Subject: Computer Science

Class: Ss1
Term: First Term
Duration: 40 minutes

1. History of computing
2. Digitalization of data
3. History of computers
4. Classification of computers
5. Data and information
6. ICT application in everyday life

TOPIC 1: HISTORY OF COMPUTING.

Computers are affecting every sphere of human life and bringing about many changes in
research, industry, education, government, scientific medicine, law and social sciences and
even in arts like music and painting.
The history of computing is longer than the history of computing hardware and modern
computing technology and includes the history of methods intended for pen and paper or for
chalk and slate with or without the aid of tables.

Definition of Computing:

Computing is the use of computers to process, store, retrieve, and send data. It includes all
activities related to calculations and data management.

Concrete Devices in computing

Concrete computing is intimately tied to the representation of numbers. But long before
abstractions like the number arose, there were mathematical concepts to serve the purpose of
civilization.

Tally Stick
This was an ancient memory aid device to record and document numbers, quantities or even
messages. Tally sticks first appear as notches carved on animal bones, in the Upper
Paleolithic Age. E.g. Ishango Bone

Measuring Rod
This is a tool used to physically measure lengths and survey areas of various sizes. Most
measuring rods are round or square sectioned, however they can be flat boards. Some have
markings at regular intervals.
Early Calculating Devices:

Device Year Description

2400 A manual counting device used in ancient China. It has beads on
Abacus
BC rods and was used for addition and subtraction.
Napier’s Bones 1617 Invented by John Napier to simplify multiplication using rods.
Slide Rule 1622 An analog device used for multiplication and division.
Pascal’s Built by Blaise Pascal; it could perform addition and subtraction
1642
Calculator using gears.
Leibniz
1673 Improved version that could multiply and divide.
Calculator
Jacquard Loom 1801 Used punch cards to control weaving patterns.
Analytical Designed by Charles Babbage, considered the first idea of a modern
1837
Engine computer.

ABACUS: Abacus is an instrument used in performing arithmetic calculations. It is probably

the first calculating device. The Chinese invented it, and because of its success it spread from
China to other countries. The abacus is also called a counting frame, it consist of a tablet or
frame bearing parallel wires or grooves on which counters or beads are moved. A modern
abacus consists of wooden frame with beads on parallel wires, and a crossbar oriented
perpendicular to the wires that divides the beads into two groups. Each column or wire
represents one place in the decimal system. The Abacus was used for addition and
subtraction. It could not carry out complex mathematics operation.

NAPIER’S BONE: Napier's bones is an abacus created by John Napier of Merchiston for
calculation of products and quotients of numbers, in 1600. John Napier was a Scottish
mathematician who invented logarithms and the decimal point. The device consists of a set of
graduated rods based on the principle of logarithms. It was then used as a multiplication aid.
To use Napier’s bones, the rods are moved up and down in a sliding manner against each
other, matching the graduated rods. The device was a fore-runner of the slide rule which
emerged in the middle of 17th century. Formerly used to perform multiplication and division
but now taken over by modern electronic calculator.

PASCAL’SCALCULATOR: Blaise Pascal a French Mathematician, Physicist and a

religious philosopher, invented the Pascal’s calculator in 1642. Pascal’s calculator was first
called the arithmetic machine, Pascal’s calculator and then the Pascaline. This machine was
invented as a result of trying to help his father who was a tax collector and had the need for
subtraction, addition, multiplication and division. Hence the need for this machine.
Pascaline's mechanism was very promising but in practice was very complicated and the
weighted ratchets have a tendency to jam. Except that the ratchets didn't let the gears to rotate
in both directions, so subtraction had to be implemented with nines complements trick, which
is not so elegant way to perform a subtraction.
In addition as you can see from the previous examples, Pascaline is not a calculating
machine, but actually just an adding machine. In fact all similar machines with stylus setting
mechanisms should be called adding machines rather than calculating machines.
Despite all that Pascaline was a historical achievement and it is considered today as the first
calculating device that the human race has discovered.
JACQUARD LOOM: The Jacquard loom is a mechanical loom, invented by Joseph Marie
Jacquard, first demonstrated in 1801, that simplifies the process of manufacturing textiles
with complex patterns such as brocade, damask and matelasse. The loom was controlled by a
"chain of cards", a number of punched cards, laced together into a continuous
sequence.Multiple rows of holes were punched on each card and each row of punched holes
corresponded to one row of the design. Several such paper cards, generally white in color,
can be seen in the images below. Chains, like the much later paper tape , allowed sequences
of any length to be constructed, not limited by the size of a card.

TOPIC 2: DEFINITION OF DIGITALIZATION OF DATA

Digitalization is the process of converting information into a digital format. In this format,
information is organized into discrete units of data (called bit s) that can be separately
addressed (usually in multiple-bit groups called byte s).
Digitalization of data is a means or process of converting physical or written records such as
text, images, video and audio into digital form. Digitalization of data gives room for
accessing, preservation and sharing of information.
Digitalized data offers the following benefits: Long term preservation of documents, orderly
archiving of documents, easy & customized access to information, easy information
dissemination through images & text, CD-ROMs, internet, intranets, and extranets.

Devices Used for Digitalization:

 Scanner: converts hardcopy documents into digital files.

 Digital Camera: captures images in digital format.
 Microphone: converts sound into digital signals.
 Keyboard/Mouse: inputs characters and commands into the computer.

Importance of Digitalization:

 Easy storage and retrieval

 Fast sharing and access
 Better data analysis and security

TOPIC 3: HISTORY OF COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT

1ST GENERATION COMPUTERS

These include sets of computer built between 1940-1956. They employed electronic vales
(vacuum tubes) for their circuits. Examples include Leo Mark III, Atlas Series. Universal
Automatics computer (UNIVAC), Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic computer
(EDVAC), Electronic Delay Storage Automatic computer (EDSAC). This was developed by
two engineers Dr. John W. Mauchly and J. Prespert Eckert.
Features
 It uses punch card
 It relied on machine language
 It has valve-based machine and uses vacuum tube for storing and processing of data.
 It has limited internal storage
  It consumes too much electronic power and thereby generates too much heat.

2ND GENERATION COMPUTERS

This computer generation existed between (1956 - 1963). They used transistor in place of
valve. William Shockley invented transistors in 1947, but however the effect was not felt
until late 1950. They were smaller in size and faster in operation compared with the 1st
generation. Besides, they were more reliable and then use English as computer language.
High level language like BASIC, FORTRAN, COBOL etc. Examples are IBM 7000, series
7030, 7090, UNIVAC 1102, and LEO MARK SERIES
Features
 It uses transistors instead of valves therefore more reliable.
 Transistors was far superior to the vacuum tube
 It is faster in operation more than the first generation computers
 It uses magnetic tape as storage medium
 It is smaller in size compared to first generation computer - device like magnetic tape
or disk.
 It accepts external storage

3RD GENERATIONS COMPUTERS

The third generation computers mark the beginning of keyboards for input and video display
unit (monitor) for output. It came between 1964-1971. Some of the computers, its major
component was integrated circuits (IC) instead of transistor used during second generation.
The introduction of integrated circuit drastically increased the speed and efficiency of
computer. They came in three (3) different sizes ie mainframe, mini, micro computers.
Some of its features includes:
 use of circuits instead of transistors used in second generation
 it is more reliable than the second generation computers
 It has extensive processing storage
 It came in three different sizes – Mainframe, Mini, and Micro computers.

4TH GENERATION COMPUTERS

This generation of electronic computer came into existence (19714-1984). Their technology
is based on the use of semi-conductor device called silicon chips or micro processors. One of
the most important results of large scale integration was the introduction of the micro
processors.
Over time, larger units were introduced to generate an improved performance. These were
LSI, VLSI AND ULSI. The arrival of this generation of computer gave rise to more powerful
and less expensive but realistic computers development. Examples IBM 3030 and 7700.
Features
 It uses very large scale integrated circuit.
 It has high speed and higher storage capacity
 It is faster in operation and cheaper than the earlier ones
 It has extensive processing storage

5TH GENERATION
The present day computers are classified into this category. The fifth generation of computers
are capable of performing functions of human experts solving problems that require human
intelligent, judgment, insight and experience.
Fight generation computers can learn, take decisions and perform other activities exclusive of
human beings. It marks the era of Pentium i.e. Pentium 1 Pentium 2, 3, 4, and M which
combine artificial intelligence with expert system.
Artificial intelligence is the ability of the computer to behave like an intelligent human being
while expert system is the capability of computer to the judgment and decisions like an expert
in a specialized field i.e. Diagnosis and prescription of drugs like a medical doctor.
Features
 Artificial Intelligence e.g Robot
 It appears to be reasoning in some type of work.
 It helps in planning financial management
 Speech Synthesis
 Expert System – ability of making judgment and decision like an expert.

Key Inventors:

 Charles Babbage – Father of the computer

 Ada Lovelace – First computer programmer
 Alan Turing – Developed early computer concepts

TOPIC 4: CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTER

CLASSIFICATION BY TYPES
When computers are classified according to type, three different groups or classes of
computers are recognized. They are the digital analogue and hybrid computer.

 Digital Computer: This is most common type of computer today. It is used in

processing discrete data that have to do with counting. Digit is a number therefore,
digital computers measure physical quantities by counting. Most applications of
computer have to do with data processing. As such, the digital computer is so much in
use. Many modern devices are now using digital system. Examples of such devices
are: calculator, digital wrist watches, digital fuel dispenser etc.

 ANALOGUE COMPUTERS: Analogue computer processes continuous data such

as speed, temperature, heartbeat etc. They are mostly used in scientific measurement
which may require the processing of continuous data. These are the type of
specialized computers you are likely to see in the hospitals connected to patients.
Analog means continuity of associated quantity just like an analog clock measures
time by. Means of the distance traveled by the hand of the clock around a dial.

Examples:
 Thermometer
 Analog clock
 Speedometer
 Tire pressure gauge
  HYBRID COMPUTER: This type of computer combines the features of digital and
analogue computers together. It can count and as well as measure. A hybrid computer
may use or produce analog data or digital data. It accepts a continuously varying
input, which is then converted into a set of discrete values for digital processing.
Examples:
 Hybrid computer is the computer used in hospitals to measure the heartbeat of the
patient.
 Devices used in petrol pump.

CLASSIFICATIONOF COMPUTER BY SIZE

 MINICOMPUTER: This is a medium size general purpose digital. It is a multi-user
i.e. it allows many users at once and has the ability to perform many tasks
simultaneously. The distinguished features of mini from micro computers are:
memory size, speed of operation, faster input and output devices and higher cost.
They are specially designed to solve and handle wide variety of commuting problems.
It has become a popular and powerful network server to help manage large internet
web sites, corporate intranet and client server networks.

 MAINFRAME COMPUTER: These are multi-user and multi-tasking general

purpose computers. They have large storage capacity and cost more than typical mini
computers. They are used by large organizations such as banks, universities, central
bank, national population commission etc. Mainframe is now known as enterprise
server.

SUPER COMPUTER: This can be seen as technological improvement on mainframe

computers. It is used in the scientific environment such as for space studies and weather
forecast. They have higher processing powers and large storage capacities.

CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTER BY FUNCTIONALITY

Classification of computer according to purpose can be grouped into two, namely:
 General purpose computers
 Special purposes computers

 SPECIAL PURPOSE COMPUTERS: These are computers designed solely to solve

a restricted class of problems e.g. computer for medical diagnosis, weapon guidance,
traffic control, wealth study and forecast, control of airplanes and production control
of refinery and guidance etc.

 GENERAL PURPOSE COMPUTER: This class of computers is also called multi-

purpose computers and are used for variety of works. They have the ability to store
various programs of instructions and perform variety of operations such as graphics,
database inventory and sales analysis. Most computers are general purpose computers
and they can handles different kind of work.

TOPIC 5: DEFINITION OF DATA & INFORMATION

Data
Is a collection of facts, such as numbers, words, measurements, observations or even just
descriptions of things. Data is a collection of numbers represented as bytes that are in turn
composed of bits (binary digits) that can have the value one or zero. Data is processed by the
CPU, which uses logical operations to produce new data (output) from source data (input).

Information
In general, information is a raw data that has been verified to be accurate and timely.
Information is also raw data that is presented within a context that gives it meaning and
relevance, and which leads to increase in understanding and decrease in uncertainty.
The words information and data are used interchangeably in many contexts. This may leads
to their confusion. However, they are not synonyms.

Types of Data
The two types of data are:
1. Qualitative
2. Quantitative
Qualitative data is data that is not given numerically. Qualitative data is a categorical
measurement expressed not in terms of numbers, but rather by means of a natural language
description For example:
 favorite color = "blue"
 height = "tall"
 i hated the most = "loryel"

Quantitative data is numerical.Quantitative data is a numerica lmeasurement expressed not by

means of A natural language description, For example:
 molecule length = "450 nm"
 height = "1.8 m"

Method of gathering Data

1. Data can be gathered in the following ways:
2. By counting, using counters and also by measuring using tapes
3. By observation carried out by people
4. Using Questionnaires
5. Through Interviews
6. Filing of forms

Two Waysof Handling Data

1. Paper Based Method
2. Computer Based Method

Paper Based Method

This method uses paper and ink to handle data. The information is recorded in black and
white, another name for it, is called traditional paper based method.

Computer Based Method

Computer handles data when data is input and store on a computer. The data is then
processed in some way to turn it into useful information.

Differences Between Data and Information:

Data Information
Unprocessed Processed
No meaning Has meaning
Example: “80, Male, 18” “A male student of 18 years scored 80%”

Data Processing Cycle:

1. Input – Entering data (e.g., typing scores)

2. Processing – Performing calculations (e.g., calculating average)
3. Storage – Saving data (e.g., saving to hard disk)
4. Output – Displaying results (e.g., printing report card)

TOPIC 6: USES OF ICT

ICTs stand for information and communication technologies and are defined, for the purposes
of this primer, as a “diverse set of technological tools and resources used to communicate,
and to create, disseminate, store, and manage information.”
ICT applications are useful in numerous instances to facilitate the development of various
aspects of the society.
1. Public administration is a key aspect of civil society and it includes a range of
services to citizens and industry. It provides various functions that enhance the
society, economic and political developments of the citizenry. Example e-government
2. Urban and Rural Development: ICT application are useful in facilitating
development programmes in many countries. These technologies help in supporting
economic and social developments. The establishment of telecentres in rural
communities can facilitate economic empowerment.
3. Transport: In the transport sector, ICT applications can be used to improve road, air
and rail transportation. ICT applications are noticeable in the air transport control,
monitoring of freight and the day-to-day transport system.
4. Medicine: ICT applications are becoming valuable resources in the medical field.
They support efficient exchange of information between health professionals, they
enable transfer of patient between sites and they can improve clinical effectiveness,
continuity, and quality of records care by health professionals.
5. Education: The education sector is arguably one major area that ICT are playing a
remarkable role. These technologies help in facilitating learning and exchange of
educational materials. ICT are helping library professional store and manage
academic information.
6. Agriculture: At the micro level, ICT applications can be used to impart information
directly to farmers and the farming community. There are expert system designed to
handle agricultural issues such as water utilization and management, pest control,
harvest management and so forth.
The importance of ICT on society
1. Faster communication speed: In the past, it took a long time for any news or
message to be sent. Now with the internet, news or messages are sent via e-mail to
friends, business partner or anyone efficiently.
2. Lower Communication cost: Using the internet is cost-effective in comparison to
other modes of communication such as telephone, mailing or courier service. It allows
people to have access to large amounts of data very low cost.
3. Paperless Environment: ICT technology has created the term paperless
environment. This term means the information can stored and retrieved through the
digital medium instead of paper.
4. Effective Sharing of Information: People can share and exchange opinions, news
and information through discussion groups, mailing list and forums on the internet.
The enable knowledge sharing which will contribute the development of knowledge
based society.
5. Job Opportunities

Effect of ICT
Social Problems
1. Nowadays, people tend to choose online communication rather than having real-time
conversations.
2. People tend to become more individualistic and introvert, prone to theft, hacking
pornography and online gambling. This will result in moral decadent and generate
threat to the society.
3. A computer may harm the users if they use it for a long hours frequently.
4. Computer users are also exposed to bad posture, eyestrain, physical and mental stress.