Chapter-1

Introduction To Computer
For psychiatry students

University of Gondar
Department of health informatics
By Tadele Chekol
Mail: [email protected]
Cellphone: 0918494229
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Lesson objectives
At the end of this lesson students should be able to :
 Define computer
 Know the history of computer
Identify basic characteristics of computer
Identify different types of computer
Know components of computer

2
 Computer Definition
 Is electronic device that accepts, processes, stores data, retrieve and
produce an outputs under the control of set of instructions.
 Computers can perform four general operations, which
comprise the information processing cycle.
 Input
 Process
 Output
 Storage

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What Does Computers Do?
• Input, Process, Output, & Store data

Input Process Output

Store Data

4
Computer History

• A Computer history timeline

• Counting aids  Manual calculators  Mechanical calculators 
Programmable calculators  Programmable computers

5
 Computer History…

Counting aids
• The history of computers starts out about 2000 years
ago in Babylonia (Mesopotamia), at the birth of the
abacus, a wooden rack holding two horizontal wires
with beads strung on them.

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Computer History…

• Manual Calculators
• Blaise Pascal is usually credited for building the first digital
computer in 1642
• This first mechanical calculator, called the Pascaline

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Computer History…
 Programmable calculators
 Computers for World War II for the military aircraft design and
fire control.
 In 1942, John P. , and his associates at the Moore school of
Electrical Engineering of University of Pennsylvania decided to
build a high - speed electronic computer to do the job.

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Characteristics of Computer

1. Speed: The speed of a computer in processing information is

increasing from time to time and computers can calculate at
very high speed.
2. Accuracy: A computer performs its task with great accuracy.
It never commits mistakes in processing the data. It produces
errors when we enter inaccurate input, i.e., Garbage In
Garbage Out (GIGO)

Error in computer data processing is mostly human factor. The

program may be wrongly coded or the data may be wrongly
entered.

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 Characteristics of computer…
3. Capacity(Storage): Computers can store large
amount of data using their memory unit

4. Flexibility(Versatility): Computers can be

programmed and applied for different
purposes. People can use computers for
different applications.

consistency(Diligence): The computer

does the same thing repeatedly without saying “I
am tired or I am bored”.
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Why A Computer Is So Powerful?
 The ability to perform the information processing cycle with amazing
speed.
 Reliability (low failure rate).
 Accuracy.
 Ability to store huge amounts of data and information.
 Ability to communicate with other computers

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Limitations of computer

No decision-making Ability

lack of intelligent thinking

lack of independent thought

These limitations of computers are characteristics of

human beings. Thus, computers and human beings work
in collaboration to make a perfect pair.

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 Types of Computers
Computers can be classified into super computers, mainframe
computers, minicomputers, and microcomputers (personal
computers) on the basis of the following:
1. Size
2. Cost
3. Performance
i. Speed of processing data
ii. Storage capacity
iii. Ability to handle input and output devices

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Types of Computers….

Types of
Computers

Microcomputer Minicomputer Mainframe Supercomputer

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1. Microcomputer

Can be classified into:

 Desktop PCs
 sits on desks, rarely moved, large and bulky.
 Memory capacity, graphics capacity and software availability vary from one computer to
another.
 Used both for business and home applications

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Microcomputer….
 Portable PCs
Can be moved easily from place to place
Weight may varies
Small PCs are popular known as laptop
Widely used by students, scientist, reporters, etc.

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Microcomputer Model

Desktop Laptop

Palmtop
Notebook

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Microcomputer…
 Advantages
 Small size
 Low cost
 Portability
 Low Computing Power
 Commonly used for personal applications
 Disadvantages
 Low processing speed
 Low storage capacity

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2. Minicomputer

Workstation/Server Computer
Medium sized computer
Also called the minis
 e.g. IBM36, HP9000, etc.
Computing power lies between microcomputer and
mainframe computer

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Minicomputer…

Characteristics
 Bigger size than PCs
 Expensive than PCs
 Multi-User
 More computing power than PCs
 Used by medium sized business organizations, colleges, libraries and banks.

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Minicomputer …
Advantages
 Provide to multiple users
 Lower costs than mainframes
Disadvantages
 Large
 Bulky

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3. Mainframe
Known as enterprise servers
Occupies entire rooms or floors
Used for centralized computing
Serve distributed users and small
servers in a computing network
They are used in wide area
networks and support hundreds of
users

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Mainframe…
Large, fast and expensive than mini computer
Cost millions of dollar
Characteristics:
 Bigger in size than minicomputers
 Very expensive
 Support hundred users simultaneously (Multi-Users)
 Difficult to use
 More computing power than minicomputers
 Used in big business organizations and government departments

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Mainframe …
Advantage
 Supports many users and instructions
 Large memory
Disadvantage
 Huge size
 Expensive

Some mainframes are designed to be extremely

fast and called super computers. It is used for
space launching, monitoring and controlling.

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4. Supercomputer
Largest, fastest and expensive
Used by applications for molecular
chemistry, nuclear research, weather
reports, and advanced physics
Consists of several computers that
work in parallel as a single system

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Supercomputer…
Advantage
 Speed
 Storage capacity
Disadvantage
 Generate a large amount of heat during operation
 Huge size
 Expensive
Supercomputers are more powerful than Mainframes,
and Mainframes are more powerful than
minicomputers, which are more powerful than
microcomputers.

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Computer Components

Input devices.
Central Processing Unit
 control unit
 Arithmetic and logical unit.
Memory.
Output devices.
Storage devices.

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Computer System

Computer consists of two parts:

1. Computer Hardware
– A generic name for the various devices that make up a computer system

2. Computer Software
– Set of instructions that direct the computer hardware to perform a particular
task

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 Computer Hardware
Any visible part of a computer which can be seen and
touch is known as hardware.
Hardware are involved in the data processing cycle as an
input, output or as both.
A computer system consists of three primary units:
Input units –feeds data & instruction to
the computer system
Processor unit – processes data by performing
comparisons and calculations
Output units – displays the results of the
processing
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 Input Devices
Input is all the data entered into a computer.
Input can be supplied from a variety of sources:
 A person
 A storage device on computer
 Another computer
 A peripheral device
 Another piece of equipment, such as a musical instrument or thermometer

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Input Devices …

 Input devices gather and translate data into a form the computer
understands.
 Primary input device:
 Keyboard - Most common input device; used to type in commands and data.
 Mouse or trackball: enhances user’s ability to input commands, manipulate
text, images.
 Joystick: useful in education as an adaptive or assistive input device.

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Input Devices …
Scanners: are peripheral input devices which allow
users to import:
Text
Graphics
Images
Digital Cameras: are peripheral input
devices that allow users to create pictures
and/or movies in a digital format.

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Computer Input Devices
 Keyboard  Touch screen
 Mouse/Trackball  Bar code reader
 Joystick  Scanner
 Light pen  Microphone
 Pointing Stick  Graphics Tablet
 Touchpad  Digital Cameras

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Output Devices
Use to display processed information to the user either
in softcopy or hardcopy

Soft copy – output displayed on a computer screen. It

is the primary output medium.
 E.g. Monitor

Hard copy – output produced on paper or micro film.

 E.g. Printers, plotters, …

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Output Devices….
 Monitors: are the most commonly used output device.
• Monitors are connected to a computer system via a
port integrated on the video adapter or graphics
card.
• Graphics cards convert digital data output from
software to analog data for display on monitors.

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Output Devices….
 Printer: Most widely used output devices to prepare
printed paper documents
 There are Impact and Non-impact printers
1. Impact printers
Form characters by striking an inked ribbon with
hammers against paper
E.g. Dot matrix printers & ink printers

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Output Devices….

2. Non-impact printers
Form characters without physical contact between a printer
and paper
E.g. Laser jet printers

Plotters
capable of drawing complex shapes with multiple colors

37
Output Devices….
VDU
Flat screen monitors
Printer
Plotters
Speakers
Projectors

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Central Processing Unit

It is the place where data processing takes place

• The system's memory also plays a crucial role in

processing data.

• Both the CPU and memory are attached to the

system's motherboard, which connects all the
computer's devices together, enabling them to
communicate.

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40
 CPU
(Central Processing Unit)

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CPU types
CPU speed is measured by the number of completed
instruction cycles per second
 Currently, CPU speeds range from 600 megahertz to 4 gigahertz .
Main parts of CPU:
The control unit
Arithmetic and Logical Unit (ALU)

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 The Control Unit
Controls the entire operation of the computer.
is the “boss” and coordinates all of the CPU’s activities.
Directs the flow of data through the CPU, and to and from
other devices.
The control unit stores the CPU's microcode, which contains
the instructions for all the tasks the CPU can perform.
It is responsible for controlling the transfer of
data and instructions among other units of
computer
It communicates with Input/ Output devices for
transfer of data or results from storage.
It does not process or store data

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The Arithmetic and Logic Unit

The actual manipulation of data takes place in the

ALU.
Performs the arithmetic operations and the logical
comparisons
Controls the speed of calculations;

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45
ALU Operations List

Arithmetic Logical
Operations Operations
+ Add ,  equal to, not equal to
 Subtract > greater than
x Multiply < less than
 Divide  greater than or equal to
^ Raise by a power  less than or equal to

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Registers
 A special storage location within CPU which
temporarily hold data and program instructions while
they are being processed.
 Small amount of very fast memory built in CPU.
 Registers are normally measured in the number of bits,
8, 32, 64. It means it can store 8, 32 and 64 bits of data
respectively

 Both the ALU and control units are connected to

registers, such that to execute an instruction the control
units retrieves data from main memory and places it
into a register and after processing the results are
stored in register.
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Bus
Refers to an electronic highway through which
information are transmitted between the various
components
A bus(transmission path) is a path between the
components of a computer. Data and instructions
travel along these paths.
Different types of bus
 Data bus
 Address bus

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Bus…

 The bus width determines how many bits can be

transmitted between the CPU and other devices.
 A 64 bits wide bus carries 8 characters at a time

 The wider the data bus the more data it can carry
at one time

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Cache Memory

 Cache memory is high-speed memory that holds

the most recent data and instructions that have
been loaded by the CPU.

 Cache is located between the CPU and RAM,

making it faster than normal RAM.

 The amount of cache memory has a tremendous

impact on the computer's speed.

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Computer Memory …
Computer memory refers to devices that are used to
store data or programs (sequence of instructions) on
temporary or permanent basis.
You can store data on your hard disk, that used to store
data permanently, while data which is being processed is
stored in RAM (Random Access Memory)
Data stored in RAM is temporary, because it is available
as far as there is power.

53
Memory…
 Two types of memory
 Primary memory
 The main working area of the computer
 The CPU can utilize only those instructions and data that are stored in main
memory
 Secondary memory
 Stores data and programs for later use

54
Primary Memory
Found on the motherboard
 Short term

Random Access Memory (RAM)

 Long term

Read Only Memory (ROM)

55
RAM
Memory on the motherboard that is short term; where
data, information, and program instructions are stored
temporarily on a RAM chip or a set of RAM chips.
Known as the main memory.
This memory is considered volatile.
The computer can read from and write to RAM.
 “Temporary Memory” – Short Term
 The amount of RAM in a PC has a direct impact on the system's speed.

More RAM = Better Performance!

56
 RAM…
All software applications will have RAM
specifications listed on their packaging.
Many applications list both a minimum and a
recommended amount of RAM necessary to run the
software.
Be cautious about buying software for a system based
on minimum requirement.
The more RAM the computer has, the faster it operate

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58
ROM
“Permanent Memory” – Long Term
This memory is nonvolatile and your computer can only
read from a ROM chip.
 Read-only memory is most commonly used to store
system-level programs that we want to have
available to the PC at all times
E.g. system BIOS ROM.

59
 Primary memory
RAM
ROM

Volatile
 Non-volatile
Working area of computer
Permanently stored
(stores data and program
programs
code needed by the CPU)
Allows read only
Allows both read and write

60
More RAM = Better Performance!

61
Secondary Storage Devices
 Storage devices are both input and output devices in
one.
 The information is retained longer (non-volatile)
 Any storage device designed to retain data and
instruction in a more permanent form.
 Non-volatile storage media.
 Currently used ones
 hard disks,
 floppy disk,
 optical disk (CD-ROM)
 Flash disk

62
 Storage Technology
Electronic devices that store, retrieve, and save
instructions and data.
Today’s microcomputers or PCs include several types
of storage devices.
Capacity and speed are important considerations
when selecting a new storage device for a PC.

63
Categories of Storage

Magnetic storage
 Converts electrical signals into magnetic charges
 Captures magnetic charge on a storage medium. E.g. Floppy disks, Zip disks,
Hard drives
Optical storage
 Store bit values as variations in light reflection
 Higher areal density & longer data life than magnetic storage
 Standardized and relatively inexpensive. E.g. CD-ROM, DVD

64
 Hard Disk Drives
Capacity is measured in gigabytes (GB or billions of
bytes).
Typically permanently installed.
Used to store operating system, application software,
utilities and data.
Magnetic storage device.
HDD
(Hard Disk Drive)

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 Floppy Disk Drives

Capacity is 1.44 to 2.0 megabytes (MB or millions of

bytes).
 Storage device with the smallest capacity
 Most portable storage media
Magnetic storage device.

66
 CD-ROM Drives
• Typically installed on all new computer systems.
• Capacity is 600 to 750 megabytes (MB or millions of bytes).
• Most mass-produced commercial software is packaged on a
CD.
• Used more often now for backup storage as CD-RW
(read/write) technology has become less expensive.
• Optical storage device.

67
Other Components of Computer

Motherboard

68
Power Supply

69
 bus
Printer Disk
controller
Mouse Ports

Keyboard Graphics
card Monitor
Modem

CPU Speakers
Sound
card

RAM
Network
card
Computer

70
 a re
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71
 Computer Software
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72
Software…
 Software is a set of electronic instructions that tells the
computer how to do certain tasks. A set of instructions
is often called a program.

When a computer is using a particular

program, it is said to be running or executing
the program.
 The two most common types of Software are:
System software
Application software.

73
 System Software
 System software exists primarily for the computer
itself, to help the computer perform specific
functions.
 Programs that control or maintain the operations of
the computer and its devices
 System software helps the computer carry out its
basic operating tasks.
 Operating systems
 Utilities

74
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75
Operating System

An Operating System (OS) is the master controller

within a computer.
The OS tells the computer how to interact with the
user and its own devices.
 EX: Windows, Macintosh OS, DOS, UNIX, Linux
An operating system interacts with:
 All hardware installed in or connected to a computer system.
 All software installed or running from a storage device on a computer system.

76
Operating System…

•Microsoft Windows
• Most popular operating system.
• Supports a vast array of application software
and peripheral devices.
•Network operating system (NOS)
• Manages network resources.
• Maintains security.
• Tracks user accounts.
• Handles communication between workstations
and servers.
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Types of Operating System

1. Command line operating system

2. Graphical user Interface

78
Command Line Operating Systems
DOS is an example of a command line
operating system.

79
 GUI
What is a graphical user interface (GUI)?

 Allows you to interact

with the software using
text, graphics, and visual
images such as icons

 Controls how you enter

data and instructions
and how the screen
displays information

80
 Utilities

• Utilities augment functionality of operating systems.

• Utilities includes device drivers and

Troubleshooting capabilities.

• Utilities provide file management capabilities such

as copying, moving or renaming a file.

81
Application Software
What is application software?

 Programs designed to make users more productive

 It consists of programs that tell a computer how to
produce information
 Accomplish tasks the user requires, such as creating a
document or editing a graphic image.

Word
Spreadsheet
Processing

Presentation
Database
Graphics
82
Application Software…
Application Software helps the user to:
 Produce worksheets and reports.
Automate record keeping like attendance and grades.
Create flow charts and graphic organizers.
Communicate worldwide.

83
Application Software….

Graphics Creation and Manipulation

Animation and 3D Graphics
Video Editing
Internet Connectivity
Website Creation and Management
Financial Management
Educational Games and Tutorials

84
 Some Application Software
 Word processing programs  Spreadsheet software
 Database management  Presentation programs
 Graphics programs  Networking software
 Web design tools and browsers  Internet applications
 Communications programs  Multimedia authoring
 Entertainment and education

85
 Examples of software Usage
What software is available for a home user?

 Personal finance
management
 Web access
 Communications
 Entertainment

86
Computer Applications in Society

 Education
 Finance
 Government
 Health Care
 Science
 Manufacturing

Next 87
Thank you!