FOUNDATION INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
CODE: FIT 1140
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INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER
SYSTEM
LECTURER #3
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OBJECTIVES
AFTER READING THIS CHAPTER, YOU SHOULD
UNDERSTAND:
COMPUTER SYSTEM
DIFFERENT KINDS OF COMPUTERS
CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTERS
THE COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER
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DEFINITION
A computer is an electronic device which is capable of receiving the inputs
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(data from the user), manipulating (or process) it according to the set of
instructions (called program), storing it for a desired period of time, and
producing the output to the user in desired form. It performs a variety of
operations in accordance to the set of instructions.
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HOW COMPUTER FUNCTIONS?
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DIFFERENT KINDS OF COMPUTERS
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Micro Computer
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Mainframe Computer
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CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTERS
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IDENTIFY THE VARIOUS TYPES OF
COMPUTER USERS
A COMPUTER USER IS A PERSON WHO USES A COMPUTER OR NETWORK SERVICE. USERS
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GENERALLY USE A SYSTEM OR A SOFTWARE PRODUCT WITHOUT THE TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
REQUIRED TO FULLY UNDERSTAND IT.
Computer users can be divided into five categories: home user, small office/home
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office users, mobile users, large business users, and power users.
COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM
The hardware components of a The software components of a computer
computer system are the electronic and system are the data and the computer
mechanical parts. programs
A computer is a complex system consisting of both
hardware and software components. 10
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HARDWARE COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER
HARDWARE ARE MADE UP OF A NUMBER OF PHYSICAL
COMPONENTS OF THE COMPUTER. THIS HARDWARE CONSIST OF
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INPUT DEVICES AND OUTPUT DEVICES
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INPUT DEVICES EXAMPLES
An input device is any hardware component that allows a
user to enter data and instructions into the computer.
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OUTPUT DEVICES EXAMPLES
An output device is any hardware component that allows the
computer to give information back to the user.
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SYSTEM UNIT
The system unit, sometimes called the chassis, is a box-like case housing the
electronic components of a computer that are used to process data. System unit
components include the processor, memory module, cards, ports, and connectors.
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THE FOUR STEPS OF A MACHINE CYCLE TO PROCESS
DATA
For every instruction, the control unit repeats a set of four basic
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operations called the machine cycle: (1) fetching the instruction or
data item from memory, (2) decoding the instruction into commands
the computer understands, (3) executing the commands, and, if
necessary, (4) storing, or writing the result to memory.
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COMMUNICATION DEVICES
Communication devices are hardware components that enable
computers to send (transmit) and receive data, instructions and
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information to and from one or more computers
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