CSC 111 – Introduction to Computing

lecture One

C. I EKE
eke.ifeanyi @fulafia.edu.ng

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 Reference books
The standard textbook for this module is given below
Computer science for fresh undergraduates.
Fundermentals of information technology, S.B.
Junaidu.
Discovering Computers 2011: Living in a Digital
World , Seventh Edition, by: Gary B. Shelly and Misty
E. Vermaat, published by Course Technology, Cengage
Learning.

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 Lecturers taking the course

Prof. D.N Choji

C.I Eke (course coordinator)
Umar Bako
P.A Ochang

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 Course Outline (cont.)

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 Assessment
Assignments at the end of every lecture
2 Tests
Practical classes
Exam

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 Introductory Concepts in Computer Science

What is a Computer?
A device which senses / accepts data as inputs,
performs operations on the data based on a
prearranged sequence of instructions called a program
and provides the result as an output.
An electronic device for storing and processing data,
typically in binary form, according to instructions
given to it in a variable format.

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 Introductory Concepts in Computer
Science

It can also be referred to as an electronics devices /

machine that are capable of accepting data as input,
processes the data based on the instruction and
produces result as an output.

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 Characteristic of computer System
Despite their differences in shape and size, they share
several common basic characteristics.

Speed
Storage ability
No IQ
Accuracy
Versatility
Diligence
Power of Remembering
programmability
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 Characteristic of computer System
1. Speed: computers work very fast. A computer has no problem in solving
thousands of problems within a second or even microsecond, nanosecond,
or pico second.

2. Storage ability: due to auxiliary storage unit, unlimited amounts of

information can be stored in a computer system. This information is never
forgotten unless it is deleted, removed or changed. Therefore the
information stored inside the computer is reliably stored and easier to
retrieve when needed.

3. NO IQ: computer cannot do any work without instruction from the user. It
is the user who decides what the computer should do, how it should be
done and the moment the task should be carried out.

4. Diligence: a computer is free from tiredness, lack of concentration, fatigue,

etc . It can work for hours without creating any error.
5. Power of remembering: computer has the power of storing any amount of
9 information or data and for several years.
 Characteristic of computer System

6. Accuracy: it is a very accurate and reliable machine though not every result is
Accurate. Computers nowadays are able to report if the hardware misbehaves
while processing information or if the information proceeding from one unit to
another is corrupted. They perform finite arithmetic or calculation.

7. Versatility: the same computer can perform different type of work. The same
computer can be used for playing video game, for managing a business, for
editing a word document.

8. Programmability: this is one of the unique characteristics that distinguish

computer from other calculating machines (Calculator). A computer can be
programmed to perform any desired Operation, ranging from business to
Sciences, economy , environmental study.

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 What Is Computer Science?
Some Possible Misconceptions Are:

The study of Computers

Programming and programming languages

Applications software like MS word, Adobe Photoshop,

Vlc player, Mp3 player, Video games

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A widely accepted definition of Computer science was given by
Norman Gibbs and Allen Tucker:
Computer Science is the study of Algorithms, especially their

Mathematical Properties: Correctness, Efficiency, Complexity

(time and space)

Hardware Realizations: Logic Gates, Circuits, Architecture

Software Realizations: Programming and Programming

Methodologies

Applications to Other Disciplines: Mathematics, Physics,

Engineering, Business
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 Data
Data are raw facts and figures
that on their own have
no meaning

 These can be any alphanumeric

characters i.e. text, numbers,
symbols

Note the “are” bit above? What does this mean

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 Data Examples
Yes, Yes, No, Yes, No, Yes, No, Yes
42, 63, 96, 74, 56, 86
111192, 111234

None of the above data sets have any meaning until

they are given a CONTEXT and PROCESSED into a
useable form

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 Data Into Information
To achieve its aims the organisation will need to process
data into information.
Data needs to be turned into meaningful information and
presented in its most useful format
Data must be processed in a context in order to give it
meaning

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 Information
Data that has been processed within a context to give it
meaning

OR

Data that has been processed into a form that gives it

meaning

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 Examples
In the next 3 examples
explain how the data could
be processed to give it
meaning

What information can then

be derived from the data?

Suggested answers are given at the end of this presentation

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 Example 1

Yes, Yes, No, Yes, No, Yes, No,

Raw Data Yes, No, Yes, Yes

Responses to the market

Context research question – “Would you
buy brand x at price y?”
Processing

Information ???
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 Example 2

Raw Data 42, 63, 96, 74, 56, 86

James scores in the six AS/A2

Context ICT modules

Processing

Information ???
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 Example 3

111192, 111234
Raw Data

The previous and current

Context readings of a customer’s gas
meter
Processing

Information ???
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 Suggested answers to examples
 Example 1
 We could add up the yes and no responses and calculate the
percentage of customers who would buy product X at price Y. The
information could be presented as a chart to make it easier to
understand.
 Example 2
 Adding James scores would give us a mark out of 600 that could
then be converted to an A level grade. Alternatively we could
convert the individual module results into grades.
 Example 3
 By subtracting the second value from the first we can work out how
many units of gas the consumer has used. This can then be
multiplied by the price per unit to determine the customer’s gas bill.

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 Summary

Information = Data + Context + Meaning

Processing
Data – raw facts and figures

Information – data that has been processed (in a context) to give it meaning

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 Applications of computer systems
A computer in the growing technology offers a wide range of
functions and services. They includes
 Education: computers have significantly enhanced the quality of
teaching and learning. Internet has helped improving the quality
of academic research by making needed materials available to
researchers and learners. Distance learning offers a variety of
internet and video based online courses. They are used to give
online exams and get instant results.
 Medicine: it is used to store patient data, diagnose diseases and
learn the cures. Software is used in magnetic resonance imaging
to examine the internal organs of the human body. Software is
used in performing surgery.
 Business: it is used to manage stock and sales, to calculate the
bills and taxes, accounting is done using computers. One can
predict future trends of business using artificial intelligent.
23 Software is used in many stock markets. One can trade online.
 Applications of computer systems
Banking: all financial transactions are done by computer
software. They provide security, speed, and convenience.
Automated teller machine let us conduct banking
transaction from virtually anywhere in the world.
Government: various departments of government use
computer for their planning, control and law
enforcement activities.
Communication: through e-mail, you can communicate
with a person sitting thousands of miles away in few
seconds. Chat software enables one to chat with another
on a real-time basis

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 Classification of Computers
Classification based on Size
Super Computer

Mainframe Computers

Minicomputer

Microcomputer/ Personal computer


Super Computer: The fastest and most powerful type of computer.

Supercomputer are very expenses and are employed for specialized
applications that require immense amounts of mathematical calculations.
For example, weather forecasting requires supercomputer. Other uses of
super computers includes animated graphics, fluid dynamic calculations,
nuclear energy research and petroleum exploration. The chief difference
between a supercomputer and a mainframe computer is that a
supercomputer channels all its power into executing a few programs as
fast as possible, whereas mainframe uses its power to execute many
programs concurrently.
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 Classification of Computers
Super Computer: The fastest and most powerful type of computer.

Supercomputer are very expenses and are employed for specialized
applications that require immense amounts of mathematical
calculations. exploration. The chief difference between a
supercomputer and a mainframe computer is that a supercomputer
channels all its power into executing a few programs as fast as
possible, whereas mainframe uses its power to execute many
programs concurrently.
Applications
weather forecasting requires supercomputer.
Animated graphics
fluid dynamic calculations.
nuclear energy research and petroleum exploration

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 Classification of Computers
Mainframe: Largest type of digital computer and a multi
user system. Capable of supporting hundreds and
thousands of users simultaneously. They are expensive.
Require air conditioning for temperature control. Needs
many people to operate and maintain them. Mainframe are
just below supercomputers and in some way more
powerful because they support more simultaneous
programs.
Applications
Used as controlling nodes in WANs

Used to manage large centralized databases


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 Classification of Computers

Minicomputers: Multiuser. Designed for use in a network

system. Typically used in applications that don’t require
the fast computational speed or large memory capacity
available on large scale system. Have program flexibility
but are sometimes programmed for a specific job and
many times used only for that job. Support faster
peripheral devices like high speed printers
Application
Used to control and monitor production processes
To analyze results of experiments in laboratories
Used as servers in LANs (Local Area Networks)
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 Classification of Computers
Microcomputers: Micros are the smallest of all the
classes of computers in physical sizes. They are various
kinds of personal computers: desktops, laptops,
handheld computers, and Tablet PCs most widely used
because of their compatibility e.g. IBM PC, PS/2 and
Apple Macintosh
characteristics
They are designed to be used by only one person at a
time
A micro Computer uses a microprocessor as its central
Processing Unit
Low cost and often used for specific applications.
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 Types of Computers
Classification based on method of processing.
a. Analog
b. Digital
c. Hybrid
 Analog: Works on numerical data represented by some physical
quantity which varies continuously i.e. it measures physical
changes such as temperature, pressure to model the problem
being solved. Such computers do not deal directly with the
numbers
 Digital: High speed & programmable. They compute values and
stores results. Performs calculations & logical operations with
quantities represented as digits, usually in binary number. Data
is represented in 0s & 1s. They give the results with more
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accuracy and at a fast rate.
 Classification of Computers
Hybrid: Combines both analog & digital features
and operations combining the advantages of
analog and digital computers when working as a
system. Hybrid computers are being used
extensively in process control system where it is
necessary to have a close representation with the
physical world.

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 Classification of Computers
Classification based on Purpose and usage.
General purpose computers
These machines have the capability of dealing with variety of
different problems, and are able to act in response to programs
created to meet different needs. A general purpose computer is
one that has the ability to store different programs of
instruction and thus to perform a variety of operation.
Special purpose computers
As to the name implies, is designed to perform one specific task.
The program of instructions is built into, or permanently stored
in the machine. Most special purpose computers have the
capability of performing just one task.

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 Classification based on Generation
This refers to the periods and stages of development of
computer. This stages or periods started from 1946 to
date.
The first electronic Computer was designed and built at
the University of Pennsylvania based on vacuum tube
technology. Vacuum tubes were used to perform logic
operations and to store data.
Generations of Computers has been divided into five
according to the development of technologies used to
fabricate the processors, memories and I/O units

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 GENERATIONS OF COMPUTER

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 FIRST GENERATION (VACCUM TUBE TECHNOLOGY) 1946-1958

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UNIVAC computer ENIAC computer
 Vacuum tube technology

What are vacuum tubes?

Vacuum tubes are electronic devices that are
used to generate electrical signals

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 Development of Electronic Computers ( Computer Generations )
First Generation of Computers (1946 – 1958)
Earliest general purpose computers
Its input & output media were punched cards &
magnetic tapes respectively
Main memory made up of medium vacuum tubes
They were slow and large
They were very expenses to operate as they used
large amount of electricity
They produced a tremendous amount of heat
Fixed point arithmetic were used
37 Could run only one program at a time
 SECOND GENERATION COMPUTERS
1959-1964 (TRANSISTOR AGE) IBM 7094

IBM 1401, 1402, 1403 and 1406

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 Do you know that........?
The transistor (short for transfer resistance) is made up
of semi-conductor and is a component used to control the
amount of current or voltage or used for
amplification/modulation or switching of an electronic
signal. The transistor is the primary building block of all
microchips, including your CPU, and is what creates the
binary 0's and 1's your computer uses to communicate.

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 Computer Generations (cont.)
Second Generation of Computers (1959–1964)
Transistors replaced vacuum tubes
Memory made up of magnetic cores
Uses removable magnetic disk packs as storage devices
High level programming language such as FORTRAN and COBOL
were used
Hardware for floating point arithmetic operations were developed
Computational time were reduced to microseconds from
milliseconds
Flexibility of program were increased as a result of index register
They are smaller, more reliable and significantly faster than the
first generation
Uses solid state devices such as transistors, which generate less

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heat and are more reliable
 Third Generation Computers 1965-1970
(Integrated Circuit (IC) Technology)

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 Computer Generations (cont.)
Third Generation of Computers (1965 – 1970)

Integrated circuit – a complete electronic circuit on a silicon chip –

replace transistorized circuitry
In the beginning magnetic core memories were used. Later they were
replaced by semiconductor memories (RAM & ROM)
Computer began to support such capabilities as multiprogramming
and timesharing
Increase in production of operating systems and application packages
More decrease in size of computers
Allows flexibility in modifying or expanding computer systems
without altering the basic system
General purpose computers that handle both business & scientific
applications
Computational time reduced from microseconds to nanosecond
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 Fourth Generation 1971- 1989(MICRO PROCESSOR AGE)

APPLE MACINTOSH

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 Fourth Generation 1971- 1989 (MICRO PROCESSOR AGE)
Microprocessor based systems
Electronic computers that used large-scale integration (LSI)
circuits
Portable and quite reliable
Generate negligible amount of heat
GUI and pointing devices enables users to learn computer usage
quickly
Interconnections of computer leads to better communication
and resource sharing
Tens of thousands of transistors can be placed in a single chip
(VLSI design implemented)
 CRT screen, laser & ink jet printers, scanners were developed.
 Semiconductor memory chips were used as the main memory.

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 Fifth Generation 1989 - Present
(Artificial Intelligent)

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 Fifth Generation 1989 - Present
(Artificial Intelligent)

Computers based on artificial intelligence are available

Massive parallel machines and extensively distributed
system connected by communication networks
Object Oriented Programming (OOP) language like JAVA
suitable for internet programming has been developed
Portable note book Computers were introduced
New operating systems developed – Windows 95/98/XP/,
LINUX
Computers use extensive parallel processing, multiple
pipelines and multiple processors.
Introduced ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration) technology

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 THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY THAT ARE YET TO BE RELEASED

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 Computer Generations (cont.)
SUMMARY
Generation Technology
First Vacuum tubes
Second Transistors
Third Integrated Circuits (chips)
Fourth Microprocessor
Fifth Artificial intelligent

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