FUNDAMENTALS OF

PROGRAMMING
ITD 10103

CHAPTER 1
Introduction to Computer &
Programming

Topics of discussion :
The use of Computer to solve
computational problem
Programming Languages
Computer Software

Topic 1 : The use of Computer

to solve computational
problem
Handle repetitive tasks
Produce exact answers
Easy to make changes/corrections

What is a computer?
Computer

one that computes (Websters dictionary)

In other languages:

French: ordinateur (from order)

Italian: cervello elettronico (electronic brain)
Other?

Computer: a programmable device that can

store, retrieve and process data.

Whats in a Computer?
Hardware:

The actual physical machine

Consists of several hardware devices

Software:

The programs that tell the machine what to do,

i.e. give instructions to the machine
Different types of programs written in
different languages

Topic 2 : Programming
Languages
Computer program is a sequence of
steps that are needed to fulfill a task
Computer programming is the act of
designing and implementing programs
Example : BASIC, COBOL, Fortran,
Pascal, C, C++, Java

Topic 3 : Computer
Software
Software
- is a computer program /program
- is a series of instructions that tells the
hardware of computer what to do.
- Before a computer can perform or
execute a program, the instruction in the
program must be placed, or loaded into the
memory of the computer.

Topic 3 : Computer Software

Software can be categorized into two types: system software and application
software.
System Software
Set of instruction given to the computer to allow interaction between
application users and the computer
There are two types of system software:
a. Operating System
- A collection of systems programs that control and coordinate the overall
operation of a computer system.
- These programs act as an interface between the hardware and the
applications programs.
- Among function performed by an operating system:
i. Boots, starts the computer operation
ii. Controls input and output operations
iii. Controls program execution
iv. Manages data and file storage
v. Provides security and control
- Example of OS are : OS/2, UNIX, MS DOS, ZENIX, Windows 7, Windows

Topic 3 : Computer Software

b. Utility Programs
- Utility programs give the user greater control over the
computer system through efficient file management.
- For example: Files can be easily prepared, copied,
deleted, merged, sorted and updated by the appropriate
utility program.
- Example: Uninstaller, which removes a program that has
been installed on a computer.
Application Software
Executable programs used by users in everyday tasks
(e.g. word processing, spreadsheet, database )

Hardware Devices
Input:
Keyboard
Mouse, Touchpad, Joystick
Pen & tablet, Perforated cards
Output:
Printer
Screen (monitor)
Input & Output:
Auxiliary Devices:
disks (hard disk, floppies, DVDs/CDs, USB keys, Flash
memories)
tape drives
Touch screen
Network cards (intranet, internet)

Hardware Devices

(cont)

Central Processing Unit(s)

One or more
A CPU contains

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

A Control Unit: controls the actions of other components

Special Floating Point processors

The CPU controls just about everything else by

executing instructions

stores data in memory

retrieves data from memory
performs computations
sends and gets data from other devices

Conclusion
Programmers use programming
languages to communicate with the
computer
Use programs to complete task
Computers consists of hardware &
software