Republic of the Philippines

MAILA ROSARIO COLLEGE

San Gabriel Village, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan North
Diversion Road, San Gabriel Village, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan North
Contact No. (078) 377 – 249

COLLEGE OF INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY

PRELIM COVERAGE

Module in
IT121 - E-BUSINESS

MODULE NO.: 4

NAME OF STUDENT: ___________________________________________________

YEAR / SECTION: ______________________________________________________
DATE RECEIVED: ______________________________________________________

INSTRUCTOR: REYMART P. ECLIPSE

 I. OVERVIEW
This Module describing the architecture digital computer system.

Nowadays, we use electronic devices every day in our lives. Our daily activities:
such as buying groceries, using social networking sites, entertainment, working
from home, communicating with friends and costumers locally and internationally,
etc., can all be done with the use of computer. That is why it is important not only
to know how to use a computer, but also to understand each element that makes
up a computer.

II. LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of the topic, the students should be able to:

- Discuss the components of a computer system;

- Explain the basic concepts and the relationship between hardware and software;
- Describe and explain the types of software and programming languages
translators

III. GUIDE QUESTIONS / ACTIVITIES

1. What Are the Advantages of Computers in Business?

IV. LESSON PROPER

COMPONENTS OF DIGITAL COMPUTER AND THEIR FUNCTIONS

What is a Computer?

The term computer is derived from the word compute. The word compute means
to calculate. A computer is an electronic machine that accepts data, processes the
data by performing calculations and operations on it, and generates the desired
output or results. Computer performs both simple and complex operations, with
great speed and accuracy.

Characteristics of a Computer System

• Speed - The computer can process data so fast. It could process millions
of instructions per second. Some complex calculations that might have taken hours
and days to complete, can be completed in a few seconds using the computer. For
example, calculation and generation of pay slips of thousands of employees of an
organization, weather forecasting that requires analysis of a large amount of data
related to temperature, etc.
• Accuracy - Computer provides a high degree of accuracy. For example,
the computer can accurately give the result of any calculations or logical operations
once you programmed it to do so. Errors may occur because of data inconsistency
or inaccuracy, mostly user error.
 Republic of the Philippines
MAILA ROSARIO COLLEGE
San Gabriel Village, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan North
Diversion Road, San Gabriel Village, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan North
Contact No. (078) 377 – 249

• Diligence - The computer does not get tired when used for a longer period
of time. It can perform long and complex calculations with the same speed and
accuracy from the start till the end.
• Storage Capability – the computer can store large volumes of data and
information and also retrieved whenever required. A limited amount of data can be
stored, temporarily, in the primary memory. Secondary storage devices such as
flash disk and hard disk can store a large amount of data permanently.
• Versatility - Computer is versatile in nature. It can perform different types
of tasks with the same ease at the same time.

What makes up a Computer System?

The elements of a computer system are:

1. Hardware – the physical components or the tangible part of the computer

system
2. Software – set of programs that instruct the computer hardware to perform
3. People – the most important element of a computer system. These are the
persons involved in computer operations. People are computer specialist including
end users.
4. Data – these are the possible inputs for computer operations. The raw facts
that we input in the computer.
5. Procedure – step by step instructions on how to use the hardware and
software and also for data inputs to achieve the desired output. This is to know
what needs to be done and when.
6. Connectivity – two or more computers are connected to each other.
Computers must be connected to internet.

Internal Hardware Components

Parts of the Internal Hardware are Central Processing Unit (CPU), Input devices,
Output devices and Memory

Central Processing Unit (CPU) – this called as the “brain of the computer”

Parts of CPU
1. Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) - It performs all the arithmetic and logical
operations
2. Control Unit (CU) – It controls the overall operations of the computer such
as controlling and coordinating the overall functions of the units of computer.
3. Registers – this is the temporary storage inside the CPU

Input Devices - It accepts data from the user. The Input unit converts the data into
a form that is understandable by the computer. Examples are keyboard, mouse,
etc.

Output Devices – provides the processed data in a form that is understandable

by the user. Convert information into human-readable form. Examples are monitor,
speaker, printer, etc.

Types of Memory

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 Republic of the Philippines
MAILA ROSARIO COLLEGE
San Gabriel Village, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan North
Diversion Road, San Gabriel Village, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan North
Contact No. (078) 377 – 249

Random Access Memory (RAM)

It temporarily holds data, instructions, and output, during the processing period.
Programs are also loaded in this memory temporarily when the user turn on the
computer. This memory is also called the main memory or primary memory of the
computer.

Read Only Memory (ROM)

It is type of memory that permanently stores data on personal computers (PCs)
and other electronic devices. It contains the program essential for booting-up
(start-up) a computer. ROM is read-only, it cannot be changed. It is permanent
and non-volatile, meaning it holds its memory even when the power is off.

Secondary Memory or Auxiliary Memory

This memory stores the information permanently. Examples of secondary storage
memory are compact disk, memory card, external hard drive, etc.

Categories of Software

1. System Software is a set of programs which control and manage the

computer hardware operations. System software also helps application programs
to run correctly.

2. Application Software is designed to perform a specific task for the end

user. Application software can be a package software or off-the-shelf programs
and tailored software. The off-the-shelf software is ready made program product
that you can buy either online or in the physical store such as word processing
software, spreadsheet, graphics software etc. While the custom-made software or
tailored software is designed for a specific purpose. You can hire a freelance
programmer to do it for your company or business.

Categories of System Software

Operating systems: It helps you for the successful utilization of all hardware and
software components of a computer system.

Utility programs: Utility programs are a set of programs that assist users in
system maintenance tasks, and in carrying out tasks of routine nature. It assists
or helps to manage, maintain and control computer resources. Example –
Antivirus, firewall, etc.

Device Drivers: This software permits communication between the operating

system and all the devices, such as the mouse, keyboard, printer, etc.

Programming Language Translators: Programming language translators:

Transforms the instructions prepared by developers in a programming language
into a form that can be interpreted or compiled and executed by a computer
system.

1. Assembler – a software that translate assembly language to machine code

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 Republic of the Philippines
MAILA ROSARIO COLLEGE
San Gabriel Village, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan North
Diversion Road, San Gabriel Village, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan North
Contact No. (078) 377 – 249

2. Compiler – this software takes the entire program and converts it into object
code or binary code. The machine can directly execute the executed file and after
linking. Sample compiled programming languages are C and C++.
3. Interpreter –it directly executes instructions written in a programming or
scripting language without previously converting them to an object code or
machine code. Ex. Perl, Python

Note: Interpreted programs run slower than the compiled programs.

"Programming languages" are the languages needed to write a program or

software.

Programming languages are categorized into:

1. Machine level language – also called machine code. This is the lowest
level of programming language. It handles binary data (0’s and 1’s) and this is the
only language a computer can understand.
2. Assembly level language – a low-level programming language that uses
symbols to represent field of instructions. Example is PASCAL
3. High-level language – these languages are written in a form that is close
to human language which enables the programmer to focus on the problem being
solved. Examples are c++, Java, etc.

Basic Applications of Computer

• Education – Educators use the computers as a tool and as an aid for

imparting education. They use computers to prepare notes and presentations of
their lectures. Computers are used in developing computer-based training
packages, to provide distance education using the e-learning platforms, conduct
online examinations, and many more.

• Entertainment - The user can download and watch movies online, play
games, listen to and share music, chat, book tickets for cinema, use multimedia
for making movies, incorporate visual and sound effects using computers, etc.

• Sports - It can be used to watch games, view scores, play games (like
chess, etc.) and create games. Computers are also used to train players.

• Advertising - Computer is a powerful advertising media because target

audiences spend most of their time online. Advertisement can be displayed on
different websites, social media (like Facebook), YouTube, etc. Computers are
also used to create an advertisement. Web advertising has become a significant
factor in the marketing plans of almost all companies and organization.

• Medicine Medical researchers and practitioners use computers to

retrieve information about the advancement in medical research or to search for
opinions of doctors around the world. The computers are also used to store the
medical history of patients, and more. Computers are also an integral part of
various kinds of sophisticated medical equipment’s like ultrasound machine, CAT
scan machine, MRI scan machine, etc.

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 Republic of the Philippines
MAILA ROSARIO COLLEGE
San Gabriel Village, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan North
Diversion Road, San Gabriel Village, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan North
Contact No. (078) 377 – 249

• Science and Engineering Scientists and engineers use computers for

performing complex scientific calculations, designing, etc, using CAD/CAM
applications and also used for simulating and testing the designs. Computers are
used for storing the complex data, performing complex calculations and for
visualizing 3-dimensional objects. Complex scientific applications like the launch
of the rockets, space exploration, etc., are not possible without the computers.

• Government The government uses computers to manage their own

operations and also for e-governance. The websites of the different government
departments supply information to the users. Computers are used for the filing of
income tax return, paying taxes, online submission of water and electricity bills, for
the access of land record details, etc. The police department uses computers to
search for criminals using fingerprint matching, etc.

• Home Computers have now become an integral part of home equipment.

At home, people use computers to play games, to maintain the home accounts,
for communicating with friends and relatives via Internet, for paying bills, for
education and learning, etc. Microprocessors are embedded in house hold utilities
like, washing machines, TVs, food processors, home theatres, security devices,
etc.

V. REFERENCES
➢ Computer Concepts ;
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/computer_concepts/computer_conce
pts_introductio n_to_computer.htm
➢ Types of Software, 2016; https://techdifferences.com/difference-
between-systemsoftware-and-application-software.html

Prepared by: Reviewed by: Approved by:

REYMART P. ECLIPSE ERWEL JUDE F. PIGA GILBERT C. CABALZA, MSCRIM

IT Instructor Department Coordinator Vice Pres. of Academic Affairs

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