INFORMATION

TECHNOLOGY

Course Code: ICT 105

Class: LLB 1
Instructor: Tony E. CHAULA
“Simplicityis the
ultimate sophistication”

- LEONARDO DA VINCI
Introduction to Computer
LECTURE 1
Objectives
 Definition
 The main components of computers
 Hardware - input and output ,storage, memory & CPU
 Software - Types of software and general application of software
 Data & Information
 Short history of computer and Computer Generation
 Classification of Computers
 IOT / Internet of things technologies
Why?
Introduction
 The20th century saw the birth of one of the most important
tools widely in use today called a computer.
 This 21st century is being referred to as the Digital Age
 Computers are an integral part of our lives. homes, working
in the office, driving on roads, sitting in a movie hall, staying in
a hotel, etc.
Our lives are directly or indirectly affected by the computers
Introduction
Computers are used for :-

 Reservation of tickets for airplanes and railways,

 Payment of telephone and electricity bills,

 Deposit and withdrawal of money from banks

 Processing of business data

 Forecasting of weather conditions,

 Diagnosis of diseases,

 Searching for information on the Internet

Introduction
Computers are also used extensively :-

 Schools

 Universities

 Governmental an non governmental organizations

 Music industry and movie industry

 Scientific research

 Law firms

 Fashion industry, etc.

Introduction

Today the need for updated information has become

inevitable to arrive at an effective decision in all walks of
life.
Whether it is industry, commerce, defense, banking,
education, economics or politics, information is needed
everywhere.
Introduction
 Therefore, in this era of information, we are dependent on
the storage, flow and processing of data and information
 Which can only be possible with the help of Computers.
 Our lives are directly or indirectly affected by the
computers
 The purpose of this chapter is to introduce you to the
“computer”.
Introduction
You may be surprised to learn that people were the first
computers!
The term computer meant someone who computes or
performs calculations.
They were usually women who worked out mathematical
problems such as tidal charts or navigational tables.
Introduction
So ‘Computer’ was actually a job title.
(Movie Hidden Figures 2016 The story of a team of
female African-American mathematicians who
served a vital role in NASA during the early years of
the U.S. space program)
Introduction
What is a Computer?
The term computer is derived from the word compute.
The word compute means to calculate.
Definition
A computer is an electronic machine that can be
programmed to accept data from the user (input),
processes the data by performing calculations and
operations on it, and generates the desired results
(Output).
Input -> Process -> Output
Introduction
A computer performs both simple and complex
operations, with speed and accuracy.
A computer along with additional hardware and
software together is called a Computer System.
All these components function together as a single
unit to deliver the desired output.
Introduction
Introduction
4 functions of a computer system
Introduction
Components Of A Computer System
A computer System is mainly divided into
two major components
 Hardware
 Software
Introduction
Hardware components of a computer system
A computer system comes in various forms and sizes.
Introduction
Hardware components of a computer system
A) Input devices –
 A parts of the computer that allow us to enter information or data
into a computer.
 Devices through which control signals are sent to a computer.
These devices convert the input data into a digital form that is
acceptable by the computer system.
 Examples:- Keyboard, Mouse, Scanner, Microphone, Touch screen,
Barcode reader. QR Code Scanner etc.
Introduction
Hardware components of a computer system
A) Input devices –
 A parts of the computer that allow us to enter information or data
into a computer.
 Devices through which control signals are sent to a computer.
These devices convert the input data into a digital form that is
acceptable by the computer system.
 Examples:- Keyboard, Mouse, Scanner, Microphone, Touch screen,
Barcode reader. QR Code Scanner etc.
Introduction
Hardware components of a computer system
A) Input devices –
Introduction
Hardware components of a computer system
.b) Storage devices

Parts of the computer that hold information. Divided into two (2) types.

i) Primary storage

 This device is referred to as the computer’s memory called RAM (random access memory).

 It remembers everything that is read, input, or output. It is a temporary type of memory, it

forgets everything when turned-Off.

ii) Secondary Storage

 This device stores information permanently, does not lose information when computer turn-
Off, most common permanent storage is Hard Disk.
Introduction
Hardware components of a computer system

i) Primary storage
Introduction
Hardware components of a computer system
. ii) Secondary Storage
Introduction
Hardware components of a computer system
.

c) Processing device
 Part of the computer that processes and controls the flow of
information.
 It is the part of the computer that actually performs the
computing tasks..
 Most commonly refered to as the Central Processing Unit or CPU.
Introduction
Hardware components of a computer system
.

c) Processing device
 Computer Processors
Introduction
Hardware components of a computer system
d) Output devices
 Parts that gives out information generated by the
computer
 Includes devices that present results in softcopy and
hardcopy or sound
 Most common examples are monitor, Projector, printer
and speaker, Plotters ets …
Introduction
Hardware components of a computer system
d) Output devices
Introduction
Characteristics of a Computer
1. Speed
 A computer can process data very fast, at the rate of millions of instructions
per second.
 Some calculations that would have taken hours and days to complete
otherwise, can be completed in a few seconds using the computer.
 For example, calculation and generation of salary slips of thousands of
employees of an organization, weather forecasting that requires analysis of a
large amount of data related to temperature, pressure and humidity of
various places, etc.

.
Introduction
Characteristics of a Computer
2. Accuracy
 Computer provides a high degree of accuracy. For example, the computer
can accurately give the result of division of any two numbers up to 10 decimal
places.
3. Diligence
 When used for a longer period of time, the computer does not get tired or
fatigued.
 It can perform long and complex calculations with the same speed and
accuracy from the start till the end.
.
Introduction
Characteristics of a Computer
4. Storage Capability
 Large volumes of data and information can be stored in the
computer and also retrieved whenever required.
 A limited amount of data can be stored, temporarily, in the
primary memory.
 Secondary storage devices like floppy disk and compact disk can
store a large amount of data permanently.
Introduction
Characteristics of a Computer
5. Versatility
 Computer is versatile in nature.
 it has the ability perform different types of tasks,
functions or activities with the same ease.
 At one moment you can use the computer to prepare a
letter document and in the next moment you may play
music or print a document.
Introduction
Software
 Hardware is of no use on its own.
 Hardware needs to be operated by a set of
instructions.
 These sets of instructions are referred to as software.
 Software acts as an interface between human users
and the hardware.
Introduction
Software
The sole purpose of a software is to make the
computer hardware useful and operational.
 A software knows how to make different hardware
components of a computer work.
 To communicate with each other as well as with the
end-user.
Introduction
Software

There are two types of computer Software:-

System software
Application Software
Introduction
Software
System software
 The software that provides the basic functionality to operate
a computer by interacting directly with its constituent
hardware.
 A system software knows how to operate and use different
hardware components of a computer.
 Provides services directly to the end user and other software.
Introduction
Software
System software
For management and functionality of computer
— Operating system, device drivers, and system utilities
For development of application software
— Programming languages, translator software, loader,
and linker.
Introduction
Software
Operating System
An operating system is the most basic system software,
without which other software cannot work.
The operating system manages other application programs
and provides access and security to the users of the system.
Some of the popular operating systems are Windows, Linux,
Macintosh, Ubuntu, Fedora, Android, iOS, etc.
Introduction
Software
Operating System
The purposes of the system software are:
 To provide basic functionality to computer,
 To control computer hardware, and
 To act as an interface between user, application
software and computer hardware.
Introduction
Software
Device drivers
The purpose of a device driver is to ensure proper functioning of a
particular device.
The operating system manages the overall working of a computer
system.
But everyday new devices and components are being added to a
computer system where each device has diverse characteristics.
Introduction
Software
Device drivers
The responsibility for overall control, operation and management
of a particular device at the hardware level is delegated to its
device driver.
The device driver acts as an interface between the device and the
operating system, like a language translator, a device driver acts
as a mediator between the operating system and the attached
device.
Introduction
Software
System utility software
 Anti-virus, data compression, cryptographic,
disk compression, disk partitioning, disk
cleaner, backup, system profiling, and network
manager.
Introduction
Software
Programming language
 Machine language, assembly language, high-
level language, and different generations of
programming languages
Introduction
Software
Application Software
Word Processing Software
Image Processing Software
Accounting Software
Spreadsheet Software
Presentation Software
CAD/CAM Software
 Web Browser Software
Introduction

Categorization of Computers Software

Introduction

Data, Information and Knowledge

Introduction
Data, Information and Knowledge
 In this era of Information
 It is difficult for an organization to handle all it’s
operations effectively and efficiently when it operates
manually.
 Use of the computer and the telecommunication
technology to generate information for businesses and
organizations has become necessary.
Introduction
Data, Information and Knowledge
Organizations use Information Systems which encompasses
 Hardware
 Software
 Databases
 Telecommunications
 People/Users
 Procedures for the collection, manipulation, storage, flow and processing of
data into information.
Introduction
Data, Information and Knowledge
The information required from the information systems at
different levels of the organization hierarchy is different in
nature
 Operational information
 Management information
 or information that supports the Decision making process
 Information systems are vital for the functioning of businesses
and organizations.
Introduction
Data, Information and Knowledge
Let’s understand the distinction between data, information, and knowledge
Introduction
Data, Information and Knowledge
Let’s understand the distinction between data, information, and knowledge
Introduction
Data, Information and Knowledge
Let’s understand the distinction between data, information, and knowledge
Introduction
Data, Information and Knowledge
Let’s understand the distinction between data, information, and knowledge
Introduction
Data, Information and Knowledge
Data
 These are raw facts.
 Data is isolated values which by themselves do not have much
significance.
 Data may be numbers, letters or characters, image represented
as graphic images and pictures, audio or video.
 It represents something in the real world.
Introduction
Data, Information and Knowledge
 Data forms the raw material for the production of
information.
 Data is not organized and does not convey a meaning.
 For example, the data elements like ‘8th’, ‘Aug’ 2008’,
‘China’, and ‘Olympics’ just represent values
Introduction
Data, Information and Knowledge
 Types of Data
A computer system has many input devices, which provide it with
raw data in the form of facts, concepts, instructions, etc.
Internally everything is stored in binary form (0 and 1),
But externally, data can be input to a computer in the text form
consisting of English alphabets A–Z, a–z, numerals 0 – 9, and
special symbols like @, #, etc.
Introduction
Data, Information and Knowledge
 Types of Data
 Data can be input in other languages too or it can be read from the files.
 The input data may be from different sources,
 Hence it may be in different formats.
 For example, an image is a collection of Red, Green, Blue (RGB) pixels, a
video is made up of frames, and a fee receipt is made of numeric and non-
numeric characters.
 Primarily, there are three types of data.
Introduction
Data, Information and Knowledge
(A) Structured Data
 Data which follows a strict record structure and is easy to
comprehend is called structured data.
 Such data with pre-specified tabular format may be
stored in a data file to access in the future.
 See the table below
Introduction
Data, Information and Knowledge
Introduction
Data, Information and Knowledge
 It is clear that such data is organized in row/column format and
is easily understandable.
 Structured data may be sorted in ascending or descending order.
 In the example, attendance data is sorted in increasing order on
the column ‘month’.
 Other examples of structured data include sales transactions,
online railway ticket bookings, ATM transactions, etc.
Introduction
Data, Information and Knowledge
(B) Unstructured Data
 Data which are not organized in a pre-defined record format is
called unstructured data.
 Examples include audio and video files, graphics, text
documents, social media posts, satellite images, etc.
 Next Figure shows a report card with monthly attendance record
details sent to parents.
 Does not follow a specific format.
Introduction
Data, Information and Knowledge
Introduction
Data, Information and Knowledge
(C) Semi-structured Data
 Data which have no well-defined structure but maintains internal tags or markings to
separate data elements are called semi-structured data.
 Examples include email document, HTML page, comma separated values (csv file), etc.
 The next Figure shows an example of semi-structured data containing student’s month-
wise attendance details.
 In this example, there is no specific format for each attendance record.
Here, each data value is preceded by a tag (Name, Month, Class, Attendance) for the
interpretation of the data value while processing.
Introduction
Data, Information and Knowledge
Unstructured Data: Monthwise total attendance record
maintained by a school
Introduction
Data, Information and Knowledge
Information
 This is processed, manipulated, and interpreted data.
 It is the collection of organized data in such a way that
they have value beyond the data itself.
It is the result/output of data processing a computer or
information system.
Introduction
Data, Information and Knowledge
Information
Information is created by defining and organizing
relationships among data.
 For example, ‘The Olympics are being held in China from
8th Aug 2008’.
 The processed data gives us information which can be
used for different purposes
Introduction
Data, Information and Knowledge
Knowledge
 This is an inference or conclusion drawn from the
information.
 For example, a person from Tanzania who wishes to go to
China can use the information ‘The Olympics are being held in
China from 8th Aug 2008’. to enhance his knowledge so that
this person can plan his trip to China accordingly.
Introduction
Data, Information and Knowledge
Characteristics Of Information
Information that is meaningful for the people and the
organization must have the following characteristics.
 Accurate: Information must not contain any errors. It
must be accurate.
 Accessible: Authorized users should be able to access
the information whenever required.
Introduction
Data, Information and Knowledge
Characteristics Of Information
 Complete: Information must contain all important and related
data.
 Economical: Information should be economical to produce both
in terms of time and cost.
 Format: Information should be available in the desired format.
 Flexible: Information should be flexible enough to be used for
different purposes.
Introduction
Data, Information and Knowledge
Characteristics Of Information
 Relevant: Information must be relevant so that it can be
used by the organization.
 Secure: Unauthorized users should not be able to access the
information. Access is allowed only to authorized individuals.
 Timely: Information must be available when it is needed.
Late or outdated information is of no use.
Introduction
Data, Information and Knowledge
Characteristics Of Information
 Simple: Information must be easily
understandable and usable. Complex information is
difficult to use and may not serve its purpose.
 Verifiable: There should be a means to cross
check the available information.
Introduction
Data, Information and Knowledge
The information having the above characteristics is valuable
and is used by the organization for achieving its goals.
The organization may use the information for different
purposes like
 Decision making
 Planning
 Managing the organization
History of computers
DIGITAL AND ANALOG COMPUTERS
 A digital computer uses distinct values to represent the data
internally.
 All information are represented using the digits Os and 1s.
Processed by digital circuits.
 The computers that we use at our homes and offices are digital
computers.
History of computers
DIGITAL AND ANALOG COMPUTERS
 Analog computer is another kind of a computer that represents data
as variable across a continuous range of values.
 The earliest computers were analog computers.
 Analog computers are used for measuring of parameters that vary
continuously in real time, such as temperature, pressure and voltage.
 Analog computers may be more flexible but generally less precise than
digital computers. Slide rule is an example of an analog computer
History of computers
Before the development of the first generation digital
computers,
there had been several developments in the computing
technology related to the mechanical computing devices.
The key developments that took place till the first
computer was developed are as follows :-
History of computers
Calculating Machines
 ABACUS was the first mechanical calculating device for counting of
large numbers.
 The word ABACUS means calculating board.
 It consists of bars in horizontal positions on which sets of beads are
inserted.
 The horizontal bars have 10 beads each, representing units, tens,
hundreds, etc. An abacus is shown in
History of computers
Calculating Machines
ABACUS - 5th century BC
History of computers
 Napier’s
Bones was a mechanical device built for
the purpose of multiplication in 1617 by an English
mathematician John Napier.
 Operated manually for the purpose of calculations
of quotients and products of the given numbers
History of computers
History of computers
History of computers
Slide Rule
 Was developed by an English mathematician Edmund Gunter in
the 16th century.
 Using the slide rule, one could perform operations like addition,
subtraction, multiplication and division. It was used extensively till
late 1970s.
 The next Figure shows a slide rule
History of computers
History of computers
Pascal’s Adding and Subtraction Machine
 Was developed by Blaise Pascal.
 It could add and subtract.
 The machine consisted of wheels, gears and cylinders.
.
History of computers
History of computers
History of computers
Leibniz’s Multiplication and Dividing Machine
 Was a mechanical device that could both multiply
and divide.
 The German philosopher and mathematician
Gottfried Leibniz built it around 1673.
History of computers
History of computers
Punch Card System
 Was developed by Jacquard to control the power loom in 1801.
 He invented the punched card reader that could recognize the
presence of hole in the punched card as binary one and the absence
of the hole as binary zero.
 The Os and 1s are the basis of the modern digital computer.
 A punched card is shown in the next Figure
History of computers
History of computers
History of computers
Babbage’s Analytical Engine
 An English man Charles Babbage built a mechanical machine to
do complex mathematical calculations, in the year 1823.
 The machine was called as difference engine.
Later, Charles Babbage and Lady Ada Lovelace developed a
general-purpose calculating machine, the analytical engine.
 Charles Babbage is also called the father of computer.
History of computers
History of computers
Hollerith’s Punched Card Tabulating Machine
 Was invented by Herman Hollerith. The machine could
read the information from a punched card and process it
electronically.
History of computers
History of computers
The developments discussed above and
several others not discussed here, resulted in
the development of the first computer in the
1940s.
Generations of computers
 The evolution of computers to the current state is
defined in terms of the generations of computer.
 Each generation of computer is designed based on a
new technological development
 Resulting in better, cheaper and smaller computers
that are more powerful, faster and efficient than their
predecessors.
Generations of computers
 Thecomputer has evolved from a large-
sized simple calculating machine to a
smaller but much more powerful
machine.
 Currently, there are five generations of
computer.
Generations of computers
We will discuss the generations of computer in terms of -
1. The technology used by them (hardware and software),
2. Computing characteristics (speed, i.e., number of
instructions executed per second),
3. Physical appearance, and
4. Their applications.
Generations of computers
First Generation (1940 to 1956): Vacuum Tubes Based
 Hardware Technology The first generation of computers
used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for
memory.
 The input to the computer was through punched cards
and paper tapes.
 The output was displayed as printouts.
Generations of computers
Generations of computers
Generations of computers
Generations of computers
Generations of computers
Software Technology
 The instructions were written in machine language.
 Machine language uses 0s and 1s for coding of the
instructions.
 The first generation computers could solve one
problem at a time.
Generations of computers
 Computing Characteristics The computation time was
in milliseconds (1/1000 of a second).
 Physical Appearance These computers were enormous
in size and required a large room for installation.
 Application They were used for scientific applications
as they were the fastest computing device of their time.
Generations of computers
 Examples UNIVersal Automatic Computer
(UNIVAC), Electronic Numerical Integrator And
Calculator (ENIAC), and Electronic Discrete Variable
Automatic Computer (EDVAC).
 The first generation computers used a large
number of vacuum tubes and thus generated a lot
of heat.
Generations of computers
 They consumed a lot of electricity and were
expensive to operate.
 The machines were prone to frequent
malfunctioning and required constant
maintenance. Since first generation computers
used machine language, they were difficult to
program.
Generations of computers
Second Generation (1956 to 1963): Using Transistors
 Hardware Technology Transistors replaced the vacuum
tubes of the first generation of computers.
 Transistors allowed computers to become smaller, faster,
cheaper, energy efficient and reliable.
 The second generation computers used magnetic core
technology for primary memory.
.
Generations of computers
Second Generation (1956 to 1963): Using Transistors
 They used magnetic tapes and magnetic disks for
secondary storage.
 The input was still through punched cards and the output
using printouts.
 They used the concept of a stored program, where
instructions were stored in the memory of computer.
Generations of computers
Second Generation (1956 to 1963): Using
Transistors
 Second generation computers generated a lot of
heat but much less than the first generation
computers.
 They required less maintenance than the first
generation computers
Generations of computers
Transistors
Generations of computers
Magnetic Core – Primary memory
Generations of computers
Magnetic Tapes – Secondary memory
Generations of computers
Generations of computers
Smaller in size
Generations of computers
Software Technology
 The instructions were written using the assembly
language.
 Assembly language uses mnemonics like ADD for addition
and SUB for subtraction for coding of the instructions.
 It is easier to write instructions in assembly language, as
compared to writing instructions in machine language.
Generations of computers
 High-level programming languages, such as early versions
of COBOL and FORTAN were also developed during this
period.
Computing Characteristics The computation time was in
microseconds (1/1,000,000 of a second).
 Physical Appearance Transistors are smaller in size
compared to vacuum tubes, computer size was reduced.
Generations of computers
Application The cost of commercial production of these
computers was very high, though less than the first
generation computers. The transistors had to be assembled
manually in second generation computers
Second generation computers generated a lot of heat but
much less than the first generation computers.
They required less maintenance .
 Generations of computers
Third Generation (1964 to 1971): Using Integrated Circuits
 Hardware Technology The third generation computers
used the Integrated Circuit (IC) chips.
 In an IC chip, multiple transistors are placed on a silicon
chip.
Silicon is a type of semiconductor.
 Generations of computers
Third Generation (1964 to 1971): Using Integrated Circuits
 The use of IC chip increased the speed and the efficiency
of computer, manifold.
 The keyboard and monitor were used to interact with the
third generation computer, instead of the punched card
and printouts.
Generations of computers
Integrated Circuits
Generations of computers
Integrated Circuits
Generations of computers
Third Generation Computers
 Generations of computers
 Software Technology The keyboard and the monitor were
interfaced through the Operating System.
 Operating system allowed different applications to run at the
same time.
 High-level languages were used extensively for programming,
instead of machine language and assembly language.
Generations of computers
 Computing Characteristics The computation time was in
nanoseconds (1/1,000,000,000 of a second)
 Physical Appearance The size of these computers was quite
small compared to the second generation computers.
 Application Computers became accessible to mass audience.
Computers were produced commercially, and were smaller and
cheaper than their predecessors.
 Examples IBM 370, PDP 11.
Generations of computers
 The third generation computers used less power and
generated less heat than the second generation computers.
 The cost of the computer reduced significantly, as
individual components of the computer were not required to
be assembled manually.
 The maintenance cost of the computers was also less
compared to their predecessors.
 Generations of computers
Fourth Generation (1971 to present): Using Microprocessors
 Hardware Technology They use the Large Scale Integration
(LSI) and the Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) technology.
 Thousands of transistors are integrated on a small silicon
chip using LSI technology.
 VLSI allows hundreds of thousands of components to be
integrated in a small chip.
 Generations of computers
Fourth Generation (1971 to present): Using Microprocessors
 This era is marked by the development of microprocessor.
 Microprocessor is a chip containing millions of transistors and
components, and, designed using LSI and VLSI technology.
 This generation of computers gave rise to Personal Computer (PC).
 Semiconductor memory replaced the earlier magnetic core
memory, resulting in fast random access to memory.
Generations of computers
Microprocessor
Generations of computers
Microprocessor
Generations of computers
Microprocessor
 Generations of computers
 Secondary storage device like magnetic disks became smaller in
physical size and larger in capacity.
 The linking of computers is another key development of this era.
 The computers were linked to form networks that led to the
emergence of the Internet.
 This generation also saw the development of pointing devices
like mouse, and handheld devices.
 Generations of computers
 Software Technology Several new operating systems like the MS-DOS
and MS Windows developed during this time.
 This generation of computers supported Graphical User Interface
(GUI).
 GUI is a user-friendly interface that allows user to interact with the
computer via menus and icons.
 High-level programming languages are used for the writing of
programs.
 Generations of computers
 Computing Characteristics The computation time is in
picoseconds.
 Physical Appearance They are smaller than the computers of the
previous generation. Some can even fit into the palm of the hand.
 Application They became widely available for commercial
purposes.
 Personal computers became available to the home user.
 Generations of computers
 Examples The Intel 4004 chip was the first microprocessor.
 The components of the computer like Central Processing Unit
(CPU) and memory were located on a single chip.
 In 1981, IBM introduced the first computer for home use.
 In 1984, Apple introduced the Macintosh.
 The microprocessor has resulted in the fourth generation
computers being smaller and cheaper than their predecessors.
 Generations of computers
 The fourth generation computers are also portable and more
reliable.
 They generate much lesser heat and require less maintenance
 Graphical User Interface (GUI) and pointing devices facilitate
easy use and learning on the computer.
 Networking has resulted in resource sharing and communication
among different computers
 Generations of computers
Fifth Generation (Present and Next): Using Artificial Intelligence
 The goal of fifth generation computing is to develop
computers that are capable of learning and self-organization.
 The fifth generation computers use Super Large Scale
Integrated (SLSI) chips with millions of components on a single
chip. These computers have large memory capacity
requirements.
 Generations of computers
Fifth Generation (Present and Next): Using Artificial Intelligence
 This generation of computers uses parallel processing that
allows several instructions to be executed in parallel, instead of
serial execution.
 Parallel processing results in faster processing speed.
 The Intel dual core microprocessor uses parallel processing.
 Generations of computers
Fifth Generation (Present and Next): Using Artificial Intelligence
 Fifth generation computers are based on Artificial Intelligence (AI).
 They try to simulate the human way of thinking and reasoning.
 Artificial Intelligence includes areas like Expert System (ES), Natural
Language Processing (NLP), speech recognition, voice recognition,
robotics, etc