Information Technology

Vocational Training Development Institute (VTDI)

Associate Degree in Information & Communication Technology

LESSON 1
Understanding your computer
Today's Objectives
(Week of Sep. 11th)

LESSON 1 – Understanding your computer

➢ Information Technology (IT)

➢ Define a computer

➢ Identify the critical hardware components of a computer

➢ Distinguish between input and output devices

➢ Distinguish between hardware and software

➢ Discuss the relationship between RAM and secondary storage devices

➢ Visually identify the different ports and the devices they support (e.g. Printers,
USB, scanners, etc.)

➢ Identify Devices commonly used in PC specifications

 Information Technology (IT)

➢ Information Technology encompasses all forms of

technology used to create, store, exchange, and use
information in its various forms (eg. business data, voice
conversations, still images, motion pictures, multimedia
presentations, and other forms, including those not yet
conceived).

➢ It's a convenient term for including both telephony and

computer technology in the same word. It is the technology
that is driving what has often been called "the information
revolution" or the Internet of Things (IoT).
 What is a Computer?

✓General-purpose
✓Programmable
✓Calculates
✓Stores results

A computer is a general-purpose, programmable device that is capable of

calculating and storing results
 What is a Computer?
➢A computer is an electronic machine, operating
under the control of instructions stored in its own
memory, that can accept data,
process/manipulate that data according to
specified rules, produce results, and store the
results for future use.

http://uwf.edu/clemley/cgs1570w/notes/concepts-1.htm
Function of the Computer

The information processing

cycle operations:
• input
• Processing
• output
• storage
Hardware Vs. Software
➢ Hardware
▪ The term hardware refers to the physical parts of a computer such as: system
unit, mouse, keyboard, monitor etc.

➢ Software
▪ The software is the set of instructions that make the computer behave in a
given way

▪ Software is held either on your computer’s hard disk, CD-ROM, DVD or on a

diskette (floppy disk) and is loaded (i.e. copied) from the disk into the
computers RAM (Random Access Memory), as and when required
Software
 What is a Software?
➢ Software is programs or set of
instructions (along with requisite
documentation) that tell the
computer/hardware what to do and
how to do it.

➢ Computers need software to do even a

simple job, without software computers
cannot function.
Types of Software
 Types of Software
1) System software is the software used
to manage and control the hardware
components and which allow
interaction between the hardware and
the other types of software.
 Types of System Software
➢ Operating System ➢ Utility software

Is the software that is responsible for the Utility software is software which helps to
management and coordination of activities and maintain and protect the computer system.
sharing/allocating of resources within a
computer system.
 Types of
Software Cont.
2) Applications software (also known as
'apps') are designed to allow the user of
the system to complete a specific task
or set of tasks.
 Application software
➢ Application software consists of programs that perform specific tasks for
users. E.g. word processing software, spreadsheet software, database
software, and presentation graphics software.

➢ Application software may be:

▪ packaged software/general purpose – copyrighted software that meets

the needs of a variety of users

▪ custom software – tailor-made software developed at a user’s request

▪ freeware – copyrighted software provided at no cost
▪ public-domain software – software donated for public use with no
copyright restrictions

▪ shareware – copyrighted software distributed free for a trial period

Examples of Application
Software

They include programs such as:

– web browsers

– office software

– games and so on more…..

They are usually the reason you bought the

computer system in the first place.
Computer
Hardware
Main Parts of a Personal
Computer
Input Devices
Mouse
• Used to ‘drive’ Windows
Keyboard
• The keyboard is still the
commonest way of entering
information into a computer
Trackball
• an alternative to the traditional
mouse and often used by graphic
designers
 Input Devices
Scanner

▪ A scanner allows you to scan printed material and convert it

into a file format that may be used within the PC

Touchpad

▪ A device that lays on the desktop and responds to pressure

Light Pen

▪ Used to allow users to point to areas on a screen

Joystick

▪ Many games require a joystick for the proper playing of the

game
 Input Devices
Digital camera

• This produces a digital picture file that can be printed, sent via e-mail
or posted to a web page

• A webcam enables moving images to be viewed in real time via the

internet

Microphone

• A device that allows sound signals to be converted into digital files

that may be stored on the computer

• It enables voice-recognition software to be used

• It also allows telephony via the internet

Monitor (VDU)
• The computer screen is used for outputting
information in an understandable format for
humans
• Flat-screen LCD monitors are rapidly
becoming commonplace
Printers
• There are many different types of printers
• In large organizations laser printers are most
commonly used due to the fact that they can
print very fast and give a very high quality
output
 Output Devices
Plotters
• A plotter is an output device similar to a
printer, but normally allows you to print
larger images
Speakers
• Enhances the value of educational and
presentation products

Speech synthesizer
• Gives you the ability to not only to display
text on a monitor but also to read the text
to you
Both Input & Output Devices
Processing Device
• The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the brain of your computer and
one of the most important components within your computer.

• It is responsible for logic control and carries out the calculations

within the computer

• The CPU speed largely determines the speed of the computer

and is measured in hertz; megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz)

• For example, a 2.4 GHz Pentium is much faster than a 400 MHz
Pentium CPU
Storage Primary Storage Secondary storage

➢ Primary storage is top-level and consists ➢ Secondary memory is computer memory

that is non-volatile and NOT immediately
of storage devices that are
accessible by the systems’ CPU.
directly accessible to the system’s CPU
➢ It allows users to store large data and
to quickly read and store data.​
information that can be retrieved and
➢ The main primary storage devices is: processed.

✓ Random Access Memory (RAM); ➢ Secondary storage is another name for

secondary memory.
also called Main Memory.
➢ The main secondary storage device is:

✓ the Hard Drive

✓ Solid State Drive

 RAM
• Random access memory (RAM) is fast-access
memory​ that is cleared when the computer is
power-down.​

• RAM is attached directly to the motherboard

and is used to store programs’ data that are
currently running.​

• RAM is a set of integrated circuits that allow the

stored data to be accessed in any order. (why is
it called random?)
RAM

• The operating system loads from disk at start-

up, then it is copied into RAM. It is also where
your applications programs are copied when
you double-click on the icon.
• As a rough rule, a Microsoft Windows-based
computer will operate faster if you install
more RAM.
ROM
• Read-only memory (ROM) is a type of computer storage containing non-
volatile, permanent data that, normally, can only be read, not written to.
ROM contains the programming that allows a computer to start up each
time it is turned on.

• Almost every computer incorporates a small amount of ROM that contains

the start-up program/firmware. This booting firmware is called the basic
input/output system (BIOS).

• BIOS consists of instructions that instruct the boot-up processes for the
computer, such as:
• loading the operating system (OS) into the random access memory
(RAM)
• running hardware diagnostic
Secondary Storage
Magnetic Disk - Hard Drive
• Hard disks are the main, large data storage device
within your computer.
• They are used to store your operating system,
application programs, music, pictures and other data.
• They are much faster than CD-ROMs and floppy disks
and can also hold much more data.
Secondary Storage
Solid-State Disks (SSD)

• An SSD is a storage medium that uses non-volatile

memory to hold and access data. Unlike a hard drive,
an SSD has no moving parts, which gives it advantages,
such as faster access time, noiseless operation, higher
reliability, and lower power consumption.

• As the costs have come down, SSDs have become

suitable replacements for a standard hard drive.
 Secondary Storage

Diskette (Floppy Disk)

➢ Speed:
▪ Very slow!

➢ Capacity:
▪ Normally 1.44 Mbytes

➢ Cost:
▪ Very cheap
 When Windows formats a diskette it:

▪ Erases all previous data

▪ Sets up a system for recording what is stored

Formatting where on the disk

a Disk ▪ Checks the disk for physical and magnetic

errors

▪ Makes the disk compatible with any computer

running Windows
 Secondary Storage

CD-ROM
➢ Speed:
▪ Much slower than hard disks. The original CD-ROM
specification is now given a value of 1x speed, and later,
faster CD-ROMs are quoted as a multiple of this value

➢ Capacity:
▪ Around 650 Mbytes

➢ Cost:
▪ Below 50p each
CD-R disks can be written to only once
CD-RW disks can be written to more than once
Storage Devices
DVD-ROM
➢ Speed:
• Much faster than CD-ROM drives but
not as fast as hard disks
➢ Capacity:
• Up to 17 GB
➢ Cost:
• Slightly higher than CD-ROM drives
Types of Computer
Types of
Computer
• Types of computers includes:
• Mainframe computer
• Network computer
• Personal computer
• Laptop computer
• Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
 Types of Computer
Mainframe Computers
• Very powerful, used by large organisations such an banks to
control the entire business operation.
• Very expensive!

Personal Computers
• Cheap and easy to use. Often used as stand-alone computers
or in a network.
• May be connected to large mainframe computers within big
companies
Types of Computer
Laptop
• is a battery- or AC-powered personal computer
generally smaller than a briefcase that can easily be
transported and conveniently used in temporary
spaces such as on airplanes, in libraries, temporary
offices and at meetings
• A laptop typically weighs less than 2½kg and is 6cm
or less in thickness
Types of Computer
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
• is a small mobile hand-held device that provides
computing and information storage and retrieval
for personal or business use
• Most PDAs have a small keyboard
• Some PDAs have an electronically sensitive pad on
which handwriting can be received
• Typical uses include schedule and address book
storage and retrieval and note-entering
• Increasingly, PDAs are combined with telephones
and paging systems
Computer Performance
 Impacts on Computer's Performance

➢CPU speed

➢RAM size

➢Hard disk speed and capacity

➢Number of applications running

Computer
Literacy
 What is computer
literacy?

Computer literacy is defined as the

knowledge and ability to use
computers and related technology
efficiently, with a range of skills
covering levels from elementary use
to programming and advanced
problem-solving.

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importance
Importance Of
Computer
Literacy
• Individuals are more
employable
• Increase commerce
• To improve communication
• increase productivity in the
workplace.