Computer Studies BK 5
Computer Studies BK 5
Book 5
UBE Edition
E. O. Adegbeyeni Ph. D.
Faculty of Administration
University of Lagos
Akoka, Lagos
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Contents
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UNIT Classes of computers
ONE
Types of computers
There are three types of computers. They are
1 the analog computer which is used for
measuring things. Examples are the
thermometer, car speedometer, rain gauge,
blood pressure machine and scale machine.
thermometer
car speedometer 11
calculator
Sizes of computers
There are four different sizes of computers.
They are
1 microcomputers
2 minicomputers
3 mainframe computers
4 supercomputers
Microcomputers are the smallest computers
while the supercomputers are the largest.
Generations of computers
Each new computer was better than the one
before it. Each new type of computer is
therefore known as a generation of
computers.
Generations of computers are the stages
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Activities
Your teacher will take your class on a visit to
offices where computers are used.
1 Write down the names of these offices.
2 What are computers used for in these of-
fices?
3 Which generation of computers is being
used in each of the offices?
4 How do you know which generation each
computer is?
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Microcomputers
Minicomputers
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Mainframe computers
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Supercomputers
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Activity
Again, your teacher will take you on a visit to
organisations where computers are used. Such
organisations include banks, supermarkets,
universities, business centres, offices and
factories.
1 What are computers used for in each of
the offices you visited?
2 Which type of computers are used in each
of the offices you visited?
3 How are these computers different from
one another?
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Hardware components
The hardware components of the computer
system are the parts that we can see, feel or
touch.
The three types of hardware components of
the computer system are:
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Input devices
We enter data into the computer through the
input devices. We learned all about input
devices in Theme 2, Unit 1 of Book 3. These input
devices are the keyboard, mouse, joystick,
microphone and light pen.
keyboard
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Output devices
Through the output devices, the computer gives
out information to the user. This information is the
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monitor
20 speakers printer
Theme: Basic computer operation and concepts
Software components
A computer solves a problem only when it
receives instructions. These instructions are the
software of the computer. A set of instructions is
called a program.
There are three types of software. These are
the system software, programming languages
and application software. We learned much
about these three types of software in Unit 4 of
Book 4. We shall learn more about them later in
this book and Book 6.
Users
The third component of the computer system is
the user. Users are the people that use the
computer. The computer cannot function by
itself if not operated by human beings. This
component is also known as the peopleware.
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:
;
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1 Alphanumeric keys
backspace
:
;
enter
shift
control
alternate
caps lock
space bar
This section of the keyboard is also known as the
typewriter area of the keyboard because it is
similar to the keys on the keyboard of a
typewriter.
This section is made up of the following keys:
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2 Function keys
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Activity
:
;
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track ball
mouse pad
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3 Internet Explorer
This is an application package that you can
use to access (get onto) the internet.
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5 My documents
This is a folder for storing other folders, files
and documents.
6 Task bar
At the bottom of the screen, you will find
the task bar. This contains the start button
and rectangles that represent any
applications that are being used on the
system.
7 Start button
Clicking the start button displays a menu
from which you can choose to open an
application, open a document, find a file
or folder, get help, or shut down the
computer.
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To close Windows
1 Click start button on the Windows desktop.
2 On the menu, click Shut Down and a box
appears as follows:
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Activity
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Advantages of e-mails
1 It is much faster than the traditional postal
system.
2 Sending e-mails is cheaper than the
traditional postal system.
3 Receiving e-mails is convenient, as the
receiver does not have to be present at a
particular place and time. E-mails sent to
someone can be received in any part of
the world and at any time the receiver
chooses to check his in-box.
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Worldwide Web
The worldwide web, also called the web, is a
part of the internet. It is made up of millions of
pages, and each page is called a web page.
Individuals and organisations like schools and
companies can create their own web pages.
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Browsers
Browsers are programs that help a computer
user to view the web pages. Examples of
browsers are Internet Explorer and Netscape
Navigator.
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Computer bk 1 Computer bk 1
Computer bk 2 Computer bk 2
Computer bk 1 Computer bk 1
Science Bk 2 Science Bk 2
Computer bk 2 Computer bk 2
Science Bk 4 Science Bk 4
Science Bk 2 Science Bk 2
Trash Trash
Science Bk 4 Science Bk 4
Trash Trash
Trash Trash
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Activities
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