ICT 171

COMPUTING SKILLS FUNDAMENTALS I

FACULTY OF BUSINESS

Lecture 1: Basic Concepts of IT

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Learning Objectives

In this lecture you will learn:

■ Definition of a Computer
■ Basic Functions of a Computer
■ How different Components of a Computer Work together to
achieve a particular task
■ Storage and Peripheral Devices
■ Different Types Of Computers
■ Servers

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What is a Computer?
■ Computer: A machine that accepts input data and
instructions, and processes/manipulates the data to
produce useful results/Output.

Computer

Receives Data from user

User Processes the Data

Sends back results

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What is a Computer cont..?

■ It consists of Hardware and Software:

– Hardware: The physical/or tangible part of a
computer

– Software: Computer programs that run on Computer

Hardware;
■ Both System and
■ Application Software

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Benefits of a Computer
■ Computers are very fast. Modern computers, even those
commonly sold in retail stores, can perform millions of
operations in a second.
■ Computers are very accurate. When a computer is
programmed correctly and when its input is without error,
the accuracy of the output, as made possible by the
capabilities of the processor, is virtually guaranteed.
■ Computers have very large storage capacities. They can
store huge amounts of data in very small physical spaces.
The also enable very fast and convenient access to stored
data.
■ Computers perform large numbers of tasks without getting
tired. Computer programs written to predict weather
patterns could run for days or longer. If this was done
manually by humans, they could get tired, allowing mistakes
to creep in, leading to erroneous results.
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Uses of Computers in everyday life
■ Education: The Promise of More Interactive
& Individualized Learning
– Online Learning, or distance learning, is becoming
common. Tutoring, simulation, and avatars are also
aspects of IT in education:
■ Health: High-Tech for Wellness
– Telemedicine: Medical care via telecommunications
lets doctors treat patients from far away.
– Health websites provide medical information.
■ Government & Electronic Democracy:
– help governments to improve services, including police
services
– Online voting is becoming common.
– Information is easier to disseminate.

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Uses of Computers in everyday life cont..
■ Jobs & Careers
– People now use computers to post résumés and find
jobs.
– IT is used in starting new business ventures.
– Basic computer skills are needed for most jobs:
■ Your Personal Life
– “Digital is embedded into the fiber of every aspect of
our culture and our personal lives”– public safety and
security; in the home; entertainment; finance;
communications; traveling; shopping; medical care;
and so on.

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Basic functions of a computer
The basic operations of a computer: All computers use 4
basic operations + communications:
– Input: What goes into the computer system
– Processing: The manipulation a computer does to
transform data into information
– Storage:
■ Primary storage, or memory, is temporary
storage for data waiting to be processed
■ Secondary storage is permanent storage: media
such as hard disk, DVDs, and CDs
– Output: What comes out—the results of processing,
such as on the screen, printouts, sound
– Communications: Sending and receiving data

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Computer Devices
■ Different devices are required to perform the 4 basic functions:

– Input is received through input devices such as mouse,

keyboard, touch screen, etc.

– Processing on the data received is carried out by the CPU and

working memory, which is within the system Unit

– After data processing output devices are used to display the

results, example Monitor, Printer

– This output can then be stored for later use on storage devices
such as hard disk, magnetic tape, memory stick etc.

■ NB: Some devices can be used for several purposes; e.g. a printer,
scanner and photocopier can be combined as one physical device.

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■ Output hardware
– Video
– Sound cards
– Speakers
– Monitor
– Printer

■ Communications hardware

– Modem

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Basic PC System

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More on Basic Functions of a Computer

■ The parts mentioned work together to perform four basic

functions of a computer:
– Input
– Processing
– Output
– Storage

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Central Processing Unit
■ Central Processing Unit(CPU)
– basic instructions that operate the computer are
carried out here; responsible for managing everything
the computer does

– It consists of :
➢ Arithmetic and Logic Unit- This is where calculations
are done i.e. it executes all arithmetic and logical
operations

➢ Control Unit- Carries out the instructions stored in

the CPU. The order in which instructions are carried
out is controlled here. Coordination of all hardware
operations
➢ Main (working) Memory- works with the CPU closely to hold
data and instructions for processing

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Processing

■ Central Processing Unit

CPU
Arithmetic/L Control Unit
ogic Unit Output
Input

Memory

Secondary Storage

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Main Memory/Primary Memory
There are two types:
■ Read Only Memory (ROM)
– Holds data that can be stored and used but cannot
be modified
– Typically contains manufacturer’s instructions
– Non volatile

■ Random Access Memory (RAM)

– Temporarily stores/holds data that the CPU is
currently processing (Analogy - Workbench)
– Volatile

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Secondary Memory/Mass Storage

■ Permanent storage, stores day as long as you want

■ Stores data that the computer is NOT currently Processing
(Analogy – Cabinet)
■ Persistent memory that keeps data even when power is
switched off
■ Secondary -backing storage, mass storage
■ Relatively low speed
■ Relatively cheaper than main memory

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Secondary Storage Devices
■ Examples of Storage Devices:
– Magnetic Tape –Common for Backup storage
– Hard Disk
– CD/DVD R
– Flash Drive
Hard disk

Magnetic Tape

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Exercise: Storage

■ Primary vs Secondary Storage

In which Categories does each of these two
devices belong?

RAM
Hard Disk

Primary/Main Storage Secondary Storage

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Exercise: Peripheral Devices

■ External devices connected to the computer(System

Unit) to provide input and output.

Can you think of any?

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Peripheral Devices

Input Devices Output Devices

■ keyboard ■ monitor
■ mouse ■ projector
■ digital pen ■ printer
■ joystick ■ speakers
■ keyboard
■ scanner Both Input/Output
■ microphone ■ external hard drives
■ digital camcorders
■ touch screen

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Types of Computers
■ Today there are many types of computers, very
difficult to keep track of how many are out there,
but these can be categorized and be classified
under few categories:
■ The classification is generally according to:
– Their Speed
– Processing Capabilities
– Price
– Size

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All Computers, Great & Small: The Categories of
Machines
Computers come in different sizes; they also function as clients
and/or servers.
■ There are five basic computer sizes.
1. Supercomputers
2. Mainframes
3. Workstations
4. Microcomputers/Personal Computers
5. Microcontrollers

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Types of Computers cont..

Examples
■ Minicomputers

Supercomputer Mainframe

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1. Supercomputers
Supercomputers are used in very special situations.
■ Priced from $1 million to over $350 million.
■ High-capacity machines with thousands of processors
that can perform more than several quadrillion
calculations per second.
■ Faster and largest computer available.
■ Used for government census, weather forecasting,
designing aircraft, scientific projects, etc.
■ The Titan (U.S.A.) computer is currently the largest
supercomputer.

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2. Mainframes
Mainframe computers are used in many large businesses.
– Capable of supporting hundreds of users simultaneously
– Mainly used by large organizations for critical
applications such as registration, records, reports
– Priced from $5,000 to $5 million
– Process billions of instructions per second
– Size is dependent on the use
– Used by banks, airlines, insurance companies, colleges, and the
like for millions of transactions

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3. Workstations
■ Workstations are used for graphics, special effects, and certain professional
applications.

■ A special computer designed for technical or scientific and

professional applications
– Expensive, powerful personal computers
– Used for scientific, mathematical, engineering, computer-
aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)
applications
– Used for designing cars, drugs, movie special effects
– Are usually connected to a network
■ Note that a workstation can also refer to a computer
connected to a server

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4. Microcomputers/Personal Computers
Microcomputers are used by individuals as well as businesses,
and they can be connected to networks of larger computers.
There are many types of microcomputers.
– Personal computers that cost $500 to over
$5,000
– Used either stand-alone or in a network
– Types include: desktop, tower, notebooks
(laptops), netbooks, tablets, mobile devices,
personal digital
assistants (PDAs), and e-readers

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Types of Microcomputers (1)

■ Desktop and tower PCs

Tower PC
Desktop PC

■ Notebooks & netbooks

■ Tablets

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Types of Microcomputers (2)

■ Mobile devices & PDAs

■ E-readers

■ Also called embedded computers, microcontrollers are tiny,

specialized microprocessors inside appliances and
automobiles.
– They are in microwaves, programmable ovens, blood-
pressure monitors, air bag sensors, vibration sensors,
MP3 players, digital cameras, keyboards, car systems,
etc.
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Servers
■ The word server describes the way a computer—whether
mainframe, workstation, or PC—is used.
■ A server, or network server , is a central computer that holds
collections of data (databases) and programs for connecting
or supplying services to PCs, workstations, and other
devices, which are called clients.
■ These clients are linked by a wired or wireless network. The
entire network is called a client-server network.
■ Purpose: Hold data and programs for clients to access and
to supply services for clients.

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