module3 computer fundamentals

© 2009 ab Consulting

Module 3

Computer Fundamentals, Telecommunication & Networks

Prof. Puneet K Bhardwaj


Computer

• It is an electronic device that has the ability to

accept data; internally store and execute the

program of instructions; perform

mathematical, logical and manipulative

operations on data and report the same.

• It is a programmable machine


Characteristics of Computer


Generation of Computers

• First generation:1945-1955: UNIVAC (University

automated computers) was introduced



• Second generation:1955-1965

• Used transistors made of semi conductors,

therefore less bulky and could store more data

• Higher processing speed

• IBM 700 series computers emerged


Generation of Computers• Third generation 1965-1975

• Development of Integrated Circuits (IC) advanced

in miniaturization, reliability and reduction of

manufacturing cost of electronic devices

• IC‟s with the equivalent of more than 100

components is called LSI (large scale Integration)

• IC‟s with 1000 components is VLSI (Very large

Scale Integration)

• Modern IC‟s are built on wafer thin size crystal

called Chips



• Fourth generation: 1976-1985

• Used silicon chips only eight-hundredth of an

inch square called Microprocessor

• Microcomputers can display data in

colour, retain data files and uses voice

synthesizers to talk



• Fifth generation

• Current trends are featuring:

– Artificial intelligence

– Massive parallel machines

– Extensive distribution systems


Computer Processing Speed

• Milliseconds

• Microseconds

• Nanoseconds

• Picoseconds

• Teraflops

• MIPS (million instructions per second)

• Megahertz or millions of cycle per second

• Gigahertz billions of cycles per second


Classification of computer

• Microcomputer systems

– Usually called personal computer

– Some are powerful workstation computers

• Midrange systems

– High end network servers

– Less costly to buy, operate and maintain

– Manages internet websites, intranets and extranets

• Mainframe systems

– They are large, fast and powerful systems

– E.g. international banks, airlines, oil companies


Types of computer systems

• Super computer systems

– Powerful computers designed for scientific,

engineering and business applications requiring

high speed for massive alpha-numeric computation

– Used by government, research agencies, large

universities and corporations

– Can execute many instructions at the same time

• Next wave of computing

– Distributed or grid computing


Hardware Devices

• Input- they convert data into electronic form e.g.

keyboard, touch screens, pens

• Processing- CPU

• Output – video display unit, printer, audio

• Storage- primary and secondary devices

• Control


Hardware Devices

INPUT

DEVICESOUTPUT

DEVICES

SECONDARY

STORAGE

DEVICES

SPECIAL

PURPOSE

PROCESSORS

CACHE

MEMORY

PRIMARY

STORAGE

CENTRAL PROCESSING

UNIT

CONTROL UNIT

ARITHMETIC –LOGICAL

UNIT


Input Devices

DEVICES

• KEY DEVICES

• PUNCH CARD READER

• KEY BOAED

• POINT OF SALE

• POINTING DEVICES

• MOUSE

• TOUCH SCREEN

• JOY STICK

• LIGHT PEN

• TRACK BALLS

OPTICAL CHARACTER

RECOGNITION

• BARCODE SCANNER

• WAND READER

• OPTICAL MARK READER

• OPTICAL CHARACTER READER

• CORDLESS READER

HANDWRITING RECOGNISERS

• VOICE RECOGNISERS

• MAGNETIC INK CHARACTER DEVIES

• ATM CAMERAS

• SMART CARD, TELEPHONES

• DIGITISERS FOR MAPS GRAPHS ETC


Input Units- Functions

• It accepts and list instructions from outside

• Converts this data in computer acceptable form

• Supplies data to the computer system for

processing


CPU• A microprocessor that executes instructions to

perform processing tasks.

• Components:

– Control Unit

– Arithmetic-Logic Unit

– Registers

– Primary Storage

• Unit

– Access program instructions

– Decode (interpret) instructions

– Data flows through paths called buses


CPU

• Primary Storage (Main Memory)

– Stores instructions from programs

– Stores data to be processed

• Machine Instruction Cycle

– An instruction is fetched from primary storage by

the Control Unit

– The Control Unit decodes the instruction

– The ALU receives the data and the instruction and

performs the calculation or comparison

– The result is stored in primary storage


CPU

• Computer performance is measured in part by the

number of Machine Instruction Cycles performed per

second.

• Factors affecting this performance include:

– Clock Speed

– Word Length

– Bus Width

– Line Width


CPU

• Microprocessors evolved rapidly due to

– Miniaturization of transistors

– Decreasing distance between transistors on the chip (decreasing line width)

– Improved conductivity (flow) of electricity

– Improved instruction sets programmed into the chip.

• Smaller, faster, cheaper, more powerful chips with each generation.


Memory • Computers are digital, and represent data in bit

patterns

• Bit is shorthand for Binary digiIT. The binary system consists of two values: 0 & 1

• 8 bits = byte

• Bytes are the basic measure of storage in computers

• ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) assigns a unique character to each pattern of 0s &1s in a byte.

• Kilobytes, Megabytes, Gigabytes, Terabytes


Primary Storage (Main Memory)

• Main memory is a temporary storage area that

has three things:

– information you are working with

– the application software you are using

– the operating system software

• Increasing memory capacity increases the

performance of the system


Primary Storage (Main Memory)

• Types of Primary Storage

– Registers – part of the CPU; very fast; very limited capacity

– Random Access Memory (RAM) – memory chips on

motherboard; general storage of program instructions and data; volatile

– Cache Memory – faster than RAM; used to provide intermediate

storage between secondary storage and RAM

– Read-only Memory (ROM) – chips storing permanent

instructions needed by computer; non-volatile


Secondary Storage

• Non-volatile storage of data and instructions

• Huge storage capacity

• Cheaper than Primary Storage

• Slower than Primary Storage

• Magnetic and optical storage media


Secondary Storage

• Magnetic tape

– Cheap, slow, sequential access: good for backup

• Magnetic Disk

– Floppy

– Hard disk

– Zip drive

• Memory Cards and Cartridges

• Optical

– CD-ROM, CD-RW

– DVD

– FMD-ROM


Output Devices1. Monitor

2. Printers

• Basic- character, line and base printers

• Based non impact

• Non impact- Laser printer

• LCD and LED printers – Liquid crystal diodes or light

emitting diodes

3. Plotters

4. Synthesizers


Output devices-Functions

1. Coded result is accepted which is produced

by the computer

2. Converts this coded results to human

acceptable form

3. Supplies the result to the user


Software

• Some basic terms

– Computer programs - sequences of instructions for the

computer

– Stored program concept – instructions written in

programs are stored and executed by CPU when needed

– Programming - process of writing (or coding) programs

– Programmers - individuals who perform programming


Software

• Refers to the complete set of instructions that

enables people working with the information

system perform the task

• Categories of software

– Application software

– System software


Software classification


Application SW• Programs performing specific information

processing activities and user functionality

• Spreadsheets

• Multi media

• Data management

• Word processing

• Desktop publishing

• Graphics

– Presentation; Analysis; CAD


System software

– Controls and supports the computer system‟s

activities

– Supports application software by directing the

computer‟s basic functions

– Facilitates program development, testing, and

debugging

– Is independent of any specific type of application


Operating system

• OS is the system software that manages and

controls the activities of the computer

• It performs the following basic tasks:

– Recognize the input from the keyboard and mouse

– Sending output to the computer

– Keeping track of files and directories

– Sending documents to the printer


Types of OS

• Major Desktop Operating Systems:

– Microsoft Products: MS-DOS, Windows 95,

Windows XP

– Other Products are:

• UNIX Linux Java Operating System (Java OS)

• IBM O/S 2

• Macintosh Operating System

•


Operating system

MAJOR FUNCTIONS

OF OS

ALLOCATE AND ASSIGNS

SYSTEMS RESOURCES

SCHEDULE THE USE OF

COMPUTER RESOURCES

AND JOBS

MONITORS COMPUTER

SYSTEMS ACTIVITIES


Operating System

TRADITIONAL SYSTEM MULTI PROGRAMMING

ENVIRONMENT

OS

PROGRAM

1

UNUSED

MEMORY

OS

PROGRAM

1PROGRAM 2

PROGRAM 3

PROGRAM nUNUSED

MEMORY


Operating System- Function

1. User interface

2. Resource management

3. File management

4. Task management

5. Utilities and support services


Programming Languages• Machine Language (first generation of

programming languages)

– The computer‟s „native language‟

– Composed of binary digits (0s, 1s)

– The only language that computers understand

• Assembly Language (second generation of programming languages)

– One-to-one correspondence to machine language

– Somewhat more user-friendly than machine language (mnemonic rather than binary digits)

– Assembler – program that translates an assembly language program into machine language


Programming Languages

• Procedural Languages (third generation languages)

– One instruction translates into many machine language instructions

– Programs describe the computer‟s processing step-by-step

– Closer to natural language; uses common words rather than abbreviated mnemonics

– Examples: Cobol, C, Fortran, QuickBasic

– Compiler - translates the entire program at once

– Interpreter - translates and executes one source program statement at a time


Programming Languages• Nonprocedural Language (fourth generation

languages)

– Allows the user to specify the desired result without having to specify the detailed procedures needed for achieving the result

– Example – data base query language - SQL

– Can be used by non technical users

• Natural Language Programming Languages (fifth generation (intelligent) languages)

– Translates natural languages into a structured, machine-readable form

– Are extremely complex and experimental


Current Programming Languages

• Visual Programming Languages

– Used within a graphical environment

– Example : Visual Basic and Visual C++

– Popular to non technical users

• Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)

– Standard language used in World Wide Web

– Contains text, images, and other types of

information such as data files, audio, video, and

executable computer programs


Current Programming Languages

• Extensible Markup Language (XML)

– Improved on web document functionality

• Component ware

– Software components that may be assembled by

developer as needed

– “Plug and Play” software development

• Object-Oriented Programming Languages (OOP)

– Examples: Java, C++

– Unified Modeling Language (UML)- modeling tool for object-oriented systems


Types of Networks

• Depends upon:

a) Size

b) Transmission media and technology

c) Ownership

d) Topology

e) Distance covered

f) Physical architecture


Network Topologies

• It is a structure in telecommunications

networks

– Ring Network

– Bus Network

– Star Network


Network Topologies


Types of Networks• Star

– It centralise file information, software and

equipment at host computer site

– Can connect both terminals and micro-computer to

the same host

– Has ability to use new software

• Bus- configures computer devices to simple

non looping channel

• Ring- does not rely on central host computer

for operations

– It connects in ring or peer network


Advantages of Networking

• It allows efficient management of resource

• Multiple user can access data from different

locations

• Helps speedup data sharing

• Efficient communication among the users


Telecommunication Network

Alternatives • Networks- internet, extranet etc

• Media- twisted pair wire, coaxial cable, wireless

mobile

• Processors- modem, multiplexers

• Software- network operating systems, web

browsers

• Channels- analog, digital, bandwidth alternatives

• Topology/Architecture- star, ring, bus topologies


Communication

• It is essential in today‟s smooth business

operations

• It is basically transmission of data from one

part to another


Communication

– Communication network is an arrangement in which a

sender transmits a message to a receiver over a channel

consisting of some type of medium

PC AND

OTHER

TERMINALS

TELECOMMUNICA

TION PROCESSOR

TELECOMMUNICA

TION PROCESSOR COMPUTER

TELECOMMUNICATION

CHANNEL


Telecommunication-Components

1. Terminals

2. Telecommunication processors

3. Telecommunication channels

4. Computers

5. Software


Telecommunication Functions

1. Transmit information and controls the flow of

information

2. Establish interface between sender and

receiver

3. Routes messages along the most efficient path

4. Performs elementary processing

5. Performs editorial tasks in data


Types of Telecommunication

Network• Network – the communication devices, media,

and software needed to connect two or more

computer systems.

• Wide area network-network that spans a large

geographic distance

• Local area network- a network that spans a

relatively small geographic distance

• Virtual Private area network

• Client server network


Types of Telecommunication

Network• Peer-to-peer processing

– Simplified form of client/server

– Devices attached to network have access to all

other devices

– No file server involved

– Simple set up and maintenance

– Implemented in many operating systems such as

Windows 2000 and Windows XP


Telecommunication Media1. Wired technologies

– Twisted pair wire

– Coaxial cable

– Fiber optics

2. Wireless technologies

1. Terrestrial microwave

2. Communication satellites

3. Cellular systems

4. Wireless LAN‟S

5. Bluetooth

6. Wireless web


Bluetooth

• It is a short range wireless technology for computing

and networking that enables mobile phones,

computers etc to talk to each other using radio

waves

• Operating at 1 Mbps

• Effective range 10- 100 mtrs

• Application:

– Data can be transferred from PDA to PC

– MP3 files can be transferred from PC to MP3 player

– Used for debiting the user bank account after transaction


Wireless Technologies

• Also called Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)

• In this mobile phone talk to the server installed in

the mobile phone network

• Security issues

– Authentication

– Identification

– Denial of services

– Certification

– Securing messages


• The World Wide Web

• Hypertext

• Web servers

• Searching for information on the Web

• Web 2.0


Telecommunication Processors• Modems

– Most common type of communications processors

– Convert digital signals from computer into analog

frequencies that can be transmitted through telephone

– Transmitted data is converted back into digital format

receiving end.

– This process is called modulation and demodulation, thus

called modem

– Comes in several forms-small stand alone units plug in

circuit boards removable cards for laptops


Telecommunication Processors

• Inter-network Processors

– These are special purpose communications

processors such as:

– Switches: makes connection between

telecommunication circuits in network

– Routers- is a processor that interconnects networks

based on rules or protocol

– Hubs- is a port switching communication

processor

– Gateways- a processor used when network with

different architecture are interconnected


Telecommunication Processors

• Multiplexers

– It is a communication processor that allow a single

communications channel to carry data from many

terminals

– Two ways:

• FDM- frequency division multiplexing- it divides high

speed channels into multiple slow speed channels

• TDM- time divisional multiplexing- high speed line can

be used into short time slots or time frames


Telecommunication Signals

• Analog signals

– Continuous waves

– Information conveyed by changing wave characteristics (amplitude and frequency)

• Digital signals

– Discrete pulses

– Information conveyed in binary form (on or off pulses)

– Easily understood by computer


Telecom application

1. Electronic Mail – computer-based messaging

2. Videoconferencing – group meetings between separate locations

3. Electronic Data Interchange – electronic transmission of routine business transactions

4. Electronic Funds Transfer – electronic processing of financial transactions

5. Distance learning


What is Internet?

• Is the largest computer network in the world (a

network of network)

• Information exchange is seamless using open,

non-proprietary standards and protocols,

within interconnected networks

• Spirit of information sharing and open access

underlies the internet


The Internet today

• Internet is international, with users across the

world

• Cost of personal computer and internet

connection is high

• Political, cultural and regulatory barriers have

slowed the rate of internet adoption

• Majority of the sites are in English

• Content majorly generated in US


Infrastructure of the internet

• Commercial companies are primary provider

of physical network

• US government contributes some funds

• Infrastructure provided by network service

provider

• Connection between and flow of information

between back bone providers has been open

and free of charge


Internet Communications

1. E-mail

2. Usenet

3. Chatting

4. Instant messaging

5. Telnet

6. Internet telephony

7. Internet Fax

8. Streaming audio and video


Internet Services• An application that uses the internet transport

functions

• A system with universally accepted standards

for storing, formatting and displaying

information via a client/server

• Based on HTML

• Handles text, hypermedia, graphics and sound

• Home

Page, Website, Hyperlinks, Webmaster, URL,

HTTP


Internet Challenges

• Website collects information with or without

users knowledge

• Cookie- is a small file placed on the users hard

drives when a site is visited. It collects data on

sites visited and content viewed

• Financial transaction security threat

• Difficult for the government to take action as

enough laws are not formed


Importance of Internet

1. Generate revenue from online sales

2. Reduces cost

3. Attract new customer via web marketing,

advertising and online sales

4. Increase loyalty of the existing customer

5. Develop new web based market and

distribution network

6. Develop new information based products


Intranet

• An intranet is a private computer network that

uses IP technologies to securely share any part

of an organization's information or network

operating systems within that organization.

• It refers to a network within an organization.

• It may host multiple private websites and

constitute an important component and focal

point of internal communication and

collaboration.


Characteristics

• An intranet can be understood as a private analog

of the Internet, or as a private extension of the

Internet confined to an organization.

• The first intranet websites and home pages began

to appear in organizations in 1990-1991 in

universities and technology corporations

• Intranets are generally restricted to employees of

the organization.

• Intranets may provide a gateway to the Internet


Uses of Intranet

• Intranets are being used

– to deliver tools and applications, e.g., collaboration (to

facilitate working in groups and teleconferencing) or

sophisticated corporate directories, sales and CRM

– Also used as corporate culture-change platforms. For

example, large numbers of employees discussing key

issues in an intranet forum application could lead to new

ideas in management, productivity, quality, and other

corporate issues.

– Intranet user-experience, editorial, and technology

teams work together to produce in-house sites.


Intranet- Benefits • Benefits are:

– Workforce productivity increases

– Intranets allow organizations to distribute information to

employees on need to know basis

– Tools for communication within an organization

– Web publishing allows cumbersome corporate

knowledge to be maintained and easily accessed

throughout the company

– Users can view information and data via web-browser

rather than maintaining physical documents such as

procedure manuals, internal phone list and requisition

forms.


Extranet

• An extension of an internet to selected outside

business partner like suppliers, distributors and

key customers with access to corporate

information

• Security is a concern to prevent unwanted entry

into internal systems

• Configuration:

– One company set up Extranet for its

dealers, customers and suppliers

– Within industry a mutual benefit

– Companies collaborate over Extranet for joint venture


Extranet- Benefits

1. Lower communication cost

2. Better communication

3. Improved order entry and customer service

4. Improvement in business effectiveness


Corporate PC criteria

• Solid performance at a reasonable price

• Operating system ready

• Connectivity

• Security equipped


Questions

1. What is the latest configuration for buying a new

computer? (7)

2. What is operating system? Classify different types

of software. (7)

3. What is internet? Differentiate internet, intranet and

extranet. (7)

4. Explain network topologies with diagram. (7)

5. List and explain input output devices. (7)

6. Internet is driving force behind development of

telecommunication and network. Discuss (7)


Questions

7. List different types of programming languages.(3)

8. Draw a sketch of hardware components. (3)

9. Explain input output devices.(7)

10.Define software. Explain types of SW with eg.(10)

11.Distinguish between LAN and WAN. (3)

12.Briefly explain most important features of Java.(7)

13.How information systems applications support

businesses? (7)

14.Draw diagram of logical units of computer and

explain its components. (7)


Thank you

module3 computer fundamentals

Education

ab consulting

generation of computers

powerful systems

series computers

personal computer

computer fundamentals

characteristics of computer

generation current trends