CSC 111

Introduction to Computer Science

•Definition of Computer Science

•History from Mechanical to Multimedia

Computers
 What is Computer
• A computer is a programmable electronic device that accepts raw data
as input and processes it with a set of instructions (a program) to
produce the result as output.

• It renders output just after performing mathematical and logical

operations and can save the output for future use.

• It can process numerical as well as non-numerical calculations.

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 Parts of Computer
• The computer is made up of two main parts, these are:
• Software and
• Hardware
• Software is a set of programs, designed to perform a well-defined function.

• A program is a sequence of instructions written to solve specific problem.

• Software can be classified into two main types:

• System Software

• Application Software 3
 What is Computer Software (Cont.)
• System software is a collection of programs designed to operate, control and
extend the processing capabilities of the computer.

• This software is designed and prepared by the computer manufacturers.

• It consist of programs written in low-level languages, which interact with the

hardware.

• System software serves as the interface between the hardware and the end
users.
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 Computer Software (Cont.)

Figure 3: parts of the computer Figure 4: components of the computer

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 Computer Software (Cont.)
Software
Set of program that
control the system

System Software Application Software

Controls the internal It is a set of program
operations of the system designed for specific uses

System Developing Specific Purpose

General purpose
management Software Software
Software
software Programming Word processors
Reservation system
Operating system language Billing system
Presentations
Device drivers Language translator Attendance system etc.
Spread sheets
System Utility
Figure 5: Computer Software 6
 Computer Software (Cont.)
• System software is a type of computer program that is designed to run a
computer's hardware and application programs.

• system software is the interface between the hardware and user applications.

• The operating system is the best-known example of system software.

• System software can be divided into two major categories:

System management program and
Developing software
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 Computer Software (Cont.)
• System Management Program:
It includes an integrated system of programs, which manages the operations of
the processor, controls input/output, manages storage resources and
provides various support services.
Some common examples of system management programs are operating
system, device driver and system utilities.
Operating System (OS): This consists of programs, which controls coordinates
and supervises the activities of the various components of the computer system.
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 System Software (Cont.)
• Its function is to provide link between the computer hardware and the user.

• It performs all internal management functions (disk access, memory management,

task scheduling and user interfacing) and ensures systematic functioning of the
computer system.

• examples of OS are: windows OS(various variants) Unix, Linux, etc.

• Device driver:This is a software written with the objective of making a device
functional when it is connected to the computer.
• It is a system software that acts like an interface between the device and the user.
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 Computer Software (Cont.)
• Device drivers are not independent programs, they assists and are assisted by the
operating system for the proper functioning.
• Every device such as printer, monitor, mouse or keyboard has a driver program
associated with it for its proper functioning.
• System Utilities: These programs perform tasks related to the maintenance of
the computer system.
• These are packages, loaded into computer during time of installation of
operating system. They are used to support, enhance, expand and secure
existing programs and data in the computer system.

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 System Software (Cont.)
• Developing Software: Software which provides services required for the
development and execution of application software.

• Programming languages, language translator, loader, linker are required for the
application software development.

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 Application Software (Cont.)
• Application software is a computer software designed to help the user to
perform singular or multiple tasks.
• It is a set of instructions or program designed for specific uses that enable the
user to interact with a computer.
• Application software are also called the end-user programs.
• These programs do the real work for users.
• There are two types of application software.
• General Purpose Software
• Specific Purpose Software
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 Application Software (Cont.)
• Specific purpose software are designed to perform specific tasks.

• This type of application software generally has one purpose to execute.

• Payroll Management System

• Inventory Management Software

• Income Tax Software

• Reservation Software

• Accounting software
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 Application Software (Cont.)
• General purpose software’s are designed to perform general tasks. Examples
are:
Word Processing Software
Presentation software
Electronic Spreadsheets
Database Management System (DBMS)
Desktop Publishing Software
Graphics Software
Multimedia Software 14
 Computer Hardware
• Computer hardware are the physical parts of a computer that can be felt with the sense of
touch or that are tangible.

• Computer hardware can be classified into two:

Input devices

Output devices
• Input devices are parts of the computer that can be used to input data into the computer.

• Examples of input devices are mouse, keyboard, scanner, Joy Stick, Light pen, track ball,
Graphic Tablet, Microphone etc.
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 Computer Hardware (Cont.)

• Output devices are physical components of the computer that can be used output
information from the computer. These are monitor, printer, Headphones,
Computer Speakers, Projector, Sound card, Video card etc.

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 Computer Hardware (Cont.)
• The central processing unit (CPU) is the electronic circuitry within a
computer that carries out the instructions of a computer program by
performing basic arithmetic, logical, control and input/output (I/O)
operations specified by the instructions.
•

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 Computer Hardware (Cont.)
• A storage device is any type of computing hardware that is used
for storing, porting or extracting data files and objects.
• Storage devices can hold and store information both temporarily and
permanently.
• They may be internal or external to a computer, server or
computing device.

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 Types of Computer (Cont.)
• Below are various of computers:
• Supercomputers
• Mainframe computers
• Minicomputers
• Personal computers (PCs) or microcomputers

Supercomputers: These computers are useful for applications involving very large
databases or that require a great amount of computation.
There are used to perform complex tasks, such as:Weather forecasting, Climate
research, Scientific simulation, Oil and gas exploration, Quantum mechanics,
Cryptanalysis etc.
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Types of Computer (Cont.)

A Supercomputers 20
 Types of Computer (Cont.)

• Mainframe computers: These are

high-performance computer used for
large information processing jobs.

• Mainframe computers are useful for tasks

related to: Census taking, Industry and
consumer statistics, Enterprise resource
planning, Transaction processing, e-
business and e-commerce. 21
A Mainframe computer
 Types of Computer (Cont.)
• Mini computers: These are mid-range
computer that is of intermediate size,
power, speed, storage capacity, etc.

• Minicomputers are used by small

organizations.

• Minicomputers are often referred to as

small servers

• A server is a central computer that

provides information to other computers. A Minicomputer 22
 Types of Computer (Cont.)
• Personal computer (PC): A small computer designed for use by a single user
at a time.

• They are also referred to as microcomputers.

• A single chip is used to design its central processing unit (CPU).

• Examples of microcomputers are desktop computer, laptops, tablet,

smartphone, or wearable.

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 Types of Computer (Cont.)

• Types of personal computers

• Desktop computer: This is a

personal computer that is designed to
stay at one location and fits on or
under a desk.

• It has a monitor, keyboard, mouse,

and a tower (system unit).
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 Types of Computer (Cont.)
• Laptop computer (notebook): Is a portable personal computer that is small enough to
rest on the user’s lap and can be powered by a battery.

• It includes a flip down screen and a keyboard with a touchpad.

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 Types of Computer (Cont.)
• Tablet : It is a wireless touchscreen PC that is slightly smaller and weighs less
than the average laptop.

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