INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS

Week 1 Students learning objectives

1. Define: - computer, system, data, information, data processing.
2. Differentiate between digital and analogue computers
3. Explain how computers are applied to: - business applications, office automation, science
and engineering, healthcare, education, artificial intelligence, government, homes, arts and
humanities.
4. Benefits of computers
5. Negative impact of computers to the society.

Topics

Introduction to computers: - terminologies: - computer, system, data, information, data

processing.
Application of computers to different areas and impacts of computers in society.

What is a Computer?

A Computer is a high-speed electronic device which when given data and instructions from an input
device will process the data in accordance with the predefined program to produce the required
results- the output

It can also be defined as an electronic device that accept data and instructions, stores them
temporarily in its memory awaiting processing, automatically executes/obeys the sets of the issued
instructions to produce information from the input raw data.

It is described as an electronic device because it uses electric energy in its logical operations.

What is a system?
A system is the entire set of components, both computer related, and non-computer related, that
provides a service to a user. Or a system is a group of related parts/components that work together
as a unit to realize a common goal/function.

What is data?
Data is simply the basic facts or raw facts including numbers and words, given to a computer
during the input operation.

What is information?
Information is a term with many meanings depending on context, in computing, information can be
defined as a collection of facts from which conclusions may be drawn. Information therefore refers
to data that has been processed into a form that has meaning and is useful in decision-making.

What does a computer do?

Computers perform four major operations:
They are input, process, output and storage. In the processing phase, the computer manipulates
the data in a predetermined manner to create information.

Information processing or electronic data processing is the production of information by processing

data on a computer.

Computer Application Areas:

a) Business Applications
Computers are used to reduce inventory costs, analyze new markets, analyze the performance of
sales people, make sophisticated financial analysis, determine production costs, forecast labor
needs, and eliminate production bottlenecks.

The typical business procedures that utilize computers include the following:
(i.) Accounts Receivables: To maintain and process records on money owed to a company
by customers or clients.
(ii.) Accounts payable: To maintain and process records on money owed by the company to
vendors.
(iii.) Payroll: To maintain employee payroll records and process payroll checks.
(iv.) Inventory control: To maintain records on items or goods on hand, on quantities ordered,
and in general to maintain inventory files by producing purchase orders on out-of –stock
items, o determine economic order quantities

Computers are widely applicable in the following Business areas:

(i.) Banks:
• Banks use computers to process the huge amount of checks and credit cards transactions
that take place daily.
• The Automated teller machines allow the banking transactions to be carried out day and
night. The customer uses a plastic card and selects the transactions by pressing a series of
buttons.
• Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT): This is the automatic recording of account transactions
and money transfers. However, no money actually exchanges hands.

(ii) Retailing:
• By use of the Universal Product Code (UPC), and Point –of- Sale (POS) terminals,
computers can greatly enhance the performance of retail stores. The UPC is a standardized
bar code found on most products in retail outlets. POS terminals are used to record product
sales. The sales person using POS terminal passes the product’s UPC by using an optical
 scanner programmed to read the code. The scanner interprets the code, looks it up on the
computer files, and retrieves the product name and price. The computer then records the
transaction and a customer is provided with a receipt.
• Retail computers using POS terminals are also used to update inventory levels and calculate
the sales figures.
• In addition, these systems allow determination of the customer’s credit status. A credit card
number can be entered into the system and the computer checks the customer’s account and
determines if the transaction is acceptable.

(iii) Manufacturing.
• Many programs are available to manufacturing facilities. Inventory control is handled by a
complex system called Materials Requirement Planning (MRP). This system allows the
manufacturers to enter future demands into computer and receive a report that lists the
scheduling dates and raw materials needed to manufacture the product to meet the demands.
• Computer assisted design and computer assisted manufacturing (CAD/CAM) have greatly
assisted the manufacturing jobs.
• Process control: Computers are used to process continuous flow materials such as
chemicals, petrol, energy etc. Which are complex activities in nature. Computer equipment
is used in these industries to measure continuously the key variables such as flow of fluid,
pressure and temperature. If the measured quantities deviate from a prescribed standard, the
computer will either notify the supervisor via a terminal of the discrepancy or automatically
make the necessary adjustments.
• Numerical Control: This is the use of computers to automatically produce machine tools to
required specification. Numerical control devices can automatically drill, grind, and shape
metals according to some required specifications.

b) Office Automation
Computers perform word processing, electronically handles mails and messages and handles
electronic voice storage and forwarding (using telephone to dial up a computer to leave messages
for other people).

c) Science and Engineering

Computers are used to make millions of complex calculations in seconds. They are also used in
guidance and light control, voice print identification, earthquake detection, image processing (using
the computer to enhance better understanding of images or pictures), stolen vehicles identification
etc.

d) Healthcare
• Computers are used in hospitals for clerical and administrative functions.
• Personal computers have been used to diagnose potential problems and prescribe their
remedies at the scene of an accident. They have also been used in ambulances to locate
invalids quickly.
• Information retrieval functions: many hospitals have recently automated their operations.
The patient sits in front of a television like terminal, where questions are displayed on the
screen. The patient answers the questions by using a pointing device to point to the correct
answer on the screen. Depending on the answer, the computer can ask more questions. The
 use of this automated system has greatly reduced the amount of time required of the patient
and the doctor.
• Computer Assisted Diagnosis: One of the latest innovations in medical care is the concept of
multiphasic testing. Multiphasic testing occurs when computer equipment is used to perform
a series of tests, store the results of the test, and report the result to the doctor.
• Trained technicians and paramedics use the computer equipment to perform physical
examinations.
• Multiphasic centers use computer equipment to perform electrocardiograms, X-rays, blood
tests vision and hearing tests blood pressure tests and height and weight measurements.
• The use of Computed Axial Tomography (CAT Scanners)
• A relatively new diagnostic technique is CTA Scan which has provided doctors with the
ability to obtain information about organs that were previously obtainable only through
surgery. The CAT scanning technique basically involves rotating an X-ray tube around a
specific area of the body, thereby producing a detailed photographic slice of the anatomy.
Many hospitals use the computer to develop colorful and graphic CT scans that can show
slices through the brain or any other part of the body.

e) Sports
Used to analyze and design new plays, make draft picks, scheduling competitors etc.

f) Entertainment and Leisure e.g. Musical sounds, compute games etc.

g) Education
Computer aided instructions (CAI) is used to help the students learn other subjects.
Multiple-choice questions appear on the screen for a student to answer .If the student answers
correctly the computer responds appropriately and asks another question. CAI helps in teaching in
all the subjects.

h) Artificial Intelligence and Expert Systems

Using sophisticate programs and computer systems artificial intelligence makes the computer act
like a person making intelligence decisions and judgments.

i) Government and Military

• Use of computerized graphics that reconstruct an accident can be used in court to counter
the police account of what happened. In military, computers are being used to design both
conventional and strategic weapons.
• Military Every branch of the armed forces is involved in the military planning and decision-
making. Many of the decisions are made by high-level officials with the use of computer-
generated information. Computers are also used by military planners to simulate wars.
Military commanders can practice making decisions based on the lifelike situation that the
computer presents. This allows them to gain experience without engaging in real battles..
• Law enforcement agencies and intelligence gathering agencies use the computer systems to
store information plan their operations, and track criminals.

j) Computer in the Home

CB stimulators (CompuServe online chat program) allows one to talk to another person using a
personal computer. It is similar to CB radio but uses a computer.

k) Computers in the arts and the humanities.

• Arts: Computers are used by artists to produce art forms.
• Music: Computer generated music is made possible with the use of music synthesizers.

Benefits of Computers

The following are the features that make a computer a good tool for information processing.

a) Types of information: Computers can process many types of information e.g. Data, texts,
voice, pictorial etc.

b) Speed: It works at a very high speed in taking in data and outputting the information.

c) Storage: It is able to store large amount of information in manageable form.

d) Communications: Advances in telecommunications has made it possible for computers to

communicate with one another over long distances to exchange information with seconds.

e) Accuracy: It is very accurate in its processing.

f) Retrieval: The information stored in the computer can be retrieved by more than one person.

g) Updating of information: It is possible to change stored information without having to retype.

The following are other advantages of a computer

h) Information analysis is very easy using computers.

i) Computers can work continuously without getting bored or tired.
j) They can operate in risky environments such as volcanic sites, lethal chemical plants, where
human life is feared.
k) Using a computer system will reduce the number of persons required for performing various
organizational activities.

Negative impacts of Computers to the society

• Social activities: A high percentage of people who sit at their computer for too long and
some people lose reality as far as social activities and learning social skills.
• Computers can distract a person so much they lose contact with the reality around them such
as taking time with family, friends and children.
• Health: Sitting behind a computer all day strains the eyes.

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 • Creativity: Being on the computer too much takes away the imagination, though some
gain more imaginations as used in advertising, simulations and digital imagery.
• Immorality: the internet opens up to pornographic sites and other information.

• Crime: Internet crime has been reported to be on the increase and every day more
crime is committed through the Internet.
• Misinformation: More misinformation by SOME people on the Internet can
cause problems for the younger generation.
• Privacy: - It's impossible to know someone well over the Internet.
E.g on www.facebook.com
• Spam mail: - this is unsolicited mail which are often annoying.
• Hackers can ruin your computer system and data over the internet.

A computer system is made up of three parts:

a) Hardware - physical components of a computer

b) Software - programs that allows the hardware to
function. c) Lifeware - the human being operating the
computer.

A Program is a set of instructions and raw facts written in a computer language and used to
make it perform specific tasks

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