01 Computer

Introduction to Computer Engineering

• Overview of computer engineering as a field of study

• Importance of understanding computers in modern society

Class Rules

• General Expectations:

  • Look with eyes, listen with ears, keep mouths quiet, help with hands, walk with feet

• Importance of Conduct:

  • Mutually respectful and conducive learning environment

Reminders

• Cell Phone Policy:

  • Turn off and remove cell phones during lectures.

• Safety Policies:

  • Prohibition of weapons, camera usage, and video recordings in class.

Use of Cell Phones

• Strictly Forbidden:

  • Various reasons for cell phone usage during class are noted but discouraged (e.g., personal calls, looking up definitions, etc.).

  • Penalties for violations: -1 point for each attempt.

Use of Tablets or Laptops

• Allowed Usage:

  • Restricted to viewing lecture notes only, no typing or keyboard usage permitted.

The Computer System

• Components of a Computer System:

  • Motherboard

  • Central Processing Unit (CPU)

  • Primary storage

  • Secondary storage

  • Input devices

  • Output devices

  • Communication devices

• Details on First Four Components:

  • To be explored in upcoming labs.

Hardware Component of Computer Systems

• Classification of Components:

  • Communication Devices

  • Secondary Storage: Magnetic disks

  • Central Processing Unit (CPU)

  • Primary Storage

  • Input Devices: e.g., Keyboard

  • Output Devices: e.g., Printers

  • Buses (data transmission pathways)

The System Unit

• Common components inside the system unit:

  • Memory, processor, adapter cards, ports, drive bays, power supply

• Adapter Cards:

  • Sound card, video card.

Input Devices

• Definition:

  • Hardware components that allow users to enter data and instructions into a computer.

• Types of Input:

  • Unprocessed data: text, numbers, audio, video

  • Instructions: programs, commands, user responses.

The Keyboard

• Keyboard Layout:

  • Divided into:

    • Typing area

    • Numeric keypad

    • Function keys and special command keys.

Pointing Devices

• Mouse:

  • Used to control the movement of the pointer (mouse pointer).

  • Can be mechanical with a movable ball, or optical with no moving parts.

Other Pointing Devices

• Trackball:

  • A stationary device with a ball on the top or side that can be rotated to move the pointer.

• Touchpad:

  • A flat device sensitive to pressure and movement, usually found on laptops.

• Pointing Stick:

  • A device similar to a pencil eraser, located between keyboard keys.

• Joystick and Wheel:

  • Joystick: a vertical lever

  • Wheel: a steering-wheel-type input device.

• Light Pen:

  • A handheld device that detects light, used for screen interaction.

• Touch Screen:

  • Users can interact with the display by touching it with fingers.

Stylus and Digital Pen

• Similar to traditional pens, but used for precision input on touch-sensitive devices.

Voice Input

• Voice Recognition Process:

  • Steps include dictation, analog-to-digital conversion, comparison with database, and selection of possible matches.

Digital Cameras

o Working Mechanism:

• Steps involve focusing light via a lens onto a CCD chip, converting analog signals into digital, and finally transferring the images to a computer for processing.

Video Input Devices

• PC Video Camera:

  • Used for capturing video for calls or recording.

• Webcam:

  • Displays video on a web page.

Scanners and Reading Devices

• Scanner Definition:

  • A light-sensing device that reads printed text and graphics, converting them into electronic images.

• Barcode Reader:

  • Utilizes lasers to read barcodes for data entry.

Biometric Input

• Definition of Biometrics:

  • Authenticates identity through personal characteristics like fingerprints and voice patterns.

• Examples:

  • Fingerprint scanners, hand geometry systems, voice verification systems, iris recognition systems.

Output

• Definition:

  • Processed data presented to the user, displayed through output devices.

Display Devices

• Display Device Function:

  • Visually conveys information, classified as soft copy when displayed on screens.

Printers

• Printer Functionality:

  • Produces text and graphics on paper (hard copy). Types include:

    • Portrait orientation

    • Landscape orientation.

Audio Output Devices

• Common Devices:

  • Speakers and headsets.

Powerful Computer Systems**

• Overview of advanced desktop computers and specifications of notable models, including brands like MSI and Lenovo.

Types of Computers

• Categories:

  • Personal Computers (PCs), Laptops, PDAs/Cell Phones, Network Computers, Workstations, Servers, Mainframes, Supercomputers, Embedded Computers, Special Purpose Computers.

Workstations

• Characteristics:

  • Higher memory and processing speeds than standard PCs.

  • Designed for demanding applications like design, video editing, and architectural computing.

Servers

• Functionality:

  • Centralized system providing resources to multiple computers.

  • Significant memory and storage to support multiple connections.

Mainframes and Supercomputers

• Mainframes:

  • Designed for processing large datasets and serving multiple users simultaneously.

• Supercomputers:

  • Capable of immense calculations, used in advanced scientific applications.

History of Computers**

• Historical Milestones:

  • Abacus, Leonardo da Vinci's designs, Blaise Pascal's inventions, developments by Charles Babbage, and early computing technology advancements including ENIAC and the first transistors.

  • Key figures include Augusta Ada Lovelace (first programmer) and Alan Turing (theoretical computer science).

Recent Advancements in Computing

• Trends include:

  • Development of microprocessors, personal computers, and networking technologies (Ethernet).

  • Evolution of operating systems, memory chips, and graphical user interfaces, leading to widespread consumer adoption.