LOKOMASAMA CATHOIC SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL – PETIFU JUNCTION

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) TEACHING NOTES

FOR
SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL 1-3

PREPARED BY: MR. ABDUL KARIM KAMARA

B.Sc. (Hons) in BUSINESS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
NJALA UNIVERSITY, NJALA CAMPUS

NAME OF PUPIL:………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

ID NO:……………………………..

CLASS:……………………………

ICT is not the future of our children’s education, it is the present and we need to make investment in ICT now
 INTRODUCTION TO ICT
ICT Definition
ICT is an acronym of Information and Communication Technologies. The set of technologies developed to
manage information and send it from one place to another. They cover a wide range of solutions. They
include technologies to store information and retrieve it later. And also, send and receive information from
one site to another. Or-else, process information to calculate results and prepare reports.
Information and communications technology (ICT) is an extensional term for information
technology (IT) that stresses the role of unified communications and the integration
of telecommunications (telephone lines and wireless signals) and computers, as well as necessary enterprise
software, middleware, storage and audiovisual, that enable users to access, store, transmit, understand and
manipulate information.
ADVANTAGES/BENEFITS/POSITIVE IMPACT OF ICT
 Provide great benefits and advances in health and education.
 Develop people and social actors through support and exchange networks and discussion list.
 Support business people, locals to present and sell their products through the Internet.
 Allow interactive learning and distance education.
 Distribute new knowledge for employ ability.
DISADVANTAGES/PROBEMS/NEGATIVE IMPACT OF ICT
 LACK OF PRIVACY: Social media use has also been associated with cyberbullying, and cyber abuse which
leads to problems with self-esteem, privacy, etc.
 ISOLATION: Social media has led to a reduction in in-person interaction.
 SOCIAL PROBLEMS: Nowadays, people tend to choose online communication rather than having real time
conversations
 HEATH PROBEMS: A computer may harm users if they use it for long hours frequently. Computer users
are also exposed to bad posture, eyestrain, physical and mental stress.
 JOB LOSS: One of the largest negative effects of ICT can be the loss of a person’s job. This has both
economic consequences, loss of income, and social consequences, loss of status and self-esteem. Job losses
may occur for several reasons, including: Manual operations being replaced by automation. e.g. robots
replacing people on an assembly line.
 ETHICA AND MORA ISSUES: The nature of some of the materials available on the internet can cause
ethical, and moral problems, for example, pornographic sites.
 FRAUD: Today, fraud has also accelerated and have grown so high due to the rise e-commerce, mobile
payments, and computing power.
INFORMATION PROCESSING CYCLE
Information processing cycle is the sequence of events in processing information, which includes (1) input,
(2) processing, (3) storage and (4) output. These processes work together and repeat over and over.
1. Input: entering data into the computer.
2. Processing: performing operations on the data.

1|Page BOSS AKK

 3. Storage: saving data, programs, or output for future use.
4. Output: presenting the results.

What is Communication Cycle?

Definition: The communication cycle is the process of getting a message from sender to
receiver. In a communication cycle, a sender, message, encoder, channel, decoder, receiver, noise,
feedback sorts of elements are comprised.
The communication cycle needs both a message sender and a message receiver to understand the identical
meaning of what one wants to say and what the other understands. If not, it will lead to miscommunication.
The appropriate use of such a cycle optimizes the outcomes of one’s verbal or nonverbal
signals, communication skills, body language, etc.

Different elements around which the process of communication functions in a cyclic setup are:

 Sender: This is the person who is expressing information, be it verbally or nonverbally.

 Message: The message is the information that the sender expresses. A message can be oral,
written, sign language
 Encoding: This is how the sender conveys their message--the gestures, tone of voice or other
pragmatics the speaker uses to convey the message.

2|Page BOSS AKK

  Channel: This is also known as the ''medium'' of communication, whether it is oral or via media like
video/news articles.
 Receiver(Decoder & Destination): The sender directs their message toward the receiver.
Receivers collect the information and try to decode, or understand, it .
 Decoding: This is the way the receiver interprets the message, translating the sender's syntax,
pragmatics and semantics into thoughts.
 Feedback: Feedback is the way the receiver responds to the message.

Some communication models include ''noise,'' or distractions which disrupt the communication cycle
What is a Communication Device? A communication device is a hardware device capable of
transmitting an analog or digital signal over the telephone, other communication wire, or wirelessly.
Various devices used in information communication are: Computers, Laptops, Mobiles, Radios, Television,
etc. Computers, Laptops and Mobiles: Help in accessing, collecting, processing, communicating, sharing
and storing of information.

RADIO: Radio is sound communication by radio waves, usually through the transmission of music, news,
and other types of programs from single broadcast stations to multitudes of individual listeners equipped
with radio receivers.

TEEVISION: Television is a telecommunication system for broadcasting and receiving moving pictures and
sound over a distance.

Mobile Phones - A mobile phone is basically a mini computer as it is small, hand-held that allows us to
communicate with others in different locations without the use of any physical connection (wires or cables).
Mobile communication makes our life easier, and it saves time and effort.

It can send and receive data and it can also display videos, pictures and can pretty much keep you connected
to social networking sites.
COMPUTER: A computer network extends interpersonal communications by electronic means with various
technologies, such as email, instant messaging, online chat, voice and video telephone calls, and video
conferencing. A network allows sharing of network and computing resources.

Computer Concepts — Introduction to Computer

In today's world, we use computers for all our tasks. Our day-to-day activities: paying bills, buying groceries,
using social media, seeking entertainment, working from home, communicating with a friend, etc., can all be
done using a computer. So it is important not only to know how to use a computer, but also to understand
the components of a computer and what they do. This topic explains all concepts related to computer in
detail, from origin to end. The idea of computer literacy is also discussed, which includes the definition and
functions of a computer. You learn about the components of a computer, the concept of hardware and
software, representation of data/information, the concept of data processing and applications of IECT.

3|Page BOSS AKK

What is a Computer? A computer is an electronic device that accepts data from the user, processes it,
produces results, displays them to the users, and stores the results for future usage.
Data is a set of raw facts and figures.
Information is a structured data i.e. organized meaningful and processed data. To process the data and
convert into information, a computer is used.
Functions of Computers
A computer performs the following functions:
Receiving Input: Data is fed into computer through various input devices like keyboard, mouse, digital
pens, etc. Input can also be fed through devices like CD-ROM, pen drive, scanner, etc.
Processing the information: Operations on the input data are carried out based on the instructions
provided in the programs.
Storing the information: After processing, the information gets stored in the primary or secondary storage
area.
Producing output: The processed information and other details are communicated to the outside world
through output devices like monitor, printer, etc.

History of Computers
The history of the computer dates back to several years. There are five prominent generations of computers.
Each generation has witnessed several technological advances which change the functionality of the
computers. This results in more compact, powerful, robust systems which are less expensive. The brief
history of computers is discussed below:
First Generation (1940-1956)

The first generation computers had the following features and components:
Hardware: The hardware used in the first generation of computers was: Vacuum Tubes and Punch Cards.
Features
Following are the features of first generation computers:
 Supported machine language only
 It had slow performance
 It occupied large size due to the use of vacuum tubes.
 It had a poor storage capacity.
 It consumed a lot of electricity and generated a lot of heat.
 Vacuum tube technology
 Unreliable
 Very costly
 Generated a lot of heat
 Huge size
 Need of AC
Memory The memory was of 4000 bits.

4|Page BOSS AKK

Data Input: The input was only provided through hard-wired programs in the computer, mostly through
punched cards and paper tapes.
The examples of first generation computers are:
 ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer)
 UNIVACTBM 701 ()

 IBM-701

 IBM-650

 EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer)

Second Generation (1956-1963)

Several advancements in the first-gen computers led to the development of second generation computers.
Following are various changes in features and components of second generation computers:
Hardware: The hardware used in the second generation of computers were:
 Transistors

 Magnetic Tapes

Features

It had features like:

 Use of transistors

 Reliable in comparison to first generation computers

 Smaller size as compared to first generation computers

 Generated less heat as compared to first generation computers

 Consumed less electricity as compared to first generation computers

 Faster than first generation computers

 Still very costly

 AC required

 Supported machine and assembly languages

Memory: The capacity of the memory was 32,000 bits.

Data Input: The input was provided through punched cards.

The examples of second generation computers are:

 IBM 1620

 IBM 7094

 CDC 1604

 CDC 3600

 UNIVAC 1108 (Universal Automatic Computer)

Third Generation (1964-1971)

Following are the various components and features of the third generation computers:

5|Page BOSS AKK

Hardware: The hardware used in the third generation of computers were:

 Integrated Circuits made from semi-conductor materials

 Large capacity disks and magnetic tapes

Features

The features of the third generation computers are:

 Supports time-sharing OS

 Faster, smaller, more reliable and cheaper than the previous generations

 Easy to access

Memory: The capacity of the memory was 128,000 bits.

Data Input: The input was provided through keyboards and monitors.

Examples: The examples of third generation computers are:

 IBM 360/370

 CDC 6600

 PDP 8/11

Fourth Generation (1972-2010)

Fourth generation computers have the following components and features:

Hardware: The Hardware used in the fourth generation of computers were:

 ICs with Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) technology

 Semiconductor memory

 Magnetic tapes and Floppy

Features

It supports features like:

 Multiprocessing & distributed OS

 Object-oriented high level programs supported

 Small & easy to use; hand-held computers have evolved

 No external cooling required & affordable

 This generation saw the development of networks and the internet

 It saw the development of new trends in GUIs and mouse

Memory: The capacity of the memory was 100 million bits.

Data Input: The input was provided through improved hand held devices, keyboard and mouse.
Examples: The examples of fourth generation computers are:
 Apple II

 VAX 9000

6|Page BOSS AKK

 CRAY 1 (super computers)

Fifth Generation (2010-Present)

These are the modern and advanced computers. Significant changes in the components and operations
have made fifth generation computers handy and more reliable than the previous generations.
Hardware: The Hardware used in the fifth generation of computers are:
 Integrated Circuits with VLSI and Nano technology

 Large capacity hard disk with RAID support

 Powerful servers, Internet, Cluster computing

Features

It supports features like:

 Powerful, cheap, reliable and easy to use

 Portable and faster due to use of parallel processors and Super Large Scale Integrated Circuits.

 Rapid software development is possible.

 ULSI technology

 Development of true artificial intelligence

 Development of Natural language processing

 Advancement in Parallel Processing

 Advancement in Superconductor technology

 More user-friendly interfaces with multimedia features

 Availability of very powerful and compact computers at cheaper rates

Memory: The capacity of the memory is unlimited.

Data Input: The input is provided through CDROM, Optical Disk and other touch and voice sensitive input
devices.
Examples: The examples of fifth generation computers are:

 IBM  Desktop  UltraBook

 Pentium  Laptop  ChromeBook

 PARAM  NoteBook

Generation & Description (Summary)

1. First Generation: The period of first generation: 1946-1959 (Vacuum tube based)

2. Second Generation: The period of second generation: 1959-1965 (Transistor based)

3. Third Generation: The period of third generation: 1965-1971 (Integrated Circuit based)

4. Fourth Generation: The period of fourth generation: 1971-1980. (VLSI microprocessor based)

5 Fifth Generation The period of fifth generation: 1980-onwards (ULSI microprocessor based)

7|Page BOSS AKK

Characteristics of Computer System

The characteristics of the computer system are as follows:

Memory Speed

Characteristics
Automation of Accuracy
Computer

Reliability Diligence

Versatility

Speed: A computer works with much higher speed and accuracy compared to humans while performing
mathematical calculations. Computers can process millions (1,000,000) of instructions per second. The time
taken by computers for their operations is microseconds and nanoseconds. Accuracy Computers perform
calculations with 100% accuracy. Errors may occur due to data inconsistency or inaccuracy.
Diligence: A computer can perform millions of tasks or calculations with the same consistency and
accuracy. It doesn’t feel any fatigue or lack of concentration. Its memory also makes it superior to that of
human beings.
Versatility: Versatility refers to the capability of a computer to perform different kinds of works with same
accuracy and efficiency.
Reliability: A computer is reliable as it gives consistent result for similar set of data i.e., if we give same
set of input any number of times, we will get the same result.
Automation: Computer performs all the tasks automatically i.e. it performs tasks without manual
intervention.
Memory: A computer has built-in memory called primary memory where it stores data. Secondary storage
are removable devices such as CDs, pen drives, etc., which are also used to store data.

8|Page BOSS AKK

 Basic Applications of Computer
Computers play a role in every field of life. They are used in homes, business, educational institutions,
research organizations, medical field, government offices, entertainment, etc.
Home: Computers are used at homes for several purposes like online bill payment, watching movies or
shows at home, home tutoring, social media access, playing games, internet access, etc. They provide
communication through electronic mail. They help to avail work from home facility for corporate employees.
Computers help the student community to avail online educational support.
Medical Field: Computers are used in hospitals to maintain a database of patients’ history, diagnosis, Xrays,
live monitoring of patients, etc. Surgeons nowadays use robotic surgical devices to perform delicate
operations, and conduct surgeries remotely. Virtual reality technologies are also used for training purposes.
It also helps to monitor the fetus inside the mother’s womb.
Entertainment: Computers help to watch movies online, play games online; act as a virtual entertainer in
playing games, listening to music, etc. MIDI instruments greatly help people in the entertainment industry
in recording music with artificial instruments. Videos can be fed from computers to full screen televisions.
Photo editors are available with fabulous features.
Industry: Computers are used to perform several tasks in industries like managing inventory, designing
purpose, creating virtual sample products, interior designing, video conferencing, etc. Online marketing has
seen a great revolution in its ability to sell various products to inaccessible corners like interior or rural areas.
Stock markets have seen phenomenal participation from different levels of people through the use of
computers.
Education: Computers are used in education sector through online classes, online examinations, referring
e-books, online tutoring, etc. They help in increased use of audio-visual aids in the education field.
Government: In government sectors, computers are used in data processing, maintaining a database of
citizens and supporting a paperless environment. The country’s defense organizations have greatly benefitted
from computers in their use for missile development, satellites, rocket launches, etc.
Banking: In the banking sector, computers are used to store details of customers and conduct transactions,
such as withdrawal and deposit of money through ATMs. Banks have reduced manual errors and expenses
to a great extent through extensive use of computers.
Business: Nowadays, computers are totally integrated into business. The main objective of business is
transaction processing, which involves transactions with suppliers, employees or customers. Computers can
make these transactions easy and accurate. People can analyze investments, sales, expenses, markets and
other aspects of business using computers.
Training: Many organizations use computer-based training to train their employees, to save money and
improve performance. Video conferencing through computers allows saving of time and travelling costs by
being able to connect people in various locations.
Arts: Computers are extensively used in dance, photography, arts and culture. The fluid movement of dance
can be shown live via animation. Photos can be digitized using computers.

9|Page BOSS AKK

Science and Engineering: Computers with high performance are used to stimulate dynamic process in
Science and Engineering. Supercomputers have numerous applications in area of Research and Development
(R&D). Topographic images can be created through computers. Scientists use computers to plot and analyze
data to have a better understanding of earthquakes.
Military: Computers are largely used in defence. Modern tanks, missiles, weapons, etc. Military also employs
computerized control systems. Some military areas where a computer has been used are: Missile Control,
Military Communication, Military Operation and Planning, Smart Weapons etc.
Communication: Communication is a way to convey a message, an idea, a picture, or speech that is
received and understood clearly and correctly by the person for whom it is meant. Some main areas in this
category are:  E-mail  Chatting  Usenet  FTP  Telnet  Video-conferencing
Components of Computer System
Computer systems consist of three components as shown in below image: Central Processing Unit, Input
devices and Output devices. Input devices provide data input to processor, which processes data and
generates useful information that’s displayed to the user through output devices. This is stored in computer’s
memory.

CENTRAL

DATA PROCESSING DATA

INPUT DEVICES OUTPUT DEVICES
UNIT

MAIN/INTERNAL MEMORY

Central Processing Unit: The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is called “the brain of computer” as it controls
operation of all parts of computer. It consists of two components: Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), and Control
Unit.
CPU

ARITHMETIC LOGIC UNIT (ALU)

CONTROL UNIT

MAIN MEMORY

10 | P a g e BOSS AKK
 Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): Data entered into computer is sent to RAM, from where it is then sent to
ALU, where rest of data processing takes place. All types of processing, such as comparisons, decision-
making and processing of non-numeric information takes place here and once again data is moved to RAM.
Control Unit: As name indicates, this part of CPU extracts instructions, performs execution, maintains and
directs operations of entire system.
Functions of Control Unit Control unit performs following functions:
 It controls all activities of computer
 Supervises flow of data within CPU
 Directs flow of data within CPU
 Transfers data to Arithmetic and Logic Unit
 Transfers results to memory
 Fetches results from memory to output device
Memory Unit: Memory Unit holds data and instructions that the computer is processing at the time as well
as results given by computer are stored. Unit of memory is “Byte”.
Input Devices: Input devices are used to get the data and instructions into the computer for processing.
Some of input devices are:
1.Keyboard 2.Mouse (pointing device) 3.Microphone 4.Touch screen 5.Scanner 6.Webcam
7.Touchpads 8.MIDI keyboard 9.Graphics 10.Tablets 11.Cameras 12.Pen Input 13.Video Capture Hardware
14.Microphone 15.Trackballs 16.Barcode reader 17.Digital camera 18.Joystick 19.Gamepad 20.Electronic
Whiteboard.

INPUT DEVICE FUNCTION IMAGE

The keyboard was first peripheral device to be used
with computers. It helps to input text and numbers
KEYBOARD
into computer. It consists of 104 keys and 12
functional keys.
A mouse is an input device which is also called as
pointing device because it helps to point data on

MOUSE screen.
It also helps to select, highlight content and drag-drop
controls.
A trackball is also a pointing device which will work like

TRACKBALLS a mouse. It is mainly used for gaming and

entertainment purpose.

11 | P a g e BOSS AKK
 A digital pen is another input device which is mostly
used with tablets, PDAs, etc. A digital pen is also called
DIGITAL PENS
as a Stylus which helps to write or draw data over pad.

Scanners transform printed material and photographs

into a digital representation. After scanning of printed
SCANNERS
material, page is represented in memory as an array
of pixels.
Barcode reader helps to read information which is
printed as bars in back of goods or items. Barcode
BARCODE readers are most widely used input devices which we
READERS
can see in most of products in our day to day life.

Voice recognition system interprets or receives

VOICE dictation or spoken commands to authorize user.
RECOGNITION
SYSTEM

A touch screen is an input device which uses sensors

TOUCH SCREEN to sense touch of users to get input data.

Microphones send/input data into a computer system

MICROPHONES for processing.

JOYSTICK Can be used for controlling the movement of the

cursor or a pointer in a computer device.
A webcam is an input device that captures digital
images. These are transferred to the computer, which
WEBCAM
moves them to a server. From there, they can be
transmitted to the hosting page.
A gamepad, also sometimes called joy pad, refers
to an input device used for gaming purposes. It is a

GAME PAD video game controller that can be held with both
hands and has multiple buttons on it to be pressed by
the thumbs.

OUTPUT DEVICES: Output devices help to display output to user. Some of output devices are: 1. Monitor
2. LCD Projection Panels 3. Printers (all types) 4. Computer Output Microfilm (COM)
5. Plotters 6. Speaker(s) 7. Projector 8. Sound card 9. Video card 10. Speech synthesizer

12 | P a g e BOSS AKK
OUTPUT
DEVICE FUNCTION IMAGE
A computer’s principal output device is a monitor, often known
as a Visual Display Unit (VDU). It displays the processed data
like text, images, videos, audios, etc.
MONITOR
Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) and Flat panel display monitors are
commonly used monitors.

Printers are information output devices that allow you to print

PRINTER
data on paper. Or in other words, it is an output device that
creates a hard copy of the processed data or information.
A plotter is a device that prints high-quality graphics in a
variety of color formats. It works in a similar way to a printer,
although it has more advanced features. It is used to print
large maps, architectural drawings, large-format printing, and
PLOTTER create pictures, 3D postcards, advertising signs, charts, and
various designs of the internal structure of building machines,
as well as create pictures, 3D postcards, advertising signs,
charts, and various designs of the internal structure of building
machines.
A projector is a device that allows users to project their output
onto a large area, such as a screen or a wall. It can be used to
project the output of a computer and other devices onto a
PROJECTOR
screen. It magnifies texts, photos, and movies using light and
lenses. As a result, it’s an excellent output device for giving
presentations or teaching big groups of people.

Speakers are connected to computers to allow sound to be

output. For the working of speakers, sound cards are required.
SPEAKERS From simple two-speaker output devices to surround-sound
multi-channel sets, speakers come in a variety of shapes and
sizes. They take audio input from the computer’s sound card
and output sound waves as audio output.

13 | P a g e BOSS AKK
 To hear the sound, use earbuds with your PC, laptop, or
smartphone. It enables you to hear the sound without causing
any inconvenience to others. To translate electronic signals into
HEADPHONES sounds without causing inconvenience to others. They can be
wired or wireless and can be connected to computers, laptops,
mobile phones, etc. They are connected with the devices via
Bluetooth.

Sound cards are computer output devices that are inserted into
the computer. A sound card, either external or internal, is
SOUND CARD required to produce sound on any computer (built-in). An
external sound card enables for better overall sound generation
and is required for wide and clear sound recording, as well as
sound without noise and interference.
An extension card via which a computer can transfer graphical
data to a video display device like a TV, projector, or monitor.
VIDEO CARD It processes photos and video, as well as other functions that
the CPU generally does. As they have a good processing
capability and video RAM, Gamers utilize video cards.

A speech synthesizer is a computerized device that takes in

SPEECH data, interprets it, and generates audible words. It might be a
SYNTHESIZER
computer card, a box connected by a cable, or software that
works with the computer’s sound card.

COMPUTER MEMORY: Computer memory refers to storage area where data is stored. It is of two types:
 Primary Memory

 Secondary Memory

Primary Memory: Primary memory is the main memory of computer present in motherboard. Primary
memory is of two types; Random Access Memory and Read Only Memory
Random Access Memory: RAM is referred as temporary memory, in which, information stored is lost once
computer is turned off. It is a volatile memory. Instructions written in this memory can be modified; hence
it is also known as programmable memory. The two types of RAM are Static RAM (faster and costlier) and
Dynamic RAM.
Functions of RAM are as follows:
 It stores data till it gets processed.
 It stores instructions for data processing.

14 | P a g e BOSS AKK
 It acts as a working space where data processing takes place and intermediate results are stored.
 It stores processed data/results before it is sent to output devices.
Read Only Memory: ROM is referred as permanent memory, in which information stored is available even
if computer is turned off. Instructions stored in this memory can only be read and cannot be modified. Mostly
ROM has a start-up instruction which is executed every time when computer is switched on. Types of ROM
are PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable PROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable
PROM) and flash memory.
The below table jots down the major differences between RAM and ROM:

S.NO RAM ROM

1 It is volatile memory. It is non-volatile memory.
The contents are temporary; data is lost The contents are permanent; data is not lost even
when electricity supply is lost. when power is switched off.
2
Available in small storage capacity. Available in high storage capacity.
3
Processing speed is high. Processing speed is low.
4
Generally, operating system supporting programs can
User-defined programs can be stored. be stored.
5
Cost is very high. Cost effective.
6
It comes in different types such as PROM, EPROM,
It is of two types, SRAM and DRAM. EEPROM and flash memory.
7

Secondary Memory: Sometimes when data to be processed is large, it cannot fit in primary memory as it
is limited, in such cases, we use supplement memory or secondary memory. Secondary memory helps to
store information permanently and is non-volatile. Examples of secondary storage memory are compact disk,
floppy disk, pen drive, external hard drive, etc.
THE CONCEPT OF HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM
Hardware: The term hardware refers to the physical part of a computer system that can be seen or touch.
Computer hardware consists of interconnected electronic devices that we can use to control computer’s
operation, input and output. Examples of hardware are CPU, keyboard, mouse, hard disk, monitor etc.
Hardware Components
Computer hardware is a collection of several components working together. Some parts are essential and
others are added advantages. Computer hardware is made up of CPU and peripherals.

15 | P a g e BOSS AKK
 PERIPHERA DEVICES: A peripheral device, also sometimes called an auxiliary device, is any
connected device (internal or external) that provides a computer with additional functionality.
Peripheral devices fall into three main categories:
 Input devices, which send data to the computer.
 Output devices, which receive data from the computer.
 Input/output devices, such as storage devices.
Examples of Peripheral Devices:
1. Mouse
2. Keyboard
3. Webcam
4. Microphone
5. Monitor
6. Speakers
7. Projector
8. Printer
9. USB Flash Drive
10. External Hard Drive
STORAGE DEVICES: Storage devices are the computer hardware used to remember/store data. There are
two types of storage devices used with computers: a primary storage device, such as RAM, and a secondary
storage device, such as a hard drive. Secondary storage can be removable, internal, or external.
Examples of computer storage
Today, there are three types of media used to store computer data: magnetic storage, optical storage,
and solid-state storage. Below is a full list of all computer storage used over the evolution of the computer.
MAGNETIC STORAGE DEVICES
Today, magnetic storage is one of the most common types of storage used with computers. This
technology is found mostly on extremely large HDDs or hybrid hard drives.

 Floppy diskette
 Hard drive
 Magnetic strip
 SuperDisk
 Tape cassette
 Zip diskette
 Optical storage devices

16 | P a g e BOSS AKK
Another common type of storage is OPTICAL STORAGE, which uses lasers and lights as its method of
reading and writing data.

 Blu-ray disc

 CD-ROM disc
 CD-R and CD-RW disc.
 DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, and DVD+RW disc.

SOLID-STATE STORAGE DEVICES

Solid-state storage (flash memory) has replaced most magnetic and optical media as it becomes cheaper
because it's the more efficient and reliable solution.

 USB flash drive, jump drive, or thumb drive.

 CF (CompactFlash)
 M.2
 Memory card
 MMC
 NVMe
 SDHC Card
 SmartMedia Card
 Sony Memory Stick
 SD card
 SSD
 xD-Picture Card

Bit: A bit is a value of either a 1 or 0 (on or off).

Nibble: A nibble is 4 bits.

Byte
Today, a byte is 8 bits.

 1 character, e.g., "a", is one byte.

Kilobyte (KB)
A kilobyte is 1,024 bytes.

 2 or 3 paragraphs of text.

Megabyte (MB)
A megabyte is 1,048,576 bytes or 1,024 kilobytes.

17 | P a g e BOSS AKK
  873 pages of plain text (1,200 characters).
 4 books (200 pages or 240,000 characters).

Gigabyte (GB)
A gigabyte is 1,073,741,824 (230) bytes. 1,024 megabytes, or 1,048,576 kilobytes.

 894,784 pages of plain text (1,200 characters).

 4,473 books (200 pages or 240,000 characters).
 640 web pages (with 1.6 MB average file size).
 341 digital pictures (with 3 MB average file size).
 256 MP3 audio files (with 4 MB average file size).
 1 650 MB CD.

Terabyte (TB)
A terabyte is 1,099,511,627,776 (240) bytes, 1,024 gigabytes, or 1,048,576 megabytes.

 916,259,689 pages of plain text (1,200 characters).

 4,581,298 books (200 pages or 240,000 characters).
 655,360 web pages (with 1.6 MB average file size).
 349,525 digital pictures (with 3 MB average file size).
 262,144 MP3 audio files (with 4 MB average file size).
 1,613 650 MB CDs.
 233 4.38 GB DVDs.
 40 25 GB Blu-ray discs.

Petabyte (PB)
A petabyte is 1,125,899,906,842,624 (250) bytes, 1,024 terabytes, 1,048,576 gigabytes, or 1,073,741,824
megabytes.

 938,249,922,368 pages of plain text (1,200 characters).

 4,691,249,611 books (200 pages or 240,000 characters).
 671,088,640 web pages (with 1.6 MB average file size).
 357,913,941 digital pictures (with 3 MB average file size).
 268,435,456 MP3 audio files (with 4 MB average file size).
 1,651,910 650 MB CDs.
 239,400 4.38 GB DVDs.
 41,943 25 GB Blu-ray discs.

Exabyte (EB)
An exabyte is 1,152,921,504,606,846,976 (260) bytes, 1,024 petabytes, 1,048,576 terabytes, 1,073,741,824
gigabytes, or 1,099,511,627,776 megabytes.

18 | P a g e BOSS AKK
  960,767,920,505,705 pages of plain text (1,200 characters).
 4,803,839,602,528 books (200 pages or 240,000 characters).
 687,194,767,360 web pages (with 1.6 MB average file size).
 366,503,875,925 digital pictures (with 3 MB average file size).
 274,877,906,944 MP3 audio files (with 4 MB average file size).
 1,691,556,350 650 MB CDs.
 245,146,535 4.38 GB DVDs.
 42,949,672 25 GB Blu-ray discs.

Zettabyte (ZB)
A zettabyte is 1,180,591,620,717,411,303,424 (270) bytes, 1,024 exabytes, 1,048,576 petabytes,
1,073,741,824 terabytes, 1,099,511,627,776 gigabytes, or 1,125,899,910,000,000 megabytes.

 983,826,350,597,842,752 pages of plain text (1,200 characters).

 4,919,131,752,989,213 books (200 pages or 240,000 characters).
 703,687,443,750,000 web pages (with 1.6 MB average file size).
 375,299,970,000,000 digital pictures (with 3 MB average file size).
 281,474,977,500,000 MP3 audio files (with 4 MB average file size).
 1,732,153,707,691 650 MB CDs.
 251,030,052,003 4.38 GB DVDs.
 43,980,465,111 25 GB Blu-ray discs.

Yottabyte (YB)
A yottabyte is 1,208,925,819,614,629,174,706,176 (280) bytes, 1,024 zettabytes, 1,048,576 exabytes,
1,073,741,824 petabytes, 1,099,511,627,776 terabytes, 1,125,899,910,000,000 gigabytes, or
1,152,921,500,000,000,000 megabytes.

 1,007,438,183,012,190,978,921 pages of plain text (1,200 characters).

 5,037,190,915,060,954,894 books (200 pages or 240,000 characters).
 720,575,937,500,000,000 web pages (with 1.6 MB average file size).
 384,307,166,666,666,666 digital pictures (with 3 MB average file size).
 288,230,375,000,000,000 MP3 audio files (with 4 MB average file size).
 1,773,725,384,615,384 650 MB CDs.
 257,054,773,251,740 4.38 GB DVDs.
 45,035,996,273,704 25 GB Blu-ray discs.

Is there anything bigger than a yottabyte?

As of 2020, there are no approved standard sizes for anything bigger than a yottabyte. However, the two
proposed standards are hellabyte or brontobyte.

19 | P a g e BOSS AKK
SOFTWARE: A set of instructions that drives computer to do stipulated tasks is called a program. Software
instructions are programmed in a computer language, translated into machine language, and executed by
computer. Software can be categorized into two types:
 System software

 Application software

SYSTEM SOFTWARE
A system software is a specific type of software that manages a computing device. The system software
comprises the operating system, utility programmes, and device drivers. We will look at each of the
three parts.
AN OPERATING SYSTEM
An operating system is software that manages hardware, software and other applications on a
computing device. The operating system has different functions and tasks it carries out on a computing
device. In order to make these functions easy to understand, they are grouped into the following
categories:

 Disk management: Used to manage the drives installed in a computer e.g. partition drives, format
drives, assign drive letters.
 Hardware management: Managing the interaction between hardware and software, as well as the
different hardware devices.
 Graphics User Interface (GUI) management: Provides and manages the user interface that interacts
with graphics and visual content on a computing device.
 I/O management: Managing the signals received from an input device and sending the correct
signals to an output device.
 Process management: Managing the applications and the resources used by applications (Apps)
on a computing device.
 File management: Managing the storage of files and folders on your storage device.
 Memory management: Managing the data stored on a computing device’s memory and once the
processing is complete, this function tends to free up some space.
 Storage management: Processes used to improve the performance of data storage resources.

Operating systems are not the only type of system software in the IT field. There are other additional types
of system software. In this unit we will look at the following two types:

 UTILITY PROGRAMS
 DEVICE DRIVER PROGRAMS.
UTILITY PROGRAMS
A utility program is system software that helps users to analyse, configure, monitor, or help maintain
their computers. Most operating systems include a set of basic utilities for users, and additional utilities
that could be downloaded if needed. Examples of utilities include:

 back-up software that helps a user create back-up copies of the files on their computer
 a device manager that helps a user install new hardware such as a mouse, USB, etc.

20 | P a g e BOSS AKK
  disk cleaners that helps a user to free up space on a storage device
 file managers that allow users to manage the files that are stored on their computers
 system (Task Managers) monitors that summarise a computer’s performance for the user.

Without these utilities it would be a lot harder for users to manage and keep their computers running
optimally.

DEVICE DRIVER PROGRAMS

A device driver is software that contains a set of instructions that command a computer’s operating system
on how to communicate with the hardware so that it can function properly. Device drivers allow
communication between the operating system and all the devices, such as the mouse, keyboard, printer,
etc.

The field of IT is forever changing, so it would be impossible to create an operating system that knows how
each device functions or works (especially devices those that have not yet been invented). It is for this
reason that each hardware manufacturer is responsible for developing drivers for their own manufactured
devices.

APPLICATION SOFTWARE: An application software is designed for benefit of users to perform one or
more tasks. Examples of application software include Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Oracle, etc.

Differences between Software and Hardware are sorted out below:

S.NO SOFTWARE HARDWARE

It is a collection of programs to bring

1 computer hardware system into

operation. It includes physical components of computer system.
It includes numbers, alphabets,

2 alphanumeric symbols, identifiers, It consists of electronic components like ICs, diodes,

keywords, etc. registers, crystals, boards, insulators, etc.
Software products evolve by adding new Hardware design is based on architectural decisions to

3 features to existing programs to support make it work over a range of environmental conditions
hardware. and time.

21 | P a g e BOSS AKK
 It will vary as per computer and its built- It is mostly constructed for all types of computer
4
in functions and programming language. systems.
It is designed and developed by

5 experienced programmers in high level

language. The hardware can understand only low level language.
It is represented in any high-level

6 language such as BASIC, COBOL, C,

C++, JAVA, etc. The hardware works only on binary codes 1’s and 0’s.
7 The software is categorized as operating
system, utilities, language processor, The hardware consists of input devices, output
application software, etc. devices, memory, etc.

COMPUTERS CLASSIFICATION
Computers can be generally classified by size and power as follows, though there is considerable overlap:
• Personal computer: A small, single-user computer based on a microprocessor. In addition to the
microprocessor, a personal computer has a keyboard for entering data, a monitor for displaying information,
and a storage device for saving data.
• Workstation: A powerful, single-user computer. A workstation is like a personal computer, but it has a
more powerful microprocessor and a higher-quality monitor.
• Minicomputer: A multi-user computer capable of supporting from 10 to hundreds of users simultaneously.
• Mainframe: A powerful multi-user computer capable of supporting many hundreds or thousands of users
simultaneously.
• Supercomputer: An extremely fast computer that can perform hundreds of millions of instructions per
second.
Laptop and Smartphone Computers
LAPTOP: A laptop is a battery or AC-powered personal computer that can be easily carried and used in a
variety of locations. Many laptops are designed to have all of the functionality of a desktop computer, which
means they can generally run the same software and open the same types of files. However, some laptops,
such as netbooks, sacrifice some functionality in order to be even more portable.
Netbook: A netbook is a type of laptop that is designed to be even more portable. Netbooks are often
cheaper than laptops or desktops. They are generally less powerful than other types of computers, but they
provide enough power for email and internet access, which is where the name "netbook" comes from.
Mobile Device: A mobile device is basically any handheld computer. It is designed to be extremely portable,
often fitting in the palm of your hand or in your pocket. Some mobile devices are more powerful, and they
allow you to do many of the same things you can do with a desktop or laptop computer. These include tablet
computers, e-readers, and smartphones.
Tablet Computers: Like laptops, tablet computers are designed to be portable. However, they provide a
very different computing experience. The most obvious difference is that tablet computers don't have

22 | P a g e BOSS AKK
keyboards or touchpads. Instead, the entire screen is touch-sensitive, allowing you to type on a virtual
keyboard and use your finger as a mouse pointer. Tablet computers are mostly designed for consuming
media, and they are optimized for tasks like web browsing, watching videos, reading e-books, and playing
games. For many people, a "regular" computer like a desktop or laptop is still needed in order to use some
programs. However, the convenience of a tablet computer means that it may be ideal as a second computer.
Smartphones: A smartphone is a powerful mobile phone that is designed to run a variety of applications in
addition to phone service. They are basically small tablet computers, and they can be used for web browsing,
watching videos, reading e-books, playing games and more.
TEST YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Which of these is a free operating system? C. OCR

A. Ubuntu D. VCD
B. Windows 7 The device that the computer uses to keep data is
C. Windows Xp A. input device
D. Mac OSX B. output device
1 GB is equal to C. processing device
A. 1024 MB D. storage device
B. 1028 MB A pen drive
C. 256 MB A. inputs information
D. 1012 MB B. puts out information
Which is not an Operating System? C. retrieves information
A. Microsoft Office XP D. stores information
B. Red Hat Linux The main storage medium within the system unit of the
C. BSD Unix computer is the
D.Windows 98 A. CD-ROM
Examples of a peripheral devices are B. FDD
A. Monitor C. HDD
B. Keyboard D. USB
C. Mouse To boot a computer is the same as to
D. All of the above A. shut down the computer
Which part of the computer system that one can B. restart the computer
physically touch? C. start the computer
A. Software D. stop the computer
B. Hardware Programs that perform specific task for users are refered
C. OS to as
D. Programs A. application software
The flat panel screen is also known as B. computer software
A. CRT C. operating software
B. LCD D. system software

23 | P a g e BOSS AKK