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MODULE 01: INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTING

INSTRUCTOR: EDAN A. BELGICA

After the completion of the unit, students will be able to:

1. describe the history and evolution of early computing devices, such as the abacus,
mechanical calculators, and early computers, and understand how these devices
influenced modern computing.
2. distinguish between various types of computers, such as supercomputers,
mainframes, personal computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones, and understand
their specific uses and applications.
3. learn about the different generations of computers, from the first to the current
generation, highlighting the key technological advancements and characteristics of
each generation.
4. understand the impact of computers on society, including how the evolution of
computing has transformed various industries, everyday life, and the future of
technology.
5. gain foundational knowledge in computer literacy, enabling them to understand basic
computer concepts, terminology, and the role of computers in solving problems and
performing tasks in different fields.

INTRODUCTION TO C OMPUTING

1.1 Introduction to Computer

What is Computing?

• To compute or calculate basically involves mathematics (layman’s term).

• It is the use or operation of a computer.

What is Computer?

• an electronic device that takes data, processes the data according to a series of
instructions called program, and produces information.
• an electronic device capable of performing mathematical and logical operations.
• an electronic system designed to manipulate data.
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Information Processing Cycle

● Accepts data – input

● Processes data – Processing
● Product output – Output
● Stores results – Storage
With this, four functions of the computer were identified. These functions are collectively
called the Information Processing Cycle: accepts data – input, processes data –
processing, produces output – output and stores results – storage.

Basic Terms

● Hardware - These are the physical parts of a computer.

● Software - These are the instructions or programs that commands the computer what to
do.
● Data - Individual facts such as name, price, and quantity ordered.
● Information - These are data that were transformed into a useful form like a complete
mailing address.
● Default – Original Settings
● Program - series of instructions that a computer must follow in order to process data
into information.

Capabilities of Computers
1. High Speed: Computers can process data and perform calculations at incredibly high
speeds, far surpassing human capabilities.
2. Accuracy: They perform operations with high accuracy, reducing the chances of errors
unless incorrect data or instructions are provided.
3. Automation: Computers can execute repetitive tasks automatically without human
intervention, as long as they are programmed correctly.
4. Storage Capacity: They can store vast amounts of data, from small documents to large
databases, and can retrieve information quickly when needed.
5. Versatility: Computers can be programmed to perform a wide variety of tasks, from
simple calculations to complex simulations and data processing.
6. Multitasking: They can handle multiple tasks at the same time, such as running different
applications or processes simultaneously.
7. Connectivity: Computers can connect to networks and the internet, allowing them to
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communicate and share data globally.
8. Consistency: Computers provide consistent results when the same input and operations
are repeated, which is essential for tasks that require uniformity.
9. Data Analysis: They can analyze large datasets quickly and identify patterns, trends, and
insights that would be impossible for humans to detect manually.
10. Resource Efficiency: By using automation and optimization algorithms, computers can
manage resources such as time, energy, and materials more efficiently than manual
processes.
Limitations of Computers
1. Lack of Intelligence: Computers cannot think or make decisions independently; they rely
on pre-programmed instructions and data input.
2. Dependence on Human Input: They require human input for data, instructions, and
troubleshooting. Without proper input, their output may be meaningless or incorrect.
3. Limited Creativity: Computers cannot create new ideas or concepts independently; they
can only process information within the boundaries of their programming.
4. No Emotional Understanding: Computers cannot understand or replicate human
emotions, empathy, or subjective experiences.
5. GIGO (Garbage In, Garbage Out): If the input data is flawed or incorrect, the computer's
output will also be flawed, regardless of its processing power.
6. Vulnerability to Cyber Threats: Computers can be vulnerable to hacking, malware, and
other security threats, which can compromise data integrity and system functionality.
7. Dependence on Power Supply: Computers require a consistent power supply to operate,
and they cannot function without electricity or an alternate power source.
8. Mechanical and Software Failures: Computers can experience hardware malfunctions,
software bugs, or system crashes that disrupt their operations.
9. No Common Sense: Computers lack common sense and cannot handle ambiguous
instructions or situations outside of their programming.
10. Initial Setup and Maintenance Costs: Setting up and maintaining computer systems can
be costly in terms of both money and time, requiring regular updates and troubleshooting.
Advantages of Using Computers
1. Enhanced Communication: Computers facilitate instant communication through email,
chat, video conferencing, and social media, connecting people globally.
2. Increased Productivity: They improve productivity in workplaces by automating repetitive
tasks, organizing data, and allowing for efficient project management.
3. Access to Information: Computers provide access to a vast amount of information and
resources on the internet, enabling research, learning, and staying updated with the latest
news.
4. Entertainment: They offer a wide range of entertainment options, including games,
movies, music, and streaming services, catering to diverse interests.
5. Improved Education and Learning: Computers enhance education through e-learning
platforms, interactive tutorials, simulations, and access to online courses and resources.
6. Financial Management: They help individuals and businesses manage finances through
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tools like spreadsheets, accounting software, online banking, and investment tracking.
7. Health Monitoring and Medical Advancements: Computers assist in healthcare by
managing patient records, supporting diagnostic tools, and powering medical research and
advanced treatments.
8. Environmental Monitoring: Computers play a key role in environmental monitoring and
data analysis, helping to predict weather patterns, monitor climate change, and manage
natural resources.
9. Convenience in Daily Tasks: From online shopping and digital payments to smart home
automation, computers simplify daily tasks, saving time and effort.
10. Remote Work and Flexibility: They enable remote work, providing the flexibility to work
from anywhere, which can improve work-life balance and reduce commuting times.
Disadvantages of Using Computers
1. Health Issues: Prolonged use of computers can lead to health problems such as eye
strain, carpal tunnel syndrome, poor posture, and sedentary lifestyle-related issues.
2. Privacy Concerns: The extensive use of computers and the internet can lead to privacy
issues, including data breaches, identity theft, and unauthorized tracking.
3. Social Isolation: Over-reliance on computers for communication can reduce face-to-face
interactions, leading to social isolation and a decline in interpersonal skills.
4. Addiction and Distraction: Computers, especially through games and social media, can
be addictive and distract users from important tasks, affecting productivity and focus.
5. Digital Divide: Not everyone has equal access to computers and the internet, leading to a
digital divide that can exacerbate social and economic inequalities.
6. Job Displacement: Automation and computerization can lead to job losses in certain
sectors, as machines and software replace manual labor.
7. Environmental Impact: The production, use, and disposal of computers contribute to
electronic waste and consume significant resources, impacting the environment.
8. Dependence and Overreliance: Heavy reliance on computers can make users vulnerable
when systems fail, or there is a power outage, as many tasks become difficult or
impossible without them.
9. Security Risks: Computers are susceptible to cyber attacks, viruses, and malware, which
can lead to data loss, financial damage, and compromised systems.
10. Learning Curve and Technical Issues: Not everyone is comfortable using computers,
and there can be a steep learning curve for those unfamiliar with technology. Technical
issues, such as software glitches or hardware malfunctions, can also disrupt activities.
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1.2 Early Computing Devices
1. Abacus
Abacus was invented by the Chinese around 4000 years ago. It’s a wooden rack with
metal rods with beads attached to them. The abacus operator moves the beads
according to certain guidelines to complete arithmetic computations.

2. Napier’s Bone
John Napier devised Napier’s Bones, a manually operated calculating apparatus. For
calculating, this instrument used 9 separate ivory strips (bones) marked with numerals
to multiply and divide. It was also the first machine to calculate using the decimal point
system.

3. Pascaline
Pascaline was invented in 1642 by Biaise Pascal, a French mathematician and
philosopher. It is thought to be the first mechanical and automated calculator. It was a
wooden box with gears and wheels inside.
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4. Stepped Reckoner or Leibniz wheel
In 1673, a German mathematician-philosopher named Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz
improved on Pascal’s invention to create this apparatus. It was a digital mechanical
calculator known as the stepped reckoner because it used fluted drums instead of
gears.

5. Difference Engine
In the early 1820s, Charles Babbage created the Difference Engine. It was a
mechanical computer that could do basic computations. It was a steam-powered
calculating machine used to solve numerical tables such as logarithmic tables.

6. Analytical Engine
Charles Babbage created another calculating machine, the Analytical Engine, in 1830.
It was a mechanical computer that took input from punch cards. It was capable of
solving any mathematical problem and storing data in an indefinite memory.
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7. Tabulating machine
An American Statistician – Herman Hollerith invented this machine in the year 1890.
Tabulating Machine was a punch card-based mechanical tabulator. It could compute
statistics and record or sort data or information. Hollerith began manufacturing these
machines in his company, which ultimately became International Business Machines
(IBM) in 1924.

8. Differential Analyzer
Vannevar Bush introduced the first electrical computer, the Differential Analyzer, in
1930. This machine is made up of vacuum tubes that switch electrical impulses in
order to do calculations. It was capable of performing 25 calculations in a matter of
minutes.

9. Mark I
Howard Aiken planned to build a machine in 1937 that could conduct massive
calculations or calculations using enormous numbers. The Mark I computer was
constructed in 1944 as a collaboration between IBM and Harvard.
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1.3 History of Computer

Since the evolution of humans, devices have been used for calculations for thousands
of years. One of the earliest and most well-known devices was an abacus. Then in
1822, the father of computers, Charles Babbage began developing what would be the
first mechanical computer. And then in 1833 he actually designed an Analytical Engine
which was a general-purpose computer. It contained an ALU, some basic flow chart
principles and the concept of integrated memory.

Then more than a century later in the history of computers, we got our first electronic
computer for general purpose. It was the ENIAC, which stands for Electronic
Numerical Integrator and Computer. The inventors of this computer were John W.
Mauchly and J.Presper Eckert.

And with times the technology developed and the computers got smaller and the
processing got faster. We got our first laptop in 1981 and it was introduced by Adam
Osborne and EPSON.

1.4 Generations of Computer

First Generation: This was from the period of 1940 to 1955. This was when machine
language was developed for the use of computers. They used vacuum tubes for the
circuitry. For the purpose of memory, they used magnetic drums. These machines
were complicated, large, and expensive. They were mostly reliant on batch operating
systems and punch cards. As output and input devices, magnetic tape and paper tape
were implemented. For example, ENIAC, UNIVAC-1, EDVAC, and so on.
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Second Generation: The years 1957-1963 were referred to as the “second generation
of computers” at the time. In second-generation computers, COBOL and FORTRAN
are employed as assembly languages and programming languages. Here they
advanced from vacuum tubes to transistors. This made the computers smaller, faster
and more energy-efficient. And they advanced from binary to assembly languages. For
instance, IBM 1620, IBM 7094, CDC 1604, CDC 3600, and so forth.

Third Generation: The hallmark of this period (1964-1971) was the development of
the integrated circuit. A single integrated circuit (IC) is made up of many transistors,
which increases the power of a computer while simultaneously lowering its cost. These
computers were quicker, smaller, more reliable, and less expensive than their
predecessors. High-level programming languages such as FORTRON-II to IV,
COBOL, and PASCAL PL/1 were utilized. For example, the IBM-360 series, the
Honeywell-6000 series, and the IBM-370/168.
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Fourth Generation: The invention of the microprocessors brought along the fourth
generation of computers. The years 1971-1980 were dominated by fourth generation
computers. C, C++ and Java were the programming languages utilized in this
generation of computers. For instance, the STAR 1000, PDP 11, CRAY-1, CRAY-X-
MP, and Apple II. This was when we started producing computers for home use.

Fifth Generation: These computers have been utilized since 1980 and continue to be
used now. This is the present and the future of the computer world. The defining aspect
of this generation is artificial intelligence. The use of parallel processing and
superconductors are making this a reality and provide a lot of scope for the
future. Fifth-generation computers use ULSI (Ultra Large-Scale Integration)
technology. These are the most recent and sophisticated computers. C, C++, Java,
.Net, and more programming languages are used. For instance, IBM, Pentium,
Desktop, Laptop, Notebook, Ultrabook, and so on.

1.5 Types of Computers

Analog Computers – Analog computers are built with various components such as gears
and levers, with no electrical components. One advantage of analogue computation is that
designing and building an analogue computer to tackle a specific problem can be quite
straightforward.
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Digital Computers – Information in digital computers is represented in discrete form,
typically as sequences of 0s and 1s (binary digits, or bits). A digital computer is a system
or gadget that can process any type of information in a matter of seconds. Digital
computers are categorized into many different types. They are as follows:

a. Mainframe computers – It is a computer that is generally utilized by large enterprises for

mission-critical activities such as massive data processing. Mainframe computers were
distinguished by massive storage capacities, quick components, and powerful
computational capabilities. Because they were complicated systems, they were managed
by a team of systems programmers who had sole access to the computer. These machines
are now referred to as servers rather than mainframes.

b. Supercomputers – The most powerful computers to date are commonly referred to as

supercomputers. Supercomputers are enormous systems that are purpose-built to solve
complicated scientific and industrial problems. Quantum mechanics, weather forecasting,
oil and gas exploration, molecular modelling, physical simulations, aerodynamics, nuclear
fusion research, and cryptoanalysis are all done on supercomputers.
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c. Minicomputers – A minicomputer is a type of computer that has many of the same features
and capabilities as a larger computer but is smaller in size. Minicomputers, which were
relatively small and affordable, were often employed in a single department of an
organization and were often dedicated to a specific task or shared by a small group.

d. Microcomputers – A microcomputer is a small computer that is based on a microprocessor

integrated circuit, often known as a chip. A microcomputer is a system that incorporates at
a minimum a microprocessor, program memory, data memory, and input-output system
(I/O). A microcomputer is now commonly referred to as a personal computer (PC).

e. Embedded processors – These are miniature computers that control electrical and
mechanical processes with basic microprocessors. Embedded processors are often simple
in design, have limited processing capability and I/O capabilities, and need little power.
Ordinary microprocessors and microcontrollers are the two primary types of embedded
processors. Embedded processors are employed in systems that do not require the
computing capability of traditional devices such as desktop computers, laptop computers,
or workstations.

1.6 References
https://www.toppr.com/guides/computer-aptitude-and-knowledge/basics-of-
computers/history-of-computers/