INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER (COM 101)

General Course Objectives: On completion of this course the diplomat, should be

able to:
1. Understand the history, classification and impact of computers.
2. Know the concept of computer hardware
3. Know the concept of computer software.
4. Understand computer data processing systems.
5. Know the procedures for computer and data preparation method.
6. Understand security and safety procedures within a computer environment.
7. Understand the concept of a computer network
8. Understand the use of the internet.

1. OVERVIEW OF A COMPUTER

1.1 DEFINITION OF A COMPUTER

1
A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored
in its own memory that can accept data (input), process the data according to specified
rules, produce information (output), and store the information for future use.

1.2 HISTORY OF COMPUTER

The computer was born not for entertainment but for a need to solve a problem. By
1880, the U.S. population had grown so large that it took more than seven years to
tabulate the U.S. census result. The government sought a faster way to get job done
which gave rise to punch –card based computers that took up entire room.

Today, we carry more computing power on our smart phones than was available in
these early models. The following brief history of computing is a timeline of how
computers evolved from their humble beginnings to the machines of today that surf
the Internet, play games and stream multimedia in addition to crunching numbers.

1801: In France, Joseph Marie Jacquard invents a loom that uses punched wooden
cards to automatically weave fabric designs. Early computers would use similar punch
cards.
1822: English mathematician Charles Babbage conceives of a steam-driven
calculating machine that would be able to compute tables of numbers. The project,
funded by the English government, is a failure. More than a century later, however,
the world's first computer was actually built.
1890: Herman Hollerith designs a punch card system to calculate the 1880 census,
accomplishing the task in just three years and saving the government $5 million. He
establishes a company that would ultimately become IBM.
1936: Alan Turing presents the notion of a universal machine, later called the Turing
machine, capable of computing anything that is computable. The central concept of
the modern computer was based on his ideas.
1937: J.V. Atanasoff, a professor of physics and mathematics at Iowa State
University, attempts to build the first computer without gears, cams, belts or shafts.
1939: Hewlett-Packard is founded by David Packard and Bill Hewlett in a Palo Alto,
California, garage, according to the Computer History Museum. 
1941: Atanasoff and his graduate student, Clifford Berry, design a computer that can
solve 29 equations simultaneously. This marks the first time a computer is able to
store information on its main memory.
1943-1944: Two University of Pennsylvania professors, John Mauchly and J. Presper
Eckert, build the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator (ENIAC).
2
Considered the grandfather of digital computers, it fills a 20-foot by 40-foot room and
has 18,000 vacuum tubes.
1946: Mauchly and Presper leave the University of Pennsylvania and receive funding
from the Census Bureau to build the UNIVAC, the first commercial computer for
business and government applications.
1947: William Shockley, John Bardeen and Walter Brattain of Bell Laboratories
invent the transistor. They discovered how to make an electric switch with solid
materials and no need for a vacuum. 
1953: Grace Hopper develops the first computer language, which eventually becomes
known as COBOL. Thomas Johnson Watson Jr., son of IBM CEO Thomas Johnson
Watson Sr., conceives the IBM 701 EDPM to help the United Nations keep tabs on
Korea during the war.
1954: The FORTRAN programming language, an acronym for FORmula
TRANslation, is developed by a team of programmers at IBM led by John Backus,
according to the University of Michigan.
1958: Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce unveil the integrated circuit, known as the
computer chip. Kilby was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2000 for his work.
1964: Douglas Engelbart shows a prototype of the modern computer, with a mouse
and a graphical user interface (GUI). This marks the evolution of the computer from a
specialized machine for scientists and mathematicians to technology that is more
accessible to the general public.
1969: A group of developers at Bell Labs produce UNIX, an operating system that
addressed compatibility issues. Written in the C programming language, UNIX was
portable across multiple platforms and became the operating system of choice among
mainframes at large companies and government entities. Due to the slow nature of the
system, it never quite gained traction among home PC users.
1970: The newly formed Intel unveils the Intel 1103, the first Dynamic Access
Memory (DRAM) chip.
1971: Alan Shugart leads a team of IBM engineers who invent the "floppy disk,"
allowing data to be shared among computers.
1973: Robert Metcalfe, a member of the research staff for Xerox, develops Ethernet
for connecting multiple computers and other hardware.
1974-1977: A number of personal computers hit the market, including Scelbi & Mark-
8 Altair, IBM 5100, Radio Shack's TRS-80 — affectionately known as the "Trash 80"
— and the Commodore PET.
1975: The January issue of Popular Electronics magazine features the Altair 8080,
described as the "world's first minicomputer kit to rival commercial models." Two
3
"computer geeks," Paul Allen and Bill Gates, offer to write software for the Altair,
using the new BASIC language. On April 4, after the success of this first endeavor,
the two childhood friends form their own software company, Microsoft. 
1976: Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak start Apple Computers on April Fool's Day and
roll out the Apple I, the first computer with a single-circuit board, according to
Stanford University. 
1977: Radio Shack's initial production run of the TRS-80 was just 3,000. It sold like
crazy. For the first time, non-geeks could write programs and make a computer do
what they wished.
1977: Jobs and Wozniak incorporate Apple and show the Apple II at the first West
Coast Computer Faire. It offers color graphics and incorporates an audio cassette
drive for storage.
1978: Accountants rejoice at the introduction of VisiCalc, the first computerized
spreadsheet program.
1979: Word processing becomes a reality as MicroPro International releases
WordStar. "The defining change was to add margins and word wrap," said creator
Rob Barnaby in email to Mike Petrie in 2000. "Additional changes included getting
rid of command mode and adding a print function. I was the technical brains — I
figured out how to do it, and did it, and documented it. "
1981: The first IBM personal computer, code-named "Acorn," is introduced. It uses
Microsoft's MS-DOS operating system. It has an Intel chip, two floppy disks and an
optional color monitor. Sears & Roebuck and Computerland sell the machines,
marking the first time a computer is available through outside distributors. It also
popularizes the term PC.
1983: Apple's Lisa is the first personal computer with a GUI. It also features a drop-
down menu and icons. It flops but eventually evolves into the Macintosh. The Gavilan
SC is the first portable computer with the familiar flip form factor and the first to be
marketed as a "laptop."
1985: Microsoft announces Windows, according to Encyclopedia Britannica. This
was the company's response to Apple's GUI. Commodore unveils the Amiga 1000,
which features advanced audio and video capabilities.
1985: The first dot-com domain name is registered on March 15, years before the
World Wide Web would mark the formal beginning of Internet history. The
Symbolics Computer Company, a small Massachusetts computer manufacturer,
registers Symbolics.com. More than two years later, only 100 dot-coms had been
registered.

4
1986: Compaq brings the Deskpro 386 to market. Its 32-bit architecture provides as
speed comparable to mainframes.
1990: Tim Berners-Lee, a researcher at CERN, the high-energy physics laboratory in
Geneva, develops HyperText Markup Language (HTML), giving rise to the World
Wide Web.
1993: The Pentium microprocessor advances the use of graphics and music on PCs.
1994: PCs become gaming machines as "Command & Conquer," "Alone in the Dark
2," "Theme Park," "Magic Carpet," "Descent" and "Little Big Adventure" are among
the games to hit the market.
1996: Sergey Brin and Larry Page develop the Google search engine at Stanford
University.
1997: Microsoft invests $150 million in Apple, which was struggling at the time,
ending Apple's court case against Microsoft in which it alleged that Microsoft copied
the "look and feel" of its operating system.
1999: The term Wi-Fi becomes part of the computing language and users begin
connecting to the Internet without wires.
2001: Apple unveils the Mac OS X operating system, which provides protected
memory architecture and pre-emptive multi-tasking, among other benefits. Not to be
outdone, Microsoft rolls out Windows XP, which has a significantly redesigned GUI.
2003: The first 64-bit processor, AMD's Athlon 64, becomes available to the
consumer market.
2004: Mozilla's Firefox 1.0 challenges Microsoft's Internet Explorer, the dominant
Web browser. Facebook, a social networking site, launches.
2005: YouTube, a video sharing service, is founded. Google acquires Android, a
Linux-based mobile phone operating system.
2006: Apple introduces the MacBook Pro, its first Intel-based, dual-core mobile
computer, as well as an Intel-based iMac. Nintendo's Wii game console hits the
market.
2007: The iPhone brings many computer functions to the smartphone.
2009: Microsoft launches Windows 7, which offers the ability to pin applications to
the taskbar and advances in touch and handwriting recognition, among other features.
2010: Apple unveils the iPad, changing the way consumers view media and
jumpstarting the dormant tablet computer segment.
2011: Google releases the Chromebook, a laptop that runs the Google Chrome OS.
2012: Facebook gains 1 billion users on October 4.
2015: Apple releases the Apple Watch. Microsoft releases Windows 10.

5
2016: The first reprogrammable quantum computer was created. "Until now, there
hasn't been any quantum-computing platform that had the capability to program new
algorithms into their system. They're usually each tailored to attack a particular
algorithm," said study lead author Shantanu Debnath, a quantum physicist and optical
engineer at the University of Maryland, College Park.
2017: The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is developing a
new "Molecular Informatics" program that uses molecules as computers. "Chemistry
offers a rich set of properties that we may be able to harness for rapid, scalable
information storage and processing," Anne Fischer, program manager in DARPA's
Defense Sciences Office, said in a statement. "Millions of molecules exist, and each
molecule has a unique three-dimensional atomic structure as well as variables such as
shape, size, or even color. This richness provides a vast design space for exploring
novel and multi-value ways to encode and process data beyond the 0s and 1s of
current logic-based, digital architectures." [Computers of the Future May Be
Minuscule Molecular Machines]

1.3 CLASSIFICATIONS OF COMPUTER

Due to function, size, trends and purpose of which computers are known; its
classification can be seen as being treated from several perspectives, and thus
Computers can be classified as follows:

1. Classification of Computer Based on Historical Development/Generations

A generation refers to the state of improvement in the development of a product. This
term is also used in the different advancements of computer technology. With each
generation, the circuitry has gotten smaller and more advanced than the previous
generations before it. As a result of the miniaturization, the speed, power and memory
of computers have proportionally increased. New discoveries are constantly being
developed that affect the way we live, work and play. In terms of technological
developments over time, computers have been broadly classed into five generations.

i. The First Generation - 1940-1956: The first computers used vacuum tubes
for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory, and were often enormous,
taking up entire rooms. They were very expensive to operate and in addition
to using a great deal of electricity, they generated a lot of heat, which was
often the cause of malfunctions. First generation computers relied on
machine language to perform operations, and they could only solve one
6
 problem at a time. Input was based on punched cards and paper tape, and
output was displayed on printouts. The computers UNIVAC, ENIAC of the
US and BESEM of the former Soviet Union are examples of first-generation
computing devices.

ii. The Second Generation - 1956-1963: Transistors replaced vacuum tubes

and ushered in the second generation of computers. Computers become
smaller, faster, cheaper, more energy-efficient and more reliable than their
first generation predecessors. Second-generation computers still relied on
punched cards for input and printouts for output. High-level programming
languages were being developed, such as early versions of COBOL and
FORTRAN. The first computers of this generation were developed for the
atomic energy industry. The computers IBM-1070 of the US and MINSK of
the former Soviet Union are examples of second generation.

iii. The Third Generation - 1964-1971: Integrated Circuits: The

development of the integrated circuit was the hallmark of the third
generation of computers. Transistors were miniaturized and placed on
silicon chips, called semiconductors, which drastically increased the speed
and efficiency of computers. Users interacted with third generation
computers through keyboards and monitors and interfaced with an operating
system, which allowed the device to run many different applications at one
time. Typical computers of the third generation are IBM 360 (United States)
and EC (former Soviet Union).

iv. The Fourth Generation - 1971-Present: Microprocessors: The

microprocessor brought the fourth generation of computers, as thousands of
integrated circuits were built onto a single silicon chip. What in the first
generation filled an entire room could now fit in the palm of the hand. The
Intel 4004 chip, developed in 1971, located all the components of the
computer - from the central processing unit and memory to input/output
controls - on a single chip. In 1981 IBM introduced its first computer for the
home user, and in 1984 Apple introduced the Macintosh. Microprocessors
also moved out of the realm of desktop computers and into many areas of
life as more and more everyday products began to use microprocessors. As
these small computers became more powerful, they could be linked together
to form networks, which eventually led to the development of the Internet.
7
 Fourth generation computers also saw the development of GUI (Graphic
User Interface), the mouse and handheld devices.
v. The Fifth Generation - Present and Beyond: Artificial Intelligence:
Fifth generation computing devices, based on artificial intelligence, are still
in development, though there are some applications, such as voice
recognition, that are being used today. The use of parallel processing and
superconductors is helping to make artificial intelligence a reality. Quantum
computation and molecular and nanotechnology will radically change the
face of computers in years to come. The goal of fifth-generation computing
is to develop devices that respond to natural language input and are capable
of learning and self-organization.
2. Classification of Computer Based on Size

Computers are available in different shapes, sizes and weights, due to these different
shapes and sizes they perform different sorts of jobs from one another

i. Super Computers: The biggest in size, the most expensive in price than
any other is classified and known as super computer. It can process
trillions of instructions in seconds. Governments specially use this type of
computer for their different calculations and heavy jobs. This kind of
computer is also helpful for forecasting weather reports worldwide.

ii. Mainframe Computers: Another giant in computers after the super

computer is Mainframe, which can also process millions of instruction
per second and capable of accessing billions of data. This computer is
commonly used in big hospitals, airline reservations companies, and
many other huge companies prefer mainframe because of its capability
of retrieving data on a huge basis. This is normally too expensive and out
of reach from a salary-based person who wants a computer for his home.

iii. Minicomputers: This computer offers less than mainframe in work and
performance. These are the computers, which are mostly preferred by the
small type of business personals, colleges, and so on.

iv. Microcomputers: These computers are lesser in cost than the computers
given above and also, small in size; they can store a big amount of data
and have a memory to meet the assignments of students and other
8
 necessary tasks of business people. There are many types of
microcomputers: desktop, workstation, laptop, PDAs, etc.
3. Classification of Computer Based on Type
On the basis of data handling capabilities, computers classified into three types which
includes:

i. Analogue Computer: Analogue Computers are computers designed to

process analogue data. Analogue data is a continuous data that changes
continuously and cannot have discreet values such as speed, temperature,
pressure and current. Analogue computers measure the continuous
changes in physical quantities and generally render output as a reading
on a dial or scale. An analogue computer directly accepts data from the
measuring device without first converting it into numbers and codes.
Speedometer and Mercury thermometer are examples of analogue
computers.

ii. Digital Computer: Digital Computer is designed to perform

calculations and logical operations at high speed. It accepts the raw data
as digits or numbers and processes it with programs stored in its memory
to produce output. All modern computers like laptops and desktops are
examples of digital computers.

iii. Hybrid Computer: Hybrid Computer has features of both analogue and
digital computer. It is fast like analogue computer and has memory and
accuracy like digital computers. It can process both continuous and
discreet data. So it is widely used in specialized applications where both
analogue and digital data is processed. For example, a processor is used
in petrol pumps that converts the measurements the measurement of fuel
flow into quantity and price.

4. Classification of Computer Based on Purpose

Computers can also be classified according to task they perform. These include:

i. General Purpose Computers: These are computers designed to

perform a variety of task when installed with appropriate programs. For
instance, a desktop computer may be used in document processing,
9
 accounting e.t.c a smart phone can be used in surfing, play games,
communicates e.t.c.

ii. Special Purpose Computers: These are computers developed in a way

that allows them to perform a specific task. These computers cannot
perform any other task except the one they were meant to do. Examples
of these computers include; robots used in manufacturing industry,
remote device that controls a specified electronic device functionality,
calculators that carries out calculations only.

iii. Dedicated Computers: These are mainly general purpose computers

that have been dedicated to perform a particular task, e.g. a desktop
computer designed or dedicated to document processing or accounting.

1.4 BENEFITS OF COMPUTERS TO THE SOCIETY

Computers are now a fact of life. Computers have created a very effective information
system to help streamline the management of an organization. This makes it a much
needed tool for every business, banking, government, entertainment, daily life,
industry, education, and administration. Almost every large organization; whether
government or private, use a computer for a variety of their daily business and it is the
fastest growing industries in the world today. Each organization usually has one or
more large computer systems and a number of microcomputer. In general, the use of
computers can be divided into several groups.
i. Role of computer in business: Small businesses use the computer as
there are now very cheap microcomputers. Business organizations now
have a number of facts and a lot of numbers to be processed. So many
businesses have started using the computer, for example to calculate the
salary, to identify the goods sold and are still in stock, to issue and send
or receive business statements, letters, invoices and more.
ii. Role of Computers in Financial Institution: Processing data involving
savings accounts, fixed deposits, loans, investments, profitability
analysis, and so on are among the organizations operating budget. The
measures used are standard and recurrent. Use of financial institutions
including electronic fund transfer activities for example a bank has a
terminal in each branch in the country and also in supermarkets, petrol
stations, schools, factories, homes, hotels, and so on.

10
iii. Role of Computers in Industrial Areas: Industries derive lots of
benefit from the use of computers and the development of a human
machine i.e. ‘robot’. Industrial production, for example requires a lot of
computers to process data collected from employees, customers, sales,
product information, production schedules, and so on.
iv. Role of Computers in Education: Now in this era, science and
technology has become more advanced, the computer may take over the
role of books in the store and disseminate knowledge to the public. In
other words, the computer will change the way we learn and the way we
store knowledge. Computers can be seen handling issues such as student
registration, class scheduling, processing of examination results,
teaching and learning process, computer-assisted education which help
students and teachers in the teaching and learning processes
v. Role of Computers in the Medical: Hospitals and clinics use computers
to store patient records, scheduling doctors, nurses and other personnel,
inventory and purchase of medicines, medical research and medical
diagnosis. Applications of computer-based equipment or use of
information technology has help doctors to. Computers are used for a
patient to oversee psychological variables such as blood pressure, body
temperature, ECG (Electro-Cardiograph) and sounded a warning if
something unusual happens. Clearly, it was found that the computer has
a wide range of accommodation in the medical field.
vi. Role of Computers in Legal: Computers have been used in the
legislative process in recent years. The use of the most important is the
preparation of documents using a word processor. The use of computer
accounting legislation also includes processing to produce weekly and
monthly reports, keep records of payments consulting, diary for the latest
attorney information consumers about the various court procedures and
also to keep records of users. Thus the use of one computer will help
lawyers and trainee lawyers and law students find relevant data without
wasting time and get better service.
vii. Role of Computers in Government: Government sector is one of the
largest users of computer especially in administrative matters. All the
necessary data can be obtained in a short time such as information about
people, services, economic planning, and land development projects and
for planning and decision making. Service tax and income tax collection
was simplified by using the computer. Keeping records of taxpayers who
11
 do it manually, and bring many problems have been addressed with the
use of computer which makes the task more efficiently and quickly.
viii. Role of Computers in entertainment: Now the computer can be
programmed to play music. Places of entertainment with music
controlled by computer are cheaper and can be used at any time.
Computers are also used to arrange the order of dance and music.
Computers also can be programmed to depict images of high quality.
The work of art can be done and made a review in a short time compared
with traditional Kedah. Cartoon films produced by computers have
grown so widely.
ix. Role of Computers at daily life: Microcomputer can be used also in
homes; the use of computers in the home allows housewife get the latest
information about fashion and can make orders from supermarket In
addition to budget planning and inventory at home.

Basic Functions of a Computer

At a fundamental level, computers operate through these four functions: input, output,
processing, and storage. Any digital computer carries out these four function outline
below in gross terms:
1. Takes data as input
2. Process data
3. Generates output
4. Stores information

12