CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS
Introduction
Definition of a computer
✓ It is an electronic device that transforms data to information.
✓ A computer system is made up of two parts:
• Hardware
• Software

Hardware – these are physical parts of the computer.

▪ Printers
▪ Keyboard
▪ Touchpad/mouse etc.

Software – these are programs(sets of instructions) that are used to run the computer.

• Word processer
• Spreadsheet(Excel)
• Database
• Presentation software etc.

Parts of hardware

✓ Hardware consist of three parts as follows:

1. Inputs Devices
2. Output Devices
3. Central Processing Unit(CPU)

Input Devices
➢ These are devices that are used to feed the computer with data for processing within. Examples
includes: Keyboard, Mouse/Touch pad, Scanners, Digital Camera etc.

Output Devices
➢ These are devices that are used to give out information(processed data) from the computer to
the user. Examples includes: Monitors, Plotters, speakers, etc.
➢ The output could take any the following forms.
• Soft copy - this is output that is shown on the screen
• Hardcopy – this is information printed on paper e.g from plotter, printer
• Machine readable – this is output that can only be read using the computer e.g
Information stored on disks.

Central Processing Unit

CPU , Motherboard, storage devices and other peripheral devices.
Peripheral Devices

✓ devices connected directly or indirectly to the motherboard

parts of the CPU

CPU is made of three parts, namely:

1. Arithmetic Logic Unit

2. Control Unit
3. Memory

Arithmetic Logic Unit – is used to perform mathematical functions as well as do comparisons between
units of data presented to it.

Control Unit – is to take data from an input device, to the processer/memory, then to an output device.

Memory – it store data before, during and after processing.

Classification of computers
1. Size and Memory
2. Purpose
3. Functionality
Advantages of laptops
✓ It is portable
✓ Ruggedness(Designed to withstand travelers)
✓ It displays active color screen
✓ It has power batteries serve as ups.
Disadvantages of laptops
✓ Less expansion options
✓ They are easily stolen
Classification according purpose
1. General Computers – this computer can do or handle a variety of tasks when loaded
with appropriate programs.
2. Special Computers – they are designed to serve a specific purpose or to accomplish one
particular task.
3. Dedicated computers – they can handle any task but it is a dedicated to one task
Classification according to Functionality
1. Digital Computers: they handle discreate data.
2. Analog Computers: deals with data that keeps on changing in time(continuous data).
3. Hybrid Computers: the computers can handle both Analog and digital data
Elements of a computer system
1. Input: Data or raw facts
2. Processing: act of transferring raw facts into meaningful output or information.
3. Output: Processed data or information.
4. Storage: store of information or data.
Control Unit:
Functions of the control unit are:

• Avails instructions in sequence

• Interprets instructions
• Initiates the appropriate actions thereby controlling all the processes
Development of computers
1.First Generation Computers (1940 1958)
Used thermionic valves or vacuum tubes
Advantages of First Generation computers
✓ Vacuum tubes technology made it possible with advent of electronic digital computers
✓ It was fastest calculating device that time.

Disadvantages of First Generation computers

✓ Too bulky
✓ Unreliable
✓ Had limited memory
✓ Consumed a lot of power
✓ Generated a lot of heat
Examples of First Generation computers (1958 - 1964)
➢ IBM 650
➢ UNIAC
2. Second Generation Computers (1958 - 1964)
- They used transistors

Advantages of Second Generation computers

✓ Smaller than first generation computers

✓ More reliable
✓ Generated less heat than the first generation
✓ Less phone to hardware failure

Disadvantages of Second Generation Computers

✓ it required air condition for cooling
✓ it required frequent maintenance
✓ it was very expensive

Examples of Second Generation Computers:

➢ IBM1401
➢ Honeywall200
➢ CDC1604 e.t.c

3.Third Generation Computers (1964 - 1970)

They used Integrated Circuit(IC)

Advantages of Third Generation computers

• they are smaller in size
• More reliable than the previous ones
• Less maintenance cost
• Less power consumption than the first and second generation.
• Emitted lesser heat than the previous ones

Disadvantages of Third Generation computers

• Costly
• Highly sophisticated for the manufacture of integrated circuit

Examples of Third Generation Computers:

• IBM360
• BurroughsB5600
4.Fourth Generation Computers(1970 -1989)

They are characterized by the use of Large scale Integrated Circuit(LSIC)

Advantages of Fourth Generation computer

✓ Smaller in size
✓ Portable
✓ Faster than previous generation computers
✓ Generated neglible heat
✓ More reliable than previous generation computers
✓ Less phone to hardware failure

Example: IBM3033, Buroughs67700 e.t.c

5. Fifth Generation Computers(From 1989)

- Expected to do parallel processing
- Based on logical inference operations
- Expected to make use of artificial intelligence

Features of a Computer

1. Automation – Computers work with minimum human intervention once supplied with data and
instructions.
2. Accuracy – computers are ever accurate but entirely depend on the data entered.
3. Speed – performs tasks in very short period.
4. Storage – computers can store large 1 volumes of data and information
5. Versatile – Ability of doing different tasks as per instructions
6. Diligence – work for a long period of time without getting bored.

Disadvantages of Computers
✓ Computers are very expensive
✓ Cuts down on employment opportunities
✓ They create eye problems
✓ Loss of information if not well managed
✓ Needs expertise which is expensive to hire and maintain
Areas Where Computers are used
1. Supermarkets: used to keep in stock control i.e keeps accounts of what is in the store, what has
been sold, what is out of stock e.t.c
2. Offices: first access and receiving information, automate faster message distribution and
document processing.
 3. Education: Computer Aided Learning(CAL) and Computer Aided Teaching(CAT)
4. Library services: Easy access and update of books and other library materials.
5. Communication: Sending and receiving emails, teleconferencing, telecommuting, facsimile and
E-calling.
6. Banks: special cash dispensing machines called Automated Teller machine (ATM for cash
withdrawal and deposition service). They provide better record keeping and document
processing.
7. Domestic and entertainment/Home: used at home for recreation purposes and keeping
budgets.
8. Hospitals: keeping patients records for easier access treatment and diagnosis. Computerized
diagnosis in laboratories.
9. Transport: Monitoring automobile traffic, aircraft navigation and making flight reservation.
10. Law enforcement: Biometric analysis – study of human biological characteristics to know
fingerprints, voice and facial features. Video cameras e.g in banks.
Development of strong military bases which have internal coordination by use of computer
radar.
Advantages of a computer
1. Stores large amount of information in a limited space.
2. Speed – performs tasks in the very short periods
3. Efficiency – creates an all round saving on space and time.
4. Secrecy – information is fairly protected if computer system is well managed.
5. Versality – can do the same thing over and over again without being worn out.
Disadvantages of a computer
1. Computers are very expensive
2. Cuts down employment opportunities
3. They create eye problem
4. Loss of information if not well managed
5. Needs expertise which is expensive to hire and maintain
Computer laboratory, safety precautions and practice
Considerations for a computer Laboratory
1. The number of computers to be installed
2. Size of the laboratory
3. The number of user that the laboratory can accommodate
4. Reliability of a source power
Safety precautions and practices
1. Behavior in Computer Laboratory
✓ Avoid smoking and exposing computer to dust. Smoke and dust damage computer
components.
✓ Avoid carrying food and beverages. May damage components and liquids may
cause rusting and electrical shocks.
✓ Avoid unnecessary movement because you may accidentally knock down
peripherals.
✓ Follow the correct procedure for storing and shutting down computers.
✓ Reporting accidents immediately.
✓ Ask for assistance
2. Ventilation: to avoid suffocation and overheating. This avoids damage of electronic
parts.
3. Lighting: to avoid eyestrains that leads to headaches, stress and fatigue. User may adjust
brightness of computer monitor. Also radiation filter screen may be fitted.
4. Protection against fire: use or fit gaseous fire extinguisher.
5. Dust and Dump control: Covering computers. Special Curtains reduce dust entry.
6. Regulate humidity to remain at an optimum of 50% by the use of humidifier and
dehumidifier.
7. Furniture: strong and wide enough to accommodate all peripheral devices .
✓ User seats must be comfortable and have straight back rest that allows someone to
sit upright to avoid muscle pains and aches
8. Burglar Proofing:
✓ Fit strong metallic grills and locks on doors and windows
✓ Don’t welcome strangers to computer room
 ✓ Install security alarms at strategic access points to alert security personnel incase of
break in.
9. Stable power supply: functions of Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS)
✓ Regulate high voltage
✓ Regulate low voltage
✓ Provide temporary power
✓ Notify when power goes off

KEYBOARD LAYOUT

1. Alphanumeric Keys
2. Function keys
3. Cursor Movement and Editing Keys
4. Special PC Operation Keys
5. Numeric Keypad

1. Alphanumeric Keys
Comprises of numbers and all alphabets, symbols like @, !, %, $,&,^,*,(,),?,>,< e.t.c. other keys
include Caps lock, Enter Key, Tab, Spacebar, Backspace.
a) Cap Lock: When on letters typed appear in uppercase and when of letters appear in
lowercase.
b) Enter keys: when pressed it forces the cursor to move to the beginning of the next line
c) Tab keys: Used to move the cursor at set intervals.
 d) Back space: Deletes characters to the left from the cursor position.

2. Function Keys
they are always located along the top of the keyboard. They are labelled F1, F2 to F12.
3. Cursor Movement and Editing Keys

Cursor Movement
a) Arrow Keys: Used to move the cursor up, down, left and Right.
b) Page up and Page down Keys: Moves the cursor one page up or down.
c) Home and End Keys: pressing Home key moves the cursor to the beginning of the
current line. End key moves the cursor to the end of the current line.

Editing Keys
a) Insert Key: It helps the user to insert or replace a character at the cursor position.
b) Delete(Del) key: this key Deletes character at the cursor position from left to right.

4. Special PC Operation Keys

They are rarely used singly but in combination with others keys to give special instructions to the
computer. They include SHIFT,CTRL, ALT, and ESC.

5. Numeric Keypad
Consist of a set of numbers 0 to 9 and the arithmetic Signs *,-,/ and are located on the right side
of the keyboard.

End of the Chapter One by Sir. Simon M. Kilonzo

Call: 0705255401/0703282761 or Email: simonmuasya80@gmail.com