PGDIT 101: Introduction to IT & Programming

for
PGDIT 1st Trimester
Lecture File-01
Introduction to Computer & Computer System
Prepared by:
Professor K M Akkas Ali
akkas_khan@[Link], akkas@[Link]

Institute of Information Technology (IIT)

Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka-1342
Books Recommended

1. Introduction to Computers
- Peter Norton
2. Computer and Information Processing
- William M. Fouri
3. Computers Today
– Suresh K Basandra
4. Fundamentals of Computers
- V. Rajaraman, Prentice-Hall of India
5. Programming in ANSI C
- E Balagurusamy

Slide-2
 Lecture File-01
Introduction to Computer & Computer System
Topics to be Discussed
Computer and its Working Principles
Definition

Prepared by: K M Akkas Ali, Professor, IIT, JU

Working Principle of a Computer
For What Purpose We Should Use a Computer
Application of Computers on Various Fields
Basic Elements of a Computer
Functional Block Diagram of a Typical Computer
Functions Performed by Each Unit of a Computer
Computer System: Hardware Vs. Software
What is a Computer System
Definition, Types and Examples of Hardware
Definition, Types and Examples of Software
Key Difference between Hardware and Software
Organizational Chart of a Computer System
Electrical Vs. Electronic Devices
Explanation
Slide-3 Differentiation
Commonly Asked Questions
1. Define computer.
- The word ‘Computer’ comes from the Greek word
“compute” which means to calculate.
❖ A computer is a multitasking electronic device that is

Prepared by: K M Akkas Ali, Professor, IIT, JU

capable of performing a lot of tasks within a single
moment.
2. State the working principle of a computer.
- Any typical computer works in three basic steps:
i. Computer accepts data and instructions from the input
device (or from the software stored in its memory).
ii. It processes the data according to the given instructions.
iii. Finally it stores the results of the operations in its
memory or displays the results in a suitable output
media such as monitor, printer etc.

Slide-4
Commonly Asked Questions
3. For what purpose we should use a computer?
- We should use computers based on the following
purposes:
❖ If the task to be solved is tremendous

Prepared by: K M Akkas Ali, Professor, IIT, JU

❖ If it is very complex
❖ If you need the repetition of the task
❖ If same data is to be used in the task
❖ If more accuracy is needed
4. Briefly explain some application of computers on
manufacturing field.
- In manufacturing industries, computer directs
production, guide machine tools, control quality,
design parts and monitor inventories.

Slide-5
Commonly Asked Questions
5. How many basic elements a computer has?
- A computer system basically consists of 3 types of
components. These are-
❖ Input Device

Prepared by: K M Akkas Ali, Professor, IIT, JU

❖ Central Processing Unit (CPU)
❖ Output Device
6. How many basic elements the CPU has?
- The CPU comprises of 3 components. These are-
❖ Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)
❖ Control Unit
❖ Memory

Slide-6
Commonly Asked Questions
7. Draw the functional block diagram of a typical
computer with necessary flow diagram.

Prepared by: K M Akkas Ali, Professor, IIT, JU

Figure: Functional block diagram of a typical computer

❖ The solid lines with arrows represent the flow of

information.
❖ The dashed lines with arrows represent the flow of timing
Slide-7 and control signals.
Commonly Asked Questions
8. List common functions performed by an input
device.
- Common functions of an input device are:
❖ An input device accepts data and instructions in

Prepared by: K M Akkas Ali, Professor, IIT, JU

human understandable format form the outside
world.
❖ It converts these data and instructions into a
computer acceptable form.
❖ It supplies the converted instructions and data to the
memory unit of the computer or register unit of CPU
for further processing.
9. Give examples of input devices.
- Keyboard, Mouse, Trackball, Trackpad, Joystick,
Microphone, Web Camera, Punch Card, Scanner,
Optical Mark Reader (OMR), Barcode Reader etc.
Slide-8
 Commonly Asked Questions
10. List common functions performed by an output
device.
- Common functions of an output device are:
❖ An output device accepts the results produced by the

Prepared by: K M Akkas Ali, Professor, IIT, JU

computer (which are in coded form, and hence, can
not be easily understood by human)
❖ It converts these coded results to human acceptable
form.
❖ Finally it supplies the converted results to the user.
11. Give examples of output devices.
- Monitor, Printer, Plotter, Speaker, Multimedia
Projector etc.

Slide-9
 Commonly Asked Questions
12. List common functions performed by the CPU.
- Common functions of the CPU are:
❖ The CPU accepts data and instructions from the input

Prepared by: K M Akkas Ali, Professor, IIT, JU

device (or from the software stored in its memory).
❖ It processes the data according to the given
instructions.
❖ Finally it stores the results of the operations in its
memory or displays it in a suitable output media such
as monitor, printer etc.
 The CPU also controls the flow of data and information
throughout the system.
 It controls and coordinates all other units of the
computer.

Slide-10
 Commonly Asked Questions
13. Define system with example.
- A system is an interrelated collection of elements
that are organized for a common purpose.
❖ All systems have inputs, outputs and feedback

Prepared by: K M Akkas Ali, Professor, IIT, JU

mechanisms.
❖ A system takes data as input, performs some
processing on that data and finally produces
information as output.
 For example, in a communication system, the input
data could be voice; the system itself is made up of the
combination of a transmitter, channel, and receiver;
and the output data is an estimate of the original voice
data.

Slide-11
 Commonly Asked Questions
14. Define computer system with example.
- A computer system is a combination of hardware
and software elements that jointly perform desired
functions..

Prepared by: K M Akkas Ali, Professor, IIT, JU

❖ A computer system should have the ability to receive
user input, process data and create information for
future storage and/or output with the processed
data.
❖ Basically a computer system consists of hardware and
software.
15. Define hardware with examples.
- All physical components of a computer system are
called its hardware.
❖ Keyboard, Mouse, CD, Hard disk, Motherboard, RAM,
ROM, Monitor etc. are examples of hardware.
Slide-12
 Commonly Asked Questions
16. List various types of hardware in a computer.
- All hardware in a computer falls into following three
categories:
i. Input Device

Prepared by: K M Akkas Ali, Professor, IIT, JU

ii. Central Processing Unit (CPU)
iii. Output Device
17. Define software with examples.
- The term software refers to the organized sets of
instructions that tell the hardware what to do.
❖ The finite set of instructions that the computer
follows to solve a particular problem is called a
computer program. Collectively, the group of
programs that a computer needs to function is known
as software.
❖ Operating System (e.g., Windows, DOS, Unix, Linux,
Mac OS etc.), Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Adobe
Slide-13
PhotoShop, Mozilla Firefox etc are the examples of
 Commonly Asked Questions
18. List various types of software used in a computer.
- Software can be classified into two broad
categories:
❖ System software [e.g. Operating systems]

Prepared by: K M Akkas Ali, Professor, IIT, JU

❖ Application software [e.g. Microsoft Word]
19. Differentiate between hardware and software.
Criteria Hardware Software
Definition It is the physical parts It is the set of instructions
of a computer. given to the computer.
Can be touched or felt? Yes No
Visible? Yes May or may not be
Has weight? Yes No
Installing new one called Upgrading Updating
updating or upgrading?
Transferred electronically? No Yes
Affected by virus? No Yes
Example RAM, Monitor etc. Windows, Excel etc.

Slide-14
 Commonly Asked Questions
20. Define electrical device with examples.
- If a device uses electricity to transmit and
manipulate power (e.g., light, heat or motion), it is
called electrical device.

Prepared by: K M Akkas Ali, Professor, IIT, JU

❖ Example: Light bulb, Fan, Motor etc.
21. Define electronic device with examples.
- If a device uses electricity to transmit and
manipulate information (i.e., if it has the ability to
take decision), it is called electronic device.
❖ Example: Computer, Calculator, Toaster etc.

Slide-15
 Commonly Asked Questions
22. Differentiate between electrical and electronic
devices.
Criteria Electrical devices Electronic Devices

Prepared by: K M Akkas Ali, Professor, IIT, JU

Operating power AC DC
Can make decision? No (e.g, a bulb) Yes (e.g., a mobile phone)
Power Requirement High Low
Heat generation Excessive Low
Cost High Low
Size Big Small
Space required More Less
Weight High Low
Need Transistor? Not necessary Must
Longevity/ Lifetime Short Long
Reliability Less More
Example Fan, Lamp, Motor etc. TV, Computer, Mobile
Phone, Watch, etc.

Slide-16
 Commonly Asked Questions
23. List various categories of input devices.
Category Example(s)
1. Direct-Entry Keyboard

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2. Pointing Mouse, Trackball, Trackpad, Joystick, Light Pen etc.
3. Scanning (or OMR (Optical Mark Reader), OCR (Optical Character
Imaging) Recognition), Bar Code Reader etc.
4. Audio Microphone
5. Video Webcamera

24. List various categories of output devices.

Category Example(s)
Hard-copy Printer, Plotter etc.
Soft-copy Monitor, Speaker, Multimedia Projector etc.

Slide-17
 Commonly Asked Questions
25. What are the two main types of memory?
- Primary memory [Not directly connected to the CPU]
- Secondary memory [Not directly connected to the CPU]

Prepared by: K M Akkas Ali, Professor, IIT, JU

26. Give examples of primary memory.
- Example:
❖ RAM, ROM, Cache memory, Register
28. Give examples of secondary memory.
- Example:
❖ Harddisk, Floppydisk, CD, DVD, Tape memory,
Pendrive etc.
29. What are the two main types of software?
- System Software
- Application Software

Slide-18
 Commonly Asked Questions
29. List two types of system software.
- Operating System [e.g. Windows, DOS etc.]
- Application Software [e.g. MS Word, Excel etc.]

Prepared by: K M Akkas Ali, Professor, IIT, JU

30. What are the two types of operating systems?
- GUI (Graphical User Interface, e.g. Windows, Mac OS etc.)
- CUI (Command User Interface, e.g. DOS, UNIX etc.)
31. What are the two types of system software?
- Operating System [e.g. Windows, MAC OS, Android etc.]
- Utility software [e.g. Anti virus, Registry cleaners, Disk
Backup, Disk Defragmenter etc.]

Slide-19
 Commonly Asked Questions
32. List various types of application software with
examples.

Class of Application Soft Example

Prepared by: K M Akkas Ali, Professor, IIT, JU

Word Processing Microsoft Word, Word Perfect, Word Star, Latex
etc.
Spreadsheet Analysis Microsoft Excel, Lotus-1-2-3 etc.
Database Software Microsoft Access, Oracle, FoxPro etc
Presentation Design Microsoft PowerPoint
Graphics Software Adobe PhotoShop, MS Paint, Adobe Illustrator
etc
Browsing Software Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, Opera
etc.
E-Mail Software Eudora, Outlook Express, Pegasus Mail etc.

Slide-20
 3.1 Computer and its Working Principles

3.1.1 Definition of Computer

The word ‘Computer’ comes from the Greek word
“compute” which means to calculate. In fact, the

Prepared by: K M Akkas Ali, Professor, IIT, JU

original objective for inventing the computer was to
create a fast calculating machine.
 However, more than 80% of the work done by computers today is of
non-mathematical or non-numerical nature. Hence, to define a
computer merely as a calculating device is to ignore over 80% of its
functions.
A computer is a multitasking electronic device that is
capable of performing a lot of tasks within a single
moment.
 It can solve problems by accepting data and instructions, processing
the data according to the given instructions and presenting the
results of operation through a suitable output media.

Slide-21
 3.1 Computer and its Working Principles

3.1.2 Working Principle of a Computer

There are many types of computers used today. The
basic principles of how a computer operates are

Prepared by: K M Akkas Ali, Professor, IIT, JU

generally the same whatever its purpose is.

Any typical computer works in three basic steps:

1. Computer accepts data and instructions from the input device (or
from the software stored in its memory).
2. It processes the data according to the given instructions.
3. Finally it stores the results of the operations in its memory or
displays the results in a suitable output media such as monitor,
printer etc.

Slide-22
 3.1 Computer and its Working Principles

3.1.3 For What Purpose We Should Use a Computer

Computers are used to solve problems very easily and
quickly without having any error on the results. It is not

Prepared by: K M Akkas Ali, Professor, IIT, JU

expected to use computer in every task.
We should use computers based on the following
purposes:
❖ If the task to be solved is tremendous
❖ If it is very complex
❖ If you need the repetition of the task
❖ If same data is to be used in the task
❖ If more accuracy is needed

Slide-23
 3.1 Computer and its Working Principles

3.1.4 Application of Computers on Various Fields

It is difficult to imagine a day that is not in some way
affected by computers. It is changing people’s lives in

Prepared by: K M Akkas Ali, Professor, IIT, JU

the area as diverse as medicine, education, publishing,
business, the home, and transportation.
Let us consider the applications of computer on some
fields:

Business Field:
 Computers have altered completely the structure of business. Large
volume of accounting and record keeping data can be manipulated,
organized, stored, retrieved, and used for specific purposes.
 Bills and statements are processed and sent to customers in much
less time and with much less effort than would be required for the
same processes done manually.
 Financial projections are made with greater ease.
Slide-24
 Planning and decision-making become more efficient and accurate.
 3.1 Computer and its Working Principles

3.1.4 Application of Computers on Various Fields…

Manufacturing Field:
 In manufacturing industries, computer directs production, guide

Prepared by: K M Akkas Ali, Professor, IIT, JU

machine tools, control quality, design parts and monitor inventories.

Office Environment:
 In modern offices, word processing saves time for people at all levels
of the organization and helps ensure accurate letters, reports and
memos.
 Automated filing uses far less storage space than endless stacks of
paper and enables workers to retrieve documents rapidly when they
are needed.

Financial Institutions:
 Modern banking and insurance would be impossible without the
computer. All transactions and customer information are managed
using computer thereby saving a lot of time, space and money.
Slide-25  More than 500 billion dollars a day is shifted electronically in the
 3.1 Computer and its Working Principles

3.1.4 Application of Computers on Various Fields…

Medical Field:
 Medical record keeping is vastly improved using computer.

Prepared by: K M Akkas Ali, Professor, IIT, JU

 Information related to patient’s records, births, deaths, Blue Cross,
Medicare, insurance malpractice, nurses’ hours worked, and dosages
given all are carefully tracked by computer.
 Some computers are being programmed to assist doctors with
diagnoses by analyzing symptoms and the variables, pertaining to a
specific patient.
 Medical research is aided by computers that analyze data and create
reports.

Medical Research Field:

 Computers analyze scientific data, test variables, and monitor
experiments in almost every scientific field.
Engineering Discipline:
 Computers assist engineers in designing and testing products of
Slide-26 many kinds. Computer simulations help avoid costly design errors.
 3.1 Computer and its Working Principles

3.1.4 Application of Computers on Various Fields…

Governmental Activities:
 It would be difficult for the federal government to function without

Prepared by: K M Akkas Ali, Professor, IIT, JU

computers.
 Economic and demographic statistics can be more easily collected,
analyzed and reported.
 National defense systems are guided and managed by computer
systems.

Communication Field:
 Global communication has been facilitated by the electronic
transmission of data that connects individuals, regardless of
geographic location, almost instantaneously.

Slide-27
 3.2 Basic Elements of a Computer

Basically a computer system consists of 3 types of

components. These are-
 Input Device
 Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Prepared by: K M Akkas Ali, Professor, IIT, JU

 Output Device

CPU comprises of 3 parts:

[a] Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)
[b] Control Unit
[c] Memory

The above three components of the CPU along with the

input and output devices form the five important
components of any computer system.

Slide-28
 3.2 Basic Elements of a Computer

3.2.1 Functional Block Diagram of a Typical Computer

There are several types of computer systems, but each
can be broken down into the same functional units.

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 Each unit performs specific functions
 Figure shows the functional block diagram of a digital computer.
 The solid lines with arrows represent the flow of information and the
dashed lines with arrows represent the flow of timing and control
signals.

Slide-29 Figure-1: Functional block diagram of a typical computer

 3.2 Basic Elements of a Computer

3.2.2 Functions Performed by Each Unit of a Computer

Common Functions of an Input Device:

Prepared by: K M Akkas Ali, Professor, IIT, JU

 An input device accepts data and instructions in human
understandable format form the outside world.
 It converts these data and instructions into a computer acceptable
form.
 It supplies the converted instructions and data to the memory unit of
the computer or register unit of CPU for further processing.

Example of Some Input Devices:

Keyboard, Mouse, Trackball, Trackpad, Joystick, Microphone, Web Camera,
Punch Card, Scanner, Optical Mark Reader (OMR), Barcode Reader etc.

Slide-30
 3.2 Basic Elements of a Computer

3.2.2 Functions Performed by Each Unit of a Computer…

Common Functions of an Output Device:

Prepared by: K M Akkas Ali, Professor, IIT, JU

 An output device accepts the results produced by the computer
(which are in coded form, and hence, can not be easily understood
by human)
 It converts these coded results to human acceptable form.
 Finally it supplies the converted results to the user.

Example of Some Output Devices:

Monitor, Printer, Plotter, Speaker, Multimedia Projector etc.

Slide-31
 3.2 Basic Elements of a Computer

3.2.2 Functions Performed by Each Unit of a Computer…

Common Functions of the CPU:

Prepared by: K M Akkas Ali, Professor, IIT, JU

 The CPU accepts data and instructions from the input device (or from
the software stored in its memory).
 It processes the data according to the given instructions.
 Finally it stores the results of the operations in its memory or
displays it in a suitable output media such as monitor, printer etc.
 The CPU also controls the flow of data and information throughout
the system.

Slide-32
 3.3 Computer System: Hardware Vs. Software
3.3.1 What is a Computer System
A system is an interrelated collection of elements that are
organized for a common purpose.
 All systems have inputs, outputs and feedback

Prepared by: K M Akkas Ali, Professor, IIT, JU

mechanisms.
 A system takes data as input, performs some processing
on that data and finally produces information as output.
 For example, in a communication system, the input data
could be voice; the system itself is made up of the
combination of a transmitter, channel, and receiver; and
the output data is an estimate of the original voice data.
A computer system is a combination of hardware and
software elements that jointly perform desired functions..
 A computer system should have the ability to receive user input,
process data and create information for future storage and/or output
with the processed data.
Slide-33
 3.3 Computer System: Hardware Vs. Software

3.3.2 Definition, Types and Examples of Hardware

Basically a computer system consists of hardware and
software.

Prepared by: K M Akkas Ali, Professor, IIT, JU

Definition of Hardware:
All physical components of a computer system are
called its hardware.
 Hardware can be touched, seen and felt.

Types of Hardware:
All hardware falls into following three categories:
 Input Device
 Central Processing Unit (CPU)
 Output Device
Examples of Hardware:
 Keyboard, Mouse, CD, Hard disk, Motherboard, RAM, ROM, Monitor
Slide-34 etc.
 3.3 Computer System: Hardware Vs. Software
3.3.3 Definition, Types and Examples of Software
Definition of Software:
The term software refers to the organized sets of
instructions that tell the hardware what to do.

Prepared by: K M Akkas Ali, Professor, IIT, JU

 The finite set of instructions that the computer follows to solve a
particular problem is called a computer program. Collectively, the
group of programs that a computer needs to function is known as
software.
 All software utilizes at least one hardware device to operate. For
example, a video game, which is software, uses the computer
processor (CPU), memory (RAM), hard drive, and video card to run.

Types of Software:
Software can be classified into two broad categories:
 System software
 Application software
Examples of Software:
 Operating System (e.g., Windows, DOS, Unix, Linux, Mac OS etc.)
Slide-35
 3.3 Computer System: Hardware Vs. Software
3.3.4 Key Difference between Hardware and Software
‘Human Body + Soul’ is a good example to differentiate
between hardware and software.

Prepared by: K M Akkas Ali, Professor, IIT, JU

 Physical parts of the computer are called hardware. A set of
instructions given to the computer is called software.
 Hardware can be touched, seen and felt. Software may or may not
be visible, but can not be touched or felt.
 Hardware has weight while software is weightless. The weight is only
of the disc or media where software is saved.
 Hardware requires a physical space, for example, on the table while
software requires no physical space. Its space is only on the hard disk
or other storage media.
 Installing new software is called updating while installing new
hardware or replacing old one is called upgrading.

Slide-36
 3.3 Computer System: Hardware Vs. Software

3.3.4 Key Difference between Hardware and Software…

 Hardware cannot be transferred from one place to another
electronically through network. Software can be transferred from

Prepared by: K M Akkas Ali, Professor, IIT, JU

one place to another electronically through network.
 Virus always attacks on software but not on hardware.
 Software is easier to change than hardware. The cost of change is
much higher for hardware than for software.
 Examples of hardware includes: CD-ROM, RAM, monitor, printer,
GPU, scanners, modems, etc. Examples of software are: Operating
System (e.g., Windows, DOS, Unix, Linux, Mac OS etc.), Microsoft
Word, Microsoft Excel, Adobe PhotoShop, Mozilla Firefox, Media
Player etc.

Slide-37
 3.3 Computer System: Hardware Vs. Software
3.3.5 Organizational Chart of a Computer System
Computer System

Hardware Software

Prepared by: K M Akkas Ali, Professor, IIT, JU

Input Device CPU Output Device Application Soft System Soft
GUI
Word Processing OS Windows, Mac OS etc.
Direct Entry ID Hard-copy OD
ALU MS Word, Word Perfect etc.
Keyboard Printer, Plotter etc. CUI
Spreadsheet Analysis
DOS, Unix etc.
Pointing ID Control Unit Soft-copy OD MS Excel, Lotus-1-2-3
Monitor, Speaker etc. Utility Soft
Mouse, Trackball etc.
Database Soft Anti-virus, Registry Cleaner,
Memory Unit
RAM MS Access, Oracle etc. Disk Backup etc.
Imaging ID
Primary
Scanner, OMR etc. Graphics Soft
ROM MS Paint, PhotoShop etc.
Audio ID Secondary
Microphone Presentation Design
Hard Disk
MS PowerPoint
Video ID
CD Multimedia Soft
Webcamera
Windows Media Player etc.
DVD

Pen Drive Figure-2: Organizational Chart of a

Computer System
Slide-38 Tape memory
 3.4 Electrical Vs. Electronic Devices

3.4.1 Electrical Vs. Electronic Devices

If a device uses electricity to transmit and manipulate
power (e.g., light, heat or motion), it is electrical, while if

Prepared by: K M Akkas Ali, Professor, IIT, JU

it uses electricity to transmit and manipulate
information, it is almost surely electronic.

Explanation:
1) Let us consider the example of a toaster. A toaster converts
electrical energy into heat to warm up a piece of bread. This is the
electrical part of the device. However, the same toaster can have
heat settings and sensors to check when the toast has been heated
to optimal level. This is the electronic part of the device.
2) An electric battery stores power that can be used to light an electric
light bulb. An electronic light sensor produces a voltage that
depends on the amount of light falling upon it, which might be used
as part of a system that automatically switches a light bulb off in
the daytime.
Slide-39
 3.4 Electrical Vs. Electronic Devices

3.4.2 Electrical Vs. Electronic Devices …

Differentiate between Electrical and Electronic Devices

Prepared by: K M Akkas Ali, Professor, IIT, JU

Criteria Electrical devices Electronic Devices
Operating power AC DC
Can make decision? No (e.g, a bulb) Yes (e.g., a mobile phone)
Power Requirement High Low
Heat generation Excessive Low
Cost High Low
Size Big Small
Space required More Less
Weight High Low
Need Transistor? Not necessary Must
Longevity/ Lifetime Short Long
Reliability Less More
Example Fan, Lamp, Motor etc. TV, Computer, Mobile
Phone, Watch, etc.

Slide-40
 Discussion Points

1. Computer & its Working Principles

Prepared by: K M Akkas Ali, Professor, IIT, JU

2. Block Diagram of a Typical Computer
3. Basic Components of a Computer
4. Hardware Vs. Software
5. Electrical Vs. Electronic Devices

Slide-41
Slide-42
Thank you…
Have a question?

Prepared by: K M Akkas Ali, Professor, IIT, JU