INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS

History It was the fusion of automatic calculation with programmability that produced the first recognizable computers. In 1837, Charles Babbage was the first to conceptualize and design a fully programmable mechanical computer, his analytical engine. OVERVIEW OF COMPUTING AND COMPUTERS Computing refers to information/data processing. With the volume of information in our world today, computers have in not a little way affected our lives. In education, telecommunications, journalism, banking, etc., the computer has made life much easier. It is the broad spectrum of computing (i.e. study, development and professional practice) that is referred to as Information Technology (IT) To get started with this course, the first question to be asked is this: What is a Computer? A Computer is an electronic device that accepts data as input, processes it, and gives the required information as output. Fig. 1 The computer model illustrating the Input Process Output cycle History:
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Computers were first made in the 20 century even though the mathematical
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foundation was laid in the 19 century by people like Charles Babbage and Blaise Pascal with their early mechanical computing machines. In discussing the history of the modern computer, we classify them into generations. I. First generation: (1945 1955) characterized by the vacuum tube (a.k.a. thermionic valve) as its major functional electronic component. II. Second generation: (1955 early 60s) characterized by the transistor which replaced the vacuum tubes as they were faster, smaller and emitted less heat. III. Third generation: (1960s 70s) was a major breakthrough in computing research with the advent of the IC (Integrated Circuit) where hundreds of transistors could be integrated onto a tiny silicon chip. IV. Fourth generation: (1970s till date) was a further development on the IC with a Very Large
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Scale Integration of thousands of transistors on a single chip. (The Personal Computer is a 4 gen.)

V. Fifth generation: This is a generation of computers that have a certain level of intelligence in a specific sphere of life. They can not currently be said to exist now even though scientists are already applying that principle at some level of computing referred to as Artificial Intelligence.

Input Process Output

Classes of Computers TYPES OF COMPUTERS Computers today are categorized based on size, cost and performance. 1. Micro-computers : are the least and are designed for personal use in the office or at home often referred to as a PC (Personal Computer). In that class are desktops, Laptops/ notebooks, Palm-tops/PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), organizers and calculators. 2. Mini-computer: is a general purpose computer sometimes about the size of a small filing cabinet. It is faster, more expensive and has a higher storage capacity than the average desktop model. The mini-computer is oriented towards multiple users. 3. Mainframe: is the type of computer suited for use by very large organisations that deal with both vast database and extensive data processing. The mainframe occupies as much as a small room. For example, organisations such as airports, power stations, census commission utilize the mainframe. 4. Supercomputers: This is the largest in this classification of computers. They are used for complex scientific and defence applications such as in Space Research and Administration and Meteorological Centres. The supercomputer often comprises of multiple input, process and output devices and can fill up an entire hall. 1. Hardware: Input devices Include Keyboard, Mouse, Joy-stick, microphone, scanner, etc. Processing The only process hardware is the CPU (Central Processing Unit) also referred to as microprocessor. The CPU comprises of the ALU (Arithmetic and Logic

Unit), which handles arithmetic operations and logical comparisons of data, and the Control Unit, which controls the manner in which instructions are carried out. Storage - Such hardware are the RAM (Random Access Memory) which is the primary/internal storage. Secondary/External storage devices are Hard disk, Floppy disk, CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory). Others are tape cartridge and zip disks. The RAM is a volatile storage, in other words, data is lost when power is off. That is where the external storage is useful as they are non-volatile. Output devices include the Visual Display Unit (VDU) or monitor, Printer, speaker.

2. Software Software is a group name for all programs which drive the computer. A program is a series of coded instructions for the computer to obey. The computer follows formalised rules and procedures called software. Software is in two categories - System Software and Application Software. The system software does something for the computer while the application software does something for you.

Workstations: Workstations are computers that are intended to serve one user and may contain special hardware enhancements not found on a personal computer. They run operating systems that are normally associated with mainframe computers, usually one of the variants of the UNIX operating system. A computer system is made up of both hardware and software. Software is another term for computer program. Software controls the computer and makes it do useful work. Without software a computer is useless, akin to a car without someone to drive it. Hardware refers to the physical components that make up a computer system. These include the computer's processor, memory, monitor, keyboard, mouse, disk drive, printer and so on.

Central Processing Unit (CPU), in computer science, microscopic circuitry that serves as the main information processor in a computer. A CPU is generally a single microprocessor made from a wafer of semiconducting material, usually silicon, with millions of electrical components on its surface. On a higher level, the CPU is actually a number of interconnected processing units that are each responsible for one aspect of the CPU s function. Standard CPUs contain processing units that interpret and implement software instructions, perform calculations and comparisons, make logical decisions (determining if a statement is true or false based on the

rules of Boolean algebra), temporarily store information for use by another of the CPU s processing units, keep track of the current step in the execution of the program, and allow the CPU to communicate with the rest of the computer. Microsoft Encarta 2009. 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

COMPUTER NETWORKS Computer network is the interconnectivity or two or more computers. A computer network can also be interconnected with peripherals such as printers, fax machines, scanners to mention the most common. Networked computers communicate via telecommunications systems using a varying combination of cables, radio transmitters and/or satellite transceivers. LOCAL AREA NETWORK (LAN) This is a computer network that communicates entirely on cables within a building. Other components like the Network Interface Cards, hubs and switches are used alongside the cables to form the transmission circuit. In this network, al least one of the computers is configured as the network resource manager which controls user access and data communication between all the devices linked to the LAN. This computer is called the server. WIDE AREA NETWORK (WAN) This is a network that spans a wider geographical area in which the connected computers are in different buildings probably in different cities. A WAN could consist of more than one LAN connected together. WANs utilize radio links for communication between one location and another. INTERNET What is the Internet? The Internet is a worldwide interconnection of different types of computers from thousands of networks around the world. In other words, the Internet consists of many computer networks from different countries all connected together. These computers are connected through telephone lines and satellite links.

How did the Internet begin? In 1969, the U. S. Department of Defense established the ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network) to aid the military research going on in some universities by sharing information. This later grew to encompass all of America. More networks emerged that accommodated non-military research like the NSFNET (National Science Foundation Network), in the 80s, which allowed universities and other agencies to link up with its supercomputers. The NSFNET later became known as the Internet. Who controls the Internet? No one actually owns the Internet but each connected network may be owned. The only regulatory body is the Internet Society (ISOC) which is a voluntary membership organisation that promotes Internet use. The ISOC through its Internet Architecture Board (IAB) sets standards for Internet usage. How does the Internet function? The primary function of the Internet is to share information either by sending or receiving of particular information. A person can only access the Internet through a computer connected to the Internet either by means of a modem linked to a telephone line (dial-up access) or through a satellite network (VSAT). The user then connects to another computer elsewhere by means of its web address using a browser such as Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator. For example, a web address, www.toulouconsult.edu.ng refers to a computer with information on Toulou consult which is an educational institution in Nigeria. All addresses must have a description on the nature of the organisation it represents. Common descriptions are: com - commercial edu - educational org - non-profit organisation net - network company gov - government mil - military Web addresses often have country abbreviations such as: ng - nigeria

uk -united kingdom jp - japan ge - germany za - south africa au - australia Not all addresses have a country abbreviation. Often times this means that the computer having such information is located in the United States. Internet Services There are a range of services offered on the Internet. Examples are: 1. E-mail: meaning Electronic mail. This is a way in which a person can send letters to another person electronically through the Internet. The sender must know the e-mail address of the recipient and indicate it in a designated field in the e-mail. 2. Chat: These are virtual rooms that enable interactive communication between two or more people. A user must use a log in with a name and password to a Chat software that will be used to invite other users to communicate with him and respond almost immediately. 3. Search Engine: A search engine is a program that allows a user to search for information on a particular word or set of words specified by the user, on the Internet. 4. E-commerce: (Electronic commerce) This is involves advertising, buying and selling of goods and services on the Internet. Most times payment is buy credit card or online funds transfer. 5. E-learning: Many educational institutions, especially universities, have electronic learning systems where students register and receive lectures and take exams using the Internet. This aids long-distance education for busy people. News, games, music and many more are also available on the Internet.