Basic Computer Skill

Chapter One

Introduction to Computer
1.1 Data versus information Concept
Data is anything which can be observed using our sense organs. In digital age data can be found in the
form of sound, animation, text, picture, photograph or the combination of these.
Information is a collection of meaningful facts and figures that can be used as basic for guidance and
decision making. These facts are called data.
In other word, data is a collection of raw facts that represent features or details about something. Like
people, object, place, ideas or events. We must process and organize data in some way to produce
information. Hence, Information is a processed and an organized data, In short, data is the raw material for
information.
In general, Data is defined as raw facts or observations represented by characters such as letters, numbers
and others.
Data takes a variety of forms including numeric, text, voice and images.
Information is defined as data that has been transformed into a meaningful and useful context for specific
end users. It is a refined or processed data.
Data Processing
Data processing is the manipulation of data into a more useful form. Data processing includes not only
numerical calculation but also operations such as the classification of data and the transmissions of data
from one place to another.
Methods of Data Processing
Depends on the volume of task to be accomplished, there are two ways of data processing.
I. Manual data processing: Brain, pen and paper are the main tools.
Demerit: - It is exposed for human error and it is time consuming,
Limited productivity of employees,
Lack of control, and dishonesty
II. Electronic (Computer): Electronic devices such as computers are used as the main processing
tools. The basic advantage is Accuracy and speed.
1.2 Computers and their Classification
What is computer?
Computer is an electronic machine capable of manipulating numbers and symbols, taking an input,
storing it, processing it and giving an output all under the control of a set of instructions (called program).
It is a programmable electronic device.
Types of computers
Computers are available in different shapes, sizes and weights, due to these different shapes and sizes they
perform different sorts of jobs from one another.
They can also be classified in different ways. All the computers are designed by the qualified computer
architectures that design these machines as their requirements.
A computer that is used in a home differs in size and shape from the computer being used in a hospital.
Computers act as a server in large buildings, while the computer also differs in size and shape performing
its job as a weather forecaster.
Classification of computers
1. Classification of computers based on the data they process (method of operation).
2. Classification based on purpose.
3. Classification based on functionality (size, speed, cost, capacity….)
Classification by the method of operation
They are classified into three:

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I. Analog
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.
Examples: Thermometer, Voltmeter, Speedometer, gasoline pump, etc
 Gasoline pump – Contains an analog Computer that converts the flow of pumped fuel into two
measurements the price of the delivered gas and the quantity of pumped fuel.
They are special purpose computers.
Analog computers have limited accuracy
II. Digital Computers
Digital computers deal with discrete variables (which is not continues); they operate by counting rather
than measuring. They operate directly up on numbers (or digits) that represent numbers, letters, or other
special symbols.
Examples: Abacus, Desk & pocket computers, the general purpose computers
Digital computers have higher accuracy and speed than the analog ones.
III. 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,
converts it into digital quantities, processes the digital values and converts the output from digital to
analog form.
Example:
In hospital insensitive-care unit analog devices may measure a patient’s heart function, temperature and
other vital signs. These measurements may then be converted into numbers and supplied to a digital
component in the system. This component is used to monitor the patient’s vital signs and to send an
immediate signal to the nurse’s station.
Classification by purpose of application
Computers can be applied or used for different purposes. Based upon their application, they are classified
as special purpose or general-purpose computers
1. 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.
Most analog computers are special purpose computers.
2. General-purpose computers
They are designed to solve variety of problems through the use of “store program concept”. A program or
set of instructions designed to solve a problem is read and stored into the memory and then executed by
the computer one by one. The same computer can be applied to solve another set of problem using
different program. General purpose computers are more flexible and versatile.
Examples: Micro computers, Mini computers, Super computers etc.
Classification by functionality (physical size, price, capacity and performance)
At this stage, by a computer, we mean a general-purpose digital computer.
There is a wide variety of general purpose digital computers on the market place today, in terms of
physical size, price, capacity, and performance.
They are then classified as follows by their capacity and size:
Super computers: - are the fastest, largest and most potential types of computer. They have speed of
hundreds of millions of operation per second, a primary memory capacity of about 80 million characters,
and a secondary memory of capacity of about 20 times its primary memory.
 They are multi-user systems in intercontinental range.
 They can carry out enormously complex scientific calculations.

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 They are used to process huge amount of data and are commonly used in space technology centers,
meteorology stations, astronomical observatories, intercontinental communications etc.

Mainframe computers:- Smaller in size, capacity, lower in speed, memory capacity than the super
computers. However they are multi-user systems and handle hundreds of users, usually used in large
organizations. Insurance company, banks, airline and railway reservation systems use them.

Mini computers: - Have relatively lower speed, can handle multi-users, are smaller in size than the
mainframe computers. They use terminals for inputs and output. Mini computers are used in small
organizations. Popular in scientific laboratory, research centers, colleges, universities, etc.
Micro computers:-Micro computer (personal or desktop computer) is a computer whose CPU is
microprocessor. Microprocessor is a processor all of whose components are on a single integrated-circuit
chip. Since its CPU is integrated in a single circuit, it can serve only a single user at a time. Most of home
and personal office computers are microcomputers. The relative performance and usage of personal
computer is relatively increased with a very high rate.
Desktop computer
• The most widely used type of personal PC
• This computer primary parts rest separately on top of desk. Those primary parts are keyboard,
system unit, and monitor.
Laptop/Notebook computer
• This type of computer called portable
• Smaller versions of microcomputer.
• Portable type of single user computer.
• All primary parts are in one light, compact case.

Palmtop Computer/Digital Diary /Notebook /PDAs: a hand-sized computer. Palmtops have no

keyboard but the screen serves both as an input and output device.

Workstations
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• A terminal or desktop computer in a network. In this context, workstation is just a generic term for
a user's machine (client machine) in contrast to a "server" or "mainframe."

1.3 Characteristics of computers

The characteristics of a computer show the capability and the potential of the computer for processing
data. This saves time, space, money, labors etc. And they answer the questions why computers are used?
Why have they become so popular?
1. Speed
The ability of the computers to carry out their instructions in a very short period of time is one of the main
reasons for their popularity. Computers can perform within a matter of seconds or minutes tasks that
would be impossible for a person to complete by hand in lifetime.
Its speed is measured by the amount of time it took to perform or carry out a basic operation. And its
speed measured in terms of micro second (10 -6 one millionths), nano second (10-9 one billionths), and Pico
second (10-12 one trillionths). Hence a computer with speed 1 microsecond can perform 1 million
instructions in just 1 second.
2. Accuracy
Now a days computers are being used life-and-death situations (For example, jet pilots rely on computer
computations for guidance, Hospitals rely on patient-monitoring systems in critical –care units) which
needs almost hundred percent accuracy. From this we can understand that computer is accurate and
consistent. Unless there is an error in the input data or unreliable program the computer processes with a
very accurate.
3. Storage: They have got good built-in and auxiliary storage memory system.
4. Durability and reliability: Computers are durable and extremely reliable devices. They can operate
error-free over long period of time.
5. Diligence: They are free from lack of concentration, tiredness and etc. They constantly perform
similar tasks over and over again.
6. Automation: More than calculator machines (need human operator) whereas computers work
automatically once the process begun it continues until the completion.
7. Versatility: Because of technological advancements in the computer industry, most computers today are
considered to be general-purpose computers. That is both their computation and input/output processing
capabilities are such that they can be used for almost any type of application. For example, the same
computer that is used to handle engineering company’s mathematics, and design computations can also be
efficiently used by the company to track inventory, process payroll, project earnings, and fulfill all its
reporting needs.
Note: Even if the above main characteristics of computers are increasing with time, the cost and size of
computers are decreasing.
1.4 Application of Computers
Why we use Computers?
The following are some of the capability of Computers, which are reasons to use computers.
 Store and process large amount of information with high speed and accuracy;
 Transmit information across continents via communication channels;
 Perform complex mathematical computations and make comparisons;
 Monitor ongoing industrial operations;
 Perform repetitive processes with great ease, speed, and reliability;
Therefore, computers are applicable for any functions or process that requires these abilities.
The main areas of computer applications can be listed as follows:
1. Learning Aids (Educational Application):
Example: learning toys, programs range from simple arithmetic to calculus, from English grammar to
creative writing and foreign language, and from basic graphics to engineering design models,
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2. Entertainment: Examples: Games, Video …
3. Commercial or business applications
Computers are needed to perform business operations that require handling large amounts of data.
Examples are:
 Text processing, Accounting and Finance management, Inventory control, Database management,
Statistical analysis.
4. Scientific, Engineering and research applications
Computers can be used for scientific research, complex mathematical calculations, design work and
analysis and control of physical systems.
Examples are: Space technology, Meteorological observatory systems, Astronomical investigations, for
Design of machines and Control of manufacturing process.
1.5 Limitations of computers
 They don’t think. Its I.Q. is zero.
 Computers are merely tools, useless without humans.
 It cannot identify its problem
 It cannot decide the input needed to solve the problem
 Software that generate automatically is also designed by humans

1.6 Evolution and Types of Computers

1.6.1 History of Computers
The invention of Computers is dated back to 3000 B.C. when the first computing device Abacus was
created.
The French mathematician, physicist and religious philosopher Blaise Pascal developed the first
mechanical adding machine in 1642 to help his father, a civil servant in tax calculations. Blaise’s adding
machine used gears with teeth to represent numbers.
In 1842 an English mathematician, Charles Babbage was attempting to develop an automatic computing
device for calculation called “Difference engine” but it was never finished. With the aid of lady August
Ada Lovelace, Babbage turned his talents to the development of an analytical machine to compute
astronomical tables for the Navy. The analytical machine was to be a digital machine capable of one
addition per second with data entered from punched cards and a built in storage unit. Though the project
suffered from financial & tooling limitations (it was 100 years head of its time). Babbage & Lovelace left
special schematic symbols, sketches and detailed drawing of the machine.
The 1880 census had taken over seven years to complete by manual method and by then the young
country’s population had increased nearly 24 percent. It was at this time, Herman Hollerith; a
government statician provided the solution with a punched card system of collecting and tabulating the
data. His strong and tabulating equipment or machine was extremely successful and allowed the 1890
census to be completed in less than two years. Hollerith continued to develop his card methods for railroad
accounting and founded the tabulating machine company which later changed to International Business
Machine Corporation (IBM).

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In 1945, two University of Pennsylvania scientists, John Mauchly & Presper Eckert, designed the
Electronic Numerical Integrator And Calculator (ENIAC), the first general purpose electronic digital
computer. It had over 18,000 vacuum tubes and 500,000 soldered joints and it weighed more than 30 tones
and it occupied over 15,000 Ft2. It consumes enormous amounts of power (140 Kilowatts of power).
 ENIAC did not use internally stored programs. Programs were wired on boards similar to a telephone
switch board.
 One of the major drawbacks of ENIAC was that it had to be programmed manually by setting
switches and plugging and unplugging cables.
Eckert and Mauchly subsequently developed the UNIVAC-I (Universal Automatic computer), the first
electronic computer offered as a commercial product.
John Von Neuman, a mathematician genius at Princeton, is sometimes called the intellectual father of
computer. He has been credited with developing highly significant stored program theory, and his 1946
paper entitled “A preliminary discussion of the logical design of Electronic computing instruments” is the
authoritative statement on storing data and instruction in computers. He also defined and promoted
flowcharts as logic aids.
Year Computing Device and Inventor Usefulness
1909 First accounting machine (Charles Kattering, National Was capable of sorting,
Case register company, USA) recording the data
1938 ZI(K, Z use, Germany) Design first program
controlled computer and was
purely a mechanical device
1941 Z3 (K, Z use, Germany) Support to be the first
computer of the world and was
destroyed in second world war
bombing
1944 Harvard Mark-1 (HawardAikan, Harvard university First successful general
U.S.A) purpose digital computer
1946 ENIC (Electronic Numeric Integrator and Calculator) Was full fleged electronic
Johan W. Mauchly and J. Presfer Eckert at computer and used cathode ray
Pennysloania university. tube for storage purpose
1949
EDASC(Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Was the first computer to
computer- M.V. Wilkes Cambridge University) utilities stored program
concept and mercury delay
line were used for storage and
paper tape for input and
output.
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1950 EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable Automated
Computer- M.V Wilkes Cambridge University)
1950 ACE(Automatic Computer Engine- National Physical First computer to use two
Laboratory) address code (one to signify
the location of the data to be
operated on and the other for
the address of the next
instruction)
1951 LEO(Lyon’s Electronic office-M.V. Wilkes, J. Lyons World’s first commercial
and U.K) computer which made the
concept of office automation a
reality
1951 UNIVAC I (Universal Accounting Company Set up by Developing for Commercial
Eckert and Mauchly) data processing
1.7 Generation of Computers
Although computer professionals do not agree on exact dates or specifics, computer developments are
often categorized by generations. Actually there are four generations and major characteristics that
distinguish these generations are the following;
 Dominant type of electronic circuit elements used.
 Major secondary storage media used.
 Computer language used.
 Types or characteristic of operating system used.
 Memory access time (time to store or retrieve a word or data from memory).
Computer generations are usually categorized by dramatic improvement in the hardware, typically refold
or better increases in speed and reliability.
First generation (1940-1956)
 Used vacuum tubes as components for the electronic circuit.
 Punched cards were the main source of inputs, and magnetic drams were used for internal storage.
 Operate in a speed of milliseconds (thousands of a second) and could handle more than 10,000
additions each second.
 Most applications were scientific calculations (limited commercial use).
Followings are the major drawbacks of First generation computers.
• The operating speed was quite slow.
• Power consumption was very high.
• It required large space for installation.
• The programming capability was quite low.
• The tubes produced a lot of heat and so they require ventilation
• They were unreliable because when the vacuum tubes get hot they would corrupt.
Second generations (1956-1963)
 Transistors were the main circuit components. (Transistors are a solid state device made from
silicon which is smaller, cheaper, faster, dissipate less energy and more reliable than vacuum tube
but work in the same way with the vacuum tube.)
 Magnetic tapes (similar with home tape caste), used for main storage,
 Operate in microseconds (millionths of a second) with more than 200,000 additions possible each
second.
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 Business applications become more common place, with large data files stored on magnetic tape
and disk.
 Moved from binary machine language to symbolic, or Assembly languages.
 High-level languages COBOL and FORTRAN were introduced during this period.
Third generation (1964-1971)
The development of the Integrated Circuit (IC) was the hallmark of the third generation of computers,
which drastically increased the speed and efficiency of computers.
• They were use magnetic disk as secondary storage.
• First time became accessible to a mass audience because they were smaller and cheaper than their
predecessors.
 Software become more important with sophisticated operating systems, improved programming
languages,
 Instead of punched cards and printouts, users interacted with third generation computers through
keyboards and monitors.
Fourth generation (1971-present)
The Microprocessor brought the fourth generation of computers, as thousands of integrated circuits were
built onto a single silicon chip and the introduction of very large scale integration (VLSI). Has a large-
scale integrated circuits (LSI) which has several hundred thousands transistors placed on one tiny silicon
chip. Greatly expanded storage capabilities and improved circuitry. Computer memory operates at speeds
of nano seconds (billionths of a second) with large computers capable of adding 15 million numbers per
second. Fourth generation computers also saw the development of GUIs, the mouse and handheld devices.
As these small computers became more powerful, they could be linked together to form networks, which
eventually led to the development of the Internet.
 Languages: Applications oriented and Secondary storage: Mass storage.

The fifth generation computer (future generation)

• Based on Artificial intelligence, are still in development.
• The concept of Artificial intelligence has been introduced to allow the computer to take its own
decision.
• Some applications, such as voice recognition and use of parallel processing.
• Develop devices that respond to natural language.

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