CSC 113

COMPUTER OPERATION/APPLICATION AND ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING

COURSE CONTENT:

1. Basic Computer operation and application areas of Computer

2. Managing Computer files and Introduction to Multimedia system

3. Use of Internet for e-mail and Information search

4. Installation of Operating system and application packages

5.Introduction to Electronic Data Processing (EDP); concept and career opportunity

Chapter one:

Basic Computer Operations and Application Areas of Computer

Introduction

Computers have become an integral part of our life. Their applications ranges from business
transactions to personal communications. While many people use computers, not many have basic
understanding of how to operate computer. This chapter presents a brief introduction on the basic
operations of computer and how they work.
Objectives
At the end of this chapter, the reader should be able to:

 Boot the Computer System

 Shutdown the Computer System
 Identify Mouse and its uses
 Identify keyboard and its uses
 Identify keyboard keys and their functions
 State the application areas of computer
1.0 How to Boot and Shutdown the Computer System

Booting and Shutting down of the computer system are the two major essential activities the user
of computer system must perform before and after the use of a computer and mastering how to
boot and shutdown the computer system before and after the use computer system goes a long way
in prolonging the lifespan of your computer.

To Boot a computer means to switch it ON. One can boot a computer using the following method:

1. COLD BOOTING: This is the method by which one switches ON a computer from a
power button on the CPU (Central Processing Unit) or monitor.
2. WARM BOOTING: This method restarts a computer from the keyboard by pressing three
keys at the same time (i.e. simultaneously). The keys are CONTROL, ALTERNATE AND
DELETE (Ctrl + Alt + Del).
OR

By pressing the Reset button if it exists on the CPU. Note that before any of the above method is
performed the electric power is already switched ON from the main socket. Whereas the term
‘booting’ is the time taken by the computer (specifically, the operating system) to check the correct
functionality of the hardware and prepare the system for use. Thus, the period between when you
press the power button of the computer (boot) and when the computer displays the desktop screen
with icons is referred to as booting.

1.2 STEPS ON HOW TO BOOT THE COMPUTER

1. Check if the computer is connected to a peripheral device like the UPS (Uninterruptible
Power Supply) and switch it on and that of wall socket.

2. Press the power button on the CPU and also that of Monitor if it is not directly connected to
the CPU.

3. The Computer system will start booting and enters its Power On Self Test (POST) session.
While this is going on, the user has to wait patiently and watch the screen for any
massage.
4. It will lunch you to the desktop screen with a mouse arrow, a taskbar (containing the start
button) and icons. This is an indication that the computer has finished booting and it is ready for
the user to use. The figure 1 below shows the screen shot of desktop screen of window 10
Operating System interface screen

figure 1: Window 10 Operating System interface screen

1.3 Shutting down /Turning off your computer properly

It is important to shutdown/turn off your computer after use not only to save energy, but also to
ensure that your data is saved and also to secure your computer system. This will make your
computer boot quickly when next you want to use it. There are several methods the user can
properly turn off/shutdown the computer system. Two methods are discussed here:

a) Putting Your Computer to Sleep Using the window button on the taskbar.
To turn off your computer,
1. Click on the window button on the taskbar
2. Click on Power button, a dialog box/drop down menu will display with three options:
Sleep, Shut down and Restart
3. Click on sleep and your computer goes to sleep.
Windows automatically saves your work, the display turns off, and noise emanating from
cooling fans stop. Light in the front of the system unit begin to blinks or turn yellow to indicate
that the computer is sleeping.

Because Windows saves your work, there is no need to close your programs and files before
putting your computer to sleep. The next time you turn ON your computer, the screen will look
exactly as it is when you turned off last.

To wake your computer, press the power button on your computer case. Because you don’t have
to wait for windows to start, your computer wakes within seconds and you can resume work
almost immediately.

b) To shut down the computer

1. Repeat step 1 and 2 above in a
2. Select shut down.

1.4 MOUSE AND ITS USES

The mouse has two buttons; the Left (primary) and the Right (secondary) buttons. Its basic
functions include selecting, opening and dragging. To achieve any of the above functions involves
pointing, clicking or dragging. There are two kinds of clicking: single clicking and double clicking.
Dragging involves holding down the left button and dragging.

1.5 MOUSE CLICKING EXERCISE

Exercise is usually done in the laboratory, during the session, you will be asked to asked to ‘click’
items and choose/perform one or two action. When asked to click, follow the following steps:

 Point the cursor to the item

 Click the left button (primary)

In case you are asked to double-click an item:

 Point at the item

 Quickly press the left mouse button twice

If you are asked to right-click:

 Point at the item

 Click or press your right mouse button

If you are asked to choose a tab, click the tab.

Mouse Exercises

Go to these websites

http://www.pcblibrary.org/mousing/intro.htm

http://www.pcblibrary.org/mousing/mousercise.htm

1.6 KEYBOARD
Definition: Keyboard is an input device, that contain keys user press to enter data or instructions
into the computer memory.
You enter most input data into the computer by using a keyboard. This input method is similar to
typing on a typewriter.
1.6.1KEYS OF KEYBOARD
The computer keyboard is divided into five sections. Computer keyboards include keys that are
designed to perform specific tasks. These keys enable the user to perform complex tasks easily
when using the application. For example, many applications use a function key to access online
help for the user.
Keyboard keys consist of the following:
 Function keys
 Alphanumeric keys
 Numeric keys
 Arrow keys
 Special keys

1. Alphanumeric keys contain alphabets from A-Z & a-z and numbers for typing or entering
data. These keys are also referred to as typing keys.
2. Numeric keys contain numbers 0-9. They are seen at the right hand side of the keyboard
and are meant for entering numeric data.
3. Arrow or cursor control keys: These keys include the four-way arrow keys, page up,
page down, home and end. They are used for navigating or moving the cursor in the
computer.
4. Functional keys contain f1-f12 keys, design for special purpose. Each of these keys
represents a particular command in the system and can be used in conjunction with other
 keys to issue a particular command. For example, F1 key when pressed, generally stand
for HELP from the computer and Alt + F4 when pressed stand for closing an open window.
5. Special keys contain Esc, Alt, Ctrl, Backspace, Enter etc. these are special keys on the
keyboard which represent a particular command in the computer system. It can be used in
conjunction with other key to derive more command.

1.6.2 SOME KEYSBOARD KEYS AND THEIR USES

a. CAPS LOCK: This key is used to move between the two computer keyboard modes-
Upper case or lower case modes. The cap lock key locks the keyboard so that it types
only capital letters (a white light switched on when CAP LOCK button is activated).
If CAP LOCK button is pressed again returns it back to small letter mode which is the
default mode for typing.
b. SHIFT KEYS: The shift key helps us to access the second function of a key button
that has two function of a key button. For instance the following symbols
@,%,$,^,*,(,),_,{,},? Can be accessed by holding down the shift key button first. The
shift key button is used when you do not want to be changing between the two modes.
Thus it allows you to remain in one mode by holding down the shift key to access a
key function in the other mode.
c. ENTER KEY: Enter key are always two on the keyboard and are used to end a
paragraph and moves the cursor down one line. It is used to submit a form or process
commands such as accepting an option in a dialog box or dropdown menu.
d. DEL or DELETE KEY: Deletes the character at cursor and /or characters to the right
of the cursor and all highlighted text.
e. BACKSPACE KEY: Deletes the character to the left of the cursor and all highlighted
text.
f. SPACE BAR KEY: It is the longest key on the keyboard. It is used to move the cursor
one space at a time to the right.
g. TAB KEY: It is used to give a paragraph when typing your document.
h. ESC or ESC KEY: Cancels a menu or dialog box
i. ARROW KEYS: It is used to move the cursor around your document while typing.
 j. COMMAND KEYS: Command keys normally do nothing on its own but works in
conjunction with other keys. Each software uses the command keys differently. The
Alternative key or Alt key is often use to access menu whereas that of Control key or
Ctrl is used to access commands.

Basic Typing Rules

Learning the keyboard keys and how to type is the first step in learning computer. Typing involves
a continuous practice and the only way to be perfect in typing is by mastering the keyboard through
obeying the rules of typing and learning to type continuously.
Typing begins with the home keys. Home keys are asdf for the left hand and jkl; for the right
hand whereas letter G and H are in between the home keys. It is compulsory to always place your
fingers on these keys if you must learn to type fast. There are many commercial and public domain
programs that are designed to teach you how to type. The most popular and most available one is
MAVIS BEACON TYPING TUTORIAL.

APPLICATION AREAS OF COMPUTER

Introduction
In our society today, the application of computer cuts across every areas of human endeavor. The
industry Computers play a role in every field of life and are used in homes, business, educational
institutions, research organizations, medical field, government offices, entertainment, etc.
Listed below are some of these areas:

Home
Computers are used at homes for several purposes like online bill payment, watching movies or
shows at home, home tutoring, social media access, playing games, internet access, etc. They
provide communication through electronic mail. They help to avail work from home facility for
corporate employees. Computers help the student community to avail online educational support.

Medical Field (Health Care Delivery)

Computers are used in hospitals to maintain a database of patients’ history, diagnosis, X-rays, live
monitoring of patients, patient billing, health care statistics etc. Surgeons nowadays use robotic
surgical devices to perform delicate operations, and conduct surgeries remotely. Virtual reality
technologies are also used for training purposes. It also helps doctors to monitor the fetus inside
the mother’s womb and take close-up pictures of body organs with the aid of Computer-Aided
Topography (CAT) scanner.

Entertainment

Computers help to watch movies online, play games online; act as a virtual entertainer in playing
games, listening to music, etc. MIDI instruments greatly help people in the entertainment industry
in recording music with artificial instruments. Videos can be fed from computers to full screen
televisions. Photo editors are available with fabulous features.

Industry

Computers are used to perform several tasks in industries like managing inventory, designing
purpose, creating virtual sample products, interior designing, video conferencing, etc. Online
marketing has seen a great revolution in its ability to sell various products to inaccessible corners
like interior or rural areas. Stock markets have seen phenomenal participation from different levels
of people through the use of computers.

Education

Computers are used to store and maintain student’s record, for example, examination records,
accounting records and so on. It can be used to develop lecture and examination timetable, prepare
examination questions, allocate students to various hostels and dormitories. It can be used in
athletic planning. It can also be used in preparing transcripts and production of certificates. It can
be used in processing examination for students (i.e. marking of objectives questions either for
WAEC or JAMB). Computer can use in teaching students- Computer Aided /Assisted Instruction
(CAL), Computer Aided/Assisted Learning (CAL). Here the computer takes over the teaching of
the subject. The computer evaluates the student’s performance and if the student does not perform
well, the computer can ask the student to repeat the lesson. The student learns at his/her own pace
and can ask the computer some questions and the computer responds by sending the answer to the
screen. The student can equally print what he/she has learnt on paper for him/her to take home.

ADVANTAGES OF COMPUTER AIDED LEARNIG/COMPUTER AIDED

INSTRUCTION (CAL/CAI)

 Every individual privately moves at his/her own pace.

 Individual help is always available to a student who might otherwise be ignored in a
crowded classroom.
 Gifted children are not bound. Slow students are not rushed and shy students are not
embarrassed by incorrect answers in public.
 The computer, unlike teachers/lecturers is impartial, patient and objective.
 The teacher is relieved of routine drills and practice work and can devote more time to give
students individual attention.
 The students get immediate feedback to the answers given and the teacher gets the report
of errors made so that corrective action can be planned.
 It ensures standards are maintained.
 Natural dislikes of teachers/lecturers by students for some reasons like the teaching
methods or the teachers being too short or too fat or from another town/tribe are reduced
to the minimum.
 CAL/CAI can easily make up for lack of teachers/lecturers.

SOME OF THE PROBLEMS TO THE FULL REALIZATION OF CAL/CAI INCLUDE:

 The high cost of hardware.

 The high cost of developing the CAL/CAI software.
 Most schools lack the funds to carry out the project.
 There is always resistance to change especially in the areas of computer innovation because
of fear of loss of job and lack of experience, knowledge and computer literacy by a large
number of educators both the primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.
Government

Government at all levels can use computers to handle some functions that are peculiar to
government – such functions include:

 Voters registration
 Police record system
 Vehicle registration
 Tax analysis system
 Revenue generation
 Analysis of census data
 Business license system
 Keeping record and providing timely and accurate information for decision making

Banking and Finance

A bank is a place where money and “valuables” are kept for safety purposes. So, in the banking
sector, computers are used to store details of customers and conduct transactions, such as
withdrawal and deposit of fund and also check account balance through Automated Teller Machine
(ATM). Computer is also used for record updates during and after transactions Other uses of
computer in banking industry includes budget management, credit analysis, loan analysis,
investment analysis, cash flow analysis, Bank-at-home services and so on.

The cumulative effects of the computer on the banking industry can be summarized as
follows:

 There will be a sharp reduction in time-consuming paper work and mailing, which are
replaced by simple messages transmitted from computer to computer.
 Fraud and errors of dishonesty will be reduced to the barest minimum
 There will be an improved customer services, thus customers in the banks will waste less
time.
Business

Nowadays, computers are totally integrated into business. Computer are changing the way we do
business and the way we live. Business decisions have to be made ever more quickly, and the
decision makers require immediate access to accurate information. Why wait a week for that report
from Germany to arrive by mail when it could appear almost instantaneously through computer
networks? In our society today, the main objective of business is transaction processing, which
involves transactions with suppliers, employees or customers. Computers can make these
transactions easy and accurate. People can analyze investments, sales, expenses, markets and other
aspects of business using computers.

Training

Many organizations use computer-based training to train their employees, to save money and
improve performance. Video conferencing through computers allows saving of time and travelling
costs by being able to connect people in various locations.