COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS AND PROGRAMMING

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

 Deals basic information technical concept, fundamentals of algorithm development, high level
language and programming application, computer solutions of engineering problems.

OBJECTIVES:

 Identify the basic computer concepts

INTODUCTION OF COMPUTER CONCEPTS

DATA PROCESSING

 The manipulation of data into a more useful form . It is the modern name for paper
works and involves the collecting, processing and distributing of facts and figures to
achieve a desired result.

DATA

 Defined as any collection of facts.

 SALES REPORT

 INVENTORY FIGURES

 TEST SCORES

 CUSTOMER NAMES AND ADDRESS

 PHOTOGRAPHS, DRAWING and etc.

 A little value if it remains in the form of quantities and numbers.

 When data is collected use in computation and analyzed then it attains its real value.

 Our need for processed data and information's increased with the rapid growth of population
and administrative work in business, government and even more for the individual and society
has multiplied.
 CATEGORIES OF DATA PROCESSING

MECHANICAL DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM

 Use a combination of manual procedures and mechanical equipment.

 The system uses various devices such as:

 Typewriters

 Sorters

 Calculators

 Collators

 Tabulators

 Duplicators

 Verifiers

ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM

 It uses different types of input, output and storage devices which is interconnected to an
electronic computer to process data.

DATA PROCESSING CYCLE

 Regardless of the kind of data processed of the kind of device or equipment used alternative
data processing system.

DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM

• INPUT

 In this step the initial data or input data are prepared in same convenient form for processing .
 Electromechanical Devices
o Punched card
 Electronic Computers
o Cards
o Tapes
o Disk

• PROCESS

 In this step the input data are changed and usually combined with other information to produce
data in a more useful form. The processing step usually involves a sequence of certain basic
processing operation.
 Paychecks may be calculated from the time cards or a summary of sales for the month may be
calculated by sales order.

• OUTPUT

 In this step, the result in processing step are collected the particular form of the output data
depends on the use of the data.

 Printed summary of monthly sales for management or simply data to be stored for further
processing.

CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTER

 According to their purpose a wide variety of computer.

 According to the kind of processing they do or types of data they use.

 According to the size of the machine and speed of its internal operation.

CLASSIFICATION BY
PURPOSE:

 GENERAL- PURPOSE COMPUTER

 Is one that has the ability to store different program of instruction and thus to perform a
variety of operation.

 SPECIAL –PURPOSE COMPUTER

 is designed to perform one special task.

CLASSIFICATION BY TYPE OF DATA HANDLED

 ANALOG COMPUTER

 Use for scientific, engineering, and process –control.

 DIGITAL COMPUTER

 Is a machine that specialize in counting.

 HYBRID COMPUTER

 Both analog and digital computer are extensively used and widely accepted in various
industries.
 OVERVIEW OF COMPUTER

Functionalities of a Computer
If we look at it in a very broad sense, any digital computer carries out the following five
functions:
Step 1 - Takes data as input.
Step 2 - Stores the data/instructions in its memory and uses them as required.
Step 3 - Processes the data and converts it into useful information.
Step 4 - Generates the output.
Step 5 - Controls all the above four steps.

Advantages of Computers
High Speed
 Computer is a very fast device.

 It is capable of performing calculation of very large amount of data.

 The computer has units of speed in microsecond, nanosecond, and even the
picosecond.

 It can perform millions of calculations in a few seconds as compared to man who will
spend many months to perform the same task.

Accuracy
 In addition to being very fast, computers are very accurate.

 The calculations are 100% error free.

 Computers perform all jobs with 100% accuracy provided that the input is correct.
Storage Capability
 Memory is a very important characteristic of computers.

 A computer has much more storage capacity than human beings.

 It can store large amount of data.

 It can store any type of data such as images, videos, text, audio, etc.
Diligence
 Unlike human beings, a computer is free from monotony, tiredness, and lack of
concentration.
 It can work continuously without any error and boredom.

 It can perform repeated tasks with the same speed and accuracy.
Versatility
 A computer is a very versatile machine.

 A computer is very flexible in performing the jobs to be done.

 This machine can be used to solve the problems related to various fields.

 At one instance, it may be solving a complex scientific problem and the very next
moment it may be playing a card game.

Reliability
 A computer is a reliable machine.
 Modern electronic components have long lives.
 Computers are designed to make maintenance easy.

Automation
 Computer is an automatic machine.

 Automation is the ability to perform a given task automatically. Once the computer
receives a program i.e., the program is stored in the computer memory, then the
program and instruction can control the program execution without human interaction.

Reduction in Paper Work and Cost

 As data in electronic files can be retrieved as and when required, the problem of
maintenance of large number of paper files gets reduced.

 Though the initial investment for installing a computer is high, it substantially reduces
the cost of each of its transaction.
 Disadvantages of Computers
No I.Q.
 A computer is a machine that has no intelligence to perform any task.
 Each instruction has to be given to the computer.
 A computer cannot take any decision on its own.

Dependency
 It functions as per the user’s instruction; thus, it is fully dependent on humans.

Environment
 The operating environment of the computer should be dust free and suitable.

No Feeling
 Computers have no feelings or emotions.

 It cannot make judgment based on feeling, taste, experience, and knowledge unlike
humans.