Computer Science, BB 225

Lecture 1: Introduction

Prepared By

Prianka Das
Lecturer, Department of Computer Science & Engineering
University of Science and Technology Chittagong
1.1 Overview
WHAT IS COMPUTER?
● The word “computer” is comes from the word “TO COMPUTE” means to
calculate.
● A computer is normally considered to be a calculation device which can
perform the arithmetic operations very speedily.

A computer is an electronic device that can receive, store, process, and output
data. It is a machine that can perform a variety of tasks and operations, ranging
from simple calculations to complex simulations and artificial intelligence.
Functionalities of a Computer
Computer

If we look at it in a very broad sense, any

digital computer carries out the following Input
five functions −

Step 1 − Takes data as input.

Process
Step 2 − Stores the data/instructions in its Com
memory and uses them as required.

Step 3 − Processes the data and converts it

Output
into useful information.

Step 4 − Generates the output.

Step 5 − Controls all the above four steps. Fig: 1 Main tasks of performed by the compute
Advantages of Computers

High Speed
Computer is a very fast device.
It is capable of performing calculation of very large amount of data.
The computer has units of speed in microsecond, nanosecond, and even the
picosecond.
It can perform millions of calculations in a few seconds as compared to man
who will spend many months to perform the same task.
Accuracy
In addition to being very fast, computers are very accurate.
The calculations are 100% error free.
Computers perform all jobs with 100% accuracy provided that the input is
correct.
Storage Capability
Memory is a very important characteristic of computers.
A computer has much more storage capacity than human beings.
It can store large amount of data.
It can store any type of data such as images, videos, text, audio, etc.
Diligence
Unlike human beings, a computer is free from monotony, tiredness, and lack of
concentration.
It can work continuously without any error and boredom.
It can perform repeated tasks with the same speed and accuracy.
Versatility
A computer is a very versatile machine.
A computer is very flexible in performing the jobs to be done.
This machine can be used to solve the problems related to various fields.
At one instance, it may be solving a complex scientific problem and the very next
moment it may be playing a card game.

Reliability
A computer is a reliable machine.
Modern electronic components have long lives.
Computers are designed to make maintenance easy.
Automation
Computer is an automatic machine.
Automation is the ability to perform a given task automatically. Once the computer
receives a program i.e., the program is stored in the computer memory, then the program
and instruction can control the program execution without human interaction.

Reduction in Paperwork and Cost

The use of computers for data processing in an organization leads to reduction in
paperwork and results in speeding up the process.
As data in electronic files can be retrieved as and when required, the problem of
maintenance of large number of paper files gets reduced.
Though the initial investment for installing a computer is high, it substantially reduces the
cost of each of its transaction.
● Multitasking: Multitasking is one of the main advantages of computers. A person can do
multiple tasks, and multiple operations at the same time, and calculate numerical problems
within a few seconds. The computer can perform millions or trillions of work in one
second.
● Data Security: Protecting digital data is understood as data security.
● Task completer: Completes tasks that might be impossible for humans to complete.
● Communication: The computer helps the user better understand and communicate with
other devices.
● Reduces workload: Information is often accessed by more than one person with the
necessity for work to be duplicated.
Disadvantages of Computers

No I.Q
A computer is a machine that has no intelligence to perform any task.
Each instruction has to be given to the computer.
A computer cannot take any decision on its own.

Dependency
It functions as per the user’s instruction, thus it is fully dependent on humans.

Environment
The operating environment of the computer should be dust free and suitable.
No Feeling
Computers have no feelings or emotions. It cannot make judgment based on feeling,
taste, experience, and knowledge unlike humans.
Virus and hacking attacks:
Viruses can go to another system from email attachments, viewing an infected website
advertisement, through removable devices like USBs, etc.
Online Cyber Crimes:

Online cyber-crime means computers and networks may have been utilized in order to
commit a crime. Cyberstalking and fraud are the points that come under online cyber
crimes.
● Reduction in employed opportunity: Mainly past generation
hasn’t used the pc or they need the knowledge of computers they
faced an enormous problem when computers came into the field.
● High Cost: Computers are expensive. Even the foremost
affordable computers are still very expensive for the typical
person in South Africa. Since computers empower people.
● Distractions/disruptions: If you’ve got ever spent hours browsing the web or
watching videos on YouTube, then you recognize how distracting computers can
be! Because of their high entertainment value.
● Increases waste and impacts the environment: With the speed at that computer
and other electronics get replaced, all of the old devices that get thrown away
have a big impact on the environment.
● Health Problems: Prolonged use of computers can lead to various health
Hazards. Too much sitting near the screen results in eye strain and drying up of
the eyes. Also, prolonged sitting leads to neck and back problems.
Computer - Applications
Business
A computer has high speed of calculation, diligence, accuracy, reliability, or
versatility which has made it an integrated part in all business organizations.
Payroll calculations, Budgeting, Sales analysis, Financial forecasting,
Managing employee database, Maintenance of stocks, etc.
Banking
Online accounting facility, which includes checking current balance, making
deposits and overdrafts, checking interest charges, shares, and trustee
records.
ATM machines which are completely automated are making it even easier
for customers to deal with banks.
Insurance
● Procedure to continue with policies
● Starting date of the policies
● Next due installment of a policy
● Maturity date
● Interests due
● Survival benefits
● Bonus

Education
● The computer provides a tool in the education system known as CBE (Computer Based
Education).
● CBE involves control, delivery, and evaluation of learning.
● Computer education is rapidly increasing the graph of number of computer students.
● There are a number of methods in which educational institutions can use a computer to educate
the students.
● It is used to prepare a database about performance of a student and analysis is carried out on
this basis.
Marketing
● Advertising
● Home Shopping

Healthcare
● Diagnostic System − Computers are used to collect data and identify the cause of
illness.
● Lab-diagnostic System − All tests can be done and the reports are prepared by
computer.
● Patient Monitoring System − These are used to check the patient's signs for
abnormality such as in Cardiac Arrest, ECG, etc.
● Pharma Information System − Computer is used to check drug labels, expiry dates,
harmful side effects, etc.
● Surgery − Nowadays, computers are also used in performing surgery.
Engineering Design
One of the major areas is CAD (Computer Aided Design) that provides creation and
modification of images. Some of the fields are

Structural Engineering − Requires stress and strain analysis for design of

ships, buildings, budgets, airplanes, etc.
Industrial Engineering − Computers deal with design, implementation, and
improvement of integrated systems of people, materials, and equipment.
Architectural Engineering − Computers help in planning towns, designing
buildings, determining a range of buildings on a site using both 2D and 3D
drawings.
Military Communication

Computers are largely used in ● E-mail

● Chatting
defence. Modern tanks, missiles,
● Usenet
weapons, etc. Military also employs ● FTP
computerized control systems. Some ● Telnet
military areas where a computer has ● Video-conferencing
been used are −
Government
● Missile Control
● Budgets
● Military Communication
● Sales tax department
● Military Operation and Planning
● Income tax department
● Smart Weapons
● Computation of male/female ratio
● Computerization of voters lists
● Computerization of NID/ Birth/Death Certificate card
● Weather forecasting
 DATA PROCESSING CYCLE OF COMPUTER.
The computer Data Processing is any process that a computer program does to enter
data & summarise, analyse or convert data into useable information. The process may
be automated & run on a computer.It involves recording, analysing, storing,
summarising & storing data.
The Data Processing Cycle:
● Data Processing cycle described all activities which are common to all data
processing systems from manual to electronic systems.
● These activities can be grouped in four functional categories, viz., data input, data
processing, data output and storage, constituting what is known as a data processing
cycle.
● The main aim of data processing cycle is to convert the data into meaningful
information.
● Data processing system are often referred to as Information System.
● The Information System typically take raw Data as Input to produce Information as
Output.
The main aim of data processing cycle is to convert the data into meaningful
Information.
● Data processing system are often referred to as Information System.
● The Information System typically take raw Data as Input to produce Information
● as Output.

The data processing cycle contains main four functions:

1. Data input
2. Data process
3. Data storage
4. Data output
DATA INPUT
● The term input refers to the activities required to record data.
● It’s a process to entered data in to computer system.
● So before we input any data, it is necessary to check or verify the data context.
DATA PROCESSING
● The term processing includes the activities like classifying, storing, calculating,
comparing or summarising the data.
● The processing means to use techniques to convert the data into meaningful
information.
DATA OUTPUT
● It’s a communication function which transmits the information to the outside
world.
● After completed the process the data are converted into the meaningful in
● Sometimes the output also includes the decoding activity which converts the
electronically generated information into human readable form.
DATA STORAGE
● It involves the filling of data & information for future use.