyelim.oh@nus.edu.sg
 Consultation hour: Fridays 18:00-19:00 or By
appointment
 Teaching Assistant
 Mr. CHEN Xinyu (Ph.D student)
 Office: COM1 Building #01-10
 Email: xinyu@comp.nus.edu
Why Do We Learn about Computing?
 Fourth Industrial Revolution

1784 1870 1969 TODAY

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9rZOa3CUC8
Aims and Objectives
 Target
 Students who have little computing knowledge/skills
 Objectives
 Provide an overview of computing domain to improve
ICT literacy
 Equip students with fundamental computing
knowledge (hardware, software, data
communication, networking, security, etc.)
 Acquire basic technical computing skills (e.g., basic
web authoring and business analytics)
 Develop critical thinking skills in ethical issues and
social impacts of ICT (e.g., AI and blockchain
technologies)
Course Outline
1. Overview of Computing
2. Computer Hardware & Software
3. Data Communications and Networking
4. Internet & Web Authoring
5. E-business and Digital Transformation
6. Internet Systems in Business (e.g., ERP, CRM,
SCM)
7. Database Applications & Big Data Technologies
8. Business Analytics
9. Computer Security & Emerging technologies (e.g.,
Blockchain technologies)
10. Social and Ethical Issues in Computing (e.g., AI)
Learning Resources
 Textbook (not required to buy)
 Digital Planet: Tomorrow’s
Technology and You (Complete,
10th Edition, 2012)
 Authors: George Beekman

and Ben Beekman

 Publisher: Pearson/Prentice

Hall
 NUS Central Library RBR
 Other Materials
 Posted on IVLE
Timetable
 Lectures
 Weekly, Friday (16:00-18:00), COM1-0204
 Tutorials
 1 hour, weekly
 Starting in week 3
 Exam
 Saturday, 23-Nov-2019
Tutorial Registration
 NUS undergraduates:
 Bid and appeal via ModReg@EduRec
 Tutorial Registration Coordinator
 Mr PENG Xixian
 pengx@comp.nus.edu.sg
Tutorial Time Slots
• 2 time slots:
• Class 1: Fridays 1000-1100 / AS6-0211
• Class 2: Fridays 1100-1200 / AS6-0211
Assessment
 50% CA
 Tutorial attendance and participation: 10%
 Individual Assignment: 20%
 Team Project: 20%
 Final exam: 50%
 Open Book
 MCQs + short/structured questions
Team Project (20%)
 Tasks
 To study, appreciate and understand an advanced
computer technology and to apply it to a business
context
 Learning Outcomes
 To be able to explain a latest computer technology
which have been talked about but may not be
familiar to most layman
 To understand how technology can provide business
value to organizations
 To appreciate the security, social, and ethical issues
in applying this technology to the organization
 To nurture teamwork and communication skills
Forming Teams
 Time
 During the 1st tutorial in Week 3 (make sure
you attend, else inform tutor to assign you a
group)
 Team members
 Must be from the same tutorial group
 Team size (dependent on class size)
 4-5 members
Communication Channels
 IVLE
 Announcements, Files (lecture notes, tutorial
questions, reading assignments, etc)
 Email
 Put “IT1001” in the subject line
 Check IVLE and your NUSNET email regularly
for announcements and updates
2018/19 Semester 2
IT1001 Introduction to Computing

Lecture 1
Overview of Computing

Hyelim Oh, PhD

hyelim.oh@nus.edu.sg | 6516 6732 | COM2-0415

Department of Information Systems & Analytics

NUS School of Computing
Outline
• What is a computer?
• Types of computers
• Importance of computers
• Evolution of computers
• Trends of computers
What is a computer
• Programmable electronic device
• Accepts/retrieves input (data/information)
• Process the input (programs)
• Produces an output
• Consists of
• Hardware
• Software
What is a computer

When you:
•press a button on the keyboard
•move a mouse/do a mouse click

1. An electrical signal is send to the computer

What is a computer

2. Computer will convert the 3. Computer

electrical signal to the programs/Operating
corresponding keyboard System(OS) interpret input and
keystroke etc process accordingly
What is a computer

4. (If applicable) output the

results to output devices
(like the input case, this
will be in the form of
electrical signals again)
What is a computer

• Other types of computers

might not have separate
input/output devices
• The input, processing unit
and display unit is self-
contained
• E.g., tablet PC,
smartphone
Input/Output (I/O) Device?
Importance of Computers
 Speed
◦ Able to process information fast
 Storage
◦ Allows storing/retrieval of large collection of data
 Accuracy
◦ Minimize human errors
 Consistency
◦ Systematic processing, based on predefined instructions,
can expect to get the same result each time
 Communication
◦ Allows sharing of information easily
Types of Computers
• Embedded systems
• Handheld devices
• Personal computers and workstations
• Servers, mainframes and supercomputers
Types of Computers
• Embedded systems
• Microprocessors used as components of larger
systems
• Special purpose computers designed to
perform specific functions
• GPS
• Home alarm system
• Traffic light controller
• Digital watches
• Oven/fridge/washing machine
• Typically have programs (firmware) etched in
silicon chip so that they cannot be altered
easily (Pre-designed)
Types of Computers
• Handheld devices
• Pocket-sized
• Highly portable
• Early generations with relatively limited
functionalities
• Example:
• Personal digital assistants (PDAs)
• Smartphones
• Tablet computers
Types of Computers
• Personal computers and workstations
• Designed to be used by one user at a time
• Examples
• Laptop
• Netbooks
• Desktop
Types of Computers
• Examples (cont.)
• Workstation
• High-end desktop computer with massive computing
power
Types of Computers
• Servers
• Provide other computers connected to the
network with access to data, programs, or other
resources
• Print server
• Web server
• Database server

• User server
• -Web server
• -Data Base
Types of Computers
• Mainframe
• Used by large organizations (e.g., banks, airlines
and governments)
• For mass-processing computing jobs
• Can serve hundreds or thousands of users
simultaneously
Types of Computers
• Supercomputers
• Fastest, most powerful type of computers
• For mission-specific calculation-intensive
computing jobs
• E,g., weather forecasting, genetic research, simulation
(nuclear explosion) etc
• Leading manufacturers: IBM, Cray
Types of Computers
 Supercomputers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFDcrbjMM4Q
NUS Data Center
Size of Computers

 Supercomputer
 Mainframe
 Server
 Workstation
 Desktop PC
Larger
 Notebook PC
 Netbook
 Handheld Devices
 Embedded Systems
Evolution of Computers

Scientific Calculator Era (1930s – 1950)

Institutional Computing Era (1950 – 1975)

Personal Computing Era (1975 – 1995)

Interpersonal Computing Era (1995 – 2000s)

Collaborative Computing Era (2005 – Present)

Evolution of Computers
• Scientific Calculator Era (1930s-1950)
• Use to calculate
• Used for cracking enemy encryption codes during
world war II
• No commercially available computer yet

Colossus used to break

German secret codes
during WWII
Evolution of Computers
• Institutional Computing Era (1950-1975)
• Few large, expensive mainframe
• Used mainly for data storage and calculation
• Controlled by specialist and experts
• Bank / Insurance Company
Evolution of Computers
• Personal Computing Era (1975-1995)
• Small, inexpensive PCs
• Controlled by independent users
• Used for mostly document creation, data storage,
and calculation
Evolution of Computers
• Interpersonal Computing Era (1995-2000s)
• Networks of computers
• Controlled by users (clients) and network
administrators
• Used mostly for communication, document
creation, data storage and calculation
Evolution of Computers
• Collaborative Computing Era (2005-
present)
• Global network of PCs, handhelds, etc
connected to a “cloud” of servers providing
online application, storage, and other services
• Controlled by users, groups and network
administrators
• Used mostly for collaborative creation, self-
expression, information sharing,
communication, document creation, data
storage, and calculation
Big Data Era

• HW and SW Advances
– Enable “Affordable
Real-Time” Data
Collection &
Decision Making
Infrastructure

• Complex Analysis
>>
– AI and Deep Learning

32~64TB DRAM 12TB DRAM

1000 Cores 1000 CPU Cores
now 2004
Evolution of Computers

Era Institutional Personal Interpersonal Collaborative

Computing Computing Computing Computing

Form of A few large, Millions of small, Networks of Global network of PCs,

Computers expensive inexpensive PCs in interconnected handhelds, embedded
mainframes in offices, schools, computers in computers, and other
climate- homes, and offices, homes, clients connected to a
controlled room elsewhere schools, and “cloud” of servers
elsewhere providing services

Control Groups Experts and Mostly users Users and network Users, groups, and
specialists administrators network administrators

Major Uses Data storage+ +Document +Communication +Collaborative creation,

calculation creation self expression,
information sharing
Trends of Computers
• Miniaturisation in form factor
• Artificial Intelligence?
• Making computers as intelligent as a real human
being
• Making computers able to understand and learn
like a real human being
• Emotions?
• Unable to display real human emotions
Deep Learning Algorithm for AI
Keys of Deep Learning Breakthroughs
Implications: Social and Ethical Issues
• The threat to personal privacy posed by large databases
and computer networks
• The hazards of high-tech crime and the difficulty of keeping
data secure
• The difficulty of defining an protecting intellectual property
• The threat of automation and the dehumanization of work
• The abuse of information as a tool of political and economic
power: digital divide
• The dangers of dependence on complex technology
• The emergence of biodigital technology
Additional Resources
• Computer history
• http://youtu.be/WU_Xfk3rWvA
• http://www.computerhope.com/history/
• Technology timeline
• http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/
2011/12/06/science/20111206-technology-
timeline.html