Institute of Product Design & Manufacturing
Universiti Kuala Lumpur
About the lecturer
• Zaipul Anwar Bin Zainudin
• Institute of Product Design & Manufacturing,
Universiti Kuala Lumpur
• 03-27154715
• Email: zaipulanwar@iprom.unikl.edu.my
• Website: http://www.zaipul.net
• Blog: http://5wives1husband.blogspot.com/
Subject Contents in General
• Computer Hardware
• Computer software
• Application programs
Word processing
Presentation
Spreadsheets
• Data & information management
• Computer networking
• Applications of networking: Internet, Intranet
Subject Content in Details
1.0 The Information Technology
Basic Information Technology Concepts
Computer History
Basic Components of Computer System
How a Computer System Works
2.0 Function of Major Computer Hardware
Computer Configuration and Classification
Central Processing Unit
Input-Output Devices and Peripherals
Secondary Storage
3.0 Basic Uses of Application S/ware & OS
Operating System and Its Functions
Disk Operating System (DOS) Primer
High and Low Level Languages
Assembler, Compiler and Interpreter
WINDOWS and MS Office Primer
4.0 Data Security
Importance of Backup
The Computer Virus Crisis
5.0 Computer and Network
Local Area Network (LAN)
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
Wide Area Network (WAN)
LAN Components, Topologies and Types
Transmission Media
Objectives
• Describe the three fundamental characteristics of computers
• Describe at least four areas of society in which computers are
used
• Identify the basic components of a computer system: input,
processing, output, and storage
• List some common input, output, and storage media
• Distinguish data from information
• Describe the significance of networking
• Explain the significance of the Internet
• Explain the various classifications of computers
Course Assessment
Quiz
20%
Test
20%
Assignment
20%
Final Exam
40%
Total = 100%
Introduction to Computers
Computer hardware
Input, Output & peripheral devices
History of computers
Basic Components of a Computer System
What is computer?
An electronic device that can accept data (input),
process the input to useful information (process)
according to a set of instructions, store the
instructions and the results of processing (storage),
and produce the information (output).
Basic Components of a Computer System
Other definition:• A machine that can be programmed to accept data
(input), process it into useful information (output),
and store it away (in secondary storage device) for
safekeeping or later reuse
• Process is directed by software but performed by the
hardware
Information Age
• Evolving more rapidly than Industrial Age
• Will continue into the current century
Cornerstones of our Economy
Forging a Computer-Based Society:
•
•
•
•
Land
Labor
Capital
Information
Jobs
Forging a Computer-Based Society:
• From physical to
mental
• From muscle-power to
brain-power
A Computer in Your Future
• Where used?
– Bank withdrawal
– Supermarket
– Drive the car
• Do I need a Personal Computer?
– Campaign: One Home, One PC
– Many more use at work
• Will I use a computer in my future career?
– Almost every job will involve use of a computer
Video: Future of Information Technology
Computer Literacy
• Awareness
– Importance
– Versatility
– Pervasiveness in our society
• Knowledge
– What are computers
– How do computers work
– Terminology
• Interaction
– Use some simple computer applications
Is computer literacy enough?
• Need to be computer literate to manipulate a
computer
• Need to be computer fluent on computer
concepts as a basis to build deeper
knowledge
• Computer fluency make one able to
continue follow developments as computers
continue to evolve
Basic Information Technology
Concept
•
Information technology - the use of modern
technology to aid the capture, storage, retrieval,
analysis, and communication of information.
•
The various methods of delivering information are
by the use of data, text, image, and voice for
personal or organization needs.
History of Computers
• Man from centuries ago used a physical unit or sets
of units to represent numbers or quantities.
• A number or a quantity can be represented by a
physical thing, whether it is:
an electrical relay
a pebble
a mark on a bit of paper
a transistor
a mechanical gear wheel
a bead of wire
a vacuum
tube
The Nature of Computers
Characteristics
Results
• Speed
• Reliability
• Storage capability
• Productivity
• Decision making
• Cost reduction
Where Computers Are Used:
Graphics
Graphs and charts
Animated graphics
Visual walk-through
Where Computers Are Used:
Education
• Teaching and
testing aid
• Learning by doing
• Computer-based
instruction
Where Computers Are Used:
Retailing
• Bar codes for pricing
and inventory
• Shipping
Where Computers Are Used:
Energy
• Locate oil, coal, natural gas, and uranium
• Monitor the power network
• Meter reading
Where Computers Are Used
:Law Enforcement
• National
fingerprint files
• National files on
criminal
• Computer
modeling of DNA
Where Computers Are Used:
Transportation
• Cars
• Run rapid transit systems
• Load containerships
• Track railroad cars
• Monitor air traffic
Where Computers Are Used:
Money
• Record keeping
• Banking by phone
• Credit cards
Where Computers Are Used:
Agriculture
• Billing
• Feed combinations
• Crop information
• Livestock breeding and
performance
Where Computers Are Used:
Government
• Forecast weather
• E-government
• Process immigrants
• Taxes
• Registration: birth, identity, car etc.
Where Computers Are Used:
The Home
•
•
•
•
•
Educational tool
Record keeping
Letter writing
Budgeting
Drawing and editing
pictures
• Newsletters
• Connecting with others
Where Computers Are Used:
Health and Medicine
• Monitor patients
• Electronic imaging
• Diagnose illnesses
• Tele-health
Where Computers Are Used:
Robotics
• Perform jobs that are dangerous for
humans
• Factory work
Where Computers Are Used:
The Human Connection
• Assist the disabled
• Assist athletes by
monitoring their
movements
Where Computers Are Used
The Sciences
Connectivity
• Research
• Simulation
• Communication
• Telecommuting
Where Computers Are Used
Training
Paperwork
• Airline pilots
• Railroad
engineers
• Junk mail
• Term paper
• Record keeping
Computers are all around!
•
•
•
•
•
•
Grocery store
Schools
Libraries
Bank
Mail
Malls
We interact with computers everyday!
What computers can’t do yet?
Complex human activities
What else? Can you think of
others?
Computer System
People
Software
Hardware
People
• Computer programmer – person who
writes programs
• Users or End-users – make use of the
computer’s capabilities
Software
• Programs
• Set of instructions that directs the
hardware to do a required task
and produce the desired results
Hardware:
Basic Components of a Computer
Computer Components
1. Input Devices
- examples: keyboard and the mouse
- data entered on the keyboard and temporarily stored
in the computer’s memory and displayed on the monitor
2. System Unit
- contains the electronic circuits that cause the processing
of data to occur
- consists of central processing unit, memory, (RAM and
ROM)
and other electronic components
- CPU has a control unit and arithmetic/logic unit
- RAM temporarily stores data and program instructions
when they are processed
Computer Components – cont.
4. Output Devices
- most commonly used output devices are monitor and
printer
- Monitor :commonly as CRT or Flat Panel Display
- Printer: Dot-Matrix, Ink-Jet etc.
5. Secondary Storage Devices
- also known as auxiliary storage devices
- stores instructions and data when they are not being
used by the system unit
- Examples : floppy disk and hard disk drive
How a Computer System Works
Storage
Information
Data
Input
Process
Output
How a Computer System Works –
cont.
Software
- The instructions needed to direct the computer to
complete specific tasks.
• The CPU follows the step-by-step instructions in a
program to complete the tasks from user.
• Operating system is the system software that controls
the basic, low-level hardware operations and file
management.
Computer Configuration and
Classification
Microcomputers
- Also known as personal computers
- Physical sizes : palmtop, desktop and tower case
- Cheaper and smaller in size
Minicomputer
- Also known as departmental computers
- Physical sizes : small to large cabinets
- Support business application
Computer Configuration and
Classification – cont.
Mainframe
- Large computers with the capability to process
data at millions of instructions per second.
- Physical size : partial to full room of equipment
Supercomputer
- Most powerful and expensive computers
- Vast quantities of data manipulation
- Physical size : full room of equipment
- No. of users : hundreds of users
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
- It is the heart of the computer, that is the microprocessor
chip.
- A highly complex, extensive set of electronic circuitry
that executes stored program instructions.
- CPU perform three main tasks :• Perform arithmetic operations
• Perform logic operations
• Retrieval and storage of data
CPU – cont.
- CPU consists of two main units :1. Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
- arithmetic operations e.g. +, -, x, /
- logic operations e.g. >, >=, ==, <, <=
2. Control unit
- fetches instructions from memory
- decode/translate instructions
- executes the processing tasks
- stores result in memory
CPU – cont.
What happens in a CPU?
- CU fetches instructions
from memory
- CU decodes/translates
instructions, directs
necessary data to ALU
- ALU executes
arithmetic/logic
instruction
-ALU stores results into
memory
CPU – cont.
Memory
- also known as primary storage, primary memory, main
storage, internal storage, and main memory
- Consists of RAM and ROM
1. RAM (Random Access Memory)
- volatile; means the data exists only when power is ON
- two types of RAM, dynamic and static
2. ROM (Read Only Memory)
- non-volatile; means data permanently stored in and
cannot be changed
Function of Computer System
Data handling
I
P
O
S
Input
Process
Output
Storage
Processing: Batch vs. Interactive
• 2 types of information processing
– Batch processing
– Interactive processing : Real time
Input devices
• Accept data or commands and convert
them to electronic form
• Getting data into the computer
– Typing on a keyboard
– Pointing with a mouse
– Scanning with a wand reader or bar-code
reader
– Terminal
Output devices
• Convert from electronic form to some other
form
• May display the processed results
• Usable information
Monitor or screen
Printer
•
•
•
•
•
•
• Black and white
• Color
Text
Numbers
Symbols
Art
Photographs
Video
Input and Output Devices
1. Input devices
- Common type of devices used are the keyboard and the
mouse
- Standard type of keyboard is the QWERTY which has
86 keys (basic) and 101-102 keys (enhanced).
- Mouse is a pointing device for effective use of
computer interface. Trackball and touch pad are also
considered as pointing devices.
Input and Output Devices – cont.
Digitizer
- A pad with a pen-like stylus.
- The tablet sends electronic signals to the
computer, displaying the image drawn.
Input and Output Devices – cont.
Input devices– cont.
Source data automation
the use of special equipment to collect data at
the source and send it directly to the computer.
OCR
MICR
Bar code
Images
Hand Written
Input and Output Devices – cont.
2. Output devices
- most common devices are monitor displays and
printers
- Two types of display; flat panel display and CRT
display (Cathode Ray Tube)
- Two categories of printers; impact and non-impact
printers
Input and Output Devices – cont.
Displays
1. Flat Panel
- commonly used in laptop, notebook
- examples of flat panel; LCD, Gas Plasma
2. CRT
- produce best images for computers
- two types of display; monochrome and color
- monochrome; displays one color (green or
amber)
- color; four types:
Input and Output Devices – cont.
Displays – cont.
Standard Graphic Add-on-Boards
Resolution
(by pixels)
CGA (Color Graphic Adapter)
640 x 200
EGA (Enhanced Graphic Adapter)
640 x 350
VGA (Video Graphic Array)
640 x 480
SVGA (Super Video Graphic Array)
1024 x 768
Input and Output Devices – cont.
Printers
Two types of printers (according to printing methods)
Impact printers
-use a physical contact with the paper to produce an image
-e.g. dot matrix printer and line printer
Non-impact printers
-Place images on a paper without physically touching it
-e.g. thermal, inkjet, laser printer
Can you think of any other
input/output devices?
The Processor
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• Converts data to useful information
• Interpret and execute instructions
• Communicate with input, output and
storage
Two Types of Storage
• Secondary storage
long-term storage
• Primary storage or memory
temporary storage
Memory / Primary Storage
• Temporary storage
• Holds input to be processed
• Holds results of processing
• Contains the programs to control the
computer and manipulate input into
output
• Volatile
Secondary Storage
• Long-term storage
• Non-volatile
Secondary Storage Examples
• Magnetic disks – read and written by
magnetic disk drive
– Hard disk
– Diskette
• Optical disks – read and written by optical disk
drives
– CD-ROM
– DVD-ROM
• Magnetic tape – read and written by magnetic
tape drives
– Primarily used for back-up
Magnetic Disk
Secondary Storage
• It is needed because
– Main memory stores data temporarily
– Main memory space is limited

Benefits of secondary storage
 Space
 Reliability
 Convenience
 Economic
Computer System
• Computer
– CPU
– Memory
• Peripheral equipment
– Connected to the computer by a cable
– Input, output, storage
Computer Network
• Definition
– A system that uses communications equipment
to connect computers and their resources.
• Types
– Local area network (LAN) – connects computers
in close proximity
– Metropolitan are network (MAN) – connect
computers between buildings in the same
geographic area
– Wide are network (WAN) – connects computers
over great distances
Home Connectivity
• Connect home PC to other computers
• Use modem to convert signals
between electronic (computer) and
analog (voice) formats
Internet
•
•
•
•
Collection of networks
No ownership
No central source for services available
No comprehensive index of what information
is available
Connects Everyone!
Individuals
Businesses
Organizations
Libraries
Research labs
Government
Getting Connected
• User’s computer must connect to a server
• Server must communicate using TCP/IP
• The user can purchase access to a server
from an ISP (Internet Service Provider)
Internet – What Can You Do?
• WWW – World Wide Web
• FTP – File Transfer Protocol
• E-mail
• UseNet
• IRC – Internet Relay Chat
• Bulletin Boards
World Wide Web
• Browser – program that allows the user
to move around and explore the
Internet
• Use the mouse to point and click on
text and graphics
• Web page
• Web site
• Home page
Classifications of Computers
• Use the computer that fits your needs
• Based upon
– Size
– Speed
– Cost
– Portability
– Number of simultaneous users supported
– Available software
– Typical use
Personal Computers
• Other names
– PC
– Microcomputer
– Home computer
• Categories
– Low-end functional
– Fully powered
– Workstations
– Net computer or net box (Web TV)
• Desktop Models
Notebook Computers
• Portable
– Lightweight
– Fits in a briefcase
– Battery operated
• Laptop
– Larger
– Heavier
• More expensive that desktop models
Handheld Computers
• Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
–
–
–
–
Scheduling
Addresses
Handwritten input
May offer wireless e-mail and fax
• PDA Phone
– More power than PDA
– Cellphone, GPS, MP3/MP4, Camera,
Video, TV, Radio etc.
– Runs various type softwares, serving various
applications
Other Types of Computers
Mainframes
–
–
–
–
–
High speed
More expensive
Used to process large amounts of data quickly
Support multiple users
Does server tasks
Supercomputers
– Fastest speed
– Most expensive
Operating System and Its Function
What is a software?
- The instructions needed to direct the computer to
complete specific tasks.
- Software can be categorized into two types :-
Operating System and Its Function
– cont.
System Software
- program controlling the actual operations of the
computer equipments
- the operating system tells computer how to perform
functions such as load, store, execute application program,
transfer data between I/O devices and main memory
Application Software
- program that tells a computer how to produce information
- examples of application software :
Business, scientific, educational programs and etc.
Operating System and Its Function
– cont.
Definition of OS :A set of programs that control and supervise a
computer system’s hardware
Purposes of OS :• To manage the hardware for efficient utilization of
computer resources
•
To interface between a user/an application program
with the hardware
Operating System and Its Function
– cont.
• OS is made up of 2 programs;
Service
Program
Control
Program
Operating System and Its Function
– cont.
1. Control program - three main functions
Resource allocation
allocate processor time, primary storage,
input and output devices
Job management
to monitor, schedule and control programs
for its efficient processing
Data management
-managing access to data for input of
information to
printers,
disks/displays
- all hardware components activities are
controlled by the supervisor program
Operating System and Its Function
– cont.
2. Service programs
- provides services to the user/programmer
- services include language-translator programs and
utility programs
- language-translator program converts instructions from
English-like language to machine-language to be executed by the
computer
- utility program performs loading, saving, copying, keeping
track of files stored on a disk, preparing a formatted disk
Operating System and Its Function
– cont.
Supervisor
What an Operating System does?
1. Checks the functionality of the computer’s hardware.
It generates an error message (by messages or beeps) if
any components are found faulty.
2. Then the OS control programs will load the supervisor
program into the computer’s memory – booting
3. Once the supervisor control program in memory, the
system displays the prompt sign (C:\>), indicating that
it is ready to work
MS-DOS
DOS is the supervisor program of the computer
 It does all the followings

• Interface to peripherals – How to interpret input, how to
process data, and how to produce output
• Application launcher – Most programming software, games
etc. use DOS prompt to run application
• Utility provider – Manage disks and files, prepare disks for
storage, copy files to a disk, to move or rename files, and to
delete files
MS-DOS – cont.
• Using DOS prompt to get command from user
• Examples for DOS operation
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
DOS version/prompt type
Modify date/time
File and directory contents
Clearing a DOS screen
Going to subdirectory and back to root directory
Searching for specific files
Copy files from A drive / C drive
TYPES OF OS
Microsoft Windows (98,
2000, XP, Vista)
 Mac OS (X)
 Linux OS (Hundreds of
even thousands of distros
ex: Red Hat, Ubuntu,
Mandrake etc. Visit
http://distrowatch.com/
for listing of Linux OS)
 Unix OS etc.

TYPES OF BROWSERS
Mozilla Firefox
 Internet Explorer
 Opera
 Safari


Konqueror

Flock
Firefox is gaining
Popularity over IE
Flock
Low and High Level Languages
Programming Language
- a set of written symbols that instruct the computer
hardware to perform certain tasks
- can be categorized as Low level Language and High Level
Language
Low Level Language
- Language that has the tendency towards specific,
delicate machine syntax
- Machine Language and Assembly Language
Low and High Level Languages
– cont.
Low Level Language – cont.
Machine Language
- consists of entirely 1’s and 0’s that only the computer
understands
- depends on different, specific hardware designs
- it executes very fast, but is time consuming and difficult to
understand
- only programmer who has the knowledge of the computer
architecture is able to understand the language
Low and High Level Languages –
cont.
Low Level Language – cont.
Assembly Language
- also considered as Low Level Language because it still needs
specific knowledge of hardware
- it differs from machine language because of it uses mnemonic
in spite of 1’s and 0’s to represent the operation codes
- mnemonic code is an alphabetic abbreviation that is easy to
remember
- it produce programs very efficient, less storage usage and the
execution is much faster
Low and High Level Languages –
cont.
High Level Language
- instructions resemble human language and mathematical
notation
- no detail knowledge of computer hardware and internal
operation of a computer
- easier to learn because of the English-like language rather
than understanding machine codes and instructions
- E.g. FORTRAN, COBOL, BASIC, Pascal, C/C++
Assembler, Compiler and
Interpreter
Assembler
Compiler/Interpreter
(Source code)
(Object code)
Assembler, Compiler and
Interpreter – cont.
Compiler
- the source code will remain unchanged after the conversion
but can be updated and changed, then compiled again
- after it is compiled, then the object code can be executed
-example of HLL program uses compiler is the C and C++
Interpreter
- the interpreter will translate a program one line at a time,
executing each line of the program after it is translated
- if an error should occur during execution, the error must be
rectified or solved before it can proceed to the next line
- example of HLL program uses interpreter is the BASIC
Importance of Backup – cont.
Data is exposed to several threats.
Importance of Backup – cont.
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
How does UPS works?
- it is connected in series with the computer system
- when power is interrupted, this result the UPS to function as a
backup supply of power to the computer system
- depends on the type of UPS, it will operate in 20 minutes or more
- it is advisable to backup important data within the time limit to
prevent any lost of data
Importance of Backup – cont.
Components of UPS
- one rectifier (charger) to convert AC to DC and to fully charge
the battery
- one battery to supply DC power to the inverter and the supported
time are based on the number and size of batteries
- one inverter to convert DC to AC
- one static bypass switch to control the load from/to the power
source to/from the battery and allows certain load to transfer
tolerances needed by the computer and its peripherals
The Computer Virus Crisis
The elements of a computer virus :
1. A set of instructions
- a program being made to disrupt or
interfere other programs
2. Deliberately created
- purposely created by humans or by itself
3. Actively propagates- reproducing itself
4. Infects other programs
- contaminate or polluting different types
of programs
5. Able to do harm
- can cause damage to others
6. Able to evolve
- developing, growing and changing in
programs or systems
The Computer Virus Crisis – cont.
What are the damages of the virus to a computer system :
1. Creates garbage in your computer system that takes up space
in the memory and into your diskettes
2. Messing up files in their normal standard and altering some
of the files
3. Messing up the FAT (File Allocation Table) which contains
information of where are the other data's stored on your disk
4. Messing up the boot sector that can restrict your computer
from being able to execute at all
The Computer Virus Crisis–
cont.
Types of anti-virus software
The Computer Virus Industry Association (CVIA) in the USA has
developed three basic categories of anti-virus software.
To prevent initial
infection
To identify and
remove viruses
To detect
infection
COMPUTER NETWORKING
Network : Computers connected together to
communicate among themselves.
Resource Sharing
File Sharing
Communication
PCs’ Administration and Security
COMPUTER NETWORKING –cont.
- Computer network technology can be classified by the distance
the network technology is designed to span
- There are three types of networking :
Local Area Network (LAN)
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
Wide Area Network (WAN)
COMPUTER NETWORKING –cont.
Local Area Network (LAN)
- Relatively small refers to the transmission media and
computer hardware
- The area is not exceeding 10 KM
- It only uses one type of transmission medium
- It share resources within building or campus
COMPUTER NETWORKING –cont.
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
- The network is larger compared to LAN
- The area covers a city of 10 to 100KM
- It requires efficient hardware and transmission
media
to cover these areas
COMPUTER NETWORKING –cont.
Wide Area Network (WAN)
- The network is larger than MAN and LAN
- It interconnect LAN of opposite sides of country or around
the world
- It covers huge geographical area in the world
Modem
Local Area Network
Modem
Router
Local Area Network
Multiplexer
Host Computer
Front end
Processor
Multiplexer
LAN COMPONENTS
Every LAN is made up of a standard set of components:
LAN TOPOLOGIES
Topology: The physical connection among computers
within a network
- the topology is the configuration of the hardware and shows
which pairs of nodes can communicate
-there are three common types of topologies :Star topology
Ring topology
Bus topology
Star
Ring
Bus
LAN PROTOCOLS
Protocol : A set of rules to access the network to send
data.
Two common LAN protocols
TRANSMISSION MEDIA
Transmission Media : The physical medium used for
transmission.
Twisted
Pair Cable
Types of TM
Microwave
Transmission
Coaxial
Cable
Fiber Optic
Cable
Satellite
Transmission
TRANSMISSION MEDIA - Twisted
Pair Cable
Jacket
Copper wire conductor
Colour-coded insulation
TRANSMISSION MEDIA – Coaxial
Cable
Insulation
Outer plastic covering
Inner conductor
TRANSMISSION MEDIA – Fiber
Optic Cable
Optical fiber
Protective outer
sheath
Glass covering
Strength wires
TRANSMISSION MEDIA – Microwave
TRANSMISSION MEDIA – Satellite
ANY QUESTIONS OR ADDITIONS?