TTS2233 Information Technology Skills and Application

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

Objectives :
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
1.1

Define the term, computer

Discuss the history & evolution of computer
Describe the categories of computers
Identify the components, types and functions of a computer
Distinguish between system software and application software
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.

TTS2233 Information Technology Skills and Application

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.

In 1924 the world first general purpose electronic digital computer was
built by John Mauchly and his assistant J. Presper Eckert.

TTS2233 Information Technology Skills and Application

1.3

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.

Categories of Computers
A. Personal computers
Desktop computers

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:
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TTS2233 Information Technology Skills and Application

i.
ii.
iii.

Low-end computers
- Fine for home users, word processing, simple games, Internet access
Fully powered computers
- Good for heavy use of graphics, programming, or action-oriented games
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

C. Mobile devices

TTS2233 Information Technology Skills and Application

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.

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

TTS2233 Information Technology Skills and Application

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

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

TTS2233 Information Technology Skills and Application

Used for very

manipulation:

sophisticated

applications

requiring

mammoth

data

Weather forecasting
Space exploration
Oil exploration
Weapons research
Special effects for movies
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)
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TTS2233 Information Technology Skills and Application

v. Consumer electronics (mobile and digital telephones, digital cameras,

DVD player and recorders, etc)
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

TTS2233 Information Technology Skills and Application

Computer functions (Information Processing Cycle)

All computers must be able to:

1.5

Gather data

Process data

Store data

Disseminate data

Display data

Concept of Hardware and Software

Hardware
- the mechanical, magnetic, electronic, and electrical components making up a
computer system

- Terminologies:

TTS2233 Information Technology Skills and Application

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

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