Chapter 1

Introduction to Computer

What is a computer?

 A computer - is an electronic device that accepts data, performs

computations, and makes logical decisions according to instructions
that have been given to it; then produces meaningful information
in a form that is useful to humans.

 - is a device capable of performing computations and making logical

decisions at speeds millions (even billions) of times faster than
human beings can.

 Computers process data under the control of sets of instructions

called computer programs. These computer programs guide the
computer through orderly sets of actions specified by people called
computer programmers.

Organization of a computer system:

A computer system composed of components that are classified either as

Computer hardware or Computer software.

A. Computer Hardware
 A Computer Hardware is the physical equipment of the
computer you see, you use to and the parts you can touch.
 How a computer operates:
• It takes input(in various forms)
• Process it (according to a given set of
instructions) and produce an output (in required
form).
 The different hardware parts of a computer which are responsible
for these operations are illustrated by the following model.

1
Compiled by Daniel k
 The Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• The CPU is the collection of electronic circuits made up of
millions of transistors placed onto integrated circuits.
• Integrated circuits are also called chips or microchips.
• Each transistor is an electrical switch that can be in one of
two states “on” or “off”
• It is the part of a computer hardware that executes program
instructions.
• Is the most costly and main component of the computer system;
• Consists of the Control Unit & the Arithmetic Logic Unit and
main memory;

 The Control Unit

• is like the human brain and it oversees and controls all of the
activities of the computer
• It retrieves the instruction from memory.
• Translates those instructions into computer functions and sends
signals to other computer hardware units to carry out those
functions.
• It is also responsible for determining the next instruction to
be executed by the computer.
• It directs the movement of electronic signals between: Main
memory and the arithmetic/logic unit Main memory and the input
and output devices

2
Compiled by Daniel k
 The Arithmetic Logical Unit (ALU)
o Is the other component of the CPU which contains the electronic
circuitry that performs the two activities that underline all
computing capabilities -arithmetic operations and logical
operations and controls the speed of those operations.

 Registers
• Special high-speed circuitry areas that temporarily store data
during processing and provide working areas for computation
• Registers are contained in the processor and hold material to
be processed immediately. Main memory, which is outside the
processor, holds material that will be used "a little bit later.
• Data and program instructions are loaded from main memory into
the registers just before processing
• When an instruction is loaded from main memory, it is placed
first in the register to wait instructions from the control
unit.
• Data are also stored in registers prior to execution in the ALU.

 Memory
• Is also called as primary storage, main memory or internal memory
is physically located close to the CPU (to decrease access time).
• Is separate from the CPU.
• Memory provides the CPU with a working storage area for program
instructions and data. The chief feature of memory is that it
rapidly provides the data and instructions to the CPU

 Input Unit
• It is the unit used to enter data into the computer so
that it can be processed.
• It converts information from a form suitable to human
beings to one understandable by the computer.
• Example: pointing devices, game controllers, keyboards,
scanners, cameras, microphones and etc.

 Out Put Unit

• Output is anything that comes out of a computer. The output
may be a picture, text or image. An output device is any
machine capable of accepting and representing information
from a computer

3
Compiled by Daniel k
 • Used to get data out of a computer so that it can be
examined, analyzed or distributed to others.
• Convert the result of the only-machine understandable form
to a form understandable by human beings
• Hard disk and floppy disk are a special type of input and
output devices.

 External /Secondary/mass Storage/ auxiliary Devices

• Is a way of storing data and information outside the
computer itself?
• Secondary storage is any storage medium that is external
to the computer but that can be read by the computer. It
supplements the main storage. It is a long-term non-
volatile memory.
• Example – flash, floppy disk, Hard disk, CD, DVD etc.

B. Computer Software
 Software - a collection of programs and routines that support
the operations of performing a task using a computer.
 The computer software is divided into two major categories:
1) System software and
2) Application software

1) System software:
• The system software handles the computer hardware so that the
user can operate the computer with little knowledge about the
computer hardware.
• It organizes and manages the machine’s resources, handles the
input/output devices.
• System programs make complex hardware more user friendly.
• It acts as intermediate between the user and the hardware.

4
Compiled by Daniel k
 The important categories of system software are:
i) Operating system
ii) Language software

i) Operating system:

• An operating system is a program that acts as the link between you,

the computer’s software and hardware resources.
• Operating System software manages most of your computer’s
activities, including the allocation of computer resources,
maintenance of files, and running of application software.
• The first segment of the operating system software is contained in
the ROM (firmware) of your computer.
• This software tests the internal components and circuitry of the
computer when it is turned on.
• Examples of operating system software include MS-DOS (Microsoft
Disk Operating System), MS-Windows, UNIX.

 Evolution of OS:
1. Single-tasking processing – only one job at a time. The
computer runs a single program at a time while processing data
in groups or batches. E.g. Dos

2. Multitasking operating system- involves the "simultaneous"

operation of many jobs on the computer-the computer shares its
resources among the jobs competing for its attention. Example
- Microsoft Windows 98, 2000, XP

3. Multi-user and Multi-tasking operating system - two or more

programs loaded at a time and at the same time two or more
users access the same application. For example UNIX, Windows
2000 Advanced Server, Novel Netware

4. Real Time Operating System - A real time is a system that is

capable of processing data so quickly that the results are
available to influence the activity currently taking place.
Example: - Air plane seat reservations and computer controlled
plant.

ii) Language Software

5
Compiled by Daniel k
 • It is software which is used by programmers to develop application
software and translate programs to machine code.
• A generic name consisting of various programs that serve as editors
& translators to develop programs in a number of programming
languages.
• There are different types of language software and each of them
briefly discussed in the following sections:-
1. Machine Language (Low-level language)
 Machine language uses machine codes (strings of binary digits) to
write Computer programs.
 Each computer design has its own unique machine codes

Advantages:
 More powerful in utilizing resources of the computer
 Machine languages allow the programmer to interact directly
with the hardware, and it can be executed by the computer
without the need for a translator.
Disadvantage:
 Difficult to write applications with
 Prone to errors
 Difficult to correct or modify errors
 Machine dependent
 Require a high level of programming skill

2. Assembly language

 Uses symbolic names for operations and storage locations

 A system program called an assembler translates a program written
in assembly language to machine language
 They are highly used is system software development

.
Advantages:
 Easier to learn
 Fewer errors are made

6
Compiled by Daniel k
  Easier to locate and correct errors
 Example ADD A, B
This adds two numbers in memory location A and B
Disadvantages:
 Coding is time consuming
 Machine-oriented program.
 It is not directly executable by the computer. It needs
assembler to translate it into machine codes

3. High Level Programming Language

 Uses English like instructions and mathematicians were able

to define variables with statements such as Z = A + B
 Development software consists of sets of programs that are
mainly used to create other software. They are sometimes
referred to as language software.
 E.g. BASIC (Beginners All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code).
Turbo Pascal, COBOL (Common Business Oriented Language),
FORTRAN (FORmula TRANslator), Turbo C, Turbo C++, etc.
Advantages:
 Codes are written without any particular machine in mind Portable
Small program size
 These languages may be used with different makes of computers
with little modifications.
 They are easier to learn.
 They require less time to write.

Disadvantage
 Require more time to run and more computer memory space
 Cannot access all components of the computer hardware such computer
accessories. In that case we have to use lower level languages
 They require additional time during translation
 They are less efficient compared to the machine code languages.

For a High-Level language to work on the computer, it must be

translated into machine language. There are two kinds of
translators:-
I. Compilers - Translation program is run to convert the
programmer’s entire high level program, which is called the
source code, in to a machine language code. Examples of the
most widely used compiled languages are COBOL, C, C++ and
FORTRAN
II. Interpreters –.Translation and execution occur immediately
one after the other. That means, it translate one statement
7
Compiled by Daniel k
 at a time. Example of the most frequently used interpreted
language is BASIC.

2) Application software

• Application software is software developed to do user specific

tasks such as word processing, spreadsheet and database
management. It is developed using the language software.
• Application software is a set of related programs designed to
carry out certain tasks that fulfill users’ specific needs.
• Among the most common software that fall in this group include
Word processors such as Microsoft word and Word Perfect;
Spreadsheet Packaged like Microsoft Excel; and QuatroPro;
Database Management software such as MS-Access and MS- FoxPro;
Desktop Publishing software such as Corel Ventura and Page Maker;
Graphics packages such as Corel Draw and Auto CAD and Accounting
Software such as Peachtree and DaeEasy

8
Compiled by Daniel k