This document provides an introduction to the Introduction to Computers and Programming (CSC103) course. It outlines the course structure including marks distribution, textbooks, requirements and examinations. It then provides an overview of what a computer is, its basic components, types of software, and different categories of computers including servers, mainframes and supercomputers.
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Text Book:
Let us C, Yashvant P. Kanetkar, 10th edition
Reference Books:
Discovering Computers 2010: Living in a Digital World
Programming in ANSI C (Revised edition) by Stephen G. Kochan, SAMS Publication.
Introduction to Programming using Turbo C by Robert Lafore
Web Sites & Material:
Will refer you to different web sites and will provide you with different notes if it’s
required.
4. Course requirements
Quizzes – 10%
There will be surprise quizzes. It can be taken at any time during Lecture/Lab,
written or computer based
Assignments – 15%
They will be announced with a specific deadline
Instructions will be provided along with the assignment statement
Copying assignment will result 0 Marks, both for source and copied
assignment
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5. How to get good marks?
Requirements
Overall Class Attitude
Things to Avoid (Cut-Copy-Paste Culture, Carelessness)
Things to do (Innovation, Confidence, Work Attitude)
Sense of maturity and continuous learning
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6. Examination
1st Sessional – 10%
2nd Sessional – 15%
Final Exam – 50%
I personally believe in “thorough studies” so usually no choices
given in the exam
Every thing discussed, during the class or given as reading material,
could be part of the exams
Questions will be formulated in a way to examine both conceptual
thinking as well as bookish
Other details will be given before the exam
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8. A World of Computers
• Computers are everywhere
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9. What Is a Computer?
• A computer is an electronic device, operating
under the control of instructions stored in its own
memory
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Collects
data
(input)
Processing
Produces
information
(output)
Information Processing Cycle
11. The Components of a Computer
• A computer contains many electric, electronic, and
mechanical components known as hardware
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• Allows you to enter data and instructions into a computerInput Device
• Hardware component that conveys information to one or more peopleOutput Device
• Case that contains the electronic components of the computer that
are used to process dataSystem Unit
• Holds data, instructions, and information for future useStorage Device
• Enables a computer to send and receive data, instructions and
information to and from one or more computers or mobile devices
Communications
Device
13. Networks and the Internet
• A network is a
collection of computers
and devices connected
together, often
wirelessly, via
communications
devices and
transmission media
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14. Networks and the Internet
• The Internet is a worldwide collection of networks that
connects millions of businesses, government agencies,
educational institutions, and individuals
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15. Computer Software
• Software, also called a program, tells the
computer what tasks to perform and how to
perform them
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System Software
• Operating system
• Utility program
Application Software
16. System Software
• Operating System
– Main System Software
– Starts up Computer & Control its Operations
– Computer cannot function without Operating System
– Examples: Windows, Mac OS, Linux
• Utility Program
– Analyze, Configure, Optimize and Maintain the Computer
– Examples: Disk Utilities (storage, checkers, backup, file
managers etc), Antivirus
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17. Application Software
• Performs Specific Tasks, such as;
– Creating Letters
– Preparing budgets
– Managing inventory
– Playing games
– Scheduling appointments
– Editing photographs
– Making travel plans
– Viewing web pages
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18. Computer Software
• A programmer develops
software or writes the
instructions that direct
the computer to
process data into
information
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19. Servers
• A server controls access
to the hardware,
software, and other
resources on a network
– Provides a centralized
storage area for
programs, data, and
information
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20. Mainframes
• A mainframe is a large, expensive,
powerful computer that can handle
hundreds or thousands of connected
users simultaneously
• Commonly used in; Hospitals,
Universities, Large Businesses, Banks,
Government Offices
• Usually operates 24 hours a day
– during day time it serves wide variety
of users
– at night, it commonly performs large
processing tasks (payroll, billing,
backups etc)
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21. Supercomputers
• A supercomputer is the fastest, most powerful
and most expensive computer
– Fastest supercomputers are capable of processing
more than one quadrillion instructions in a single
second
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22. Mainframe Computers vs Supercomputers
• Mainframe Computers
– Typically run multiple applications simultaneously to
serve a wide variety of users
• Supercomputers
– Generally run one program at a time, as fast as
possible
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