Introduction to Computing

By Engr.Sarmad Ali
sarmad_shaikh2003@yahoo.com

1
 A brief introduction
• Name: Engr. Sarmad Ali

• Qualification: MSc. Advanced telecommunication

& wireless engineering

• Institution: London South Bank University

• Occupation: Lecturer at Bahria University

Discovering Computers 2010: Living in a Digital
World 2
Chapter 1
 Literature

• Peter Nortan,”Introduction to Computers”.

• Literature is not limited to this, internet is readily
available to surf.

Discovering Computers 2010: Living in a Digital

World 3
Chapter 1
 A World of Computers
• Computers are everywhere

Pages 4 - 5 4
Figure 1-1
 What Is a Computer?
• A computer is an electronic device, operating
under the control of instructions stored in its own
memory

Information Processing Cycle

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Chapter 1
 What Is a Computer?

Page 6 Discovering Computers 2010: Living in a Digital World 6

Figure 1-2 Chapter 1
 The Components of a Computer
• A computer contains many electric, electronic, and
mechanical components known as hardware

Pages 6 - 8 Discovering Computers 2010: Living in a Digital World 7

Chapter 1
 The Components of a Computer

Page 7 Discovering Computers 2010: Living in a Digital World 8

Figure 1-3 Chapter 1
 Advantages and Disadvantages
of Using Computers
Advantages of Disadvantages of
Using Computers Using Computers

Discovering Computers 2010: Living in a

Pages 9 - 10 Digital World 9
Chapter 1
 Advantages and Disadvantages
of Using Computers
• Green computing involves reducing the electricity
consumed and environmental waste generated when
using a computer
• Strategies include:
– Recycling
– Regulating manufacturing processes
– Extending the life of computers
– Immediately donating or properly disposing of replaced computers

Page 10 Discovering Computers 2010: Living in a Digital World 10

Chapter 1
 Buying a Machine
• What should be kept in mind during buying a PC?

Discovering Computers 2010: Living in a Digital

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Chapter 1
 What’s in a Machine?
• Processor (i5)
• RAM (2-4GB)
• Disk (500GB – 1TB)
• DVD / Bluray…
• Display (15” LED)
• Graphic Card
– 3D Hardware acceleration

Discovering Computers 2010: Living in a Digital

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Chapter 1
• 2 Type-I or Type-II slots or 1 Type-III slot
• 2-4 USB Slots
• Built-in Gbps Ethernet Adapter
• Also
– Microsoft Windows (Or any other OS)
– MS Office
– Anti virus
– Spyware

Discovering Computers 2010: Living in a Digital

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Chapter 1
 More for Less – Moore’s Law
• In 2007, when this department got new
computers:
– Rs. 45-50k (Now < 25k)
– Core 2 Duo (Now quad and Octa core)
– 1 GB RAM (Now 2-4)
– 80-160 GB Hard disk space (Now 1 TB)
– DVD (Now Blu ray)
– 100 Mbps Connection (Now Gbps)

Discovering Computers 2010: Living in a Digital

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Chapter 1
 Networks and the Internet
• A network is a
collection of computers
and devices connected
together, often
wirelessly, via
communications
devices and
transmission media

Discovering Computers 2010: Living in a

Pages 10 - 11 Digital World 15
Figure 1-6 Chapter 1
 Networks and the Internet
• The Internet is a worldwide collection of networks that
connects millions of businesses, government agencies,
educational institutions, and individuals

Page 11 Discovering Computers 2010: Living in a Digital World 16

Figure 1-7 Chapter 1
 Networks and the Internet
• People use the Internet for a variety of reasons:

Pages 12 - 13 Discovering Computers 2010: Living in a Digital World 17

Figure 1-8 Chapter 1
 Networks and the Internet
• A social networking Web site encourages
members to share their interests, ideas, stories,
photos, music, and videos with other registered
users

Click to view Web Link,

click Chapter 1, Click Web
Link from left navigation,
then click MySpace
below Chapter 1
Page 14 Discovering Computers 2010: Living in a Digital World 18
Figure 1-9 Chapter 1
 Computer Software
• Software, also called a program, tells the
computer what tasks to perform and how to
perform them

Discovering Computers 2010: Living in a Digital World 19

Chapter 1
 Computer Software
• Installing is the process of setting up software to
work with the computer, printer, and other
hardware

Pages 16 - 17 Discovering Computers 2010: Living in a Digital World 20

Figure 1-12 Chapter 1
 Computer Software
• A programmer develops
software or writes the
instructions that direct
the computer to
process data into
information

Discovering Computers 2010: Living in a

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Figure 1-13 Chapter 1
 Categories of Computers

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Chapter 1
 Personal Computers
• A personal computer can perform all of its input,
processing, output, and storage activities by itself
• Two popular architectures are the PC and the
Apple
– Desktop computer

Page 19 Discovering Computers 2010: Living in a Digital World 23

Figures 1-15 - 1-16 Chapter 1
 Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

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Chapter 1
 Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

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Figures 1-17 – 1-20 Chapter 1
 Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

Click to view Web Link,

click Chapter 1, Click Web
Link from left navigation,
then click Digital Cameras
below Chapter 1
Pages 22 - 23 Discovering Computers 2010: Living in a Digital World 26
Figures 1-21 – 1-23 Chapter 1
 Game Consoles
• A game console is a
mobile computing
device designed for
single-player or
multiplayer video
games

Discovering Computers 2010: Living in a

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Figure 1-24 Chapter 1
 Servers
• A server controls access
to the hardware,
software, and other
resources on a network
– Provides a centralized
storage area for
programs, data, and
information

Discovering Computers 2010: Living in a

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Figure 1-25 Chapter 1
 Mainframes
• A mainframe is a large,
expensive, powerful
computer that can
handle hundreds or
thousands of connected
users simultaneously

Discovering Computers 2010: Living in a

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Figure 1-26 Chapter 1
 Supercomputers
• A supercomputer is the fastest, most powerful
computer
– Fastest supercomputers are capable of processing
more than one quadrillion instructions in a single
second

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Figure 1-27 Chapter 1
 Embedded Computers
• An embedded computer is a special-purpose
computer that functions as a component in a
larger product

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Chapter 1
 Embedded Computers

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Figure 1-28 Chapter 1
 Elements of an Information System

Click to view Web Link,

click Chapter 1, Click Web
Link from left navigation,
then click Women in
Technology below Chapter 1
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Chapter 1
 Elements of an Information System

Page 27 Discovering Computers 2010: Living in a Digital World 34

Figure 1-29 Chapter 1
 Examples of Computer Usage

Click to view Web Link,

click Chapter 1, Click Web
Link from left navigation,
then click Minorities in
Technology below Chapter 1
Pages 28 – 31 Discovering Computers 2010: Living in a Digital World 35
Figures 1-30 – 1-32 Chapter 1
 Examples of Computer Usage

Click to view Web Link,

click Chapter 1, Click Web
Link from left navigation,
then click Enterprise
Computing below Chapter 1
Pages 31 – 32 Discovering Computers 2010: Living in a Digital World 36
Figures 1-33 – 1-34 Chapter 1
 Computer Applications in Society

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Figures 1-36 – 1-39 Chapter 1
 Computer Applications in Society

Click to view Web Link,

click Chapter 1, Click Web
Link from left navigation,
then click OnStar
below Chapter 1
Pages 36 - 38 Discovering Computers 2010: Living in a Digital World 38
Figures 1-40 – 1-43 Chapter 1
 Summary

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Chapter 1