ASSIGNMENT

LAUTECH OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING CENTRE

CSC 101 (Introduction to Computer Science)

Matric Number: 2024001877

 Question one

Discuss the history and evolution of computers, mentioning at least three significant

developments.

Answers

The history of the computer goes back several decades however; the word ‘computer’ is an

ancient word that has transformed its meaning several times in the last few centuries. Originated

rom the Latin, by the mid-17th century it meant to compute which indicates to calculate’. From

the earliest times the need to carry out calculations has been developing. The initial step entails

the development of counting and calculation helps such as the counting board and the abacus.

Blaise Pascal (1623-62) was the son of a tax collector and a mathematical intellect. He developed

the earlier mechanical calculator (Pascaline) based on gears. It executed addition and subtraction.

Leibnitz (1646-1716) was a German mathematician and developed the earlier calculator to do

multiplication and division. It was not dependable as a result of accuracy of modern parts.

Charles Babbage (1792-1872) was a British originator who planned an ‘analytical engine’

integrating the designs of a memory and card input/output for data and instructions. Again the

present-day technology did not allow the whole construction of the machine.

Babbage is mainly recalled because of the work of Augusta Ada (Countess of Lovelace) who was

perhaps the major computer programmer.

which a million were sold by 1926.

Hollerith established an electromechanical punched-card tabulator to formulate the data for 1890

U.S. Census. Data was entered on punched cards and could be sorted according to the census

requirements. The machine was powered by electricity. He designed the Tabulating Machine

Company which became International Business Machines (IBM). IBM is remains one of the

leading computer companies in the world.

Eckert and Mauchly designed and assembled the ENIAC in 1946 for military computations. It

used vacuum tubes (valves) which were totally electronic (operated in microseconds) as different

to the relay which was electromechanical. It weighed 30 tons, used 18000 valves, and needed

140 watts of power. It was 1000 times quicker than the Mark I multiplying in 3 milliseconds.

ENIAC was a decimal machine and could not be programmed without modifying its setup by

hand.

Atanasoff had made a specific computer in 1941 and was visited by Mauchly before the

construction of the ENIAC.

Von Neumann was a scientific genius and was a consultant on the ENIAC project. He formulated

plans with Mauchly and Eckert for a new computer (EDVAC) which was to store programs as

well as data.

This is known the stored program concept and Von Neumann is credited with it. Virtually all

current computers are based on this idea and are denoted to as Von Neumann machines. He also

concluded that the binary system was more appropriate for computers since switches have only

two values. He went on to plan his own computer at Princeton which was a general purpose

machine.
Question two: Compare and contrast the roles of input and output devices in a computer

system, providing examples.

Input and output devices serve as essential components in a computer system, enabling

interaction between the user and the system itself.

Comparison of Roles

Input Devices

Input devices allow users to send data, commands, or control signals to the computer. They act

as a bridge between the user and the system, enabling information to flow into the computer for

processing.

Examples:

• Keyboard: Users type text, numbers, or commands that the computer processes.

• Mouse: A pointing device that allows users to interact with graphical elements on the

screen.

• Scanner: Converts physical documents or images into digital data.

• Microphone: Captures audio input, which can be used in communication, voice

recognition, or multimedia applications.

Output Devices

Output devices, on the other hand, convey processed data out of the computer to the user. They

present the results of the computer’s processing, allowing the user to understand, see, or hear the

information.
Examples:

• Monitor: Displays visual output, such as text, graphics, and videos, allowing the user to

view processed information.

• Printer: Produces a hard copy of documents, images, or any printable material.

• Speakers: Play audio output, such as music, sound effects, or voice communication.

• Projector: Projects the display onto a larger screen for presentations or group viewing.

Key Differences

1. Direction of Data Flow: Input devices send data to the computer (input), while output

devices receive data from the computer (output).

2. Purpose: Input devices are used for data entry or control, while output devices deliver

results from processing.

In summary, input devices allow interaction by sending data to the computer, while output

devices provide feedback by presenting processed information from the computer to the user.

Both types of devices work together to facilitate a functional user-computer interface.

Question three: Explain the importance of secondary storage in a computer system and the

different types available.

Answers

Secondary storage is a crucial component of a computer system, serving as a permanent or long-

term storage medium for data and files. Unlike primary storage (RAM), which is temporary and

volatile, secondary storage retains data even when the computer is powered off. It allows users to
store large amounts of data, software, operating systems, and documents, providing both backup

and long-term data management.

Importance of Secondary Storage:

1. Data Persistence: Secondary storage ensures that data remains intact after the computer

is turned off. Without it, users would lose all unsaved work once the system powers down.

2. Capacity: It offers much higher storage capacity than primary memory (RAM), allowing

for the storage of vast amounts of data, such as operating systems, applications, multimedia

files, and user data.

3. Cost-Effectiveness: Secondary storage is more cost-efficient per unit of storage than

primary storage. This makes it a viable option for large-scale data storage.

4. Backup and Recovery: Secondary storage is used for data backup, ensuring that users

can restore their systems and files in case of a failure or data loss.

5. Performance Optimization: While primary storage is faster, secondary storage can

complement it by holding larger volumes of data and freeing up primary memory for active

processes, improving overall system performance.

Types of Secondary Storage:

1. Hard Disk Drive (HDD):

• Traditional magnetic storage that uses spinning disks and read/write heads to store data.

• Pros: High storage capacity, relatively inexpensive.

• Cons: Slower access speeds compared to newer technologies.

• Uses flash memory to store data, offering faster read/write speeds compared to HDDs.

• Pros: Faster performance, more durable (no moving parts), lower power consumption.

• Cons: More expensive per gigabyte compared to HDDs, limited write cycles.

3. Optical Discs (CD/DVD/Blu-ray):

• Store data using laser technology, typically for media distribution and archival storage.

• Pros: Portable, durable, relatively low cost.

• Cons: Limited storage capacity, slower data transfer speeds, and less common for modern

computing.

4. USB Flash Drives:

• Small, portable devices that use flash memory for data storage.

• Pros: Extremely portable, fast read/write speeds, easy to use for transferring data.

• Cons: Limited storage compared to SSDs or HDDs, relatively high cost per GB.

5. Magnetic Tapes:

• Used primarily for archival and backup purposes, especially in large organizations.

• Pros: Very high storage capacity at a low cost, ideal for backup.

• Cons: Slower data access speeds, less convenient for everyday use.
6. Cloud Storage:

• Remote storage hosted on internet servers, allowing users to store and access data over

the internet.

• Pros: Accessible from anywhere, scalable storage, reduced risk of data loss.

• Cons: Requires internet connection, ongoing costs for storage.