FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, MINNA,

NIGERIA

B.TECH. COMPUTER SCIENCE PROGRAMME

COURSE TITLE: INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SCIENCE

COURSE CODE: CPT 111

CREDIT UNIT: 2
 INTRODUCTION

In the 21st century, computers have become indispensable tools in virtually all
aspects of human lives. The development of handheld computers such as personal
digital assistants (PDAs), tablet computers and smart phones has helped computers
to become ubiquitous. This unit presents background information about computers
by defining basic computer terms, providing a brief history of modern computing,
and describing the parts of a computer system.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of studying this unit, you should be able to:
 Define basic terms such as computer, data and information
 Explain the different generations of computers
 Describe the constituents of a computer system
WHAT IS COMPUTER?

Computer: A computer is an electronic device that accept data, processes it and

give out information in an incredible speed.
A computer can perform the following tasks:
 Accept data through an input device (e.g. keyboard or mouse)
 Process the data to convert it into information
 Display the information on an output device (e.g. visual display unit or
printer)
 Store the information for future use in a storage device (e.g. hard disc or
compact disc)
Data: Data refer to raw or unprocessed facts about a person, place or thing.
Examples of data include name, age, height and profession. Data is the plural for
datum.
Information: Information is processed data or data that has been converted into
useful form e.g. the result of students in an examination or the net pay of an
employee.

Data Processing Information

Storage

Schematic Diagram of a Compute

 GENERATIONS OF COMPUTERS
Computer scientists and historians use the term computer generations to describe the
stage-by-stage development of modern computing. Each generation is characterized
by the technology used to fabricate computers at that time. These generation include:
➢ The First Generation
➢ The Second Generation
➢ The Third Generation
➢ The Fourth Generation
➢ The Fifth Generation

The First Generation (1950s)

from 1946 to 1959, In 1951 Presper Eckert and John Mauchly delivered the
Universal Automatic Computer (UNIVAC), the first successful general-purpose
computer to the U.S. Census Bureau. The first computer generation used Vacuum
tube as the basic component for memory and circuitry for CPU (Central Processing
Unit). These tubes, like electric bulbs, produced a lot of heat and installations used
to fuse frequently. Therefore, they were very expensive and only large organizations
were able to afford it.
The main features of first generation are: Vacuum tube technology, unreliable,
supported machine language only, very cost, generate a lot of heat, slow input and
output, huge size, need AC, non-portable, consume a lot of electricity.
Example of first-generation computers are: UNIVAC, International Business
Machine (IBM-701, IBM-650) etc
The First-Generation Computer

Vacuum Tubes
 The Second Generation(1960s)
First-generation computers were highly unreliable because the vacuum
tubes burned out frequently. Second generation computers were made of
transistors, which are small electronic devices that can control the flow of
electricity in an electronic circuit. Owing to the use of transistors, second
generation computers were faster, smaller, and more reliable than first-
generation computers. Even though second-generation computers still
used punched cards for input, they had printers, tape storage, and disk
storage. (from 1959 to 1965)
Second generation computers were programmed using high level
programming languages like FORTRAN, COBOL etc
The main features of first generation are: use of transistors, Reliable in
comparison to first Generation, generate less heat as compared to first,
faster than first, still very costly, AC required, supported machine and
assemble language.
Some computers of this generation include: IBM-1620, UNIVAC-1108

Transistors
The Second-Generation Computer
 The Third Generation (Mid-1960s to Mid-1970s)
The key distinction of third generation computers was there use of Integrated
Circuits (ICs) in place of transistors. A single IC has many transistors, resistors, and
capacitors along with the associated circuitry. IC was invented by Jack Kilbly. This
development made computers smaller in size, more reliable in comparison to
previous generation, faster, reliable, lesser maintenance, generate less heat,
inexpensive that more organizations could afford to buy.
Another innovation of third generation computers was timesharing, a technique that
allowed several people to simultaneously use a computer from their remote
terminals. An example of third generation computers is IBM-360 series, Personal
Data Processor (PDP-8) etc.

Integrated Circuits (ICs)

The Third-Generation Computer

 The Fourth-Generation (1970s to 80s)

The fourth generation of computers began with the use of microprocessors in

computer systems. The invention of the microprocessor revolutionized computers
because hundreds to thousands of integrated circuits could be assembled on a single
silicon chip, it was jointly developed by Federico Faggin, Marcian (Ted) Hoff,
Stanley Mazor, and Masatoshi Shima. This ultimately enabled manufacturers to
develop computers in a very compact size that could easily fit on the desk as well.
Microprocessors were typically developed using LSI (large scale integration)
and VLSI (very large scale integration) techniques. The VLSI circuits helped to
combine about 5000 transistors and many other circuit components on a single chip,
called a microprocessor. Due to microprocessors, fourth-generation computers were
minimized, leading to the development of microcomputers.
The first microcomputers were not easy to use because users had to type commands
on the command line to perform such actions as formatting a disk or starting a
program. However, from the mid-80s, graphical user interfaces (GUIs) were
incorporated into microcomputers, allowing users to interact withon-screen, icons,
windows and pull-down menus using a pointing device such as a mouse. GUIs were
easier to use than command line interfaces because they eliminated the need to
memorize commands.
The main features of this generation are: VLSI technology used, portable and
reliable, use of PC, very small size, no AC required, concept of internet was
introduced, great development in the fields of networks etc.
Example of 4th generation computers are: Personal Data Processor (PDP-11),
CRAY-1(Super Computer) etc.

Integrated Circuits (ICs)

The Fourth Generation Computer
The Fifth-Generation (1980s to Date)

The fifth generation of computers is by far the most successful generation of

computers. In this generation, there have been significant changes in computer
technology that make computers extraordinary. Although the fifth generation is in
progress, computers have received several major benefits compared to their
predecessors.
Instead of VLSI technology used in fourth-generation computers, fifth-generation
computers received a major upgrade and VLSI technology was replaced
with ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration) technology. This revolutionized the
development of microprocessors. This helped manufacturers assemble around ten
million electronic components on a microprocessor chip.
In addition to ULSI technology, fifth-generation computers were also based
on AI (artificial intelligence), which is still in the development stage, and parallel
processing hardware. Artificial intelligence is an emerging technology in computer
science that primarily helps to make computers more realistic. This means that it
enables computers to think like humans; however, there is still room for much
improvement.
The period of the fifth generation of computers is considered from 1980 to the
present day, which simply means that the fifth generation is the ongoing generation
of computers. Nowadays computers are using ULSI circuits, AI software, and
parallel processing hardware. The main objective of all these technologies is to
introduce technology in computers that can respond to natural languages.
Example of 5th generation computers are: Desktop, Laptop, NoteBook,Tablet,
Mobile phone etc.
 AI (artificial intelligence)

Laptop Computer

Desktop Computer
 COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM
Every computer is part of a system. The complete computer system consists of four
parts, namely: hardware, software, data and user.
Hardware
Hardware are the electrical and mechanical devices that make up a computer. They
are the parts of the computer that can be touched and felt, such as keyboard, mouse,
monitor, speaker and printer.
Software
Software is the set of instructions that tells the computer what task to do, and how
to do it. A piece of software is referred to as a program. Some programs such as
operating systems exist to help the computer perform tasks and manage its resources.
Other programs such as word processors and spreadsheets allow users to create and
manage documents.
Data
Data refers to individual facts that may not make sense on their own. The computer’s
job is to convert data into useful information
Users
The people who operate computers systems are referred to as users. Even though a
computer may function without anyone sitting in front of it and operating it, no
computer is completely autonomous. Human beings are still needed to design, build,
program and repair computers. The computer is a device that transforms raw data
into useful information. A complete computer system is made up of the physical
components (hardware), instructions (software), operators (users) and data.
 COMPUTER HARDWARE
Computer hardware refers to the mechanical and electronic parts of a computer
that can be touched and seen. Hardware is what the layman often refers to as the
computer.
The following hardware components are required by all general-purpose
computers:
➢ Central processing unit (CPU) for executing instructions
➢ Memory for storing data and programs, at least temporarily
➢ Input devices for sending data and instructions into the computer
➢ Output devices for bringing retrieving information from the computer
➢ Storage devices for retaining large amounts of information permanently.

This is how the different hardware components

interact in a general-purpose computer.

Parts of the Computer Hardware

CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU)
The central processing unit or simply the processor, is the part of the computer that
executes program instructions and controls the operation of all other hardware
components. It is sometimes described as the computer’s brain. In a microcomputer,
the CPU is contained in a single chip and referred to as a microprocessor. The CPU
is made up of three parts- the arithmetic-logic unit, control unit and registers.
Arithmetic-Logic Unit: The arithmetic-logic unit (ALU) performs two types
of operations – arithmetic operations and logical operations.
Registers: registers are high speed storage locations within the CPU that
temporarily hold data and instructions during processing.
Control Unit: it coordinates other hardware components

MEMORY
General-purpose computers have two kinds of memory:
➢ Random Access Memory (RAM) and
➢ Read Only Memory (ROM).
Random Access Memory (RAM)
RAM is the working memory of the temporary area for holding raw data for
processing, instructions for processing the data, and information. It is the working
memory of the computer. When a program is started, it is loaded from storage to
RAM. The program remains in RAM until it closed. When data is entered into the
computer through the input device, it is first stored in RAM. During processing,
data and instructions are fetched from RAM and stored in CPU registers. At the
end of processing, results are stored in RAM before they can be displayed to the
user.
There are two reasons why RAM is a temporary storage:
➢ RAM is volatile, meaning that it requires electric power to hold data. When
the computer is turned off, everything stored in RAM disappears.
➢ Data stored in RAM can easily be changed
Read Only Memory (ROM)
ROM is a type of memory that holds the built-in instructions that tell the computer what to do
when it is turned on. Unlike Ram which is temporary and volatile, ROM is permanent and non-
volatile. Instructions stored in ROM cannot be changed, and they are preserved even when the
computer is turned off.

STORAGE DEVICES
Storage devices are non-volatile, long-term memories. Unlike Ram whose contents
are lost when power supply goes off, storage devices preserve their contents even
when there is no power supply. As a result, storage devices are commonly used to
transfer data and programs from one computer to another. They can also be used to
back up valuable data, so that the data can be restored after a computer crash results
in loss of data. information held in storage devices can be easily replaced.
Examples of storage devices are hard disks, optical discs and flash drives.

INPUT DEVICES
An input device is any machine used to send data and instructions into the
computer. Examples of input devices are keyboard, mouse, joystick, digital
cameras and scanners
 Keyboard: The keyboard is the most important input device on a computer.
Computer keyboards have the same layout as standard typewriters. The layout
is called QWERTY, because the first six letters on the top row of letters are
Q, W, E, R, T and Y. in addition to typing keys, computer keyboards have
arrow keys for navigation, function keys for computer-specific tasks, and a
calculator-like numeric keypad.
 Mouse: A mouse is a device for controlling the movement of a pointer or
cursor on the screen. It consists of a ball which is rolled on a surface. The
mouse derives its name from its resemblance to a real mouse.
 Joystick: A joystick resembles a car’s gear stick. Moving the stick in any
direction results in a corresponding movement of an on-screen object such as
a pointer. Joysticks are mostly used for playing computer games.
  Digital cameras: They are used to capture still or moving images, which
can be transferred to a computer and manipulated using image or video
processing software.

OUTPUT DEVICES
Output devices retrieve information from the computer and present it to the user.
Examples of output devices are monitors, printers, speakers etc.
 Monitors: The monitor is the computer’s display screen. It is also known as
visual display unit. The two commonly used technologies for monitors are
liquid crystal display and light emitting diodes, which have replaced cathode
ray tube monitors that resembled bulky old-fashioned televisions.
 Printers: A printer is a device that expresses text or illustration on paper and
other media. The two most commonly used types of printers today are inkjet
and laser printers. Inkjet printers work by spraying ink on papers to produce
text and characters. On the other hand, laser printers pass abeam on a
cylindrical drum, which collects powdered ink (toner) and transfers the toner
to paper. Laser printers work in the same way as photocopiers.
 Speakers: A speaker is a device that expresses audio or sound to the user.

COMPUTER SOFTWARE
Unlike hardware which refers to the physical parts of the computer that can be
touched, software is the set of instructions that tell the computer what to do. We will
discuss the two major categories of computer software, namely application and
system software, as well as the types of software in each category.
 System Software: These are the software that interact with the computer
at a very basic level. They help the computer to carry out its basic operating
functions such as managing files, interacting with input/output devices, and
removing viruses from the computer. Examples of system software are
operating systems, utilities and language translators.
 Application Software: These are the software that help users to do real
work such as creating documents, editing photos or tracking finances.
Application software do not interact with the computer directly. Rather, they
do so through system software such as operating systems and utilities.
 Email software for managing the flow of data to/from an electronic post
office box.

Overview of types of software

Operating Systems
Operating systems are the most important programs that run on a computer,
because they control all activities that take place in a computer. Operating systems
perform basic tasks such as keeping track of files, management of memory
allocated to programs and data, and controlling input/output devices such as
keyboard and printer.
Examples of operating systems for general-purpose computers are Microsoft
Windows, Mac OS, UNIX and Linux. Handheld devices use operating systems
such as Windows Mobile OS, iOS and Android OS.

Utilities
A utility is a program designed to perform tasks such as optimizing a computer’s
performance, protecting data and facilitating communication. Examples of utility
programs are:
Antivirus software
Backup software
Compression utilities (or zip software)
Email software

Language Translators
Computers understand only machine language, in which instructions are written as
strings of zeros and ones. However, programming in machine language is tedious
and error-prone for humans. As a result, programs are usually written in high level
languages which contain English commands and mathematical symbols that humans
are familiar with.
Language translators are system software that convert high level language
programs to machine language programs which the computer understands.
Examples of language translators are:
 Compilers which translate all instructions in a high-level language program
to machine language before executing any instruction.
 Interpreters: which translate and execute an instruction in a high-level
language program before moving to the next instruction.
 Word Processors: A word processor is a program for producing
documents such as letters, memos, reports and manuscripts. Word-processing
software allow you to create, edit, format and spell-check documents on the
screen before orienting on paper. Example Microsoft Word
 Spreadsheets: A spreadsheet is an arrangement of rows and columns
containing values that can be manipulated. Electronic spreadsheets allow
users to simple or complex formula, they can be used for performing tasks
such as budgeting, tracking finances, calculating loan payments, computing
student grades and estimating project costs. Example Microsoft Excel
 Database: A database is a collection of data stored on one or more
computers. A database can contain data such as details of books in a library,
university student records, or bank customer details and user can store,
modifying, finding and reporting data contained in a database. Example
Microsoft Access
 Presentation Software: Presentation software enable users to combine
text, graphs, photos, sound clips and animation into series of electronic slides.
 Graphics software: Graphics software allow users to create, edit and
manipulate graphics. These graphics could be pictures, images, drawings,
icons or photographs.