FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOFY MINNA

SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF SURVEYING AND GEOINFORMATICS

COURCE TITLE: COMPUTER APPLICATION IN SURVEYING

COURSE CODE: SVG325
COURSE UNIT: 2 UNITS

COURSE LECTURER: Zitta, Nanpon

EMAIL: zitta.Nanpon“@futminna.edu.ng
 COURSE OUTLINE
Review of computer programming. Flowchart and Algorithms. Basic,
Python, Matlab, C++ and FORTRAN programming languages.
Techniques of writing a computer program. Other computer
applications in SPSS, EXCEL Traverse computation, leveling
computation, minor triangulation (intersection/resection problems),
volume of earthwork, area etc. (computer applications to various
survey problems, are expected to be covered in this course.
Essentially, students should be able to write their own programmes
for traverse computations and adjustments, Tacheomatic reductions,
computations of latitude, longitudes and azimuth, Levelling, area
computation, coordinates and distance computation etc.
Introduction to ArcGIS, ILWIS and AutoCad in class and in lab.
Database creation in GIS environment
 A Computer is a device that receives, processes, and presents information. This is usually
a collection of interrelated components which work together as a system.
 The two basic types of computers are analog and digital.
Although generally not regarded as such, the most prevalent computer is the simple
mechanical analog computer, in which gears, levers, ratchets, and pawls perform
mathematical operations – for example, the speedometer and the watt-hour meter. The
general public has become much more aware of the digital computer with the rapid
proliferation of the hand-held calculator and a large variety of intelligent devices, ranging
from typewriters to washing machines.
 There are mainly three types of computer namely:
 Analogue Computer:- This type of computer performed its operation by measuring and
comparing or relating physical phenomena or change in variables in the mathematical
quantities. E.g electrical, mechanical or hydraulic quantities. Slide rules, nomograms,
speedometer and mercury thermometer, mechanical watches.
 Digital computer: - A digital computer is the one, which
performs mathematic operation and access logical decisions
according to instructions codes to it in advance, in the digital
computers, number and letter are represented as digitals
personnel computers and mainframes are digital computer. In
this course we will be concerned with digital computers for
surveying operations.
 Hybrid computers; - This is a combination of those two types of
computers. If combines the capabilities of analogue and digital
computer system. Processes both continuous and discrete data.
E.g a processor is used in petrol pump that converts the
measurements of fuel flow into quantity and price.
 Components of Computer System
 A computer system consists of the components, each performing a
specific function. The system consists of INPUT devices (used to send
information to the computer), the central processing unit (CPU)
storage devices and output.
 Equipment’s of the computer system are called Hardware. Hardware
includes the CPU and all output, input and storage devices.
 Complementing the Hardware is a software system, which includes an
operating system and other programs that direct or instruct an
operating system to perform specific function.
 Software
 The computer software is a sequence of logically valid instructions which tells the
computer what it is required to do. The hardware cannot function without the
software. The software enables the computer to nun and solve some problems.
These software packages are written in computer language.
 There are two types
 System software
These are programs written by the computer manufacturer to direct the computer on
certain operating procedures and functions. However, the system software aids and
facilitates the operating efficiencies of application software to meet the user needs.
The system’s software is the operating system. It is a collection of programs and
techniques for controlling the equations of the computer. The main aim of the
operating system is to maximize the amount of human operator interaction.
 The functions of the operating system include:
 Allocating memory for programs
 Handling input and output as individual programs call for it.
 Loading programs into memory-starting and ending
 Communicating between the individual programs
 Control of multi programming
 Control of program library
 Handling error and exceptional conditions, e.g machine
error, arithmetic errors, etc and provision of system restore
to an earlier good and functional system.

 Application software
A computer program design to carry out a specific task other than one
relating to the computer itself. Typically to be used by end-users eg
accounting software, media player
 These are programs written by users of computer or application programs to enable the user accomplish
his task. They can be written in course or can be purchased from software marketing companies. The later
are called application packages and are used for a particular type of problem or a variety of similar
problems. A package normally consists of the following:
(a) A program (or suite programs) which are written on to a suitable storage device e.g disk or floppy disk.

(b) Documentation, which specifies

i. How to setup or run the package

ii. How to use the package

iii. Necessary technical details.

 These programs are written in specific languages:
Each language has its advantages and disadvantages over the other. They
include BASIC, FORTRAN, C++, C and VB to mention but a few. There are
nearly a hundred of them, each applied specifically to solve a particular
problem. Some are graphic user interface (GUI) while others are not.
Other Computer Software Packages

These include Database management system (DBMS) spreadsheets and other types of spreadsheets such
as SPSS, Excel (MS), SQL etc. A database is a single organized collection of structured data stored with a
minimum duplication of data items so as to provide a consistent and controlled use of data. This is common
or large capacity direct-access devices, such as satellite data archived to be used at any moment using call-
routines from computer programs. The DBMS is a data software system that constructs, expands and
maintains the database. Maintenance of Database is by adding new records, deleting dead records and
amending records.
Steps of Execution Process
1. Fetch instruction from internal memory and store in register

2. Decode instruction and have data sent to Arithmetic /logic unit (ALU) if
necessary.

3. Command ALU to carryout decoded instruction using data received.

4. Send results of ALU operation to internal memory

5. If more instruction remains go back to step 1, otherwise terminate

execution.
Algorithm: - It can be regarded as any special method of solving
certain kind of problem. Computer science, algorithm has come to
be referred to as a set of unambiguous rules that define how a
particular problem or a class of problem can be solved in finite
sequences of step or An algorithm is a set of well-defined,
unambiguous steps or instructions to be carried out in sequence to
accomplish some task. It can also be defined or described as the step
by step required to carry out or execute a computer program.
 An algorithm usually has a START point and a STOP point. The START may require some inputs and the
STOP may provide some output.

 An algorithm is made of individual instructions.

 An instruction consists of a well-defined operation usually on some input (what the instruction receives)
and usually producing output (what the instruction produces).

 Each instruction is well-defined and its outcome predictable if the instruction operates on valid input.

There is a direction of logic flow or sequencing. Once an instruction is executed, it passes control to another instruction.

 There can only be a finite set of instructions.

 When executed (with valid input) an algorithm is guaranteed to terminate in a sensible way.