SUPPORT GUIDE

Module 1: Introduction to Computers and

Computer Systems
ICT Literacy Programme

Continuing Professional Development Unit

University of Namibia

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Copyright
Copyright© 2014 University of Namibia. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the publishers.

Edited and Published by the Continuing Professional Development Unit

University of Namibia, Windhoek

Continuing Professional Development Unit

University of Namibia
Private Bag 13245
Pioneers Park
Windhoek
Namibia
Tel: +264 61 206 4671
Fax: +264 61 206 3521
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.unam.cpd.na

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Acknowledgements
The Continuing Professional Development Unit wishes to thank those below for their contribution to
this support guide:

Aina Nkandi and Anna Anghuwo Author(s)

Kauna Mufeti Content Editor(s)

Kauna Mufeti Instructional Designer

Maria Ntinda Technical Care of Template

Victoria Hasheela Quality Control

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 Module 1: Introduction to Computers and Computer Systems

Contents
About this support guide 1
How this support guide is structured ................................................................................. 1

Course overview 3
Welcome to Introduction to Computers and Computer Systems ...................................... 3
Introduction to Computers and Computer Systems—is this course for you? ................... 4
Exit Learning Outcomes .................................................................................................... 4
Time frame ........................................................................................................................ 4
Study skills ........................................................................................................................ 5
Need help? ......................................................................................................................... 6
Assignments ...................................................................................................................... 6
Assessments ....................................................................................................................... 6

Getting around this support guide 6

Margin icons ...................................................................................................................... 6

Unit 1 8
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS.............................................................................. 8
What is a Computer? .............................................................................................. 10
Evolution of computers .......................................................................................... 10
Characteristics of a Computer ................................................................................ 12
Primary components of a computer ....................................................................... 13
Different types of Computers................................................................................. 14
What makes a computer powerful? ........................................................................ 19
Advantages and disadvantages of computers ........................................................ 19
Benefits and usage of computers ........................................................................... 20
Unit summary .................................................................................................................. 20

Unit 2 23
Introduction to Computer Systems .................................................................................. 23
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 25
Hardware ................................................................................................................ 25
Software ................................................................................................................. 29

Unit 3 32
Data and Information ....................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 33
How a Computer Works ........................................................................................ 33
Input Devices ......................................................................................................... 35
Processing Unit ...................................................................................................... 36
Storage Devices ..................................................................................................... 37
Secondary storage .................................................................................................. 40

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6 Contents

Output devices ....................................................................................................... 41

Unit 4 42
Using Computers ............................................................................................................. 42
Starting the Computer ............................................................................................ 43
Using a mouse ........................................................................................................ 44
Using a Keyboard .................................................................................................. 45
Windows Overview ............................................................................................... 46

Unit 5 51
Computer File Systems .................................................................................................... 51
Files and Folders .................................................................................................... 52
Creating a New Folder ........................................................................................... 52
Creating and saving files ........................................................................................ 54
Files and folders manipulation ............................................................................... 56
Types of files.......................................................................................................... 57
Working with Compressed Files & Folders........................................................... 58
Files Searching ....................................................................................................... 58
Using Windows Help and Support ........................................................................ 59
 Module 1: Introduction to Computers and Computer Systems

About this support guide

Introduction to Computers and Computer Systems is the First of Six ICT
Literacy Modules for Teachers and School Managers produced by the
Continuing Professional Development Unit. All support guides produced
by the Continuing Professional Development Unit are structured in the
same way, as outlined below.

How this support guide is

structured
The course overview
The course overview gives you a general introduction to the course.
Information contained in the course overview will help you determine:

 If the course is suitable for you.

 What you will already need to know.

 What you can expect from the course.

 How much time you will need to invest to complete the course.

The overview also provides guidance on:

 Study skills.

 Where to get help.

 Course assignments and assessments.

 Activity icons.

 Units.

We strongly recommend that you read the overview carefully before

starting your study.

The course content

The course is broken down into units. Each unit comprises:

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2 About this support guide Error! No text of specified style in document.

 An introduction to the unit content.

 Unit outcomes.

 New terminology.

 Core content of the unit with a variety of learning activities.

 A unit summary.

 Assignments and/or assessments, as applicable.

 Answers to Assignment and/or assessment, as applicable

Resources
For those interested in learning more on this subject, we provide you with
a list of additional resources at the end of this support guide; these may
be books, articles or web sites.

Your comments
After completing Introduction to Computers and Computer Systems, we
would appreciate it if you would take a few moments to give us your
feedback on any aspect of this course. Your feedback might include
comments on:

 Course content and structure.

 Course reading materials and resources.

 Course assignments.

 Course assessments.

 Course duration.

 Course support (assigned tutors, technical help, etc.)

Your constructive feedback will help us to improve and enhance this

course.
 Module 1: Introduction to Computers and Computer Systems

Course overview

Welcome to Introduction to
Computers and Computer
Systems
Welcome to the first module in our series on ICT literacy. In this module
we are going to introduce you to Computers and Computer Systems. You
will also learn the different terminologies that are commonly used with
computer systems, as well as get an introduction to using a computer. We
sincerely hope that you will enjoy this module and trust that you will
learn useful skills that you will apply throughout your professional career.
The following is an overview of what to expect in each of the units:

Unit 1 – Introduction to Computers will introduce a computer to you.

You will learn about the different characteristics and components of
computers, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of using
computers.

Unit 2 – Hardware and Software, you will learn about the two different
components that are required to make a computer work. You will also
learn the differences between the types of software.

Unit 3 – Data and Information, you will be introduced to the information

processing cycle of a computer. The module focuses on introducing the
how the different devices work together to enable the computer to work.

Unit 4 – Using Computers, is a hands on module, that aims at getting you

to start using a computer. You will learn how to start a computer, and
how to use the various devices including the keyboard and mouse. It also
introduces you to the Desktop of Computer Systems.

Unit 5 – Computer File System, introduces you to the Files and Folders
concepts that you will need to know for the rest of the ICT Literacy
course.

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Introduction to Computers and

Computer Systems—is this
course for you?
The Introduction to Computers and Computer Systems Module follows
on the heels of the first Module of the ICT Literacy programme.
Therefore, before you can proceed with Introduction to Computers and
Computer Systems you need to have attempted and completed the first
module in this series.

Exit Learning Outcomes

The exit learning outcomes for this course are to:

 Introduce you to the different hardware and software;

 enable you to use different devices of a computer system for

information processing;

Exit Learning Outcomes  enable you to use a computer ;

 introduce you to the operating system;

 enable you to create files and folders.

Time frame
The duration of this course will be three weeks (1) provided that you
spend at least two hours on each of the three units.

To make the most of this course I would recommend that you spend an
average of 2 hours on the course each day.
How long?
 Module 1: Introduction to Computers and Computer Systems

Study skills
As an adult learner your approach to learning will be different to that
from your school days: you will choose what you want to study, you will
have professional and/or personal motivation for doing so and you will
most likely be fitting your study activities around other professional or
domestic responsibilities .

Essentially you will be taking control of your learning environment. As a

consequence, you will need to consider performance issues related to
time management, goal setting, stress management, etc. Perhaps you will
also need to reacquaint yourself in areas such as essay planning, coping
with exams and using the web as a learning resource.

Your most significant considerations will be time and space i.e. the time
you dedicate to your learning and the environment in which you engage
in that learning.

We recommend that you take time now—before starting your self-

study—to familiarize yourself with these issues. There are a number of
excellent resources on the web. A few suggested links are:

 http://www.how-to-study.com/
The “How to study” web site is dedicated to study skills resources.
You will find links to study preparation (a list of nine essentials for a
good study place), taking notes, strategies for reading text books,
using reference sources, test anxiety.

 http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/stdyhlp.html
This is the web site of the Virginia Tech, Division of Student Affairs.
You will find links to time scheduling (including a “where does time
go?” link), a study skill checklist, basic concentration techniques,
control of the study environment, note taking, how to read essays for
analysis, memory skills (“remembering”).

 http://www.howtostudy.org/resources.php
Another “How to study” web site with useful links to time
management, efficient reading, questioning/listening/observing skills,
getting the most out of doing (“hands-on” learning), memory building,
tips for staying motivated, developing a learning plan.

The above links are our suggestions to start you on your way. At the time
of writing these web links were active. If you want to look for more go to
www.google.com and type “self-study basics”, “self-study tips”, “self-
study skills” or similar.

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Need help?
There is an online version of this course available at elearning.unam.na.

For enquiries on how to register for the online version, please contact the
Continuing Professional Development Unit at [email protected] or +264 61
Help 206 4671.

For further assistance you can go to your nearest Regional CPD

Committee member.

Assignments
There will be an end of unit test to test your understanding of each unit,
additionally you will also be required to submit an assignment covering
all three units in this module.

Please see tutorial letter for instructions on the submission of

Assignments assignments.

Assessments
May have activities and/or self-assessment exercises to check your own
understanding of the material.

Assessments

Getting around this support guide

Margin icons
While working through this support guide you will notice the frequent
use of margin icons. These icons serve to “signpost” a particular piece of
text, a new task or change in activity; they have been included to help you
to find your way around this support guide. A complete icon set is shown
below. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with the icons and their
meaning before starting your study.
 Module 1: Introduction to Computers and Computer Systems

Activity Assessment Assignment Case study

Discussion Group activity Help Note it!

Outcomes Reading Reflection Study skills

Summary Terminology Time Tip

Computer-Based
Learning Audio Video Feedback

Exit Learning Basic Answers to

Outcomes Competence Assessments

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Unit 1

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS
Welcome to our first of three units in this module. Given the widespread
use of computers, ICT literacy, which is defined as the knowledge and
understanding of Information and Communications technology, has
become an essential ingredient in the recipe for success in today’s world.
In this unit, we are going to introduce you to Computers and Computer
Systems. The purpose is to help you better understand what computers
are and how computer systems work.

Upon completion of this unit you should be able to:

 List and identify the different types of computers.

 Start and shutdown a computer

Outcomes  Use different devices including the keyboard and mouse.

 Create files and folders

 Use the office assistant to resolve problems and find solutions to

common issues in Microsoft word or the office suite.

This is the first module, Introduction to Computers, of the ICT Literacy

course. There is no prescribed reading for this module.

Prescribed Reading
 Module 1: Introduction to Computers and Computer Systems

Computer: A machine that is able to take input information,

process it and produced output.

Computer case: A metal or plastic enclosure that houses all the

components of a computer.
Terminology
CPU: Central Processing Unit. Also known as the brain
of the computer.

motherboard: The board that holds the electronic components of

the system, including the CPU and memory, and
provides connectors to other peripherals.

Power supply: A component that sends power to all of the other

hardware in a computer so they can operate.

Hard drive: A device that is used for permanently storing files

and programs.

Disk drive: Disk Drives can be a floppy drive, CD drive, DVD

drive or other possible file storage devices that are
used in a computer

Peripheral devices Devices that are added to the computer to extend

its primary features.

Before attempting this module you should attempt and complete the first
module, Introduction to Computers, of the ICT Literacy course.

Prescribed Reading

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What is a Computer?
If you ask this question today, you will be given many definitions of a
computer. Some of these definitions are found below:
 A computer is an electronic device that accepts information and
instructions from a user, manipulates the information according
to the instructions, displays the information in some way, and
stores the information for retrieval later.
 a computer is a device that takes information (or inputs),
processes it according to a set of instructions (a program), and
gives back a result (or output).
 A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control
of instructions stored in its memory, that can accept data, process
the data according to specified rules, produce results, and store
the results for future use.

Evolution of computers
The evolution of computer technology is a fascinating journey to review
and examine. This is because with a thorough understanding of their
evolution, you can not only look toward the future of computers, you can
also recognize other developments across the world that may in fact lead
back to anticipating their future application and in turn the future of
computers.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word computer was first
recorded in 1613, referring to a person who carried out computations. As
time went on and we approached the 20th century, its meaning evolved to
refer to machines instead of people. Today, a computer refers to a
machine that has the ability to process data and information according to
a set of instructions (source code) and provide some form of output or
result. In this context, a machine is a mechanical apparatus of interrelated
components that use some form of energy to perform an activity or task.
There are many types and classifications of computers, which all played
some role in the invention of modern computers, so if we ask the question
"when was the first computer invented?” there really is no easy answer.
 Module 1: Introduction to Computers and Computer Systems

The same applies to who invented the computer because there are many
people who played roles both big and small. So in this article, we'll focus
our attention on the first programmable computers, which are computers
that allow a user to input instructions by one means or another for the
machine to carry out. The computer was first designed in 1936 by Konrad
Zuse, a German engineer, who wanted to develop a machine that would
assist with the increasingly difficult engineering calculations. During that
era engineers used to do their calculations using slide rules, pencils, and
paper, which was time consuming, and easy to make mistakes and also
difficult to perform when primary calculations have several levels of sub
calculations that must be performed throughout.

In 1939, another Professor John Atanasoff and his graduate student

Clifford Berry built a computer they called the Atanasoff-Berry. The next
driver for computer evolution and innovation was sparked not by
academic calculations but by the United States military. The military
needed a computer to process artillery targeting calculations. For this they
funded research by John Mauchly and John Eckert. What was developed
was what most considers the first modern day electronic computer.

In 1954 a company that had up to this time focused on calculators,

International Business Machines (IBM), brought forth their entrance into
computers with the IBM 701. This computer was developed primarily for
scientific uses and was purchased by the Defense Department, aircraft
manufacturers, and research laboratories.

The next evolution in computers was initiated in 1659 by the banking

industry. They needed an automated method of tracking check clearing
and account balances

The final large evolutionary leap was with the development and
integration of microprocessors into computers in 1971.

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Image a and b (Computers evolution)

Characteristics of a Computer
Computers are characterised by the following:
 Ability to execute the instructions loaded into it in autonomously
manner.
 High speed processing
 High precision in getting results
 Large storage capacity and rapid fetching of needed information.
 Ability to connect to remote peer machines and exchange
information
 Module 1: Introduction to Computers and Computer Systems

Primary components of a computer

The primary components of a typical computer are the same, no matter

who the manufacturer is or what it is going to be used for. Every
computer has the following basic components:
 Computer Case: a plastic or metal enclosure that houses all the
actual components of a computer, such as motherboard, memory
and CPU.
 Central Processing Unit (CPU): is usually described as the brain
of your computer. It is used to process everything in a computer.
 Random Access Memory (RAM): memory that is used to
temporarily store data during execution or processing
 Motherboard: the most important component in a computer
system, as it holds the electronic components of the system,
including the CPU and memory, and provides connectors to other
peripherals. All of the other hardware in a computer system
connects to the motherboard.
 Power Supply: sends power to all of the other hardware so they
can operate.
 Hard Drive: a device that is used for permanently storing files
and programs.
 Disk Drives: - Disk Drives can be a floppy drive, CD drive, DVD
drive or other possible file storage devices that are used in a
computer.
 Video Card: - a device that converts binary code from the CPU
so you can view it on a monitor.
 Monitor: - The part of a computer that allows you to see what the
computer is processing.
 Keyboard: - A keyboard allows a computer user to enter text
commands into a computer system.
 Peripheral Devices: devices that are added to a computer but are
not part of its core components. Peripherals add and expand the
primary features of a computer provide. Examples of peripheral
devices include such things as keyboards, mice, disk drives,
printers, scanners, microphones, speakers and digital cameras.

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Different types of Computers

When most people hear the word "computer" they think only of a
personal computer such as a desktop or laptop computers. However,
computers come in many shapes and sizes, and they perform many
different functions in our daily lives. For example, when you withdraw
cash from an ATM, scan groceries at the store, or use a calculator, or call
your friend via your cellphone you're using a type of computer.

Desktop Computers

Today, the Desktop computers are the most popular computer systems.
These desktop computers are also known as personal computers or
simply PCs. They are usually easier to use and more affordable. They are
normally intended for individual users for their word processing and
other small application requirements. A desktop computer system usually
has a computer monitor, keyboard and mouse, and a case that houses the
main components of the PC (including the power supply, motherboard,
hard drive). Desktop computers are commonly used by individual users in
homes, offices, hospitals, etc. A typical configuration of a desktop
computer is shown below:
 Module 1: Introduction to Computers and Computer Systems

Desktop computer

Laptop Computers

Laptop computers are portable computers. They are lightweight

computers with a thin screen. They are also called as notebook computers
because of their small size. They can operate on batteries and hence are
very popular with travellers. The screen folds down onto the keyboard
when not in use.

Laptop computer

Main Frame Computers

The main frame is the workhorse of the business world. A main frame is
the heart of a network of computers or terminals which allows hundreds
of people to work at the same time on the same data. It requires a special
environment - cold and dry. Most main frame computers look like a
bunch of tall cabinets.

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Main frame computer

Super Computer

The supercomputer is the top of the heap in power and price (i.e. they are
the most powerful in terms of processing, and also the most expensive in
terms of price). They are therefore only commonly found in big
organizations for jobs that take massive amounts of calculation (such as
weather forecasting, engineering design and testing, serious decryption,
economic forecasting, etc). A typical picture of a supercomputer is shown
below:

Super computer

Servers

The term server actually refers to the functionality a computer rather than
to a specific kind of computer. A server is a computer that "serves up"
information to other computers on a network. Many businesses have file
servers that employees can use to store and share files. A server can look
like a regular desktop computer, or it can be much larger. The different
types of servers include:
 Module 1: Introduction to Computers and Computer Systems

 database server: that processes queries and updates for a

large database that many computers can access at the same
time and it needs fast processing speed
 web server: that provide network access to Web pages and
other intranet and Internet content.
 game server: that manages an online game so that many
people can play together online.
 email server: that manages, sends and receives email for
many different email accounts
 file server that provides storage and access to shared files
(such as documents, sound files, photographs, movies,
images, databases, etc.)

Server computers

Other Types of Computers

There are lots of everyday devices that are basically specialized

computers, even though we don't always think of them as computers.
Here are a few common examples

 Tablets are mobile computers that are very handy to use. They
use the touch screen technology. Tablets come with an onscreen
keyboard or use a stylus or a digital pen. Apple's iPad redefined
the class of tablets.

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 Handheld computers or Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) are

pen-based and also battery-powered. They are small and can be
carried anywhere. They use a pen like stylus and accept
handwritten input directly on the screen. They are not as
powerful as desktops or laptops but they are used for scheduling
appointments, storing addresses and playing games. It has a touch
screen and a memory card for storage of data. PDAs can also be
used as portable audio players, web browsers and smartphones.
Most of them can access the Internet by means of Bluetooth or
Wi-Fi communication.

Handheld computers
 Module 1: Introduction to Computers and Computer Systems

What makes a computer powerful?

Speed A computer can do billions of actions per
second

Reliability Failures are usually due to human error, one

way or another.

Storage A computer can keep huge amounts of data

Advantages and disadvantages of computers

Advantages:

 They allow people across the globe to communicate with each

other, no matter at what time, via the use of email.
 They allow people to look up information directly, instead of the
use of searching through books.
 Back-up copies of work can be made easily, without having to re-
write everything.
 People can work from home, and spend more time with their
families because of this.
 People with disabilities, whom can't write, can get software that
allows them to speak and it types it on the screen.

Disadvantages:
 People sometimes spend all their time secluded in theirs rooms
on the computer.
 Paedophiles on chat rooms
 Easier to copy people’s homework as you can sometimes find the
sources online.
 Illegal downloading can ruin businesses
 Details such as bank records can be hacked into, and thus your
personal information is no longer as safe as it used to be.

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Benefits and usage of computers

Computers are affecting in a positive way a large part of the human daily
life. Some examples are as follows:

 Information management: used in Bank and corporate

management, in air and urban traffic, in supermarkets and
shopping centres, etc.
 Education: widely used in universities and research centres
(analysing data, modelling and simulation etc.), and in colleges
and schools which have access to computer-aided education
packages, etc.
 Communication: provide support for data, voice and video
communication over telephone and data transmission networks.
In combination with telecommunication systems, computers have
revolutionized the way we live (ex: the internet) (remote reading
of headline news, home shopping, home banking, home trading,
etc.
 Office presentations: support of word processing, spreadsheets
(for producing the table, graphs and charts), and of animated
presentation, etc.
 Family computers: home education, household inventory, games
and fun for kids.

Unit summary
In this unit you learned and acquire a very basic knowledge of computer
history and its evolution. You also learned about the different
components of a computer, and the different types of computer. You
should also have an idea about some of the advantages and disadvantages
Summary of using computers.
 Module 1: Introduction to Computers and Computer Systems

Activity 1

Time: 10 minutes

1. Take a few moments to review some of the material and terms

presented in this unit.

Activity

Term Description

Computer

Personal Computer
(PC)

Desktop computer

Laptop computer

Personal Digital
Assistant, or PDA

Server

Mainframe

Supercomputer

2. Answer the following questions:

1. A __________ is an electronic device, operating under the

control of instructions stored in its own memory that can accept
data according to specified rules.
a) keyboard
b) monitor
c) computer
d) modem

2. Define hardware
3. Give two examples of hardware
4. Define Software

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5. Give two examples of software

6. T/F As computers have gotten smaller, they have gotten more
powerful and expensive
7. T/F Computer generations are best characterized by a
dramatic change in computer hardware?
8. The very first electronic computer components were called
_________ tubes

Activity 1 Feedback

Below is the feedback to Activity 1.

Feedback

Term Description

Computer A machine that has the ability to process data

according to a set of instructions and provide
some form of output or result

Personal Computer A personal computer (PC) is a general-purpose

(PC) computer that's small, affordable and designed
to be used by end-users

Desktop computer A desktop is a personal computer that's too

large to be portable and therefore intended to
be used in a single location, typically on top of
a desk

Laptop computer A laptop, also called a notebook, is a portable

personal computer whose major components
are packed into a small, single unit with a built-
in monitor, keyboard and mouse.

Personal Digital A personal digital assistant, or PDA for short,

Assistant, or PDA is a tiny, hand-held computer.

Server Server is a computer designed to "serve" or

"service" other computers

Supercomputer a powerful computer system that is used to

perform powerful calculations such as in
weather forecasting
 Module 1: Introduction to Computers and Computer Systems

Unit 2

Introduction to Computer Systems

Welcome to Unit to of the Introduction to Computers and Computer
Systems Module. Upon completion of this unit you should be able to:

 Identify different types of computers ;

 Identify primary components of the computers ;

Outcomes
 Identify the names, purposes, and characteristics of different types of
devices that comprises a computer system ;

 Identify the basic components and their functions;

 Differentiate between input and output devices ;

 Turn on the power switch on the monitor ;

 Turn on the switch on all peripheral devices including printers ;

 Understand the desktop ;

 Use the keyboard ;

 Use the mouse and pointer ;

 Shutdown the computer.

Before attempting this unit, you should attempt and complete the first
unit, Introduction to Computers, of this module.

Prescribed Reading

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Hardware: The physical parts of the computer

Software: The programs (instructions) that tell the computer

what to do.

Terminology Data: Individual facts like first name, price, and quantity
ordered.

Information: Data which has been massaged into a useful form,

like a complete mailing address.

Default: The original settings; what will happen if you don't

change anything.
 Module 1: Introduction to Computers and Computer Systems

Introduction
A computer system is a combination of a hardware and software. If you
use a desktop computer, you might already know that there isn’t any
single part called the “computer”. A computer is a system of many parts
working together. The Physical parts which you can see and touch, called
Hardware. And the software that refers to the instructions, or programs
that tell the hardware what to do. The following illustration shows the
most common hardware in a desktop computer system:

A computer system (forwardit.sa.gov.au)

Hardware and software work together to provide computerized

functionality. We will now briefly look at Hardware and Software.

Hardware
Computer hardware refers to the actual physical components of a
computer system. These are physical components that can be touched,
seen and felt. Computers consist of several different hardware
components. Examples crucial hardware components include the System
unit, monitor, keyboards, mouse, motherboard, chips, memory, and hard
drives.

System Unit

The system unit is the core of a computer system. Usually it's a

rectangular box placed on or underneath your desk. Inside this box are
many electronic components that process information. It holds several
components of the computer, such as the hard disk, RAM chips, central
processing unit (CPU), and motherboard. Inside the case is where
everything takes place.

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System unit
Monitor

Similar to a television, the monitor displays text, pictures, and other

items from the computer on a screen. A monitor displays information
in visual form, using text and graphics. The portion of the monitor
that displays the information is called the screen.

Monitors
Keyboard
A keyboard is used mainly for typing text into your computer. Like the
keyboard on a typewriter, it has keys for letters and numbers, but it also
has special keys:

The function keys, found on the top row, perform different functions
depending on where they are used. The numeric keypad, located on the
right side of most keyboards, allows you to enter numbers quickly.
The navigation / Directions keys, such as the arrow keys, allow you to
move your position within a document or webpage.
 Module 1: Introduction to Computers and Computer Systems

Mouse

The device that controls the movement of the pointer displayed on the
screen. A mouse is a small device used to point to and select items on
your computer screen. Although mice come in many shapes, the typical
mouse does look a bit like an actual mouse

Mouse
Disk Drives

Devices that read data from and write data to a disk. A DVD drive reads
both CDs and DVDs. All computers have a USB port either on the front
or back of the computer case. A USB drive, floppy disk, and certain CDs
are all ways to save files such as letters, pictures, and presentations.

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Printer
A printer transfers data from a computer onto paper. You don't need a
printer to use your computer, but having one allows you to print e-mail,
cards, invitations, announcements, and other materials. Many people also
like being able to print their own photos at home.

The two main types of printers are inkjet printers and laser printers. Inkjet
printers are the most popular printers for the home. They can print in
black and white or in full color and can produce high-quality photographs
when used with special paper. Laser printers are faster and generally
better able to handle heavy use.

Printers

Speakers

Speakers are used to play sound. They may be built into the system unit
or connected with cables. Speakers allow you to listen to music and hear
sound effects from your computer
 Module 1: Introduction to Computers and Computer Systems

Speakers
Modem
A modem is a device or program that enables a computer to transmit data
over, for example, telephone or cable lines. Computer information is
stored digitally, whereas information transmitted over telephone lines is
transmitted in the form of analog waves.

Modems

Scanner
Computer scanners are used to scan images, including documents and
photos.

Scanners

Software
Software is the set of instructions or programs that are loaded into a
computer memory in order to perform a task or to control an operation of
a computer. In short Software is the instructions, or programs, that tell the
hardware what to do.

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Software are categorised into two main types:

 system software
 application software

Let us now briefly describe these two main types:

System software

System software refers to the files and programs that make the computer
work: files that ensure efficient operation of hardware, storage
management, and the operating system (such as Windows, Mac OS,
Unix). The main operations of system software therefore are:

 to control the basic operations of the computer

 to provide a platform for running application software for
running
 to manage the interface between computer and user (that
is the connecting link between the computer and the
human);
 to control the input, output and storage
 to manage files in the memory and on disk
 to detect and report any system or command errors

Applications Software

Application software are concerned with the world outside the computer,
and are designed to help users to perform useful tasks, beyond the
running of the computer itself. Application software are also known as
software applications, application programs, applications or more
recently, apps. You can use application software to achieve specific
goals: e.g. Microsoft word to type a document, Microsoft Excel to create
a spreadsheet or Internet explorer to browse the Internet or send an email.

You will learn about the System Software in Unit 4 of this module, while
Modules 2 – 5 are dedicated to Office Productivity Software, including
Word Processors, Spreadsheets, Presentation Software and Utilities for
accessing the Internet and emails.
 Module 1: Introduction to Computers and Computer Systems

Activity 2

Time: 15 minutes

Which of the following are hardware and which are software? What are
they used for?

Activity

Term Description

printer

speaker

modem

scanner

Microsoft Word
Program to create a
document

app

Disk drive

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Unit 3

Data and Information

Welcome to the third unit in this module. Upon completion of this unit
you should be able to:

 Differentiate the between data and information.

 Explain the data processing cycle.

Outcomes  Describe how a computer works.

 Explain the difference between the different types of devices, and their
responsibility in the data processing cycle.

 Differentiate between the different types of memory.

Before attempting this unit, you should attempt and complete the first two
units of this module.

Prescribed Reading

Collection of unorganized facts.

Data
Data that is organized, meaningful, and useful.
Information
Terminology
Data entered into a computer.
Input
Processed results from a computer.
Output

Memory A storage space in the computer where data to be

processed and instructions required for processing
are stored.

Volatile memory A temporary memory that loses its contents when

the computer or hardware device loses power.
 Module 1: Introduction to Computers and Computer Systems

Introduction
Understanding the difference between data and information is important.
A major part of understanding computers is to know what goes into them
(data), what comes out of them (information), and to understand the
process of turning data into information, also known as the information
processing cycle. Data can be something simple and seemingly random
and useless until it is organized. To explain the difference between data
and information, we use the table below:

Data Information
Meaning  plain facts  processed, organized,
 raw, unorganized structured or presented
facts that need to be so as to make it useful
processed

Example Each student's test score is The class' average score or the
one piece of data school's average score is the
information that can be
concluded from the given data

How a Computer Works

All computers process information, or data. Data can be in the form of
numbers, letters, words, pictures, sound, video, or symbols. We now
know from the previous two units that a computer needs to be able to
perform four basic operations:

 accept data (input),

 process the data according to specified rules (processing),
 produce results (output), and
 store the results for future use (storage)

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Input Accepts data

Input
Processing Processes data
Output Produces output
Storage Processing Storage Stores the results

Output

The Information Processing Cycle

In this unit, we will look at these four basic functionalities of a computer,

which are also called the Information Processing Cycle.

1. Input data: When the user gives data to the computer through
input devices such as the keyboard or mouse that is called input.
2. Process Data: The computer's CPU processes or carries out the
instructions in the computer programs that are stored on it.
3. Output Data: The computer must be able to give data and results
back to the user, by outputting information to a device like the
monitor or printer.
4. Store Data: The computer must be able to hold onto information
temporarily while it is processing it, so it stores it in memory.
Also, sometimes we want to permanently store data, so we store
it permanently in the computer in a storage device, like the hard
drive

We will now categorise the hardware components that we learned in Unit

Two according to these four functionalities into:
a) Input Devices
b) Processing Unit
c) Output Devices
d) Storage Devices
 Module 1: Introduction to Computers and Computer Systems

Input Devices
The input devices are those devices that are used to enter data and
instructions into a computer. Different types of input devices transmit
different types of data in different ways. Examples of input devices are:
Keyboard, Mouse, Scanner, Microphone, Joystick, Modem, Bar code
reader, Magnetic Ink Character reader.

The keyboard and mouse are the most commonly used devices to input
data, especially when you are using a desktop or laptop computer. A
picture of a typical keyboard is shown below:

Below is a picture showing you other input devices.

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Processing Unit
The Central Processing Unit (CPU), also called a processor, is located
inside the computer case on the motherboard. As you learned in the
previous unit, the CPU is sometimes called the brain of the computer, and
its job is to process or carry out commands. Whenever you press a key,
click the mouse, or start an application, you're sending instructions to the
CPU. The CPU receives data input, executes instructions, and processes
information. It also communicates with Input/output (I/O) devices, which
send and receive data to and from the CPU. It is an essential component
of a computer because it is the part that executes the programs and
controls the operation of all the hardware.

A picture showing a typical CPU and its location within a typical

computer system is shown below:

To perform its functions, a CPU has two typical components:

 Control Unit, which extracts instructions from memory and

decodes and executes them.
 Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), which handles arithmetic and
logical operations.
 Module 1: Introduction to Computers and Computer Systems

Storage Devices
Have you already started thinking about how a computer stores
information? There are primarily two types of storage that a computer
uses from the time it boots to loading an operating system like Windows
and beginning to perform useful functions. These types are:

 primary storage, which is more popularly called simply memory;

 secondary storage, which is more popularly referred to as simply
storage.

Primary storage is where a computer stores data on a temporary basis so

it can process the data. Think of primary storage as "short term memory".
Primary storage is a type of memory that is directly accessible to a
computer processor and it is volatile because it is temporary in nature and
is erased when the power is turned off.

Data that is currently processing or data which the computer knows it is

about to need for processing is stored in primary storage. Memory in
primary storage can be accessed quickly by the CPU. Its storage capacity,
however, is much smaller than what can be stored in secondary or tertiary
storage. Computers need just enough primary storage to function and
temporarily hold anticipated amounts of data for processing.

How Computer Memory is measured

A computer's memory is measured by bit / bytes. All computers work on

a binary numbering system, i.e. they process data in ones or zeros. This 1
or 0 level of storage is called a bit. A bit is the smallest unit of data in
computer processing. A byte is a group of eight bits. The bit size of a
CPU tells you how many bytes of information it can access from RAM at
the same time. For example, a 16-bit CPU can process 2 bytes at a time (1
byte = 8 bits, so 16 bits = 2 bytes), and a 64-bit CPU can process 8 bytes
at a time. Bits can also be arranged into kilobytes (KB), megabytes (MB),

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gigabytes (GB) and terabytes (TB) as follows:

 A kilobyte (Kb ) is 1024 bytes, or approximately one

thousand bytes;
 A megabyte (Mb) is 1,048,576 bytes, or about one million
bytes;
 A gigabyte (Gb) is 1,073,741,824 bytes, or about one billion
bytes; and
 A terabyte (Tb) is 1024 Gb, or approximately one trillion
bytes

Types of memories

Computers have different types of primary storage:

 RAM (random access memory)

 ROM (read-only memory)
 Cache memory
 Virtual Memory
 Flash Memory

Let us briefly look at these different types of memory.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

RAM is your system's short-term memory. Whenever your computer
performs calculations, it temporarily stores the data in the RAM until it is
needed. When you shut down the computer, RAM loses all of its data.
When you start it back up, the operating systems and your others files are
loaded from the hard disk and into RAM.

This short-term memory disappears when the computer is turned off. If

you're working on a document, spreadsheet, or other type of file, you'll
need to save it to avoid losing it. When you save a file, the data is written
to the hard drive, which acts as long-term storage. RAM (random access
memory) is therefore described as volatile, meaning that its contents are
lost when the computer is turned off.
 Module 1: Introduction to Computers and Computer Systems

RAM
RAM is measured in megabytes (MB) or gigabytes (GB). The more
RAM you have, the more things your computer can do at the same time.
If you don't have enough RAM, you may notice that your computer is
sluggish when you have several programs open. Because of this, many
people add extra RAM to their computers to improve performance.

Read Only Memory (ROM)

ROM stores instructions that are used by the ;CPU. The instructions in
ROM cannot usually be changed or erased. The instructions in ROM are
non-volatile. They stay in ROM even when the computer is turned off.
ROM never changes and it remains intact when the computer is turned
off; therefore, it is called non-volatile memory or permanent memory.

Cache
Cache memory is a very high speed semiconductor memory which can
speed up CPU. Instructions that are repeatedly required to run programs
are stored in cache memory. It acts as a buffer between the CPU and main
memory. It is used to hold those parts of data and program which are
most frequently used by CPU. The parts of data and programs are
transferred from disk to cache memory by operating system, from where
CPU can access them.

Virtual Memory
It is an imaginary memory area supported by some operating systems (for
example, Windows) in conjunction with the hardware. Virtual memory is
space on the computer’s storage devices that simulates additional RAM.
It enables programs to run as if your computer had more RAM when the
entire available RAM is being used. It moves data and commands from

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RAM to the computer’s permanent storage device to allow space for new
data and commands

Flash Memory
It is a memory chip that is non-volatile, re-writable that functions like a
combination random access memory and a hard disk drive. In the case of
power being lost, data is retained in memory. Advantages of flash
memory include low voltage, durability and high speed; for this reason,
flash memory is used in printers, pagers, digital cameras, audio recorders
and cell phones.

BIOS
Basic Input / Output System (BIOS) is the built-in software that
determines what a computer can do without accessing programs from a
disk. It also makes sure all the other chips, hard drives, ports and CPU
function together.

Secondary storage
Secondary storage is where a computer stores data that is not
currently processing but which it may need at a later stage. Secondary
storage can be thought of as "long term memory", or storage, and it is
non-volatile in nature because data remains intact even when power
to a computer is turned off. Operating systems, documents, music
files and so on are typically stored in a secondary storage device such
as a hard drive.

Hard Disk Drive

The computer’s largest secondary storage location is its hard disk

drive, or just hard drive. The hard drive is the data centre of the
computer. This is where the software is installed, and it is also where
all documents and other files are stored. The hard drive are
considered permanent storage which means the data is still saved
even when the computer is being turned off or unplugged.

The capacity of hard drives typically ranges from about 40 GB to 400

GB, or higher up to 2 TB. Hard disk drives are read/write. They can
 Module 1: Introduction to Computers and Computer Systems

be read over and over and they can be modified, or written to, over
and over

Compact Disks (CDs) /DVD

A Compact disk is an optical storage device that can store up to 700

Mb. A DVD, on the other hand, is also an optical storage device that
stores between 4.7 and 15.9 GB of data, depending on whether data is
stored on one or both sides of the disc.

To store data on a CD, you need to record it on a CD-R (compact disc

recordable) or CD-RW (compact disc rewritable) drive and a CD-R
or CD-RW disc. CDs that you buy with software or music already on
them are CD-ROMs (compact disc read-only memory)

Universal Serial Bus (USB)

A flash drive is basically a small, removable flash hard drive that
plugs into a USB port. These are a convenient way to bring your files
with you and open them on a different computer.

Output devices
An output device is a device used to send data from a computer to
another device or user. Examples of such devices include printers,
monitors, and speakers.

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