Introduction to Computer

Applications
Lecture 1: Overviews of Computers

Nyalala Innocent

Department of Computer Science

Egerton University
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You are expected to know the following by the end of this Lecture:

➢Definitions

➢ Characteristics of computers

➢ Generations of Computers

➢ Computer Components

➢ Hardware Components

➢ CPU Parts

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• 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
• A Computer is, therefore, a mixture of physical, tangible things like
keyboards, mice, monitors, internal circuits, and communication media
referred to as HARDWARE, and intangible things like stored programs
referred to as SOFTWARE.
• Using electrical impulses, the two are connected and communicate with
each other.
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• 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

• A Program is a set of coded instructions which tells the computer what to

do.

For as long as the Instructions are being carried out, they are usually held
in the computer's internal storage or memory

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• A computer can be defined as an electronic device capable of processing
the data and producing the information.

• The computer system essentially comprises three important parts –

1. Input device,
2. Central Processing Unit (CPU) and
3. Output device.

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• A computer accepts and then processes input data according to its
instructions. The elements of any processing are INPUT, PROCESSING,
STORAGE, and OUTPUT.

• Computer operations are performed according to programmed logical

and arithmetical rules.

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On broad basis, a computer performs the following tasks:

Input: Sending the data and command to the computer is known as

input.

Processing: Work done by the computer with the help of processing

hardware and software to produce results is known as processing.

Output: The result displayed by the computer is known as output.

Storage: A place to save result inside or outside the computer is known

as storage.

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▪ Speed

Computers work at an incredible speed. A powerful computer can perform 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)

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▪ Diligence

Unlike human beings, computers are highly consistent. They do not suffer
from human traits of boredom and tiredness resulting in a lack of
concentration. Therefore, computers are better than humans at
performing voluminous and repetitive jobs.

▪ Versatility

Computers are versatile machines and can perform any task if it can be
broken down into logical steps. The presence of computers can be seen…..

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… in almost every sphere – Railway/Air reservations, Banks, Hotels,
Weather forecasting, and many more.

▪ Storage Capacity

Today's computers can store large volumes of data. Once recorded (or
stored) in the computer, a piece of information can never be forgotten and
is retrieved almost instantaneously.

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 Computer Generations
FIRST GENERATION: VACUUM TUBES (1940–1956)
• The first-generation computers were used vacuum tubes as the main
electronic part. For memory devices punch card and paper tapes were used.
Magnetic drums are also used for storage .
• At that time memory was very expensive. Electronic time per calculation
ranged from 0.1 milliseconds to 1 milliseconds.
• They uses two types of computer programming languages, machine language
and assembly language. A list of popular first-generation computers ENIAC,
UNIVAC,EDVAC, and EDSAC.
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 SECOND GENERATION: TRANSISTORS (1956–1963)

• The invention of transistor lead to start the second generation of

computers. Vacuum tubes are replaced by transistors.

• For data storage magnetic tapes and magnetic tapes and magnetic
disks were used.

• For programming purpose besides machine and assembly languages,

high level languages were also used like FORTRAN, COBOL and BASIC
etc.

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THIRD GENERATION: INTEGRATED CIRCUITS (1964–1971)
• In this generation of computers transistors are replaced by its integrated form,
known as integrated Circuits (IC). Minicomputers were introduced in this
generation. Multiprogramming facility was developed.

• Transistors were miniaturized and placed on silicon chips, called semiconductors,

which drastically increased the speed and efficiency of computers.

• Size, cost, power requirement and heat generation decreased. High level
languages were used in this generation. Processing speed and storage capacity
used of computer increased.

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 FOURTH GENERATION: MICROPROCESSORS (1971–PRESENT)
• The Microprocessor, commonly called a CPU (Central Processing Unit), was
used by the fourth generation of computers.
• A microprocessor is used in a computer that led to makes a computer more
powerful and small as well as fits easily on a desk.
• Also, microprocessors, along with integrated circuits, helped to introduce the
laptop.
• For providing users more comfort, GUI (Graphics User Interface) technology
was exploited.

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 FIFTH GENERATION: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
(PRESENT AND BEYOND)
• The fifth generation of computers is predicated on artificial intelligence. AI is an
advanced technology that contains various possible applications all over the
world.

• The primary purpose of this generation of computers is to make a device more

capable of self-organization and learning, including could respond to natural
language input.

• The ten million electronic components have consisted of the production of a

microprocessor as this generation is based on Ultra Large-Scale Integration (ULSI).

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 Computers are made up of two parts: the hardware and the
software.

• Hardware: The physical equipment required to create, use,

manipulate and store electronic data.

• Software: The computerized instructions that operate a computer,

manipulate the data, and execute functions or tasks.

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They are five basic components, namely,
o the central processing unit,
o primary storage,
o secondary storage,
o input devices, and
o output devices.

• The physical equipment that makes up a computer is called hardware.

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• Secondary storage, input, and output devices are often called
peripheral equipment/device - Any piece of equipment in a
computer system that is not inside the computer itself.

• A computer like human brain receives data and instructions, stores

them and processes the data according to the instructions given to it.

• Computer hardware includes all the electrical, mechanical, and the

electronic parts of a computer. Any part that we can see, or touch is
the hardware.

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• Devices that allow data and instructions to enter a computer. Any
hardware component used to enter data, programs, commands, and user
responses into a computer.

Input: Any resource required for the functioning of a process, during which
it will be transformed into one or more outputs.

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1. Keyboard

Definition: ― A keyboard is an input device containing keys the user press

to enter data or instructions into the computer.

• You enter most input data into the computer by using a keyboard. This
input method is like typing on a typewriter.

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KEYS OF KEYBOARD

• Computer keyboards include keys that are designed to perform specific

tasks. These keys enable the user to perform complex tasks easily when
using the application. For example, many applications use a function key to
access online help for the user.

Keyboard keys consist of

❑ Alphabetic keys contain alphabets from A-Z & a-z
❑ Numerical keys contain numbers 0-9
❑ Symbols keys contain many symbols like !, @, #, $, % etc.
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 ❑ Functional keys contain f1-f12; design for special purposes.
❑ Extra keys contain Esc, Alt, Ctrl, Backspace, Enter, etc.

2. Pointing Devices

A pointing device is an input device to control a screen's pointer. A pointer is

a small symbol on a screen.

A pointing device is an input interface (specifically a human interface device)

that allows a user to input a computer's spatial (i.e., continuous, and multi-
dimensional) data.

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• Movements of the pointing device are echoed on the screen by
movements of the pointer (or cursor) and other visual change

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i. Mouse

Definition: ― A mouse is an input device that fits under the palm of a hand
and controls the movement of the pointer, also called mouse.

• You can draw, select options from a menu, and modify or move text with
the mouse. You issue commands by pointing with the pointer and clicking
a mouse button.

• In addition to minimizing typing errors, a mouse makes operating a

microcomputer easier at the beginning.

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TYPES OF MICE

There are three types of mice

1. Mechanical mouse - The mouse contains a metal or rubber ball on its

underside. When the ball is rolled in any direction, sensors inside the mouse
detect this motion and move the on-screen mouse pointer in the same
direction.

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2. Optical Mouse - An optical mouse uses a light-emitting (laser) to detect
movement relative to the underlying surface.

3. Wireless Mouse - Wireless mice usually work via radio frequencies,

commonly referred to as RF. RF wireless mice require two components to
work properly: a radio transmitter and a radio receiver.
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ii. Joystick

A joystick is a pointing device often used for playing games. The joystick has a
gearshift-like lever that is used to move the pointer on the screen. On most
joysticks, a button on the top is used to select options.
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In industry and manufacturing, joysticks are used to control robots. Flight
simulators and other training simulators also use joysticks.

iii. Trackball

A trackball is like an upside-down mouse. Used similarly to the mouse, the

trackball is frequently attached to or built into the keyboard.
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• The mouse is not practical for people using a laptop computer in a
small space. Early alternatives, such as trackballs clipped to the side
of the keyboard, have not proved satisfactory.

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iv. Touchpad

A touchpad is a device for pointing (controlling input positioning) on a

computer screen. It is an alternative to the mouse. A touch pad works by
sensing the user's finger movement and downward pressure.

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v. Touchscreen

A touch screen is a computer display screen that is also an input device.

The screens are pressure-sensitive; a user interacts with the computer by
touching pictures or words on the screen.

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vi. Digital Pen

A digital pen is a battery-operated writing instrument that allows the user

to capture a handwritten note or draw it digitally. Typically, a digital pen
comes with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cradle to let the user upload the
handwritten notes to a personal computer (PC).

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3. Biometric Devices

A "biometric device" is any device that measures a biological function or

trait. It identifies persons seeking access to a computing system by
determining their physical characteristics through fingerprints, voice
recognition, retina patterns, pictures, weight, or other means.

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4. Mic/Headphones

Both are input devices that are related to audio input. These devices are
used to enter sound into the system for processing. It can be used in
chatting, video conferencing, music, or whenever we want to interact with
the computer from voice input.

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5. Digital Camera/Video Camera

A digital camera can be used to take pictures. It can be hooked up to a

computer to transfer the pictures from the camera to the computer. It uses
a light-sensitive processing chip to capture pictures or images.

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6. Digital Scanner

A scanner is used to copy pictures or other things and save them as files on
the computer. A scanner is like a photocopier, except that instead of
producing a paper copy of the document you place on it, you get an
electronic copy that appears on your computer screen. This is an important
input device to convert a hard-copy file (printed paper) to a softcopy (image
or display file).

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 • Output is the data that has been processed in that form which is
useful by the user or machine for future processing. Output can be
in two forms Soft Copy and Hard Copy.

• The product of the transformation of inputs by a process.

• Output devices allow information to be represented (that is, given

out) to the user, such as a display screen or printer).

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1. MONITOR/DISPLAY DEVICES

Definition: ―Monitor or display devices are used to get output on the

screen. It is like small television and is available in different sizes and
specifications. The text displayed on the screen is called softcopy.

Types of monitors

There are majorly two types of monitors according to its specification.

These are:

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a. Monochrome Monitor – is based on a single color that can be white,
blue, black, or gray, etc. this type of monitor is the same as the old cell
phones, which have a single color in the background with black text
on display. That is very useful in these devices where we need a
simple display, like ATMs, cell phones, specific digital devices like PDA,
pagers, etc.

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b. Color Monitor

These are based on colors as its name implies. The basic colors in that
monitor are three; RGB stands for Red, Blue, and Green. With these basic
colors, a monitor can generate many other colors by the combination of
these basic colors.

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2. PRINTERS

The second most common form of computer output is printed documents.

Although a computer can operate perfectly without a printer, it is certainly
helpful to the user to have one. People often prefer to get printouts of their
work rather than look at it on the screen; it is considered a form of hard
copy.

The printer has majorly two types.

• Impact printers
• Non-impact printers

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3. PLOTTERS

A plotter, like a printer, produces hard-copy output. Plotters, which

produce high-quality color graphics, are usually categorized by whether
they use pens or electrostatic charges to create images. A continuous-
curve plotter is used to draw maps from stored data.

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4. SPEAKER/HEADPHONE

Speakers and headsets are used to get audio output. A system's speaker is
the component that takes the electronic signal stored on things like CDs,
tapes, and DVDs and turns it back into actual sound that we can hear.

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5. MULTIMEDIA/PROJECTORS

A Digital Projector/Multimedia is an electro-optical machine that converts

image data from a computer or video source to a bright image which is
then imaged on a distant wall or screen using a lens system.

• The cost of a device is not only determined by its resolution but also by
its brightness.

The projector serves the following purposes

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• Visualization of data stored in a computer for presentations

• Demonstration of program products for many prospective customers

• The projector replaces the whiteboard as well as written documents.

• Watching moving images from a video player or digital video disk player.

• Digital projectors may also be built into cabinets that use a rear
projection screen to form a single unified display device, now popular for
"home theater" applications.

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• The CPU is the part of a computer system commonly referred to as the
"brains" of a computer. The CPU is also known as the processor or
microprocessor.

• The CPU is responsible for executing a sequence of stored instructions

called a program. The programs tell a computer what to do and how
to do it. This program will take inputs from an input device, process
the input, and output the results to an output device.

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• The CPU and primary storage contain electronic circuits that store and
process data or program instructions.

• The circuits are formed in place of silicon which is a non-metal element.

A piece of the silicon-containing electronic circuit is called an integrated
circuit or a chip.

• The computer chips for the CPU are called processor chips. In
microcomputers, the entire CPU contains only one-processor chip called
a microprocessor.

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The CPU is further divided into three parts-
i. Memory unit
ii. Control unit
iii. Arithmetic Logic unit

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• CPUs are not only found in desktop or laptop computers; many
electronic devices now rely on them for their operation. Cell phones,
DVD players, and washing machines are examples of CPU equipment.

• CPU is in the motherboard. The CPU's processing speed is about 500

MHz to 3.5 GHz.

A CPU with a clock speed of 3.5 GHz

executes 3.5 billion cycles per second.
(Older CPUs had speeds measured in
megahertz, or millions of cycles per
second.).
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• The motherboard is also known as System Board, Mainboard, Mobo,
Main Circuit Board, Planar Board, Logic Board, and Printed Wired Board
(PWB) among other names.

• It is located at the bottom or on the side of the computer chassis

depending on the type of desktop computer you have. The motherboard
has many printed wires that carry power and data signals between one
component and the other. It connects directly or indirectly to every part
of the Personal Computer.
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• The motherboard holds all the major components of the computer. These
motherboard components include:

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CPU is subdivided into three parts defined below:

1. ALU - ALU stands for ―Arithmetic and Logical unit. This unit of the
CPU can perform arithmetic and logical operations. This unit of the
CPU gets data from the computer memory and performs arithmetic
and logical operations.

ALU is further divided into two parts, the Arithmetic unit & Logical
unit.
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 • ARITHMETIC UNIT: The arithmetic unit of ALU performs
arithmetic operations like addition, multiplication, subtraction, and
division.

• LOGICAL UNIT: The Logical unit of ALU performs logical operations

such as comparing two numbers. It tells us which number is greater
and which is smaller. Common comparisons such as less than, equal
to, or greater than are performed by the logical unit.

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2. CU - This unit of the processor controls all the activities of the
processor and controls the input and output devices of the computer. It
acts just like a police inspector controlling traffic on the road.

• The control unit controls the whole traffic of the computer. It tells the
input device that it is now its turn to feed data to the computer and
show the result of data after execution on the output units.

• This unit also controls the flow of instructions given to a computer.

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 • It obtains instructions from the program stored in the main
memory, interprets (translation of instructions into computer
language) the instructions, and issues signals that cause other
units of the computer to execute th.em

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3. Register - A processor has its memory inside it in the shape of small
cells. Each memory cell is called a "Register."

• Registers are used to carry data temporarily for performing operations.

• There is a total of 13 registers in a processor. ALU gets data from

registers and stores it in registers to perform arithmetic and logical
operations.

• Moreover, data comes in registers from the main memory of the

computer.

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