TTS1033

Concepts and Applications of Information Technology

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CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

Objectives :

1. Define the term, computer
2. Discuss the history & evolution of computer
3. Describe the categories of computers
4. Identify the components, types and functions of a computer
5. Distinguish between system software and application software


1.1 What is Computer
Computer can be defined as an electronic device or machine working under a set of
instruction, to accept data, process it into meaningful information and store it for future
use.


1.2 History and Evolution of Computer

Babbage and The Countess, Difference and Analytical Engine













Most histories of the modern computer begin with the Analytical Engine envisioned
by Charles Babbage.
Babbage's assistant and collaborator, Ada Lovelace, is said to have introduced the
ideas of program loops and subroutines and is sometimes considered the first
programmer.





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Concepts and Applications of Information Technology

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Herman Hollerith, Tabulating Machine










In 1890 Herman Hollerith tabulating machine won in competition that was held to find
some way to speed the counting process.
The machine uses electrical power rather than mechanical to drive the device.
In 1896 he himself founded the Tabulating Machine Company and in 1924 the
successor to this company merged with two other companies to form International
Business Machines Corporation IBM.


The Modern Era

During late 1930s, Dr John V Atanasoff, a professor from Iowa State University spent
time trying to build an electronic calculating device.
He and his assistant, Clifford Berry built the first digital computer that worked
electronically; the ABC for Atanasoff Berry Computer.












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In 1924 the world first general purpose electronic digital computer was built by John
Mauchly and his assistant J. Presper Eckert.
Their invention was the ENIAC Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer
which able to multiply a pair of numbers in about three milliseconds.









Modern computers inherently follow the ideas of the stored program laid out by John
von Neumann in 1945.
Essentially, the program is read by the computer one instruction at a time, an
operation is performed, and the computer then reads in the next instruction, and so
on.
Recently, computers and programs have been devised that allow multiple programs
(and computers) to work on the same problem at the same time in parallel.



1.3 Categories of Computers
A. Personal computers
Desktop computers








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Most often called personal computer (PC), also known as desktop and
microcomputers

Designed so all of the components fit entirely on or under a desk or table

PC categories:
i. Low-end computers
- Fine for home users, word processing, simple games, Internet access
ii. Fully powered computers
- Good for heavy use of graphics, programming, or action-oriented games
iii. Workstations
- Very high-end computers used by engineers, financial traders, and
graphic designers



B. Mobile computers
Notebook (laptop)





Small, lightweight computers
Portable, small enough to fit on your lap
Usually more expensive than a desktop computer with equal capabilities


Tablet PC









Resembles a letter-sized slate
Allows you to write on the screen using a digital pen
Especially useful for taking notes







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C. Mobile devices










Small enough to carry in a pocket

Examples:
i. Smart phones - A smart phone is an Internet-enabled telephone that usually
provides PDA capabilities

ii. Personal digital assistant (PDA) - Provides personal organizer functions
(calendar, appointment book, address book,
calculator, notepad)
- Accepts input with hand-held stylus

iii Handheld computer - Small enough to fit in one hand
- Used by mobile employees such as meter readers and
delivery people

iv. Portable media players - a consumer electronics device that is capable of
storing and playing digital media.

v. Digital cameras - a camera that takes video or still photographs, or both,
digitally by recording images via an electronic image sensor.

















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D. Game consoles






Mobile computing device designed for single-player or multiplayer video games
E.g: Microsoft Xbox 360, Nintendos Wii, Sonys Playstation 3





E. Server







Controls access to the hardware, software, and other resources on a network

Multi-user computers designed to serve the needs of medium-sized
organizations

Hundreds or thousands of users connected
Used for inventory, order-entry, and other company-wide Applications









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F. Mainframe







A large, expensive, powerful computer that can handle hundreds or
thousands of connected users simultaneously
Often used for applications with many users such as:
Reservations systems
Payroll processing
Insurance business
Large mail-order houses
E-mail servers


G. Supercomputers






The fastest, most powerful and most expensive computer
Used for very sophisticated applications requiring mammoth data manipulation:
Weather forecasting
Space exploration
Oil exploration
Weapons research
Special effects for movies



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H. Embedded computers















A special-purpose computer or a control system that functions as a component in
a larger product

designed to perform a specific task

Example of products that contain embedded computers:
i. Automobiles (antilock brakes, airbag controllers, cruise control, etc)

ii. Process controllers and robotics (remote monitoring systems, medical
devices, machine controllers, etc)

iii. Computer devices and office machine (keyboard, printers, copy machine, etc)

iv. Home automation devices (appliances washing machine, microwave ovens,
sprinkling system, security monitoring systems, etc)

v. Consumer electronics (mobile and digital telephones, digital cameras, DVD
player and recorders, etc)










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1.4 Core Component, Types and Computer Functions
Components







i. Input devices Allows you to enter data and instructions into a computer
ii. Output devices Hardware component that conveys information to one or more
people
iii. System unit Case that contains the electronic components of the computer that
are used to process data
iv. Storage devices Holds data, instructions, and information for future use
v. Communication devices Enables a computer to send and receive data,
instructions, and information to and from one or more computers or mobile
devices


Types
i. Analog Uses arithmetic and logical operations. Eg: computer used in flight
centres to measure pressure and temperature

ii. Digital Operations are on electrical input. Eg; ON=1 OFF=0 used in your
personal computers

iii. Hybrid Combine both operations in analog and digital computers Eg; computer
used in hospital to measure patients heartbeat





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Computer functions (Information Processing Cycle)






All computers must be able to:
Gather data
Process data
Store data
Disseminate data
Display data



1.5 Concept of Hardware and Software
Hardware
- the mechanical, magnetic, electronic, and electrical components making up a
computer system











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- Terminologies:
i. Input devices e.g: mouse, keyboard, scanner, microphone, etc

ii. Output devices e.g: screen, speaker, printer, etc

iii. System unit consist of processor, memory, expansion cards, etc.

iv. Storage devices e.g: diskette drive, hard disk, CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive,
USB flash drive, memory card

v. Communication devices modem, router, hub, NIC, etc



Software
- also called a program, consists of a series of related instructions, organized for a
common purpose, that tells the computer what tasks to perform and how to
perform them
- 2 types :
i. Systems software
- Programs that control or maintain the operations of the computer and its
devices
- Operating System (OS) a set of programs that coordinates all activities
among computer hardware devices
- Utility Programs allow the user to perform maintenance-type tasks
usually related to managing a computer, its devices or its programs

ii. Application software
- Programs designed to make users more productive
- Types: Word Processing, Spreadsheet, Database, Presentation
Graphics