Introduction to Computers

1- A World of Computers

Computers are everywhere: at work, at school, and at home. As shown above

people use all types and sizes of computers for a variety of reasons and in a range
of places. While some computers sit on top of a desk or on the floor, mobile
computers and mobile devices are small enough to carry. Mobile devices, such as
many cell phones, often are classified as computers.
Computers are a primary means of local and global communication for billions of
people. Consumers use computers to correspond with businesses, employees with
other employees and customers, students with classmates and teachers, and family
members and military personnel with friends and other family members. In
addition to sending simple notes, people use computers to share photos, drawings,
documents, calendars, journals, music, and videos. Through computers, society has
instant access to information from around the globe.

Local and national news, weather reports, sports scores, airline schedules,
telephone directories, maps and directions, job listings, credit reports, and
countless forms of educational material always are accessible. From the computer,
you can make a telephone call, meet new friends, share opinions or life stories,
book flights, shop, fill prescriptions, file taxes, take a course, receive alerts, and
automate your home. At home or while on the road, people use computers to
manage schedules and contacts, listen to voice mail messages, balance checkbooks,
pay bills, transfer funds, and buy or sell stocks. Banks place ATMs (automated
teller machines) all over the world, so that customers can deposit and withdraw
funds anywhere at any time. At the grocery store, a computer tracks purchases,
calculates the amount of money due, and often generates coupons customized to
buying patterns. Vehicles include onboard navigation systems that provide
directions, call for emergency services, and track the vehicle if it is stolen.

In the workplace, employees use computers to create correspondence such as e-

mail messages, memos, and letters; manage calendars; calculate payroll; track
inventory; and generate invoices. At school, teachers use computers to assist with
classroom instruction. Students complete assignments and conduct research on
computers in lab rooms, at home, or elsewhere. Instead of attending class on
campus, some students take entire classes directly from their computer.

People also spend hours of leisure time using a computer. They play games, listen
to music or radio broadcasts, watch or compose videos and movies, read books and
magazines, share stories, research genealogy, retouch photos, and plan vacations.
As technology continues to advance, computers have become a part of everyday
life. Thus, many people believe that computer literacy is vital to success in today’s
world. Computer literacy, also known as digital literacy, involves having a
current knowledge and understanding of computers and their uses. Because the
requirements that determine computer literacy change as technology changes, you
must keep up with these changes to remain computer literate.
2- What Is a Computer?
A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions
stored in its own memory that can accept data (input), process the data according to
specified rules, produce information (output), and store the information for future
use.
a- Functionalities of a computer
Any digital computer carries out five functions in gross terms:

1- Takes data as input.

2- Stores the data/instructions in its memory and uses them once needed.
3- Processes the data and converts it into useful information.
4- Generates the output.
5- Controls all the above four steps.

b- Data and Information

Computers process data into information. Data is a collection of unprocessed
items, which can include text, numbers, images, audio, and video. Information
conveys meaning and is useful to people. Many daily activities either involve the
use of or depend on information from a computer. As shown in Figure 1-1, for
example, computers process several data items to print information in the form of a
cash register receipt.

DATA
PROCESSES
2 Medium sodas $ 1.49 each
1 Small Turkey Sub $ 3.49 each
1 Caesar Salad` $ 4.49 each
1 Chips $ 0.99 each
3 Cookies $ 0.39 eachPROCESSES
Amount Received $20.00

c- Information Processing Cycle

Computers process data (input) into information (output). Computers carry out
processes using instructions, which are the steps that tell the computer how to
perform a particular task. A collection of related instructions organized for a
common purpose is referred to as software. A computer often holds data,
information, and instructions in storage for future use. Some people refer to the
series of input, process, output, and storage activities as the information processing
cycle. Most computers today communicate with other computers. As a result,
communications also has become an essential element of the information
processing cycle.

PROCESSES

• Computes each item’s total price by multiplying the quantity ordered by the item
price (i.e., 2 * 1.49 = 2.98).
• Organizes data.
• Sums all item total prices to determine order total due from customer (XXX).
• Calculates change due to customer by subtracting the order total from amount
received (20.00 - 13.12 = 6.88).

INFORMATIONS

Figure 1-1 A computer processes data into information. In this simplified example,
the item ordered, item price, quantity ordered, and amount received all represent
data. The computer processes the data to produce the cash register receipt
(information).
Figure 1-1

Sagesse Restaurant
Check No.2233

QTY ITEM TOTAL

2 Medium sodas $ 2.98
1 Small Turkey Sub $ 3.49
1 Caesar Salad $ 4.49
1 Chips $ 0.99
3 Cookies $ 1.17

Total Due $13.12

Amount Received $20.00
Change $ 6.88

Thank You

3-The Components of a Computer

A computer contains many electric, electronic, and mechanical components known
as hardware. These components include input devices, output devices, a system
unit, storage devices, and communications devices. Figure 1-2 shows some
common computer hardware components. In addition to the hardware any
computer cannot operate without software.
I- Hardware:
Computer hardware is the collection of physical elements that constitutes a
computer system. Computer hardware refers to the physical parts or components of
a computer such as the monitor, mouse, keyboard, computer data storage, hard
drive disk (HDD), system unit (graphic cards, sound cards, memory, motherboard
and chips), etc. all of which are physical objects that can be touched.

Figure 1-2 Common computer hardware components include a keyboard, mouse, microphone, scanner, Web cam,
printer, monitor, speakers, system unit, hard disk drive, external hard disk, optical disc drive(s), USB flash drive, card
reader/writer, memory cards, and a modem

1-Input Devices:
An input device is any hardware component that allows you to enter data and
instructions into a computer; moreover this device translates data from a form that
humans understand to another one that the computer can work with.
Five widely used input devices are the keyboard, mouse, microphone, scanner, and
Web cam (Figure 1-2).

Example of Input Devices:

Keyboard Mouse (pointing device) Microphone

Touch screen Scanner Webcam
Touchpads MIDI keyboard Pen Input
Graphics Tablets Cameras Trackballs
Barcode reader Microphone Gamepad
Joystick Electronic Whiteboard

A computer keyboard (Qwerty, Azerty) contains keys you press to enter data into
the computer. For security purposes, some keyboards include a fingerprint reader,
which allows you to work with the computer only if your fingerprint is recognized.

A mouse is a small handheld device. With the mouse, you control movement of a
small symbol on the screen, called the pointer, and you make selections from the
screen.

A microphone allows you to speak into the computer.

A scanner converts printed material (such as text and pictures) into a form the
computer can use.

A Web cam is a digital video camera that allows you to create movies or take
pictures and store them on the computer instead of on tape or film.

2- Output Devices:
An output device is any piece of hardware component used to communicate the
results of data processing system into human-readable form.

Example on Output Devices:

Monitor LCD Projection Panels

Printers (all types) Computer Output Microfilm (COM)
Plotters Speaker(s)
Projector
Three commonly used output devices are: a printer, a monitor, and speakers
(Figure 1-2).

A printer produces text and graphics on a physical output such as paper. Three
types of printer are the most common ones: Laser Printers, Ink Jet Printers, and the
Dot Matrix Printers.

A monitor displays text, graphics, and videos on a screen. Three types of monitors
are the most common used: Cathode Ray Tube (CRT), Liquid Cristal Displays
(LCD), and the Light Emitting Diode (LED).

Speakers allow you to hear music, voice, and other audio (sounds).

3- System Unit (case):

The system unit is a case that contains the electronic components of the computer
that are used to process data (Figure 1-2):

The circuitry of the system unit usually is part of or is connected to a circuit board
called the motherboard.

Two main components on the motherboard are the processor and memory.

a-Central Processing Unit (CPU):

The processor, also called a CPU is brain of a computer. The CPU is
responsible for all functions and processes. In another words the CPU is the
most important element of a computer system; moreover it is the component that
interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate the computer.

b- Memory: Primary & Secondary

Memory consists of electronic components that store instructions waiting to

be executed and data needed by those instructions. Although some forms of
memory are permanent, most memory keeps data and instructions temporarily,
which mean its contents, are erased when the computer is turned off.

1- Primary memory (RAM & ROM):

RAM (Random Access Memory): is a memory within the computer system

responsible for storing data on a temporary basis, so that it can be promptly
accessed by the processor as and when needed. It is volatile in nature, which
means that data will be erased once PC device is turned off.

ROM (Read Only Memory): is a permanent form of storage. ROM stays

active regardless of whether power supply to it is turned on or off. ROM
devices do not allow data stored on them to be modified easily.

2- Secondary Memory or Storage devices:

This type of storage holds permanently data, instructions, programs, and

information for future use (even after the power is turned off). For example,
computers can store hundreds or millions of customer names and addresses.

A computer keeps data, instructions, and information on storage media. Examples

of storage media are USB flash drives, hard disks, optical discs, tapes, memory
cards & cloud solutions.

A storage device records (writes) and/or retrieves (reads) items to and from
storage media. Drives and readers/writers, which are types of storage devices
(Figure 1-2 previous page), accept a specific kind of storage media. For example, a
DVD drive (storage device) accepts a DVD (storage media). Storage devices often
function as a source of input because they transfer items from storage to memory.

a- USB Flash disk (Universal Serial Bus):

A storage module made of flash memory chips. A USB flash drive is a type of a
portable storage device that is small and lightweight enough to be transported on a
keychain or in a pocket. The USB can only be plugged in a special socket within
the computer.
b- Hard Disk Drive (HDD):
A hard disk is a unit often called a "disk drive," "hard drive," or "hard disk drive,"
that stores and provides relatively quick access to large amounts of data on an
electromagnetically charged surface. A hard disk provides much greater storage
capacity than a USB flash drive. Hard disks are enclosed in an airtight, sealed case.
Although some are portable, most are housed inside the system unit (Figure 1-
3).Portable hard disks are either external or removable. An external hard disk is a
separate, freestanding unit, whereas you insert and remove a removable hard disk
from the computer or a device connected to the computer.
 Figure1-3
c- Optical Disk (ODD):
An optical disc is a flat, round, portable metal disc with a plastic coating.
An optical disc drive is a disk drive that uses laser light as part of the process of
reading or writing data to or from optical discs. Some drives can only read from
discs, but recent drives are commonly both readers and recorders, also called
burners or writers. Compact discs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs are common types
of optical media which can be read and recorded by such drives. Optical drive is
the generic name; drives are usually described as "CD" "DVD", or "Blu-ray",
followed by "drive", "writer", etc. CDs can store up to 700 megabytes (MB) of
data and DVDs can store up to 8.4 GB of data. Blu-ray discs, which are the
newest type of optical media, can store up to 50 GB of data.

Figure 1-4 A DVD in a DVD drive.

N.B: Some mobile devices, drones, digital games & digital cameras, use memory
cards as the storage media. You can use a card reader/writer to transfer the stored
items, such as digital photos, from the memory card to a computer or printer.

II- Software:

Software, also called a program, consists of a series of related instructions,

organized for a common purpose, that tells the computer what tasks to perform
and how to perform them.
Software is a generic term for organized collections of computer data and
instructions, often broken into two major categories called system software &
application software . System software consists of the programs that control or
maintain the operations of the computer and its devices. System software serves
as the interface between the user, the application software, and the computer’s
hardware. Two types of system software are the operating system and utility
programs.

a- Operating System (OS) & Utility Program: the operating system is a set of
programs that coordinates all the activities among computer hardware devices.
In other words the OS is responsible for controlling, integrating, and managing
the individual hardware components of a computer system. The OS consists of
fundamental utilities such as disk formatters, device drivers, file managers,
display managers, text editors, user authentication (login) and management tools,
and networking and device control software. Many of today’s computers use
Microsoft’s Windows, or Mac OS, Apple’s operating system.

The Utility Program allows a user to perform maintenance type tasks usually
related to managing a computer, its devices, or its programs. For example, you can
use a utility program to transfer digital photos to an optical disc. Most operating
systems include several utility programs for managing disk drives, printers, and
other devices and media.

b- Application software is used to accomplish specific tasks other than just

running the computer system. Application software may consist of a single
program, such as an image viewer; a small collection of programs (often
called a software package) that work closely together to accomplish a task,
such as a spreadsheet or text processing system; a larger collection (often called
a software suite) of related but independent programs and packages that have
a common user interface or shared data format, such as Microsoft Office,
which consists of closely integrated word processor, spreadsheet, database,
etc.; or a software system, such as a database management system, which is
a collection of fundamental programs that may provide some service to a variety
of other independent applications.
 Comparison System Software and Application Software
System Software Application Software
Computer software, or just software is a
general term primarily used for digitally stored Application software, also known as an
data such as computer programs and other application or an "app", is computer software
kinds of information read and written by designed to help the user to perform specific
computers. App comes under computer tasks.
software though it has a wide scope now.
Example: 1) Opera (Web Browser)
1) Microsoft Windows
2) Microsoft Word (Word Processing)
2) Linux
3) Microsoft Excel (Spreadsheet software)
3) Unix
4) MySQL (Database Software)
4) Mac OSX
5) Microsoft PowerPoint (Presentation Software)
5) DOS
6) Adobe Photoshop (Graphics Software)
Interaction: Users always interact with application software
Generally, users do not interact with system
while doing different activities.
software as it works in the background.
Dependency: System software can run independently of the Application software cannot run without the
application software. presence of the system software.

4- Unit of Measurements:

a-Storage measurements: The basic unit used in computer data storage is

called a bit (binary digit). Computers use these little bits, which are composed of
ones and zeros, to do things and communicate with other computers. All your
files, for instance, are kept in the computer as binary files and translated into
words and pictures by the software (which is also ones and zeros). This two
number system, is called a “binary number system” since it has only two
numbers in it. The decimal number system in contrast has ten unique digits, zero
through nine.

Computer Storage units

Bit BIT 0 or 1
Kilobyte KB 1024 bytes
Megabyte MB 1024 kilobytes
Gigabyte GB 1024 megabytes
Terabyte TB 1024 gigabytes
b- Speed measurement: The speed of Central Processing Unit (CPU) is
measured by Hertz (Hz), which represent a CPU cycle. The speed of CPU is
known as Computer Speed.

CPU SPEED MEASURES

1 hertz or Hz 1 cycle per second
1 MHz 1 million cycles per second or 1000 Hz
1 GHz 1 billion cycles per second or 1000 MHz

5- Computers classifications:

Computers can be generally classified by size and power as follows:

a- Personal computer: a small, single-user computer based on a

microprocessor. In addition to the microprocessor, a personal computer has a
keyboard for entering data, a monitor for displaying information, and a storage
device for saving data.
b - Workstation : a powerful, single-user computer. A workstation is like a
personal computer, but it has a more powerful microprocessor and a
higher-quality monitor.
c- Minicomputer/server : A multi-user computer capable of supporting from 10
to hundreds of users simultaneously.

d- Mainframe : A powerful multi-user computer capable of supporting many

hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously.
e- Supercomputer : An extremely fast computer that can perform hundreds of
millions of instructions per second.

f- Laptop: a laptop is a battery or AC-powered personal computer that can be

easily carried and used in a variety of locations. Many laptops are designed to
have all of the functionality of a desktop computer, which means they can
generally run the same software and open the same types of files. However, some
laptops, such as netbooks, sacrifice some functionality in order to be even more
portable.
g- Netbook: a netbook is a type of laptop that is designed to be even more
portable. Netbooks are often cheaper than laptops or desktops. They are generally
less powerful than other types of computers, but they provide enough power for
email and internet access, which is where the name "netbook" comes from.

h- Mobile Device: a mobile device is basically any handheld computer. It is

designed to be extremely portable, often fitting in the palm of your hand or in your
pocket. Some mobile devices are more powerful, and they allow you to do
many of the same things you can do with a desktop or laptop computer. These
include tablet computers, e-readers, and smartphones.

i- Tablet Computers: Like laptops, tablet computers are designed to be

portable. However, they provide a very different computing experience. The
most obvious difference is that tablet computers don’t have keyboards or
touchpads. Instead, the entire screen is touch-sensitive, allowing you to type on a
virtual keyboard and use your finger as a mouse pointer. Tablet computers are
mostly designed for consuming media, and they are optimized for tasks like
web browsing, watching videos, reading e-books, and playing games. For
many people, a "regular" computer like a desktop or laptop is still needed in
order to use some programs. However, the convenience of a tablet computer
means that it may be ideal as a second computer.

j- Smartphones: a smartphone is a powerful mobile phone that is designed to

run a variety of applications in addition to phone service. They are basically
small tablet computers, and they can be used for web browsing, watching
videos, reading e-books, playing games and more.

6- Advantages and Disadvantages of Using

Computers
Society has obtained many benefits from using computers. A user is anyone who
communicates with a computer or utilizes the information it generates. Both
business and home users can make well-informed decisions because they have
instant access to information from anywhere in the world. Students, another type
of user, have more tools to assist them in the learning process.
a- Advantages of Using Computers:
Benefits from using computers are possible because computers have the
advantages of speed, accuracy, diligence, storage, communications & versatility.

1- Speed: When data, instructions, and information flow along electronic circuits
in a computer, they travel at incredibly fast speeds. Many computers process
billions or trillions of operations in a single second. Some calculations that
would have taken hours and days to complete otherwise, can be completed
in a few seconds using the computer. For example, calculation and
generation of salary slips of thousands of employees of an organization,
weather forecasting that requires analysis of a large amount of data related to
temperature, pressure and humidity of various places, etc.

2- Accuracy: Computer provides a high degree of accuracy. For example, the

computer can accurately give the result of division of any two numbers up to 10
decimal places.

3- Diligence (meticulous): when used for a longer period of time, the computer
does not get tired or fatigued. It can perform long and complex calculations with
the same speed and accuracy from the start till the end.
4- Storage: Large volumes of data and information can be stored in the
computer and also retrieved whenever required. A computer can transfer data
quickly from storage to memory, process it, and then store it again for future use.

5- Communications: Most computers today can communicate with other

computers, often wirelessly. Computers with this capability can share any of the
four information processing, cycle operations, input, process, output, and
storage with another computer or a user.

6- Versatility: Computer is versatile in nature. It can perform different types

of tasks with the same ease. At one moment you can use the computer to prepare a
letter document and in the next moment you may play music or print a
document.

b- Disadvantages of Using Computers

Some disadvantages of computers relate to health risks, the violation of privacy,

public safety, the impact on the labor force, and the impact on the environment.
a- Health Risks: Prolonged or improper computer use can lead to injuries or
disorders of the hands, wrists, elbows, eyes, neck, and back. Computer users can
protect themselves from these health risks through proper workplace design, good
posture while at the computer, and appropriately spaced work breaks. Two
behavioral health risks are computer addiction and technology overload.
Computer addiction occurs when someone becomes obsessed with using a
computer. Individuals suffering from technology overload feel distressed when
deprived of computers and mobile devices. Once recognized, both computer
addiction and technology overload are treatable disorders.

b- Violation of Privacy: Nearly every life event is stored in a computer

somewhere . . . in medical records, credit reports, tax records, etc. In many
instances, where personal and confidential records were not protected properly,
individuals have found their privacy violated and identities stolen.

c- Public Safety: Adults, teens, and children around the world are using
computers to share publicly their photos, videos, journals, music, and other
personal information. Some of these unsuspecting, innocent computer users have
fallen victim to crimes committed by dangerous strangers. Protect yourself and
your dependents from these criminals by being cautious in e-mail messages and
on Web sites. For example, do not share information that would allow others to
identify or locate you and do not disclose identification numbers, passwords, or
other personal security details.

d- Impact on Labor Force: Although computers have improved productivity in

many ways and created an entire industry with hundreds of thousands of new jobs,
the skills of millions of employees have been replaced by computers. Thus, it is
crucial that workers keep their education up-to-date. A separate impact on the
labor force is that some companies are outsourcing jobs to foreign countries
instead of keeping their homeland labor force employed.

e- Impact on Environment: Computer manufacturing processes and computer

waste are depleting natural resources and polluting the environment. When
computers are discarded in landfills, they can release toxic materials and
potentially dangerous levels of lead, mercury, and flame retardants.
Green computing involves reducing the electricity consumed and environmental
waste generated when using a computer. Strategies that support green computing
include recycling, regulating manufacturing processes, extending the life of
computers, and immediately donating or properly disposing of replaced
computers. When you purchase a new computer, some retailers offer to dispose of
your old computer properly.

7- Networks and the Internet

a- Network: a network is a collection of computers and devices connected

together, often wirelessly, via communications devices and transmission media.
Networks allow computers to share resources, such as hardware, software, data,
and information. Sharing resources saves time and money. In many networks, one
or more computers act as a server. The server controls access to the resources on a
network. The other computers on the network, each called a client or workstation,
request resources from the server (Figure 1-5). The major differences between the
server and client computers are that the server ordinarily has more power, more
storage space, and expanded communications capabilities. Many homes and most
businesses and schools network their computers and devices. Most allow users to
connect their computers wirelessly to the network. Home networks usually are
small, existing within a single structure. Business and school networks can be
small, such as in a room or building, or widespread, connecting computers and
devices across a city, country, or the globe. The world’s largest computer network
is the Internet.
Figure 1-5 A server manages the resources on a network, and clients access the resources on the server.
This network enables three separate computers to share the same printer, one wirelessly.

b- The Internet : The Internet is a worldwide collection of networks that connects

millions of businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, and
individuals (Figure 1-6).

More than one billion people around the world use the Internet daily for a variety
of reasons, some of which are listed below:

- Communicate with and meet other people,

- Conduct research and access a wealth of information and news
- Shop for goods and services
- Bank and invest
- Participate in online training
 - Engage in entertaining activities, such as planning vacations, playing online
games, listening to music, watching or editing videos, and reading books
and magazines
- Download music and videos, Share information, photos, and videos
- Access and interact with Web applications.

Figure 1-6 The Internet is the largest computer network, connecting millions of computers and devices
around the world.

People connect to the Internet to share information with others around the world.

- E-mail allows you to send and receive messages to and from other users.
With instant messaging.
- You can have a live conversation with another connected user.
- In a chat room, you can communicate with multiple users at the same time
much like a group discussion.
- You also can use the Internet to make a telephone call.
 - WWW: The Web, short for World Wide Web, is one of the more popular
services on the Internet. Think of the Web as a global library of information
available to anyone connected to the Internet. The Web contains billions
of documents called Web pages. A Web page can contain text, graphics,
animation, audio, and video.

8- Computer Viruses

1-Viruses: a virus is a small piece of software attached to real programs. For

example, a virus might attach itself to a program such as a spreadsheet program.
Each time the spreadsheet program runs, the virus runs, too, and it has the
chance to reproduce (by attaching to other programs) or cause confusion, change
results or chaos.

2-E-mail viruses: an e-mail virus travels as an attachment to e-mail

messages, and usually replicates itself by automatically mailing itself to dozens
of people in the victim's e-mail address book. Some e-mail viruses don't even
require a double-click, they run when you view the infected message in the
preview pane of your e-mail software.

3- Trojan horses: a Trojan horse is simply a computer program. The program

claims to do one thing (it may claim to be a game) but instead does damage when
you run it (it may erase your hard disk). Trojan horses have no way to replicate
automatically.

4- Worms: a worm is a small piece of software that uses computer networks and
security holes to replicate itself. A copy of the worm scans the network for
another machine that has a specific security hole. It copies itself to the new
machine using the security hole, and then starts replicating from there, as well.

Tips to avoid viruses and lessen their impact

Install anti-virus software from a reputable vendor. Update it and use it
regularly.
 In addition to scanning for viruses on a regular basis, install an "on access"
scanner (included in most anti-virus software packages) and configure it to
 start each time you start up your computer. This will protect your system
by checking for viruses each time you run an executable file.
 Use a virus scan before you open any new programs or files that may
contain executable code. This includes packaged software that you buy
from the store as well as any program you might download from the
Internet.
 If you are a member of an online community or chat room, be very
careful about accepting files or clicking links that you find or that
people send you within the community.
 Make sure you back up your data (documents, bookmark files, important
email messages, etc.) on disc so that in the event of a virus infection, you
do not lose valuable work.

Thank You,

Hisham Khalifeh