COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

IN ENGINEERING

EMT: 7101
Advanced Concepts of Computers
Kego Kris Solo
Chapter 1
Introduction to computing
A computer is an electronic machine, operating under the
control of instructions stored in its own memory, that can
accept data, manipulate the data according to specified rules,
produce results, and store the results for future use.
Computers process data to create information
 Data is a collection of raw unprocessed facts, figures, and
symbols
 Information is data that is organized, meaningful, and useful.
To process data into information, a computer uses hardware
and software
 Hardware is the electric, electronic, and mechanical
equipment that makes up a computer
 Software is the series of instructions that tells the hardware
how to perform tasks.
Introduction to computing
 Computer hardware components include
◦ Input devices
◦ Output devices
◦ A system unit
◦ Storage devices, and
◦ Communications devices
 An input device is any hardware component that allows a
user to enter data and instructions into a computer. Six
commonly used input devices are the keyboard, mouse,
microphone, scanner, digital camera, and PC camera
 An output device is any hardware component that can
convey information to a user. Three commonly used output
devices are a printer, a monitor, and speakers
Components of a computer
 The system unit is a box-like case made from metal
or plastic that protects the internal electronic
components of the computer from damage
 The central processing unit (CPU) is the electronic
device that interprets and carries out the basic
instructions that operate the computer
 Memory is a temporary holding place for data and
instructions.
 A storage device records and retrieves data to and
from a storage medium. Six common storage devices
are a floppy disk drive, a Zip® drive, a hard disk drive,
a CD-ROM drive, a CD-RW drive, a DVD-ROM
drive, and a DVD+RW drive
Components of a Computer
A motherboard: Plate upon which the
computer circuit is laid
A modem is a communications device
that enables computers to communicate
Ethernet - a protocol for fast
communication and file transfer across a
network
Bus - an electronic pathway through
which data is transmitted between
components in a computer
A Computer as a Powerful Tool
A computer is a powerful tool that is able to perform
the information processing cycle operations
◦ Input
◦ Process
◦ Output
◦ Storage
 Providing amazing speed, reliability, and accuracy
 Store huge amounts of data and information
 Communicate with other computers
 Computers allow users to generate correct information
quickly, hold the information so it is available at any
time, and share the information with other computer
users.
Computer language (Binary)
A bit is the smallest information parcel on
your computer
A bit stands for Binary Digit, 0 & 1’s
A byte is 8 bits
A kilobyte (kb) is 1,000 bytes.
A megabyte (MB) is approximately
1,000,000 bytes.
A gigabyte (GB) 1,000,000,000 bytes
Booting
 The term "booting" refers to the start up of the computer and the
loading of the required parts of the operating system into RAM.
 When the computer is first switched on:
 The permanent instructions residing in ROM start up. They test the
machine to see that all the physically parts are working.
 BIOS information will be displayed on screen at this time
 The computer then carries out a quick test of the machine’s
memory locations
 Then the system will head to the hard disk drive or the C: drive and
will start to load the operating system.
 It finds the system files command.com, io.sys, msdos.sys and loads
them into RAM.
 If there are peripherals that the OS does not recognize an
autoexec.bat file will execute
 The OS then loads over the top of DOS (disk operating system)
Other computer terminology
 Megahertz:
◦ The execution of the instructions within the computer
system measured in cycles of time (processor speed)
 RAM
◦ means "ready/random access memory" It is a temporary
notepad where your computer sends information it has
processed before writing it to disk (storage space for
instructions before execution)
 ROM
◦ Read only memory, is a chip on the motherboard that
stores a permanent set of start-up instructions for your
computer. The familiar term for ROM is "BIOS“ (specific
to the booting process)
 ROOT DIRECTORY
◦ The main hard drive window
Categories of Software
System software consists of the programs that
control the operations of a computer and its
devices. Two types of system software are the
operating system and utility programs
An operating system (OS) coordinates all
activities among hardware devices and contains
instructions that allow you to run application
software (e.g. Windows, iOS, Linux)
A utility program performs specific tasks,
usually related to managing a computer, its
devices, or its programs. You interact with
software through its user interface. (e.g. MS-
Office)
Categories of Software
 Application software consists of programs that perform
specific tasks for users. Popular application software includes
word processing software, spreadsheet software, database
software, and presentation graphics software
 Application software can be
◦ Packaged software (copyrighted software that meets the needs
of a variety of users)
◦ Custom software (tailor-made software developed at a user’s
request e.g. Tally, Auto CAD)
◦ Freeware (copyrighted software provided at no cost e.g.
Microsoft Education)
◦ Public-domain software (software donated for public use with
no copyright restrictions e.g. Facebook, Gmail)
◦ Shareware (copyrighted software distributed free for a trial
period esp. Games, Anti-virus software).
Networks
A network is a collection of computers and
devices connected together via communications
medium, such as modems, cables, telephone lines,
cellular radio, and satellites
Networks allow users to share resources, such as
hardware devices, software devices, data, and
information
Most business computers are networked, either by
a local area network (LAN) in a limited
geographic area or by a wide area network
(WAN) e.g NWSC, Stanbic bank, et al. in a large
geographical area.
World Wide Web
 The world’s largest network is the Internet, which is a
worldwide collection of networks that links together millions
of businesses, government agencies, educational institutions,
and individuals
 Users connect to the Internet to send messages, access
information, shop for goods and services, meet or converse
with other users, and access sources of entertainment and
leisure
 Most users connect to the Internet through an Internet service
provider (ISP) or an online service provider (OSP)
 The World Wide Web is a popular segment of the Internet
that contains billions of documents called Web pages.
 These documents can contain text, graphics, sound, video,
and built-in connections, or links, to other Web pages stored
on computers throughout the world.
Terminology of the Internet
Internet Internet is the world largest
network; a worldwide collection of
networks that links together millions of
computers and other internet ready
devices (like Cell phones) by means of
modems, telephone lines, wireless
technology and other communication
devices and media.
Terminology of the Internet
Web page
◦ Web page is electronic document on the Web that can contain text,
graphical images, video and sound as well as links to other pages
Web Site
◦ Web site is a collection of related Web pages.
IP address
◦ IP address is used by the Internet Protocol to identify
each computer on the internet. The format of an IP
address is a 32-bit numeric address written in form of 4
numbers between 0 and 255 each separated by a period
e.g. 192.156.23.2.
Terminology of the Internet
URL Uniform Resource Locator.
◦ A URL is the address of every single document,
page or other resources the World Wide Web. It
is basically made up of your IP address
(translated into your domain name) then where
the document is located on your server then the
actual page name. For Example:
http://yourdomain/yourfolder/yourdocument.yo
urdocumenttype
Terminology of the Internet
Web Server
◦ Web server is a computer that delivers Web pages.
◦ It serves static content (web pages) to the Web
browser by loading the file from the disk and
serving it across the network to the users Web
browser (Internet Explorer, Netscape etc.).
◦ For example if you enter URL ../index.htm in your
browser, this sends a request to the server whose
domain name is bewebmaster.com
◦ The server than fetches the page named index.htm
and sends it to your browser.
Terminology of the Internet
Index page
◦ Index page is the first page that loads when
the domain name is typed in the Web browser
HTTP
◦ HyperText Transfer Protocol, the underlying
protocol used by the World Wide Web. HTTP
defines how messages are formatted and
transmitted, and what actions Web servers and
browsers should take in response to various
commands.
Terminology of the Internet
FTP
◦ File Transfer Protocol This is a set of rules for
transferring files between computers on the internet.
You normally use an FTP program to log onto your
server and upload your web pages.
Bandwidth
◦ The amount of data that can be transmitted in a fixed
amount of time from your web site. It is usually
measured in gigabytes.
◦ Basically any traffic from your web site: loading of
images, file downloading, viewing of audio or video
that resides on your web site generates data transfer
Terminology of the Internet
Protocol
◦ A set of rules that computers use to communicate
across networks on the internet
SMTP
◦ Simple Mail Transport Protocol It is the technical
name for the way that email messages are sent
POP
◦ Post Office Protocol is the technical name for the
way some email servers deliver your mail
 
Terminology of the Internet
Web Host
◦ Web host is in the business of providing server
space, Web services and file maintenance for Web
sites controlled by individuals or companies that
do not have their own Web servers.
◦ Many ISPs, such as America Online, will allow
subscribers a small amount of server space to
host a personal Web page. Other commercial
ISP's will charge the user a fee depending on
the complexity of the site being hosted.
Terminology of the Internet
DNS
◦ Domain Name System is internet service which translates
IP addresses into Domain Names.
◦ For example the Domain Name www.yourdomain.com
might translate 192.167.29.02.DNS service is in fact a
network.
◦ If one DNS server doesn't know how to translate a
particular domain name, it asks another one, and so on,
until the correct IP address is returned
Domain Name
◦ Domain Name is easier alphabetical name to identify a IP
address
Categories of Computers & their
Uses
A personal computer can perform all of its input,
processing, output, and storage activities by itself. Personal
computers include desktop computers and notebook
computers
 A desktop computer is designed so the system unit, input
devices, output devices, and any other devices fit entirely on
or under a desk or table
 Variations of desktop computers include
◦ Tower models (computers with tall and narrow system units that
can sit vertically on the floor)
◦ All-in-one computers (less expensive computers that combine
the monitor and system unit into a single device), and
◦ Workstations (more expensive and powerful computers
designed for work that requires intense calculation and graphics
capabilities).
Categories of Computers & their
Uses
A notebook computer is a portable personal computer small
enough fit on your lap. Notebook and desktop computers are
used at home or in the office to perform application software-
related tasks or to access the Internet.
 A handheld computer is a small computer that fits in your
hand. Handheld computers can perform specific, industry-
related functions, or can be general-purpose.
 A PDA (personal digital assistant) is a handheld computer
that provides personal organizer functions, such as a calendar,
appointment book, and notepad
 An Internet appliance is a computer with limited
functionality whose main purpose is to connect to the Internet
from home.
Categories of Computers & their
Uses
A mid-range server is more powerful and larger
than a workstation computer
◦ Users typically access a mid-range server through a
personal computer or a terminal, which is a device
with a monitor and a keyboard that usually has no
stand-alone processing power.
A mainframe is a large, expensive, very powerful
computer that can handle hundreds or thousands
of connected users simultaneously.
A supercomputer is the fastest, most powerful,
and most expensive category of computer.
Users of Computers
A home user spends time on the computer for personal and
business communications, budgeting and personal financial
management, entertainment, and Web access
 A small office/home office (SOHO) user includes any
company with fewer than 50 employees, as well as self-
employed people that work out of their home
 A mobile user travels to and from a main office or school to
conduct business, communicate, or do homework
 A large business user works for a company that has a large
number of employees and computers usually connected to a
network
 The power user – such as an engineer, architect, or desktop
publisher – typically works with multimedia, which
combines several media elements into one application, and
requires the capabilities of a workstation or other powerful
computer.
Information Processing Cycle
The first three operations in the
information processing cycle — input,
process, and output — are performed to
process data into information, while the
fourth operation — storage — refers to a
computer’s electronic reservoir capability
Data is processed into information
Computer Power
 In one billionth of a second, an electronic signal
travels almost 12 inches. This means that today’s
supercomputer can perform 1.8 trillion operations per
second
 Supercomputers have more than 600 gigabytes of
memory, meaning that they can store more than 600
billion letters, numbers, and special characters, and
have 2 terabytes (2 trillion bytes) of disk space
 Equally important is the speed at which data can be
retrieved, processed, and stored again
 The reliability of computer components is measured in
MTBF (mean time between failure, in hours).
Evolution of Software
 Popular operating systems include DOS (Disk
Operating System), Windows 3.x (technically, not an
operating system but an operating environment that
makes DOS easier to use), Windows 95, Windows 98,
Windows 2000, Windows XP, Mac OS, OS/2, UNIX,
Linux (rhymes with cynics), and NetWare
 DOS was developed by Microsoft for IBM personal
computers
 DOS started Microsoft’s climb to the top of the
software world -- at one time, versions of DOS were
used worldwide by more than 100 million people
 DOS has a command-line interface, meaning that
people have to memorize and type instructions.
Progression of Software
 Today, operating systems with a graphical user
interface, such as Microsoft’s Windows, are far more
popular.
 Most application software packages are designed to be
used with specific operating systems
 Much of the software with which you are familiar is
packaged software
 Because of their complexity, most software programs
are written by teams of programmers working together
 Just as people understand a variety of spoken
languages (English, French, Chinese, and so on),
computers recognize a number of programming
languages.
References
Peter J. Denning, et al. (January 1999).
"Computing as a Discipline" (PDF).
Communications of the ACM (
Association for Computing Machinery). Retrieved
2012-11-30.
Peter, Naur; Brian Randell (7–11 October 1968).
"Software Engineering: Report of a conference sp
onsored by the NATO Science Committe
e
Archibald, J.A. (May 1975). "Computer Science
education for majors of other disciplines". AFIPS
Joint Computer Conferences: 903–906.