TASK 1

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS
The word computer is derived from the Latin word compute which means to calculate.
The purpose of this summary is to understand the anatomy of the computer that is the
different parts of a computer and learn how each component is used and its function
Computers are a big part of society due to their extensive use in various parts including
industries, education and even in research hence the need to understand their use and their
function.

ANATOMY OF COMPUTERS. (Parts of a computer)

Definition of a computer.
A Computer is an electronic device that accepts input in form of data and process the data
under instructions to produce output as information and stores it as information/knowledge.
Electronic device means that it is 0,1 powered.
Data –These are raw facts, figures, symbols, formulas and functions that are not in a structured
way.
Information – Processed and organized data.

Characteristics of a computer.
Main characteristics of a computer are
Speed – Computers can perform millions of instructions per second which would take a longer
time if done manually.
Storage – Achieved through the main memory and auxiliary memory and ranges from Byte –
Tera byte(TB).
Accuracy - When it comes to very complex mathematical or scientific problems the computer’s
accuracy has no substitutes.
Versatility- They are versatile in that they can perform a wide range of tasks provided they are
given the appropriate logical steps.
Reliability – They correct and modify the parameters of results giving high degree of precisions
Components of a computer
The two major components of a computer are
i) Hardware
ii)Software
I) Hardware
These are the physical components of a computer.
They are equipment involved in the function of a computer.
These components connect to microprocessors, output and storage.
The hardware can be divide into 4 major components
 Central processing unit (CPU) or processor and primary memory.
 Input devices.
 Output devices
 Storage devices
The computer is housed in a cabinet known as system unit which includes the following
equipment; power supply, Rams drives and motherboard.
Motherboard assembles all circuits in a machine for easy communication between the user and
machine.
The basic colors for the motherboard are brown or green.
Working of a system unit
Data Input units CPU Output units Information/knowledge
 Central processing unit
Used to process information.
A specific chip or the processor, a CPU`s performance is determined by the rest of the
computers circuitry and chips.
The central processing unit (CPU) performs the actual processing of data.
The speed (clock speed) of CPU measured by HERTZ (MHz).
Components of the central processing unit.
It consists of three main components
I) The control unit (CU)
 II) Arithmetic logic unit
III) The Memory Unit
a) Control unit(cu)
It coordinates all activities in a computer and determines the order in which an instruction will
be executed.
The CU transmits coordinating control signals to other computer components.
It instructs the input device to transfer the data and instructions to the main memory and then
to the arithmetic and logic unit.
It then sends the processed results from the ALU to the memory unit for storage and transfers
it to the visual display unit or printer.
To perform all its functions effectively and quickly, the control unit has four basic components.
 Instruction register
 Decoder
 Address register
 Instruction counter
The instruction register receives one by one the instructions to be executed in the required
sequence.
The operation code of the instructions is transferred to decoder, which decodes the operation
code.
It activates the appropriate circuits of the ALU to perform the operation.
The address register enables the data in the location specified in the instruction to be
transferred to a specified accumulator for arithmetic and logic operations.
b) Arithmetic logic unit(ALU)
It performs two kinds of operations that is arithmetic processing and logic processing.
Arithmetic processing include all mathematical operations including addition, subtraction,
division and multiplication.
Logical operations include comparing larger or smaller values and True or False statements.
c) Memory unit (primary memory)
This unit holds the intermediate results during the course of calculations and provides the data
as and when required.
Memory (fast, expensive, short-term memory): Enables a computer to store at least
temporarily, data, programs and intermediate results.
There are two major types of memory
i) Random Access Memory (RAM)
ii) Read Only Memory (ROM)
Random access memory
Is used to hold an instruction (software/program) before execution.
It stores information temporarily meaning its volatile.
Volatile means it requires electricity.
Any information stored in RAM is lost when computer is turned off.
RAM is the memory that the computer uses to temporarily store the information as it is
being processed.
The more the information being processed the more RAM the computer needs.
RAM consists of locations or cells.
Each cell has a unique address which distinguishes it from other cells.

Read only memory

This is where instructions/software/programs are stored permanently.
An example is software/ instructions installed in the computer.
The contents of ROM cannot be changed by users
It includes Basic input output system (BIOS) which is installed by manufacturer and a hard
drive.
Differences between RAM and ROM

RAM ROM

Stores data temporarily Stores data permanently

Volatile Non-volatile
One can read and write One can only read
User defined Manufacturer defined

 Input devices
These devices accept or read the list of instructions and data then translates the data from a
form that humans can understand to one that computers can work with.
Examples of input devices
1.keyboard (QWERTY keyboard, ATM keyboard)
2. Mouse
3. Scanner
4. Pre- storage device (disk, CD`s)
5.Optimal mark recognition (light pen, barcode scanners)
6. Microphone
7. Joystick
8. point and draw devices
9.track ball
10. touch pad
11. touch screen
12. Magnetic stripes and smart cards.
13. digital cameras
 Secondary storage (storage devices)
It is also referred to as backup storage because it is used to store large volume of data on a
permanent basis which can be partially transferred to the primary storage as and when
required for processing.
Stores data and programs permanently; its retained after the power is turned off.
It includes;
Hard drive (hard disk) Located outside the CPU but most often contained in the
system cabinet
Floppy disk
Optical laser disks (CD-ROM, CD-RW, and DVD)
Examples
i) Hard Disk
Data is represented magnetically as wit diskettes.
Normally more than one rigid platter in a sealed unit
 These disks are not removable
Significantly more capacity and faster operating than diskettes
ii) Diskettes
Data represented as magnetic spots on removable flexible plastic disks.
Most common size is 3 ½ inches, in a rigid plastic case.
Disk drives holds the diskette, reads or retrieves the data and writes or stores data.
Diskettes are becoming absolute due to the little storage space offered by it which is
approximately 4mb hence uneconomical to buy and use them.
iii) Optical laser disks
CD-ROM & DVD`S
Data is represented as pits and lands.
Some kinds are read only (CD-ROM) and some kinds are rewritable(CD-RW)
Significantly more capacity and faster operating than diskettes
 Output devices
The results of the data processed by the computer are available in electronic signals.
The output unit converts these signals into a form that could be easily understood by
humans.
Basically output devices are pieces of equipment that translate the processed
information from the CPU into a form that humans can understand.
Examples
-Monitors
-Printers
Dot matrix printers
Ink jet printers
Laser printers
-Sound blasters (sound card by creative lab)
 ii) Software

These are the instructions that tell the computer what to do.
Can also be called a program.
There are two major types of computer software
 Application software
 System software

a. Application software
They help end users to perform general purpose task.
Application software may consist of a single program such as Microsoft Notepad (for writing
and editing simple texts)
It may also consist of a collection of programs often called a software package, which work
together to accomplish a task, such as database management software.
Application software may also include a larger collection of related but independent programs
and packages (a software suite) which have a common user interface or shared data format
such as Microsoft office suite.
There are basic tools used in performing taks in the computer.
They include ;
 Word processors
This is a software used to compose, format, edit, and print, electronic document.
Example is Microsoft word and word perfect
 Spreadsheets
This is a computer software that allows that allows the user to enter columns and rows of
numbers in an accounting book like formats.
Example is Microsoft excel and lotus 1 2 3
 Database managers
This is a collection of computer programs that allow storage, modification and extraction of
information from a database in an efficient manner.
Example is Microsoft Access
 Image editors
They are designed specifically for capturing, creating, editing and manipulating images.
Example is adobe Photoshop
 Presentation applications
Combines both visual and verbal elements allowing the user to create presentation of projects.
Example Microsoft power point

b. System software
It consists of several programs, which are directly responsible for controlling, integrating and
managing the individual hardware components of a computer system.
It is the type of program that creates an interface between users (live ware) and hardware.
They include:
- Operating system
- Device drivers
- Language translators
- System utilities

 Operating system
It is the first layer of software loaded into computer memory when it starts up.
As the main software layer, all other software that gets loaded after it depends on it for
various common core services.
It also ensures different programs executing at the same time do not interfere with each
other.
It provides a software platform on top of which other programs can run.
Basically the OS organizes & controls the hardware.
Examples widows Xperia, Linux, Unix
 Device drivers
These are system programs which are responsible for proper functioning of the device.
 It is not an independent program; it assists and is assisted by the OS for proper functioning
of the device.
 Language translators
They help in converting programming languages into machine language.
They convert programming statements into the 0s and 1s that the computer is able to
process.
 System utilities
They are programs that perform day to day tasks related to maintenance of computer
system.
They are used to support, enhance and secure existing programs and data in the computer
system.
They are generally small programs, having specific tasks to perform.
Units of measurement of data
1. Bit (binary digit) (takes two values 1 or 0)
2. Byte= 8 bits
3. Kb (kilobyte) = 1024bytes
4. Mb(megabyte) = 1024 kb
5. Gb (Giga byte) = 1024 MB
6. Tb (Tera byte) = 1024 GB
Remark: 1024=210

Types of computers
There are 4 kinds of computers
- Micro computers
- Mini computers
- Mainframe computers
- Super computers

 Microcomputers => personal computer=>PC

There are 3 types of microcomputers
 Laptop
  Desktop
 Workstation
Personal computer: a small, single-user computer based on a microprocessor.
Workstation: a powerful single- user computer.
A workstation is like a personal computer but it has a more powerful microprocessor and I
general higher quality monitor.

 Minicomputers
A multi- user computer capable of supporting up to hundreds of users simultaneously.
 It is desk-sized
 More processing speed and storage capacity.
 Does general data processing needs at small companies.
 Larger companies use them for specific purposes.

 Mainframe computers
A powerful multi-user computer capable of supporting many hundreds of thousands of
users simultaneously.
 Larger machines with special writing and environmental controls
 Faster processing and greater storage than mini computers
 Typical machine in large organizations

 Super computers
An extremely fast computer that can perform hundreds of millions of instructions per
second
 Most powerful of all four categories
 Used by very large organizations, particularly for very math intensive types of tasks
e.g. NASA

Differences between Data, Information and Knowledge.

Data – basic raw facts, figures, symbols, functions, formulas such as names and numbers.
Information- data that has been converted into a more useful and intelligible form.
Knowledge- arrangement of information and classifying information of the same time or of the
same topic.

Data Information
Raw records Completed one
Un ordered Ordered
Unrefined data Refined data
What prevails? What is necessary?

Example
-2 4 0 -3 10 (data)
sort
-3 -2 0 4 10 (information)

Processing data produces information and processing information produces knowledge.

Computer Viruses
This is an application program designed and written to destroy other programs.
It has the ability to
 Link itself to other programs
 Copy itself (it looks as if it repeats itself.)

Examples
 Monkes
 ABC
 Crabs
 CIH

Viruses and virus protection

A virus program
 Infects programs , documents, databases and more
 It is man- made
  It can hide and reproduce
 It can lay dormant (inactive) and then activate
Anti-virus programs can help.

Sources of computer viruses

There are three primary sources
i. The internet
Via downloads and exchanges.
ii. Diskettes
Exchanging disks
iii. Computer networks
Can spread from one network to another

How to know if a computer as a virus

 Lack of storage capability
 Decrease in speed of executing programs
 Unexpected error messages
 Halting the system

Virus protection
The software package distributed with new PCs always includes an anti-viral program.
The best way to cope with viruses is to recognize their existence and use antiviral or antivirus
program.