INTRODUCTION TO

COMPUTERS
23-7-2014

Introduction to Computers
Its an electronic Device that is used for information Processing.
Computer.. Latin word.. compute
Calculation Machine
A computer system includes a computer, peripheral devices, and software

Accepts input, processes data, stores data, and produces output

Input refers to whatever is sent to a Computer system
Data refers to the symbols that represent facts, objects, and ideas
Processing is the way that a computer manipulates data

A computer processes data in a device called the central processing unit

(CPU)

How Computer Works

DEFINITION OF COMPUTER

Computer can be defined as An electronic and electromechanical

device capable of receiving data, processing the data inputted, and
generating the output in the form of information. In the definition, we
come across some terminologies such as electronic, electromechanical
device etc.
An electric device is that device which runs by electricity.
An electromechanical device is one which performs mechanical
movements upon receiving the electricity. Whatever we are inputting into
the computer will be treated as Data and whatever has been generated by
computer will be treated as Information.

CHARACTERISITICS OF A COMPUTER
Main characteristics of the computer can be summarized as:

1. Speed: Computer is very fast and accurate device. It can process millions
and millions of instructions within
seconds.
2. Accuracy: Computer results are highly accurate.
3. Memory: Computers have a large amount of memory to
hold a very large amount of data or information.
4. Programmed Intelligence: Computer themselves as such are dumb
terminals. But they are programmed in such a way that they can perform
those operations which have been fed into them in the form of executable
programs.

CHARACTERISITICS OF A COMPUTER

5.

Diligence: Computer is free from problems like lack of

concentration, and confusions etc. Computer may never be confused like
humans.

6.

Versatility: We can perform many different types of tasks on computer.

One moment it might be busy in calculating the statistical date for annual
performance evaluation of a business organization and next moment it
might be working on playing movies.

7.

Power of Remembrance: Unlike humans, computer can store things for

unlimited period of time.

TYPES OF COMPUTER-1

There are two basic kinds of computers:

Analog and Digital.
Analog computers - Analog computers are analog devices. That is, they have
continuous states rather than discrete numbered states. An analog computer
can represent fractional values exactly, with no round off. Analog
computers are almost never used outside of experimental settings. They
handle or process information, which is of physical nature.
Electronic analog computers generally in chemical plants monitoring
temperatures, pressures, voltage, etc.

Now these days, we rarely came across of analog computers in routine life.

TYPES OF COMPUTER-2

Digital Computer
Digital computer is a programmable-clocked sequential state machine. A
digital computer uses discrete states. A binary digital computer uses two
discrete states, such as positive/negative, high/low, on/off, used to represent
the binary digits zero and one. They process data, which is essentially in a
binary state.
In other word digital computer refer to a computer, which represent, the
data, whether numbers, letter, or symbols, in binary form and they work
with numbers in the form of separate discrete digits.

TYPES OF COMPUTER-3
Hybrid Computer
It refers to computer that contain both digital and analog circuit.
EXAMPLE
A digital thermometer employs a mechanism which converts the
temperature into digital form observed in analog signals using to analog-todigital conversion

CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS

Since the advent of the first computer different types and sizes
of computers are offering different services. Computers can
be as big as occupying a large building and as small as a laptop
or a microcontroller in mobile & embedded systems.
The classification are as follows
Super computer
Mainframe Computer
Minicomputer
Microcomputer

SUPER COMPUTER

The most powerful computers in terms of performance and data processing

are the supercomputers.
These are specialized and task specific computers used by large
organizations.
These computers are used for research and exploration purposes, like
NASA uses supercomputers for launching space shuttles, controlling them
and for space exploration purpose.

The supercomputers are very expensive and very large in size. It can be
accommodated in large air-conditioned rooms; some super computers can
span an entire building.

USES OF SUPER COMPUTER

In Pakistan and other countries Supercomputers are used by
Educational Institutes like NUST (Pakistan) for research purposes. Pakistan
Atomic Energy commission & Heavy Industry Taxila uses supercomputers
for Research purposes.
Space Exploration
Supercomputers are used to study the origin of the universe, the darkmatters. For these studies scientist use IBMs powerful supercomputer
Roadrunner at National Laboratory Los Alamos.
Earthquake studies
Supercomputers are used to study the Earthquakes phenomenon.
Besides that supercomputers are used for natural resources exploration, like
natural gas, petroleum, coal, etc.
Weather Forecasting
Supercomputers are used for weather forecasting, and to study the
nature and extent of Hurricanes, Rainfalls, windstorms, etc.
Nuclear weapons testing
Supercomputers are used to run weapon simulation that can test the
Range, accuracy & impact of Nuclear weapons.

POPULAR SUPER COMPUTERS

IBMs Sequoia, in United

States
Fujitsus K Computer in Japan
IBMs Mira in United States
IBMs SuperMUC in
Germany
NUDT Tianhe-1A in China

MAIN FRAME COMPUTER

Although Mainframes are not as powerful as supercomputers, but certainly they are
quite expensive nonetheless, and many large firms & government organizations
uses Mainframes to run their business operations.

The Mainframe computers can be accommodated in large air-conditioned rooms

because of its size. Super-computers are the fastest computers with large data
storage capacity,

Mainframes can also process & store large amount of data. Banks educational
institutions & insurance companies use mainframe computers to store data about
their customers, students & insurance policy holders.
Popular Mainframe computers
Fujitsus ICL VME
Hitachis Z800

MINI COMPUTER

Minicomputers are used by small businesses & firms. Minicomputers are also
called as Midrange Computers. These are small machines and can be
accommodated on a disk with not as processing and data storage capabilities as
super-computers & Mainframes.
These computers are not designed for a single user. Individual departments of a
large company or organizations use Mini-computers for specific purposes. For
example, a production department can use Mini-computers for monitoring certain
production process.

Popular Minicomputers
K-202
Texas Instrument TI-990
SDS-92
IBM Midrange computers

MICRO COMPUTER

Desktop computers, laptops, personal digital assistant (PDA), tablets & smartphones are all
types of microcomputers.

The micro-computers are widely used & the fastest growing computers. These computers are
the cheapest among the other three types of computers.

The Micro-computers are specially designed for general usage like entertainment, education
and work purposes. Well known manufacturers of Micro-computer are Dell, Apple, Samsung,
Sony & Toshiba.

Desktop computers, Gaming consoles, Sound & Navigation system of a car, Net books,
Notebooks, PDAs, Tablet PCs, Smart phones, Calculators are all type of Microcomputers.

ROLE OF COMPUTERS IN SOCIETY

Computers play a great role in the society. Whether at home, in school, at the mall
or in the office, computers significantly help in the accomplishment of various
tasks. Be it at work or at play, computers have undeniably been utilized to perform
general or specific activities that enable life to be more convenient and worry-free

Computers in Business
In the field of business, computers are very useful. They are used in keeping
records of daily sales and profits. Computers are also used to prepare materials to
promote the products of the Business establishments.

Computers in Engineering
Engineers use computers to create the design of a complex object using a
computer program for Computer-Aided Drafting.

Computers in the Government

Computers are used to keep records of the people that the government serves.
Several government agencies use computers to facilitate the task they are required
to give to the people.

ROLE OF COMPUTERS IN SOCIETY

Computers at Home
Computers are used at home for recreational purposes. You can listen to
music, watch movies and play games. Children use their computers at home to do
their schoolwork. Parents use computers to assist them in doing their daily tasks. If
your computer at home has internet access, then you can explore the amazing
features of the Internet in the comfort of your home..

Computers in Manufacturing
Computers are used in manufacturing to manipulate machine that perform
dangerous tasks or tasks that are repeatedly done.

Computers in School
Computer Education is one subject taught in schools today. Teachers use
computers in classroom instruction, in computing grades and in preparing visual
aids. Students use computers to study various computer applications. Libraries are
connected to the Internet and students access the internet to do research.

Computers in Science
Computers are used in science to stimulate experiments, which are dangerous
to perform in real life. Computers are also used to record data and information
derived from experiments.

HARDWARE

Hardware, in the computer world, refers to the physical components that

make up a computer system. There are many different kinds of hardware
that can be installed inside, and connected to the outside, of a computer.
Here are some common individual computer hardware components that
you'll often find inside a modern computer case:

Motherboard
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Random Access Memory (RAM)
Power Supply
Video Card
Hard Drive (HDD)
Solid-State Drive (SSD)
Optical Drive (e.g. BD/DVD/CD drive)
Card Reader (SD/SDHC, CF, etc.)

HARDWARE

SOFTWARE TYPES

Traditionally, software has been divided into two different categories: systems
software and applications software. However, in addition to those, an entire
new batch of wares has entered the computer vernacular in recent years.

What is System Software?

System software sits directly on top of your computer's hardware components
(also referred to as its bare metal). It includes the range of software you would
install to your system that enables it to function. This includes the operating system,
drivers for your hardware devices, linkers and debuggers. Systems software can
also be used for managing computer resources. Systems software is designed to be
used by the computer system itself, not human users.

Application Software Defined

Unlike systems software, applications software is designed to be used by endusers. Applications software, in essence, sits on top of system software, as it is
unable to run without the operating system and other utilities. Applications software
includes things like database programs, word processors and spreadsheets, e-mail
applications, computer games, graphics programs and such. Generally, people will
refer to applications software as software.

Different Types of Operating

System

Storage Devices -1

Primary storage: is the storage provided by memory in a computer

system
e.g. ROM/RAM.

Secondary storage: is storage provided by peripheral devices other

than memory

Storage Devices -2
Secondary storage: is required in a computer system for three reasons
1.

The content of memory is usually volatile, which means that if power is

disconnected the data is lost.

2. The capacity in megabytes of memory is limited.

3. Memory is more expensive than secondary

storage.

Storage Devices -3
Several types of disks may be used for Secondary storage.

Floppy disks

Hard disks

Optical disks (including CD-ROM, writeable CD, DVD

Backup Storage Devices e.g. tape

Storage Devices -4
Floppy Disk
A floppy disk is a low capacity disk which may be removed from the computer.
There are two types:

Those holding a small amount of data (typically 1.44 Mb )

And Super floppies known as ZIP disks (typically 100 Mb )

Data may be written to and read from a floppy. A small notch can be used to make the
disk read-only

Storage Devices -5
Floppy Disk
They are small lightweight and easy to transport.
Ideal for backups of small amounts of data or for transfer of data from one
machine to another.
Floppy Drives are common to most if not all computers.

On the down side, they may be easily misplaced, damaged or stolen.

There is a risk of transferring VIRUSES

Storage Devices -6
Hard Disk
A hard disk is a higher capacity medium, with up to
hundreds of gigabytes.
They are usually non-removable, but removable hard disks are becoming more
common.

They can be both read from and written to, and are the standard medium for
storage on computer systems today.

Storage Devices -7
Hard Disk

Hard disks are manufactured in metal and coated with a magnetisable recording medium,
similar tothe material used in a floppy disk or audio tape.

Depending on the storage capacity of the unit, it may comprise a number of disks each
having its ownread/write head.

Hard disks are much faster than floppy disks and can store much larger amounts of data.

Storage Devices -8
Hard Disk

Storage Devices -9
Optical disks
DVD or Digital Versatile Disk is a higher capacity version of a CD and DVD drives
have a higher transfer rate.

DVD disks provide high quality playback of films and audio and are increasingly found
as standard on the home PC.

DVDs may be read only or read/write. They are sometimes know as DVD-ROM and
DVD-RAM.

Computer Programming
This section will cover computer
programming, including its history and the
progression of computer-programming
languages.

Computer Programs
A computer program is a set of step-by-step instructions that tell a
computer exactly what to do. People who write computer programs
are called programmers.
When the step-by-step instructions are followed, the results will be
those anticipated by the programmer. The computer program will
include decision points and actions to be taken depending on the
decision made.

Places Where Computer Programs Are

Used
There are computer programs working behind the scenes in many
places.
Grocery stores use computer programs to scan the labels on
grocery items.
Hospitals use computer programs to keep patient records and
scan identification bracelets.
Colleges use computer programs to register students for classes
and calculate grades.
Gas stations use computer programs to dispense gas and accept
payment.
Banks use computer programs to dispense cash and track
account balances.

Example of a Computer Program

The content of a computer program is
called code.
The sample code on the right is written
in Python. It first defines fruits, and then
it instructs the computer to print the
statements with the appropriate fruits.

Computer Programming
Computer programming is the process of
writing the step-by-step instructions a
computer can understand.
The first step in computer programming
is defining the problem.
The next step is creating a logic problem
that can be solved using a computer
program.
Writing the actual program is the last step
in the process.
Computers read binary machine language
made up of 0s and 1s. Because it is difficult
for programmers to create a program in
machine language, high-level programming
languages have been developed.

A compiler or interpreter is then

used to translate the high-level
programming language into the
machine language that the computer
can understand.

Computer-Programming Languages
Like all forms of language, computer-programming
languages enable the communication of information.
Programming languages allow programmers to
communicate instructions to the computer.
Just as there are different languages like English,
Spanish, and French, there are different programming
languages. These programming languages have their
own syntax, which are rules for how the language is
used. In the same way that French and Spanish use
different words to mean the same thing, different
programming languages use different commands to
achieve the same result.

1940s: Programming Languages

Panel switches were used by hand to program
computers in the 1940s to enter instructions and
data. It was important that the programmers
knew the instruction set for each processor.
As computers became more advanced, computer
programs began to handle some of the entering of
the instructions and data.
Programmers would handwrite the directions in
assembly language programs. Then the Assembly
language, a low-level programming language,
would translate the instructions into binary
machine language for the computer to understand
the directions.

1950s: Programming Languages

The first high-level programming languages were
created in the 1950s. Examples include the
following:
FORTRAN was the first high-level
programming language and used the first
compiler. FORTRAN is an acronym for
FORmula TRANslation. It remains a top
language in scientific programming.
COBOL was one of the earliest high-level
programming languages designed for business
applications. COBOL is an acronym for
Common Business-Oriented Language.
LISP was developed and used for research in
artificial intelligence.

1960s: Programming Languages

During the 1960s, two important programming
languages were developed: C and BASIC.
First the B and then the C computer-programming
languages were developed in the 1960s at Bell
Laboratories. Later in 1973, Unix was written in C
programming language. Can you believe this simple
operating system became the inspiration for Linux and
Apple OS?

In 1964, the BASIC programming language was

developed at Dartmouth College. BASIC is an acronym
for Beginners All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code.
This language was designed to make it easy for
students to write programs at shared terminals while
learning programming at the college.

1970s: Programming Languages

During the 1970s, Microsoft began to release
computer-programming software, and a
programming language was developed for
use in teaching programming.
Pascal programming language was first
defined in 1971, with revisions released
in 1973. It was designed to teach
programming to college students. Until
the 1990s, it was considered the best
language for teaching programming.

In 1975, Microsoft announced the release

of Altair BASIC, the first programming
language for personal computers.

1980s: Programming Languages

Many new programming languages were developed and
introduced in the 1980s.
Ada was published in 1980 as the result of a comprehensive
development project by the US Department of Defense (DoD)
to create a standardized programming language to replace
the 450 programming languages used across the DoD and in
the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Microsoft developed versions of BASIC, FORTRAN, COBOL,
and Pascal for IBM for its personal computer in 1980.
C++ programming language was released by Bjarne
Stroustrup in 1985.
Borlands Turbo Pascal programming language was released.
dBASE programming language and database formulae was
developed.
Perl programming language was created in 1986. Perl is an
acronym for Practical Extraction and Report Language.
Microsoft released Visual BASIC in 1987.

Importance of Object-Oriented Programming

Introduced in the 1960s, object-oriented
programming (OOP) grew in influence in
the 1980s. With object-oriented
programming:
a program is divided into parts known as
objects.
objects can contain data.
objects can contain programs that
perform a specific function.
The objects in OOP were important
because they allowed programmers to
handle increasingly complex programs and
collaborate more effectively.

1990s through Present time:

Programming Innovation
Web-based programming, also known as
browser-based programming, is a significant
innovation of the 1990s through present
time.
Web-based programming enables your web
browser to access a server maintained by a
large company or other organization. For
example, an online merchant uses a server
that you can access using your web browser
so you can buy products from their website.
Java programming language was developed
at Sun Microsystems and released in 1995.
Sun Microsystems has since merged with
Oracle, which oversees the continued
development of the language

NETWORKS

THE COMPUTER NETWORK

Arguably, the greatest advancement in technology and

communication over the past 20 years has been the development
and advancement of the computer network. From emailing a
friend to on-line bill paying to downloading data off the Internet to
e-commerce, networking has made our world much smaller and
changed the way we communicate forever.

WHAT IS A COMPUTER NETWORK?

network: [net-wurk] noun, a system containing any

combination of computers, computer terminals, printers,
audio or visual display devices, or telephones
interconnected by telecommunication equipment or
cables: used to transmit or receive information.

NETWORK DIAGRAM

Wired Network

PC

Firewall

The Internet

Fiber Optic Network Cable

Router

Switch

Server

Other LANS

Wireless Network

THREE TYPES OF NETWORK

WIDE AREA

LOCAL AREA

PEER TO PEER

WIDE AREA NETWORK

A Wide Area Network exist over a large area

Data travels through telephone or cable lines

Usually requires a Modem
The worlds largest Wide Area Network in the
Internet

LOCAL AREA NETWORK

A Local Area Network spans a relatively small

area
LAN are usually confined to one building or a
group of buildings
Data travel between network devices via
network cables.
The most common type of Local Area Network
is called Ethernet

PEER TO PEER NETWORK

Usually very small networks

Each workstation has equivalent capabilities
and responsibilities
Does not require a switch or a hub.
These types of networks do not perform well
under heavy data loads.

FIBER OPTIC CABLE

Standard
Network
Copper Cable

Reduces interference in the network

Transmit data faster than copper network cable

Allows for more bandwidth
Smaller and more fragile than copper cable

SWITCHES AND HUBS

Network Switches

Network Hubs

Data travels faster through switches because data is not

sequenced as it is in a hub

The information is more secure when it passes through

a switch as opposed to a hub.

Information travels more efficiently through a switch

because travels directly to its destination as opposed
to being broadcast to all PCs on the network hub.

VIRUS Introduction

Computer viruses are a type of software program that, like a biological

virus, reproduces and spreads itself

Some virus may display only a message on the screen, others may slow
down the Pc
They can also erase files or even format your floppy or hard disk and crash
the system

Symptoms

Letters looks like they are falling to the bottom of the screen.
The computer system becomes slow.
The size of available free memory reduces.
The hard disk runs out of space.
The computer does not boot.

How does it spread

Computer viruses spread by attaching themselves to other computer

program files
When you exchange a file or pen drive with a virus, the virus spreads from
one computer to the another
Viruses also spreads when a Computer Engineer comes to repair your
system and puts his/her diagnostics disks in your PC

Types of computer viruses

Boot viruses:- The boot virus copies the virus
code in the boot sector
Polymorphic viruses:- They are coded in such
a way that they infect a system and change their
signature
Macro viruses:- Macros are blocks of code
written to automate frequently performed tasks
and embedded in a program file
Worms:- Worms are program that replicate and
spread to other system

Preservation and cure

Install an Antivirus software
Regularly update the program
Open email attachment files only if you are
expecting the attached files, or the sender is
known and has confirmed sending the file
Try to avoid downloading and installing software
from the Internet
Install only registered copies of software on the
system

Antivirus Software

Norton Anti-Virus
MaCfee
Avast
Quick Heal
Panda

Hacking

Hobby/profession of working with computers.

Breaking into computers
Gaining access

Types of Hacking

Website Hacking
Email Hacking
Network Hacking
Password Hacking
Online banking Hacking
Computer Hacking

Website Hacking

Main focus- Vulnerable loopholes

Collapses the information
Make changes in the information

Email Hacking
Can Emails Be Hacked?
Store business data, private
information
Serious precautions are not taken

Computer Hacking
Steals information from pc
Remote desktop connection technique
Accessing other persons files

Online banking Hacking

Online banking disadvantages

Hackers create fake websites

Using proper website address

Ethical Hacking
Computer or network expert
Seeking vulnerabilities

Victims Official & Private

websites

What do ethical hackers do?

An ethical hackers evaluation of a system security seeks answers to these
basic question:
What can an intruder see on the target systems?
What are you trying to protect ?
What can an intruder do with that information ?

Consequences
Thousands of dollars in fines
Imprisonment
Seizure of your computer

THANK YOU