Lecture 1 INFORMATICS. The purpose of this course. To help students. Prof. János Fodor. Computer Literate vs. Competent

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1 INFORMATICS Lecture 1 Spring semester Prof. János Fodor Dept. of Biomath. and Informatics Introduction, basics, history The purpose of this course To help students become competent in computerrelated skills; use computers for work and personal tasks; be ready for the job market. Computer Literate vs. Competent Computer literacy: understanding what a computer is and what it can do. Computer competency: using skills to meet information needs and improve productivity. Competency improves productivity and value. Why is learning about the computer important? Why is learning about the computer important? (cont.) Computers are common tools in all areas of life. New forms of learning and working have developed because of computers, like distance learning, on-line course instruction, home business opportunities. New ways to communicate, to find people with similar interest, and to buy goods are available because of computers, like: the Internet, , newsgroups, chat lines, e-commerce.

Structure and assessment Lectures (1 hour/week) Practicals (2 hours/week) Grades are based on 2 practical tests (35-35 points) 1 test (on topics from the lecture) (30 points) Maximum 100 points 0-50:

2 Structure and assessment Lectures (1 hour/week) Practicals (2 hours/week) Grades are based on 2 practical tests (35-35 points) 1 test (on topics from the lecture) (30 points) Maximum 100 points 0-50: 1; 51-63: 2; 64-76: 3; 77-90: 4; :5 Requirements Regular attendance (including punctual arrival in time for the scheduled beginning) of LECTURES and PRACTICALS, according to the actual group assignment, is an absolute requirement. Outline Readings Introduction, basics Hardware Software Operating systems Windows Word processing Spreadsheets Databases Presentation Graphics Utilities Networks Internet s Viruses Multimedia Timothy J. O'Leary and Linda I. O'Leary: Computing Today - International Edition (McGraw Hill, 2004). ISBN tutorials of the programs taught on-line tutorials on the Internet VISIT THE COURSE HOME PAGE REGULARLY! What is a computer? What is a dog? Ask people - different descriptions depending on the particular usage to most people: it provides companionship and affection; to the blind: it is an indispensable tool for flagging oncoming cars and other obstructions; to a rancher: it herds cattle and other livestock;

3 What is a dog? to the police: it sniffs out drugs and helps capture criminals; to a biologist: a dog is a mammal belonging to the canine genus a geneticist might study the genetic characteristics of doggie DNA. So, what is a computer? Similarly, from the users point of view, a computer means different things to different people: a word processor a drawing program control of robots in an automobile assembly plant a multimedia center a playstation etc. What can computers do? Cannot think! execute programs which are written by PEOPLE which are interchangable Cannot replace people! The process of writing programs Formulating the problem Finding the solution method (algorithm) Getting the program ready Put it into the computer Operate (use) the program. Why is a computer useful? The computer and the user solves problems very quickly the solution method can be applied to arbitrary data It s reliable and works properly (?!) If the problem has ever been solved by someone somewhere... The computer solves any problem, IF we tell how

4 Are we more intelligent than a computer? YES! if we do not write programs, if we do not operate it, then what can a computer do? There you are! Do not be afraid of computers! What if I put it out of order? What if I damage it? What if I make something wrong? NOTHING SPECIAL! at most you lose some data... Communicating with it A computer differs from a washing machine, a videorecorder, etc You have to communicate with it -- just like with your friend How? Command (Error) message... How can it help us? Error messages message line, menu keys attached with permanent tasks sound... The computer ridicules us... It is not harmful (to the computer...) (Everyone has been a beginner ) The computer cannot remember how many times we made a mistake...

5 Error messages A little bit of history... Notice it!!! Understand it! Find the reason! Correct the error! Computers -- computing Caveman - fingers Roman Empire - calculus (clay table with parallel lines); calculator; digitus - finger; computare - to cut on a type of wood Europe, XII. century: even the basic arithmetic operations in university courses only! (Roman numerals...) A little bit of history... Punch card 1642: Pascal - the arithmetic machine (basic operations) XVI-XVII century: textile industry - new mechanical tools (e.g. cogwheel) application of the same tools in computing 1805: punch card for storing data (by Jacquard) A little bit of history... A little bit of history... How to exploit the new mechanical tools in computing? 1828, Babbage: Difference Engine (for constructing mathematical tables) the idea of programmable machine - that s why he is considered as one of the fathers realization only in 1944: Mark I. 1880, USA: census data of 55 million people processing: 500 people, 7 years when processing data were published those were already invalid! 1890, USA: census (63 million data) processing: 4 weeks, with the machine of Hollerith (punch card + electromagnetic counter)

A little bit of history... 1st generation (~ till 1958) ~1930: binary number system; simplifies storing data, logical operations are possible until Mark I.: Generation 0.

6 A little bit of history... 1st generation (~ till 1958) ~1930: binary number system; simplifies storing data, logical operations are possible until Mark I.: Generation 0. Vacuum tubes punch cards, punched papers ENIAC: 1000 operations / sec John von Neumann, basic principles of computers ENIAC John von Neumann - principles Serial operation, fully electronic one operation at a time, very quickly The use of the binary number system electronically easier to realize Internal memory no human intervention is needed after each step, partial results can be stored in it John von Neumann - principles 2nd generation (~till 1965) Storing programs in the memory commands can also be expressed as NUMBERS; can be stored in the internal memory - like any other data the machine is able to work by its own (program) Universal machine no need for different machines for special tasks transistor more reliable, much smaller size and energy consumption than in case of vacuum tubes 1955: the first transistorized computer operating systems appear easier programming breakthrough in research, industry, etc. 1 million operation / sec

3rd generation (~till 1972) 4th generation (~till 1990) Integrated circuit (IC) collection of resistors, capacitors, switches and transistors on a printed circuit board serious decrease in size,

7 3rd generation (~till 1972) 4th generation (~till 1990) Integrated circuit (IC) collection of resistors, capacitors, switches and transistors on a printed circuit board serious decrease in size, increase in storage capacity winchester (hard disk), monitor compatible computer families software becomes more important million operations / sec LSI (large scale integration) 70 s: 2000 resistors, capacitors, transistors in a 3 X 3 mm package Microsoft IBM PC (1981) 100 million operation / sec 5th generation (from 1990) Visions (attributed): VLSI (very large scale integration) Artificial Intelligence 1000 million operations / sec??????????????????????????????? Wireless computing Heating current chips hotter than a cooker Smaller = cooler overall but hotter per mm 2 The world will need at most five computers Thomas Watson, Chairman of IBM, 1943 There is no reason why anyone would want a computer in their home Ken Olsen, Chairman of Digital, 1977 All times: Rapid exponential increase in speed and capacity (Moore s Law) plus decrease in cost Moore s Law Moore s Law (Gordon Moore, Chairman of Intel, 1965): No. of transistors on a chip double every 1.5 years Extended to apply to processor speed, disk and memory capacity. Equates to a factor of 10 every 5 years By 2050 computers will have between 1,000,000 and 10,000,000,000 times the capacity of today By 2020/2050 they will be smarter than we are

8 Moore s law in practice Moore s law for cars 1965 Mini 60 mph, Mini 600 miles/second, 12p (37 years = factor of 10,000,000) Cost of colour TV has not changed for 30 years

INFS 214: Introduction to Computing

INFS 214: Introduction to Computing Session 1 History of Computing Lecturer: Dr. Ebenezer Ankrah, Dept. of Information Studies Contact Information: eankrah@ug.edu.gh College of Education School of Continuing