Computer Fundamentals
CHAPTER ONE
COMPUTER SYSTEM FUNDAMENTALS
1.1 Computer System as a Universal Tool
A computer system is an electronic device that accepts inputs; transform the input through some processes to obtain output or information that can aid effective decision making. Information originated from raw data which by its own simple definition is any raw fact or figure that can be subjected to a form of manipulation before it can be trusted for decision making. Data can originate from various sources depending on the user or purpose of gathering and can be processed manually, mechanically, electromechanically or pure electronically e.g. statistical data gathered through surveying, personnel data, student data through filling of some forms. Data processing can be said to be the core of computation. Computer happens to be one of the efficient tools for such processing.
The days of analytic engine, abacus computers witnessed a gigantic machine being operated manually by operators. Programs then were written in binary which represents machine codes and the size of the equipment then were bigger than the computers of nowadays.
The early computers were used as number crunchers. Around 1930, the use of computer has taken a new dimension as it has become an all-pervasive tool deployed to virtually to all spheres of human endeavours. Tedious calculations were subjected to data processing department for ease of processing and accuracy. The advancement in ability to hold valuable data for longer time was embedded into the computer functions through the stored-program concept introduced by John Von Neumann. We discuss this architecture in the next section.
It should be observed that the evolution of computer networks and Internet through advancement in technological devices in early nineteen century has turned round the whole world to operate like a village where resources can be tapped with ease without any transportation. This is 0 say that the computer system has become a universal tool
COMPUTER SYSTEM FUNDAMENTALS
1.1 Computer System as a Universal Tool
A computer system is an electronic device that accepts inputs; transform the input through some processes to obtain output or information that can aid effective decision making. Information originated from raw data which by its own simple definition is any raw fact or figure that can be subjected to a form of manipulation before it can be trusted for decision making. Data can originate from various sources depending on the user or purpose of gathering and can be processed manually, mechanically, electromechanically or pure electronically e.g. statistical data gathered through surveying, personnel data, student data through filling of some forms. Data processing can be said to be the core of computation. Computer happens to be one of the efficient tools for such processing.
The days of analytic engine, abacus computers witnessed a gigantic machine being operated manually by operators. Programs then were written in binary which represents machine codes and the size of the equipment then were bigger than the computers of nowadays.
The early computers were used as number crunchers. Around 1930, the use of computer has taken a new dimension as it has become an all-pervasive tool deployed to virtually to all spheres of human endeavours. Tedious calculations were subjected to data processing department for ease of processing and accuracy. The advancement in ability to hold valuable data for longer time was embedded into the computer functions through the stored-program concept introduced by John Von Neumann. We discuss this architecture in the next section.
It should be observed that the evolution of computer networks and Internet through advancement in technological devices in early nineteen century has turned round the whole world to operate like a village where resources can be tapped with ease without any transportation. This is 0 say that the computer system has become a universal tool