CHAPTER 1= Introduction to Computer

Health informatics
UOG; College of Medicine and Health sciences
Department of Health Informatics
By: Miftah A.
1

CHAPTER 1 :
Introduction to Computer
2

Lesson objectives:
At the end of this lesson students should:
• Define computer
• Know the history of computer
• Identify and understand important
characteristics of computer
• Identify different types of computer
• Understand different applications of computers
• Know components of computer system
(hardware and software components)
3

A World of Computers
What is computer literacy?
4
 is defined as the knowledge and ability to use computers
and related technology efficiently, with a range of skills
covering levels from elementary use to programming and
advanced problem solving.

 Computer is an electronic device that can accept
input data, process data, store data and produce
output according to set of instructions /program.
5
Computer Definition

Computer History…
Counting aids:
• The history of computers starts out about 2000 years
ago in Babylonia (Mesopotamia), at the birth of the
abacus, a simple calculator,a wooden rack holding two
horizontal wires with beads strung on them.
6

Computer History…
 In 1642 French scientist and philosopher Blaise Pascal
invented the first practical mechanical calculator, the
Pascaline to help his tax-collector father do his sums. .
7

Computer History…
• In 1671, German mathematician and philosopher
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz came up with a similar
but more advanced machine.
• The Leibniz machine could do much more than
Pascal's: as well as adding and subtracting, it
could multiply, divide, and work out square roots.
• Another pioneering feature was the first memory
store or "register."
8

Computer History…
Programmable calculator (Engines of calculation):
Charles Babbage is considered to be the father
of modern digital computers.
He designed “Difference Engine” in 1822.
He designed a fully automatic analytical engine
in 1842 for performing basic arithmetic functions.
His efforts established a number of principles
that are fundamental to the design of any
digital computer.
9

Computer History…
• The Z1, originally created by Germany's Konrad
Zuse in his parents' living room in 1936 to 1938
and is considered to be the first electro-
mechanical binary programmable (modern)
computer and really the first functional computer.
• In 1946 John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert
invented the world's first fully electronic, general-
purpose, digital computer --Electronic Numerical
Integrator And Calculator (ENIAC)
10

Computer History…
• By 1974, Intel had launched a popular
microprocessor known as the 8080 and computer
hobbyists were soon building home computers
around it.
• The first was the MITS Altair 8800, built by Ed
Roberts.
• From this time processor based modern
computers evolved largely.
11

Characteristics of Computer
1. Speed: The speed o f a computer in processing
information is increasing from time to time and
computers can calculate at very high speed.
2. Accuracy: The accuracy of a computer system
is very high provided that the data and the
program given to it are accurate.
 Error in computer data processing is mostly human
factor. The program may be wrongly coded or the
data may be wrongly entered.
12

3. Storage: Computers can store large amount of
data using their memory unit
4. Versatility: Computers can be programmed and
applied for different purposes. People can use
computers for different applications.
5. Diligence: The computer does the same thing
repeatedly without saying “I am tired or I am
bored”.
13
Characteristics of computer…

Limitations of Computer
 No I.Q:
– A computer is a machine that has no intelligence to perform
any task.
– Each instruction has to be given to computer.
– A computer cannot take any decision on its own.
 Dependency
– It functions as per a user’s instruction, so it is fully dependent
on human being
 Environment
– The operating environment of computer should be dust free
and suitable.
 No Feeling
– Computers have no feelings or emotions.
– It cannot make judgment based on feeling, taste, experience,
and knowledge unlike a human being.
14

Types of Computers
Criteria's:
• Based on the operational principle(hardware
structure and the way physical quantities are
represented in a computer)
• Based on their processing power, cost and size
15

Types of Computers…
• Based on the operational principle, computers
can be classified into three categories:
1. Analog computer
2. Digital computer
3. Hybrid computer
16

Analog Computers
• Analog computers are used to process analog
data.
• Analog data is of continuous nature and which is
not discrete or separate such as temperature,
pressure, speed weight, voltage, depth etc.
• Utilize mechanical or electrical energy to
operate.
• Analog computers are the first computers being
developed and provided the basis for the
development of the modern digital computers.
17

Analog Computers…
• Analog computers are widely used for certain
specialized engineering and scientific
applications, for calculation and measurement of
analog quantities.
• These computers are ideal in situations where
data can be accepted directly from measuring
instrument without having to convert it into
numbers or codes.
Examples: The Speedometer of a car measures
speed, the change of temperature is measured by
a Thermometer, etc.
18

Digital Computers
• They use digital circuits and are designed to
operate on two states, namely bits 0 and 1. They
are analogous to states ON and OFF.
• Data on these computers is represented as a
series of 0s and 1s.
• Digital computers are suitable for complex
computation and have higher processing speeds.
• They are programmable.
19

Digital Computers…
• Digital computers are either special purpose
computers or general purpose ones.
• Special purpose computers, as their name suggests,
are designed for specific types of data processing
while general purpose computers are meant for
general use.
• Most of the computers available today are digital
computers.
• The most common examples of digital computers
are accounting machines and calculators.
• Analog computers lack digital memory where as
digital computers store information.
20

Digital Computers…
Examples:
• IBM PC
• Apple Macintosh
• Digital calculators
• Digital watches etc
21

Hybrid Computers
• These computers are a combination of both
digital and analog computers.
• In this type of computers, the digital segments
perform process control by conversion of analog
signals to digital ones.
• Hybrid computers for example are used for
scientific calculations, in defense and radar
systems.
22

Hybrid Computers…
• For example a petrol pump contains a processor
that converts fuel flow measurements into
quantity and price values.
• In hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU), an analog
device is used which measures patient's blood
pressure and temperature etc, which are then
converted and displayed in the form of digits.
• Radar systems are another example.
23

Cont’d…
• Based on their processing power (speed), cost
and size computers can be classified into 4 types:
a) Micro computers
b) Minicomputers
c) Mainframe computers
d) Super computers
24

1. Micro/Personal computers
Desktop
Laptop/notebook
25
PDA (PERSONAL DIGITAL ASSISTANT)
PALMTOP
(The smallest classification of computers)

Are IPads computers? How about IPods?
26

2. Minicomputer
• Minicomputers are also called
mid-range systems or
workstations.
• They contain one or more
microprocessors.
• Mini computers can be used to
handle the processing for
many users simultaneously
who are connected via
terminals.
• Used in different software
application development.
• Examples:
 IBM AS/400
 IBM SYSTEM 360
 HP 3000
 PRIME 9755
27

3. Mainframe computers
• Mainframes are data processing
system employed mainly in large
organizations for various
applications, including bulk data
processing, process control, industry
and consumer statistics, and financial
transaction processing.
 Mainframes typically cost several
hundred thousand dollars.
 They are used in situations where a
company wants the processing
power and information storage in a
centralized location.
28

Mainframe computers…
• A mainframe computer may contain several
microprocessors.
• A single mainframe computer can be used by
hundreds of people at once.
• A mainframe computer system is usually composed
of several computers in addition to the mainframe,
or host processor.
Examples:
• IBM S/390
• Amdahl 580
• Control Data Cyber 176
29

4. Super computers
 are the largest, fastest, most
powerful, and most expensive
computers made.
 are used for extremely calculation-
intensive tasks such simulating
nuclear bomb detonations,
aerodynamic flows, and global
weather patterns.
 Use multiple processors
 cost several million dollars
30

Super computers…
Features:
• The aerospace, automotive, chemical, electronics
and petroleum industries use supercomputers
extensively.
• Supercomputers are used in weather forecasting.
• The ultra supercomputer will simulate nuclear
explosions (eliminating the need to explode any
bombs).
• Supercomputers can perform at up to 128 gigaflops,
and use bus widths of 32 or 64 bits. This capability
makes supercomputers suitable for processor-
intensive applications, such as graphics.
31

Super computers…
EXAMPLE:
Cray-1
Cray-2
Control Data Cyber 205
 ETA
32

Applications of Computer
The various applications of computers in today's
arena include:
Home
Health Care
Business
Banking
Insurance
Education
Marketing
Engineering Design
Military
Communication
Government
33

In HealthCare
To keep the record of patients and medicines.
Used in scanning and diagnosing different
diseases.
 ECG, Ultrasounds and CT Scans etc., are also
done by computerized machines.
34

In HealthCare…
 Some major fields of health care in which computers are
used are:
• Diagnostic System - Computers are used to collect data
and identify cause of illness.
• Lab-diagnostic System - All tests can be done and reports
are prepared by computer.
• Patient Monitoring System - These are used to check
patient's signs for abnormality such as in Cardiac Arrest,
ECG etc.
• Pharmacy Information System - Computer checks Drug-
Labels, Expiry dates, harmful drug’s side effects etc.
• Surgery : Nowadays, computers are also used in
performing surgery.
35

Computer System
Computer system consists of two parts:
1. Computer Hardware
– A generic name for the various devices that make
up a computer system
2. Computer Software
– Set of instructions that direct the computer
hardware to perform a particular task
37

Hardware
• Any visible part of a computer which can be seen and touched is
known as hardware.
• Hardware components are involved in the data processing cycle
as an input, output or as both.
• On data processing cycle, there are hardware devices used to
enter data which are known as input devices and other hardware
devices used to display the information are known as output
devices but there are also devices used as both input and output
devices.
• Moreover others are involved in the processing cycle such as
CPU, RAM, ROM.
38

Hardware Components
1. Input Unit – feeds data & instruction to the computer system
2. Output Unit – displays / prints the results of the processing
3. CPU – is the brain of the computer that caries out the
processing of the data as per the instructions
4. Memory – stores data and programs within and/or outside the
computer system
5. Power supply – used to convert AC into DC and provide
appropriate power for each of internal components of a PC.
39

Input Devices
• Input is all information put into a computer.
• Input can be supplied from a variety of sources:
– A person
– A storage device on computer
– Another computer
– A peripheral device
– Another piece of equipment, such as a musical
instrument or thermometer
40

Input Devices…
• Input devices gather and translate data into a
form the computer understands.
• Primary input devices:
– Keyboard - Most common input device; used to type
in commands and data.
– Mouse or trackball: enhances user’s ability to input
commands, manipulate text, images.
41

Input Devices…
• Scanners: are peripheral input devices which
allow users to import:
– Text
– Graphics
– Images
• Specialized software aids in translating
information into a format the computer can
understand and manipulate.
42

Input Devices…
• Digital Cameras: are peripheral input devices
that allow users to create pictures and/or
movies in a digital format.
–Some require specialized software to import
images into the computer.
–Some record digital images directly to a disk
that can be read by the computer.
43

Some input devices
• Mouse
• Keyboard
• Scanner
• Touch pad
• Light pen
• Joysticks
• Microphones
• Digital Cameras
• Touch Screen
• Bar Code Reader
• Trackball
• CD-ROM 44

Output Devices
Used to display processed information to the
user either in softcopy or hardcopy
Soft copy – output displayed on a computer
screen. It is the primary output medium.
E.g. Monitor, speaker, LCD projector
Hard copy – output produced on paper or
micro film.
E.g. Printers, plotters, …
45

Output Devices…
• Monitors: are the most commonly used output
device.
• Most monitors use a bitmap display.
– Allows user to resize the display.
– Divides the screen into a matrix of tiny square “dots”
called pixels.
– The more “dots” a screen can display, the higher the
resolution of the monitor.
46

Output Devices…
• Monitors are connected to a computer system
via a port integrated on the video adapter or
graphics card.
• Graphics cards convert digital data output from
software to analog data for display on monitors.
47

Output Devices…
Printer
• Most widely used output devices to prepare
printed paper documents
• There are Impact and Non-impact printers
• Impact printers
Form characters by striking an inked ribbon
with hammers against paper
E.g. Dot matrix printers & ink printers
48

Output Devices…
• Non-impact printers:
Form characters without physical contact
between a printer and paper
E.g. Laser jet printers
Plotters
capable of drawing complex shapes with
multiple colors
49

Output Devices…
• VDU
• Flat screen monitors
• Printer
• Plotters
• Speakers
• Headphone
• Projectors
50

Central Processing Unit
• CPU or microprocessor is often described as the
brain of a computer.
• CPU is an integrated circuit or “chip” which processes
instructions and data.
It is the place where data processing takes place
• The system's memory also plays a crucial role in
processing data.
• Both the CPU and memory are attached to the
system's motherboard, which connects all the
computer's devices together, enabling them to
communicate.
51

CPU Speed
• CPU speed is measured by the number of
completed instruction cycles per second
–Currently, CPU speeds range from 600
megahertz (MHz or million cycles per
second) to 4 gigahertz (GHz or billion cycles
per second).
• Always check new software’s requirements for
CPU type and speed before purchasing.
52

Main parts of CPU
Arithmetic and Logical Unit (ALU)
The control unit
Registers
53

The Control Unit
Controls the entire operation of the computer.
Directs the flow of data through the CPU, and to
and from other devices.
The control unit stores the CPU's microcode,
which contains the instructions for all the tasks
the CPU can perform.
54

The Arithmetic Logic Unit
The actual manipulation of data takes place in
the ALU.
Performs the arithmetic operations and the
logical comparisons
Controls the speed of calculations;
Larger & powerful computers speed are measured in:
Pico seconds
Nano seconds, etc.
55

Registers
 A special storage location within CPU which temporarily
hold data and program instructions while they are being
processed.
 Small amount of very fast memory built in CPU
 Registers are normally measured in the number of bits, 8,
32, 64. It means it can store 8, 32 and 64 bits of data
respectively.
 Both the ALU and control units are connected to registers,
such that to execute an instruction the control units
retrieves data from main memory and places it into a
register and after processing the results are stored in
register.
56

Bus
• Refers to an electronic highway through which
information are transmitted between the various
components
• A bus(transmission path) is a path between the
components of a computer. Data and instructions travel
along these paths.
• Different types of bus
• Data bus
• Address bus
• Control bus
57

Bus…
• The bus width determines how many
bits can be transmitted between the CPU
and other devices.
• A 64 bits wide bus carries 8 characters at
a time
• The wider the data bus the more data it
can carry at one time
58

Computer Memory
• Computer memory refers to devices that are
used to store data or programs (sequence of
instructions) on temporary or permanent basis.
• You can store data on your hard disk, that used
to store data permanently, while data which is
being processed is stored in RAM (Random
Access Memory)
59

How computer memory is measured?
• Bit:1 or 0 level of storage
• Byte: A byte consists of eight bits.
• Kilobyte: A kilobyte (KB) consists of 1024 bytes.
• Megabyte: A megabyte (MB) consists of 1024
kilobytes, approximately 1,000,000 bytes.
• Gigabyte: A gigabyte (GB) consists of 1024
megabytes, approximately 1,000,000,000 bytes.
• Terabyte: A terabyte (TB) consists of approximately
1,000,000,000,000 bytes.
60

Types of Computer Memory
Computer memory or storage devices are
classified into two broad categories:
i. Primary memory / storage
 Internal storage
 RAM and ROM
ii. Secondary memory / storage
 External storage
 CD / DVD, Hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic tape
61

Primary Memory
Two types of primary memory:
• Main memory (RAM):
 The main working area of the computer
 The CPU can utilize only those instructions
and data that are stored in main memory
• ROM:
 Stores small programs permanently
62

RAM
• Stands for Random Access Memory
• “Waiting room” for computer’s CPU.
• Working place of computer used to store
data temporarily.
• Holds instructions for processing data,
processed data, and raw data.
• The amount of RAM in a PC has a direct
impact on the system's speed.
63

RAM…
• The more RAM a PC has, the more program
instructions and data can be held in
memory, which is faster than storage on
disk.
• Ram is measured by:
–Capacity (in Megabytes or Gigabytes)
–Speed (in Nanoseconds)
64

RAM…
• All software applications will have RAM
specifications listed on their packaging.
• Many applications list both a minimum and a
recommended amount of RAM necessary to run
the software.
• Be cautious about buying software for a system
based on minimum requirement.
65

ROM
• Read Only Memory (ROM) as the name
suggests is a special type of memory chip
which holds software which can be read but
not written to.
• A good example is the ROM-BIOS chip, which
contains read-only software.
• Often network cards and video cards also
contain ROM chips.
66

Comparison
RAM
• Volatile
• Working area of computer
(stores data and program
code needed by the CPU)
• Allows both read and write
ROM
• Non-volatile
• Permanently stores
programs
• Allows read only
67

Secondary Storage Devices
 Storage devices designed to retain data and
instruction in a more permanent form.
 Non-volatile storage media.
 Capacity and speed are important considerations
when selecting a new storage device for a PC.
 Currently used ones:
• hard disks,
• floppy disk,
• optical disk (CD)
• Versatile disk (DVD)
• Flash disk
68

Storage Technology
• Magnetic storage devices store data by
magnetizing particles on a disk or tape.
• Optical storage devices store data as light and
dark spots on the disk surface.
69

Magnetic storage devices
Hard Disks:
• Capacity is measured in gigabytes(GB) or
Terabytes(TB).
• Typically permanently installed.
• Used to store operating system, application
software, utilities and data.
Exercise:
What is Hard Disk Drive?
70

Magnetic storage devices..
Internal Hard Disks:
• Store all your files and folders permanently.
• Speed: Very fast. The speed of a hard disk is often
quoted as “average access time” speed, measured in
milliseconds. The smaller this number, the faster the
disk is.
• Capacity: Enormous, Measured in Gigabytes Terabytes.
• Cost: cheapest way of storing data.
71

Magnetic storage devices…
External Hard Disks:
• Another type of hard disk is an external hard disk that is placed
outside the computer.
• This is helpful for computers that have no space inside the
cabinet for installing extra hard drive.
• A big advantage of this type of drive is that backup of data is
easier.
• Speed: Normally slower than internal disks, but more
expensive than internal disks.
• Capacity: Same as internal disks.
• Cost: More expensive than internal disks.
72

Floppy Disks:
• Capacity is 1.44 to 2.0 megabytes (MB or
millions of bytes).
–Storage device with the smallest capacity
–Most portable storage media
Exercise
What is Floppy Disk Drive?
73

Magnetic Disk /Tape:
• Generally used for system backups, becoming
less common.
Exercise:
What about Flash Disk?
74

Optical storage devices
CD-ROM Drives:
• Typically installed on all new computer systems.
• Used to read data from CD and write data to a
CD by a laser.
CD:
Used to store data and programs.
Capacity is 600 to 750 MB .
Most mass-produced commercial software is
packaged on a CD.
75

Optical storage devices…
DVD drives:
• Used to read data from the DVD and write data
to the DVD by laser.
• Can also read CDs, now more common as a
standard device on new computer systems.
DVD:
Store large amount of data.
Capacity is 4.7GB.
76

Exercise
• List and discuss the common types of CD?
• List and discuss the common types of DVD?
77

Computer Software
What is software?
• Consists of a series of instructions that tells the
computer what to do, when to do and how to do it.
• Instructions and associated data, stored in electronic
format, that direct the computer to accomplish a task.
• Also called a program.
• Computer programmers write the codes/instructions
that make-up software applications/programs.
79

Types of Software
1. System Software
2. Application Software
80

System Software
81
 Software that can control or maintain the
operations of the computer and its devices.
 System software can be categorized as:
Operating system
Utilities and drivers
Programming language

Operating System Software
An Operating System (OS) is the master
controller within a computer.
Coordinates all activities among computer
hardware devices.
An operating system interacts with:
– All hardware installed in or connected to a
computer system.
– All software installed or running from a storage
device on a computer system.
82

Operating System Software…
Directs all the activities and sets all the rules for
how the hardware and software will work
together.
Common operating system software:
Microsoft Windows
Mac OS
Network operating system (NOS)
83

Microsoft Windows:
– Most popular operating system.
– Supports a vast array of application software and
peripheral devices.
Examples:
DOS, Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, XP,7,8,10
Mac OS:
– For Apple computers.
– Does not have same functionality and support for
software and peripheral devices.
Examples:
MAC system OS 6,7,8,9,10
84

Network operating system (NOS):
– Manages network resources.
– Maintains security.
– Tracks user accounts.
– Handles communication between workstations and
servers.
Popular network operating systems:
Windows NT /server, Novell Netware, UNIX
85

Utilities and Drivers
• Utility Programs allow the user to perform
maintenance-type tasks usually related to managing a
computer, its devices or its programs.
• Utilities provide file management capabilities such as
copying, moving or renaming a file.
• Drivers are usually used to allow some devices to
communicate with the operating system.
86

Programming Languages
• Basic building blocks of any software.
• Programming languages allow a programmer to
write instructions that a computer can
understand.
• Programming languages have some
resemblance to the English language.
– Visual basic
– Pascal
– Fortran
– C++
– Java
87

Application Software
88
Presentation
Graphics
Spreadsheet
Database
Word
Processing
 Programs designed for user oriented tasks or for specific
tasks.
 Programs that work with operating system software to
help the computer to do specific types of work.

Application Software…
1. Business software: word processors,
spreadsheets, and database programs.
2. Communication software: allows computers to
communicate with other computers
– E.g fax software, Novell NetWare, AOL,
Modem Software.
3. Graphics software: software that allows users
to create and manipulate graphics.
– E.g Photoshop, Print Shop, etc.
89

4. Education and Reference software: Programs that
help teach new material and ideas, and programs that
can be used to find information
– E.g: Encarta, Worldbook Encyclopedia, Jumpstart
Kindergarten
5. Entertainment and Leisure software:
– E.g: Warcraft, Age of Empires, Barbie Design Center,
Pacman, Solitair
6. Integrated software: Combines several types of
software into one program or package, Quicken
(Spreadsheet /data base /communications /reference)
or Print Shop (Graphics /Word processor).
90

Productivity Software:
• Spreadsheets
• Databases
Presentation Software
• Presentation software
Document Preparation
• Word Processing
• Desktop Publishing
Project Management Software
91

Graphics Creation and Manipulation
Video Editing
Internet Connectivity
Website Creation and Management
Financial Management
Educational Games and Tutorials
92

Examples of software Usage
93
 What software is available for a home user?
 Personal finance management
 Web access
 Communications
 Entertainment
 What software is available for a small office/home
office (SOHO) user?
 Productivity software
 Web usage
 E-mail

Examples of software Usage…
What are the needs of the large business user?
94
 Payroll
 Inventory
 E-commerce
 Desktop publishing

Computer Applications in Society
What are some examples of computer
applications in society?
Education
Finance
Government
Healthcare
Science
Publishing
Travel
Manufacturing
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CHAPTER 1= Introduction to Computer

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CHAPTER 1= Introduction to Computer