FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY MINNA

NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

FUTMINNA e-LEARNING

COURSE TITLE

Introduction to Computer Science

COURSE CODE
CPT 111

COURSE UNIT: 3
 HEAD OF DEPARTMENT
Dr. (Mrs.) O. A. Abisoye
Department of Computer Science
Federal University of Technology, Minna
Minna, Niger State, Nigeria

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 Course Development Team
CPT 111: Introduction to Computer Science

Subject Matter Experts Abisoye, Opeyemi A. (Ph.D.

BASHIR Sulaimon Adebayo (Ph.D)
OJERINDE Oluwaseun Adeniyi (PhD)
Adepoju Solomon Adelowo (PhD)
Aminu, Enesi Femi (PhD)

Course Coordinator Abisoye, Opeyemi A (Ph.D.)

Department of Computer Science
FUT Minna, Nigeria.

ODL Experts Prof. J.K Alhassan

Prof. Adamu

Instructional System Designers Mr. A M Saliu, Mr. Sani Alkali Umar.

Mr Kolo Idris and Mr Victor Adama
Department of Computer Science
FUT Minna, Nigeria

Language Editors Prof. Isiaka Gambari &

Oluwole Caleb FALODE (Ph.D.)

Dean of School Prof. Jude Kur

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CPT 111 Study Guide
Introduction
CPT 111 Introduction to Computer Science is a 2- credit unit course for students studying
towards acquiring a Bachelor of Science in any field. The course is divided into 6 modules and
15 study units. It will first introduce the basic computing terms and the modern history of
electronic computers. Next, computer hardware and software are treated in detail. Thereafter,
the manner in which data are represented and manipulated in the computer are discussed.
This is followed by an extensive discussion of the Von Neumann model of computation.
Subsequently, an overview of programming languages is presented. Finally, the student is
introduced to the Internet.
The course guide therefore gives you an overview of what CPT 111 is all about, the textbooks
and other materials to be referenced, what you expect to know in each unit, and how to work
through the course material.

Recommended Study Time

This course is a 2-credit unit course having 15 study units. You are therefore enjoined to spend
at least 2 hours in studying the content of each study unit.

What You Will Learn in This Course

The overall aim of this course, CPT 111 is to introduce you to basic concepts of computer
science. At the end of this course you would have learnt the:
i. basic computing terminologies
ii. various computer generations
iii. various components of computer system both hardware and software
iv. basics of computer programming languages – types of computer languages,
programming paradigms, and
v. fundamentals of problem-solving using flowcharts and algorithms

Course Aim
This course aims to introduce students to the basics computing concepts of. It is expected that
the knowledge will enable the reader to effectively use computers in his/her profession.

Course Objectives
It is important to note that each unit has specific objectives. Students should study them
carefully before proceeding to subsequent units. Therefore, it may be useful to refer to these
objectives in the course of your study of the unit to assess your progress. You should always
look at the unit objectives after completing a unit. In this way, you can be sure that you have
done what is required of you by the end of the unit.

Course Contents
Brief history of computing. Description of the basic components of a computer/computing
device. Input/Output devices and peripherals. Hardware, software and human ware. Diverse
and growing computer/digital applications. Information processing and its roles in society.

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The Internet, its applications and its impact on the world today. The different
areas/programs of the computing discipline. The job specializations for computing
professionals. The future of computing.

However, below are overall objectives of this course. On completing this course, you should
be able to:
1. explain basic components of computers and other computing devices;
2. describe the various applications of computers;
3. explain information processing and its roles in the society;
4. describe the Internet, its various applications and its impact;
5. explain the different areas of the computing discipline and its specializations; and
6. demonstrate practical skills on using computers and the internet.

.
This course is designed to cover approximately sixteen weeks, and it will require your devoted
attention. You should do the exercises in the Tutor-Marked Assignments and submit to your
tutors.

Course Materials
The major components of the course are:
1. Course Guide
2. Study Units
3. Text Books
4. Assignment File
5. Presentation Schedule

Study Units
There are Fifteen (15) Study Units and Eight (8) Modules in this course. They are:

Introduction to Computing
Module One Unit 1 Basic Concepts
Unit 2 Computer Hardware
Computer Software
Module Two Unit 1 Introduction to Computer Software
Unit 2 Operating Systems
Machine Level Representation of Data
Module Three Unit 1 Units of Data and Fundamental Operations on Bits
Unit 2 Number Bases and Types

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 Unit 3 Representation of Non-Numeric Data, Records and
Registers
Logic
Unit 1 Digital Logic
Module Four
Unit 2 Memory
Unit 3 Von Neumann Model of Computation
Programming the Computer
Unit 1 Overview of Programming Languages
Module Five
Unit 2 Algorithms
Unit 3 Flowcharts
The Internet
Module Six Unit 1 Introduction to the Internet
Unit 2 Web Technology
Lab Work: Practical demonstration of the basic parts of a computer. Illustration of different
operating systems of different computing devices including desktops, laptops, tablets, smart
boards and smart phones. Demonstration of commonly used applications such as word
processors, spreadsheets, presentation software and graphics. Illustration of input and output
devices including printers, scanners, projectors and smartboards. Practical demonstration of
the Internet and its various applications. Illustration of browsers and search engines. How to
access online resources.

Recommended Texts
The following texts and Internet resource links will be of enormous benefit to you in learning
this course:

Thomas Johnson(2020). The Computer Science Book: A complete introduction to computer

science in one book
Chris Bourke(2018). Computer Science I
Alfred V. Aho & Jeffrey D. Ullman (2016). Foundations of Computer Science: C Edition
Brookshear J. G. (2005), Computer Science: An Overview, 9th Edition, Pearson Addison
Wesley.
Hodgkins, R. (n.d.). Understanding web technology. Retrieved June 3, 2015, from
http://www.computerweekly.com/feature/Understanding-web-technology
Kurose, Ross (2006), Computer Networking, A Top-Down Approach 6th Edition
Leon, A., Leon, M., (1999), Fundamentals of Information Technology, Leon Vikas Hall
Levitin, A., (2007), Introduction to the Design Analysis of Algorithms:2nd Edition, Pearson
Addison Wesley

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Norton, P. (2005), Peter Norton's Introduction to Computers 6th edition, McGraw-Hill/Irwin
Null, L., Labur, J., (2003), The Essentials of Computer Organization and Architecture.
Parsons, J. J., Oja, D. (2011), Practical Computer Literacy 3rd edition, Centage Learning.
Pfaffenberger, B. (2002), Computers in your Future 4th edition, Prentice Hall
Rajaraman V and Radhakrishanan T, (2009), An Introduction to Digital Computer Design, 5th
Edition, PHI Learning Private Limited
Silberschatz, A., Galvin, P. B., Gagne, G., (2010), Operating Systems Concepts, 8th ed, John
Wiley & Sons, New Jersey
Stallings, W., (2012), Operating systems: Internals and design principles, 7th ed, Prentice Hall,
New Jersey
Tanenbaum, A., (2009), Modern Operating Systems, 3rd ed, Prentice Hall, New Jersey

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Assignment File
The assignment file will be given to you in due course. In this file, you will find all the details of
the work you must submit to your tutor for marking. The marks you obtain for these
assignments will count towards the final mark for the course. Altogether, there are tutor
marked assignments for this course.

Presentation Schedule
The presentation schedule included in this course guide provides you with important dates for
completion of each tutor marked assignment. You should therefore endeavor to meet the
deadlines.

Assessment
There are two aspects to the assessment of this course. First, there are tutor marked
assignments; and second, the written examination. Therefore, you are expected to take note
of the facts, information and problem solving gathered during the course. The tutor marked
assignments must be submitted to your tutor for formal assessment, in accordance to the
deadline given. The work submitted will count for 40% of your total course mark.
At the end of the course, you will need to sit for a final written examination. This examination
will account for 60% of your total score. You will be required to submit some assignments by
uploading them to CPT 111 page on the u-learn portal.

Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs)

There are TMAs in this course. You need to submit all the TMAs. The best 10 will therefore
be counted. When you have completed each assignment, send them to your tutor as soon as
possible and make certain that it gets to your tutor on or before the stipulated deadline. If for
any reason you cannot complete your assignment on time, contact your tutor before the
assignment is due to discuss the possibility of extension. Extension will not be granted after
the deadline, unless on extraordinary cases.

Final Examination and Grading

The final examination for CPT 111 will last for a period of 2 hours and has a value of 60% of
the total course grade. The examination will consist of questions which reflect the self-
assessment questions and tutor marked assignments that you have previously encountered.
Furthermore, all areas of the course will be examined. It would be better to use the time
between finishing the last unit and sitting for the examination, to revise the entire course. You
might find it useful to review your TMAs and comment on them before the examination. The
final examination covers information from all parts of the course.

The following are Practical Strategies for Working through this Course
1. Read the course guide thoroughly
2. Organize a study schedule. Refer to the course overview for more details. Note the time
you are expected to spend on each unit and how the assignment relates to the units.
Important details, e.g. details of your tutorials and the date of the first day of the semester
are available. You need to gather together all this information in one place such as a diary,

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 a wall chart calendar or an organizer. Whatever method you choose, you should decide
on and write in your own dates for working on each unit.
3. Once you have created your own study schedule, do everything you can to stick to it. The
major reason that students fail is that they get behind with their course works. If you get
into difficulties with your schedule, please let your tutor know before it is too late for help.
4. Turn to Unit 1 and read the introduction and the objectives for the unit.
5. Assemble the study materials. Information about what you need for a unit is given in the
table of content at the beginning of each unit. You will almost always need both the study
unit you are working on and one of the materials recommended for further readings, on
your desk at the same time.
6. Work through the unit, the content of the unit itself has been arranged to provide a
sequence for you to follow. As you work through the unit, you will be encouraged to read
from your set books
7. Keep in mind that you will learn a lot by doing all your assignments carefully. They have
been designed to help you meet the objectives of the course and will help you pass the
examination.
8. Review the objectives of each study unit to confirm that you have achieved them.
a. If you are not certain about any of the objectives, review the study material and consult
your tutor.
9. When you are confident that you have achieved a unit’s objectives, you can start on the
next unit. Proceed unit by unit through the course and try to pace your study so that you
can keep yourself on schedule.
10. When you have submitted an assignment to your tutor for marking, do not wait for its return
before starting on the next unit. Keep to your schedule. When the assignment is returned,
pay particular attention to your tutor’s comments, both on the tutor marked assignment
form and also written on the assignment. Consult you tutor as soon as possible if you have
any questions or problems.
11. After completing the last unit, review the course and prepare yourself for the final
examination. Check that you have achieved the unit objectives (listed at the beginning of
each unit) and the course objectives (listed in this course guide).

Tutors and Tutorials

There are few hours of tutorial provided in support of this course. You will be notified of the
dates, time and location together with the name and phone number of your tutor as soon as
you are allocated a tutorial group. Your tutor will mark and comment on your assignments,
keep a close watch on your progress and on any difficulties you might encounter and provide
assistance to you during the course. You must mail your tutor marked assignment to your tutor
well before the due date. At least two working days are required for this purpose. They will be
marked by your tutor and returned to you as soon as possible.
Do not hesitate to contact your tutor by telephone, e-mail or discussion board if you need help.
The following might be circumstances in which you would find help necessary: contact your
tutor if:

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 1. You do not understand any part of the study units or the assigned readings.
2. You have difficulty with the self test or exercise.
3. You have questions or problems with an assignment, with your tutor’s comments on
an assignment or with the grading of an assignment.
You should endeavour to attend the tutorials. This is the only opportunity to have face to face
contact with your tutor and ask questions which are answered instantly. You can raise any
problem encountered in the course of your study. To gain the maximum benefit from the
course tutorials, have some questions handy before attending them. You will learn a lot from
participating actively in discussions.

GOOD LUCK!

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Table of Content
Course Development Team………………………….……………………………………..……. iii
Study Guide…………………………………………………………….……………….………..… iv
Table of Content…………………………………………………………….……….…………......ix
Module 1: Introduction to Computer………………………….……..……………..............1
Unit 1: Basic Concepts…………………………………………………...……………...….2
Unit 2: Computer Hardware….…………………………………………………………..…8
Module 2: Computer Software…………….…………………………………..………..…..14
Unit 1: Introduction to Computer Software…………………………………..………......15
Unit 2: Operating Systems………………………………………………………………. .21
Module 3: Machine Level Representation of Data……..………………………………...27
Unit 1: Units of Data and Fundamental Operation of Bits….…………………………..28
Unit 2: Number Bases and Types…..…………………………………………………….37
Unit 3: Representation of Non Numeric Data, Record and Registers……………..….47
Module 4: Logic…………………………………………………………………..…………....52
Unit 1: Digital Logic…………....…………………………………………………………...53
Unit 2: Memory………………..………………………………………………..................60
Unit 3: Von Neumann Model of Computation…………………………………………...67
Module 5: Programming of Computer…………………………………………….............73
Unit 1: Overview of Programming Languages…...…………………………………......74
Unit 2: Algorithms………………………………………………………………………..…84
Unit 3: Flowcharts……………………………………………………………………….…90
Module 6: The Internet……………………..…………………………………….……..…….97
Unit 1: Introduction to the Internet…………..…………………………………..….........98
Unit 2: Web Technology………………………………………………………………….105

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12
 Module 1
Introduction to Computing
Unit 1: Basic Concepts
Unit 2: Computer Hardware

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 Unit 1
Basic Concepts
Contents
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Learning Outcomes
3.0 Learning Contents

3.1 Definition of Terms

3.2 Computer Generations
3.3 Components of a Computer System

4.0 Conclusion
5.0 Summary
6.0 Tutor-Marked Assignment (TMA)
7.0 References/Further Reading

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1.0 Introduction
You would agree recent time; computers have become very important tools in virtually all aspects of
human lives. The development of handheld computers such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablet
computers and smart phones has helped computers to become known. We will be discussing present
background information about computers by defining basic computer terms, providing a brief history
of modern computing, and describing the parts of a computer system unit.

2.0 Learning Outcomes

At the end of studying this unit, you should be able to:

i. Define basic terms such as computer, data and information

ii. Explain the different generations of computers
iii. Describe the constituents of a computer system

3.0 Learning Contents

3.1 Definition of Terms

Computer: A computer is an electronic device that processes data, in order to convert it to information
that is useful to people. A computer can perform the following tasks:
i. Accept data through an input device (e.g. keyboard or mouse)
ii. Process the data to convert it into information
iii. Display the information on an output device (e.g. visual display unit or printer)
iv. Store the information for future use in a storage device (e.g. hard disc or compact disc)
Data: Data refer to raw or unprocessed facts about a person, place or thing. Examples of data include
name, age, height and profession. Data is the plural for datum.
Information: Information is processed data or data that has been converted into useful form e.g. the
result of students in an examination or the net pay of an employee.

Data Processing Information

Storage

Figure 1.0 Schematic diagram of a compute

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Self-Assessment Exercise(s) 1

1. Define a computer
2. Information is processed data (True/False)
3. Data is processed information (True/False)
4. List four (4) tasks that a computer can perform

3.2 Brief History of Computing/Computer Generations

You would agree with me that computer scientists and historians use the term computer
generations to describe the stage-by-stage development of modern computing. Each
generation is characterized by the technology used to fabricate computers at that time.

3.2.1 The First Generation (1950s)

In 1951, PresperEckert and John Mauchly delivered the Universal Automatic Computer
(UNIVAC), the first successful general-purpose computer to the U.S. Census Bureau. The
following year, the UNIVAC gained fame when it correctly predicted that Dwight
Eisenhowerwill win the U.S. presidential election. The UNIVAC used punched cards and
magnetic tape for input. It was made of vacuum tubes, which required lots of power and failed
regularly. The UNIVAC was programmed using machine language, which is composed of
strings of zeros and ones.

3.2.2 The Second Generation (1960s)

I want you to understand that First-generation computers were highly unreliable because the
vacuum tubes burned out frequently. Second generation computers were made of transistors,
which are small electronic devices that can control the flow of electricity in an electronic circuit.
Owing to the use of transistors, second generation computers were faster, smaller, and more
reliable than first-generation computers. Even though second generation computers still used
punched cards for input, they had printers, tape storage, and disk storage.
Do you know that Second generation computers were programmed using high level
programming languages, rather than machine language? Unlike machine language which
was cumbersome to work with, high-level programming languages are much easier for people
to understand and work with because of the use of English commands and mathematical
symbols. So also, unlike machine language which was machine-dependent, a high-level
language program can be used on computers produced by different manufacturers. An
example of second generation computers is the IBM’s line of computers called System/360.

3.2.3 The Third Generation (Mid-1960s to Mid-1970s)

Be informed that the key distinction of third generation computers was there use of Integrated
Circuits (ICs). ICs incorporated many transistors and electronic circuits on a single silicon chip.
They were much cheaper than transistors. Using a technology called small-scale integration
(SSI), the earliest ICs could contain 10 to 20 transistors on a chip. By the late 1960s, medium-
scale integration (MSI) allowed between 20 and 200 transistors to be placed on a chip. In the
early 1970s, large-scale integration (LSI) was achieved, allowing up to 5,000 transistors on a
single chip ICs made it possible to produce smaller, inexpensive computers that more
organizations could afford to buy.
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There was another innovation of third generation computers with timesharing. A technique
that allowed several people to simultaneously use a computer from their remote terminals. An
example of third generation computers is DEC’s PDP-8.

3.2.4 The Fourth Generation (1975 to the Present)

Have it in mind that the development of increasingly complex ICs gave rise to very-large-scale
integration (VLSI) technology, which allowed the entire processing circuits of a computer to
be placed on a single chip. Dr. Ted Hoff built the Intel 4004, the world’s first microprocessor,
which had 2,300 transistors. A microprocessor is a single chip that holds the entire control
unit and arithmetic-logic unit of a computer.
Be informed that shortly after the introduction of the 4004 and its successor the 8008, the first
microcomputers began to appear. A microcomputer is a computer that uses a microprocessor
as its central processing unit. In other words, the microprocessor is responsible for processing
data in a microcomputer. Apple Computer, Inc. developed the Apple I microcomputer, followed
by the highly successful Apple II. The Apple II was based on the Motorola 6502
microprocessor and it had a keyboard, monitor and floppy disk drive. The development of
VisiCalc, the first electronic spreadsheet software in 1979 showed that the Apple II was not
just a toy to be used in schools and homes; it meant that microcomputers could be used for
business applications. In 1981, the IBM Personal Computer (PC), was released. The PC used
the Intel 8080 microprocessor as well as Microsoft’s operating system called MS-DOS.
The first microcomputers were not easy to use because users had to type commands on the
command line to perform such actions as formatting a disk or starting a program. However,
from the mid-80s, graphical user interfaces (GUIs) were incorporated into microcomputers,
allowing users to interact with on-screen, icons, windows and pull-down menus using a
pointing device such as a mouse. GUIs were easier to use than command line interfaces
because they eliminated the need to memorize commands.
Self-Assessment Exercise(s) 2

1. First generation computers were made of …………….…………………………….……

2. A transistor is larger than a vacuum tube (True/False).
3. Machine language is more cumbersome to work with than high level programming
languages (True/False).
4. Third generation computers were made of ………………………………………….……
5. …………………………is a single chip that holds the entire control unit and arithmetic-
logic unit of a computer.

3.3 Basic Components of a Computer /Computing Device

Every computer is part of a system. The complete computer system consists of four parts,
namely: hardware, software, data and user.
Hardware
Hardware are the electrical and mechanical devices that make up a computer. They are the
parts of the computer that can be touched and felt, such as keyboard, mouse, monitor, speaker
and printer.

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Software
Software is the set of instructions that tells the computer what task to do, and how to do it. A
piece of software is referred to as a program. Some programs such as operating systems exist
to help the computer perform tasks and manage its resources. Other programs such as word
processors and spreadsheets allow users to create and manage documents.
Data
Data refers to individual facts that may not make sense on their own. The computer’s job is to
convert data into useful information
Users
The people who operate computers systems are referred to as users. Even though a computer
may function without anyone sitting in front of it and operating it, no computer is completely
autonomous. Human beings are still needed to design, build, program and repair computers.

4.0 Conclusion
We have learnt so far that computer is a device that transforms raw data into useful
information. A complete computer system is made up of the physical components (hardware),
instructions (software), operators (users) and data.

5.0 Summary
You have learnt that:
i. Data are raw facts, while information refers to processed data
ii. Computer generations are used to classify the history of modern computers according
to their key characteristics.
iii. The complete computer system is made up of four parts, namely: hardware, software,
data and user

6.0 Tutor-Marked Assignment

1. What is a computer?
2. Explain the difference between data and information.
3. Mention four tasks that a computer can perform.
4. What major hardware technology characterized each of the four generations of
computers?
5. What are the differences between a command line interface and a graphical user
interface? Which one is easier to use and why?
6. Describe the four components of a computer system

7.0 References/ Further Readings

Norton, P. (2005), Peter Norton's Introduction to Computers 6th edition, McGraw-Hill/Irwin
Pfaffenberger, B. (2002), Computers in your Future 4th edition, Prentice Hall

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 Unit 2
Computer Hardware
Contents
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Learning Outcomes
3.0 Learning Contents

3.1 Component of Computer Hardware

3.2 Central Processing Unit

3.3 Memory

3.4 Storage Devices

3.4 Input Devices

3.5 Output Devices

4.0 Conclusion
5.0 Summary
6.0 Tutor-Marked Assignment (TMA)
7.0 References/Further Reading

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1.0 Introduction
Computer hardware refers to the mechanical and electronic parts of a computer that can be
touched and seen. Hardware is what the layman often refers to as the computer. This unit
discusses the different parts of computer hardware.

2.0 Learning Outcomes

At the end of studying this unit, you should be able to:
i. List the main parts of a computer hardware
ii. Describe the different hardware components

3.0 Learning Contents

3.1 Components of Computer Hardware

The following hardware components are required by all general-purpose computers:
i. Central processing unit (CPU) for executing instructions
ii. Memory for storing data and programs, at least temporarily
iii. Input devices for sending data and instructions into the computer
iv. Output devices for bringing retrieving information from the computer
v. Storage devices for retaining large amounts of information permanently.
Figure 2.0: Shows how the different hardware components interact in a general-purpose
computer.

Input Devices CPU Output Devices

Memory

Storage
Devices

Figure 2.0 Parts of the Computer Hardware

3.2 Central Processing Unit

The central processing unit or simply the processor, is the part of the computer that executes
program instructions and controls the operation of all other hardware components ok. It is
sometimes described as the computer’s brain. In a microcomputer, the CPU is contained in a
single chip and referred to as a microprocessor.
The CPU is made up of three parts- the arithmetic-logic unit, control unit and registers.
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Control Unit: It coordinates other hardware components in order to carry out program
instructions. During program execution, it directs electronic signals between memory and
arithmetic-logic unit as well as between CPU and input/output devices.
Arithmetic-Logic Unit: The arithmetic-logic unit (ALU) performs two types of operations
– arithmetic operations and logical operations. Arithmetic operations are fundamental
mathematical operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Logical
operations compare two values to determine whether one is less than, greater than or equal
to the other.
Registers:Registers are high speed storage locations within the CPU that temporarily hold
data and instructions during processing. Because they are part of the CPU, register contents
can be handled much faster than the contents of memory.
Self-Assessment Exercise(s) 1

1. List the main components of computer hardware.

2. Which of the following store data permanently? a) registers b) memory c) storage
3. Contents of memory are processed faster than those of registers (True/False).
4. Which of the following is not a part of the CPU? a) memory b) registers c) ALU
d) control
5. Unit

3.3 Memory
General-purpose computers have two kinds of memory:
i. Random Access Memory (RAM) and
ii. Read Only Memory (ROM).
Random Access Memory: RAM is the working memory of the temporary area for holding
raw data for processing, instructions for processing the data, and information. It is the working
memory of the computer. When a program is started, it is loaded from storage to RAM. The
program remains in RAM until it closed. When data is entered into the computer through the
input device, it is first stored in RAM. During processing, data and instructions are fetched
from RAM and stored in CPU registers. At the end of processing, results are stored in RAM
before they can be displayed to the user.
There are two reasons why RAM is a temporary storage:
i. RAM is volatile, meaning that it requires electric power to hold data. When the computer
is turned off, everything stored in RAM disappears.
ii. Data stored in RAM can easily be changed
Read Only Memory: ROM is a type of memory that holds the built-in instructions that tell the
computer what to do when it is turned on. Unlike Ram which is temporary and volatile, ROM
is permanent and non-volatile. Instructions stored in ROM cannot be changed, and they are
preserved even when the computer is turned off.

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3.3 Storage Devices
Do you know that storage devices are non-volatile, long-term memories Unlike Ram whose
contents are lost when power supply goes off, storage devices preserve their contents even
when there is no power supply? As a result, storage devices are commonly used to transfer
data and programs from one computer to another. They can also be used to back up valuable
data, so that the data can be restored after a computer crash results in loss of data. In
comparison to ROM whose contents cannot be changed, information held in storage devices
can be easily replaced. Examples of storage devices are hard disks, optical discs and flash
drives.
Hard Disks
A hard disk is the main storage device in most computers. It is slower, less expensive and has
higher capacity than RAM. A hard disk is made up of several platters, which are coated with
magnetic material. Each platter requires read/write heads to retrieve or modify the information
stored in the platter.
Optical Disks
Optical disks allow data to be read (i.e., retrieved) or written (i.e., changed) by lasers. The
process of creating an optical disk is called burning. Even though optical disks can tolerate
temperature fluctuations better than hard disks, they can easily get scratched hence they need
to be stored in a case or jacket. The types of optical disks include:
i. Compact Disk Read Only Memory: Compact Disk Read Only Memory (CD ROM)
contains data stored on the disk while it was being manufactured. The data can be read
many times but cannot be modified
ii. Compact Disk Write Once Read Many times: Data can be written into a Compact Disk
Write Once Read Many times (CD WORM) once, but after that it behaves like a CD
ROM.
iii. Compact Disk Rewriteable: A Compact Disk Rewriteable (CD RW) allows data to be
written and read as many times as desired, just like a hard disk.
Universal Serial Bus Flash drives: Universal Serial Bus Flash drives or simply flash drives
are amongst the most popular storage devices. There are several reasons for their popularity:
i. They are portable i.e., easy to carry about
ii. Virtually all computers have USB ports into which flash drives can be plugged
iii. Flash drives can be used without bulky devices or burners
Self-Assessment Exercise(s) 2

1. State one similarity and one difference between RAM and Storage.
2. State one similarity and one difference between ROM and Storage.
3. Give reasons why flash drives are very popular

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3.3 Input Devices
Are you aware that an input device is any machine used to send data and instructions into the
computer? Examples of input devices are keyboard, mouse, joystick, digital cameras and
scanners
Keyboard: The keyboard is the most important input device on a computer. Computer
keyboards have the same layout as standard typewriters. The layout is called QWERTY,
because the first six letters on the top row of letters are Q, W, E, R, T and Y. in addition to
typing keys, computer keyboards have arrow keys for navigation, function keys for computer-
specific tasks, and a calculator-like numeric keypad.
Mouse: A mouse is a device for controlling the movement of a pointer or cursor on the
screen.It consists of a ball which is rolled on a surface. The mouse derives its name from its
resemblance to a real mouse.
Joystick: A joystick resembles a car’s gear stick. Moving the stick in any direction results in
a corresponding movement of an on-screen object such as a pointer. Joysticks are mostly
used for playing computer games.
Digital cameras: They are used to capture still or moving images, which can be transferred
to a computer and manipulated using image or video processing software.

3.4 Output Devices

Let us talk about output devices, it retrieves information from the computer and present it to
the user. Examples of output devices are monitors, printers, plotters and speakers.
Monitors: The monitor is the computer’s display screen. It is also known as visual display
unit. The two commonly used technologies for monitors are liquid crystal display and light
emitting diodes, which have replaced cathode ray tube monitors that resembled bulky old-
fashioned televisions.
Printers: A printer is a device that expresses text or illustration on paper and other media.
The two most commonly used types of printers today are inkjet and laser printers. Inkjet
printers work by spraying ink on papers to produce text and characters. On the other hand,
laser printers pass abeam on a cylindrical drum, which collects powdered ink (toner) and
transfers the toner to paper. Laser printers work in the same way as photocopiers.
Plotters: A plotter is a device that draws pictures by moving one or more pens on paper.
Plotters can be used to produce large printouts. They are typically used by engineers,
architects and interior designers who require more precision than can be offered by printers.

4.0 Conclusion
We should understand that the computer is a device that transforms raw data into useful
information. A complete computer system is made up of the physical components (hardware),
instructions (software), operators (users) and data.

5.0 Summary
This unit has described basic computer terms and discussed the history of modern computers.
Furthermore, the various components of a computer system have been described in the unit.

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6.0 Tutor-Marked Assignment
1. What is a CPU? Describe the components of a CPU.
2. Describe the following terms:
i. RAM
ii. ROM
3. What is an output device? Briefly describe any three output devices.
4. What is an input device? Briefly describe any three input devices.

7.0 References/ Further Readings

Parsons, J. J., Oja, D. (2011), Practical Computer Literacy3rd edition, Centage Learning.
Norton, P. (2005), Peter Norton's Introduction to Computers 6th edition, McGraw-Hill/Irwin
Leon, A., Leon, M., (1999), Fundamentals of Information Technology, leonVikas Hall

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