UNIVERSITY OF ABUJA
DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE
FACULTY OF SCIENCE
COURSE CODE:
CSC101
COURSE TITLE:
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER
This lecture material is prepared to introduce and acquaint students with the basic knowledge of
computer alongside its components. In addition, the fundamentals of programming language and
specifically, BASIC programming are also highlighted. Importantly, the resource materials are
gathered from Books, Journals and Web resources.
1|Page
, COURSE INFORMATION
Course Code: CSC101
Course Title: Introduction to Computer
Credit Unit: 3
Course Status: Core
Semester: First
Course Duration:
Required Hours of Study:
Year 2023.
GRADING SCHEME
Class Assessment: 30%
Final Examination: 70%. This will cover every aspect of the course.
Total: 100%
2|Page
,COURSE DESCRIPTION
CSC101: Introduction to Computer is a three (3) credit unit course. It deals with the
introduction to computer concepts. Computers basic meaning, functions, characteristics,
components, applications, etc have not changed, except for the fact that different applications
may ascribe different meanings to it.
This lecture material will serve as an introduction to computer. It explains all concepts related
to computer in detail, from background on computers and information to their roles in the
society. The idea of computer literacy is also discussed, which includes the definition and
functions, history; generations, characteristics, user/applications and social impact. Students
will learn about the components of a computer, the concept of hardware and software, the
concept of data processing and representation, information and knowledge. The Von Neumann
model of computation; the fetch/decode/execute cycle. Overview of the programming
languages and compilation, comparison of interpreters and compilers and language translation
phases are also discussed. Further, introduction to BASIC programming and fundamentals of
programming constructs are discussed.
So, it is important not only to know how to use a computer, but also to understand the
components of it and what they do. Students will be required to complete lab assignments using
PC’s operating system, and several commonly used applications. In addition to Internet and
on-line resources, browsers and search engines.
3|Page
, LECTURE 1
COMPUTER AND INFORMATION PROCESSING: GENERAL
OVERVIEW
Objectives
After going through this topic, students would be able to:
• Understand what a computer is and information process
• Describe impact of information processing
• Understand simple computer model
• Comprehend computer components
• Know types and classification of computer
Background on Computer and Information Processing
Information processing according to Britannica is referred to as the acquisition, recording,
organisation, retrieval, display, and dissemination of information. In today’s settings, it usually
refers to computer-based operations. Therefore, it consists of locating and capturing
information, using software to manipulate it into desired form and outputting the data.
Information processing systems include business software, operating systems, computers,
networks and mainframes. Whenever data needs to be transferred or operated upon in some
way, this is referred to as information processing. For example, in printing a text file, an
information processor works to translate and format the digital information for printed form.
What is a computer?
The word “computer” was used long before the modern definition to mean “a person that
computes.” This definition of computer was upheld until the 20th century when computer was
associated with “a programmable electronic device that can store, retrieve, and process data”
as defined in the Webster’s Dictionary. Therefore, a computer has come to be synonymous
with a device that “computes.” With the ability to perform a multitude of tasks, a computer is
regarded as a general (or multi) purpose machine. Computing here includes mathematical
computing as well as logical-based tasks. Generally, a computer is an electronic device,
operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory that can accept data
(input), process the data according to specified rules, produce information (output), and store
the information for future use. As the modern definition suggests, a computer must be capable
of retrieving, processing, and storing data or information.
To perform a task, we must identify data/information associated with task and provide clear
guidelines, i.e., proper set of instructions for the task to be solved on the computer. This set of
steps or instructions written in simple understandable language is called an algorithm. More
specifically, an algorithm is a sequence of instructions needed to perform a task.
4|Page
DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE
FACULTY OF SCIENCE
COURSE CODE:
CSC101
COURSE TITLE:
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER
This lecture material is prepared to introduce and acquaint students with the basic knowledge of
computer alongside its components. In addition, the fundamentals of programming language and
specifically, BASIC programming are also highlighted. Importantly, the resource materials are
gathered from Books, Journals and Web resources.
1|Page
, COURSE INFORMATION
Course Code: CSC101
Course Title: Introduction to Computer
Credit Unit: 3
Course Status: Core
Semester: First
Course Duration:
Required Hours of Study:
Year 2023.
GRADING SCHEME
Class Assessment: 30%
Final Examination: 70%. This will cover every aspect of the course.
Total: 100%
2|Page
,COURSE DESCRIPTION
CSC101: Introduction to Computer is a three (3) credit unit course. It deals with the
introduction to computer concepts. Computers basic meaning, functions, characteristics,
components, applications, etc have not changed, except for the fact that different applications
may ascribe different meanings to it.
This lecture material will serve as an introduction to computer. It explains all concepts related
to computer in detail, from background on computers and information to their roles in the
society. The idea of computer literacy is also discussed, which includes the definition and
functions, history; generations, characteristics, user/applications and social impact. Students
will learn about the components of a computer, the concept of hardware and software, the
concept of data processing and representation, information and knowledge. The Von Neumann
model of computation; the fetch/decode/execute cycle. Overview of the programming
languages and compilation, comparison of interpreters and compilers and language translation
phases are also discussed. Further, introduction to BASIC programming and fundamentals of
programming constructs are discussed.
So, it is important not only to know how to use a computer, but also to understand the
components of it and what they do. Students will be required to complete lab assignments using
PC’s operating system, and several commonly used applications. In addition to Internet and
on-line resources, browsers and search engines.
3|Page
, LECTURE 1
COMPUTER AND INFORMATION PROCESSING: GENERAL
OVERVIEW
Objectives
After going through this topic, students would be able to:
• Understand what a computer is and information process
• Describe impact of information processing
• Understand simple computer model
• Comprehend computer components
• Know types and classification of computer
Background on Computer and Information Processing
Information processing according to Britannica is referred to as the acquisition, recording,
organisation, retrieval, display, and dissemination of information. In today’s settings, it usually
refers to computer-based operations. Therefore, it consists of locating and capturing
information, using software to manipulate it into desired form and outputting the data.
Information processing systems include business software, operating systems, computers,
networks and mainframes. Whenever data needs to be transferred or operated upon in some
way, this is referred to as information processing. For example, in printing a text file, an
information processor works to translate and format the digital information for printed form.
What is a computer?
The word “computer” was used long before the modern definition to mean “a person that
computes.” This definition of computer was upheld until the 20th century when computer was
associated with “a programmable electronic device that can store, retrieve, and process data”
as defined in the Webster’s Dictionary. Therefore, a computer has come to be synonymous
with a device that “computes.” With the ability to perform a multitude of tasks, a computer is
regarded as a general (or multi) purpose machine. Computing here includes mathematical
computing as well as logical-based tasks. Generally, a computer is an electronic device,
operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory that can accept data
(input), process the data according to specified rules, produce information (output), and store
the information for future use. As the modern definition suggests, a computer must be capable
of retrieving, processing, and storing data or information.
To perform a task, we must identify data/information associated with task and provide clear
guidelines, i.e., proper set of instructions for the task to be solved on the computer. This set of
steps or instructions written in simple understandable language is called an algorithm. More
specifically, an algorithm is a sequence of instructions needed to perform a task.
4|Page
