Introduction to computer

Lecture #1

System
Def #1:
A

group of interacting, interrelated, or

interdependent
elements
forming
a
complex whole.

Def #2:
A set of detailed methods, procedures, and

routines established or formulated to carry

out a specific activity, perform a duty, or
solve a problem.

Characteristics of System:

Structure
Behavior
Inter Connectivity

Sub-system
A

major part of a system which itself has the

characteristics of a system, usually consisting of
several components.
Set of elements, which is a system itself, and a
component of a larger system.

Computer System
A complete, working computer along with

soft wares and peripheral devices that are

necessary to make the computer function is
called Computer system. Every computer
system requires an operating system to
operate.

Computer System

Lets enter in the world of

computers..!!!!
Computer Literacy (Digital Literacy)

Why we use Computers ?

Why we need It ?

Computers are present in every aspect of daily living in

the workplace, at home, in the classroom, and for
entertainment (ubiquitous computing/pervasive computing)

What is a Computer?
An electronic

machine that can

accept data (input),
manipulate the data
according to
specified rules
(process), produce
results (output), and
stores the results
for future use.

What is a Computer?
An electronic device designed to accept

data, perform prescribed mathematical and

logical operations at high speed, and
display the results of these operations.

Data VS Information
Data:

Collection of raw facts and figures.

Information:

Processed form of data which is

meaningful.
Knowledge:

(i)
Appropriate collection of information.
(ii)
Combination of data, information and
experience.

Information processing cycle

Series of input, processes, output and

storage.
A computer often holds data, instructions

and information for future use.

The Components of a Computer

Input devices
Output devices
System unit
Storage devices
Communications devices

The Components of a Computer

Advantages
It helps you automate various tasks that you

cannot do
manually.
It helps you organize and store your bulky
data and
information in a better way.
It has much more computing and calculating
power than an ordinary human.
It may help your work to be a lot easier.
It may be the storage of your important data
and files.

Advantages
It may be your handy book.
It may help you solve problems faster than

an ordinary human being can do.

It
has
speed,
storage,
reliability,
consistency and communications.
It helps you to find useful information using
the Internet.
It helps in businesses, factories, offices,
schools and homes.

Disadvantage
It destroys your social life and interactions

with humans if you do not maintain the

balance.
It may effect to the destruction of your eye
sight due to radiation.
It may damage your studies and life.
Too much time in front of monitor may
adverse effect your eye sight and can also
make you fat.

Disadvantage
The way it distracts and can deviate our

thoughts
and
activities
towards
unproductive activities.
It could cause violation of privacy, impact
on labor force, health risks, impact on
environment, distraction from work, and
antisocial influences.

Types of Computer
Computer types can be divided into 3 categories
according to electronic nature.
Analog Computer
Digital Computer
Hybrid Computer

Analogue Computer
Analogue types of Computer uses analogue

signals that are represented by a continuous

set of varying voltages and are used in
scientific research centers.

Analogue Signal and Analogue

Devices

Digital Computer
A computer that stores data in terms of digits

(numbers) and proceeds in discrete steps from

one state to the next. The states of a digital
computer typically involves binary digits which
may take the form of the presence or absence of
magnetic markers in a storage medium. In
digital computers, even letters, words and whole
texts are represented digitally.
0,1
False true
Low high

Digital Signal and Digital

Devices

Hybrid Computers
Designed

to
display
the
features
and
characteristics of both analog and the digital
computers.
When the hybrid computers are used in the form
of digital computers then they are deigned to act
as the controller for the operations carried out in
the system.
When analog is taken into account then in that
case the computer acts as a solution provider for
different problems that exit.
By depicting both the feature, it is found to be a
beneficial computer.

Examples of Hybrid
Computer

Classification of Computer
There are two types of classes
Classes by size
Classes by Functions

Classes by size
Microcomputers (Personal computers)
Minicomputers (Midrange computers)
Mainframe computers
Supercomputer

Classes by functions
Servers
Workstations
Information appliances
Embedded computers

Microcomputers
Microcomputers are the most common type of
computers used by people today, whether in a
workplace, at school or on the desk at home. e.g.
Desktop computers
Game consoles Laptops
Notebook computers
Palmtop computers
Tablet PC
Programmable calculator

Palmtop Computers:
A small computer that literally fits in your palm.
Compared to full-size computers.
A computer that has a small screen and compressed
keyboard and is small enough to be held in the hand,
often used as a personal organizer.

Tablet PC:
A tablet PC is a
wireless, portable
personal computer with
a touch screen
interface. The tablet is
typically smaller than a
notebook computer but
larger than a smart
phone.

Notebook Computers
A notebook
computer is a
battery- or ACpowered personal
computer generally
smaller than a
briefcase that can
easily be transported
and conveniently
used in temporary
spaces such as on
airplanes, in
libraries, temporary
offices, and at
meetings. A
notebook computer,

Programmable calculators
A limited-function computer capable of
working with only numbers and not
alphanumeric data.
Programmable calculators allow the user to
write and store programs in the calculator in
order to solve difficult problems or automate
an elaborate procedure.

Game Console Laptops

Console games are more commonly referred to as video
games. They are played on a device specially made for
game play called a video game console. The player
interacts with the game through a controller, a hand-held
device with buttons and joysticks or pads.

Minicomputers
Contemporary term for this class of system

is midrange computer.
Midrange system is more powerful and
larger than a work station computer.
Servers typically support several hundred
and some times up to a few thousand
connected computers at the same time.

Minicomputers
Used in smaller organizations.
Initially

these had category between

mainframe and personal computers.
Now a days we use server machine instead
of mini computers.
such as the higher-end SPARC, POWER and
Itanium
-based
systems
from
Sun
Microsystems, IBM and Hewlett-Packard.

Mini computers

Mainframe computers
Used in large organizations.
A

very large and expensive computer

capable of supporting hundreds, or even
thousands, of users simultaneously.
Also called enterprise servers.
There are multiple processors in these
computers(2,4,12).
Banks
and
shopping
marts
are
interconnected
through
mainframe
computers.

Main frame computers

Super Computers
All of the resources to tackle one problem
Used for very complex operations
i. Rocket launching
ii. Assembling
iii. Weather prediction
iv. Aeronautics

v. Testing of nuclear weapons

Cray one 160 millions instructions /second
160 trillion bytes storage
6 trillion bytes memory

Super Computers

Comparison between
Minicomputer, Mainframe &

In some ways, mainframes are

Supercomputer

more
powerful than supercomputers as they
support more simultaneous programs. But
supercomputers can execute a single
program faster than a mainframe.
The distinction between small mainframes
and minicomputers is vague, depending
really on how the manufacturer wants to
market its machines.

A system or organization in which people or groups

are ranked one above the other according to status or
authority.

Hierarchy of
Computers:
In
the hierarchy starting with a simple
microprocessor
(watches) at the bottom
supercomputers at the top,
mainframes are just below super
computers.

Comparison Table
Category of
computer

Number of
simultaneous
users

Size of
computer

Personal
computer
desktop)

Fits on a desk

Usually
one(more if
networkerd)

Mobile computer Fits on your lap

and Mobile
or in hand
devices

Usually one

Game console

Small box or
One to several
hand held device

Server

Small cabinet

Two to
thousands

Mainframe

Partial room to
full room of
equipment

Hundred to
thousands

Servers
Server is a physical computer (a hardware

system) dedicated to running one or more such

services (as a host) to serve the needs of users
of the other computers on the network.

Types of Server:

1.Depending on the computing service that it

offers it could be
2.Database server
3.File server
4.Mail server
5.Print server

Types of Server
Depending on the computing service that it

offers it could be
1.Database server
2.File server
3.Mail server
4.Print server
5.Web server

Database Server
Provides database services to other computers

as defined by the client-server model.

DBMS provide database server functionality,
In a master-slave model, database master
servers are central and primary locations of
data while database slave servers are
synchronized backups of the master acting as
proxies.
e.g.
Oracle, DB2, SQL server

File Server
Computer attached to a network with
primary purpose of providing a location for
shared disk access,
i.e. shared storage of computer files (such
as documents, sound files, photographs,
movies, images, databases, etc.) that can
be accessed by the workstations that are
attached to the computer network

Mail Server
Every email that is sent passes through a

series of mail servers

A complex series of transfers takes place.
Without this series of mail servers, email
can be sent to the email address of the
same domain.

Server

Client Server Network

Workstations
In networking, workstation refers to any

computer connected to a local-area

network. It could be a workstation or a
personal computer.

Information appliance
In information appliance or information

device is any machine or device that is

usable for the purposes of computing,
telecommunicating,
reproducing,
and
presenting encoded information in
innumerable forms and applications.

Information appliances

Embedded Computers
Embedded computers can be compared to
"computers on a chip". All in one , so to speak.
You will find them
in all kind of devices
surrounding us where you need to regulate

something, control or check something

e.g.
Home automation devices e.g. Washing

machines, Sewing machines, Microwave

Ticket machines at the subway,
Cameras, clocks Cell phone, Video games, Global
Positioning System
Automobiles, cars, motors (antilock brakes)

Mobile Devices
Handheld Computers
PDA
Smart Phones
GPS

Hand Held Computers

Personal Digital Assistant

(PDA)

Smart phones

Global Positioning System