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COMPUTER SKILLS COMP101/L

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Course Content

Chapter 1 Introduction

Chapter 2 Numbering Systems

Chapter 3 Hardware

Chapter 4 Introduction to Computer Networks

Chapter 5 Introduction to the Internet

Chapter 6 System And Application Software

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Chapter I

Introduction

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HOW COMPUTERS WORK

Any digital computer carries out five functions in

gross terms

Takes data as input

Stores the data/instructions in its memory and

use them when required.

Processes the data and converts it into useful

information.

Generates the output

Controls all the above four steps

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FUNCTIONS OF COMPUTER

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ADVANTAGES

• High Speed

• Accuracy

• Storage Capability

• Flexibility

• Reliability

• Automation

• Reduction in Paper

Work

• Reduction in Cost

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DISADVANTAGES

• A computer is a machine that has no

intelligence to perform any task.

• Each instruction has to be given to computer.

• A computer cannot take any decision on its

own.

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FUNDAMENTALS OF COMPUTER

SYSTEMS

• Hardware - Physical components that make

up a computer system

Hardware of a Modern personal computer

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FUNDAMENTALS OF COMPUTER

SYSTEMS

• Software - Computer programs and related

data that provide the instructions for telling

computer hardware what to do and how to do

it.

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FUNDAMENTALS OF COMPUTER

SYSTEMS

Hardware and Software have

interrelated relationship.

This means that without

software, hardware is very

limited; and without

hardware, software wouldn't

be able to run at all.

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Relationship between Hardware and Software

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APPLICATIONS OF COMPUTER

1. Business

A computer has high speed of calculation,

diligence, accuracy, reliability, which made it an

integrated part in all business organizations. – Banking

– Insurance – Marketing

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APPLICATIONS OF COMPUTER

2. Education • The computer has provided a lot of facilities in the education

system.

• The computer provides a tool in the education system

known as CBE (Computer Based Education).

•

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APPLICATIONS OF COMPUTER

3. Health Care • Computers have become important part in hospitals, labs, and

dispensaries. The computers are being used in hospitals to keep

the records of patients and medicines.

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APPLICATIONS OF COMPUTER

Healthcare Applications Some major fields of health care in which computers are used

are:

• Diagnostic System - Computers are used to collect data and

identify cause of illness.

• Laboratory-diagnostic System - All tests can be done and

reports are prepared by computer.

• Patient Monitoring System - These are used to check

patient's signs for abnormality such as in Cardiac Arrest, ECG

etc.

• Pharmacy Information System - Computer checks Drug-

Labels, Expiry dates, harmful drug’s side effects etc.

• Surgery: Nowadays, computers are also used in performing

surgery.

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APPLICATIONS OF COMPUTER

4. Engineering Design Computers are widely used in Engineering purpose.

• One of major areas is CAD (Computer aided design). That

provides creation and modification of images.

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APPLICATIONS OF COMPUTER

Engineering Applications

Some fields are:

Structural Engineering - Requires stress and

strain analysis for design of Ships, Buildings,

Budgets, and Airplanes etc.

Industrial Engineering - Computers deal with

design, implementation and improvement of

integrated systems of people, materials and

equipments.

Architectural Engineering - Computers help

in planning towns, designing buildings,

determining a range of buildings on a site

using both 2D and 3D drawings.

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APPLICATIONS OF COMPUTER

5. Military • Computers are largely used in defense.

• Modern tanks, missiles, weapons etc. Military also employs

computerized control systems.

Some military areas where a

computer has been used are:

Missile Control

Military Communication

Military Operation and Planning

Smart Weapons

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APPLICATIONS OF COMPUTER

6. Communication Communication means to convey a

message, an idea, a picture or speech that is

received and understood clearly and correctly by

the person for whom it is meant for.

Some main areas in this category are:

• E-mail

• Chatting

• Files transfer

• Video-conferencing

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APPLICATIONS OF COMPUTER

7. Government Seamlessly integrating all

Ministries and

Government entities to

provide faster and more

effective public services

online.

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GENERATIONS OF COMPUTER

• Generation in computer terminology is a

change in technology a computer is/was being

used.

• Generation includes both hardware and

software, which together make up an entire

computer system.

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GENERATIONS OF COMPUTER

S.N. Generation & Description

1 First Generation

The period of first generation: 1946-1959. Vacuum tube based.

2 Second Generation

The period of second generation: 1959-1965. Transistor based.

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Third Generation

The period of third generation: 1965-1971. Integrated Circuit based.

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Fourth Generation

The period of fourth generation: 1971-1980. VLSI microprocessor based.

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Fifth Generation

The period of fifth generation: 1980-onwards. ULSI microprocessor based

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TYPES OF COMPUTER

1. PC (PERSONAL COMPUTER)

• A PC can be defined as a small, relatively inexpensive

computer designed for an individual user. Another name of PC

is Microcomputer, because PCs are based on the

microprocessor technology.

• Businesses use personal computers

for word processing, accounting,

desktop publishing, and for running

spreadsheet and database management

applications.

• At home, the most popular use for personal computers is

playing games and surfing Internet.

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TYPES OF COMPUTERS

2. Workstation Workstation is a computer used for engineering applications

(CAD/CAM), desktop publishing, software development, and

other types of applications.

These applications require a moderate amount of computing

power and relatively high quality graphics capabilities.

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TYPES OF COMPUTERS

3. Minicomputer (Servers)

It is a midsize multi-processing system capable of

supporting large number of users simultaneously.

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TYPES OF COMPUTER

4. Mainframe Computer

Mainframe is more powerful and costly than ordinary servers;

capable of supporting hundreds or even thousands of users

simultaneously.

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TYPES OF COMPUTER

5. Super Computer

Supercomputers are more powerful and expensive than the

mainframes.

They are employed for specialized applications that require

big amount of mathematical calculations.

For example, weather

forecasting, scientific

simulations, (animated) graphics,

fluid dynamic calculations,

nuclear energy research,

electronic design, and analysis of geological data (e.g. in

petrochemical prospecting). 26

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MAJOR COMPONENTS OF

COMPUTER

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COMPUTERS AND SOCIETY

Advantages

• Make routine tasks

quick, easy, and

accurate

• Save lives

• Create large

amounts of new

wealth.

• Find information,

• Create entertainment

Disadvantages

• Brings with it new

opportunities for

crime

• Software theft

• Hacking

• Attacks by

computer viruses

• Loose of privacy

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COMPUTER SCIENCE AS

DISCIPLINE

• Computer science is a discipline that spans

theory and practice.

• Computer science can be seen on a higher

level, as a science of problem solving.

• Computer science also has strong connections

to other disciplines, such as engineering, health

care, business, and other areas.

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Some Major Areas of Computer Science

1. Operating Systems--concerned with the

development and structure of complex programs which

facilitate man-machine communications.

2. Programming Languages--the study of the design

and properties of languages by which humans

communicate with computers.

3. Intelligent Systems--concerned with means by which

computers may perform tasks which might be

characterized as "intelligent" if performed by humans.

4. Software Engineering--the study of tools and

techniques for software design, development, testing

and maintenance. 30