PROF. JOHNSON OLADELE FATOKUN fatokund@yahoo.com, jfatokun@fudutsinma.edu.ng
Tel: 07083008202, 08165502179, 07052152099
DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
CO- LECTURERS: 1. Mrs. OYENIKE .M. OLAREWAJU oyenikeolarewaju@yahoo.com Tel: 08028787643
2. MR. UMARU ILIYASU iumaru@fudutsinma.edu.ng
Course Name: INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SCIENCE
Course code: CMP 111
Pre-requisite:
Method of assessment: 40% Continuous Assessment and 60% of Semester Examinations
Class tests and Assignments
Class tests and Assignments: At least two Class tests and one practical oriented Class assignment shall contribute 35% to the final mark.
Attendance at all lectures and tests is compulsory. This shall contribute 5% to the total final mark.
Semester Examinations: This shall be a set of sixty (60) multiple choice questions covering all areas taught in the course. The end of Semester Examination shall contribute 60% to the final mark.
Short course description:
This course is a foundation course for computer science students and a computer awareness course for all other students in the university. The course traces the history of computer and its evolution from stage to stage. It enumerates the benefits, the disadvantages of computer and enumerates the major component of a computer system.
The course introduces the student to the operation of computers and the first set of software they need to know to be able to use a personal computer. The idea of computer storage devices was also covered. Internet usage and the features which students need to know to search for academic information is also covered
Learning outcomes:
By the end of the course, students should be able to: Have sufficient information on the evolution of Computers. Identify major uses of computers. Interact with the Computer with minimal assistance. The awareness of the application packages that can be used in their respective field of life. Access the internet within the Campus and use the online platform available.
Teaching methods:
Class lectures, group discussions, take-home assignments and practical sessions.
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Syllabus
1. Meaning, Definition and History of computer and computer generation … (2 weeks)
2. Computer and the Society … (1 week)
3. Computers for data processing and other types of platform of secretarial duties… (3 weeks ) (2 week of lectures, 1week of practical orientation )
4. Interacting with your computer :component and devices in a computer system … (1 week)
5. Storing information in a computer: … (2 weeks)
6. Computer maintenance and security devices (1 week)
7. The Intranet, internet and online Resources: … (2Weeks)
8. Computer Applications and Problem Solving: (1 week)
CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT TEST DATES:
Continuous Assessment (Online option) Test 1 …………..
Continuous Assessment (Face to face option) Test 2 …………..
Reading list:
Prescribed textbook:
Prescribed textbooks:
Computer studies for Beginners by
Adekunle O Eyitayo, Oduronke T. Eyitayo and Olufunmilayo M. Akejj
ISBN 9-78-330296-5
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CMP 111 LECTURE NOTE
MODULE 1
Definition and meaning of computers:
A computer is an electronic device, use for manipulating data according to a list of instructions. A computer is a machine that is used to process data. In a more formal definition, a computer is any machine or device which, under the control of a stored program, can accept data in a prescribed form, process the data, and supply the results as information in a specified form.
There are three points to note about the above definition, that:
Computer is a machine: It consists of electronic and electro mechanical parts working together, to process data. These machine parts are referred to as computer hardware.
Computer processes data: Essentially, a computer processes data, automatically. It performs three major functions, which include accepting data, often referred as input, processes data and supplies these data or information which is referred to as output.
Computer is controlled by a stored program: A program is a set of instructions which tells the computer what to do. The general term used to describe computer programs is software, in contrast to hardware. A program is normally stored in the computer’s memory while the instructions are being carried out. Professionals trained in the art of instructing the computer to solve problems normally write these programs. The manufacturers permanently fix some programs, called firmware, into the computers. Software can be placed in the computer’s memory, used, taken out, and re-used again whenever required.
When a computer is used, data must be presented to it in a prescribed form. This called data input format. The form, in which data is supplied to the computer, is that in which the program to be used by the computer is expecting it. A computer program is also used to determine the format in which the results are to be supplied. These processes of data in and out are shown in figure 1 below.
input COMPUTER output
1.2 CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTERS.
The computer has some distinguishing characteristics that make it different form the tools mentioned above. Such characteristics include: Speed, Capacity, Versatility
Programmability
Speed: Ability to process at very fast rate and accurately. The computer is faster than machines such as the adding machine, slide rule, cash register, calculators, etc.
Capacity: Ability to store and process large amounts of data than all the other machines that processes information.
Versatility: The computer can be used for many things, it can be used for all the things the other information processing tools can be used for, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division etc. It can also be used for the many other things these information processing tools cannot do, such as processing of examination results and keeping of student’s records.
Programmability: The computer as the ability to be instructed on how to solve a given problem using programming languages like BASIC, FORTRAN etc.
1.3 TYPES OF COMPUTERS.
There are three main types of computers, they include Digital computers Analogue computers and Hybrid computers
These classifications are based on the way they operate.
i. Digital Computers
The word, “digital”, as used here, means whole numbers (discrete); for example, the channel selector on the television set is a digital device because it restricts you to discrete set of channels; one cannot select channel 3.123. Another example is the digital wristwatch, which shows you the exact time in digits. Digital computers are the most common computers. They operate by being given a series of steps of instructions. Some examples of digital computers are IBM 360/370, PDP 11/34. Digital computers are used in offices and schools.
ii. Analogue Computers
Analogue devices have continuous values. For example, the volume control on our television set is an analogue device, because it allows us to adjust the volume continuously in one smooth continuous action. Other examples of analogue devices are thermometers, speedometers, and petrol dispensers at the petrol station, they operate in one smooth
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continuous form. Analogue computers operate by accepting data as a quantity varying over a length of time. They are mostly used in industrial operations.
iii. Hybrid Computers
These combine some of the properties of both digital and analogue. For example, setting (programming) on a modern day television set involves both digital and analogue. You first select the channel (digital), then you tune the channel until it receives the station you want clearly (analogue); the station is then stored on that channel (digital). This is an example of a hybrid device; it involves different processes that combine both the properties of analogue and digital. Hybrid computers are not too common; they operate in a programmed form and combine the properties of analogue and digital. An example is a robot used in an industrial environment. The robot first allows the process to get to a particular temperature (analogue); it then does some other processes, which is either digital or analogue.
1.4 CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS.
The following factors are used in classifying computers: size of its internal memory, processing capability, price range and speed of operation. Classification of computers according to their sizes includes: Supercomputers Mainframes Minicomputers, and Microcomputers
i. Supercomputers: These are the largest, fastest and most expensive computers. The cost is several millions of dollars, and the speed is between 600 million to 900 million instructions per second (MIPS). Scientists in weather forecasting, oil exploration, etc. Use these for complex calculations. Examples of supercomputers are CRAY X-MP and CRAY 2, which cost millions.
ii. Mainframes: A mainframe computer is a large computer in terms of price, size of internal memory and speed. Mainframe manufacturers tend to make a “family” or a range of computers, rather than a single computer, in much the same way as a car manufacturer produces a range of different cars. A mainframe also cost millions of dollars. It also has a variety of peripheral devices such as printers, plotters, terminals, etc. more than are found with small computers, and a large amount of external storage. Mainframe computers usually need a specialized environment in which to operate: with dust, temperature and humidity carefully controlled. The size of the internal memory is usually more than 256 megabytes of storage. They are used mostly in large establishments (e.g. universities, banks, commercial houses, etc.). Examples of mainframes are IBM 360/370 systems. NCR V-8800 system.
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iii. Minicomputers: Minicomputers were developed in the 1970s for specialised tasks (i.e. they are special purpose computers). They are smaller and less powerful and less expensive than mainframes. Minis, as they are often called, are easier to install and operate and they require less floor space. Minicomputers do not require specialised environment to operate in, but care must always be taken to ward off dust from the equipment. They cost between $15,000 and $200,000. Internal storage capacity of a minicomputer is usually between 128 megabytes and 256 megabytes. Examples include VAX 750/6000, HEWLETT PACKARD 3000, PDP 11 and so on.
iv. Microcomputers: A microcomputer is a computer whose central processing unit (CPU) is based on the microprocessor. Microcomputers are at present the most popular of computers. They are very small (desktop to briefcase size). The capability is generally not as many and not as complex as minis or mainframes. They are easy to use. They can be linked with mainframes and minis, and their capabilities are gradually approaching those of minicomputers. Most microcomputers today generally have between 16 and 128 megabytes. The price ranges from about $400 to over $5,000. Examples include IBM PC and its compatible, Apple Macintosh, etc. They are often called PC’s. There are very different kinds of microcomputer. All of them have a keyboard, which looks like the keyboard of a typewriter. They also have a screen of a television set.
2.0 HISTROY OF COMPUTERS AND COMPUTER GENERATIONS
2.1 EARLY AIDS TO COMPUTING.
i. Fingers and Toes:
The first early aids of counting were the fingers and toes. Man uses his fingers to help him count, it was a very simple device which help man to carry out simple additions. But they are not very good when counting larger numbers more than twenty. So because of this, primitive man started to use stones instead of fingers to help him count.
ii. Stones:
In the early days, when man wants to count say the number of animals he owned, he built a pile of stones with one stone for every animal. After he had finished building the piles he needed, he then needed to look at it and see how many there were on the piles he gathered. This method was used to count larger numbers. The stones could be used to count hundreds of numbers.
iii. Abacus
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The next idea was to use coloured beads threaded on a string. At first the beads were made of stones. Around the year 1200, the Chinese used this method to count. The beads were threaded on lines of wire frame. The beads on the first line counted the units. The beads on the second wire counted the hundreds and so on. By moving the beads back and forth along wires, numbers could be added and subtracted. This device was called an ABACUS. An Abacus is a wooden frame with strings on which colourful beads are strong, a picture of this is shown below.
Figure 2.1
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