Chapter (1): Introduction to Computer Technology

1.1 Introduction

Computer A computer is an electronic device, operating

under the control of instructions stored in its own memory
that can accept data (input), process the data according to
specified rules, produce information (output), and store the
information for future use.

1.2 Functionalities of a Computer

Any digital computer carries out five functions in gross

terms:
➢ Takes data as input
➢ Stores the data/instruction in its memory and use
them when required
➢ Processes the data and converts it into useful
information
➢ Generates the output
➢ Controls all the above four steps

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1.2 Computer Components

Any kind of computers consists of HARDWARE AND

SOFTWARE.

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1.2.1 Hardware:

Computer hardware is the collection of physical elements that

constitutes a computer system. Computer hardware refers to
the physical parts or components of a computer such as the
monitor, mouse, keyboard, computer data storage, hard drive
disk (HDD), system unit (graphic cards, sound cards,
memory, motherboard and chips), etc. all of which are
physical objects that can be touched.

Input Devices

Input device is any peripheral (piece of computer hardware

equipment to provide data and control signals to an information
processing system such as a computer or other information
appliance.
Input device Translate data from form that humans understand
to one that the computer can work with. Most common are
keyboard and mouse
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Example of Input Devices: -

Note: The most common use keyboard is the QWERTY

keyboard. Generally standard Keyboard has 104 keys.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

A CPU is brain of a computer. It is responsible for all functions

and processes. Regarding computing power, the CPU is the
most important element of a computer system.

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The CPU is comprised of three main parts:

* Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): Executes all arithmetic and

logical operations. Arithmetic calculations like as addition,
subtraction, multiplication and division. Logical operation like
compare numbers, letters, or special characters

* Control Unit (CU): controls and co-ordinates computer

components.

1. Read the code for the next instruction to be executed.

2. Increment the program counter so it points to the next
instruction.
3. Read whatever data the instruction requires from cells in
memory.
4. Provide the necessary data to an ALU or register.
5. If the instruction requires an ALU or specialized hardware to
complete, instruct the hardware to perform the requested
operation.

* Registers: Stores the data that is to be executed next, "very

fast storage area".

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Primary Memory: -

1. RAM Random Access Memory :(RAM) is a memory scheme

within the computer system responsible for storing data on a
temporary basis, so that it can be promptly accessed by the
processor as and when needed. It is volatile in nature, which
means that data will be erased once supply to the storage
device is turned off. RAM stores data randomly and the
processor accesses these data randomly from the RAM
storage. RAM is considered "random access" because you can
access any memory cell directly if you know the row and
column that intersect at that cell.

2. ROM (Read Only Memory): ROM is a permanent form of

storage. ROM stays active regardless of whether power supply
to it is turned on or off. ROM devices do not allow data stored
on them to be modified.

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Secondary Memory: -

Stores data and programs permanently: its retained after the

power is turned off
1. Hard drive (HD):
A hard disk is part of a unit, often called a "disk drive," "hard
drive," or "hard disk drive," that store and provides relatively
quick access to large amounts of data on an
electromagnetically charged surface or set of surfaces.
2. Optical Disk:
an optical disc drive (ODD) is a disk drive that uses laser light
as part of the process of reading or writing data to or from
optical discs. Some drives can only read from discs, but recent
drives are commonly both readers and recorders, also called
burners or writers. Compact discs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs are
common types of optical media which can be read and recorded
by such drives. Optical drive is the generic name; drives are
usually described as "CD" "DVD", or "Bluray", followed by
"drive", "writer", etc. There are three main types of optical
media: CD, DVD, and Blu-ray disc. CDs can store up to 700
megabytes (MB) of data and DVDs can store up to 8.4 GB of
data. Blu-ray discs, which are the newest type of optical media,
can store up to 50 GB of data. This storage capacity is a clear
advantage over the floppy disk storage media (a magnetic
media), which only has a capacity of 1.44 MB.
3. Flash Disk:
A storage module made of flash memory chips. A Flash disks
have no mechanical platters or access arms, but the term "disk"
is used because the data are accessed as if they were on a
hard drive. The disk storage structure is emulated.

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Output Devices

An output device is any piece of computer hardware

equipment used to communicate the results of data
processing carried out by an information processing system
(such as a computer) which converts the electronically
generated information into human-readable form.

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Example on Output Devices:

Note Basic types of monitors are:

A. Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).
B. Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD).
C. light-emitting diode (LED).
Printer types:
1-Laser Printer.
2-Ink Jet Printer.
3-Dot Matrix Printer

What is computer and how does it work?

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Chapter (1): Introduction to Computer Technology

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Chapter (1): Introduction to Computer Technology

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1.2.2 Software

Software is a generic term for organized collections of computer

data and instructions, often broken into two major categories:
system software that provides the basic non-task-specific
functions of the computer, and application software which is
used by users to accomplish specific tasks.

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Software Types

A. System software is responsible for controlling,

integrating, and managing the individual hardware
components of a computer system so that other software
and the users of the system see it as a functional unit
without having to be concerned with the low-level details
such as transferring data from memory to disk, or
rendering text onto a display. Generally, system software
consists of an operating system and some fundamental
utilities such as disk formatters, file managers, display
managers, text editors, user authentication (login) and
management tools, and networking and device control
software.

B. Application software is used to accomplish specific

tasks other than just running the computer system.
Application software may consist of a single program,
such as an image viewer; a small collection of programs
(often called a software package) that work closely
together to accomplish a task, such as a spreadsheet or
text processing system; a larger collection (often called a
software suite) of related but independent programs and
packages that have a common user interface or shared
data format, such as Microsoft Office, which consists of
closely integrated word processor, spreadsheet,
database, etc.; or a software system, such as a database
management system, which is a collection of fundamental
programs that may provide some service to a variety of
other independent applications.

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Comparison Application Software and System Software

System Software Application Software

Computer software, or
just software is a general
term primarily used for Application software, also known as an application
digitally stored data such or an "app", is computer software designed to help
as computer programs the user to perform specific tasks.
and other kinds of
information read and
written by computers.
App comes under
computer software
though it has a wide
scope now.

Example: 1) Microsoft Windows 1) Opera (Web Browser)

2) Linux 2) Microsoft Word (Word Processing)
3) Unix 3) Microsoft Excel (Spreadsheet software)
4) Mac OSX 4) MySQL (Database Software)
5) DOS 5) Microsoft PowerPoint (Presentation Software)
6) Adobe Photoshop (Graphics Software)
Interaction: Generally, users do not
interact with system Users always interact with application software
software as it works in while doing different activities.
the background.

Dependency: System software can run

independently of the Application software cannot run without the
application software. presence of the system software.

Can you set up windows?

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1.3 Unit of Measurements

1.3.1 Storage measurements: The basic unit used in
computer data storage is called a bit (binary digit).
Computers use these little bits, which are composed of
ones and zeros, to do things and talk to other computers.
All your files, for instance, are kept in the computer as
binary files and translated into words and pictures by the
software (which is also ones and zeros). This two-number
system, is called a “binary number system” since it has
only two numbers in it. The decimal number system in
contrast has ten unique digits, zero through nine.

Size example
• 1 bit - answer to a yes/no question
• 1 byte - a number from 0 to 255.
• 90 bytes: enough to store a typical line of text from a book.
• 4 KB: about one page of text.
• 120 KB: the text of a typical pocket book.
• 3 MB - a three-minute song (128k bitrate)
• 650-900 MB - a CD-ROM
• 1 GB -114 minutes of uncompressed CD-quality audio at 1.4
Mbit/s
• 8-16 -32-64-…GB - size of a normal flash drive

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1.3.2Speed measurement:
Speed measurement: The speed of Central Processing Unit
(CPU) is measured by Hertz (Hz), Which represent a CPU
cycle. The speed of CPU is known as Computer Speed.

CPU SPEED MEASURES

1 hertz or Hz 1 cycle per second

1 MHz 1 million cycles per second or 1000 Hz

1 GHz 1 billion cycles per second or 1000 MHz

CPU CONFIGURATIONS

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Generation in computer terminology is a change in

technology a computer is/was being used. Initially, the
generation term was used to distinguish between varying
hardware technologies. Nowadays, generation includes both
hardware and software, which together make up an entire
computer system.

CPU has a huge effect on overall performance and, to many,

is a computer's most important component.

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Chapter (1): Introduction to Computer Technology

1.4 Computers Classification

Computers can be generally classified by size and power as
follows, though there is Considerable overlap:

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Chapter (1): Introduction to Computer Technology

➢ Personal computer: A small, single-user computer

based on a microprocessor. In addition to the
microprocessor, a personal computer has a keyboard for
entering data, a monitor for displaying information, and a
storage device for saving data.
➢ workstation: A powerful, single-user computer. A
workstation is like a personal computer, but it has a more
powerful microprocessor and a higher-quality monitor.
➢ minicomputer: A multi-user computer capable of
supporting from 10 to hundreds of users simultaneously.
➢ mainframe: A powerful multi-user computer capable of
supporting many hundreds or thousands of users
simultaneously.
➢ supercomputer: An extremely fast computer that can
perform hundreds of millions of instructions per second.

1.5 Laptop and Smartphone Computers

➢ LAPTOP: A laptop is a battery or AC-powered personal

computer that can be easily carried and used in a variety
of locations. Many laptops are designed to have all of
the functionality of a desktop computer, which means
they can generally run the same software and open the
same types of files. However, some laptops, such as
netbooks, sacrifice some functionality in order to be even
more portable.

➢ Netbook: A netbook is a type of laptop that is designed

to be even more portable. Netbooks are often cheaper
than laptops or desktops. They are generally less
powerful than other types of computers, but they provide

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enough power for email and internet access, which is

where the name "netbook" comes from.

➢ Mobile Device: A mobile device is basically any

handheld computer. It is designed to be extremely
portable, often fitting in the palm of your hand or in your
pocket. Some mobile devices are more powerful, and
they allow you to do many of the same things you can do
with a desktop or laptop computer. These include tablet
computers, e-readers, and smartphones.

➢ Tablet Computers: Like laptops, tablet computers are

designed to be portable. However, they provide a very
different computing experience. The most obvious
difference is that tablet computers don't have keyboards
or touchpads. Instead, the entire screen is touch-
sensitive, allowing you to type on a virtual keyboard and
use your finger as a mouse pointer. Tablet computers
are mostly designed for consuming media, and they are
optimized for tasks like web browsing, watching videos,
reading e-books, and playing games. For many people,
a "regular" computer like a desktop or laptop is still
needed in order to use some programs. However, the
convenience of a tablet computer means that it may be
ideal as a second computer.

➢ Smartphones: A smartphone is a powerful mobile

phone that is designed to run a variety of applications in
addition to phone service. They are basically small tablet
computers, and they can be used for web browsing,
watching videos, reading e-books, playing games and
more.

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1.6 Data, Information and Knowledge

➢ Data: Facts and figures which relay something specific,

but which are not organized in any way and which provide
no further information regarding patterns, context, etc. So
data means "unstructured facts and figures that have the
least impact on the typical manager."
➢ Information: For data to become information, it must be
contextualized, categorized, calculated and condensed.
Information thus paints a bigger picture; it is data with
relevance and purpose. It may convey a trend in the
environment, or perhaps indicate a pattern of sales for a
given period of time. Essentially information is found "in
answers to questions that begin with such words as who,
what, where, when, and how many".
➢ Knowledge: Knowledge is closely linked to doing and
implies know-how and understanding. The knowledge
possessed by each individual is a product of his
experience, and encompasses the norms by which he
evaluates new inputs from his surroundings.
The content of the human mind can be classified into four
categories:
1. Data: symbols
2. Information: data that are processed to be useful; provides
answers to "who", "what", "where", and "when" questions
3. Knowledge: application of data and information; answers
"how" questions
4. Wisdom: evaluated understanding.
We need to understand that processing data produced
Information and process Information produces Knowledge and
so on

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1.7 Characteristics of Computer

Speed, accuracy, diligence, storage capability and versatility
are some of the key characteristics of a computer. A brief
overview of these characteristics is

➢ Speed: The computer can process data very fast, at the

rate of millions of instructions per second. Some
calculations that would have taken hours and days to
complete otherwise, can be completed in a few seconds
using the computer. For example, calculation and
generation of salary slips of thousands of employees of an
organization, weather forecasting that requires analysis of
a large amount of data related to temperature, pressure
and humidity of various places, etc.

➢ Accuracy: Computer provides a high degree of accuracy.

For example, the computer can accurately give the result
of division of any two numbers up to 10 decimal places.
Diligence: When used for a longer period of time, the
computer does not get tired or fatigued. It can perform long
and complex calculations with the same speed and
accuracy from the start till the end.

➢ Storage Capability: Large volumes of data and

information can be stored in the computer and also
retrieved whenever required. A limited amount of data
can be stored, temporarily, in the primary memory.
Secondary storage devices like floppy disk and compact
disk can store a large amount of data permanently.

➢ Versatility: Computer is versatile in nature. It can

perform different types of tasks with the same ease. At
one moment you can use the computer to prepare a

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letter document and in the next moment you may play

music or print a document. Computers have several
limitations too. Computer can only perform tasks that it
has been programmed to do Computer cannot do any
work without instructions from the user. It executes
instructions as specified by the user and does not take
its own decisions.

1.8 Computer in Our Daily Life

Use of computer on regular basis in our life is very important.
Technically in daily life computer is used to convert raw facts
and data into meaningful information and knowledge. Computer
science is explored and challenged by humans daily. The
computer is like an electronic magical device for our
life. According to ☺ Google Keyword Planner ☺ 100 – 1K
people searching monthly on Google about” best laptop for
business and personal use” and 100-1K for the best desktop
computer for small business in last 1 year. This is one of the
proofs that the use of the computer in our life and business is
really effective. That’s why more and more people are buying
and using a computer. If the uses of the computer are for good
purposes then it is a boon for humans. From the government to
private sector everyone is using the computer. Users of the
computer are constantly growing.

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➢ Education Field

Schools and colleges around the world are using computer

and internet technologies to teach students digitally and
creatively with data visualization. Uses of the computer in a
classroom will explore creativity and imagination in students
mind.

➢ Computer in The Business

Computer with the internet connection we can start the

business, run the business and manage the business and we
can grow the business by the use of a computer. Google,
Facebook, LinkedIn, Amazon, Alibaba etc. all are websites
created by the use of computer and internet.

➢ Computer in Hospitals

Uses of the computer in hospital provide many benefits for

doctors and patient. Hospitals can create a database of a

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patient with their treatment records, medicine records.

Doctors are using a computer to diagnose the diseases of
patients faster

➢ Computer in the Banking

Banks are using computers daily to faster and accurate the

customer demands. Banks are using a computer to deposit
customer money in their account. In this case, cashier enters
the account number of customers in their banking application,
they first confirm the account number and customer details
and then enter the deposited amount in their banking
application by the use of the keyboard.

➢ Computer in Government Offices

The government works or official works take more time to

complete in the past. There was lots of staff required in the
past to manage citizen’s works. But today citizens,
consumers are getting a solution with high speed and
accuracy. Because of the uses of computer in official works.
There are so many applications that speed the process and
quality of official works. Such as Microsoft Office package,
email, video conferencing tools etc. are few applications that
speed the work of government offices with accuracy.

➢ Computer in the Home

Computer uses in home depend on the user. There are so

many people using the computer at home. Some people are

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using the computer to take online classes. Some people

using the computer to do online business. Some people are
using the computer listen to songs and to watch movies etc.

➢ Computer in Marketing

Use of computer with the internet is creating new ways to do

the product and services marketing online. Digital marketing
services, products, websites, and businesses are growing.
Businesses can use a computer to type marketing content, to
publish content marketing article on websites and social
media. They can sell and market their product on portals or
such as Amazon.

➢ Computer changed our lives in this way

A digital computer, analog computer and now the use of

hybrid computers are growing in our daily life. The problem is
that computer is doing our work faster and accurately and
save our time. But then why people do not have any time
today for their family. You can say the computer is changed
our lives yes, computer changed our lives because today we
want to use air purifier inside the home rather than planting
new trees outside. Funny! Very Funny!

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Chapter (1): Introduction to Computer Technology

1-How computer and information system change our life?

2………………………………………………………………….

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