Computer Concepts (50 Pages)

ITT Course – Unit I:

ITT Course – Unit I Chapter 1 Computer Concepts

Learning Objectives:

Learning Objectives To understand the basic concepts of computer system To know the uses of computers in various fields To understand the computing process To understand the characteristics of computers To do the classification of computers To discuss the various generations of computers

Computer – An Introduction:

Computer – An Introduction In simple terms, computer is an electronic device that can manipulate data. Computers are machines that perform tasks or calculations according to a set of instructions, or programs. A Computer System

Computer – An Introduction:

Computer – An Introduction Computers work through an interaction of hardware and software. Showing Various Hardware Showing Various Software

Computer – An Introduction:

Computer – An Introduction Internal View of Computer Parts

Computer Operations:

Computer Operations Input : A computer accepts the data that is provided by means of an input device, such as a keyboard. Processing : A computer performs operations on the data to transform it in some way. Output : A computer produces output a device, such as a printer or a monitor, that shows the results of processing operations. Storage : A computer stores the results of processing operations for future use.

Uses of Computer:

Uses of Computer Playing computer games For creating documents, spreadsheets, databases, presentations. Solving mathematics Looking for information on the Internet Watching TV and movies Listening to music Communicating with other people For weather forecasting Computers are used in banks, hospitals, military activities, etc.

Computing Process Elements:

Computing Process Elements Computers consists of the following:- Hardware Software Data People Procedure

Hardware:

Hardware Hardware : The terms hardware refers to the physical part of the computer system.

Software:

Software Software: Software is the set of instructions that guides the hardware what to do. Software can be categorized into the following types:- System Software  Operating System  Translators  Languages • Low Level Languages • High Level Languages Application Software  Generalized Software  Customized Software Utilities

System Software:

System Software System software is any computer software that provides the infrastructure over which programs can operate, i.e. it manages and controls computer hardware so that application software can perform.

Operating System:

Operating System An Operating System (OS) is an interface between hardware and user which is responsible for the management and coordination of activities and the sharing of the resources of the computer that acts as a host for computing applications run on the machine

Functions of OS:

Functions of OS Command Interpretation Peripheral Management Memory Management Process Management File Management

Types of Operating System:

Types of Operating System There are two types of operating system as follows:- Single User Operating System (for example MS-DOS) Multi User Operating System (for example Linux, Windows, etc.) Single User OS Multi User OS

Translators:

Translators A Translator is a computer program that translates one programming language instruction(s) into another programming language instruction(s) without the loss of original meaning. Translator Interpreter e.g., BASIC Compiler e.g., C, C++, Cobol

Compilers:

Compilers A compiler is a computer program (or set of programs) that transforms source code written in a computer language (the source language) into another computer language (the target language, often having a binary form known as object code).

Interpreters:

Interpreters An interpreter is a computer program which reads source code written in a high-level programming language, transforms the code to machine code, and executes the machine code.

Application Software:

Application Software Application software is a computer program that functions and is operated by means of a computer, with the purpose of supporting or improving the software user's work.

Generalized Software:

Generalized Software Generalized software are those software that serves a changing environment. By allowing variable data to be introduced, the program can solve the same problem for different users, types of data or situations.

Customized Software:

Customized Software Customized software is a type of software that is developed either for a specific organization or function that differs from already available software. It is generally not targeted to the mass market, but usually created for companies, business entities, and organizations.

Languages:

Languages A programming language is an artificial language designed to express computations that can be performed by a machine, particularly a computer.

Low Level Languages:

Low Level Languages A low-level programming language is a language that provides little or no abstraction from a computer's instruction set architecture. A low-level language does not need a compiler or interpreter to run; the processor for which the language was written is able to run the code without using either of these. Low-level programming languages are sometimes divided into two categories as follows:- First Generation Second Generation

1st Generation Low Level Languages:

1 st Generation Low Level Languages The first-generation programming language, or 1GL, is machine code. It is the only language a microprocessor can understand directly. Currently, programmers almost never write programs directly in machine code. Example: A function in 32-bit x86 machine code to calculate the nth Fibonacci number: 8B542408 83FA0077 06B80000 0000C383 FA027706 B8010000 00C353BB 01000000 B9010000 008D0419 83FA0376 078BD98B C84AEBF1 5BC3

2nd Generation Low Level Languages:

2 nd Generation Low Level Languages The second-generation programming language, or 2GL, is assembly language. It is considered a second-generation language because while it is not a microprocessor's native language, an assembly language programmer must still understand the microprocessor's unique architecture (such as its registers and instructions). These simple instructions are then assembled directly into machine code. The assembly code can also be abstracted to another layer in a similar manner as machine code is abstracted into assembly code.

2nd Generation (Example) Low Level Languages:

2 nd Generation (Example) Low Level Languages Example: Fibonacci number calculator in x86 assembly language using MASM syntax: fib: mov edx, [esp+8] cmp edx, 0 ja @f mov eax, 0 ret @@: cmp edx, 2 ja @f mov eax, 1 ret @@: push ebx mov ebx, 1 mov ecx, 1 @@: lea eax, [ebx+ecx] cmp edx, 3 jbe @f mov ebx, ecx mov ecx, eax dec edx jmp @b @@: pop ebx ret A Computer System Showing Assembly Language Programming

High Level Languages:

High Level Languages A high-level programming language is a programming language with strong abstraction from the details of the computer. In comparison to low-level programming languages, it may use natural language elements, be easier to use, or be more portable across platforms. Such languages hide the details of CPU operations such as memory access models and management of scope.

Data:

Data Data : Data is the raw material related with entities and events and their recording as facts and figures. Data is the input to the processing. Customer Code Customer Name Address Contact E-mail C001 Parag 101, Housing Board Colony, Shastri Nagar, N. Delhi parag@gmail.com C002 Vinod 150, Shanti Nagar, Hyderabad vinodh@indiatimes.com C003 Vishal 110, Prakash Building, Road No. 10, Indore vishalr@yahoo.com C004 Sanjay 210, Suresh Manson, Indira Bazar, Calcutta sanjaykc@lycos.com C005 Abhishek 333, C-Scheme, Jaipur abhishek@htc.com

People:

People People: Most computers require people, who are called users.

Procedure:

Procedure Procedure: Procedures are the steps that one must follow to accomplish a specific computer related task.

Characteristics of Computers:

Characteristics of Computers Computers are fast and can perform hundreds of millions of processing operations in one second. Computers are accurate. Computers can perform very complex operations. Computers can store massive amount of information. Computers can move information very quickly from one place to another.

Classification of Computers:

Classification of Computers

Classification of Computers:

Classification of Computers

Classification of Computers:

Classification of Computers

Analog Computers:

Analog Computers Analog Computers are those computers which deals with analog signals (data). An example of analog computer is ECG (Electro Cardiogram). An Analog Computer

Digital Computers:

Digital Computers Digital computers are those computers which deals with digital data i.e., ‘1’ and ‘0’. An example of digital computer is Personal computer, laptop, etc. Showing Digital Data

Hybrid Computers:

Hybrid Computers Hybrid computers are those computers which are combination of analog computer and digital computer. An example of hybrid digital computer is Super computer. A Hybrid Computer

Classification of Computers:

Classification of Computers

Desktop Computer:

Desktop Computer Desktop computer is a computer which is also called Personal Computer. Desktop computers are normally used by end users for performing simple as well as complex operations. A Desktop Computer (PC)

Mainframe Computer:

Mainframe Computer Mainframe computers are those computers which have multiprocessing and multiprogramming capabilities and they are composed of many computers. Mainframe computer systems are powerful enough to support several hundred users simultaneously at remote terminals. Mainframe Computer

Miniframe Computers:

Miniframe Computers Mini computers are those computers which are similar to mainframes but smaller in scaling. Mini computer can accommodate remote users, but mini computer are slightly less storage, and the processing is relatively slower as compared to mainframe computer. Miniframe Computer

Micro Computer:

Micro Computer Micro computers are those computers which are workstations. They use RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) microprocessors. RISC processors are particularly useful in special purpose applications, such as graphics, in which speed is critical. A Micro Computer A Microprocessor

Super Computer:

Super Computer Super computers are those computers which are largest, fastest, most powerful, and most expensive computers. Super computers are used primarily for scientific applications that are mathematical intensive. workstations. The aerospace, automotive, chemical, electronics, and petroleum industries uses supercomputers extensively. A Super Computer

Portable Computer:

Portable Computer Portable computers are those computers which are smaller in size with good processing power and storage as micro computers and even workstation. Some of the examples of portable computers are laptop, palmtop, Personal Digital Assistants, etc. Palmtop Computer Laptop Computer PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)

Embedded Computer:

Embedded Computer Embedded computers are those computers which are built into special purpose devices, such as video game players, microwave ovens, washing machines, wrist watches, etc. They control the working and operation of electro-mechanical machine. Embedded Computer

Generation of Computers:

Generation of Computers Based on the characteristics of various computers developed from time to time, they are categorized as generation of computers.

First Generation Computers:

First Generation Computers Time Period : 1951 to 1959 Technology : Vacuum Tubes Size : Very Large System Processing : Very Slow Characterized By:- Magnetic Drums Magnetic Tapes Difficult to program Used machine language & assembly language First Generation Computers

Second Generation Computers:

Second Generation Computers Time Period : 1959 to 1963 Technology : Transistors Size : Smaller Processing : Faster Characterized By:- Magnetic Cores Magnetic Disk Used high level language Easier to program Second Generation Computers

Third Generation Computers:

Third Generation Computers Time Period : 1963 to 1975 Technology : ICs (Integrated Circuits) Incorporated many transistors & electronic circuits on a single chip Size : Small as compared to 2nd generation computers Processing : Faster then 2nd generation computers Characterized by:- Minicomputers accessible by multiple users from remote terminals. IC (Integrated Circuit)

Fourth Generation Computers:

Fourth Generation Computers Time Period : 1975 to Today Technology : VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) Incorporated many millions of transistors & electronic circuits on a single chip Size : Small as compared to first generation computer Processing : Faster then first generation computer Characterized by: The personal computer and user friendly micro-programs, very fast processor chip high level language, OOP (Object Oriented Programming) VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration)

Fifth Generation Computers:

Fifth Generation Computers Time Period : Future Technology Technology : AI (Artificial Intelligence) Fifth Generation Computer AI (Artificial Intelligence)