CHAPTER 1:

COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS
Prepared by:
JOHN EDGAR SUALOG ANTHONY
Dean, College of Computer Studies
E-mail Address: [email protected] /[email protected]
Mobile Number: +639177169707/ +639178965139

MBA/MSA/ ED 210 : COMPUTER EDUCATION

 Why do we need
computers?
MBA/MSA/ED 210 : COMPUTER EDUCATION
 Awareness. When you begin to study computers, you will be aware of
their importance, versatility and pervasiveness in our society.

 Knowledge. You will learn what computers are and they function. This
requires knowing some technical jargons in order to understand the
computer language.

 Interaction. The best way to understand computers is to use directly for

some applications, like doing research via the internet, mailing and
chatting electronically.

MBA/MSA/ED 210 : COMPUTER EDUCATION

 Computer system is an electronic device which consists
of several components that together provide the
capability of executing a stored program. It is a device
that accepts data, processes and stored these, and
produces a result. It performs four basic functions such
as input, process, storage and output.

MBA/MSA/ED 210 : COMPUTER EDUCATION

 STORAGE

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

MBA/MSA/ED 210 : COMPUTER EDUCATION

 Input devices which allows users to input data for
processing.
 Storage devices where the processed information
are stored.
 CPU(Central Processing Unit) which interprets and
executes data or instruction.
 Output devices where the outcomes are displayed.

MBA/MSA/ED 210 : COMPUTER EDUCATION

 Hardware
 Software
Information Technology (IT)
professionals or peopleware
MBA/MSA/ED 210 : COMPUTER EDUCATION
  Hardware refers to the physical
components of a computer that you can
actually touch, such as the keyboard,
monitor, central processing unit (CPU),
mouse and printer.

MBA/MSA/ED 210 : COMPUTER EDUCATION

 A. Hardware
Hardware may be classified into input device, output devices, the
central processing unit (CPU) and secondary storage.
1. Input Device
 Input hardware consists of external devices – that is, components outside of
the computer’s CPU – that provide information and instructions to the
computer. There are different types of hardware that serve as input devices.
Some devices are pre - installed with the monitor and the CPU when you
buy the computer set (like the keyboard and mouse0 but most are bought
separately. Some of the devices are affordable but some are quite
expensive.

MBA/MSA/ED 210 : COMPUTER EDUCATION

 ❑ Keyboard
❑ Mark Interface Character
❑ Terminal
Recognition
❑ Touch tone device ❑ Optical Mark Recognition
❑ Set-up boxes
❑ Wand reader
❑ Mouse
❑ Fax Machine
❑ Joystick
❑ Image scanner
❑ Touch screen
❑ Magnetic strip card
❑ Light pen
❑ Phone Card
❑ Graphics tablet
❑ Digital Cameras
❑ Scanner

MBA/MSA/ED 210 : COMPUTER EDUCATION

 2. Output Device
 Output hardware consists of devices which communicate the result
of processing back to the user by converting electrical signals from
the Arithmetic/Logic Unit into a form recognizable by a human
operator. The most common output devices include video displays,
high-speed printers and console typewriters. A recent development
in output equipment is an audio response unit that can construct
sentences with human speakers’ words that have been digitalized
and stored in a memory device. Others synthesize human speech,
providing the appropriate response by generating signals similar to
those produced in regular speech.

MBA/MSA/ED 210 : COMPUTER EDUCATION

 ❑Monitor
❑Printer
❑Plotter
❑Computer Output Microfilm
❑Speakers
❑Picture phone
MBA/MSA/ED 210 : COMPUTER EDUCATION
3. Central processing Unit (CPU)
 The processing and conversion of data from input to
output to output to output is done is in the central
processing unit (CPU). Its function is to perform arithmetic
and logical operations on the taken the primary storage or
on information entered through any input device.
 The CPU is composed of five basic components: main
storage, registers, buses, ALU and the control unit.

MBA/MSA/ED 210 : COMPUTER EDUCATION

 Main Storage (RAM and ROM)
 Registers
 Buses
 ALU
 Control Unit

MBA/MSA/ED 210 : COMPUTER EDUCATION

ED 210 - Computer Education
 Magnetic Tape
 Magnetic Disk
◦ Hard Disks
◦ Floppy Disks
 Optical Disk
◦ CD
◦ DVD
◦ Blu-Ray
 Flash Drive
MBA/MSA/ED 210 : COMPUTER EDUCATION
 Unlike hardware, software is untouchable. It is
a set of instructions used to direct the
hardware on how to turn data into useful
information for people to use. These are
programs used by the user to interact with the
computer.

MBA/MSA/ED 210 : COMPUTER EDUCATION

B. Software

 The set of instructions or programs that tells the computer how to do a

specific task is called software . Software may be categorized as
systems software or Application software.

 System software performs tasks necessary to the efficient

management of the hardware. It refers to computer programs or library
files whose purpose is to help run the user by the manufacturers of the
computer system. It includes operating systems, utility programs,
compilers and interpreters
MBA/MSA/ED 210 : COMPUTER EDUCATION
 Application software is programs that help solve and meet
user problems and needs directly. They are designed to
perform specific functions, which make daily activities easier
and facilitate the performance of work efficiently tools; assist in
graphic and multimedia projects; support home, personal and
educational use, and facilitate communication.

MBA/MSA/ED 210 : COMPUTER EDUCATION

 The people who use the computer
system are referred to as peopleware.
They are the most important factor
computer system because they
manipulate and program the computer
system to make it useful.
MBA/MSA/ED 210 : COMPUTER EDUCATION
 The three fundamental characteristics of computer.
1. Speed- computer provides the processing speed
essential to our fast-paced society.
2. Reliability- capable of producing accurate and timely
results.
3. Storage capability – capable of storing tremendous
amounts of data which can be located and retrieved
efficiently.
MBA/MSA/ED 210 : COMPUTER EDUCATION
 Principal areas of computer use
❑ Graphics
❑ Retailing
❑ Energy
❑ Paperwork
❑ Transportation
❑ Law enforcement
❑ Money
❑ Agriculture
❑ Government
MBA/MSA/ED 210 : COMPUTER EDUCATION
❑Education
❑Home
❑Health and Medicine
❑Robotics
❑Sciences
❑Connectivity
❑Human Connection

MBA/MSA/ED 210 : COMPUTER EDUCATION