Introduction to Computers

 What is a computer?,
 Computers are Everywhere,
 Parts of Computer,
- Hardware, software, Data, Users
 Processing Cycle,
 Computers for Individual Users,
- desktop computers, Workstations, notebook
computers, Tablet computers, Handheld computers,
Smart phones.
 Why Computers are so Important.
Designed by Dr. Ahmad Jalal (Air University)
Grading Criteria

 Assignments 15
 Quizzes 10
 Project Presentation
- Project 5

 Midterm Exam 30
 Final Exam 40

Designed by Dr. Ahmad Jalal (Air University)

Course Books (for Reference)
Introduction to Computers
By: PETER NORTON
6th or 7th Edition

Fundamentals Concepts
of Computer Systems
By: ASIYA SULTAN ALI
AMENA NUDRAT

Designed by Dr. Ahmad Jalal (Air University)

Course Books (for Reference)
Fundamentals of Computers
By: V. Rajaraman
5th Edition

Understanding Computers:
Today and Tomorrow
By: Deborah Morley &
Charles Parker

Designed by Dr. Ahmad Jalal (Air University)

Goal of the Course
An understanding of role computation can play in
solving problems.

Get an idea of development especially web.

Get the basic idea of Databases for the storage of

records.

Designed by Dr. Ahmad Jalal (Air University)

Course Contents
 Introduction to  Internet
Computer Systems
 Working with online
 Processing Data Applications

 Working with
 Storing Data
Application Software's

 Operating Systems  Database Management

 Network  Software Programming

Designed by Dr. Ahmad Jalal (Air University)
1. What is a Computer
 A computer is an
electronic device that
process data, converting
it into information that is
useful to people.

 A computer is controlled
by the programmed
instructions, which give
the machine a purpose
and tell what to do.
Designed by Dr. Ahmad Jalal (Air University)
1. Computer
 It converts data into
information.

 Modern computers are digital.

- Two digits combine to make
data.

 Older computers were analog.

- A range of values made data.

Designed by Dr. Ahmad Jalal (Air University)

2. Computers are Everywhere

Designed by Dr. Ahmad Jalal (Air University)

3. Parts of Computers

Hardware

Software

Data

User (Personnel)

Designed by Dr. Ahmad Jalal (Air University)

3.1 Hardware
 The physical components of a computer is called
hardware.
- Components that are touchable or have some physical
existence.
- Electronic or mechanical components which form a
computer is hardware.
- Even an electronic wire is a kind of hardware.

 Examples are keyboard, CPU and monitor.

Designed by Dr. Ahmad Jalal (Air University)

3.1 Hardware
 The hardware devices attached to the component are
called peripheral devices.
 It includes all I/O and secondary storage devices.

 Some of them are named as;

 Input and Output devices
 Processor
 Memory
 Storage devices

Designed by Dr. Ahmad Jalal (Air University)

3.1 Hardware

Designed by Dr. Ahmad Jalal (Air University)

3.2 Software
 Set of instructions that tell a system what to do.

- Application Software,

- System Software Device Drivers are System Or

Application Software?

Designed by Dr. Ahmad Jalal (Air University)

3.3 Data
 The material provided to the device for processing
and produce a useful information is called “Data.”

 Basically the input part provides Data to the system.

 It can be of any type: text, voice, pointer movement

etc.

Designed by Dr. Ahmad Jalal (Air University)

3.3 Data (Types of Data)
 There are 3 types of data to be entered in the computer.

1. Alphabetic data :-
- Capital letters from A-Z, and small letters from a-z.
2. Numeric data :-
- Decimal numbers from 0-9, decimal point notations.
3. Alphanumeric data :-
- Alphabetic, numeric and special characters/symbols.

Designed by Dr. Ahmad Jalal (Air University)

3.4 Users (Personnel)

 The people who interact with the system are “Users”.

 We usually instruct according to the requirement of

the user, so the users are the most important factor in
building a system.

 The individuals who work in an environment

basically related to computers are known as computer
personnel.

Designed by Dr. Ahmad Jalal (Air University)

3.4 Users (Personnel) (Cont…)
 They belong to different types according to their
nature of work and educational background. They are:
i. System Administrator/ Supervisor:-
- supervise the overall management of the system and maintains the
hardware/software.
- responsible for the smooth running of the system.

ii. System Analyst:-

- responsible for feasibility study, system reviews, security assessments,
MIS long range planning or perhaps serving on a hardware selection
committee instructed by the system administrator.

Designed by Dr. Ahmad Jalal (Air University)

3.4 Users (Personnel) (Cont…)
iii. Programmer:-
- A programmer designs, writes, tests and implements a program in a
particular language/package in the light of the information provided by the
system analyst.
- fulfill the needs of the customer.
iv. Operator:-
- Operator is commonly known as Key Punch Operator (KPO) who;
=> required to input the relevant data into the program developed by the
programmer.
v. Users:-
- people to whom computer systems are supported to serve.
- They can be researchers, executives, engineers, government planners.

Designed by Dr. Ahmad Jalal (Air University)