Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

INTRODUCTION

This lesson will introduce the rise of information and communication

technologies (ICT). Computer functions and characteristics and the large
impact that these new technologies are having on the way that society we
have entered a new era.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the lesson the students will be able to:

1. Discuss and define what is computer, functions and characteristics

2. Enumerate and define the classifications of computer.
3. Discuss the uses of ICT in daily lives
4. Explain the impact of ICT in the society
5. Discuss the computerize and non-computerized systems

Computer is an electronic machine that follows a set of instructions in order that it may
be able to accept and gather data and transform these into information.
• Data - Data is a raw material of information.
• Information - Proper collection of the data is called information.

Characteristics of Computer
The characteristics of computers that have made them so powerful and universally
useful are speed, accuracy, diligence, versatility and storage capacity. Let us discuss
them briefly.
• Speed
Computers work at an incredible speed. A powerful computer is capable of performing
about 3-4 million simple instructions per second.
• Accuracy
In addition to being fast, computers are also accurate. Errors that may occur can
almost always be attributed to human error (inaccurate data, poorly designed system
or faulty instructions/programs written by the programmer)
• Diligence
Unlike human beings, computers are highly consistent. They do not suffer from human
traits of boredom and tiredness resulting in lack of concentration. Computers, therefore,
are better than human beings in performing voluminous and repetitive jobs.
• Versatility
Computers are versatile machines and are capable of performing any task as long as it
can be broken down into a series of logical steps. The presence of computers can be
seen in almost every sphere – Railway/Air reservation, Banks, Hotels, Weather
forecasting and many more.
• Storage Capacity
Today’s computers can store large volumes of data. A piece of information once
recorded (or stored) in the computer, can never be forgotten and can be retrieved
almost instantaneously.
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Computer Components and its functions

Central Processing which performs most of the calculations which enable a

Unit (CPU) computer to function, and is referred to as the brain of the
computer which get a hold of program instruction
from random-access memory (RAM), interprets and
processes it and then sends it back to computer result so
that the relevant components can carry out the
instructions.
Memory Unit is a technology consisting of computer components
and recording media that are used to retain digital data.

READ ONLY MEMORY (ROM) contains the pre-

programmed computer instructions such as the Basic Input
Output System (BIOS).

RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY (RAM) is used to store the

programs and data that you will run. Exists only when
there is power
Hard Disk Drive or is an electro-mechanical data storage device that
Hard Disk uses magnetic storage to store and retrieve digital
data using one or more rigid rapidly
rotating platters coated with magnetic material.
Motherboard is the main component of a computer.
It is a board with integrated circuitry that connects the
other parts of the computer including the CPU, the RAM,
the disk drives (CD, DVD, hard disk, or any others) as well
as any peripherals connected via the ports or
the expansion slots.
Casing or cover computer case encloses most of the components of the
system. It provides mechanical support and protection for
internal elements such as the motherboard, disk drives,
and power supplies, and controls and directs the flow of
cooling air over internal components.
Power Supply power supply unit (PSU) converts alternating current (AC)
electric power to low-voltage direct current (DC) power
for the computer.
Mouse is a hand-held pointing device that detects two-
dimensional motion relative to a surface.
Monitor is an output device that displays information in pictorial
form.
Keyboard is a typewriter-style device[1] which uses an arrangement
of buttons or keys to act as mechanical
levers or electronic switches.
Printer Is a machine for printing text or pictures onto paper,
especially one linked to a computer.
 Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

Speaker are speakers sold for use with computers, although usually
capable of other audio uses, e.g. for an MP3 player.

3 Major Components of an Information Processing System

◼ HARDWARE is the tangible part of a computer system.

◼ SOFTWARE Instructions that tell the computer how to process data into the form
you want.
◼ PEOPLEWARE refer to people who use and operate the computer system, write
computer programs, and analyze and design the information system.

BRIEF HISTORY OF COMPUTERS

In the early years, originally calculations were computed by humans,

whose job title was computers. These human computers were typically engaged
in the calculations of a mathematical expression. The calculations of this period
were specialized and expensive, requiring years of training in mathematics. The
first use of the word “Computer” was recorded in 1613, referring to a person who
carried out calculations, or computations, and the word continued to be used in
that sense until the middle of the 20 th century.
Before the computer was invented, there are several inventions of counting
machines.

Creator Machines

It was an ancient memory aid device to record

and document numbers, quantities, or even
messages

-It is a mechanical device used to aid an

individual in performing mathematical
calculations.

- The Abacus in the form we are most familiar

with was first used in china. CHINESE ABACUS

- It used to perform basic arithmetic operations.

Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

- Invented by John Napier in 1614.

- Allowed the operator to multiply, divide and

calculate square and cube roots by moving
the rods around and placing them in specially
constructed boards.
Napier’s Bones

• Invented by Blaise Pascal in 1642

• It was its limitation to addition and
subtraction.
• In the earliest time it is too expensive.
PASCALINE

Invented by Gottfried Wilhem

Leibniz in 1672.

• The machine that can

add, subtract,
multiply, and divide LEIBNIZ'S RECHNER
automatically.

The Jacquard Loom is a mechanical loom,

invented by Joseph-Marie Jacquard in 1881.

It is an automatic loom controlled

by punched cards

JAQUARD/WEAVING LOOM

• It is an automatic,
mechanical calculator
designed to tabulate MECHANICAL
polynomial functions. CALCULATOR
• Invented by Charles MACHINE
Babbage in 1822 and
1834
• It is the first mechanical
computer.
Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

The First Computer Programmer

• In 1840, Augusta Ada

Byron suggests to
Babbage that she use
the Binary system.
• She writes programs for
the Analytical Engine.

• Also known as IBM

• Invented by Howard H.
Aiken in 1943
• The first electro-
mechanical computer. Automatic Sequence
Controlled Calculator (ASCC)

• ENIAC stands for

Electronic Numerical
Integrator and
Computer
• It was the first electronic
general purpose
computer.
• Completed in 1946
• Developed by John
Presper Eckert and John ENIAC
W. Mauchly.

• The UNIVAC 1 (UNIVersal

Automatic Computer 1)
was the first commercial
computer.
• Designed by J.Presper
Eckert and John UNIVAC 1
Mauchly

• The First Portable

Computer
Released in 1981 by the
Osborne Computer
Corporation

The First Computer Company was the Electronic Controls Company

Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

Founded in 1949 by J.Presper Eckert and John Mauchly

HARVARD

Generations of Computers
A generation of computers refers to the specific improvements in
computer technology with time. In 1946, electronic pathways called circuits
were developed to perform the counting. It replaced the gears and other
mechanical parts used for counting in previous computing machines.
In each new generation, the circuits became smaller and more
advanced than the previous generation circuits. The miniaturization helped
increase the speed, memory and power of computers. There are five
generations of computers which are described below;

First Generation Computers

The first generation (1946-1959) computers were slow, huge and
expensive. In these computers, vacuum tubes were used as the basic
components of CPU and memory. These computers were mainly depended on
batch operating system and punch cards. Magnetic tape and paper tape were
used as output and input devices in this generation;
Some of the popular first generation computers are;
• ENIAC ( Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer)
• EDVAC ( Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer)
• UNIVACI( Universal Automatic Computer)
• IBM-701
• IBM-650

Second Generation Computers

The second generation (1959-1965) was the era of the transistor
computers. These computers used transistors which were cheap, compact and
consuming less power; it made transistor computers faster than the first
generation computers.
Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

In this generation, magnetic cores were used as the primary memory and
magnetic disc and tapes were used as the secondary storage. Assembly
language and programming languages like COBOL and FORTRAN, and Batch
processing and multiprogramming operating systems were used in these
computers.
Some of the popular second generation computers are;
• IBM 1620
• IBM 7094
• CDC 1604
• CDC 3600
• UNIVAC 1108

Third Generation Computers

The third generation computers used integrated circuits (ICs) instead of
transistors. A single IC can pack huge number of transistors which increased the
power of a computer and reduced the cost. The computers also became more
reliable, efficient and smaller in size. These generation computers used remote
processing, time-sharing, multi programming as operating system. Also, the high-
level programming languages like FORTRON-II TO IV, COBOL, PASCAL PL/1,
ALGOL-68 were used in this generation.
Some of the popular third generation computers are;
• IBM-360 series
• Honeywell-6000 series
• PDP(Personal Data Processor)
• IBM-370/168
• TDC-316

Fourth Generation Computers

The fourth generation (1971-1980) computers used very large scale
integrated (VLSI) circuits; a chip containing millions of transistors and other circuit
elements. These chips made this generation computer more compact, powerful,
fast and affordable. These generation computers used real time, time sharing
and distributed operating system. The programming languages like C, C++,
DBASE were also used in this generation.
Some of the popular fourth generation computers are;
• DEC 10
• STAR 1000
• PDP 11
• CRAY-1(Super Computer)
• CRAY-X-MP(Super Computer)
Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

Fifth Generation Computers

In fifth generation (1980-till date) computers, the VLSI technology was
replaced with ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration). It made possible the
production of microprocessor chips with ten million electronic components. This
generation computer used parallel processing hardware and AI (Artificial
Intelligence) software. The programming languages used in this generation were
C, C++, Java, .Net, etc.
Some of the popular fifth generation computers are;
• Desktop
• Laptop
• NoteBook
• UltraBook
• ChromeBook

Classification of Computers

after the fifth-generation computer, the technology of computer has become

mode advanced, modern and sophisticated.

The latest invention in the era of computer are:

PC (Personal Computer) or Micro- It is a single user computer system

Computers having a moderately powerful
microprocessor. It is termed as a
computer that is equipped
microprocessor as its CPU.

Workstation It is also a single user computer system,

similar to the personal computer,
however, has a more powerful
microprocessor.

Mini-Computer It is a multi-user computer system,

capable of supporting hundreds of
users simultaneously

Main Frame It is a multi-user computer system,

capable of supporting hundreds of
users simultaneously. Software
technology is different from
 Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

minicomputer.

Super-Computer It is an extremely fast computer, which

can execute hundreds of millions of
instructions per second.

In the new era of computers, expert system such as teleconferencing and

speech-recognition system have been invented as part of modern world
communications tools.

Usage of ICT in daily life

EDUCATION
Today, most schools and higher education institution have computers in the
classroom for teacher and students. In education, teachers, students, researchers and
school administrators benefits from the usage of ICT. Computers are used in the sector
of education because they can offer interactive experiences, enhanced learning and
cognitive developments.
Teachers - use computers to research for teaching materials, participate in online
forums and online conferences as well as to aid their teaching.
Students - use the computers as a reference tool. They use computers to browse their
assessments.

Researchers - use computers to collect and process data.

School administrators- use computers for administrative purposes to make sure that the
entire operation runs smoothly.
BANKING

The computer is the nerve center of the banking system around the world. It
functions to control the entire banking system that also includes “Electronic Banking
Services”.

Services Include:

ATM ( Automatic Teller Machine)

Cheque Deposit
Electronic Fund Transfer
Direct Deposit
Pay by Phone system
Personal computer banking/internet banking
 Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

In the banking sector, customers, businessman and bank administrator benefits from the
usage of ICT.

Customers – can make any transaction at the 24-hour services center or via online.
These services allow them to do transaction at any time they want.

Businessman – can save their time by using the online services offered by banks. They
can access company accounts for loan applications, business transactions and update
on their cash flow at any time.

Bank administrators - can oversee the entire banking activities such as reconciliations,
inter-branch transactions, telegraphic transfer and others by referring to the banking
system.

INDUSTRY

Computers are used to facilitate production planning and control systems, to

support chain management and to help in product design in the industrial sector. in the
industrial sector, workers, researchers and administrator benefits from the usage of ICT.

Workers- use machines that are connected to computers to operate. In some

productions, robots are used to take over jobs that are dangerous to the workers.

Researchers - use computers to analyze and collect research data for future reference.

Administrators - use computers to oversee the entire operations in the plant or factory
to detect specific errors or defects that occurred in the process.

E-COMMERCE

E-commerce helps in boosting the economy, it makes buying and selling activities
easier, more efficient and faster. For this application, customers, internet and shared
software are needed.

Suppliers use computers to keep track of their transactions. All products are bar coded
and can be read by the computer scanner to help in determining prices and
managing inventory.

Employees – use computers and telephone to communicate with their customers for
any enquiries. The computer system helps employees to get the latest updates on
inventory to be informed to the customers.

COMPUTERIZED AND NON-COMPUTERIZED SYSTEMS

COMPUTER SYSTEM

• Consist of as set of hardware and software which process data in a

meaningful way.
Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

• is an arrangement of elements that when it is put together it becomes an

organized and established procedure.
• A system is typically consisting of components connected together in
order to facilitate the flow of information, matter or energy

The table below represents the comparison of Computerized and Non-

Computerized systems
Non- Computerized Computerized
Banking before ICT Banking with ICT

• banking was done • all transactions are

manually by taking done by computers
deposits directly • transactions can be
• transactions can only be done at anytime and
made during working place
hours • online services, phone
• takes time to approve banking system, credit
any loan applications cards are available.

Industry before ICT Industry with ICT

• production was slow •Computers and

because everything was telecommunications industry
done manually and totally became very popular and
depended on human portable since production can
labor. be increased through an all-
day operation.
Commerce before ICT Commerce with ICT

• Trading was made using • E-commerce plays an

the barter system and it important role in the economic
was then later developed scene. It includes distribution,
into currency. buying, selling and servicing
• Advertisement was in the products that are done
form of word of mouth, electronically.
billboards and printed
flyers.
• Trading globally was
extremely slow, late and
expensive. Traders had to
limit ways to market local
products in the global
market.
Commerce is an activity of exchanging, buying and selling of
commodities on a large-scale involving transportation from place to
place.

IMPACTS OF ICT IN THE SOCIETY

Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

1.FASTER COMMUNICATION SPEED

In the past it took a long time for any news or messages to be send.
Now with the internet, news or messages are sent via e-mail to friends,
business partners or to anyone efficiently. With the capability of
bandwidth, broadband and connection speed on the internet, any
information can travel fast and at an instant. It saves time and is
inexpensive.

2. LOWER COMMUNICATION COST

Using the internet is cost-effective than the other modes of

communication
such as:
- Telephone
- Mailing
- Courier service
It allows people to have access to large amounts of data at a very low
cost. With the internet we do not have to pay for any basic services
provided by the internet. Furthermore, the cost of connection to the
internet is relatively cheap.

3. RELIABLE MODE OF COMMUNICATION

Computers are reliable. With the internet, information could be

access and retrieved from anywhere and at any time. However, the input to
the computer is contributed by humans. If the data passed to the computer
is faulty, the result will be faulty as well.

4. EFFECTIVE SHARING OF INFORMATION

Through the use of internet, information can be shared by people

all around the world which enable knowledge sharing that will contribute to
the development of knowledge based society.

6. PAPERLESS ENVIRONMENT

The information can be stored and retrieved through the digital

medium instead of paper.

7. SOCIAL PROBLEMS
There are some negative effects of ICT. It has created social
problems in the society. People tend to choose online communication
rather than having the real time conversations.
Other negative effect of ICT:
➢ Fraud
➢ Identity theft
 Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

➢ Pornography
➢ hacking

This will result a moral decedent and generate threads to the society.

8. HEALTH PROBLEMS
A computer may harm users I they use it for long hours frequently,
due to bad exposure, eyestrain, physical and mental stress. In order to
solve this simply an ergonomic environment can be introduced. Like, an
ergonomic chair can reduce back strain and a screen filter is used to
minimized eye strain. Also, blink your eyes 5 times every after 30 mins.

References:

• William Stalling (2015). Computer Organization and Architecture, 10th Edition;

Published by Pearson
• Linda Null and Julia Lobur Jones (2014). The Essential of Computer Organization
and Architecture 2nd, 4th edition,; Published by Bartlett Publishers Inc.
• Barron, A.F (2015). New Technologies for Education: A beginner’s Guide
• A. Elahi, (2018). Computer Systems: Digital Design, Fundamentals of Computer
Architecture and Assembly Langugae
• M. Mano (2014). Computer System Architecture, 3 rd Edition