ALEX EKWUEME FEDERAL

UNIVERSITY NDUFU-ALIKE IKWO

(AE-FUNAI), ABAKALIKI

Faculty of Physical Sciences

Department of Computer Science/Informatics

08/17/2024 Introduction to Computer 1

 Contents

Course contents:
Introduction to computers
Data, information, and processing
Basic Units of Measurement
Basic Concepts of a Computer
Hardware and software
Software - Legal Issues
Software Viruses
Virus Protection
File
File Extension
Directories
08/17/2024 Introduction to Computer 2
 Introduction to Computers

 A computer is a machine that can

be programmed to accept data
(input), process it into useful
information (output), and store it
away (in a secondary storage device)
for safekeeping or later reuse.
 Input devices accept data in a form
that the computer can use; they
then send the data to the processing
unit.
08/17/2024 Introduction to Computer Science 3
 Introduction to Computers

Input Processing Output

External Storage

08/17/2024 Introduction to Computer Science 4

 Data and Information

 Data is a collection of independent

and unorganized facts.

 Information is the processed and

organized data presented in a
meaningful form.

08/17/2024 Introduction to Computer Science 5

 Data Processing and Computer

 Data Processing is the step by step

process of collecting data in its raw
form and translating it into useful
information.
 Computer is an electronic device for
storing and processing data (typically
in binary form) and transforming
these into information. That is, it has
the ability toIntroduction
08/17/2024 store, to Computer retrieve,
Science and 6
 PROCESSING
SYSTEM

DATA INFORMATION

08/17/2024 Introduction to Computers 7

 Basic Units of Measurement

 BIT: A bit (short for binary digit) is

the smallest unit of data in a
computer. It is a digital storage of
either a 1 or a 0, because it uses
binary.
 Single bits are too small to be used,
so they are grouped together into
units of 8 bits. Each 8-bit (example,
10101010) unit is called a byte.
08/17/2024 Introduction to Computer 8
 Basic Units of Measurement Cont.
 Byte is the basic unit of information
in computer storage and
processing.
 A byte consists of 8 binary digits (bits).
Each byte or 8 bit can hold a letter (“a”),a
number (“9”) or a decimal point (.), and
the word “male” is four bytes or 32 bits (4
*8).
 The sequence of 8 bits is enough to
represent one character of
alphanumeric
08/17/2024
data being processed
Introduction to Computer 9
 Basic Units of Measurement Cont.

 The sequence of 8 bits (i.e. a byte)

can be used to represent a single
character as states above, which can
be:
 A letter,
 A number,

 A special character,

 symbol,

 A space, or

punctuation
 08/17/2024 Introduction to Computer 10
Basic Units of Measurement Cont.
 Byte is eight bits

 Kilobyte (KB) is approx. 1,000 bytes

 Megabyte (MB) is approx. 1million

bytes
 Gigabyte (GB) is approx. 1 billion

bytes
 8 bits = 1 byte
 1,024 bytes =1 kilobyte (K or
KB)
1,024 KB
08/17/2024 Introduction=1 megabyte (MB)11
to Computer
 Basic Concepts of a Computer

 Computers are not very intelligent

devices, nevertheless they do handle
instructions very fast.
 They must follow explicit directions from
both the user and computer programmer.
 Examples include calculator, Personal
Computer (PC), Laptop, Personal Digital
Assistant (PDA), Netbook, Desktop etc.

08/17/2024 Introduction to Computer 12

Basic Concepts of a Computer
Cont.

08/17/2024 Introduction to Computers 13

 Basic Concepts of a Computer
Cont.
 Hardware is the tangible part of a computer
system:
 Hardware Components that are found inside the System
unit:
 Motherboard, Central Processing Unit (CPU),
Random Access Memory (RAM), Hard Disk Drive
(HDD), Video Card, Power Supply Unit, Solid State
Drive (SDD), Optical Disk Drive (DVD and CD
drives), and Card Reader (SD, SDHC, CF, etc.)
 Hardware Components found outside the System Unit,
although Laptops, tablets and notebooks integrate some
of them:
 Monitor,
08/17/2024 Keyboard, Mouse, Printer,
Introduction to Computer Speakers,
14
 Basic Concepts of a Computer
Cont.

Network Hardware Components:

 Digital Modem ( e.g., cable modem, DSL modem, etc.),
Router, Network Switch, Repeater, Print Server, Bridge,
Firewall, Access Points.

Auxiliary Hardware Components:

 Fan (CPU, GPU, etc.), Heat Sink, Data Cable, Power
Cable, CMOS battery, etc.

08/17/2024 Introduction to Computers 15

 System Unit
and its
components

Motherboard

08/17/2024 Introduction to Computer 16

 Basic Concepts of a Computer
Cont.

 Software
 Software is abbreviated as SW and S/W.
 Set of instructions that enable the user to
interact with a computer, its hardware, or
perform tasks.
 Software program is an instruction that tells a
computer what to do and execute a specific
tasks.

We have two major types of software:

System Software and Application
Software.
08/17/2024 Introduction to Computer 17
 Basic Concepts of a Computer
Cont.
 System Software is a type of computer program that
is designed to run a computer's hardware and
application programs.
 System Software run fundamental operations such
as:
 Loading and running programs
 Saving and retrieving data
 Communicating with printers, modems, etc.
 System software is of four main types:
 Operating system (OS) (e.g., DOS, Windows, Linux, Unix, MacOS
X, etc.)
 Language Translators (e.g. compiler, assembler or
interpreter)
 Utility software
 Device drivers
08/17/2024 Introduction to Computer 18
 Basic Concepts of a Computer
Cont.
 System Software:
 Examples of Operating System:
 DOS (Disk Operating System) – runs through the
hard disk in a form of command line prompt that
controls the hardware, peripheral devices and
programs. Example includes: MS-DOS, IBM PC
DOS, FREE-DOS, DR-DOS, etc.

08/17/2024 Introduction to Computer 19

 Basic Concepts of a Computer
Cont.
 System Software
 Examples of OS:
 Windows (such as versions 3.1, 95, 98, Me,
2000, XP, 7, 8, 8.1, 10, 11)
 MacOS
 Unix
 Linux
 Examples of Language Translators:
 Assembler, Interpreter, and Compiler
 Examples of Utility software:
 antivirus software, backup software, File Compression
software, Disk partition and Defragmentation software,
Data recover software, etc.
08/17/2024 Introduction to Computer 20
 Basic Concepts of a Computer
Cont.
 Applications Software
 Examples of application software
 Word processing - memos, reports, etc.
 Spreadsheets - budgets, etc.
 Database - search, sort, select data
 Educational - simulations, practice
 Graphics - charts, diagrams
 Desktop publishing - pamphlets, etc.
 Presentation software.
 Web browsers
 Enterprise software, etc.

08/17/2024 Introduction to Computer 21

 Basic Concepts of a Computer
Cont.
Software - Legal Issues
 Commercial (or Proprietary) software
 It is copyrighted software that prohibits the
redistribution or modification of its program.
 Can only make backup copies for yourself
 Can only use on one machine at a time

08/17/2024 Introduction to Computer 22

 Basic Concepts of a Computer
Cont.
Software - Legal Issues
 Shareware (demoware or trial software)
 It is a limited version of software intended to
demonstrate its features on the user's
computer before purchase.
 Can use - make copies and give to anyone i.e.
Users are encouraged to share the software, by
downloading it from a website
 Users will pay if they continue to use it.
 Freeware – here a user can copy and use it
indefinitely.

08/17/2024 Introduction to Computer 23

 Basic Concepts of a Computer
Cont.

 Programming languages
 Machine language
 Assembly language
 High Level languages:

Basic,

Fortran,

Cobol,

C

Visual Basic,

C++,

C#, Java etc.
08/17/2024 Introduction to Computer 24
 Basic Concepts of a Computer
Cont.
 Threats to a Computer
 Computer security threat can be referred
to as anything which can hamper the
normal activity of a PC either via a
malware or any hacking attack.
 Computer security threats are constantly
increasing as the world is going digital.

08/17/2024 Introduction to Computer 25

 Basic Concepts of a Computer
Cont.
 Examples of Threats to a Computer
System
 Cybercrime
 Spam
 Computer virus
 Ransomware
 Hacking
 Phishing
 Trojan horse
 Adware

08/17/2024 Introduction to Computer 26

 Basic Concepts of a Computer
Cont.
 Protecting a Computer System
 Use a firewall.
 Only use trusted Antivirus and malware software.
 Always update the Operating System and the
antivirus.
 Back-up: keep a tight grip on your personal
information.
 Stay up-to-date on the latest attacks.
 Make sure your passwords are well-chosen and
protected.

08/17/2024 Introduction to Computer 27

 Basic Concepts of a Computer
Cont.
 Software Viruses
 A software (or computer) virus is a

malicious

program,

script,

macro, or

code
designed to damage, steal personal
information, modify data, send e-mail, display
messages, or a combination of these actions.

08/17/2024 Introduction to Computer 28

 Basic Concepts of a Computer
Cont.
 Software Viruses Cont.
 May spread to many computers
 Copy files from one computer to another
 Download files by modem
 E-mail attachments
 Virus may seem to be relatively harmless
 Virus may also be very damaging
 Erases everything on hard drive
 Virus may activate on a certain date

08/17/2024 Introduction to Computer 29

 Basic Concepts of a Computer
Cont.
 Virus Protection

 Be careful where you copy files from.

 Do not open e-mail attachments
unless you are sure that it is safe.
 Use virus protection program
 Detects and removes illegal code
 Should be updated often

08/17/2024 Introduction to Computer 30

 Basic Concepts of a Computer
Cont.
Files
 A file is an object on a computer that
stores data, information, settings, or
commands used with a computer
program.
 File is stored on a disk, flash, or
diskette.
 Must have a unique name.
 Two parts: the filename and
extension separated by a period e.g.
csc101.doc
08/17/2024 Introduction to Computer 31
 Basic Concepts of a Computer
Cont.
Extensions
 A file extension or file name
extension is the ending of a file that
helps identify the type of file in
operating systems.
 Use extension to make your
filenames more descriptive.
 .doc – word documents
 .xls – excel documents

 .ppt – powerpoint documents

.pdf, .txt, .exe, .dll,

 08/17/2024 .log
Introduction etc.
to Computer 32
 Basic Concepts of a Computer
Cont.
Directories
 A directory is a location for storing
files on your computer.
 Directories are found in a hierarchical
file system, such as Linux, MS-DOS,
OS/2, and Unix.
 Example of Directory path:

08/17/2024 Introduction to Computer 33

 References
 https://www.computerhope.com
 https://contractbook.com
 https://quizlet.com.
 https://slideplayer.com

08/17/2024 Introduction to Computer 34

 End Of Session #1

ANY Queries ???

08/17/2024 Introduction to Computer Science 35