Welcome to !

Computing Applications

Resource Person

Mr. Ghulam Farooque

ghulam.farooque@umt.edu.pk

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 Computers Then and Now
 The computer as we know it is a fairly recent
invention
 The history of computers is often referred to in
terms of generations
 Each new generation is characterized by a major
technological development

 Precomputers and early computers (before 1945)

 Abacus, slide rule, mechanical calculator
 Punch Card Tabulating Machine and Sorter
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 Computers Then and Now
 First-generation computers (1946-1957)
 Enormous and powered by vacuum tubes
 Used a great deal of electricity, and generated a lot of heat
 ENIAC and UNIVAC
 Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer
 Universal Automatic Computer
 Second-generation computers (1958-1963)
 Used transistors
 Computers were smaller, more powerful, cheaper, more
efficient, and more reliable
 Punch cards and magnetic tape were used to input and
store data
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 Computers Then and Now
 Third-generation computers (1964-1970)
 Used integrated circuits (ICs)
 Keyboards and monitors introduced

 Fourth-generation computers (1971-present)

 Use microprocessors
 IBM PC, Apple Macintosh
 Use keyboards, mouse, monitors, and printers
 Use magnetic disks, flash memory, and optical disks for
storage
 Computer networks, wireless technologies, Internet
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 Computers Then and Now
 Fifth-generation (now and the future)
 Infancy stage
 No precise classification
 May be based on artificial intelligence (AI)
 Likely use voice input
 May be based on optical computers and utilize
nanotechnology

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 Computers Then and Now

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 Types of Computers

 Six basic categories of computers

 Embedded computers
 Mobile devices
 Personal computers
 Midrange servers
 Mainframe computers
 Supercomputers

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 Embedded Computers
 Embedded computer: Embedded into a product and
designed to perform specific tasks or functions for
that product

 Cannot be used as general-purpose computers.

 Often embedded into:

 Household appliances
 Thermostats
 Sewing machines
 A/V equipment
 Cars
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 Mobile Devices
 Mobile device: A very small device with
some type of built-in computing or
Internet capability

 Typically based on cellular phones.

 Examples:
 Smart phones
 Smart watches
 Handheld gaming devices
 Portable digital media players
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 Personal Computers/Desktop PCs
 Personal computer: a computer system designed to
be used by one person at a time
 Also called a microcomputer.
 Can be desktop or portable computers.
 Desktop PCs: fit on or next to a desk
 Can use tower case, desktop case, or all-in-one
 Can be PC-compatible or Macintosh
 Not designed to be portable

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 Portable PCs
 Notebook (laptop) computers
 Typically use clamshell design
 Tablet PCs
 Can be slate
tablets or
convertible

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 Portable PCs
 Handheld computers
 Size of a paperback book or pocket calculator
 Some include phone capabilities
 Ultra Mobile Personal Computer (UMPC): Fully-
functioning handheld

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 Portable PCs
 Most include wireless networking capabilities
 Can synch (share information) with a desktop
computer as needed

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 Midrange Servers
 Midrange server: A medium-sized computer used
to host programs and data for a small network
 Users connect via a network with a computer, thin
client, or dumb terminal
 May consist of a collection of individual circuit boards
called blades (blade servers)

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 Mainframe Computers
 Mainframe computer: Powerful computer used by
several large organizations to manage large
amounts of centralized data
 Standard choice for large organizations, hospitals,
universities, large businesses, banks, government
offices.
 Located in climate-controlled data centers and
connected to the rest of the company computers via a
network.
 Larger, more expensive, and more powerful than
midrange servers
 Usually operate 24 hours a day.
 Also called high-end servers or enterprise-class servers.

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 Mainframe Computers

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 Supercomputers
 Supercomputer: Fastest, most expensive, most
powerful type of computer
 Generally run one program at a time, as fast as possible
 Commonly built by connecting hundreds of smaller
computers, supercomputing cluster
 Used for space exploration, missile guidance, satellites,
weather forecast, oil exploration, scientific research,
complex Web sites, decision support systems, 3D
applications, etc.

 Grid computing: Using the unused processing

power of a large number of computers to work
together on a single task
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 Basic Computer Operations

 Input Operation
 Storage Operation
 Processing Operation
 Output Operation

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 Basic Computer Operations
Input Operation
The computer receives data from users. A
user enters data/information using input
devices like keyboard, mouse or any
other devices like webcam, punch card,
magnetic tapes, joystick or magnetic disk
etc.

The Input unit accepts information using

input devices then it converts the given
data to readable form and this data
moves to Central Processing Unit (CPU)

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 Basic Computer Operations

 Storage Operation
The given information stored in a
computer using the different storage
devices i.e. central process unit and
auxiliary memory.

The auxiliary memory is also known as

secondary or external storage have
hard devices for example Floppy,
Hard Disk, Compact Disk and Flash
Drive.

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 Basic Computer Operations

 Processing Operation
It is considered the basic computing
operation. It executes the instructions,
control storage data and input or
output devices attached the
computer.

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 Basic Computer Operations

 Output Operation
The output unit which represents results
from the operations of central
processing unit CPU. The result may be
in hard or soft form i.e. visual display
unit, printers, and headphones.

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 Computer Users and Professionals
 Computer users (end users)
 People who use a computer to obtain information

 Computer professionals include:

 Programmers
 Systems analysts
 Computer operations personnel

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 Components of a Computer System
 Software: The programs that provide the
instructions for a computer to execute.
 System Software
 Application Software

 Hardware: The physical elements of a

computing system (printer, circuit boards,
wires, keyboard). Tangible
The major hardware components of a computer system
are:
 Processor
 Memory (Main and Secondary).
 Input and output devices
 Slots, Ports, Buses
 Software Hardware
Software is a set of instructions that tell a Hardware is physical parts of computer
computer exactly what to do. that cause processing of data.
Software cannot be executed without Hardware cannot perform any task
hardware. without software.
Software cannot be touched. Hardware can be seen and touched.
Software is debugged in case of problem. Troubleshooting is required in case of
problem.
Software is reinstalled if the problem is Hardware is replaced if the problem is
not solved. not solved.
 Characteristics of software

 Software is intangible (you can not hold it like

hardware).

 It is weightless.

 It does not exist as hardware

 Software is use to operate the computer

 Types of Computer Software

Software

System Software Application Software

Operating Utility Device Packaged

Custom Built
System Programs Driver Software
 System Software

 It is used to control the usage and allocation of different hardware

components.
 It also enables the other application programs to execute.
 This software is developed to control the hardware components.
 Examples:
 Operating system (DOS, Windows etc.)
 Utility programs (data backup programs etc.)
 Device driver
 System Software
Operating System
 An operating system is a set of programs that manages all computers
components and operations.
 A computer cannot do any thing without operating system. Operating
system must be installed on operating system.
 User interact with the computer through operating system.

Utility Programs
 A utility program is a type of system software that is used or effective
management of computer system.
 The user can use utility program to perform maintenance tasks related to
different devices and programs.
 The utility programs keep the computer system running smoothly.
 Most operating system include different built-in utility programs. The user
can also buy stand alone utility programs.
 Example: Antivirus, File Management System, Disk Management tools.
 System Software

Device Drivers

 A device driver is a program that is used to operate and

control a device attached to computer.

 Device drivers are provided by manufactures of

devices. The devices cannot function properly without
device drivers.
 Application Softwares

 Application software are developed to perform some

specific task. These are specially designed to solve the
problems of users.

 This software is also used to provide audio, video or

multimedia entertainment to the users.

 Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Adobe Photoshop are

the examples of application software.

 Custom-built software
 Packaged software
 Application Softwares

Custom Built Software

 The software are designed according to the requirement of

a particular customer.

 The professional team of programmers depending on the

requirements, develops these programs.
 Cost of customized software is more than the packaged
software.

 Patient information system, inventory system, college

admission system and examination system are the
examples
 Application Softwares

Package Software
 There are also known as off-the-shelf (ready made)
programs. These are designed for sale to the general public.

 Software developers also acquire packaged software for

their ease.

 These facilitate the users in all fields of life.

 Microsoft office Package (MS-Word, MS-Excel, etc),

ORACLE, Graphics software, Communication programs are
the examples