INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS

 A computer can be defined as an electronic device that accepts user input (data) and
processes it under the influence of a set of instructions referred to as programs to produce
the desired output (information).
 A computer is a general-purpose machine which can receive/accept (inputting), process it,
stores it and output information (outputting)
Other Terminologies

 Data: are the raw facts that may include alphabets, numbers and symbols which may not
make much meaning to the user.

Data can also be defined as unprocessed information.

 Information: this is data that has been turned into a more meaningful form that would
make immediate sense to any user, i.e. It’s the processed data.

Information can also be defined as the processed data which makes meaning to the user and
which can form a basis for decision making.

 Programs: are a set of computer instructions that enable the computer hardware to
accomplish a task.

 Data processing: is the process (method) where data is transformed into information.

 Information Communication Technology (ICT): Is a scientific mean of sending and

receiving information using scientific means (computers, network, internet, etc) which
requires sending understanding and sending feedbacks

Advantages of computer

 Speed: computers work at tremendous speed in processing/manipulating and transfer of

data and information than humans. A computer can perform billion of calculation in a
second which can take a man a hundred years manually with a pen and paper.

 Accuracy: means to provide results without any error. Computer can process large
amount of data and generate error-free results. A modern computer performs millions
of operations in one second without any error.
  Flexible: computers are flexible they can do work of other machine like radio, movies
etc.

 Diligence: unlike humans, computers are capable of doing repetitive routines over and
over without getting bored or tired and so do not make errors.

 Versatile: computers are capable of performing almost any task provided they have
reduced to the series and logical tasks (i.e. it can solve many problems that can be broken
down into simple logical steps)

 Storage: a computer can store large amount of data permanently. User can use this data
at any time. We can store any type of data in a computer i.e. text, graphic, audio and
video.

➢ A computer uses binary system in which the digits are either zero or one. One digit is
known as a bit (binary digit).

➢ A group of eight bits is called a byte. A byte is the amount of space it takes to store a
character.

➢ Computer usually handle data in a fixed size group of bytes called words.

8 bits =1 byte

1 kilobyte (KB) =1024 bytes - 1 thousand

1 megabyte (MB) = 10,048,576 bytes -1 million

1 Gigabyte (GB) =1,073,741,824 bytes – 1 billion

1 Terabyte (TB) = 1,099,511,627,776 bytes – 1 trillion

Disadvantages of computer

 Depends on electricity

 Unemployment; because it can perform some of the work that these people could be able
to do.
  Health problem i.e., especially resulting from the sitting posture, too much light from
the monitor screen etc.

 Expensive; it is costly to buy and more to that the cost of its maintenance is high. In
addition, bill will increase because of its consumption.

 Technology changes; the computer world is always full of changes. The technology
always changes and therefore there is no guarantee that the already bought machine will
not become outdated in the next few months.

 Computers can’t think alone.

 Literate people; it is used by people who can read and write, in other words it requires a
person to be computer literate in order to use.

 Immoral activities; the computer is a source of immorality since some people use it to
promote pornography.

 Laziness; computers lead people to become lazy and hate to do work because of the
various games that come along with it.

 Delicate; a computer like any machine can break down. This means in order to maintain
it in good working condition extra care should be taken.

 Death rate increase through wars; the death rate is increased as result of the use of
advanced computer-driven fighting devices. This is as result of the often-changing
technology.

 Sources of computer viruses; computer viruses are program designed to damage and
disorganize the proper functioning of the computer system.

 Hardware and software theft.

 Hackers and crackers.

Application of computers

 Business; supermarket, cybercafé etc.

 Communication; email, chat, SMS

  Education and research

 Health care; electro-cardiogram screening and monitoring

 Police and defense; detection and tracking of target, warning system and military laser

 Multimedia Applications

 Home and leisure

Employment

Classification of computers

 Computers can be classified in many ways. The most common methods of classification
are by: physical size and processing power, purpose and functionality.

Classification according to physical size

 Supercomputers: are widely used in scientific applications such as aerodynamic

design simulation, processing of geological data. Supercomputers are also, used by
universities, government agencies, and large businesses.

 Supercomputers are the most powerful computers. They are used for problems requiring
complex calculations. Because of their size and expense, supercomputers are relatively
rare.
Supercomputers have the following characteristics; the largest in physical size, greatest
processing power, fastest processor speed and largest memory capacity.

Mainframe Computers:

 Mainframe Computers: are usually faster, smaller, less powerful and less expensive
than supercomputers. A technique that allows many people at terminals, to access the
same computer at one time is called time sharing. Mainframes are used by banks and
many businesses to update inventory etc. Mainframes are also used as e-commerce
servers, handling transactions over the Internet.
Mainframe computers can support hundreds or thousands of users, handling massive
 amounts of input, output, and storage.
Mainframe computers are used in large organizations where many users need access to
shared data and programs.

Minicomputers:

 Minicomputers: also referred to as a small scale mainframe. Are smaller than

mainframe, cheaper than mainframe computers, general purpose computers, and give
computing power without adding the prohibitive expenses associated with larger systems.
It is generally easier to use.
Minicomputers usually have multiple terminals and are used as network servers and
Internet servers.

Microcomputers:

 Microcomputers: also known as personal computers (PC), the term "PC" is applied to
IBM-PCs or compatible computers are the smallest in size, cheapest and slowest
compared to the other three types. They a re called microcomputers because their
processor is tiny.

 Microcomputers are further classified into three categories namely:

• Desktop computers are the most common type of PC because they are relatively
cheaper than other microcomputers. They are called desktop computers because they are
usually placed on a table or desk.
• Notebook (laptop) computers are used by people who need the power of a desktop
system, but also portability. They are more expensive compared to desktop PCs.
• Palmnote and pocket PCs are the smallest PCs. They are so small that they can fit into
the pocket. Examples of palmnote or pocket PCs include personal digital assistants
(PDAs) and modern smart phones.

Classification according to purpose

 Computer can be classified as either special purpose (dedicated) or general purpose.

 Special purpose computers: are designed to perform a single task only or a few related
tasks. Examples are calculators, routers and robots.
  General purpose computers: can be programmed by the user to perform many tasks
such as word processing, desktop publishing, multimedia applications, accounting, etc.

Classifications according to functionality

 Computers can also be classified according to the type of data they can process. The three
types of computers according to functionality are:

❖ Analog computers: process data that is continuous in nature. This type of data is called
analog data. Examples of analog data include speed, temperature, volume and weight.

❖ Digital computers: process data that is discrete in nature. This type of data is called
digital data. Digital data changes from one value to another without a time transition. It is
usually represented using two states, on represented by 1 and off represented by 0.

❖ Hybrid Computers: computers that process both analog and digital data are known as
hybrid computers.

Classification by computer generations

 Each generation of computer is characterized by a major technological development that

fundamentally changed the way computers operate, resulting in increasingly smaller,
cheaper, more powerful and more efficient and reliable devices. Electronic computers are
classified into five generations.

First Generation Computers (1940-1956)

 The first computers used vacuum tubes or thermionic values for circuitry and magnetic
drums for memory.

Characteristics of first-generation computers

 They were often enormous, taking up entire rooms.

 They were very expensive to operate and in addition to using a great deal of electricity

 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 problem at a time.
  Input was based on punched cards and paper tape, and output was displayed on printouts

 The UNIVAC (UNIVersal Automatic Computer), EDVAC (Electronic Discrete

Variable Automatic Computer) and ENIAC (Electronic Numeric Integrator and
Calculator) computers are examples of first-generation computing devices. The
UNIVAC was the first commercial computer delivered to a business client, the U.S.
Census Bureau in 1951.

Second Generation (1956-1963

 Transistors replaced vacuum tubes and ushered in the second generation of computers.
The transistor was invented in 1947 but did not see widespread use in computers until the
late 50s.

Characteristics of Second-generation computers

 The transistor was far superior to the vacuum tube, allowing computers to become
smaller, faster, cheaper, more energy-efficient and more reliable than their first-
generation predecessors.

 Though the transistor still generated a great deal of heat that subjected the computer to
damage, it was a vast improvement over the vacuum tube.

 Second-generation computers still relied on punched cards for input and printouts for
output.

 Second-generation computers moved from cryptic binary machine language to symbolic,

or assembly, languages, which allowed programmers to specify instructions in words.

 High-level programming languages were also being

developed at this time, such as early versions of COBOL and F O RT RA N.

 These were also the first computers that stored their instructions in their memory, which
moved from a magnetic drum to magnetic core technology.

 Examples of second-generation computers include IMB 1401, IBM 7070, and UNIVAC
1107
Third Generation (1964-1970)

 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.

Characteristics of third generation computers

 Semiconductors drastically increased the speed and efficiency of computers.

 Instead of punched cards and printouts, users interacted with third generation computers
through keyboards and monitors.

 Introduction of an operating system, which allowed the device to run many different
applications at one time

 Introduction of high-level language.

 Computers for the first time became accessible to a mass audience because they were
smaller and cheaper than their predecessors.

 Examples of third generation computers include IBM 360 and ICL 19000 series.

Fourth Generation (1971-1990)

 Fourth generation computers used Very Large-Scale Integration Circuits (VLSI) or

the microprocessor. 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.

 Introduced of microprocessors.

 As these small computers became more faster, powerful.

  The development of the network and Internet.

 Fourth generation computers also saw the development of GUIs, the mouse and handheld
devices.

 Examples of fourth generation computers include IBM 370, IBM 4300, and Burroughs
7700.

Fifth Generation computers (1991- Present

 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.

Characteristics of fifth generation computers

 Use artificial intelligence

 Use of parallel processing and superconductors is helping to make artificial intelligence a

reality.

 Massive connectivity to internet and intranet.

 Superior hardware and software products that is small in size.

 Emit negligible heat.

 Examples of fifth-generation computers include portable computers, artificial

intelligence and natural language processing systems.

Booting a computer

 Booting is the startup procedure that the computer goes through after it’s been switched
on.

 It’s the turning on or the switching on of the computer.

Types of booting

 Cold Booting: it’s the starting of the computer from the main switch, which begins with
turning on the computer’s power.

Warm booting: is resetting/restarting a computer system when the power is already on. It is a
protective measure for resetting any hanging computer or for switching from one program to
another. It can be accomplished by CTRL+ALT+DELETE keys simultaneously

Shutting down the computer

 Shut off every window one by one.

 Make sure all CD/DVDDRIVES are out of your PC.

 Click Start>Turn Off Computer>Turn Off.

 Wait till the computer is completely off.

 Switch off the monitor.

COMPUTER CARE

 Computer need to be covered after use using dust covers.

 Computer need not to be in very hot environment.

 Eats and drinks should not be taken to the computer laboratory to avoid them getting into
some parts like keyboard which might make it unfunctional.

 Switch off the computer after every use. (use right shut down procedure)

 Regular virus scanning e.g., floppies, hard disk etc.

 Servicing the computer regularly.

 Don’t open the computer if you are not experienced.

 Keep updating your computer software i.e., antivirus must be updated every year.

 Use a stabilizer or UPS (uninterrupted Power Supply) to stabilize your power supply.

 Avoid use of command unsure of, e.g., DELETE, CLS, EXIT etc.