2019/20 Semester 1
IT1001 Introduction to Computing
Course Overview
Hyelim Oh, PhD
[email protected] | 6516 6732 | COM2-0415
Department of Information Systems & Analytics
NUS School of Computing
Teaching Team
Lecturer
Assistant Professor OH Hyelim
Office: COM2 Building #04-21
Email:
[email protected] Consultation hour: Fridays 18:00-19:00 or By
appointment
Teaching Assistant
Mr. CHEN Xinyu (Ph.D student)
Office: COM1 Building #01-10
Email:
[email protected] Why Do We Learn about Computing?
Fourth Industrial Revolution
1784 1870 1969 TODAY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9rZOa3CUC8
Aims and Objectives
Target
Students who have little computing knowledge/skills
Objectives
Provide an overview of computing domain to improve
ICT literacy
Equip students with fundamental computing
knowledge (hardware, software, data
communication, networking, security, etc.)
Acquire basic technical computing skills (e.g., basic
web authoring and business analytics)
Develop critical thinking skills in ethical issues and
social impacts of ICT (e.g., AI and blockchain
technologies)
Course Outline
1. Overview of Computing
2. Computer Hardware & Software
3. Data Communications and Networking
4. Internet & Web Authoring
5. E-business and Digital Transformation
6. Internet Systems in Business (e.g., ERP, CRM,
SCM)
7. Database Applications & Big Data Technologies
8. Business Analytics
9. Computer Security & Emerging technologies (e.g.,
Blockchain technologies)
10. Social and Ethical Issues in Computing (e.g., AI)
Learning Resources
Textbook (not required to buy)
Digital Planet: Tomorrow’s
Technology and You (Complete,
10th Edition, 2012)
Authors: George Beekman
and Ben Beekman
Publisher: Pearson/Prentice
Hall
NUS Central Library RBR
Other Materials
Posted on IVLE
Timetable
Lectures
Weekly, Friday (16:00-18:00), COM1-0204
Tutorials
1 hour, weekly
Starting in week 3
Exam
Saturday, 23-Nov-2019
Tutorial Registration
NUS undergraduates:
Bid and appeal via ModReg@EduRec
Tutorial Registration Coordinator
Mr PENG Xixian
[email protected]
Tutorial Time Slots
• 2 time slots:
• Class 1: Fridays 1000-1100 / AS6-0211
• Class 2: Fridays 1100-1200 / AS6-0211
Assessment
50% CA
Tutorial attendance and participation: 10%
Individual Assignment: 20%
Team Project: 20%
Final exam: 50%
Open Book
MCQs + short/structured questions
Team Project (20%)
Tasks
To study, appreciate and understand an advanced
computer technology and to apply it to a business
context
Learning Outcomes
To be able to explain a latest computer technology
which have been talked about but may not be
familiar to most layman
To understand how technology can provide business
value to organizations
To appreciate the security, social, and ethical issues
in applying this technology to the organization
To nurture teamwork and communication skills
Forming Teams
Time
During the 1st tutorial in Week 3 (make sure
you attend, else inform tutor to assign you a
group)
Team members
Must be from the same tutorial group
Team size (dependent on class size)
4-5 members
Communication Channels
IVLE
Announcements, Files (lecture notes, tutorial
questions, reading assignments, etc)
Email
Put “IT1001” in the subject line
Check IVLE and your NUSNET email regularly
for announcements and updates
2018/19 Semester 2
IT1001 Introduction to Computing
Lecture 1
Overview of Computing
Hyelim Oh, PhD
[email protected] | 6516 6732 | COM2-0415
Department of Information Systems & Analytics
NUS School of Computing
Outline
• What is a computer?
• Types of computers
• Importance of computers
• Evolution of computers
• Trends of computers
What is a computer
• Programmable electronic device
• Accepts/retrieves input (data/information)
• Process the input (programs)
• Produces an output
• Consists of
• Hardware
• Software
What is a computer
When you:
•press a button on the keyboard
•move a mouse/do a mouse click
1. An electrical signal is send to the computer
What is a computer
2. Computer will convert the 3. Computer
electrical signal to the programs/Operating
corresponding keyboard System(OS) interpret input and
keystroke etc process accordingly
What is a computer
4. (If applicable) output the
results to output devices
(like the input case, this
will be in the form of
electrical signals again)
What is a computer
• Other types of computers
might not have separate
input/output devices
• The input, processing unit
and display unit is self-
contained
• E.g., tablet PC,
smartphone
Input/Output (I/O) Device?
Importance of Computers
Speed
◦ Able to process information fast
Storage
◦ Allows storing/retrieval of large collection of data
Accuracy
◦ Minimize human errors
Consistency
◦ Systematic processing, based on predefined instructions,
can expect to get the same result each time
Communication
◦ Allows sharing of information easily
Types of Computers
• Embedded systems
• Handheld devices
• Personal computers and workstations
• Servers, mainframes and supercomputers
Types of Computers
• Embedded systems
• Microprocessors used as components of larger
systems
• Special purpose computers designed to
perform specific functions
• GPS
• Home alarm system
• Traffic light controller
• Digital watches
• Oven/fridge/washing machine
• Typically have programs (firmware) etched in
silicon chip so that they cannot be altered
easily (Pre-designed)
Types of Computers
• Handheld devices
• Pocket-sized
• Highly portable
• Early generations with relatively limited
functionalities
• Example:
• Personal digital assistants (PDAs)
• Smartphones
• Tablet computers
Types of Computers
• Personal computers and workstations
• Designed to be used by one user at a time
• Examples
• Laptop
• Netbooks
• Desktop
Types of Computers
• Examples (cont.)
• Workstation
• High-end desktop computer with massive computing
power
Types of Computers
• Servers
• Provide other computers connected to the
network with access to data, programs, or other
resources
• Print server
• Web server
• Database server
• User server
• -Web server
• -Data Base
Types of Computers
• Mainframe
• Used by large organizations (e.g., banks, airlines
and governments)
• For mass-processing computing jobs
• Can serve hundreds or thousands of users
simultaneously
Types of Computers
• Supercomputers
• Fastest, most powerful type of computers
• For mission-specific calculation-intensive
computing jobs
• E,g., weather forecasting, genetic research, simulation
(nuclear explosion) etc
• Leading manufacturers: IBM, Cray
Types of Computers
Supercomputers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFDcrbjMM4Q
NUS Data Center
Size of Computers
Supercomputer
Mainframe
Server
Workstation
Desktop PC
Larger
Notebook PC
Netbook
Handheld Devices
Embedded Systems
Evolution of Computers
Scientific Calculator Era (1930s – 1950)
Institutional Computing Era (1950 – 1975)
Personal Computing Era (1975 – 1995)
Interpersonal Computing Era (1995 – 2000s)
Collaborative Computing Era (2005 – Present)
Evolution of Computers
• Scientific Calculator Era (1930s-1950)
• Use to calculate
• Used for cracking enemy encryption codes during
world war II
• No commercially available computer yet
Colossus used to break
German secret codes
during WWII
Evolution of Computers
• Institutional Computing Era (1950-1975)
• Few large, expensive mainframe
• Used mainly for data storage and calculation
• Controlled by specialist and experts
• Bank / Insurance Company
Evolution of Computers
• Personal Computing Era (1975-1995)
• Small, inexpensive PCs
• Controlled by independent users
• Used for mostly document creation, data storage,
and calculation
Evolution of Computers
• Interpersonal Computing Era (1995-2000s)
• Networks of computers
• Controlled by users (clients) and network
administrators
• Used mostly for communication, document
creation, data storage and calculation
Evolution of Computers
• Collaborative Computing Era (2005-
present)
• Global network of PCs, handhelds, etc
connected to a “cloud” of servers providing
online application, storage, and other services
• Controlled by users, groups and network
administrators
• Used mostly for collaborative creation, self-
expression, information sharing,
communication, document creation, data
storage, and calculation
Big Data Era
• HW and SW Advances
– Enable “Affordable
Real-Time” Data
Collection &
Decision Making
Infrastructure
• Complex Analysis
>>
– AI and Deep Learning
32~64TB DRAM 12TB DRAM
1000 Cores 1000 CPU Cores
now 2004
Evolution of Computers
Era Institutional Personal Interpersonal Collaborative
Computing Computing Computing Computing
Form of A few large, Millions of small, Networks of Global network of PCs,
Computers expensive inexpensive PCs in interconnected handhelds, embedded
mainframes in offices, schools, computers in computers, and other
climate- homes, and offices, homes, clients connected to a
controlled room elsewhere schools, and “cloud” of servers
elsewhere providing services
Control Groups Experts and Mostly users Users and network Users, groups, and
specialists administrators network administrators
Major Uses Data storage+ +Document +Communication +Collaborative creation,
calculation creation self expression,
information sharing
Trends of Computers
• Miniaturisation in form factor
• Artificial Intelligence?
• Making computers as intelligent as a real human
being
• Making computers able to understand and learn
like a real human being
• Emotions?
• Unable to display real human emotions
Deep Learning Algorithm for AI
Keys of Deep Learning Breakthroughs
Implications: Social and Ethical Issues
• The threat to personal privacy posed by large databases
and computer networks
• The hazards of high-tech crime and the difficulty of keeping
data secure
• The difficulty of defining an protecting intellectual property
• The threat of automation and the dehumanization of work
• The abuse of information as a tool of political and economic
power: digital divide
• The dangers of dependence on complex technology
• The emergence of biodigital technology
Additional Resources
• Computer history
• http://youtu.be/WU_Xfk3rWvA
• http://www.computerhope.com/history/
• Technology timeline
• http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/
2011/12/06/science/20111206-technology-
timeline.html
