This document provides an overview of computer concepts including:
- Computers are electronic devices that can store, process, and manipulate data using hardware and software. Hardware is the physical components, software are the instructions that direct the hardware.
- There are different types of computers including desktops, laptops, servers, tablets, PCs, and Macs. Desktops are designed for regular use at home or work while laptops are portable. Servers manage network resources.
- Computer generations progressed from vacuum tubes to transistors to integrated circuits and now microprocessors. Earlier computers were larger, slower, and less powerful while modern computers are smaller, faster, and more powerful due to advances in processing technology.
2. Chapter Content
⚫Knowledge about computer
⚫Knowledge about hardware and software
⚫Knowledge about different types of computer
⚫Knowledge about first generation, second generation,
third generation, fourth generation and fifth
generation computer
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3. What is Computer?
⚫An electronic device that manipulates information or
data.
⚫It has the ability to store, retrieve, and process data.
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Figure: Block diagram of data processing with a
computer.
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4. General Use of a computer
⚫type documents
⚫send email
⚫browse the Web
⚫handle spreadsheets
⚫Accounting
⚫database management
⚫Presentations
⚫games
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5. Basic parts of Computer
All types of computers consist of two basic parts:
⚫Hardware - physical structure, such as the computer
monitor or keyboard
⚫Software - set of instructions that tells the hardware
what to do. Example: web browsers, games, and word
processors such as Microsoft Word
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8. Different types of computers
1. Desktop computers:
⚫ Use at work, home, school, or the
library
⚫ Small, medium, or large in style, and
they usually sit on a desk
⚫ Once you add a monitor, mouse, and
keyboard, you have what is typically
known as a desktop computer
⚫ easy to upgrade and expand or add
new parts
⚫ desktop computer is priced lower
⚫ Some desktop computers have a built-
in monitor to save space. These are
often called all-in-one desktop
computers.
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Figure: Desktop
Computer
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9. Different types of computers(cont.)
2. Laptop computers:
⚫Laptops are battery- or AC-
powered personal computers
⚫More portable than desktop
computers
⚫May not be able to upgrade them
as easily as a desktop
⚫It's usually possible to add more
RAM or a larger hard drive
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Figure: Laptop Computer
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10. Different types of computers(cont.)
3. Servers:
⚫serves up information to
other computers on a
network
⚫look like a regular desktop
computer, or it can be
much larger
⚫WebPages are stored
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Figure: Server Computer
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11. Different types of computers(cont.)
4. Tablet computers
⚫use a touch-sensitive
screen for typing and
navigation
⚫don't require a keyboard or
mouse
⚫more portable than laptops
⚫The iPad is an example of a
tablet computer
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Figure: Tablet Computer
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12. PCs and Macs
Personal computers come in two
main styles:
⚫PC:
⚫began with the original IBM
PC that was introduced in 1981
⚫this is the most common type
of personal computer today
⚫typically includes the
Microsoft Windows
operating system
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Figure: Personal Computer
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13. PCs and Macs (Cont.)
⚫Mac:
⚫Macintosh computer was
introduced in 1984
⚫first widely sold personal
computer with a Graphical
User Interface
⚫made by one company,
Apple Inc.
⚫use the Mac OS operating
system
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Figure: Macintosh Computer
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14. Summary
⚫ The computer – electronic device that can store, retrieve, and
process data.
⚫ Hardware – physical structure of the computer.
⚫ Software – set of instructions that tell the hardware what to do.
⚫ Desktop computers – personal computer designed for regular use
at a single location on or near a desk or table due to its size and
power requirements.
⚫ Laptop computers - a computer that is portable and suitable for use
while travelling.
⚫ Server Computers - used to manage network resources.
⚫ Tablet computers - small portable computer that accepts input
directly on to its screen rather than via a keyboard or mouse.
⚫ PCs – personal computer began with the original IBM PC that was
introduced in 1981. It typically includes the Microsoft Windows
operating system.
⚫ Macs - Macintosh computer introduced in 1984. Made by one
company Apple Inc., and they almost always use the Mac OS X
operating system.
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15. Exercise 1.1
⚫What is computer?
⚫Define software and hardware with two examples.
⚫Write down about the basic parts of a computer.
⚫What is the difference between desktop and laptop
computer.
⚫Explain about different types of computer.
⚫Write down about PCs and Macs computer.
⚫What is server computer?
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16. Critical Thinking 1.1
1. List the activities you perform using a computer.
2. Which type of computer do you think is the best for
you: a desktop computer, a laptop, a tablet, or a phone?
Give a reason for your answer.
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17. Generations of Computer
⚫The state of improvement in the product
development process
⚫Miniaturization, speed, power, and computer memory
has proportionally increased
⚫Affect the way we live, work and play
⚫Fundamentally changed the way computers operate,
resulting in increasingly smaller, cheaper and more
powerful and more efficient and reliable devices.
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18. Generations of Computer
1. First Generation - 1940-1956: Vacuum Tubes
2. Second Generation - 1956-1963: Transistors
3. Third Generation - 1964-1971: Integrated Circuits
4. Fourth Generation - 1971-Present: Microprocessors
5. Fifth Generation - Present and Beyond: Artificial
Intelligence
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19. First Generation Computer ENIAC
using Vacuum Tubes
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⚫Vacuum Tubes
⚫Magnetic Drum
⚫Hard Wire Programs in computers
⚫IBM 650, ENIAC, Mark II etc.
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23. Third Generation Computer
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⚫Silicon Chips (Integrated circuits)= IC
⚫High level programming language
⚫Keyboard Entry
⚫IBM 360, IBM 370, PDP-8 etc.
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29. Exercise 1.2:
⚫What are the main elements of different generations
of computer?
⚫Explain about microprocessor.
⚫Discuss about different generations of computer.
Critical Thinking 1.2:
⚫In which generation’s computer you are using? Write
the characteristics of this computer?
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