CS & ISM 161: FUNDAMENTALS OF COMPUTER
SYSTEM
12/11/2024 Eng. Jacob Herman(Msc)
Evaluation
This course will be evaluated as followings:
❑ 60% of the total marks of the course are assigned to the final written
examination.
❑ 20% of the total marks of the course is assigned to a CAT(1&2) written
examination
❑ 20% of the total marks of the course are assigned to other semester
activities:
▪ Term paper or project / practical (10%),
▪ Assignments (5%),
▪ Presentations or Seminar (5%)
12/11/2024 Eng. Jacob Herman_2023
Lecture 01
Introduction and theory of computers:
Outlines:
➢Introduction to computer.
➢History of computer.
➢Generations of Computer.
➢Types of computer
➢Basic components of the computer.
➢Software.
➢Operating system
➢Storage unity
What is a computer?
▪ A computer is an electronic device that processes and manipulates data,
performs calculations, and executes tasks according to programmed
instructions.
▪ Generally, the used to describe the collection of devices that function
together as a system
Cont..
▪ It consists of:
➢Hardware and software components
➢that work together to input, store, process, and output information.
▪ Computers are highly versatile, that
➢Perform a wide range of functions, from basic arithmetic calculations to
complex simulations, data analysis, and multimedia processing.
▪ Integrated to various aspects of modern life, includes:
➢Communication, entertainment, research, and business.
➢Also used in a wide applications, from personal computing to supercomputing.
History of a computer
▪ From Latin word “Computare”.
➢ to reckon – to sum up
▪ Webster-Diction defines “Computer” as any
programmable electronics device that can
store, retrieve and process data.
▪ Old-oxford-English dictionary describe a
computer as a person employed to make
calculation
▪ Before the machine, people were hired to do
calculation.
History of invention computer?
History of invention of a computer
▪ Computer invention is a very complex and evolving has various milestones.
▪ Lets, consider first general-purpose programmable computer,
▪ Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC) is often regarded as one of
the earliest electronic digital computers.
▪ ENIAC developed during World War II and completed in 1945, by John Mauchly and
J.K. Made by Presper Eckert, ENIAC size was 20 * 40 sq ft and becoming operational
in 1946.
▪ Therefore, invention of the computer, took a significant step forward with the
completion and operation of the ENIAC in the mid-1940s.
History of invention of a computer
▪ EDVAC stands for Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer. It was designed
by von Neumann.
▪ This was the first computer in which data was also stored along with programs, in
which the concept of binary language was used for the first time.
▪ Von Neumann contributed most to the development of modern computers.
▪ UNIVAC 1 (Universal Automatic Computer) was the first commercial computer sold
in the market. UNIVAC was created in 1951 by J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly.
Generations of computer
Generations of computer?
Generations of computer?
Where are We now?
What Does a computer Do?
▪ Four general operations, that includes the information processing cycle.
✓Input
✓Process
✓Output
✓Store Data
Why computer is, so powerful?
✓Ability to communicate with other computer components
✓Reliability(low failure rate)
✓Accuracy
✓Ability to store vast amount of information
✓Processing speed
How does a computer know to perform?
✓Given computer program to do what is exactly
✓Store in memory
✓Executing the program one after the other
Discussion
▪ What are the uses of computer?
▪ What are the advantages of computer?
▪ What are the limitation of computer?
Types of Computers
▪ We can categorize computers in three ways:-
▪ Based on Data Handling Capacity.
▪ Based on Size.
▪ Based on Purpose.
Based on Data Handling Capacity
▪ There are three of types, namely:-
1. Analogue Computer
2. Digital Computer
3. Hybrid Computer
Based on Data Handling Capacity
➢ Analog computers.
▪ Process analog data ( continuous data that changes continuously and does not have discrete values).
▪ Analog computers accept data directly from a measuring device without converting it to numbers and
codes such as temperature, speed, pressure, and current, etc.
➢ Digital Computer.
▪ Are designed to rapidly perform calculations and logical operations.
▪ It accepts raw data as digits or binary numbers (0 and 1) as input and processes it with programs stored
in its memory to produce output. Such as laptops, desktops, smartphones which we use at home and
office are all digital computers.
➢ Hybrid Computer.
▪ Have both analog and digital Computer features. Are, fast like analog computers and like digital
computers, have memory and accuracy. It can process both Continues and Discrete data.
▪ It accepts analog Signals and converts them into digital form before processing. such as processor is
used in petrol pumps, airplane, and hospitals
Based on Size
▪ There are Four of types, namely:-
1. Super-computer
2. Main-Frame computer
3. Mini-computer
4. Micro-computer
Based on Size
➢Super computers.
▪ Are very fast, big, and very expensive computers. Supercomputers are very powerful
computers, which can perform Trillions of instructions in a few seconds.
▪ Supercomputers can store large amounts of data. Supercomputer solves difficult and complex
problems in a nanosecond.
Uses and benefits of Supercomputer:
✓Used for weather forecasting and for retrieving global climate information.
✓Used in military research and defense systems.
✓Automobile is used for aircraft, and spacecraft designing.
✓Genetic engineering.
✓Heavily used in digital filmmaking.
Based on Size
➢Main Frame computer
▪ Mainframe computers are general-purpose computers designed to process large amounts of
data at the sane time, can take up 1000 square feet of space.
▪ Are used in large organizations when need to handle a lot of people (more than 100 users )
simultaneously. Examples of mainframe computers – IBM S / 390, IBM S / 709, ICL 39 |
Uses and benefits of Mainframe computer:
✓Used in the bank.
✓Main-Frame computers are also used in air traffic control.
✓Used for data processing in large organizations.
Based on Size
➢Minicomputer.
▪ A mini-computer is a middle-size computer.
▪ It’s very popular due to its size, a multiuser computer which provides the facility of working
to more than 12 people simultaneously. They are more expensive than microcomputers.
▪ Examples: Multimedia, Graphics, 3D Graphic gaming computer, etc.
Uses and benefits of Minicomputer:
✓It is used to process complex data in university and middle-class businesses.
✓Also used in scientific research and engineering analytics.
✓For data monitoring and data control in the industry.
Based on Size
➢Micro computer.
▪ Today, and more computers, which we use for general-purpose, are all micro-computers.
▪ This is a very popular computer, that is used to use higher-level applications very easily at
home.
▪ Examples of Micro-computer – IBM PCs, Apple Mac, IBM PS / 2, etc.
Based on Purpose
▪ Depending on the purpose, computers are of two types:
1. General purpose computer
2. Special Purpose Computer
➢General Purpose Computer
▪ Can store various programs and it can be used in countless applications.
▪ It can perform any type of task with equal efficiency by changing the application
program stored in the main memory.
➢Special Purpose Computer
▪ Its designed to perform only a specific task. The program or instruction is permanently
stored in such a machine.
▪ Examples: Thermometers to test temperature, generators to manage electricity.
▪ Often used for Special purposes. It cannot be used for any other purpose.
Basic Components of Computer
Computer Building block
Computer Building block
▪ A computer is a complex system made up of various building blocks or
components that work together to perform its functions.
▪ These building blocks can be categorized into hardware and software
components:
Hardware Building Blocks:
▪ Central Processing Unit (CPU): The CPU is the "brain" of the computer,
responsible for executing instructions and performing calculations. It interprets
and carries out program instructions.
▪ Memory: Computers have different types of memory, including RAM (Random
Access Memory) for temporary data storage and ROM (Read-Only Memory)
for firmware and boot instructions.
Conti..
▪ Storage Devices: Include hard disk drives
(HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs) for
long-term data storage. Optical drives and
removable media (e.g., USB drives) are also
common storage devices.
▪ Input Devices: Allow users to provide input
to the computer. Eg keyboards, mice,
touchscreens, and microphones.
▪ Output Devices: Present information to the
user. Eg monitors, speakers, and printers.
▪ Motherboard: Main circuit board that
connects and integrates all the computer's
components. It contains the CPU socket,
memory slots, and various connectors.
▪ Graphics Processing Unit: Responsible for
rendering graphics and is crucial for video
and gaming performance.
Software Building block
▪ Operating System (OS): Manages the computer's hardware resources, facilitates communication
between software and hardware, and provides a user interface
▪ Applications: Software programs that users run to perform specific tasks. Eg web browsers, word
processors, and games.
▪ Firmware: Software stored on hardware components like the motherboard or peripherals.
It provides essential instructions for hardware initialization and operation.
▪ Device Drivers: Software components that enable the OS to communicate with and control
hardware devices, ensuring compatibility and functionality.
▪ Programming Languages: Allow developers to write software to instruct the computer. Common
programming languages include Python, Java, C++, and more.
▪ Libraries and Frameworks: Are pre-written code modules and tools that help developers build
software more efficiently.
▪ Networking Software: This includes protocols and software for connecting computers in
networks and accessing the internet.
▪ Security Software: To protect the computer from threats like viruses and malware, security
software is essential.
Discussion
▪ What are the input devices?
▪ What are the output devices?
Software
▪ Software is a set of programs, which is designed to perform a well-defined function.
▪ Program is a sequence of instructions written to solve a particular problem.
Types of Software.
✓ System Software
✓ Application Software
System Software
▪ System software is a collection of programs designed to operate, control, and extend the
processing capabilities of the computer itself.
▪ Low-level languages are used to write the system software.
▪ It interact with the hardware at a very basic level. serves as the interface between the hardware
and the end users.
▪ without system software, the system can not run. It is general-purpose software.
Types of System Software
✓ Operating System: is the main part of the Computer System.
✓ Language Processor: Converts Human-Readable Language into a Machine Language.
✓ Device Driver: is a program or software that helps to perform its functions by controlling the
device.
Application Software
▪ Application software is the type of software that runs as per user request.
▪ Designed to satisfy a particular need of a particular environment.
▪ High-level languages are used to write the application software.
▪ It’s a specific purpose software.
▪ Consist of a single program, such as Microsoft's notepad for writing and editing a simple text.
Types of Application Software
✓ General Purpose Software: Used to perform tasks that are used for a variety of tasks.
✓ Customized Software: Used to perform tasks that are designed for specific organizations.
✓ Utility Software: designed for optimizing and maintaining the system and also taking care of its
requirements.
System Software & Application Software
System Software Application Software
It maintains the system resources and gives the
Built for specific tasks.
path for application software to run.
Low-level languages are used to write the High-level languages are used to write the
system software. application software.
It is general-purpose software. It’s a specific purpose software.
Without system software, the system stops and Without application software system always
can’t run. runs.
Runs when the system is turned on and stops
It runs as per the user’s request.
when the system is turned off.
Example: operating system, etc. Example: Photoshop, VLC player, etc.
System Software programming is more complex Application software programming is simpler in
than application software. comparison to system software.
It Operates the system in the background until It runs in the front end according to the user’s
the shutdown of the computer. request.
Has no interaction with users. It serves as an Connects an intermediary between the user and
interface between hardware and the end user. the computer.
System software runs independently. It`s dependent on system software.
Operating System
▪ An operating system (OS) is a critical software component that serves as an
intermediary between a computer's hardware and the software applications and users.
▪ It provides a stable and consistent environment for executing programs and managing
system resources.
▪ Here are some of the key functions and roles of an operating system:
▪ Resource Management: The OS manages hardware resources, such as the CPU, memory (RAM),
storage devices, and input/output devices. It allocates these resources efficiently to various software
applications, ensuring that they can run without interfering with each other.
▪ Process Management: An OS is responsible for the creation, scheduling, and termination of
processes (programs in execution). It manages the execution of multiple processes simultaneously,
known as multitasking, to maximize CPU utilization.
▪ Memory Management: The OS controls and allocates system memory (RAM) to different
processes. It keeps track of which parts of memory are in use and which are available for allocation.
Cont..
▪ File System Management: Operating systems provide a file system that organizes and manages files and
directories on storage devices. This includes reading, writing, and organizing data on hard drives, SSDs,
and other storage media.
▪ Device Management: The OS interacts with hardware devices and drivers, ensuring that software
applications can communicate with peripherals like printers, keyboards, and graphics cards. It also
manages device I/O operations.
▪ User Interface: The OS provides a user interface (UI) through which users can interact with the
computer. This can be a graphical user interface (GUI) with windows, icons, and menus or a command-
line interface (CLI) where users input text commands.
▪ Security and Access Control: Operating systems implement security features like user accounts,
passwords, and permissions to control access to system resources and data. They protect the system
from unauthorized access and potential threats.
▪ Networking: Modern operating systems often include networking capabilities, allowing computers to
connect to local area networks (LANs) or the internet. They manage network configurations and data
transfer.
▪ Error Handling and Fault Tolerance: OSs are responsible for handling errors, system crashes, and
unexpected events. They may employ mechanisms like error logs, system recovery, and backup systems
to maintain system stability.
▪ Virtualization: Some operating systems support virtualization, enabling multiple virtual machines
(VMs) to run on a single physical machine. This is important for server and cloud computing
environments.
Cont..
▪ Popular operating systems include:
✓ Microsoft Windows,
✓ macOS (for Apple computers),
✓ various Linux distributions (like Ubuntu and CentOS), and
✓ Mobile OSs like Android and iOS.
▪ Each OS has its own features and characteristics tailored to different types of devices
and user needs.
▪ Why are you prefer particular OS your using?
▪ The choice of an operating system depends on the specific requirements and
preferences of users or organizations.
Cont.. Eg. Of Linux (Ubuntu)
Hardware
▪ Represents the physical and tangible components of a computer.
▪ Examples of Hardware:
▪ Input devices: keyboard, mouse etc.
▪ Output devices: printer, monitor etc.
▪ Secondary storage devices: Hard disk, CD, DVD etc.
▪ Internal components: CPU, motherboard, RAM etc.
Relationship between Hardware and Software
▪ Are mutually dependent on each other.
▪ Software cannot be utilized without supporting hardware.
▪ Hardware without set of programs to operate upon cannot be utilized and is useless.
▪ Hardware is a one-time expense.
▪ Software development is very expensive and is a continuing expense.
▪ Different software applications can be loaded on a hardware to run different jobs.
▪ A software acts as an interface between the user and the hardware.
Storage Unit
▪ Storage unit is that part of the computer system which is used to store the data and instructions to be
processed.
Types of Storage
✓ Primary Storage
✓ Secondary Storage
▪ Primary memory or internal memory. Is a part of CPU which holds program instructions, input data and
intermediate results. also known as main memory.
▪ Secondary storage is a memory that is stored external to the computer. It is used mainly for permanent
and long-term storage of programs and data.
▪ Access time: time required to locate and retrieve a particular data from the storage unit. A fast access to
data and programs always yields higher efficiency.
Cont…
▪ Storage Capacity: amount of data that can be stored by a storage unit. Large capacity of data
storage is always desirable.
• Smallest unit of data which the computer understands is the bit. A group of 8 bits forms a byte.
• The storage capacity of a computer system is defined in terms of bytes or words.
• One kilobyte (1 KB) is 2^ or 1024 bytes, eg. 4 KB memory implies that it can store 4 x 1024 bytes or
characters.
• Storage capacities of primary and secondary units are measured in Kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes.
▪ Cost: Low-cost storage media are always desirable. Thus, storage units with faster access time,
higher storage capacity and low costs are the ones which are considered to be of a superior nature.
Primary Storage
▪ Primary storage or main memory is that part of the computer system which stores the programs, data and intermediate results during
the program execution.
▪ It comprises of location, small locations. Each location has a unique number assigned to it.
▪ Address of the location, and it is used to identify the location.
▪ Each location has a capacity to store a fixed number of bits.
▪ The number of bits that a location can store is called as word length. Each location contains the same number of bits.
▪ The primary storage is volatile.
▪ Whenever the power is turned off the data is lost.
▪ Primary storage is also called Random Access Memory (RAM).
▪ It is possible to randomly select and use any storage location for storage and retrieval of data.
▪ ROM: Read Only Memory. data is permanently stored. The information can only be high-speed and new data cannot be written onto
this memory
▪ PROM: Programmable Read Only Memory. These are ROMs which can be programmed. A special PROM programmer is used to
enter the program on the PROM.
▪ EPROM: Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory. It is possible to erase the data which has been previously stored on an
EPROM and write new data onto the chip.
▪ Cache Memory: This is a very special type of high speed memory. This memory cannot be accessed by the user. The main function
of this cache memory is to make the programs and data available to the CPU very fast.
▪ A cache stores those segments of programs and data which are frequently needed
Primary Storage
▪ Registers: are used to retain information temporarily. These are special memory units which are not actual parts of the main memory,
but allow efficient mov ement of information between the various units of the computer system.
▪ The registers receive information, hold it temporarily and make it available as and when required.
▪ A computer uses a number of registers, where each register performs a specific function.
Some of the common registers are :
1. Memory Address Register (MAR):
hold the address of the current or active memory location.
2. Memory Buffer Register (MBR):
holds the contents of the address from which data is read or to which data has been written.
3. Program Control Register :
It holds the address of the next instruction to be executed.
4. Accumulator Register:
It holds the initial data, the intermediate results and the final data of the program under execution.
5. Instruction Register:
holds the current instruction being executed. Input/output Register:
This register is to communicate with the Input/output devices.
The storage capacity of primary storage is limited. It is normally not sufficient to accommodate all the data. Therefore secondary storage
medium is used to store large volumes of data
Secondary Storage
▪ Secondary memory is where programs and data are kept on a long-term basis.
▪ Common secondary storage devices are the hard disk and optical disks.
▪ The hard disk has enormous storage capacity compared to main memory.
▪ Data and programs on the hard disk are organized into files.
▪ A file is a section of the disk that has a name.
▪ A hard disk might have a storage capacity of 500 gigabytes (room for about 500 x 109 characters). This is about 100
times the capacity of main memory. A hard disk is slow compared to main memory. If the disk were the only type of
memory the computer system would slow down to a crawl.
▪ Reason for having two types of storage is this difference in speed and capacity.
▪ Large blocks of data are copied from disk into main memory.
Question?
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