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BASIC COMPUTER OPERATION

BCO 1.1:
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

INTRODUCTION:
This module covers the knowledge, skills and attitude required to understand the
fundamental concepts of computer system. This also includes the basic components a
computer must have for it to operate, as well as the various devices that can be
connected to it.

PRE-REQUISITE:
• None

OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this module, the student will be able to:
• Define Computer and types of computer
• Compare the difference of Input and Output device
• Assemble the Basic Components of Computer

NOMINAL MODULE DURATION:

2 Hours

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VOCABULARY LIST:

• Barcode Reader: A barcode reader is an electronic device which is used to read

printed barcodes.
• Case: Frame that houses the system unit
• Cloud Storage: This refers to remote storage done over a computer network.
• Compact Disk/Digital Versatile Disk Drive: High-capacity removable-media,
optical storage device of the system
• Computer: A computer is an electronic device that tasks based on instructions
given by the user.
• CPU/Processor: Serves as the brain or engine of the PC.
• Digital Camera: A digital camera is an electronic device which takes or still
photographs or both, digitally by recording images via an electronic image
sensor.
• Hard Disk Drive: Secondary storage that is used when large amount of data has
to be stored.
• Keyboard: Primary input device used to communicate with the PC.
• Mainframes: These are computers used mainly by large for critical applications,
typically bulk data processing such as census, industry and consumer statistics,
ERP, and financial transaction processing.
• Memory: Contains data which the processor is using at a given time.
• Microcomputer or PC’s: A computer with a microprocessor as its central
processing unit. Another general characteristic of these computers is that they
occupy physically small amounts of space when compared to mainframe and
minicomputers.
• Microphone: A microphone is an electronic device that captures audio by
converting sound wave into an electrical signal.
• Minicomputers: They are relatively low cost and small. Meaning most computing
takes (physically) place on the mini itself.
• Mother Board: System core which controls all the devices.
• Monitor: Video display which shows information.
• Mouse : Pointing input device used to communicate with the PC.
• Power supply : Source of electrical power of every part of the PC
• Primary Storage/Internal Memory Primary storage uses random-access memory
(RAM), cache memory, or some other specialized hardware to store data while
the computer is powered on
• Printer: A printer is a device that accepts text and graphic output from a
computer and transfers the information to paper (commonly known as
hardcopy), usually to standard size sheets of paper.
• Projector: Video projector receives video signals and projects the corresponding
image on a projection screen.

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• Scanner: It optically scans images, printed text, handwriting, or an object, and

converts it to a digital image.
• Secondary Storage: Data stored on hard disk drives and most other types of
secondary storage devices is organized according to file system.
• Secure Digital Card Used commonly in multiple electronic devices, including
digital cameras and mobile phones.
• Speaker: Computer speakers, or multimedia speakers, are external speakers,
commonly equipped with a low-power internal amplifier which produces sound
as output.
• Solid State Drive: Uses a flash memory to store data and is sometimes used in
devices such as netbooks, laptop, and desktop computers instead of a
traditional hard disk drive.
• Sound card: Enables the PC to generate complex and sophisticated sounds.
• Super Computer: These are used for the supercomputing like weather maps,
construction of atom bombs, finding oil, earthquake prediction, and sciences
where a lot of calculations must be done.
• Touch Screen: Touch screens are monitors/ electronic visual display screens
which detect where they are being touched
• Uninterruptible Power Supply: A device that provides battery backup when the
electrical power fails or drops to an unacceptable voltage level.
• USB Flash Drive: Flash memory is generally more efficient and reliable, being
smaller, faster, and possessing much greater storage capacity, as well as being
more durable due to a lack of moving parts.
• Video Card: Controls the information displayed on the monitor.

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LEARNING PLAN:

• STUDY Introduction to Computer: Go to INFORMATION SHEET BCO 1.1.1-5 page 5

• ANSWER Introduction to Computer (self-check): Go to SELF-CHECK BCO 1.1 page
15

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INFORMATION SHEET BCO 1.1.1-5

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

CONTENTS:
1. Brief definition of computer
2. Types of computers
3. Computer components
4. Digital storage devices
5. Input and output devices

What is a Computer?

A computer is an electronic device that

performs tasks based on instructions given by the
user.

“Computer is an electronic machine that

calculates data very quickly, used for storing,
writing, organizing, and sharing information
electronically or for controlling other machines.” –
Cambridge Dictionary

“A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions

stored in its own memory. These instructions tell the machine what to do. The computer
is capable of accepting data (input), processing data arithmetically and logically,
producing output from the processing, and storing the results for future use.” – J. Adebisi
of University of Ilorin (2010)

“A computer is an electronic device that accepts user input (data) and

processes it under the influence of a set of instructions referred to as programs to
produce the desired output generally referred to as information.” – F. Mugivane of
University of Nairobi (2014)

Types of Computers

• Super Computers
These are used for the supercomputing like weather maps, construction of
atom bombs, finding oil, earthquake prediction, and sciences where a lot of
calculations must be done. Supercomputing means "mass computing at ultra-
high speed." Who really needs supercomputing today are mostly scientists
performing mass computing at ultra-high speed. They use such computers in all

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imaginable disciplines: space exploration and related imagery (picturing

galaxies and intergalactic matter), environmental simulations (global warming
effects) mathematics, physics (the search for the really smallest part of matter),
gene technology (what gene it is that makes us old), and many others.
• Mainframes
These are computers used mainly by large organizations for critical
applications, typically bulk data processing such as census, industry and
consumer statistics, ERP, and financial transaction processing. The term probably
originated from the early mainframes, as they were housed in enormous, room-
sized metal boxes or frames.
• Minicomputers
Introduced in the early 1960s and announced a new era in computing.
They are relatively low cost and small. Historically, a mini is associated with de-
centralized computing. Meaning most computing takes (physically) place on the
mini itself.
• Microcomputer or PC’s
A computer with a microprocessor as its central processing unit. Another
general characteristic of these computers is that they occupy physically small
amounts of space when compared to mainframe and minicomputers. These are
abundant on our desks, tables, offices, suitcases, everywhere. Historically, a
micro is associated with stand-alone computing. Meaning most computing takes
(physically) place on the micro itself.

Computer Components

Motherboard System core which

controls all the devices

CPU/ Processor Serves as the brain or

engine of the PC

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Memory Contains data which the

processor is using at a
given time

Case Frame that houses the

system unit

Power Supply Source of electrical

power of every part of
the PC

Hard Disk Drives Secondary storage that

is used when large
amount of data has to
be stored

Compact Disk/ High-capacity

Digital Versatile removable-media,
Disk Drives optical storage device
of the system

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Monitor Video display which

shows information

Video Card Controls the information

displayed on the
monitor

Sound Card Enables the PC to

generate complex and
sophisticated sounds

Keyboard Primary input device

used to communicate
with the PC

Mouse Pointing input device

used to communicate
with the PC

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Uninterruptible A device that provides

Power Supply battery backup when
(UPS) the electrical power fails
or drops to an
unacceptable voltage
level. Small UPS systems
provide power for a few
minutes; enough to
power down the
computer in an orderly
manner, while larger
systems have enough
battery for several hours

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Digital Storage Devices

• Primary Storage or Internal Memory

Primary storage uses random-access memory (RAM), cache memory, or
some other specialized hardware to store data while the computer is powered
on. When the power is removed, RAM is wiped clean.
• Secondary Storage
Secondary storage on a computer is provided by devices such as hard
disk drives. Data stored on hard disk drives and most other types of secondary
storage devices is organized according to file system.

Hard Disk Drive Installed in almost every desktop

(Hard drive, HD, computer and laptop. It stores
HDD) files for the operating system and
software programs, as well as
document, such as photographs,
text files, and audio.

Compact Disc A form of optical storage, a

(CD), technology which employs lasers
Digital Versatile and lights to read and write data.
Disc (DVD), A DVD or Blu-ray disc can store 25
Blu-ray Disc GB (gigabytes) of data on a
(BD) single-layer disc and 50 GB on a
dual-layer disc. In comparison, a
standard CD can hold up to 700
MB (megabytes) of digital data.
USB Flash Drive A flash memory data storage
(Thumb drive, device that incorporates an
pen drive, integrated USB interface. Flash
flash-drive, memory is generally more
memory stick, efficient and reliable, being
jump drive, USB smaller, faster, and possessing
stick) much greater storage capacity,
as well as being more durable
due to a lack of moving parts.

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Secure Digital Used commonly in multiple

Card (SD electronic devices, including
Card), digital cameras and mobile
Memory Cards phones. Although there are
different sizes, classes, and
capacities available, they all use
a rectangular design with one
side “chipped off”.
Solid State Uses a flash memory to store data
Drive and is sometimes used in devices
(SDD) such as netbooks, laptop, and
desktop computers instead of a
traditional hard disk drive. The
advantage of an SDD over HDD
include a faster read/write
speed, noiseless operation,
greater reliability, and lower
power consumption.
Cloud Storage This refers to remote storage
done over a computer network.
Cloud storage makes use of a
storage devices located
elsewhere and connected by the
internet or other type of network
connection.

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Input and Output Devices

• Input Devices

Keyboard It is the most common input

device used for entering data
and information into the
computer system. This is the
standard input device attached
to all computers. The keyboard is
a primary device for inputting
text by pressing a set of keys. All
the keys are neatly mounted in a
keyboard connected to the
computer system.
Mouse A Mouse is a handy device
which can be moved on a
smooth surface to cause the
movement of a cursor on the
screen. It is a pointing device
which is used to input data and
information into the computer
system by pointing on it. The
cursor of the mouse moves in the
same direction in which the
mouse ball rolls.
Touchscreen Touch screens are monitors/
electronic visual display screens
which detect where they are
being touched. The user makes
selections by directly touching
the screen, rather than moving a
cursor to the point on the screen
with a mouse.
Scanner A scanner is an input device and
is used to input data into the
computer system in the form of
pictures. It optically scans
images, printed text, handwriting,
or an object, and converts it to a
digital image.

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Digital Camera A digital camera is an electronic

device which takes video or still
photographs or both, digitally by
recording images via an
electronic image sensor. This can
connect directly to a computer
to transfer data. A USB port is
generally used for this purpose. A
Wireless connection can also be
used for connecting to a
computer via Bluetooth.
Microphone A microphone is an electronic
device that captures audio by
converting sound wave into an
electrical signal.

Barcode A barcode reader is an

Reader electronic device which is used
to read printed barcodes.
Barcodes represent
alphanumeric data which is a
combination of vertical lines
(bars) that vary in width and
length. It is a fast and effective
way to input data. A Barcode
reader uses a laser beam to read
the series of thick and thin lines
which represent the bar code
number.

• Output Devices

Monitor Monitor is an output device that

resembles the television screen to
display information. The monitor is
associated with a keyboard for
manual input of characters and
displays the information as it is
keyed in. It also displays the
program or application output.

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Printer A printer is a device that accepts

text and graphic output from a
computer and transfers the
information to paper (commonly
known as hardcopy), usually to
standard size sheets of paper.
Printers vary in size, speed,
sophistication, and cost. In
general, more expensive printers
are used for higher-resolution
color printing.
Speakers Computer speakers, or
multimedia speakers, are external
speakers, commonly equipped
with a low-power internal
amplifier which produces sound
as output. External speakers are
connected with a computer by
using a plug and socket.
Computer speakers range widely
in quality and in price. Laptop
computers have inbuilt speakers.
Projector These are normally used for large
group presentations. These
systems can be connected to a
computer and whatever appears
on the computer terminal gets
enlarged and projected on a
large screen. Video projector
receives video signals and
projects the corresponding
image on a projection screen. It
uses a lens system for this
projection.

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SELF-CHECK BCO 1.1

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

INSTRUCTION: Identify the following item if it is an INPUT or OUTPUT device.

1. 6.

2.
7.

3.
8.

4.
9.

5. 10.

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ANSWER SHEET 1.1

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER
1. Input
2. Output
3. Output
4. Input
5. Input
6. Input
7. Output
8. Output
9. Input
10. Input

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