Lesson 1 - Introduction to Computer System

1. INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SYSTEMSTOPIC:
INTRODUCTION TO
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
FUNDAMENTALS

2. What this Learning Material is about?
This Learning Material contains the following lessons:
1. Computer Definition
2. Computer Organization
3. Computer Components
4. Characteristics of Computer
5. Limitation of Computer
What are you expected to learn?
This Learning Material contains the following lessons:
1. Explain computer, its characteristics and limitations.
2. Identify the basic organization of a computer.
3. Differentiate the basic components of a computer system.
4. Explain how computers evolved.
How to learn from this Learning Material?
Here's a simple guide for you in going about this learning Material.
1. Set aside other tasks that will disturb you while enjoying the lesson.
2. Take your time in watching, listening and reading the content. You
can download this file for your future reference.
3. Ask your parent/guardian to assists you in using this Learning
Material.

3. INTRODUCTION
• Computer technology is the root of this change and
computers will play a vital role to us because it can
accomplish many tasks.
• Computer capabilities make it possible for us to do in hours
or less what might otherwise take days and to work other
problems we probably could not otherwise handle.
• Millions of complex calculations can be done in mere
fraction of time.
• The widespread use of Information Technology, the tools
and techniques for inputting, processing, storing, outputting,
transmitting and receiving information.

4. INTRODUCTION
• Some of the most popular areas of computer use
include businesses, telecommunications,
transportation, education and training,
entertainment, publishing, military and police,
engineering, production, healthcare and electronic
commerce.
• The use of computer is spreading to other areas of
human activities to make life more comfortable and
leisurely.

5. DEFINITION OF A COMPUTER
Computer is an electronic device that
processes data and convert it into meaningful useful
information.
In other words, it is a programmable electronic
device that can input, process, output, and store data.
Five major functions/operations of computer:
• it accepts data or instructions as input,
• it stores data and instruction
• it processes data as per the instructions,
• it controls all operations inside a computer, and
• it gives results in the form of output

6. BASIC COMPUTER ORGANIZATION

7. BASIC COMPUTER ORGANIZATION
1. Input unit – are used to enter data into the computer for processing.
2. Central Processing Unit (CPU) – guides the computer through
the various steps it takes to solve problems. This is the “heart” of the
computer system composed of several units:
a. Control Unit – maintains order and control activity in the CPU.
It dissects the sequence of operations.
b. Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) – performs the arithmetic
operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and, division
and makes logical decisions.
c. Memory Unit – this unit holds results.
3. Storage unit – used for temporary or
permanent storage of data
4. Output unit – are used to write
information that comes from the computer as
a result of processing.

8. COMPUTER COMPONENTS
Hardware
The physical components of the computer.
Software
Collective programs or sets of instructions which control the sequence of
operations.
Human Ware
Man-machine interface or the people who work with the computer.
Firmware
Computer programs permanently stored in ROM or PROM.
They are the booting programs which help in the starting of the
computer when powered on.
Bridge ware
Computer components or programs used to translate instructions and
information written for one type of computer into a format that another
type of computer can understand.

9. COMPUTER COMPONENTS
HARDWARE SOFTWARE
HUMANWARE
FIRMWARE BRIDGEWARE

10. CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTERS
Speed
A powerful computer is capable of performing about 3-4 million simple
instructions per second.
Accuracy
In addition to being fast, computers are also accurate. Errors that may occur can
almost always be attributed to human error (inaccurate data, poorly designed
system or faulty instructions/programs written by the programmer)
Diligence
Computers are highly consistent. They do not suffer from human traits of
boredom and tiredness resulting in lack of concentration. Computers can
perform voluminous and repetitive jobs.
Versatility
Computers are versatile machines and are capable of performing any task as
long as it can be broken down into a series of logical steps. The presence of
computers can be seen in almost every sphere – Railway/Air reservation, Banks,
Hotels, Weather forecasting and many more.

11. CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTERS
Storage Capacity
Today’s computers can store large volumes of data. A piece of information
once recorded (or stored) in the computer, can never be forgotten and
can be retrieved almost instantaneously.
Programmable
Computer can be programmed to function automatically and this
differentiates it from any other calculation device. It functions as
programmed for any stretch of time until the condition to terminate is
satisfied.
Networking capability
Computers can be interconnected into a network. Network in turn can be
connected to other networks. Networks extend the capability of
computers. The networks provide the basic infrastructure for electronic
communications, electronic commerce, and online trading and information
services.

12. LIMITATION OF COMPUTER
Computer is, no doubt, a marvellous tool. Yet it has some limitations. Some of
the major limitations of computer are as follows.
1. Computer cannot think on its own. It has to be given instructions to
perform any operation. Research is currently underway to impart artificial
intelligence to computer. Once this becomes possible computer will be
thinking on its own, then it will be a reasonable replication of human mind.
2. It does not have intuition. It cannot draw a conclusion without going
through all intermediate steps.
3. It can do a task only if it can be expressed in a series of finite steps leading
to the completion of the task.
4. Similarly, it cannot handle a situation where a finite number of steps
generate an impossibly large number of computational operations.
5. It cannot learn from experience. It will commit the same error repeatedly
and cannot learn from experience. But changes are taking place in this area
as research progresses on artificial intelligence.

13. HISTORY OF COMPUTER

14. HISTORY OF COMPUTER
• The Abacus is the oldest known computing device.
• In 1600, John Napier invented a device called
Napier’s Bones for facilitating multiplication and
division.
• In 1642, Blaise Pascal invented a computing
device for performing tedious arithmetic called
Pascaline or Pascal’s Calculator.
• In 1673, a modification of Pascal’s machine,
Gottfried Leibniz introduced four function
machine called Leibniz Wheel. It could perform
multiplications and divisions directly.

15. HISTORY OF COMPUTER
• In 1801, Joseph Marie Jacquard invented an attachment for
Jacquard Looms that used punched cards to program the loom to
produce a specific pattern.
• In 1830, Charles Babbage started working on the Difference
Engine. In 1837 he introduced the Analytical Engine can do the
four basic mathematical operation and printing tables.
• Ada, Countless of Lovelace, is recognized by many as the world’s
First Computer Programmer for her detailed instructions for the
Analytical Engine of Babbage.
• In 1854, George Boole published the principles of Boolean logic.
Almost a century later, these principles became the basis of the
design of modern computers.
• The inventor of Tabulating Machine and modern Punched Card
techniques was Dr. Herman Hollerith.
“Father of Modern Computer”

16. HISTORY OF COMPUTER
• The MARK I build by Howard Aiken signalled the
beginning of modern computer age.
• In 1942, John Vincent Atanasoff and Clifford Berry
completed work on the ABC (Atanasoff Berry Computer),
the first true electronic digital computer and the first
computer to use the binary system for representing
numbers.
• In 1945, John Mauchly and Presper Eckert completed the
ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator)
– the first electronic general-purpose computer.
• In 1946, John Von Neumann introduced the Stored
program Concept.

17. HISTORY OF COMPUTER
• In 1949, Von Neumann joined Mauchly and
Eckert to develop an improved version of ENIAC
called the EDVAC (Electronic Discrete
Variable Automatic Computer).
• The EDSAC (Electronic Delay Storage Automatic
Calculator) was the first stored program computer,
completed by Maurice Wilkes in 1949.
• The first commercial computer system was the
UNIVAC I (Universal Automatic Computer) by
John Mauchly.

18. GENERATION OF COMPUTER
• First Generation computer systems used Vacuum
Tubes, which were bulky, used a great deal of energy,
and were prone to failure.
• Second Generation computers used Transistors
instead of vacuum tubes. Transistors were smaller,
more reliable, and used less energy.
• Third Generation computers used Integrated Circuits.
• Fourth Generation computers used Large Scale
Integrated circuits (LSI). During this generation, the
microcomputer was introduced, signalling a revolution
in the computer industry.
• The Japanese coined the term Fifth Generation
computer to build a powerful computer by mid-1990s. It
evolved to encompass computer intelligence: artificial
intelligence, natural language, and expert system.