WEEK ONE

TOPIC: CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTER BASE ON SIZE

Computer is classified base on size as follows:
1) Supercomputer
2) Mainframe computer
3) Mini-computer
4) Micro-computer

1) Supercomputers:
supercomputers are widely used in scientific applications such as aerodynamic design
simulation, processing of geological data.

• Supercomputers are the most powerful computers. They are used for problems
requiring complex calculations.
• Because of their size and expense, supercomputers are relatively rare.
• Supercomputers are used by universities, government agencies, and large businesses.

2) Mainframe Computers:
mainframe computers are usually slower, less powerful and less expensive than
supercomputers. A technique that allows many people at terminals, to access the same
computer at one time is called time sharing. Mainframes are used by banks and many
business to update inventory etc.
• Mainframe computers can support hundreds or thousands of users, handling massive
amounts of input, output, and storage.
• Mainframe computers are used in large organizations where many users need access to
shared data and programs.
• Mainframes are also used as e-commerce servers, handling transactions over the
Internet.
3) Minicomputers:
Minicomputers are smaller than mainframe, general purpose computers, and give
computing power without adding the prohibitive expenses associated with larger
systems. It is generally easier to use.
• Minicomputers usually have multiple terminals.
• Minicomputers may be used as network servers and Internet servers.

4) Microcomputers or Personal Computers:

Microcomputer or personal computer is the smallest, least expensive of all the
computers. Micro computers have smallest memory and less power, are physically
smaller and permit fewer peripherals to be attached.
• Microcomputers are more commonly known as personal computers. The term “PC” is
applied to IBM-PCs or compatible computers.
• Desktop computers are the most common type of PC.
• Notebook (laptop) computers are used by people who need the power of a desktop
system, but also portability.
Personal Computers (PC): Desktop, Laptop, Palmtop and PDA
 WEEK TWO
TOPIC: THE COMPUTER SYSTEM
The concept of computer system
A computer system consists of mainly four basic units such as input unit, storage unit,
central processing unit and output unit,
COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER SYSTEM
A computer system comprises of three basic components. These are Hardware,
software and people ware.
HARDWARE
Definition
Hardware is any part of the computer that you can physically touch, pick up, hold, and
move around. In other words, hardware are the physical parts that make up the
computer.

Examples of external hardware (outside the computer):

1) Monitor: To see what you are working on

2) Printer : To print a paper copy of your work
3) Keyboard : To type text, numbers and symbols into your work
4) Mouse: To point, click and select things on your screen
5) Microphone :To input voice or sound recordings

Examples of internal hardware (inside the computer):

1) Hard disk :to store all of your applications and files

2) CPU (Central Processing Unit) : the 'brains' of the computer
3) Fan : to keep the CPU cool and stop it overheating
4) Motherboard : the main printed circuit board in the computer with sockets to
connect the other parts
5) Sound card: used to generate and capture sounds
6) Processor and memory stick

WEEK 3 & 4
TOPIC: SOFTWARE
Definition
Software is a collection of computer program used to operate computers that provide
instructions to computer and related devices
TYPES OF SOFTWARE
There are two types of software .There are:
1) System software
2) Application software

What is system software?

System software is computer software designed to operate and control the computer
hardware and to provide a platform for running application software.
Examples of software system are:

• Microsoft Windows : Windows Vista, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 3.1, Windows
ZP Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2008, and Windows
Server
1) Linux
2) Unix
3) Mac OSX
4) DOS
5) BIOS Software
6) HD Sector Boot Software
7) Device Driver Software i.e. Graphics Driver etc
8) Linker Software
9) Assembler and Compiler Software

What is Application Software?

Application software is computer programs that allow the users to perform specific task. The
program are commonly refers to as “Apps”.
Examples of application software are:
1) Opera (Web Browser)
2) Microsoft Word (Word Processing)
3) Microsoft Excel (Spreadsheet software)
4) Database Software
5) Microsoft PowerPoint (Presentation Software)
6) iTunes (Music / Sound Software)
7) Media Player (Audio / Video Software )
8) World of Warcraft (Game Software)
9) Adobe Photoshop (Graphics Software
10) Google Chrome software
11) Skype
12) Corel WordPerfect.
They can be installed from a CD or downloaded from a variety of websites. Most
applications are designed for a very specific purpose.

WEEK 5 & 6
TOPIC: OPERATING SYSTERM
Definition
An operating system (OS) is a software program that manages the hardware and software
resources of a computer.
The OS performs basic tasks, such as controlling and allocating memory, prioritizing the
processing of instructions, controlling input and output devices, facilitating networking, and
managing files.
The operating system makes your system useful. Without it your computer would sit there
and do nothing.
TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEM INTERFACES
There are two main types of operating system .They are:
5) Command Line Interface
6) Graphical User Interface (GUI)

7) A Command Line Interface (CLI): This is an older type of operating system where users
type instructions using a keyboard. Command Line Interfaces do not make use of
images, icons or graphics.
8) Graphical User interface (GUI): These are visual (graphical) interfaces and they are
more popular than CLI's because they are very easy to use. The graphics do need more
computer power however.
Instead of typing in commands, the user can use a mouse to point and click objects on the
screen.
EXAMPLES OF OPERATING SYSTEM
1) Microsoft Windows
2) Linux
3) Unix
4) Mac OSX
5) DOS
6) BIOS Software
7) HD Sector Boot Software
8) Device Driver Software i.e. Graphics Driver etc
9) Linker Software
10) Assembler and Compiler Software.

WEEK 7
TOPIC: FUNCTIONS OF OPERATING SYSTEM
1) It helps to accepts inputs: Operating system accepts inputs from the mouse or
keyboard.
2) It Sends outputs to the monitor or printer: Operating system helps to send any outputs
to the output devices such as monitor and printer etc.
3) It recognizes peripheral devices: Operating system helps to recognizes peripherical
devices such as external hard disks, pen drive, web cam etc and makes sure that software
needed for the hardware to run is installed.
4) It manages files and folders in the system: Operating system manages files and folders
in the computer system such as (Naming, Creating, Moving, Finding and Deleting
folders etc).
5) It allows applications software to communicate with the system's hardware:
Operating system allows application software (words processing and spreadsheet to
communicate with system’s hardware.
6) It Shares out system memory efficiently: The operating system will decide how much
memory to assign to particular tasks. It also moves data in and out of memory.
7) It loads and runs software applications: Operating system enable the computer to load
and run application software (word-processing and spreadsheets.
8) It manages system security: Operating system allows passwords to be added / changed
Manages system security. For example - allows passwords to be added / changed.
9) It handles system problems and alerts the user: Operating system helps to identify
any problems in the computer system. For example if a printer is jammed and cannot
printer, the operating system will stop the print job and alert the user with a warning
message.
10) It manages the moving of data to and from a hard disk: Operating system helps to
move processed data or information to and from a hard disk.

WEEK EIGHT
TOPIC: NUMBER BASE
Number base is divided into five categories. These are:
1) Decimal
2) Binary
3) Octal
4) Hexadecimal
5) Decimal Numeral System - Base-10 .Decimal numbers uses digits from 0 to 9
These are the regular numbers that we use.
Example:
253810 = 2×103+5×102+3×101+8×100 = 2000+ 500+ 30 +8= 2538
1) Binary Numeral System - Base-2. Binary numbers uses only 0 and 1 digits.
Examples:
101012 = 10101 = 1×24+0×23+1×22+0×21+1×20 = 16+4+1= 21
101112 = 10111 = 1×24+0×23+1×22+1×21+1×20 = 16+4+2+1=23
1000112 = 100011 = 1×25+0×24+0×23+0×22+1×21+1×20 =32+21= 35
2) Octal Numeral System - Base-8 .Octal numbers uses digits from 0 to 7.
Examples:
278 = 2×81+7×80 = 16+7 = 23
308 = 3×81+0×80 = 24
43078 = 4×83+3×82+0×81+7×80= 2247
3) Hexadecimal Numeral System - Base-16 .Hex numbers uses digits from
0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, 9 ,A,B,C,D,E,F
Examples:
2816 = 28 = 2×161+8×160 = 40
2F16 = 2FH = 2×161+15×160 = 47
BC1216 = BC12H = 11×163+12×162+1×161+2×160= 48146

WEEK 9
TOPIC: CONVERSION OF NUMBER BASE
DECIMAL AND BINARY
Conversion of decimal to binary
To convert decimal to binary divide decimal number by 2 till you get to zero (0)

Example 1: Convert 3710 to binary

Solution
Division Quotient Reminder
372 18 1
182 9 0
92 4 1
42 2 0
22 1 0
12 0 1
3710 = 1001012

Example 2: Convert 9310 to binary

Solution
Division Quotient Reminder
932 46 1
462 23 0
232 11 1
112 5 1
52 2 1
22 1 0
12 0 1
9310 = 10111012

Example 3: Convert 25.62510 into a binary number

SOLUTION
Division Quotient Reminder
252 12 1
122 6 0
62 3 0
32 1 1
12 0 1

2510 = 110012
Fractional part
0.62510 = 0.1012
Therefore = 25.62510 = 11001.1012

Conversion of binary to decimal

It is required is to find the decimal value of each binary digit position containing a 1 and add
them up.
Example 1 Convert binary (10110)2 into a decimal number.
Solution. The binary number given is 1 0 1 1 02
Positional weights 43210
1 × 24 + 0 × 23+ 1 × 22 + 1 × 21 + 0 × 20
= 16 + 0 + 4 + 2 + 0 = (22)10.

Example 2: Convert binary 110112 to decimal number

Solution: Binary number given is: 1 1 0 1 12
Position weights 43210
1 x 24 + 1 x 23 + 0 x22 + 1 x 21 + 1 x20
16+ 8 + 0+ 2+ 1 = 2710

Example 3: Convert 1010.0112 into a decimal number.

Solution. The binary number given is 1 0 1 0. 0 1 12
Positional weights 3 2 1 0 -1-2-3
1 × 23 + 0 × 22 + 1 × 21 + 0 × 20 + 0 × 2-1 + 1 × 2-2 + 1 × 2-3
= 8 + 0 + 2 + 0 + 0 + 0.25 + 0.125
1010.0112 = (10.375)10.
DECIMAL NUMBER AND OCTAL NUMBER
Conversion of Decimal number to octal number
Repeatedly divide by eight and record the remainder for each division – read “answer”
upwards.

Example 1: Rewrite the decimal number 21510 as an octal number.

Solution

Division Quotient Reminder

2158 26 7
268 3 2
38 0 3
21510 = 3278

Example 2: Convert decimal 179210 to octal number

Solution
Division Quotient Reminder
17928 224 0
2248 28 0
288 3 4
38 0 3
179210 = 34008

Conversion of octal to decimal

The conversion can also be performed in the conventional mathematical way, by showing
each digit place as an increasing power of 8.
Example 1: Convert 3458 to decimal number
Solution
Octal number given is = 345
Position weights 210
3458 = 3 x 82 + 4 x 81 + 5 x 80
= (3 x 64) + (4 x 8 + (5 x 1)
= 192 + 32 +5 = 22910

Example 2: Convert 34628 into a decimal number.

Solution. The octal number given is 3 4 6 28
Positional weights 3210
3 × 83 + 4 × 82 + 6 × 81 + 2 × 80
= 1536 + 256 + 48 + 2= (1842)10
= (1842)10.

Example 3: Convert 362.358 into a decimal number.

Solution. The octal number given is 3 6 2. 3 5
Positional weights 2 1 0 -1-2
3 × 82 + 6 × 81 + 2 × 80 + 3 × 8-1 + 5 × 8-2
= 192 + 48 + 2 + 0.375 + 0.078125
= (242.453125)10.
DECIMAL AND HEXADECIMAL
Conversion of Decimal Number to Hexadecimal Number
To convert decimal number to hexadecimal, divide the decimal number by 16.
Example 1: Convert 179210 decimal to hexadecimal:
Solution
Division Quotient Reminder
179216 112 0
11216 7 0
716 0 7
179210 = 70016

Conversion of Hexadecimal-to-decimal
Example1: Convert 42AD16 into a decimal number.
Solution. The hexadecimal number given is 4 2 A D
Positional weights 3210
4 × 163 + 2 × 162 + 10 × 161 + 13 × 160
= 16384 + 512 + 160 + 13
= (17069)10
Example 2: Convert 42A.1216 into a decimal number.
Solution. The hexadecimal number given is 4 2 A. 1 2
Positional weights 2 1 0 -1-2
4 × 162+ 2 × 161 + 10 × 160 + 1 × 16-1 + 1 × 16-2
= 1024 + 32 + 10 + 0.0625 + 0.00390625
= (1066.06640625)10.

Conversion of Decimal Number to Hexadecimal Number .

Example: Rewrite the decimal number 21510 as an octal number.
16 215
16 13 R=7
16 0 R =1310 = D
Therefore: 21510 = D716
Computers store information in the form of "1" and "0"s in different types of storages such
as memory, hard disk, usb drives etc. The most common digital data storage unit is byte
which is 8 bits.
For your information, computer data is expressed as bytes, kilobytes, megabytes as it is in
the metric system, but 1 kilobyte is 1024 bytes not 1000 bytes.
Data storage units are: bit, byte, kilobyte (kb), megabyte (mb), gigabyte (gb), terabyte (tb),
petabyte

A 'bit' (short for Binary Digit) is the smallest unit of data that can be stored by a computer.
Each 'bit' is represented as a binary number, either 1 (true) or 0 (false).

SOFTWARE
Definition
Software is a set of instructions or programs written in a computer language that tells
the hardware what to do. Without software, most hardware would be useless.

PEOPLE WARE
People ware refers to the role of people in the development or use of computer
software and hardware systems.