BA 315 - Module 1
COMPUTER
OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the course the user will be able to
- Understand how the computer works?
- Know the different characteristics and components,
- Understand the computer-number system,
- Know the ASCII code and UNICODE
CHAPTER 1.2: What is Computer
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER
- The term “Computer ” is derived from the Latin word “Computare” which means
“to compute” or “to calculate.”
- Computers are machines that perform tasks or calculations according to a
set of instructions or programs .
- It is an electronic device used to store data and gives the results accurately
within a fraction of second.
- Computers are extensively used everywhere.
- It mainly consist of4 basic unit
such as:
● Input Unit
● Storage Unit
● CPU
● Output Unit
CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTER
1. Analog Computer
2. Hybrid Computer
3. Digital Computer
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1. ANALOG COMPUTER
- represents the data as physical quantities and operates on the data by
manipulating the quantities.
- It is designed to process data in which the variable quantities vary
continuously.
2. HYBRID COMPUTER
- Is a combination of digital and analog computers.
- It combines the best features of both types of computers, i.e. it has the speed
of an analog computer and the memory and accuracy of a digital computer.
- It accepts analog signals, converts them into digital and processes them in
digital form.
- may use or produce analog or digital data.
- It accepts a continuously varying input, which is then converted into a set of
discrete values for digital processing.
3. DIGITAL COMPUTER
- is designed to process the data in numerical form, its circuits perform
mathematical operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
- The numbers operated on by this are expressed in the binary system .
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Digital Computers are generally classified by size and power as follows:
A. Micro Computer
B. Mini Computer
C. Mainframe Computer
D. Super Computer
A. MICRO COMPUTER
- is a small, relatively inexpensive computer with a microprocessor as its CPU.
- The invention of the microprocessor (single chip CPU) gave birth to the much
cheaper microcomputers.
Micro Computers are commonly divided into 4 types such as:
1. Desktop
2. Laptop
3. Notebook
4. PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)
Desktop Computer
- is a personal computer (PC) in a form intended for regular use at a single
location.
- Early __ are designed to lie flat on the desk, while modern towers stand
upright.
- Most modern desktop computers have separate screens and keyboards.
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Laptop Computer
- is a portable computer that has the same capabilities as a desktop, but is
small enough for easy mobility.
Notebook Computer
- has a keyboard with an attached screen
- Its screen is thinner than the usual desktop computer monitor because the
machine is designed to be portable, which is why the notebook itself is small,
compact, and lightweight.
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
- is a device similar to a computer that fits in the palm of users hand and
allows them to collect information such as contacts, appointments, files,
programs, and more.
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B. MINI COMPUTER
- were designed for control, instrumentation, human interaction, and
communication switching as it is distinct from calculation and record keeping.
- A small multi-user computer that can support 10 to hundred users
simultaneously.
C. MAINFRAME COMPUTER
- is a powerful multi-user computer that can support thousand users
simultaneously
- can also process data at very high speeds, i.e, hundreds of million instructions
per second and they are also quite expensive.
- Normally, they are used in banking , airlines and railways, etc. for their
applications.
D. SUPER COMPUTER
- are best in terms of processing capacity and also the most expensive one.
- An extremely fast computer that can perform hundreds of millions instructions
per second.
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CHAPTER 1.3: Characteristics of Computer
Characteristics of Computer
- Computers have some important features which have made them so popular.
- A computer can be categorized to:
● Speed
● Accuracy
● Versatility
● Reliability
● Power of remembering
● Diligence
● Storage
SPEED
- Computers work at an incredible speed.
- It can carry out instructions at a very high speed.
- A powerful computer is capable of performing about 3-4 million simple
instructions per second.
- It can perform arithmetic and logical operations within a fraction of second.
ACCURACY
- Computer provides a high degree of accuracy.
- Computers perform all jobs with 100% accuracy.
- The degree of accuracy of a computer depends on the instruction and
processor type.
VERSATILITY
- Computer is versatile in nature.
- It can perform different types of task easily.
- At one moment user can use the computer to prepare a letter document and in
the next moment they may play music or print a document.
POWER OF REMEMBERING
- A computer can store and recall any information because it has secondary
storage.
- All information can be retained as long as desired by the user and that can be
recalled almost simultaneously and accuracy even after several years.
DILIGENCE
- Computers can perform long and complex calculations with the same speed
and accuracy from the start till the end.
- Being a machine, a computer does not suffer from the human traits of
tiredness and lack of concentration.
STORAGE
- Large volume of data and information can be stored in the computer and also
retrieved whenever required.
- Computers have 2 Types of Storage: Primary Storage and Secondary Storage.
● In Primary Storage- a limited amount of data can be stored temporarily
like RAM, ROM.
● Secondary Storage - can store a large amount of data permanently like
floppy and compact disk.
CHAPTER 1.4: Components of Computer System
Components of Computer System
- The computer is an electronic device that accepts (reads) data from the user
and processes the data by performing calculations and operations on it, and
generates (writes) the desired output.
- A computer consists of 4 Major Components such as:
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1. Input devices (Input Unit)
2. CPU (Processing Unit)
3. Memory (Storage Unit)
4. Output Devices (Output Unit)
1. INPUT UNIT
- is a hardware or peripheral device used to send data to a computer.
- An input device allows users to communicate and feel instructions and data to
computers for processing, display, storage and/or transmission.
- The important and most commonly used input devices are:
● Keyboard
● Mouse
- Other input devices are:
● Joystick
● Scanner
● Barcode Reader
2. CPU (Processing Unit)
- is the heart of the computer, it is the part of a computer which interprets and
executes instruction.
Functional Block of CPU
- The 2 components in CPU are
1. Arithmetic and logic unit (ALU)
2. Control Unit (CU)
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1. Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)
- performs arithmetic and logical operations.
- Arithmetic operations include addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
- Logical operations include comparing numbers, letters and special characters.
- is a fundamental building block of the Central Processing Unit of a computer.
2. Control Unit (CU)
- handles all processor control signals.
- It directs all input and output flow, fetches code for instructions from
micro-programs and directs other units and models by providing control and
timing signals.
3. Memory Unit
Computer Memory
- is a device that stores computer’s data and programs.
- it stores program, data results or any kind of information.
- Memory stores binary information, i.e. 0’s and 1’s in internal storage areas in
the computer.
- Moreover, the term memory is usually used as shorthand for physical memory,
which refers to the actual chips capable of holding data.
- Some computers also use virtual memory, which expands physical memory onto
a hard disk.
4. Output Unit
- are peripheral equipment that converts a computer’s output to a form that
can be seen, heard or used as an input for another device, process or system.
- The important output devices, which are used in computer systems are:
● Monitors
● Printer
● Graphic Plotter