Computer Basics Quiz

Fundamentals of Programming Course

• Course coordinator and instructor: Dr. Mustafa
• Course name: Fundamentals of Programming
• Textbook: Understanding Computers: Today and Tomorrow, 13th Edition

How To Maximize Benefit of CSC111

• Attend every lecture and lab session.
• Complete all practice sheets during lab.
• Actively participate in online learning resources (e.g., HackerRank, DataCamp, GeeksforGeeks, W3Schools).
• Practice writing many programs.
• Work independently on assignments.
• Submit assignments on time.
• Collaborate and work on large projects (future startup ideas).

How to Be a Good Programmer

• Learn, practice, test, debug, and innovate.
• Prioritize building a solid foundation.
• Hard work is essential; there are no "gifted programmers."

Lecture 1: Introduction to the World of Computers

• Course book source: Understanding Computers: Today & Tomorrow
• Lecture topic: Introduction to the World of Computers

Learning Objectives (Lecture 1)

• Explain the importance of learning about computers.
• Define and describe the primary operations of a computer.
• List key milestones in computer evolution.
• Identify the major parts of a personal computer (input, processing, output, storage, and communications).
• Define software's role in instructing the computer.
• List different types of computers and what each type is/can be used for.
• Explain networks, the Internet, and the World Wide Web, along with how to identify elements on the Internet.
• Describe how to access and navigate websites.
• Discuss the societal impact of computers including merits and drawbacks.

Computers in the Home

• Computers perform various tasks:
  • Information lookup
  • Email exchange
  • Online shopping/bill payments
  • Watching videos and TV
  • Music and movie downloads
  • Digital photo management
  • Gaming
  • Telecommuting

Convergence, Wireless Networking, Smart Appliances, and Smart Homes

• Computers have become central to home entertainment.
• Wireless technology enables computer use from any location.
• Smart appliances have integrated computers for control and communication.
• Smart homes utilize central computers for managing household tasks.

Computers in Education

• Students today often have access to computers in classrooms or computer labs.
• Universities and colleges widely integrate computers in teaching.
• Wireless access using personal laptops is becoming popular.
• Several colleges require computers for enrollment.
• Distance learning is widespread.

Computers on the Job

• Computers are vital for decision-making, productivity, and communication in various workplaces.
• Computers facilitate security measures, including access controls.
• Use of computers by service professionals is increasing.
• The military heavily relies on computers.
• Employees need to regularly update their computer skills.

Computers on the Go

• Computers are essential in daily life across various sectors.
• Consumer kiosks
• ATM transactions
• POS systems (point of sale) at retail stores
• Self-checkout systems
• Portable computers or mobile devices
• M-commerce (mobile commerce) systems
• GPS systems

What is a Computer and What Does It Do?

• Definition: A programmable electronic device that accepts data, manipulates it, and saves results as required.
• Basic operations:
  • Input: Entering data into the computer.
  • Processing: Performing operations on the data.
  • Output: Presenting results.
  • Storage: Saving data for future use.
  • Communications: Sending/receiving data.

Data vs. Information

• Data: Raw, unorganized facts (e.g., text, graphics, audio, video).
• Information: Data processed into a meaningful form.
• Data processing: Transforming data into usable information.

Hardware

• Physical components of the computer.
• Internal hardware: Located within the system unit.
• External hardware: Situated outside of the system unit. External hardware connects to the computer via wired or wireless connections.
• Hardware supports input, processing, output, storage, and communication processes. -Specific components for hardware are shown in the notes relating to different hardware categories.

Software

• Programs or instructions guiding computer operations.
• System software (e.g., Operating System): Starts and controls the computer.
  • Without an operating system, the computer cannot function.
• Application software: Performs specific tasks, such as word processing, database management, etc. (Examples include those listed in the notes.)

Computer Users and Professionals

• Computer users (end users): Employ computers for information gathering.
• Computer professionals (e.g., programmers, systems analysts, computer operations personnel, and security specialists): Design, maintain, and manage computer systems.

Computers to Fit Every Need

• Six Basic Types of Computers:
  • Embedded computers
  • Mobile devices
  • Personal computers
  • Midrange servers
  • Mainframe computers
  • Supercomputers

Embedded Computers

• Embedded into products and perform specific tasks.
• Frequently used in household appliances (e.g., thermostats).
• Also used in other devices.

Mobile Devices

• Small devices with built-in computing and internet capabilities.
• Examples include smartphones, handheld gaming devices, and portable digital media players.

Personal Computers (PCs)

• Small computers designed for single-user use.
• Range of sizes: From desktop to UMPCs (Ultra Mobile Personal Computers).
• Some PCs are:
  • Tower cases
  • Desktop cases
  • All-in-one PCs
• Most personal computers are not portable.

Portable Computers

• Notebooks (laptops) are typically clamshell-designed.
• Tablet computers (slate or convertible).
• Netbooks (a rapidly growing category)
• Ultra-mobile PCs (UMPCs).

Thin Clients and Internet Appliances

• Networks are accessed for processing requirements.
• Lower cost due to limited or no local storage.
• Internet appliance designs are specialized for internet/email use.

Midrange Servers

• Medium-sized computers used to host applications and data on smaller networks.
• Users access the server using computers, thin clients, or dumb terminals.
• Typically consists of many blades.
• Virtual environments create a shared server that is more efficient.

Mainframe Computers

• Powerful computers, utilized by large organizations, hospitals, and universities.
• Often manage extensive centralized data.
• Located in climate-controlled data centers.
• Typically operate continually.
• Are more expensive than midrange servers.
• Often called high-end serves or enterprise-class Servers.

Supercomputers

• Fastest, most expensive, and powerful computers.
• Generally run one program at a time, fast as possible.
• Constructed by connecting smaller computers.
• Used for intense applications (e.g., space exploration).

Computer Networks and the Internet

• Computer network: Connected hardware and devices allow resource sharing and communication.
• Network servers: Manage resources.
• Clients: Access Network Resources.
• Computer networks come in many sizes and types (e.g., home, school, corporate, public wireless).
• The Internet represents a global network.

Lecture 2: System Unit: Processing and Memory

• Focus: System Unit, processing, and memory within a computer.
• Source book: Understanding Computers: Today & Tomorrow

Learning Objectives (Lecture 2)

• How data/programs are represented for computer understanding.
• Understanding hardware components in the system unit, including CPU, Memory, and Expansion Cards.
• Addition of new hardware to a computer system.
• How the CPU and computer memory process program instructions/data.
• Effective strategies for speeding up a computer system.
• Future computer technologies.

Overview (Lecture 2)

• Coverages in this chapter:
  • Computer data/program representation methods.
  • Structure of CPU, Memory, and Other Components within the System Unit.
  • New hardware connections to the computing system.
  • Program Instruction/Data Processing by the CPU and Memory.
  • Effective strategies for speeding up a computer today, and to develop future computers.

Data and Program Representation

• Data and programs need appropriate representations for computers to understand.
• Coding Systems: Method for representing data/programs in a format understood by the computer.
• Digital computers primarily utilize on/off binary states (0 and 1).

Digital Data Representation

• Bit (Binary digit): The fundamental unit of data. (Either 0 or 1)
• Byte: A collection of 8 bits.
• Computer data sizes are described using prefixes like kilobyte (KB), megabyte (MB), or gigabyte (GB).

The Binary Numbering System

• Decimal systems use 10 symbols (0–9).
• Binary systems utilize 2 symbols (0 and 1).
• Number representations and values within the system depend on digit position.

Coding Systems for Text-Based Data

• ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange)
• EBCDIC (Extended Binary-Coded Decimal Interchange Code)
• Unicode newer coding system; replaced ASCII and EBCDIC for its superior character representation.

Representing Programs: Machine Language

• Machine language: Binary-based computer program language execution.
• Early programs rely on machine languages for execution.
• Language translators are essential tools for converting other programming languages into machine language.

Inside the System Unit

• Houses computer processing hardware.
• Includes storage devices, power supply, and cooling components.
• Components can be plugged into the system unit.
• A Desktop Computer typically has a rectangular system unit.
• Components are attached to or housed within the system unit.

The Motherboard

• The main circuit board.
• Connects all components
• External devices are connected via ports.
• Most devices plug in via ports.
• Wireless technology (e.g., Bluetooth) connects to the motherboard.

The CPU

• Central Processing Unit (CPU): The primary processing component.
• Also called a processor.
• Multiple CPU cores may be present.
• Different types of CPUs exist for diverse applications (e.g., desktop, mobile, servers).
• CPU is primarily made by Intel or AMD

Processing Speed

• CPU speed measured in GHz (Gigahertz), MHz (Megahertz).
• Clock speed measurement of instructions that a processor can process per second.
• Other speed factors include CPU architecture, the memory speed, bus speeds, the amount of RAM, etc.

Buses

• Electronic pathways used by CPU data transmission.
• Expansion bus: Connects CPU to peripheral devices.
• Memory bus: Connects CPU directly to RAM.
• Frontside bus: Connects the CPU to the input/output (I/O) bridge.
• PCI or PCI Express Bus (PCIe): Connects to the I/O bridge.
• Universal Serial Bus (USB): Connect to peripherals.
• FireWire/IEEE 1394 bus: Connect to peripherals.

Memory

• RAM (random access memory): The computer's primary memory.
• Chips are housed onto a RAM module that plugs into the motherboard.
• Volatile memory (loses contents when the power is turned off).
• Essential for system operation

Memory (cont'd)

• ROM (read-only memory): Non-Volatile memory chips (permanently store data/instructions).
• Registers: High-speed memories within the CPU (used by the CPU for quick data access).
• Flash memory: Non-Volatile memory that can be programmed/erased.

Fans, Heat Sinks, and Other Cooling Components

• Computers/CPUs generate heat.
• Components like fans and heat sinks help dissipate heat.
• Water-cooling systems (liquid-filled tubes) also assist with heat dissipation.

Expansion Slots, Expansion Cards, and ExpressCards

• Expansion slot: Allows placement and connection of expansion cards.
• Expansion cards: Circuit boards for adding additional functionality.
• ExpressCard modules: Designed for notebook computers.

Ports and Connectors

• Connectors connect external devices into the computer.
• Ports facilitate communication between the system unit and external peripheral devices. -Common types of Ports:
  • Monitors
  • Network
  • Modem
  • USB
  • FireWire
  • Keyboard -MIDI -SCSI -IrDA
  • Flash memory card slots -Game port -Audio -eSATA