1. Introduction to Computing
Introduction to Computing : Computing is the process of using computer technology to complete a given goal or task. It involves understanding how computers work, how they process data, and how they can solve problems. This section introduces basic computer concepts and functions.
Introduction to Computer Science
1.1 What is Computer Science?
Computer Science is the discipline that seeks to build a scientific foundation for such topics as:
Hardware
Computer hardware is the collection of physical parts of a computer system. This includes the computer case, monitor, keyboard, and mouse. It also includes all the parts inside the computer case, such as the hard disk drive, motherboard, video card, and many others. Computer hardware is what you can physically touch.
Software
Computer software, also called software, is a set of instructions and its documentations that tells a computer what to do or how to perform a task. Software includes all different software programs on a computer, such as applications and the operating system.
Programming
Computer programming is the process of designing and building an executable computer program for accomplishing a specific computing task.
Networks
A computer network is a set of computers connected for the purpose of sharing resources. The most common resource shared today is connection to the Internet. Other shared resources can include a printer or a file server. The Internet itself can be considered a computer network.
Graphics
Computer graphics is the discipline of generating images with the aid of computers. Today, computer graphics is a core technology in digital photography, film, video games, cell phone and computer display, and many specialized applications.
Robots
A robot is a machine—especially one programmable by a computer— capable of carrying out a complex series of actions automatically. Robots can be guided by an external control device or the control may be embedded within
Database
Database, also called electronic database, any collection of data, or information, that is specially organized for rapid search and retrieval by a computer. Databases are structured to facilitate the storage, retrieval, modification, and deletion of data in conjunction with various data-processing operations. A database management system (DBMS) extracts information from the database in response to queries.
Security
Security are those controls that are put in place to provide confidentiality, integrity, and availability for all components of computer systems. These components include data, software, hardware, and firmware.
Algorithmic Solutions
An algorithm is a set of instructions designed to perform a specific task.
Information Processing
Information processing refers to the manipulation of digitized information by computers and other digital electronic equipment, known collectively as information technology (IT). Information processing systems include business software, operating systems, computers, networks and mainframes.
We will be learning the details of these terms throughout the courses in different modules.
1.2. Computer Science Applications
Furthermore, Computer Science has applications in almost all domains such as:
- Telecom
- Banks
- Hospitals
- Software Development
- Service Industry ü Pak Army
- Freelancing
- and many more
Local Job Market
According to famous Job market website in Pakistan, most of the jobs are available in Computer Science, for example Figure 1 shows job opportunities when filtered using “By Function”, and Figure 2 represents job opportunities when filtered using “By Industry”. In both cases, the job opportunities in Computer Science are higher than rest of the fields.
International Job Market
Similarly, internationally, jobs related to Computer Science are ranked on the top. For example, forbes magazin one of the acclaimed agencies in US claims that Software Developer has been ranked as Number 1 job in the US. In Computer Science, the following areas have been ranked by the Forbes magazine.
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- Data Science
- Virtual Reality ü IoT
- Back-End Developer
- Front-End Developer
- UI Designer
- Full-Stack Engineer
- IT Manager
- Quality Assurance Expert
All of this discussion would be helpful to make you motivated all the time and to be happy with the decision you have made to choose Computer Science and a career.
1.5. Are you not a student of Computer Science?
Those who are not studying CS, even then this course will be helpful for them too. As this course covers all basic concepts of Computer Science which you would require in whatever field of study you are working. You know studying basics of Computer Science is compulsory for everyone even you are studying Business, Engineering, or Sciences. This course has been made very easy and interactive to make sure that you learn properly the basics of Computer Science and can apply them in your own studies.
