‫المدرسة العليا لألساتذة ورقلة‬

Computer
science

Bouhyaoui Nasria

2024/2025
 Introduction to Computers

1 History of Computers
Computing history is often divided into distinct generations, each marked by significant technological
advancements. Here are the key milestones for each generation:
First Generation (1940s-1950s):
o Vacuum Tubes: Used as the main electronic component.

o ENIAC: One of the earliest electronic general-purpose computers.

o Punched Cards: Used for input and output.

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Second Generation (1950s-1960s):

o Transistors: Replaced vacuum tubes, making computers smaller, faster, and more
reliable

Third Generation (1960s-1970s):

o Integrated Circuits (ICs): Allowed for even smaller and more efficient computers
 o
o Operating Systems: Began to appear, allowing multiple programs to run
simultaneously.
Fourth Generation (1970s-1980s):
o Microprocessors: Integrated thousands of ICs into a single chip, leading to the
development of personal computers.

o
o Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs): Made computers more user-friendly.
Fifth Generation (1980s-Present):
o Artificial Intelligence (AI): Focus on developing computers that can learn and make
decisions.

2 What is a computer?
A computer is an electronic device that processes data (or information) using binary code, which
consists of sequences of 0s and 1s (photos or websites are converted to 0s and 1s). It operates
according to a set of instructions called a program.
3 Types of a computers
There are several types of computers, each designed for specific tasks and functions. In the following
we present the most common types:

• Supercomputers: Supercomputers are the most powerful computers (processing trillions of

instructions per second). Supercomputers used for complex tasks such as climate research and
scientific simulations (e.g. nuclear reactions).

• Mainframe Computers: Mainframe is a High-performance computer used by large

organizations for processing enormous amounts of data. Mainframe can process billions of
simple calculations and transactions in real-time. And they play a crucial role in sectors like
banking, healthcare, and government.

• Servers: Server is a computer that provides data, services and resources to computers
connected to a network. It can look like a desktop personal computer, but the server boasts
high-performance features where it can manage multiple requests from users
simultaneously. Also, it has a different operating system such as Windows Server.
 • Personal Computers (PCs): A personal computer specifically designed for use by a single
user at a time. there are different types of PCs such as desktops, laptops, tablets, and
smartphones.
➢ Desktop PC: A desktop PC, or personal computer is designed to be used at a desk. It
is composed with a case that contains the internal computer components, monitor,
keyboard and mouse where all the components are relied to the case.
➢ Laptop: Laptop, also known as a notebook computer, is a small and portable
PC. Laptop integrates the display, keyboard, touchpad, and speakers into a single unit.
➢ Tablets: Tablet is a Portable device that depends on a touchscreen for navigation
devices that integrate the functionalities of a PC and a smartphone.
➢ Smartphones: Smartphones are mobile devices that combine phone functionality with
computer applications and internet connectivity.

4 Components of a Computer
Computers are composed by both of hardware (physical parts) and software.

4.1 Hardware

4.1.1 Definition
Hardware refers to the physical parts (the touched parts) of a computer including internal and external
components, such as the CPU, RAM, storage devices, keyboards and monitors. The hardware is the
system that store and run the instructions provided by the software.

4.1.2 Basic Components of hardware

Here we will depict the essential parts of a computer, such as the CPU, RAM, motherboard, power
supply, and storage devices.
 1. Computer Case: Computer Case contains the most of computer components, such as the
motherboard, power supply, and storage devices.
2. Motherboard: Motherboard is a large circuit board that connects all components of a
computer together. The main components of the motherboard are CPU and memory (RAM),
the components are interconnected with buses that act as a pathway for transmitting data
between different parts of the computer.
3. Central Processing Unit (CPU): CPU is referred to as the brain of the computer. the CPU
chip is responsible for performing math calculations and executing instructions provided by
programs and converting raw data into meaningful information. the CPU located in the
motherboard, and it is covered by a heat sink and a fan to keep it cool.
Components and Functions of CPU

• Storage Unit: Storage Unit also called main memory is a small unit responsible for
storing instructions and data temporarily.

• Control Unit (CU): The CU is responsible for controlling the various operations of the
CPU (and other hardware components). The CU decodes the program instructions
retrieved from memory and generate signals to execute program instructions.
o For more detail on CU consult the Video: https://youtu.be/-Qs5Ypwnb9c

• Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): The ALU is responsible for Arithmetic operations like
addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, and logical operations like comparison
(greater than, less than, equal to).

4. Memory
The primary memory RAM and ROM store temporarily the used data by the processor and they are
accessible directly by the CPU
1. Random-Access Memory (RAM): the RAM stores data that is being used or
processed by the CPU . RAM is a volatile memory (it requires power to maintain the
data); the stored data is cleared when the computer is turned off.
ROM: ROM (Read-Only Memory) is not a volatile memory. As its name implies,
the stored data cannot be modified, it is only for read because it stores firmware
(software) and BIOS which are crucial for booting up the system.
5. Storage Devices (HDD/SSD)
Storage devices (Hard Disk Drive (HDD) or Solid-State Drive (SSD)) store the computer data,
applications and operating systems for a long-term.
Hard Disk Drive (HDD): HDD utilize spinning disks (magnetic storage) to store data. It offers
different storage capacities (spanning from a few gigabytes (GB) to multiple terabytes (TB)) with
lower costs.

Solid State Drive (SSD): SSD utilize flash memory (integrated circuits) to store data. SSD offers
smaller storage capacities but with better performance (quicker boot times and faster access to files).
SSDs are more expensive than HDDs
6. Power Supply Unit (PSU): Transforms electricity from an outlet into usable power for the
other components.
7. A Graphics Processing Unit (GPU): GPU is designed to speed up the processing of images
and videos. the GPU permits rendering1 computer graphics and performing large-scale
computations2. There are two types of GPU, dedicated graphics cards (standalone cards
suited for high-performance tasks) and integrated graphics (integrated into the
motherboard(basic computing tasks)). GPU has its own memory called VRAM, which is
dedicated to storing image data. GPU is used for rendering gaming and graphics, artificial
intelligence, and high-performance computing.
8. Data Transmission Lines: Data Transmission Lines allows the transferring of data between
different components of a computer.
Internal Cables: there are different type such as power cables and SATA cables. The
latter is used for connecting storage devices like HDDs and SSDs to the motherboard.
Bus Lines: are pathway on the motherboard used for transmitting data between
different parts of the computer.
9. Expansion Cards: also known as interface cards, they are included to enhance the
computer’s functionality.
• Graphics Cards (GPUs)
• Network Interface Cards (NICs): Enable wired or wireless network connections.
• Sound Cards: Enhance audio quality.
10. Peripheral Devices
Input Devices: Devices used to input data into the computer, such as the keyboard,
mouse or Trackpad, Scanner and sensors.
Output Devices: are used to output data from the computer, such as the monitor
(displays visual information) and printer, and speakers.

4.2 Software
Software is indispensable component that enables hardware to function. Software is a collection of
computer instructions that inform the computer how to work.

1
rendering refers to the process of generating an image from a 2D or 3D model using a computer
program.
2
Large-scale computations refer to the processing of vast amounts of data or performing complex
calculations that exceed the capacity of standard computing resources.
4.2.1 System Software: system software is responsible for managing different hardware
components.
o Operating Systems (OS):

OS is responsible for managing hardware resources and establishing the framework

that application software runs within. OS examples include Windows, macOS, and
Linux. Where the OS role is
▪ Resource Management: Manages the computer’s memory, and all its
software and hardware.
▪ User Interface: Provides a user interface, a graphical user interface (GUI), to
interact with the system.
▪ File Management: Controls the creation, deletion, and access of files.
▪ Security: Ensures the security of data and resources by managing user
permissions and protecting against unauthorized access.
o Device Drivers: Device Drivers are programs that enabling the communication of
operating system with hardware devices like printers, graphics cards, and network
adapters.
o Utility Programs: Utility programs are designed to perform maintenance tasks and
enhance system performance. such as File Management Utilities (Windows File
Explorer), Backup Utilities, and Antivirus and Security Utilities.
4.2.2 Application Software:
These programs are designed to help users perform specific tasks. Application Software examples
include Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), and Web Browsers (Google Chrome,
and Microsoft Edge).
4.2.3 BIOS Software
BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is a firmware embedded in the motherboard of computers. BIOS is
responsible for the initialization of the hardware and the load of OS into the memory of computer.
Recently, United Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) replaced BIOS, that is faster than BIOS and
can manage much larger drives.
4.2.4 DOS
A disk operating system (DOS) is a type of operating system that runs from a disk drive rather than a
paper-based medium like a punch card. More specifically, DOS refers to an early command-line-
based operating system used to access, manage, and control a computer’s hardware components.3
There are several types of DOS such as MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System) and PC DOS
(IBM’s version of DOS). MS-DOS developed by Microsoft, and it was the most used.
Example of commands:
• dir: Lists the files and directories in the current directory.
• copy: Copies files from one location to another.
• del: Deletes files.
• cd: Changes the current directory.

4.2.5 Programming languages

Programming languages: Programming languages are a set of instructions (program) that control the
behaviour of a machine. Programming languages allows the creation of software, applications, and
systems.
Programming language types:
• Low-Level Languages: Low-Level Languages is the language that machines can understand
(closer to machine code) and provide more control over hardware. Such as assembly language

3
What Is DOS? (codecademy.com)
• High-Level Languages: High-Level Languages are closer to human language. Such as
Python, Java, and C++.

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