The document provides an introduction to computers, detailing their general purpose, architecture, and components, including hardware and software. It outlines the history of computing, starting from the first computer in the 1940s to modern personal devices like PCs and smartphones. Additionally, it covers various types of software, data storage, and networking concepts, such as LAN and WAN.

1. Introduction to computer
Prepared by:
Lina Hajjar
2016

2. • A computer is a general-purpose,
programmable device that is capable of
calculating and storing results.

3. • one way of thinking about a computer is
a “black box” that accepts input in one
side, processes it in some way, and
then produces output in the other side.

4. • Calcution tools
• Automation of calculation (first
computer)
• First Computer:
– Microprocessor
– Input/Output devices, Memory,…
History

5. • 1940: first computer that works in binary
and boolean based.
• 1945: Von Newman
– Idea: storage of executable programs
– Before: sequent instructions
– Now: parameterized programs. we can
change the sequence of instructions.
Von Newman defines the general
architecture of computer .
History

6. • 5 principal components:
• ALU: realize the arithmetical and logical
operations
– Arithmetic: +,-,*,/,…
– Logical: and, or, comparaison…
• Control unit: general coordinator
– Read instructions program stored in
memory
– Generate order to ALU to execute these
instructions
Computer architecture

7. • microprocessor: CPU contains:
– ALU
– Control unit
– Cache memory: for intermediate storage
• CPU communicate with : memory,
input/output devices,… via bus
Computer architecture

9. • Mainframes: very powerful , high capacity , used in big companies for
execution of hard calculation with a very large amount of data.
• Pc: personal computer:
– Desktop computer
– Laptops or notebooks
– Tablet PC
– Media center: inTV,DVD,…
– PDA: organizer ,in addition of phone functions called smartphone
– Netbooks: portable pc with hard disk replaced by flash memory, low cost
of energy

10. Deskto
p

11. Deskto
p
A desktop designed to sit in one
position on a desk or table
somewhere and not move around.

12. Deskto
p
A portable computer
small enough to use
on one’s lap.

13. Deskto
pIts touch screen allows the
user to operate the computer
with a digital pen or a
fingertip.

14. Deskto
p
Specified for handled-sized
computer that runs with
windows Mobile operating
system.

15. • This technology can produce both a laser
monitor and a laser keyboard on a flat
surface so you can perform the normal
operations you do on desktop.

16. • Ease of editing (): corrections are made easily
on a PC.
• Flexibility (): serves many purposes: Draw,
Add, Remember, etc…
• Speed (): many tasks can be performed
quicker.

17. • Storage capabilities: used as a cupboard.
• Quality of output: create illustrations.
• Portability: transportable from one location to
another.
• Enables us to communicate with different
parts of the world using a NETWORK.

18. Computers are made of Hardware and
Software:
• Hardware () : Is any part of the computer
that you can see & touch. They are the
physical parts of the computer.
• Software () tells your computer what it
has to do. It is a set of instructions, call
programs.

20. An Electronic Board which
contains:
•CPU (Central Processing
Unit, ,)
•RAM (Random Access
Memory, )
•Cards

21. RORO
MM
Read Only Memory (ROM): A memory that
contains data that can only be read. It
contains the programming that allows the
computer to run.

22. •Central Processing Unit (CPU): Is the brain
of the computer. It controls the entire
system. It performs arithmetic & logical
operations.
GHZ

23. Random Access Memory (RAM): It
is the workplace of the computer. It
is a temporary storage area. If the
power goes off, the information
inside the RAM is lost.

24. Hard Disk: It stores and
provides quick access to
large amounts of data.
You may get an
external hard disk.

25. Example:
VGA(Video Graphics Array) Card:
connects the screen to the computer.

26. Example:
Sound Card: connects the speakers
to the computer.
Modem: connects the telephone line
to the computer.
Network Card: It connects two or
more computers.

28. • The hardware parts that Allows me to
enter data and instructions into a
computer.
• It converts the user’s actions and data
into digital electronic signals that can be
“read” by a computer.

29. • Keyboard ( ):contains keys you press to
enter data into the computer.
• Mouse(): small handled device that We
tell the computer what to do by pointing
and by clicking.

30. • Scanner(): converts printed material into a
form on the computer.
• Microphone: allows you to speak into the
computer to enter data and instructions.

31. • Digital Camera(): quick way to get photos
into computer readable form. They make
picture taking easy.
• Web Cam(): Are used to take pictures for
newsletters or websites to make live
videos that you share with others.

32. • The Hardware parts that allows the user to
see processed data, display results, and
represent information from the computer.

33. • Monitor(): It looks like a TV screen. It
displays text, graphics and videos on
screen.

34. • Printer(): it produces text and graphics
on a paper.
• Speaker: allows to hear music, voice and
other audio.

35. • Touch screen ( ): A special monitor that
lets the user make choices by touching
icons or graphical buttons on the screen.

36. A Software Can Be :
1.System Software ()
2.Application Programs) )
3.Programming Software ((

37. • System Software: It helps in running the
computer hardware and the computer
system. System software is a collection of
operating systems; devise drivers,
servers, windowing systems and utilities.

38. • DOS (Disk Operating System): A disk
manager and the program that allows
computer/user interaction.

39. • “Friendly Users” GUI (Graphical User
Interface): offers graphical icons, and
visual indicators as opposed to text-based
interfaces, typed command labels or text
navigation to represent the information
and actions available to a user.

40. o Microsoft Windows
95/98/ME/XP/Vista/windows 7-8-10.
o Mackintosh
o Linux - UNIX

41. • Application Software: It enables the end
users to accomplish certain specific tasks.

42. • We have many types of Application
Programs::
o Word Processing: To write letters
EX: Microsoft Word
o Spreadsheets: To do your math
homework
EX: Microsoft Excel

43. o Graphics : To draw and work with pictures
EX: Paint
o Database: To find, arrange and store your
information.
EX: Microsoft Access
o Desktop Publishing: Work with pictures
and words together
EX: Microsoft Publisher

44. • Programming Software: This is one of
the most commonly known and popularly
used forms of computer software. This
software comes in forms of tools that
assist a programmer in writing computer
programs.
Ex: C++, VB.net …

45. • A data() refers to a collection of
information organized for analysis or used
to reason or make decisions.
Examples of data:
• Letters.
• Numbers.
• Pictures.
• Sounds.

46. • Data in the computer is measured by a
unit, called Byte.
• A Byte is a group of 8 Bits.
• A Bit is a “0” & “1”. Ex: x= 10100010.
• So a byte is used to measure data (Byte)
just like we measure weight (Gram) or
distance (Meter).

47. • Computers Store Data In 2 Places :
1. In Memory (RAM) Temporarily
2. On Disks Permanently

48. Disks:
• There are the 3.5 inch Floppy Disks() (low
capacity).
• There are Fixed and Removable Hard
Disks() (high capacity).

49. • Compact Disk:( CD )(Compact Disk:( CD )())
They are storage devices.. We call
them also laser disks where we can
store Games, Music, Photos, Videos
and Programs.

50. • CD-ROM :CD-ROM : Compact Disk–Read Only
Memory
• CD-R :CD-R : CD-Recordable
• CD-RW:CD-RW: CD-Rewritable
• DVD-ROM:DVD-ROM: Digital Versatile Discs
• DVD-RDVD-R:: DVD-Recordable
• DVD-RWDVD-RW:: DVD-Rewritable

51. • Flash Memory(Flash Memory()):: it is called also USB
(Universal Serial Bus) disk. They are
similar in operation to disks .
• Mini SD (Mini SD ():): (Mini secure digital card): it
used for the mobile phone market. It can
meet the requirements for increased data
storage..

52. • It is two or more computers connected
together where you can share all kinds
of pictures, games, letters and
programs with million of users around
the world.

53. • LAN:LAN: (Local area Network): The
computers are geographically close
together.
• WAN: (Wide area Network): The
computers are farther a part and
connected by telephone line or radio
waves.

54. • Internet: the collective electronic of
computers and computer networks which
are inter-connected throughout the world.
• Intranet: a private Network that is
contained within an enterprise.