Basics of Computer

Science
First Lecture
Dr. Dalal N. Hamood
Fundamental Concepts
A computer is basically a programmable machine
capable to perform arithmetic and logical
operations automatically and sequentially. It is
also known as a data processor, as it can store,
process, and retrieve data as per the wish of the
user.
Data processing involves the following three
activities:
 Input of data
 Manipulation/processing of data
 Giving output (i.e. management of output
result)
 In computer system, data is arranged orderly
and systematically.
The term “computer” is derived from a Latin
term “compute,” which means ‘to calculate.’
Initially, the computer system had been designed
to calculate; it was intended to be a computing
device. However, over a period of time, this
device technically advanced; at present, it can
perform a wide range of desirable works apart
from data processing.
Major Functions of Computer System
Following are the core functions of a
computer system:
 A computer accepts the command and/or
data as input given by the user.
 A computer follows the instructions and
stores the data given by the user.
A computer processes the data as per the
instructions given by the user.
A computer gives the desirable results in the
form of output.
CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTERS
The characteristics of computers that have
made them so powerful and universally useful
are speed, accuracy, diligence, versatility and
storage capacity. Let us discuss them briefly.
Speed
Computers work at an incredible 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
Unlike human beings, computers are highly
consistent. They do not suffer from human traits of
boredom and tiredness resulting in lack of
concentration. Computers, therefore, are better
than human beings in performing 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.
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.
THE CLASSIFICATION OF THE COMPUTER BY DATA
:PROCESSING
The computers are classified in four types on the based on
data processing.
 Micro computer
 Mini computer
 Mainframe computer
 Super computer
Micro Computer
 Micro computers are the computers with
having a microprocessor chip as it central
processing unit.
 Originated in late 1970s.
 First micro computer was built with 8 bit
processor.
 Microcomputer is known as personal
computer.
 Small in size and affordable for general people.
 Ex: IBM PC, IBM PC/XT, IBM PC/AT
Mini computers
 Mini computers are originated in 1960s.
 Small mainframes that perform limited tasks.
 Less expensive than mainframe computer.
 Capable of supporting 10 to 100 users simultaneously.
 In 1970s it contains 8 bit or 12 bit processor.
 Gradually the architecture requirement is grown and
16 and 32 bit.
 Minicomputers are invented which are known as
supermini computers.Ex: IBM AS400
Mainframe Computer
 A very powerful computer which capable of supporting
thousands of user simultaneously.
 It contains powerful data processing system.
 It is capable to run multiple operating systems.
 It is capable to process 100 million instructions per
second. Mainframes are very large & expensive
computers with having larger internal storage capacity &
high processing speed.
 Much bigger in size & needs a large rooms with closely
humidity & temperature.
 IBM & DEC are major vendors of mainframes. Ex :
MEDHA, SPERRY, IBM, DEC, HP, HCL

SuperComputer
Most powerful & most expensive computer.
 used for complex scientific application that requires huge
processing power.
 Used multiprocessor technology to perform the calculation
very speedy.
 The cost of the super computer is depended on its processing
capabilities & configuration.
 The speed of modern computer is measured in gigaflops,
teraflops and petaflops.
 o Gigaflops= 109 arithmetic operation per second.
 o Teraflops=1012 arithmetic operation per second.
 o Petaflops=1015 arithmetic operation per second.
 Ex: PARAM , EKA, BLUEGENE/P
THE BLOCK DIAGRAM OF COMPUTER OR THE SIMPLE
MODEL COMPUTER
A simple computer system comprises the basic
components like Input Devices, CPU (Central
Processing Unit) and Output Devices as under:
Input Devices
 The devices which are used to entered data in the
computer systems are known as input devices.
 Keyboard, mouse, scanner, mike, light pen etc are
example of input devices.
FUNCTION OF INPUT DEVICES
 Accept the data from the outside worlds.
 Convert that data into computer coded information.
 Supply this data to CPU for further processing.
Output Devices
 The devices which display the result generated by
the computer are known as output devices.
 Monitor, printer, plotter, speaker etc are the
example of output devices.
FUNCTIONS OF OUTPUT DEVICES
 Accept the result form the CPU.
 Convert that result into human readable form.
 Display the result on the output device.
Memory Unit
 The data & instruction have to store inside the
computer before the actual processing start.
 Same way the result of the computer must be
stored before passed to the output devices. This
tasks performed by memory unit.
FUNCTIONS OF MEMORY UNIT
 Store data & instruction received from input
devices.
 Store the intermediate results generated by CPU.
 Store the final result generated by CPU.
Arithmetical & Logical Unit
 The ALU is the place where actual data & instruction
are processed.
 All the calculations are performed & all comparisons
are made in ALU.
 Performs all arithmetical & logical operations.
 An arithmetic operation contains basic operations
like addition, subtraction, multiplication, division.
 Logical operations contains comparison such as less
than, greater than, less than equal to, greater than
equal to, equal to, not equal to.
Control Unit
 It controls the movement of data and program
instructions into and out of the CPU, and to
control the operations of the ALU.
 In sort, its main function is to manage all the
activities within the computer system.
 Controls the internal parts as well as the external
parts related with the computer.
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
 The Unit where all the processing is done is
called as Central Processing Unit.
 It contains many other units under it.
 Main of them are:- Control Unit And ALU
(Arithmetic & Logic Unit)