Introduction to Computer

Science for Geography

Lecture 1

Dr. Kamal Shahid

What is a Computer?
Definition Key Functions
A computer is an electronic device. It Input allows you to give it data. Processing
processes data. It follows instructions. This is computes it. Output returns results. Storage
also known as a program. saves data.

Hardware Software
The computer equipment • Programs which tell the computer what to do
Includes printers, monitors, disk drives, etc. • Examples - word processing, gradebook,
tutorials, games, etc.
History of Computers
History of Computers
History – Microcomputers
• Apple
– First sold in late 1970’s

– Developed by Jobs and Wozniak

• IBM Personal Computers

– First sold in 1981

– Was quickly accepted by businesses

– IBM compatibles soon developed

Computer – Social Impact
• Threat to privacy

• Reduce personal interactions

• Displace workers and change workplace

– Create two tiered society

• Computer failures cause great damage

• Artificial Intelligence
– Create a “new life form”

– Machines smarter than their creators

Types of Computers
Personal Computers (PC)

• Also called Microcomputers

• Available in desktop size, notebook size and handheld

• Can be IBM, IBM Compatible or Apple

Types of Computers
Minicomputers Mainframe Computers
• Size of filing cabinet • Very powerful
• Used by small and medium size companies and institutions • Very fast
• Operated by computer specialist • Used by large corporations and governmental agencies
• Terminals allow many people to use • Operated by computer specialist

Super Computers
• Most powerful
• Fastest
• Most expensive
• Several million dollars each
• Used only by
• Governmental agencies
• Large international corporations
Basic Computer Hardware
Components

CPU RAM Storage

Central Processing Random Access Hard drives store data
Unit. This is the Memory. It is used for long-term.
computer's brain. short-term data.
Computer Operations

Input Processing Output

External Storage
Input Devices
Keyboard Mouse
• Most commonly used input device • Controls cursor on screen
• Ergonomic – fit natural hand placement • May be mechanical or optical

• Special keys • Most models have a “wheel” for scrolling

– Enter, Function, Ctrl, Alt, Num Lock, Esc

Others

• Pointers (replaces mouse on notepads)

– Track point, track ball, touch pad
• Scanner

• Digital camera

• Touch screen

• Voice
Output Devices

• Monitor

• Printer

• Disk Drive
– Can also be input device

• Modem
– Can also be input device
Output Devices – Monitor
• Made up of tiny elements called pixels
• Each row of pixels is called a scan line
• Picture is displayed by an electronic beam lighting up certain pixels

Resolution
• Resolution is how sharp and clear the picture is

• How many scan lines on the screen

– 640 x 480 is low resolution
– 1600 x 1200 is high resolution Sizes
• Screen measured diagonally
– May also measure actual viewing area
• 14” or 15” on bargain systems

• 17” has become the standard

• 19 and 21” available but are more expensive.
Output Devices – Monitor
LCD
• Liquid Crystal Display
• Similar to digital watch
• Used for notebook computers
– Should be an Active Matrix Screen
• Also used in flat screen monitors
– Much thinner than regular CRT monitor
– More expensive than regular CRT monitor

Video Card
• Processes info to send to monitor
• Amount of video memory may speed up graphic intensive programs
– 32 megs –general purpose
– 128 or more megs – graphic intensive use

• AGP port can speed up graphics

• 3D accelerator card improves graphics
Output Devices – Printer
Laser
• Works similar to a copy machine
– Color printers available but more expensive

• Fast, excellent quality

• More expensive to buy and operate
• Some units scan, photocopy, and print

Dot Matrix
Ink Jet • Strikes pins against ribbon to print

• Squirts small jet of ink onto paper to form characters • Comes in 9 and 24 pin

• Replaced dot matrix • Once very popular

• Quiet • Now replaced by ink jet and laser

• Does good job on color

• Good quality and reliability
Output Devices – Printer
Speed
• Measured in pages per minute (PPM)

• Laser printers range from 20-45 ppm

– Color printing is slower
Quality of Print
• One measure is dots per inch (DPI)
– 300 dpi for general purpose uses

– 600 dpi for higher quality

– 1200 dpi for photo quality

• May have different vertical and horizontal resolution

– 600 x 300

• Other factors can affect quality

Basic Processing Cycle

Central Processing
Data Bus Internal Memory
Unit
How is Information Stored?

• Memory consist of switches which can be either ON/OFF:

– OFF = 0 ON = 1

• Each on/off switch is called a bit

• Eight bits make up a byte

• It takes one byte to store a character

– Character can be letter, space, punctuation, etc.

– ASCII code used

Other Memory Terms

• Byte is eight bits

• Kilobyte (KB) is approx. 1,000 bytes

• Megabyte (MB) is approx. 1million bytes

• Gigabyte (GB) is approx. 1 billion bytes

Central Processing Unit
• Also called CPU, processor or microprocessor

• Is the “brains” of the computer

• Performs all computer operations

IBM Compatibles
• Many made by company called Intel

• Also made by AMD

Pentium class processors

• Needed to run most current software
• Intel – Celeron or Pentium IV
• AMD
Central Processing Unit
Clock Speed
• Number of “cycles” per second computer can operate

• Measured in megahertz (MHz)

• One MHz = 1 million cycles per second

• One gigahertz(GHz)=1 billion cycles

Misc.
• Performance also affected by speed of data bus
– 400-800 MHz on most current systems

• Cache can increase speed

– Stores data you will likely need next in an area that has faster access

– Both memory cache and disk cache used

– Should be 512 K or better
Internal Memory – RAM
• RAM - Random Access Memory
– CPU can access any location as quickly as any other

• Can not only read current info but also write new info

• Very important in determining capabilities of the computer system

• Computer should have at least 256 megs - 512 preferred (can add to later)
Internal Memory – ROM
• ROM - Read Only Memory

– Can read info Stored in ROM

– Can not write new info into ROM

• Used for “internal workings” of computer

• Buyer is not very concerned with ROM

External Memory
Networks
Networks – Devices
Software
Software
• Set of instructions to the computer

• Programming languages
– Machine language
Systems Software
– Assembly language
• Run fundamental operations
– Procedural languages
– Loading and running programs
• Basic, Fortran, Cobol
– Saving and retrieving data
– Object oriented languages
– Communicating with printers, modems, etc.
• Visual Basic, C++, C#, Java, Python

• Examples of systems software

– DOS,

– Windows 3.1, 95, 98, Me, 2000, and XP

– Unix

– Linux
Software
• Set of instructions to the computer

• Programming languages
– Machine language
Applications Software
– Assembly language
• Helps you to accomplish a certain task
– Procedural languages
• Examples
• Basic, Fortran, Cobol
– Word processing - memos, reports, etc.
– Object oriented languages – Spreadsheets - budgets, etc.
• Visual Basic, C++, C#, Java, Python – Database - search, sort, select data
– Educational - simulations, practice
– Graphics - charts, diagrams
– Desktop publishing - pamphlets, etc.
Software – Legal Issues
• Commercial software
– Can only make backup copies for yourself

– Can only use on one machine at a time

• Site license - use on more that one machine

• Shareware
– Can use - make copies and give to anyone

– Should pay if you continue to use

• Freeware – can copy and use indefinitely

Software – Virus
• Illegal code added to a program

• May spread to many computers

– Copy files from one computer to another

– Download files by modem

– E-mail attachments

• Virus may be relatively harmless

– Writes “You’ve been stoned” on screen

• Virus may also be very damaging

– Erases everything on hard drive

• Virus may activate on a certain date

Software – Protection
• Be careful where you copy files from

• Do not open e-mail attachments unless you are

sure that it is safe

• Use virus protection program

– Detects and removes illegal code

– Should be updated often

Introduction to Operating Systems
1 Definition 2 Examples 3 Function
An OS manages hardware and Common examples include It provides a user interface. It runs
software resources. Windows, macOS, and Linux. applications.
File Management and Storage
Files
A file is a container for information.

Folders
Folders organize files. This makes it easier to find information.

Storage
Storage devices keep data safe for later use.