INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SCIENCE

Course Code: COME2101

Credit value: 4

School: NAHPI

Course Instructors

Engr Ndjock Michel Junior

Engr Tangu Achilis Shey Dor

1
COURSE OUTLINE

Unit number TOPIC

1 Computer Fundamentals: Characteristics and Generation of Computers, Block
diagram of Computer
Data Representation: Binary Number System, Octal, Hexadecimal and their
Conversion
2 MS Windows: Desktop, My Computer, Files and folders using windows explorer;
Control Panel, Searching Files and folders, windows commands and shortcuts
Internet: Basic Internet terms: Web Page, Website, Home page, Browser, URL,
Hypertext, ISP, Web Server
Applications: WWW, e-mail, Instant Messaging, Internet Telephony,
Videoconferencing, Web Browser and its environment
3 MS Word: Introduction, Environment, Help, Creating and Editing Word Document,
Saving Document, Working with Text: Selecting, Formatting, Aligning and
Indenting, Finding Replacing Text, Bullets and Numbering, Header and Footer,
Working with Tables, Properties Using spell checker, Grammar, AutoCorrect
Feature, Synonyms and Thesaurus, Graphics: Inserting Pictures, Clipart, Drawing
Objects, Using Word Art. Setting page size and margins; Printing documents. Mail
Merge Practical
4 MS-Excel: Environment, Creating, Opening, and Saving Workbook. Range of
Cells. Formatting Cells, Functions: Mathematical, Logical, Date, Time, Auto Sum,
Formulas. Graphs: Charts. Types and Chart Tool Bar. Printing: Page Layout,
Header and Footer Tab
5 MS PowerPoint: Environment, Creating and Editing presentation, Auto content
wizard, using built-in templates MS PowerPoint: Types of Views: Normal,
Outline, Slide, Slide Sorter, Slide Show, Creating customized templates;
formatting presentations Graphics: AutoShapes, adding multimedia contents,
printing slides
6 VBA Programming

2
UNIT 1: COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS AND DATA REPRESENTATION (Digital
Number Systems)

Objectives

After studying this unit, you will be able to:

• Have a good understanding of how the computer functions

• Discussion of computer evolution
• Explaining the all generation of computers
• Understand the block diagram of computers
• Understand computer memory and its types
• Understand number systems and how to convert between them

3
 1. COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS

1.1 INTRODUCTION

The word “computer” comes from the word “compute”, which means, “to calculate”. Hence,
people usually use a computer to be a calculating device that can perform arithmetic operations at
high speed. In fact, the original objective for inventing a computer was to create a fast calculating
machine. However, more than 80% of work done by computers today is of non-mathematical or
non-numerical nature. Hence, to define computer merely as a calculating device is to ignore over
80% of its functions.

More accurately, we can define a computer as a device that operates upon data. Data can be
anything like bio-data, hence computer is used for short listing candidates for recruiting; marks
obtained by students in when used for preparing results; details (name, age, sex, etc.) of passengers
when used for or railway reservations: or number of different parameters when used for solving
scientific problems, etc.

1.2 CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTERS

1.2.1 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 to perform the same task.

1.2.2 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 the input is correct.

1.2.3 Storage Capability

Memory is a very important characteristic of computers.

4
A computer has much more storage capacity than human beings. It can store large amount of data
and It can store any type of data such as images, videos, text, audio, etc.

1.2.4 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 perform repeated tasks with the
same speed and accuracy.

1.2.5 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.

1.2.6 Reliability

A computer is a reliable machine. Modern electronic components have long lives. Computers are
designed to make maintenance easy.

1.2.7 Automation

Computer is an automatic machine. Automation is the ability to perform a given task

automatically. Once the computer receives a program i.e., the program is stored in the computer
memory, then the program and instruction can control the program execution without human
interaction.

1.3 EVOLUTION OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS

The present Computer System has evolved after centuries of efforts from different intellectuals
who contributed their works during different periods of time. Abacus is (most likely) considered
as the earlier counting device. Let us now read about the innovators who contributed immensely
in the development of a computer system.

John Napier

5
Napier was a Scottish mathematician who invented logarithms. Further, Napier also invented a
computing device, which consisted of sticks with numbers imprinted on them. Napier named sticks
‘bones,’ as they were made up of bones.

Blaise Pascal

Pascal was a French mathematician who invented a machine based on gear wheels, which helped
greatly in calculation.

Charles Babbage

Charles Babbage, a nineteenth century Professor at Cambridge University, is considered the father
of modern digital computers. He had employed a group of clerks for preparing mathematical and
statistical tables. Babbage had to spend several hours checking these tables because even utmost
care and precautions could not eliminate human errors. Soon he became dissatisfied and
exasperated with this type of monotonous job. As a result, he started thinking about building a
machine that could compute tables guaranteed to be error-free. In this process, Babbage designed
a “Difference Engine” in the year 1822 that could produce reliable tables. In 1842, Babbage came
out with his new idea of a completely automatic Analytical Engine for performing basic arithmetic
functions for any mathematical problem at an average speed of 60 additions per minute.
Unfortunately, he was unable to produce a working model of this machine because the precision
engineering required to manufacture the machine was not available during that period. However,
his efforts established a number of principles that are fundamental to the design of any digital
computer.

Lady Ada Lovelace

Lovelace was an English mathematician, who researched on Babbage’s work. She has given the
concept that ‘computers can be programmed’. Her work helped a great deal in the advancement of
computer system.

John Atanstoff

6
With the assistance of Berry, John Atanstoff developed the Atanstoff Berry Computer (more
popular as ABC) in 1937. It marked the beginning of the development of electronic digital
computer.

John Mauchly and Eckart

In 1947, John Mauchly and Eckart developed the first large scale Electronic Digital Computer. It
was called the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator (ENIAC).

Maurice V. Wilkes

In 1949, Wilkes (at Cambridge University) designed Electronic Delay Storage Automatic
Calculator (EDSAC). It was the first computer that started its operating system on the stored
program concept.

1.4 COMPUTER GENERATIONS

The development of computer systems is normally discussed as the development over different
generations. With the succession of different generations, came the advancement in computer
technology.

Let us now discuss the development in Computer Technology over the different generations.

First Generation Computers: Vacuum Tubes (1940-1956)

The period 1940 to 1956, roughly considered as the First Generation of Computer. These machines
used thousands of vacuum tubes. A vacuum tube was a fragile glass device, which used filaments
as a source of electronics and could control and amplify electronic signals. It was the only high-
speed electronic switching device available in those days. These vacuum tubes computer could
perform computations in milliseconds.

The memory of these computers used electromagnetic relays, and all data and instructions were
fed into the system from punched cards. The instructions were written in machine and assembly
languages because high-level programming languages were introduced much later. Since machine
and assembly languages are very difficult to work with, only a few specialists understood how to
program these early computers.

7
The first generation computers worked on binary-coded concept (i.e., language of 0-1). Examples:

• ENIAC: Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer, built by J. Presper Eckert

and John V. Mauchly was a general-purpose computer. It had been very heavy, large,
and contained 18,000 vacuum tubes.
• EDVAC: Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer was designed by von
Neumann. It could store data also as instruction and thus the speed was enhanced.
• UNIVAC: Universal Automatic Computer was developed in 1952 by Eckert and
Mauchly.

Second Generation Computers: Transistors (1956-1963)

Second-generation computers used the technology of transistors rather than bulky vacuum tubes.
Another feature was the core storage. A transistor may be a device composed of semiconductor
material that amplifies a sign or opens or closes a circuit.

Transistors were invented in Bell Labs. The use of transistors made it possible to perform
powerfully and with due speed. It reduced the dimensions and price and thankfully the warmth
too, which was generated by vacuum tubes. Central Processing Unit (CPU), memory,
programming language and input, and output units also came into force within the
second generation.

Programming language was shifted from low level to high level programming languages and
made programming comparatively a simple task for programmers. Languages used for
programming during this era were FORTRAN (1956), ALGOL (1958), and COBOL (1959).

8
In comparison to the first generation, the size of second generation was smaller and the computing
time taken by the computers of the second generation was lesser.

Examples of second generation computers: PDP-8, IBM1400 series, IBM 7090 and 7094,
UNIVAC 1107, CDC 3600 etc

Third Generation Computers: Integrated Circuits. (1964-1971)

During the third generation, technology envisaged a shift from huge transistors to integrated
circuits, also referred to as IC. Here a variety of transistors were placed on silicon chips, called
semiconductors. The most feature of this era’s computer was the speed and reliability. IC was
made from silicon and also called silicon chips.

A single IC, has many transistors, registers, and capacitors built on one thin slice of silicon. The
value size was reduced and memory space and dealing efficiency were increased during this
generation. Minicomputers find their shape during this era.

9
In comparison to the computers of the second generation, the size of the computers of the third
generation was smaller and the computing time taken by the computers of the third generation was
lesser.

Examples of third generation computers; IBM 360, IBM 370, PDP-11, NCR 395, B6500,
UNIVAC 1108, etc.

Fourth Generation Computers: Micro-processors (1971-Present)

In 1971 First microprocessors were used, with large scale of integrated (LSI) circuits built on
one chip called microprocessors. The most advantage of this technology is that one
microprocessor can contain all the circuits required to perform arithmetic, logic, and control
functions on one chip.

The computers using microchips were called microcomputers. This generation provided the even
smaller size of computers, with larger capacities. That’s not enough, then Very Large Scale
Integrated (VLSI) circuits replaced LSI circuits. The Intel 4004 chip, developed in 1971, located
all the components of the pc from the central processing unit and memory to input/ output
controls on one chip and allowed the dimensions to reduce drastically.

Technologies like multiprocessing, multiprogramming, time-sharing, operating speed, and

virtual memory made it a more user-friendly and customary device. The concept of private

10
computers and computer networks came into being within the fourth generation. Examples of
fourth generation; IBM PC, STAR 1000, APPLE II, Apple Macintosh, Alter 8800, etc.

Fifth Generation Computers (Present)

The technology behind the fifth generation of computers is AI. It allows computers to behave like
humans. It is often seen in programs like voice recognition, area of medicines, and entertainment.
Within the field of games playing also it’s shown remarkable performance where computers are
capable of beating human competitors.

The speed is highest, size is the smallest and area of use has remarkably increased within the fifth
generation computers. Though not a hundred percent, AI has been achieved to date but keeping in
sight the present developments, it is often said that this dream also will become a reality very soon.

Some of the popular advanced technologies of the fifth generation include Artificial intelligence,
Quantum computation, Nanotechnology, Parallel processing, etc.

Example of fifth generation computers: Desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones, etc

11
1.5 COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER

the basic components of a computer are;

• Input unit
• Central Processing Unit (ALU and Control Unit)
• Output Unit
• Storage unit

A computer can process data, pictures, sound and graphics. They can solve highly complicated

12
problems quickly and accurately.

1.5.1 Input Unit

Computers need to receive data and instruction in order to solve any problem. Therefore, we need
to input the data and instructions into the computers. The input unit consists of one or more input
devices. Keyboard is the one of the most commonly used input devices. All the input devices
perform the following functions:

• Accept the data and instructions from the outside world.

• Convert it to a form that the computer can understand.
• Supply the converted data to the computer system for further processing.

Devices under this unit are usually referred to as input devices. An input device is any peripheral
(piece of computer hardware equipment to provide data and control signals to an information
processing system such as a computer or other information appliance).

Input devices Translate data from form that humans understand to one that the computer can work
with. Most common are keyboard and mouse

1.5.2 Central Processing Unit

13
It controls all other units in the computer. The control unit instructs the input unit, where to store the data
after receiving it from the user. It controls the flow of data and instructions from the storage unit to ALU.
It also controls the flow of results from the ALU to the storage unit. The control unit is generally referred
as the central nervous system of the computer that control and synchronizes its working

The CPU is comprised of three main parts:

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): Executes all arithmetic and logical operations. Arithmetic
calculations like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, Logical operation like
compare numbers, letters, or special characters
Control Unit (CU): controls and co-ordinates computer components.

1. Read the code for the next instruction to be executed.

2. Increment the program counter so it points to the next instruction.
3. Read whatever data the instruction requires from cells in memory.
4. Provide the necessary data to an ALU or register.
5. If the instruction requires an ALU or specialized hardware to complete, instruct the
hardware to perform the requested operation.

Registers: Stores the data that is to be executed next, "very fast storage area".

1.5.3 Output Unit

The output unit of a computer provides the information and results of a computation to outside
world. Printers, Visual Display Unit (VDU) are the commonly used output devices.

An output device is any piece of computer hardware equipment used to communicate the results
of data processing carried out by an information processing system (such as a computer) which
converts the electronically generated information into human readable form.

14
Note: Basic types of monitors are Cathode Ray Tube (CRT), Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD). And
light-emitting diode (LED).
Printer types: Laser Printer. Ink Jet Printer. Dot Matrix Printer

1.5.4 Storage Unit

The storage unit of the computer holds data and instructions that are entered through the input unit,
before they are processed. It preserves the intermediate and final results before these are sent to
the output devices. It also saves the data for the later use. The various storage devices of a computer
system are divided into two categories:

1) Primary Storage

Random Access Memory, or RAM, is the primary storage of a computer.

When you’re working on a file on your computer, it will temporarily store data in your RAM.
RAM allows you to perform everyday tasks like opening applications, loading webpages, editing
a document or playing games. It also allows you to jump from one task to another without losing
your progress. In essence, the larger the RAM of your computer, the smoother and quicker it is
for you to multitask.

RAM is a volatile memory, meaning it cannot hold onto information once the system turns off.
For example, if you copy a block of text, restart your computer, and then attempt to paste that
block of text into a document, you’ll find that your computer has forgotten the copied text. This
is because it was only stored temporarily in your RAM.

15
RAM makes it possible for a computer to access data in a random order, and thus reads and writes
much faster than a computer’s secondary storage.

The cost of the primary storage is more compared to the secondary storage. Therefore, most
computers have limited primary storage capacity.

2) Secondary Storage

In addition to RAM, every computer also has another storage drive that’s used for storing
information on a long-term basis. This is secondary storage. Any file you create or download saves
to the computer’s secondary storage. There are two types of storage device used as secondary
storage in computers: HDD and SSD. While HDDs are the more traditional of the two, SSDs are
fast overtaking HDD as the preferred tech for secondary storage.

Secondary storage devices are often removable, so you can replace or upgrade your computer’s
storage, or move your storage drive to a different computer. There are notable exceptions, like
MacBooks, which don’t offer removable storage.

Hard Disk Drives (HDD)

The hard disk drive (HDD) is the original hard drive. These are magnetic storage devices that
have been around since the 1950s, though they’ve evolved over time.

A hard disk drive is comprised of a stack of spinning metal disks known as platters. Each spinning
disk has trillions of tiny fragments that can be magnetized in order to represent bits (1s and 0s in
binary code). An actuator arm with a read/write head scans the spinning platters and magnetizes
fragments in order to write digital information onto the HDD, or detects magnetic charges to read
information from it. HDDs are used for TV recorders, servers, and laptop and PC storage.

Solid-State Drives (SSD)

Solid-state drives emerged far more recently, in the ‘90s. SSDs don’t rely on magnets and disks,
instead they use a type of flash memory called NAND. In an SSD, semiconductors store
information by changing the electrical current of circuits contained within the drive. This means
that unlike HDDs, SSDs don’t require moving parts to operate.

Because of this, SSDs not only work faster and smoother than HDDs (HDDs take longer to gather
information due to the mechanical nature of their platters and heads), they also generally last

16
longer than HDDs (with so many intricate moving parts, HDDs are vulnerable to damage and
wear).

Outside of newer PCs and high-end laptops, you can find SSDs in smartphones, tablets, and
sometimes video cameras.

Secondary storage is used like an archive. It stores several programs, documents, data bases etc.
The programs that you run on the computer are first transferred to the primary memory before it
is actually run. Whenever the results are saved, again they get stored in the secondary memory.
The secondary memory is slower and cheaper than the primary memory.

17