Werabe University

Institute of Technology
Department of Computer Science
Computer Applications in Management

Chapter 1: Overview of Computer

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 Lesson objectives
At the end of this lesson students will be able
to :
• Define computer science
• Define computer
• Identify basic characteristics of computer
• Identify different types of computer
• Know Applications of computer
• Generations of Computer(Reading Assignment)

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 What is Computer Science?
 Computer Science is a science concerned
with information
i.e. representation, storage, manipulation or
processing and presentation of information

 Like any other science, which uses some

devices for the practical aspect, computer
Science uses a special device called
COMPUTER.
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 Cont’d…
 Computer science has different fields of
specialization or sub-disciplines like other
sciences.
 There are seven sub-disciplines of computer

science.
1. Software Engineering: It is concerned about the
development of better quality software by
applying scientific & basic engineering principles.
2. Computer Engineering (Architecture): deals
with studying, analyzing and designing of computer
hardware (organization and interconnection of
computer system components) and its working
principle.
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 Cont’d…
3. Automata Theory: is the study of machines
or devices which accept a certain inputs such
that the output or at least the probabilities of
outputs are determined by the input.
4. Formal Language Theory: Embraces the
study of programs of programming
languages, which is important for the
understanding and construction of compilers.
5. Complexity Theory: concerned with the
study and analysis of algorithms, which helps
in measuring the efficiency of the algorithms.

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 Cont’d…
6. Database Architecture: involves the study
and design of efficient methods for
information storage, process & retrieval.
7. Artificial Intelligence: is concerned with
means by which Computers may perform tasks
that would be characterized as intelligent if
performed by human beings.

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 Computer Definition
• Is electronic device that accepts, processes,
stores data and produce an outputs under
the control of set of instructions.
• A computer takes data as an input produce
information as an output.
• Computers can perform four general
operations, which comprise the information
processing cycle.
 Input
 Process
 Output
 Storage

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 What Does Computers Do?
• Input, Process, Output, & Store data

Input Process Output

Store Data

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 Characteristics of Computer
1. Speed: The speed of a computer in
processing information is increasing from
time to time and computers can calculate at
very high speed.
2. Accuracy: The accuracy of a computer
system is very high provided that the data
and the program given to it are accurate.
 Error in computer data processing is mostly
human factor.
o The program may be wrongly coded or the data may
be wrongly entered.

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 Cont’d…
3. Storage: Computers can store large
amount of data using their memory unit
4. Versatility: Computers can be
programmed and applied for different
purposes. People can use computers for
different applications.
5. Diligence :The computer does the same
thing repeatedly without saying “I am
tired or I am bored”.

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Why A Computer Is So Powerful?
• The ability to perform the information
processing cycle with amazing speed.
• Reliability (low failure rate).
• Accuracy.
• Ability to store huge amounts of data and
information.
• Ability to communicate with other computers
• Transmit information across continents via
communication channels.
• Simulate events

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 Limitations of computer
• No Decision-making Ability
• No Intelligence
• No Emotions and Feelings
 These limitations of computers are
characteristics of human beings.
 Thus, computers and human beings work in

collaboration to make a perfect pair.

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 Classification of Computers
 We can classify computers based on different criteria.
 Some bases of classifications of computers are as follows:-
I. The type of data they handle (Method of operation)
II. The purpose they are designed
III. Storage capacity and performance efficiency

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 Types of Computers
Classification of computer by the method of
operation (processing)

Analog Digital Hybrid

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 Cont’d…
1. Analog computers
 Operate by measuring.

• They deal with continues variables; they

don’t compute directly with numbers, rather,

they operate by measuring physical magnitude
such as pressure, temperature, voltage,
current etc.
Example: Thermometer, volt meter, speedo meter,
gasoline pump

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 Cont’d…
2. Digital computers
 Deal with discrete variables; they operate

by counting rather than measuring.

 They operate directly up on numbers (or

digits) that represent numbers, letters, or

other special symbols.
 Ex Abacus, Desktop & pocket computers,The

general purpose computers

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 Cont’d…
3. Hybrid computers
 The best features of analog and digital

computers can be combined into a single

device to form a hybrid computer.
 A hybrid computer processes the
information by collecting input data with
analog method, convert it into digital
quantities, processes the digital values and
convert the output from digital to analog
form.

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Classification of computer by purpose of
application

Special purpose General-purpose

computers computers

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 Special purpose computers
 They are designed to solve a single type of
problem, that is their components and
function are uniquely adapted to a specific
situation involving specific application.
Example The public telephone box, Traffic control
system, Ticket machines (used in grocery, super
market etc.),Pocket calculators etc. & Counters
 Most analog computers are special purpose
computers.

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 General-purpose computers
 They are designed to solve variety of
problems through the use of “store program
concept”.
 Example Micro computers ,Mini computers,

Super computers, Mainframe computers

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 Types of Computers by
efficiency, size…

Microcomputer Minicomputer Mainframe Supercomputer

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1. Microcomputer
• Also known as personal computer (PCs)
• It is single user computer.
• Can be classified into:
• Desktop PCs
• Sits on desks, rarely moved, large and bulky.
• Memory capacity, graphics capacity and software
availability vary from one computer to another.
• Used both for business and home applications
◦ Portable PCs
• Can be moved easily from place to place
• Weight may varies
• Small PCs are popular known as laptop
• Widely used by students, scientist, reporters, etc.

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 Microcomputer Model

Desktop Laptop

Palmtop
Notebook

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Microcomputer…
Advantages
• Small size
• Low cost
• Portability
• Commonly used for personal applications
Disadvantages
• Low processing speed
• Low storage capacity

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2. Minicomputer
• Medium sized computer
• Also called the minis
– e.g. IBM36, HP9000, etc.
• Computing power lies between microcomputer and
mainframe computer

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Minicomputer…
• Characteristics
• Bigger size than PCs
• Expensive than PCs
• Multi-User
• Difficult to use
• More computing power than PCs
• Used by medium sized business organizations,
colleges, libraries and banks.

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Minicomputer …
• Advantages
• Cater to multiple users
• Lower costs than mainframes
• Disadvantages
• Large
• Bulky

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3. Mainframe

• Known as enterprise
servers
• Occupies entire rooms or
floors
• Used for centralized
computing
• Serve distributed users and
small servers in a computing
network

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Mainframe…
• Large, fast and expensive computer
• Cost millions of dollar
Characteristics:
• Bigger in size than minicomputers
• Very expensive
• Support a few hundred users simultaneously
(Multi-Users)
• Difficult to use
• More computing power than minicomputers
• Used in big business organizations and
government departments

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 Mainframe …
Advantage
◦ Supports many users and instructions
◦ Large memory
Disadvantage
◦ Huge size
◦ Expensive
 Some mainframes are designed to be
extremely fast and called super computers. It
is used for space launching, monitoring and
controlling.

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4. Supercomputer

• Fastest and expensive

• Used by applications for molecular
chemistry, nuclear research,
weather reports, and advanced
physics

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 Supercomputer…
Advantage
Speed
Storage capacity
Disadvantage
Generate a large amount of heat during
operation
Huge size
Expensive
• Supercomputers are more powerful than
Mainframes, and Mainframes are more
powerful than minicomputers, which are
more powerful than microcomputers.
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Application Area of Computer
 The main areas of computer applications can be listed
as follows:
• Learning Aids
• Entertainment
• Commercial or business applications
• Scientific – engineering and research applications
• Information Utilities
• Electronic Banking and Service:
• Medical and Health Care
• Shopping from Home
• Weather and Environment
• Transportation
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Thank you!

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