FUNDAMENTALS OF

COMPUTING

Course Name: Concepts in Computing

Course No. : BIF 506
OBJECTIVE
Computer and its characteristics features
Type and generations of computers

Components of computers
COMPUTER
The term computer came from compute, which
means to calculate.
Computer = perform arithmetic calculations at high
speed

Computer (data processor) is an electronic machine

which
acceptsand stores data input,
processes the data input, and
generates the output in a required format.
 Activity of processing data by computer is known as
data processing

Data input of data manipulation/processing of

data output of result Information

Data is raw material used as input

Information is processed data and obtained as
results
 COMPUTER FEATURES
Advantages

High Speed
Computer is a very fast device
It is capable of performing calculation of very large amount of data.
The computer has units of speed in microsecond, nanosecond, and even the picosecond.
It can perform millions of calculations in a few seconds as compared to man who will
spend many months for doing the same task.

Accuracy
In addition to being very fast, computers are very accurate.
The calculations are 100% error free.
Computers perform all jobs with 100% accuracy provided that correct input has been
given.

Storage Capability
Memory is a very important characteristic of computers.
A computer has much more storage capacity than human beings.
It can store large amount of data.
It can store any type of data such as images, videos, text, audio and many others.
CONTD...

Diligence
Unlike human beings, a computer is free from monotony, tiredness and lack of
concentration.
It can work continuously without any error and boredom
It can do repeated work with same speed and accuracy.

Versatility
A computer is a very versatile machine
A computer is very flexible in performing the jobs to be done.
This machine can be used to solve the problems related to various fields.
At one instance, it may be solving a complex scientific problem and the very next
moment it may be playing a card game.

Reliability
A computer is a reliable machine.
Modern electronic components have long lives.
Computers are designed to make maintenance easy.
 CONTD...
Automation
Computer is an automatic machine.
Automation means ability to perform the given task automatically.
Once a program is given to computer i.e. stored in computer memory, the program
and instruction can control the program execution without human interaction.

Reduction in Paper Work

The use of computers for data processing in an organization leads to reduction in
paper work and results in speeding up a process.
As data in electronic files can be retrieved as and when required, the problem of
maintenance of large number of paper files gets reduced.

Reduction in Cost
Though the initial investment for installing a computer is high but it substantially
reduces the cost of each of its transaction
CONTD...
Disadvantages

No I.Q
A computer is a machine that has no intelligence to perform any task.
Each instruction has to be given to computer.
A computer cannot take any decision on its own.

Dependency
It functions as per a users instruction, so it is fully dependent on human being.

Environment
The operating environment of computer should be dust free and suitable.

No Feeling
Computers have no feelings or emotions.
It cannot make judgment based on feeling, taste, experience, and knowledge
unlike a human being.
APPLICATION OF COMPUTERS
Business
Banking

Insurance

Education

Marketing

Healthcare

Engineering Design

Military

Communication

Goverment

TIME LINE
1941: Atanasoff and his
graduate student, Clifford
Berry, design a computer
that can solve 29 equations
simultaneously. This marks
the first time a computer
is able to store
informationon its main
memory.
1822: English mathematicianCharles
Babbageconceives of a steam-driven calculating
machine that would be able to compute tables of
numbers.
2001: Apple unveils theMac OS Xoperating
system, which provides protected memory
architecture and pre-emptive multi-tasking,
among other benefits. Not to be outdone,
Microsoft rolls outWindows XP, which has
a significantly redesigned GUI.
1979:Word processingbecomes a
reality as MicroPro International 1985: Microsoft
releases WordStar. announcesWindows, its
The first IBM personal computer, response to Apples GUI.
introduced on Aug. 12, 1981, used the Commodore unveils the
MS-DOS operating system. Amiga 1000, which
features advanced audio
and video capabilities
1971: Alan Shugart leads a team of
IBM engineers who invent the 1973: Robert Metcalfe, a member of the
floppy disk, allowing data to be research staff for Xerox,
shared among computers. developsEthernetfor connecting
multiple computers and other hardware.
1958: Jack Kilby and
Robert Noyce unveil 1964: Douglas Engelbart shows a prototype of the
theintegrated modern computer, with amouse and a graphical
circuit, known as the user interface (GUI). This marks the evolution of the
computer chip. computer from a specialized machine for scientists and
mathematicians to technology that is more accessible to
the general public.
1953:Grace Hopperdevelops the first computer language, which
eventually becomes known asCOBOL. Inventor Thomas Johnson
Watson, Jr., son of IBM CEO Thomas Johnson Watson, Sr., conceives
theIBM 701 EDPMto help the United Nations keep tabs on Korea
during the war.
COMPUTER GENARATIONS
Generation in terms of computer means step in
technology. Provides a framework for the growth
of computer industry

Originally, only hardware technologies were

distinguished. But, now both hardware and
software were included

Till today, five computer generation are there.

TYPES OF COMPUTER
Personal computers (PCs)
Desktop computers
Notebook (laptop) computers
Tablet PCs
Handheld computers
PDA (personal digital assistant)
MP3 players
Mainframe computers
Supercomputers
 PERSONAL COMPUTERS (PC)
These are also known as Microcomputers. Small in size, single user
computer based on microprocessor are the characteristics features of
Personal computers.

Personal computers first emerged in late 1970s, with the launch Apple II
in 1977. IBM came into picture with the launch of IBM-PC was in 1981.
The term Personal Computer (PC) got famous and become synonymous
to IBM-PC or the computer with IBM compatibility. Today, the field of
personal computers is ruled by both Apple Macintoshes and computer
with Intel microprocessor or microprocessor compatible with Intel.

Personal computers are the fastest growing computers.

They were mainly designed for the general public and can be used for
entertainment, education and work purposes. These can further be
divided into many type based on the size and cases.
Some of computer which belongs to this group are:
 Desktop computers
The name is derived as these PCs can be placed on Desk. The desktop
computers are not portable like the other computer belonging to this category.
Because of their permanent setup they offer more power, storage, adaptability
and are cheaper than the portable ones.
Notebook/Laptops
Both notebook and laptop are lightweight and portable in nature. They offer
same CPU, memory and store capacity, to that of desktop computers, but take
less space in compartment of both notebook and laptop. With flat panel
technologies the bulkiness of display screen is reduces resulting in overall
reduction in the weight. Both of them come with the batteries which enable
them to run even without being plugged in.
Tablet
Similar to laptops with and inclusion of touch screen properties. This leads to
replacement of physical keyboard to virtual one. These come with various
screen sizes as well.
 Hand Held Device/Smartphone/Palmtops/PDA
Hand-held devices, Palmtops, pockets computer are some of name used for
PDA as well.
Small portable computers that is small enough to be held in hands. They
still havent replaced the notebooks or desktop computers because they can
be used for only certain purposes like PIM (Personal Information Manager),
address books etc. with the advancement of technology no. of function can be
performed by Smartphone are also on rise.
Personal Digital assistant (PDA) introduced by Apple Computer, it contain
many features like computing, telephone, networking features along with
handwriting and voice recognition technologies. Due to their high price tag
they are not very popular. With the rise in usage of Smartphone major
technologies are being incorporated into them.

Calculators are also a type of microcomputers

WORKSTATIONS
Intended to be used by single user, workstation have
enhanced hardware configuration.
They came with moderate computing capabilities
(higher that PC), high graphical resolution, larger
screen and RAM along with built in network support.
Most common operating system was UNIX.

But by mid 1990s, PC attained the processing

competence of minicomputer and workstations.
Today, the release of multitasking operating systems

for PC can easily finish the job of workstations.

SERVERS

This category is divided on the basis of function or

service provided by a computer for others connected to
the network.
These may be PC with high hardware and software
configuration or some other high end computer.
Server usually refers to the computers which provide a
particular service.
Databaseserver, File server and Web servers are some of
example of services a computer can provide.
 MINICOMPUTER
Minicomputer are used to be very popular in 1970s and 80s for small
and mid size businesses organization.
They were not designed for single user and can allow multiple users
to access computer at a time (approx 100-200). As they lie in middle of
computer spectrum, they are also known as mid-range computers.

Minicomputers are also used for embedded systems, as they can

execute a program stored in non-volatile memory of system.
Microcontroller, a type of minicomputer, is used in embedded systems.
Examples of embedded systems are car stereo system, washing
machine automation etc.

The term supermini was introduced when minicomputer launched with

the mainframe capabilities. Popular minicomputer were K 202, Texas
Instruments TI 990, SDS -92 etc.
With growing power of PC, their necessity is also steadily declining.
 MAINFRAME
After the launch of smaller minicomputer the traditional large computer
were being refereed as Mainframes.

First type of computer used by government and large business.

Were powerful and large in size and can process and store large amount of data.

They can responds to 100s million users at a time. The processing unit of

mainframes is calculated in MIPS i.e. million instruction per seconds.

Mainframes were/are used in Banks, educational institutes, insurance

companies etc (where information can accessed through multiple locations and
multiple users)

Mainframe computers can execute several programs concurrently. By some

means, they were even considered more powerful than supercomputers as they
support execution of many programs simultaneously. If we consider the
execution of single program than supercomputer are obviously faster than
mainframes.
Fujitsus ICL VME and Hitachis Z800 are the example of mainframe computers.
 SUPERCOMPUTER
The supercomputers surpass every other computer in terms of
processing speed, capacity and in size.

Mainly used in the area where complex numerical calculation are

involved. Weather forecasting, nuclear simulation, space exploration,
fluid dynamics, earthquake studies are some of the areas in which
supercomputers are used.
Supercomputers are super expensive and very large in size.
Sometime they even take the whole building. Their processing speed
is calculated in floating point operations per second (FLOPS). They
use benefit provide by parallel processing to increase the processing
speed. Trillion million calculation can be performed by these
computer at once.

K computer of Japan, Columbia and Mira of US, SuperMUC of

Germany, Tianhe 1A of China, PARAM series of India are some of
popular supercomputers.
 Computer Types

Analogs Digitals Hybrid

Microcomputers Minicomputers Mainframes Supercomputers

 computers can also be divided into (on the basis of operational principle followed by
them):
Analogs
Digital
Hybrids
Hybrid computer shows the characteristics of both analog and digital computers. Hybrid
computers are used in robotics and process control area where the digital parts are converted
into analogs counterpart.
The reduction of digital computer noise in analog computing element is the main technical
problem faced by hybrid computers.
The nervous system of animal can be considered as synonymous to hybrid computer;
individual nerves and synapses being analogous to analog and digital computers respectively.
ANALOGS

These types of computer can perform several mathematical operations

concurrently. They uses continuous variable for mathematical
calculations. These types of computer use continuously changeable
aspects such as electrical, mechanical or hydraulic to solve the problem.
These were used to perform arithmetic and logical operations by
manipulating and processing data but unlike digital computer, analog
computer doesnt change inputted data into any other language.
The advent of digital computing in 1950s -60s and their success made the
analogs obsolete. Although they are still in use some field like flight
computer in aircrafts. They also still used in teaching control system in
various universities.
DIGITAL

Computer that based on binary digit system (0 and 1) for operational

purposes comes under this category. But these types of computers are
very slow in performing large scale mathematical operations compared to
analogs. The problem was solved using hybrid computers.
First digital computer was developed during World War II. The modern
computer which are are being used, also belong to this category.
HYBRIDS

Hybrid computer shows the characteristics of both analog and digital

computers. Hybrid computers are used in robotics and process control
area where the digital parts are converted into analogs counterpart.
The reduction of digital computer noise in analog computing element is
the main technical problem faced by hybrid computers.
The nervous system of animal can be considered as synonymous to
hybrid computer; individual nerves and synapses being analogous to
analog and digital computers respectively.
COMPONENTS OF COMPUTERS

Computer system mainly consists of three

components:
Inputunit,
Central Processing Unit
Output Unit.
The Central processing unit is comprised of memory
unit, control unit and storage unit.
Input Unit Central Processing Unit Output Unit

Storage/Memory Arithmetic Logic

Control Unit
Unit Unit
 These are also known as functional unit of computers. The
major function performed by computer/ computer unit are:
Input Unit
This unit act as a link between user and computer system. As
this unit, helps in entering data and programs into the
computers. The devices of this unit translate the inputted data
into the form understandable to computers.
 CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT
This unit is also known as brain of computer. This is where the data and
instructions are stored in computer.
This unit also manipulates and processes the data as per computer instructions.

Along with controlling all the operations of computer systems, such as input,
processing and output. This unit has three subcomponents:
Storage/Memory unit: Computer program instructions, data are stored into this unit.
Alongwith storing the intermediate and final results of processing of data, this unit
supplies relevant information to other units as well. Primary /main memory, internal
storage unit and RAM are some the term which this unit can be recognized from.
Memory is most important aspect in power and speed of computers. It size affects the
capability of machines. All the inputs and outputs of computer are supplied through this
unit.
Control Unit: All the operations of computer systems, such as input, processing and
output are controlled by this unit. This unit controls the data and instruction transfer
between the other units of computer. After obtaining the instruction from memory unit
and data input from input devices, this unit interprets and directs the operation
according to the instruction. Later on the result is communicated with the output
devices. This unit does not actually process or stores the data.
Arithmetic Logic Unit: All the arithmetic and bitwise logical operations on data are
performed by this unit. This unit can be further divide into the arithmetic and logical
section. Where are all the operations like addition, subtraction, division and
multiplication etc are carried out by arithmetic subsection. And data comparison and
matching is performed by logic subsection.
 OUTPUT UNIT
Storing and transfer of the result obtained from processing of data
is carried out by this unit.
It also acts as link between user and computer as data is
provided as an output to the user through various output devices.
This unit converts the computer readable data results into human
readable format before providing the output.

Input Unit Memory Unit Output Unit

Control
Unit

Arithmeti
c Logic
Unit
END