Fundamentals of Computer

Fundamentals of Computer Concepts

CSC141 Introduction to Computer
Programming

1

Computer
A computer is a programmable, multiuse machine
that accepts data, ( raw facts and figures ) and
process ,or manipulates, it into information.

Information:
“processed data
information”

on

a

computer

Programming

is

called

2

Parts of the Computer System
• Building Blocks of computer system
– Data (information)
– User
– Hardware
– Software

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Parts of the Computer System
• Data
– Pieces of facts
– Computer organize and present information
• Users
– People operating the computer
– Computer working for the people
– Users are most important part of the
computers
– Tell the computer what to do
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HARDWARE
• Physical Components of the Computer.
• TANGIBLE (can be touched)

SOFTWARE
•
•
•
•

Step-by-step instructions to perform the task.
Also called a program
INTANGIBLE (cannot be touched)
Programs and software interchangeable
terms

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HARDWARE :
Major components of a Computer
•
•
•
•
•

INPUT DEVICES
OUTPUT DEVICES
CPU
MEMORY
STORAGE DEVICES

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HARDWARE:
INPUT DEVICES
These devices allow the user to enter the data into
the computer.
These devices are;
• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Scanner
• Pointer

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HARDWARE:
OUTPUT DEVICES
Consist of devices that translate information
processed by the computer into human
understandable format.
These devices are:
• Printer
• Monitor
• Speaker

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HARDWARE:
I/O DEVICES
Some devices are both input as well as output
devices.
Can perform I/O simultaneously.
• Touchpad Screens

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HARDWARE :
CPU; Central Processing Unit
• Brain of the
computer.
• Two parts are:
– ALU
– CU

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HARDWARE :
CPU; CONTROL UNIT
• Directs and coordinates flow of
data through the CPU and to
and from other devices
• Traffic cop
• CPU’s Instruction set is built into
the
Control
unit
called
Commands that a CPU can
execute
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HARDWARE :
CPU; ALU
Arithmetic Logic Unit

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HARDWARE:
MEMORY
Two categories of Memory
• Volatile Memory
Loses its contents when the computer's
power is turned off
• Non-volatile Memory
Does not lose its contents when the
computer’s power is turned off

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HARDWARE:
MEMORY
Stores Data or programs
(workspace or archiving/storage space)
RAM: Random Access Memory (Volatile)
• Stores current Data and programs
• More RAM results in a faster system

ROM: Read Only Memory (non-volatile)
• Permanent storage of programs/instructions
• Holds the computer boot directions
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HARDWARE:
Memory; CPU Registers (Part of ALU)
• High speed memory locations built directly
into the CPU
• Temporary storage location used by the
CPU (Scratchpad)
• Used to hold data currently being
processed
• Results of the calculations
• Very expensive that’s why very limited.
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HARDWARE:
STORAGE DEVICES
• Hold data and programs permanently
• Different from RAM
• Magnetic storage; Uses a magnet to access data
(Floppy and hard drive, USB drives)
• Optical storage; Uses a laser to access data
(CD and DVD drives )

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TYPES OF SOFTWARE
SYSTEM SOFTWARE
Enables the application to interact with the computer
and manages the computer internal resources.
Examples:
– Operating System
– Device Drivers
APPLICATION SOFTWARE
It performs useful work on General-purpose task.
Examples:
– MS-Word
– PowerPoint
– Google (search engine)
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Utility Programs
• Utility Programs provide services not provided
by the system software.
• Usually used to recover the system, data or
resources.
• Examples:
– Screen savers
– Data recovery
– Backup
– Virus protection
– Norton utilities
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How CPU works?
Four basic operations:
1. Fetch: obtain a program instruction or data
item from memory.
2. Decode: translate the instruction into
commands.
3. Execute: carry out the command.
4. Store: write the result into the memory
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Machine Cycle
A Machine Cycle comprises i-time and e-time:

• Instruction time or i–time
to fetch and decode
• Execution time or e–time
to execute and store the
result

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How CPU Synchronizes?
Through System Clock
System Clock Synchronizes all computer operations
• Train of binary pulses
• Faster clock speed means the CPU can
execute more instructions each second
• Units: MHz and GHz
Hz = cycles per second

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Types of Computers
1.
2.
3.
4.

Supercomputers
Mainframes
Minicomputers
Microcontrollers

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Supercomputer
• Most powerful computers
• Physically largest in size
• Hundreds of thousands of processors that can process
huge amounts of data
• Perform over 1 quadrillion calculations per second. e.g.
IBM ASCI White, Cray
• Ideal for handling large and highly complex problems that
require extreme calculating power

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Mainframe
• Mainly used by large organizations for critical
applications, typically bulk data processing
– Banks, Airlines, Insurance Companies
• Measured in millions of integer operations per
second (MIPS)
• Vary in size from small, to medium, to large,
depending on their use.
• Normally Dumb Terminals are connected to
these main frames. Processing is done by
Main Frames.
• Dumb terminals only have keyboard,
monitors.
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Minicomputers
• Class of multi-user computers that lies in between
mainframe computers (multi user) and microcomputers
or personal computers (single user)
• Midrange computer, such as the higher-end SPARC,
POWER and Itanium-based systems from Sun
Microsystems, IBM and Hewlett-Packard.

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Computers for individuals -PCs
Microcomputers
– Workstation
– Desktop computers
– Notebook computers
– Tablet computers
– Handheld computers
– Smart phones

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Microcontroller
• Embedded computers are small in size,
specialized microprocessors
• Designed for small or dedicated applications
• Installed in "smart" appliances from automobiles
to washing machines

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What is IT?
Base of the Computer was/is:
digital signal;
Base of Communication devices
was analog signal transferred to digital signal
The day Communication changed its base from analog to
digital; There was natural merger of the two technologies
Computer and Communication
The following industries also joined : Mass storage, Consumer
Electronics, Entertainment, Multimedia
The Name given to the family

Information Technology : IT
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Practice Quiz
1. What is the difference between data and
Information?
2. What is the difference between volatile and
non-volatile memory?
3. Memory is used for?
4. What does computer do in i-time and e-time?
5. How CPU synchronizes with its other
components?
6. Name a device which is both input and output?
7. Give few examples of utility software.
8. Name at least two operating systems (OS).
9. What is the use of embedded systems?
10.What is Information Technology?
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Fundamentals of Computer

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Fundamentals of Computer