Computer
Computer
Fundamentals of
Computer
TEXT BOOK
For the students of
Pharmacy Technicians
(Category-B)
ACCORDING TO
PUNJAB PHARMACY
COUNCIL LAHORE
EHSAN COLLEGE OF HEALTH
-1-
Fundamentals of Computer By: Dr Syed Zia ul Hasnian
SCIENCES SAHIWAL
-2-
Fundamentals of Computer By: Dr Syed Zia ul Hasnian
-3-
Fundamentals of Computer By: Dr Syed Zia ul Hasnian
Chapter# 1
-4-
Fundamentals of Computer By: Dr Syed Zia ul Hasnian
Definitions Of Computer
The term 'computer' is derived from the word 'compute', which means to calculate.
A computer is a machine that accepts data in digital form and process it for some result
based on a program, which describes how data is to be manipulated or processed.
1. Input
2. Process
3. Output
4. Storage
Input
The computer gathers data or allows a user to add data
Process
Data is converted into information
Output
After processing the data, computer shows the result in different format, which is called
output.
Storage
Data or information is stored for future use
Types of Computers
1. Mainframes Computers
2. Server
-5-
Fundamentals of Computer By: Dr Syed Zia ul Hasnian
3. Microcomputers
4. Supercomputers
Mainframes Computers
Mainframes computers are computers used mainly by large organizations for critical
applications. Mainframe computers are large computers often found in businesses and
colleges, where thousands of people are able to simultaneously use the computer to
access data. These computers have much greater memory and storage capacities than
other types of computers.
Server
Server is an important component of computer networks. These specialized computers
manage networks. These are used by multiple users, but a smaller number than a
mainframe (Generally used to serve up to 300 users).
Microcomputers
Microcomputers are designed to be used by individuals. Some of the most common types
of microcomputer include
Supercomputers
Supercomputers are large, powerful computers that perform specialized tasks.
Supercomputer is designed to run fewer programs at one time, but to do so as quickly as
possible.
-6-
Fundamentals of Computer By: Dr Syed Zia ul Hasnian
Computer Case
Power supply
Motherboard
CPU (Processor)
Hard Drive
CD or DVD Burner
Video Graphics Card
Memory
Sound Card
Monitor
Keyboard & Mouse
Printer
Hardware
Hardware is physical parts of the computer e.g. keyboard, monitor, mouse etc.
Software
Software is the program that is on the computer that allows you to work with the
computer, e.g. M.S Office, Corel Draw etc.
-7-
Fundamentals of Computer By: Dr Syed Zia ul Hasnian
Input Devices
An Input device is any piece of computer hardware equipment used to feeds or store data
into a computer is known as input device, e.g.
Key Board
Mouse
CD Rom
Floppy Disk
Microphone
Scanner
Digital Camera
Light Pen
Flash Drive
Joystick
Bluetooth
Infrared Device
Keyboard
Keyboard is a primary input
device for the PC. Standard
keyboard has 104 keys.
Mouse
Mouse is also primary input
device for the PC. It is used as a
pointer. It can perform functions like
selecting menu commands, moving icons, resizing windows, starting programs, and
choosing options.
CD Rom
Compact disk read only memory, meaning that you can only read from the CD but you
can’t write to the CD It is an optical device. CD Rom is an input as well as an out put
device.
CD RW, DVD
CD RW and DVD are also an input and output devices.
CD RW: Compact disk Rewritable. (Capacity up to 700MB)
DVD: Digital Video Disk (capacity up to 17GB)
Floppy Disk:
-8-
Fundamentals of Computer By: Dr Syed Zia ul Hasnian
A floppy disk is a disk storage medium composed of a disk of thin and flexible magnetic
storage medium. Floppy disks can store up to 1.44 MB of data and are usually 3 1/2
inches in size
Microphone
Microphone is an input device, which takes voice as input. We use it for voice commands
or for voice chat on the internet.
Scanner
Scanner translates printed images into an electronic format that can be stored in a
computer’s memory.
Light pen
Light pen is used for special purposes like to highlight object on monitor screen.
Flash Drive
Flash drive is used to transfer data from one computer to another computer. It is an input
as well as an output device.
Joystick
Joystick is used to play Video Games on PCs
Blue-tooth & Infrared Device
Blue-tooth & infrared devices are used to perform many tasks like, Printing Downloading
& uploading information/ documents from a Mobile phone and computer vice versa.
Output Devices
An output device is any piece of computer hardware equipment used to communicate the
results of data processed by computer. By using these hardware, we can get output in
different formats.
Monitor
Printer
Speaker
CD RW, DVD
Floppy
Flash Drive
Bluetooth & Infrared
-9-
Fundamentals of Computer By: Dr Syed Zia ul Hasnian
Monitor
A monitor is the screen on which words, numbers, and graphics can be seen, it is the most
common output device
Printer
A printer produces output on paper or transparencies. The output is referred to as hard
copy. It can print words, numbers, or pictures.
Some of the most commonly used printers are:
1. Laser Printer
2. Ink Jet Printer
3. Dot Matrix Printer
Speakers
Computer speakers are output device. Speakers allow you to listen to voice like music,
and conversation with people.
Note:
CD RW, DVD, Floppy, Flash Drive, Bluetooth & Infrared devices are both input and
output devices.
Applications of Computer
In the last few decades, computer technology has revolutionized the businesses and other
aspects of human life all over the world. Practically, every company, large or small, is
now directly or indirectly dependent on computers. Computer systems help hospital
records, accounts, electronic banking and so on. Computers not only save time, but also
save paper work. Some of the areas where computers are being used are as follows:
Science
Scientists have been using computers to develop theories and to analyze and test the data.
The high speed and accuracy of the computer allow different scientific analyses to be
carried out.
Education
Computers are very helpful in education sector. Currently, the classrooms, libraries and
museums are efficiently utilizing computers to make the education much more
interesting.
- 10 -
Fundamentals of Computer By: Dr Syed Zia ul Hasnian
that can operate within the human body such as cochlear implant, a special kind of
hearing aid that makes it possible for deaf people to hear.
Engineering/Architecture/Manufacturing
The architects and engineers are extensively using computers in designing and drawings.
Computers can create objects that can be viewed from all the three dimensions. The
manufacturing factories are using computerized robotic arms to perform hazardous jobs.
Computers help in coordinating the entire manufacturing process.
Entertainment
Computers are also used for entertainment purpose. They are used to control the images
and sounds. The special effects would not have been possible without the computers. In
addition, computerized animation and colorful graphics have modernized the film
industry.
Communication
E-mail or electronic mail is one of the communication media in which computer is used.
Through e-mail, messages and reports are passed from one person to one or more persons
with the aid of computer and telephone line. The advantage of this service is that while
transferring the messages it saves time, avoids wastage of paper and so on. Moreover, the
person who is receiving the messages can read the messages whenever he is free and can
save it, reply it, forward it or delete it from the computer.
Business Application
This is one of the important uses of the computer. There are various concerns where
computers are used such as in business forecasting, to prepare pay bills and personal
records, in banking operations and data storage. Businesses are also using the networking
of computers, where a number of computers are connected together to share the data and
the information. Use of e-mail and the Internet has changed the ways of doing business.
Publishing
Computers have created a field known as desktop publishing (DTP). In DTP, with the
help of computer and a laser printer one can perform the publishing job all by oneself.
Banking
Computers are extensively used in the field of banking and finance. People can use the
ATM (automated teller machine) services 24 hours a day to deposit and withdraw cash.
When different branches of the bank are connected through computer networks .
- 11 -
Fundamentals of Computer By: Dr Syed Zia ul Hasnian
Disk
Information may be saved (stored) on a disk for future reference or printing. The amount
of information that can be stored depends on the type of disk.
Storage is achieved on either a hard disk, compact disk (CD) or on floppy disk.
- 12 -
Fundamentals of Computer By: Dr Syed Zia ul Hasnian
With the invention of Windows and other desktop-based operating systems, DOS has
faded in overall use and importance. Many functions needed to use modern operating
systems can be done simply through the graphical interface provided.
Microsoft Windows
Windows is the most popular operating system used on home and business computers.
Windows makes a computer system user-friendly by providing a graphical display and
organizing information so that it can be easily accessed.
Windows 3.0
Windows 95
Windows 98
Windows 2000
Windows ME
Windows NT
Windows XP
Windows Vista
Windows 7
Windows 8
- 13 -
Fundamentals of Computer By: Dr Syed Zia ul Hasnian
Improved Reliability
Windows improves computer reliability by introducing new wizards, utilities and
resources that helps you to operate system effortlessly.
Compatibility
Windows 7 is compatible with almost all latest software and hardwires.
Lower Hardware Requirements
Windows 7 runs well on lower end hardware.
Taskbar
Taskbar icons are now larger and items are grouped together and are not labeled with
clumsy text.
User-Friendly Screens
Windows 7 has user-friendly screens, simplified menus among other features.
Computer Language
The computer performs its functions based on the instructions given by the user. The set
of such instructions written for a particular task is known as a computer program.
- 14 -
Fundamentals of Computer By: Dr Syed Zia ul Hasnian
Low-level language
High-level language
Modem
A modem is a device that enables a computer to transmit data, for example, telephone or
cable lines. Computer information is stored digitally, whereas information transmitted
over telephone lines is transmitted in the form of analog waves. A modem converts
between these two forms.
Modem Applications
Modems were originally used for connecting users to the Internet or for sending faxes,
but a majority of the modems are used by businesses in a variety of different applications.
Some of these applications include.
- 15 -
Fundamentals of Computer By: Dr Syed Zia ul Hasnian
Examples of Broadband
PTCL Broadband
Wateen Broadband
Witribe Broadband
Data Transfers
Many large companies have headquarter where all data is centrally located. Normally this
means that the other locations need to send the data in to HQ on a daily basis. Modems
are ideal because they efficiently transfer the data with secure connections.
- 16 -
Fundamentals of Computer By: Dr Syed Zia ul Hasnian
Computer Network
Different types of networks based on their size (in terms of the number of computers) are
listed below
1. LAN (local area network)
2. MAN (metropolitan area network)
3. WAN (wide area network)
LAN
LAN stands for Local Area Network. It's a group of computers which belong to the same
organization, and which are linked within a small geographic area using a network, and
often the same technology. Data transfer speeds over a local area network can from 10
Mbps to1 GBps (Gigabit Ethernet).
MANs
MANs (Metropolitan Area Networks) connect multiple LANs to one another (over an
area of up to a few dozen kilometers) at high speeds.
A MAN is made from switches or routers connected to one another with high-speed links
(usually fiber optic cables).
WANs
A WAN (Wide Area Network or extended network) connects multiple LANs to one
another over great geographic distances. The most well known WAN is the Internet.
- 17 -
Fundamentals of Computer By: Dr Syed Zia ul Hasnian
Chapter# 2
Preliminary introduction of following packages
PC Tools
Norton Utilities
Graphics
Data Base
Ms Excel
Ms Word
PC Tool
The Control Panel is full of tools to change the way Windows looks and behaves. Here
we will discuss the most important tools.
Add hardware
Add or remove programs
Automatic updates
Date and time
Display
Internet options
Mouse
Keyboard
Network connections
Regional and language setting
Sounds and audio devices
User accounts
Windows firewall
Add Hardware
The “Add Hardware” Wizard enables you to add new hardware or troubleshoot any
hardware-related problems.
Automatic Updates
- 18 -
Fundamentals of Computer By: Dr Syed Zia ul Hasnian
With “Automatic Updates”, Windows checks for updates that can help protect your
computer against the latest viruses and other security threats, it also enhance the
performance of your computer
Display
The following tasks are frequently performed when you want to change various display
settings on your computer
Internet Options
By using Internet option tool, we can change Internet properties. We can change or
organize Security, Privacy, and Connections settings.
Mouse
By using mouse tool we can manage different functions of mouse like clicking speed,
movement of mouse courser etc.
Keyboard
By using keyboard tool we can manage different
functions of keyboard.
Network Connections
By using this toll we can manage our network
connections, we can add or remove or change the
setting of networks.
User Accounts
By using this tool, we can create, delete or manage accounts. We can change name of
account, password and display picture.
Windows Firewall
Firewall helps to keep your computer more secure. Firewall act as a barrier that checks
information (often called traffic) coming from the Internet or a network and then either
turns it away or allows it to pass through to your computer, depending on your firewall
settings.
Norton Utilities
Performance
Privacy
Recovery
Performance
We can use following tools under the performance menu to enhance the performance of
your computer system
Registry cleaning helps you detect and remove invalid entries or references. Where
Defragmentation is a process by which fragmented files that are stored on a disk are
rearranged for the best performance. And if your system takes a long time to startup,
“Boost your windows startup” option will help for speeding up the windows startup.
- 20 -
Fundamentals of Computer By: Dr Syed Zia ul Hasnian
Privacy
Computer saves history of all events whenever we use computer for general purpose like,
working on files or surfing Internet. This function allow us to clean and manage the
Document History
Find and Search History
Scan Disk Temporary Files
Clipboard Contents
Run History
Temporary Files Directory
Recycle Bin
Browser History
Third-Party Software Traces
Recovery
With the help of “Recovery” option, Norton Utilities Recover deleted Files. This tool can
also find duplicate files so that we can manage the capacity of our hard disk, we can also
repairing drivers and uninstall the unused or unwanted software.
Recover lost files
Find duplicate files
Repair drivers
Restore registry backups
Uninstall unused software
Graphics
Pictorial representation helps to summarize and highlight important ideas and assist
professionals in communicating material effectively. Graphics software transforms
numeric information into line graphs, pie charts or bar graphs.
Graphics programs often allow the medical assistant to import files from spreadsheet or
database applications, so that data from these files can be summarized graphically and
displayed on screen. Graphic software also used in creating and developing custom
artwork for patient brochures and newsletters
Data Base
Databases are used to store and organize large amounts of data. Typically, database
software can be used to manage various type of information, such as that found in large
mailing lists, inventories, and hospitals.
Databases help you to enter, store, save, filter, retrieve, and summarize the information,
then generate meaningful reports.
Common database programs include Microsoft Access, Lotus Approach.
- 21 -
Fundamentals of Computer By: Dr Syed Zia ul Hasnian
- 22 -
Fundamentals of Computer By: Dr Syed Zia ul Hasnian
- 23 -
Fundamentals of Computer By: Dr Syed Zia ul Hasnian
Insert Text
We can insert text anywhere in the document.
Delete Text
We can erase characters, words, lines, or pages easily.
Copy
We can copy any word, line, paragraph or page anywhere else in the file.
Spell Check
Spell check is very important feature of most word processing programs. Medical spell
checkers can be added to most word processing programs and can be used to check
medical terminology in word-processed documents.
Page Formatting
In page formatting we can decorate or document by different font style, text size, colors,
highlighting, aligning the text, making text Bold, Italic, underline, or by creating the line
numbers or bullets.
- 24 -
Fundamentals of Computer By: Dr Syed Zia ul Hasnian
Word Wrap
The word processor automatically moves to the next line when you have filled one line
with text, and it will readjust text if you change the margins.
Print
We can print our document to get hardcopy.
- 25 -
Fundamentals of Computer By: Dr Syed Zia ul Hasnian
Chapter# 3
Patient Data and Drug Data
Record Keeping
Data Analysis
A health record may be defined as any relevant record made by a health care practitioner
at the time of consultation or examination or the patient.
Patient’s Bio-data
Name, age, sex, address, phone number, , and legal
documents.
Medical History
Previous medical history, current medical situation,
symptoms, therapies used, drugs used for the
treatment, any side effect that occur during the
treatment, any complication during therapy, previous
dosage history etc.
- 26 -
Fundamentals of Computer By: Dr Syed Zia ul Hasnian
Patient care
For future reference
Clinical research
Health-system management
Health-services planning
Total quality improvement
Billing
Risk management
Government reporting
You can analyze the records of all of your patients for presentations, journals.
You can maintain your patient records with details like diagnosis, treatment,
complications & result
Along with each patient data, corresponding Photographs, Videos & X-rays, CT
Scans, Ultrasound & other test reports can also be added
We can categories list of patients on the basis of diagnosis, treatment given,
complications and results
You can share your data anywhere in the world by using information technology
- 28 -
Fundamentals of Computer By: Dr Syed Zia ul Hasnian
Data Analysis
Improving efficiency of care processes is
currently a must criterion for all healthcare
providers, given the cost containment measures in
healthcare budgets. Improving both processes and
patient care outcomes, by decreasing length of stays
in ICU while improving quality is a healthcare
industry conundrum that demands clear and factual
analysis of all the aspects of patient care.
- 29 -