Computer Basics 2024/2025 PDF

Sohag University Faculty of computer and artificial intelligence Computer Science department Computer Basics Academic Year: 2024/2025 Prepared by: Rania Ramadan Mohamed Faculty of Computer and artificial intelligence | computer basics C...

Sohag University Faculty of computer and artificial intelligence Computer Science department Computer Basics Academic Year: 2024/2025 Prepared by: Rania Ramadan Mohamed Faculty of Computer and artificial intelligence | computer basics Chapter 1. Introduction to computer 1. Computer's concept and features 1.1. Introduction In daily life, computers convert raw facts and data into meaningful information and knowledge. Everyone, from the government to the private sector, is using the computer. Users of the computer are continuously increasing. The primary uses of computers in our daily lives are: Education Business Government offices Hospitals Etc... 1.2. Definition of computer A Computer is an electronic machine that can solve different problems, process, store, and retrieve data. "It performs calculations faster and more efficiently than humans." 2 Faculty of Computer and artificial intelligence | computer basics 1.3. Computer components A computer comprises multiple parts and components that facilitate user functionality. Computer components have two primary categories: Hardware: physical parts like processor, memory, storage, communication ports, and peripheral devices Software: a collection of computer data and instructions. That includes operating system (OS) and software applications. 1.4. Computer features The principal features of using computers are: Computers can store vast amounts of information. Because of the computer's capabilities, we do not worry about how to store them. Computers calculate and process information quickly: Computers work quickly. The processing speed in computers can reach up to trillions of instructions per second. For example, supercomputers can realize 8.1 trillion operations per second! The average human needs approximately 31,000 years to complete this number of instructions if they execute one instruction per second. Computers calculate and process information more accurately than human: Computers are accurate in the results, where errors happen because of human mistakes. Computers enhance communication and availability of information: Computer Networking allows access to a vast amount of useful information. For example, instant messaging allows users to communicate in real time and send files to other people wherever they are in the world. 3 Faculty of Computer and artificial intelligence | computer basics Computers help in automation and control: A computer can automate and control many tasks. For example, programmers can program computers connected to a camera to watch for movement, send an alert, and start recording when movement is detected. 1.5. Data processing cycle A data processing cycle is a sequence of steps or operations for processing data, i.e., processing raw data into information. The stages of the data processing cycle are: Input–The raw data after collection needs to be fed in the cycle for processing. The first step, known as input, involves feeding the raw data after collection into the cycle for processing. Processing – Once the input is provided the raw data is processed by a suitable or selected processing method. This is the most important step as it provides the processed data in the form of output which will be used further. Output – This is the outcome, and the raw data provided in the first stage is now "processed" and the data is useful and provides information and no longer called data. Storage - Storage is a location which data, instruction and information are held for future use. Every computer uses storage to hold system software and application software. 4 1.6. Data and information Data: (refer to raw or unorganized information) a representation of facts, concepts, or instructions, which should be suitable for processing by computer. Information: (refer to processed data) is organized or classified data, which has some meaningful values for the receiver. 1.7. Data representation Computers are electronics machines that deal with the electric current using two modes (ON = 1, OFF = 0). Therefore, the computer uses the Binary Digit System that consists of 1s and 0s. 1 or 0 value is called a "Bit". Every alphabetic character, number or a symbol is represented using a set of eight bits (referred to as a Byte) There are several character encoding schemes, the most popular are: ○ ASCII Code: Abbreviated from American Standard Code for Information Interchange, which is one of the most popular character encoding schemes. ○ Unicode: Abbreviated from Universal Coded Character Set, which is a character encoding scheme that supports more characters. 5 2. Computer History 2.1. Brief history of computer 2.1.1. The history of computers starts out about 2000 years ago in Babylonia at the birth of the abacus which is a counting frame. 2.1.2. Blaise Pascal is usually credited for building the first digital computer in 1642. It added numbers entered with dials and was made to help his father, a tax collector. The basic principle of his calculator is still used today in water meters. 2.1.3. In 1890, Herman Hollerith and James Powers developed devices that could read the information that had been punched into the cards automatically, without human help. 6  2.1.4. The start of World War II produced a large need for computer capacity, especially for the military. In 1942, John P. Eckert, John W. Mauchly, and their associates build a high - speed electronic computer known as ENIAC (Electrical Numerical Integrator and Calculator). ENIAC used 18,000 vacuum tubes; about 1,800 square feet of floor space and consumed about 180,000 watts of electrical power. 2.1.5. Early in the 50's engineers discover the magnetic core memory and the Transistor - Circuit Element. These technical discoveries quickly found their way into new models of digital computers. These machines were very expensive. 2.1.6. In the 1980's the Personal Computer (PC) was developed. 2.2. Computer generation The First Generation (1946 – 1958): ○ The first computers used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory. ○ They were often enormous, taking up entire rooms. ○ Their processing capabilities were very slow. ○ They were very expensive to operate. ○ In addition, they need a great deal of electricity, and generate a lot of heat. The Second Generation (1959-1964): ○ Transistors replaced vacuum tubes. ○ One transistor replaced the equivalent of 40 vacuum tubes. ○ Allowing computers to become smaller, faster, cheaper, more energy-efficient and more reliable. ○ Still generated a great deal of heat that can damage the computer. ○ Programmers started to use "FORTRAN" and "COBOL" languages to operate computers. 7  The Third Generation (1965-1970): ○ Integrated Circuits made from Silicon were first used in building those computers. ○ Integrated Circuits increased the speed and efficiency of computers. ○ Computers became smaller and cheaper compare to the second-generation computers. ○ The first laser printer and floppy disks are appeared. As well as the Software Packages are emerged. The Fourth Generation (1971-present): ○ The microprocessor brought the fourth generation of computers, as thousands of integrated circuits were built onto a single silicon chip. ○ All computer components were fitted on one electronic board. ○ Computers became small and more powerful. ○ They could be linked together to form networks, which eventually led to the development of the Internet. The Fifth Generation (the future): in this generation, machines incorporate Artificial Intelligence, Expert Systems, and Natural Language. The goal was to produce machines that are capable of performing tasks in similar ways to humans, are capable of learning, and are capable of interacting with humans in natural language and preferably using both speech input (speech recognition) and speech output (speech synthesis). 3. Types of Computers 3.1. Supercomputer Supercomputers are extremely fast computers capable of performing hundreds of millions of instructions per second. They are so expensive that only large companies can afford them (e.g. Saudi Aramco) to use them for Oil Exploration and Drilling. Saudi Shaheen Supercomputer at KAUST 8 3.2. Mainframe computer Mainframe computers are large computers used as large servers and for intensive business applications. Universities, airlines and telecommunication companies commonly use them. 3.3. MiniComputer: Minicomputers are no longer used since microcomputers have taken them over in speed and functionality. 3.4. Microcomputer / Personal Computer (PC): Microcomputers/Personal Computers (PC) refer to small-sized computers that contain microprocessors. They come in different shapes and sizes, which can be summarized as follows: Desktop Computers: placed on a table or a desk. They are supplied with power outlet and usually has a separate keyboard and a monitor. Laptop/ Notebook Computers: small size and portable computers that can be carried along. They often use batteries as the source of power and have integrated keyboards and screens. Tablet computers: portable, small sized computers that have a sensitive electronic devices (touch screen, camera, microphone, etc. ) and battery fitted together on a single unit. Smart phones: more developed than ordinary mobile phones. Smart phones have multiple capabilities such as media player, digital camera, GPS, internal browser as well as the ability to connect to Wi-Fi networks. Workstations: have high processing capabilities to deal with complex graphics and calculations. Control Computers: used for real-time applications, e.g. in control rooms of Power Stations, and railway control stations. They have the ability to handle and correct errors that might take place during operations.