DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE
Course Title: Introduction to Computer Application
Compiled by: Kassawmar M. (MSC) 1
Course content
Chapter 1: Introduction to computer
Computer and Information Technology, Generations, Characteristics, Classification, Limitation
and Application.
Chapter 2: Organization of Computer Systems
Computer systems, Computer Hardware (Input Devices, CPU, Output Devices and Storage Devices
Computer Software (System Software and Application Software)
Introduction to Statistical Packages (R, SAS, SPSS, STATA , GAUSS)
Chapter 3: Data Representation in Computer System
Number system, number system conversion and coding
Data and Data Management in the Packages
Exploring data in the Package & analysis
Chapter 4: Data Communication and Computer Network
Basic components of communication
Modes of data transmission, Types of computer Networks
Transmission media, Computer Network Configuration, Network Topologies, Network Devices
Chapter 5: Computer Safety and Security
Computer threat, virus and worm.
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Chapter One
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Introduction to computer
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Chapter 1: Introduction to computer
Overview of Computer and Information Technology
History and Generations of computer
Characteristics of computer
Computers Vs Human beings
Classification of Computers
Limitation of computers
Application of Computer
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Introduction to computer
A computer is an electronic device that: Accept input data, process data,
store data and produce output according to set of instructions (program).
Is electronic device that can store, retrieve, and process data to produce an
information.
Data- is a collection of facts, symbols, numbers, pictures, figures unprocessed
message.
It cannot give full meaning by itself.
Data is an input for information system.
E.g. student’s name, father name, mother name, address, etc.
Information- is the data that is organized, meaningful and useful for making a
decision. Computers process data to create information,
is a processed data that has a meaning to its users.
Eg. the total marks for each student, which are used to decide who is the topper.
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Cont…
Data Information
Data processing: is the transformation of data into meaningful
information.
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Benefits of Using a Computer
Increases your productivity:
A computer increases your productivity. For example, after having a basic
understanding of a word processor, you can create, edit, store, and print
documents easily and quickly.
Connects to the Internet:
It connects you to the internet, allowing you to use social media platforms.
Storage:
A computer allows you to store a large amount of information.
Organized Data and Information:
It not only allows you to store data but also helps you organize it. For
example, you can create different folders to store different data and
information, making it easy to search and access quickly.
Improves your abilities:
Use different software to perform & improve you abilities.
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Cont…
Assists the physically challenged:
It can be used to help physically challenged individuals. For example, Stephen
Hawking, who was not able to speak, used a computer to communicate.
It can also help blind people by installing special software that reads what is
on the screen.
Keeps you entertained:
You can use the computer to listen to songs, watch movies, play games, and
more.
Some of the common example are:-
1. ATM
2. Digital currency
3. Trading: Stock markets use computers for day to day trading.
4. Smartphone
5. VoIP: All voice over IP communication (VoIP) is handled and done by computers
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Cont…
Basic operations in computer
Inputting: This is the process of entering raw data, instructions, and information
into the computer, performed with the help of input devices.
Storing: The computer utilizes primary memory and secondary storage to hold
data and instructions. It stores data before sending it to the CPU for processing
and also holds processed data before it is displayed as output.
Processing: This is the process of converting raw data into useful information,
performed by the computer's CPU. The CPU takes raw data from storage,
processes it, and then sends the result back to storage.
Outputting: This is the process of presenting processed data through output
devices such as monitors, printers, and speakers.
Controlling: This operation is managed by the control unit within the CPU. It
ensures that all basic operations are executed correctly and in the proper
sequence.
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Cont…
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History and Generations of computer
The history of computer development is often referred to the generations of computing
devices.
Each generation of computer is characterized by a major technological development that
fundamentally changed the way computers operate, resulting in increasingly smaller in
size, cheaper, more powerful, and more efficient and reliable devices.
Therefore, computers pass so many generations
First Generation (1940-1956): Vacuum Tubes
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, generated a lot of heat, which was often the cause of malfunctions.
It is very large in size, consumed huge amounts of electricity, produced excessive heat,
slow processing speed
The UNIVAC and ENIAC computers are examples of first-generation computing
devices.
Second Generation (1956-1963): Transistors
Transistors replaced vacuum tubes in the second generation of 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.
Example IBM 1401, IBM 7094
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History and Generations of computer
Third Generation (1964-1971): Integrated Circuits
The development of the integrated circuit was the hallmark of the third generation of
computers.
Transistors were placed on silicon chips, called semiconductors, which drastically increased the
speed and efficiency of computers.
Example: IBM System/360, PDP-8
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.
Examples: Desktop computers, Laptops, Smartphone
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.
Examples: AI assistants, Self-driving systems
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Characteristics of computer
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Cont…
Speed: A computer is a very fast device and works at an incredible speed
Computers can process millions (1,000,000) of instructions per
second.
Accuracy: computers are accurate(error free).
Error in computer data processing is mostly human factor .
The program may be wrongly coded or the data may be wrongly
entered.
Diligence: A computer is free from tiredness, lack of concentration,
fatigue, in doing repetitive tasks.
It can work for hours without creating any error.
If millions of calculations are to be performed, a computer will
perform every calculation with the same accuracy.
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Cont…
Versatility: refers to the capability of a computer to perform
different kinds of works with same accuracy and efficiency
A computer can be used to calculate spreadsheet, store data,
process text, listen music, Weather forecasting etc.
Storage: Computers can store large amount of data using their
memory unit.
Power of Remembering: Any information can be stored and
recalled as long as you require it, for any numbers of years because
of its secondary storage capability.
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Cont…
No I.Q. A computer possesses no intelligence of its own. Its I.Q. is
zero.
It has to be told what to do and in what sequence.
Only the user can determine what tasks a computer will
perform
No Feelings. Computers are devoid of emotion. They have no
feelings and no instincts because they are machines. Computers
cannot make judgments on their own. Their judgment is based on
the instructions given to them in the form of programs that are
written by us.
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Computers Vs Human beings
Human Computer
Can Think Cannot think by itself
Gets Mental Tiredness Never gets Tiredness
May do mistake Can’t do mistake by itself
Has limited speed Very High Speed
Has limited Memory & may More Amount of memory
forget information
Accuracy
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may be missing Never missing 17
Classification of Computers
Computers can be classified into different categories based on
different characteristics. Such as:
Based on the type of data they process
Analog, digital and hybrid
Based on Size, Capacity(storage and processing capacity)
Super, mainframe, mini and micro
Based on purpose/application
Special purpose and general purpose
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Cont….
A. Classification based on the data they process
Analog computer
Computers that operates on data in the form of
continuously varying physical quantities (variables).
Analog data used for measurement and control systems
Analog data is calculated using the concept of “measuring values”
like magnitude in terms of voltage, length, current, pressure, and
temperature.
They are special purpose computers. They have limited accuracy
Examples: Thermometer, Slide ruler, Voltmeter, Speedometer,
Gasoline pomp etc.
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Cont…
Digital computer
Digital computers deal with discrete variables; They operate directly
up on numbers (or digits) that represent numbers, letters, or other
special symbols.
They operate by counting rather than measuring.
Perform arithmetic and logical operations
The digital signal has only two states. They are ON and OFF or HIGH
and LOW or 1 and 0.
The result obtained from the digital computer is more accurate when
compared to the analog computers.
They are general purpose computers.
Examples: Desktop computers, laptops, smartphones etc.
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Cont…
Hybrid computer
Hybrid computers inherit the best features of both analog and
digital computers.
Used in specialized scientific and medical applications
Usually the Input is continuous data (analog). Since Digital
Processing is more accurate, processing takes place digitally.
The processed information – the output – could be either digital
or analog, depending on the user preference or the type of
application.
Examples: digital camera, health monitoring machines in some
hospitals,
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Cont…
B. Classification based on size and capacity
Super computers
Are extremely powerful computer designed for high-speed processing.
They are the largest, fastest, most expensive and very powerful
computers available
Used for research and to process complex scientific applications like
space technology centers (meteorology stations, astronomical
observatories, inter-continental communications, airline
organizations, aircraft design), weather forecasting, oil exploration,
mathematical research etc.
Unlike microcomputers, which generally have only one CPU, super
computers have hundreds of processors.
CRAY-I and CYBER is typical example of super computer
Supports hundreds of users at different locations
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Cont….
Mainframe computer
Mainframe computers are more powerful in processing, faster
in speed, have large memory, and very expensive than micro
and mini computers.
Support many concurrent users they are serving – from a few
hundreds to thousands when used in networks
Has the capacity to support many powerful peripheral devices.
Used by multinational companies or by companies have many
branches all over the country like banks, airlines, insurance, etc.
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Cont…
Mini computer
They are midrange computers that are larger and more powerful than
most microcomputers but are smaller and less powerful than
mainframe computers.
They are popularly used in scientific laboratories, research centers,
universities and colleges, engineering firms, industrial process
monitoring and control, etc.
Minicomputers can be used for general purpose applications and as a
server for small networks.
Minicomputers use large hard-disk units as online secondary storage.
Support many users
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Cont…
Micro computers
They are the smallest category of computer and also called as Personal
Computers (PCs).
They are designed to be used by a single user,
They have the least capacity as compared to the other types of
computers.
They are also the least expensive of all types.
These computers can either fit next to a desk (called the Desktop) or can
be carried around (called the Laptop and Notebook).
Microcomputers use microprocessor( a small chip used to perform
arithmetic and logical operations)
These computers can be used either as a standalone machine or
connected to a network.
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Cont…
C. Classification based on purpose
Special purpose computers
They are designed to solve a single type of problem (one specific task)
Instructions is built into, or permanently stored in the machine
It is inflexible and cannot be easily used to perform other operations.
Most analog computers are special purpose computers.
Example:
ATM machines
Traffic control system
Ticket machines (used in grocery, super market etc.)
Pocket-calculators etc.
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Cont…
General purpose computers
They are designed to do a wide variety of jobs rather than perform a
specific activity.
has the ability to store different programs of instructions
The same computer can be applied to solve another set of problem
using different program.
General computers are more flexible and versatile.
For example, the personal computers (PCs) currently in wide use are
general-purpose computers.
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Limitation of computers
Computers have the following limitations:-
Cannot decide how to be programmed
Does not provide its own inputs, unless people provide with the
input
Interpretation of data and implementation of decision is left for
human beings
Lacks intelligence, computers are incapable to: Think, Create,
Judge and Motivated
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Application Areas of Computers
Computers are applied in almost all areas, including:
Business – E.g. payroll calculations, sales analysis, financial
forecasting, managing employees database, etc.
Banking – E.g. like online accounting facility, ATM machines, etc
Insurance - to maintain a database of all clients with information
showing procedure to continue with policies, starting date of the
policies, next due installment of a policy, maturity date, interests due,
survival benefits, bonus, etc.
Education – E.g. Computer Based Education, assisting in searching
information, online teaching, training, conferencing, and distance
learning.
Marketing – E.g. advertising, home shopping, etc.
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Cont…
Health Care – E.g. diagnostic system, patient-monitoring system,
pharmacy information system, surgery, hold details of patients etc.
Engineering Design – Using computers for scientific research, complex
mathematical calculations, design work, and analysis and control of
physical systems.
Military – e.g. missile control, military communication, military
operation and planning, smart weapons, etc.
Communication – E.g. E-mail, Chatting, FTP, Telnet, Video-conferencing,
Government - E.g. Budgets, Sales tax, Income tax, Male/Female ratio,
Computerization of voters lists, Computerization of driving licensing
system, Computerization of PIN card, Weather forecasting, etc.
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