2. TEXT BOOK
Introduction to Computers
By Peter Norton
Other material will be mentioned in the last slide for
every lecture
Please do not rely on slides alone, if you want to do
well in this course make sure you read the book as
well.
3. MARKING
The marks distribution is as following
Quizzes, Assignments and Projects
Sessional 1
Sessional 2
Final Exam
25%
10%
15%
50%
Quizzes will be surprise. That is at the start of end of any
class I can take a quiz.
4. MARKING
Assignments and Projects will be given through out
the course.
Make sure your assignments are not copied in any
form.
5. ASSIGNMENT 1
Research on the internet and in the library and compile
history of computers.
You should write the history in your own words and not
just copy paste from the internet.
Give proper references.
Your assignment can be hand written or typed.
The assignment should be no more then 5 pages.
All future assignments will be typed.
7. PURPOSE OF THE COURSE
Give an overview of what computers are and what
they can do
Help you do everyday tasks and prepare you to
make use of Computers in your field.
8. WHAT IS A COMPUTER
A machine which can take instructions, and
perform computations based on those instructions.
10. IS A COMPUTER INTELLIGENT??
NO!!!!
The are nothing like a human brain
Computers can only follow instructions blindly
The instructions that we give to the computer to
perform a certain task are called programs
11. IS A COMPUTER INTELLIGENT??
To understand how dumb a computer is consider
the following example
You have created a Robot that of course has a
computer as a brain.
You want that robot to go to the market and fetch
you an ice cream
Consider what instruction would you need to give to
the robot?
12. WHAT CAN A COMPUTER DO?
A computer can process data very quickly
It can perform millions of calculations in seconds
BUT........
Still it is not intelligent
It can only follow instructions.
It can not make its own decisions
Humans have to tell the computer exactly what to
do.
13. WHY ARE COMPUTERS POWERFUL?
Amazing speed
Can store and organize large amounts of data
Can perform millions of operations in seconds
A government can store information about all of its
citizens
Accuracy
Computers are very precise and accurate
Most mistakes that computers make are down to human
error
14. COMPUTERS FOR INDIVIDUAL USE
Desktop computers
The most common type of computer
Sits on the desk or floor
Performs a variety of tasks
Workstations
Specialized computers
Optimized for science or graphics
More powerful than a desktop
15. COMPUTERS FOR INDIVIDUAL USE
Notebook computers
Small portable computers
Weighs between 3 and 8 pounds
About 8 ½ by 11 inches
Typically as powerful as a desktop
Netbook computers
Smaller and less powerful then laptops/notebook
computers.
16. COMPUTERS FOR INDIVIDUAL USE
Tablet
computers
Newest development
in portable computers
Input is through
a pen or touch screen
Run specialized
versions of office
products
19. COMPUTERS FOR INDIVIDUAL USE
Handheld computers
Very small computers
Personal Digital Assistants (PDA)
Note taking or contact management
Data can synchronize with a desktop
Smart phones
Hybrid of cell phone and PDA
Web surfing, e-mail access
20. COMPUTERS FOR ORGANIZATIONS
Network servers
Centralized computer
All other computers connect
Provides access to network resources
Multiple servers are called server farms
Often simply a powerful desktop
21. COMPUTERS FOR ORGANIZATIONS
Mainframes
Used in large
organizations
Handle thousands
of users
Users access through
a terminal can be a
dumb terminal or
intelligent terminal
22. MAINFRAMES VS. NETWORK SERVERS
mainframes are more popular and generally more
reliable
Servers are smaller, significantly less expensive
Servers allow users to work "off-line," only needing
to connect with the client-server when they need to
share information.
With mainframes, everyone must be logged on
simultaneously, which can slow the processing
speed.
24. COMPUTERS FOR ORGANIZATIONS
Supercomputers
The most powerful
computers made
Handle large and
complex calculations
Process trillions of
operations per second
Found in research
organizations
25. WHERE ARE SUPER COMPUTERS USED?
The "Big Bang," or the initial expansion of all
energy and matter in the universe, happened more
than 13 billion years ago in trillion-degree Celsius
temperatures, but supercomputer simulations make
it possible to observe what went on during the
universe's birth
Forecasting hurricanes
using live data directly, supercomputers can predict
the possible paths a hurricane can take.
Auto manufacturers use supercomputers to
simulate auto accidents on video screen. This is
less expensive and more revealing then actually
crashing a car.