Lecture 1

Rashid Abdalahman
[email protected] 1

Mobile: 0755/0715 912 366

Introduction to Computer
• A computer is a device or set of devices that work under the control of a stored
program, automatically accepts and processes data to provide information.
 Automatic: it carries out instructions with minimum human intervention
 Re-programmable: it stores instruction (the program)
 A data processor: it carries out operations on data (numbers or words) to produce
information.
• Data is the name given to facts.
• Information is the meaningful data that is relevant, accurate, up to date and can be
used to make decisions.

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Introduction to Computer…
• A computer is made up of the hardware and the software.
• Hardware refers to the physical, tangible components like keyboards, mouse,
monitors, internal circuits and communication.
• Software refers to the intangible components like stored programs.
• Using electrical impulses, the two are connected and communicate with each other.

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Introduction to Computer…
Basic computer units of measurement
•Bit
 Binary digit
 Smallest unit of measurement
 Two possible values
•Byte
 A sequence of 8 bits
•Word
 The number of adjacent bits that can be stored and manipulated as a unit
 32 bits, 64 bits for home computers, 128 bits for the most powerful

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Introduction to Computer…
Large units of measurement (Memory, Storage)

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Introduction to Computer…
Units of measurement (Speed)
•Millisecond (ms) – a thousandth of a second (1/1,000 = 10-3)
 This is equivalent to 1000Hz or 1KHz
•Microsecond (µs) - a millionth of a second (1/1,000,000 = 10-6)
 This is equivalent to 1000000Hz or 1MHz
•Nanosecond (ns) – a billionth of a second (1/1,000,000,000 = 10-9)
 This is equivalent to 1000000000Hz or 1GHz

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Classification of computers
Computer can be classified into three aspects:
•Representation of numbers
•Degree of specialization
•Types of application

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Classification of computers…
Representation of numbers
•This aspect has three basic kinds of computers, which are digital, analog and hybrid
computers.
•Digital Computer
 This aspect of computer operates on numbers directly.
 It handles numbers discretely and precisely rather than approximately.
 Examples of digital computers are digital watch, digital phone and digital radio.
•Analog Computer
 This aspect of computer deals with quantities that are continuously variable e.g.
speedometer, electric meter, water meter, thermometer.
•Hybrid Computer
 This computer combines the features of both analog and digital computers. They handle
data in both quantities and variable. 8
Classification of computers…
Degree of Specialization
•This aspect has two kinds of computers – special purpose and general-purpose
computer.
•Special purpose computer
 This kind of computer is designed to perform a specific task.
 The program of this aspect of computer is in-built into the machine permanently.
 Special purpose computers include but not limited to those used for solving navigation
problems in aircraft and ships and weather forecasting.
•General purpose computer
 These computers have the ability to handle a wide variety of different programs and to
solve many different problems.
 Different programs can be installed or uninstalled depending on the user needs. 9
Classification of computers…
Types of Application
•There are two types in this aspect – scientific applications computers and business
applications computers.

•Scientific applications
 These computers are designed to handle scientific application more effectively.
 They require small volume of data input and output.

•Business data processing applications

 These computers are designed to handle business data processing applications.
 They need a large data file, input storage, output storage devices and large storage
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capabilities.
Types of computers
Types of computers include the following:
•Mainframe computers
•Mini – computers or Mid-range computers
•Micro – computers or Personal Computers (PC)
•Super computers

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Types of computers…
Mainframe computer
•Is a very powerful central computer linked by cable or telecommunications to
hundreds or thousands of terminals.
•It is capable of accepting simultaneous input from all terminals.
•It has many times more processing power than a PC and offers very extensive data
storage facilities.
•Mainframe computers are used by organizations such as banks that have very large
volumes of processing to perform and have special security needs.

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Types of computers…
Minicomputer
•Refers to a computer whose size, speed and capabilities lie between those of a
mainframe and PC.
•The advent of more powerful chips now means that some PCs linked in a network can
run more powerfully than small mainframe.
•The advent of PCs and with mainframes now being physically smaller than in the past,
the definition of a minicomputer has become rather vague.

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Types of computers…
Microcomputer
•Refers to a computer whose size, speed and capabilities is less than the
minicomputer.
•PCs are now the norm for small to medium-sized business computers.
•Other business computers are:
 File server
 Portables
 Workstations

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Types of computers…
Microcomputer
File server
Is more powerful than the average desktop PC and it is dedicated to providing
additional services for users of network PCs.
Portables
The original portable computers were heavy, weighing around 5 kg and could only
be run from the main electricity supply.
Due to subsequent developments they can now be powered either from the
electricity supply or using a rechargeable battery.
Examples: laptop and the Notebook

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Types of computers…
Workstation computers
•They were used by one person, particularly for graphics, design applications or
engineering.
•They had fast and powerful central processor, a high - resolution monitor and large
memory.
•This enabled complex designs to be easily manipulated.
•The above characteristics however are no longer unique to Workstations.
•High performance personal computer can offer very similar services, so the distinction
is a historical one.

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Types of computers…
Super computers
•Refers to computers that can process very large amount of data quickly.
•They are particularly useful for occasions where high volumes of calculations need to
be performed. For example in meteorological or astronomical applications.
•They are not used commercially.

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Benefits of computer to the society
• Accuracy of information is improved.
• The volume of information to be processed is increased.
• The speed at which information becomes available is higher.
• The workforce is freed up for most work.
• There is greater access to information available and to more people.

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Computer devices
• A computer consists of several interconnected devices or components.
• They are five basic components, namely, central processing unit, primary storage,
secondary storage, input devices, and output devices.

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• Secondary storage, input and output devices are also called peripheral equipments.
Computer devices…
Buses
•Connect the different inner parts of the computer together.

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Computer devices…
Ports
•Connect the computer to the outside.

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Computer devices…
Ports
•Connect the computer to the outside.

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Computer devices…
Input devices
•The devices that feed data into computers

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Computer devices…
Input devices

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Computer devices…
The processor
•The processor is also called the central processing unit (CPU).
•The CPU is the brain of the computer and the single most expensive piece of
hardware in a computer.
•The more powerful the CPU, the faster the computer.
•It carries out the calculations for the program and controls the other components of
the system.
•It has two main units, called Arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and control unit (CU).
•The ALU does the arithmetic and perform logical operations.
•The CU analyze and execute instructions.
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Computer devices…
The processor

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Computer devices…
Memory
•Is also called internal storage or primary storage.
•Memory is a computer device that stores programs and data.
•One type of primary storage is called RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY or RAM.
•RAM
 Is the main type of primary storage used with computers and it is volatile.
 Used for temporary storage.
•ROM
 ROM is non-volatile storage.

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Computer devices…
Memory

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Computer devices…
Storage
•The information is retained longer (non-volatile)
•Slower
•Cheaper

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Computer devices…
Differences between ROM and RAM

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Computer devices…
Output devices
•The devices that the computer uses to display results

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Computer devices…
Output devices
•The devices that the computer uses to display results

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Computer devices…
Secondary storage
•Secondary storage is an optional attachment, which is cable –connected to the CPU.
•Secondary is nonvolatile.
•Example of secondary storage devices:-
 Floppy disks
 Zip disks
 Hard drives
 CD-ROM
 DVD

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Computer devices…
Differences between primary storage and secondary storage

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Computer software
• Software is a set of programs, which is designed to perform a well-defined function.
• A program is a sequence of instructions written to solve a particular problem.
• There are two types of software
 System Software
 Application Software
System Software
• Is a collection of programs designed to operate, control, and extend the processing
capabilities of the computer.
• System software are generally prepared by computer manufactures.
• System software serves as the interface between hardware and the end users.
• Examples of system software are Operating System, Compilers, Interpreter and 35
Assemblers.
Computer software…
Application Software
•Application software products are designed to satisfy a particular need of a particular
environment.
•Application software may consist of a single program, such as a Microsoft's notepad
for writing and editing simple
text.
• It may also consist of a collection of programs, often called a software package, which
work together to accomplish a task, such as a Microsoft Office package.
•Examples of Application software are following; Student Record Software, Microsoft
Word, Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Powerpoint.

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Operating System
An operating system is a system software having the following features:
•Acting as an interface between the software and the computer hardware.
•It is an integrated set of specialized programs that are used to manage overall
resources and operations of the computer.
•It is a specialized software that controls and monitors the execution of all other
programs that reside in the computer, including application programs and other
system software.

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Operating System…

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Operating System…
Objectives of Operating System
•To make a computer system convenient to use in an efficient manner
•To hide the details of the hardware resources from the users
•To provide users a convenient interface to use the computer system
•To act as an intermediary between the hardware and its users and making it easier for
the users to access and use other resources
•To keep track of who is using which resource and granting resource requests.

Examples include versions of Microsoft Windows (like Windows 10, Windows 8,

Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP), Apple's macOS (formerly OS X), Chrome
OS and Linux.
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Operating System…
User interface
•A user interface (UI) is the part of an operating system, program or device that the
user uses to input and receive data.
•Common UIs are graphical user interface and command line interface.

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

•Is a type of interface that lets a user use the mouse to click icons, buttons, and
menus, and everything is clearly displayed on the screen using a combination of
graphics and text.
•Modern operating systems use a graphical user interface, or GUI.

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Operating System…
Graphical User Interface (GUI)…

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Operating System…
User interface…
Command Line Interface (CLI)
•A CLI is a user interface to a computer's operating system or an application in which
the user types in different command on a specified line, receives a response back from
the system, and then enters another command, and so forth.
•It not user friendly to beginners.

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Operating System…
User interface…
Command Line Interface (CLI)

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Life has no limitations,
except the ones you
make.
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