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Ms Word Data - 2025

The document outlines Learning Outcome 2, which focuses on understanding the components and functions of a computer system. It describes the four main functions of a computer: input, process, output, and storage, emphasizing the distinction between data and information. The document illustrates how computers process data to produce meaningful information, using the example of creating an ID card.

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11 views1 page

Ms Word Data - 2025

The document outlines Learning Outcome 2, which focuses on understanding the components and functions of a computer system. It describes the four main functions of a computer: input, process, output, and storage, emphasizing the distinction between data and information. The document illustrates how computers process data to produce meaningful information, using the example of creating an ID card.

Uploaded by

mthokozisiandile09
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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In completion of Learning Outcome 2, You will be able to describe the devices that make up a

computer system. After reading Learning Outcome 2, you can see why becoming computer literate is
importaant. But where do you start? You’ve no doubt gleaned some knowledge about computers
just from attending First Year and Foundation Unit orientations. However, even if you’ve used a
computer before, do you really understand how it works, what all its parts are, and what those parts
do?

Understanding Your Computer?

For Learningg Outcome 2, let’s start our look at computers by discussing what a computer does and
how its functions make it such a useful machine.

Computers Are Data Processing Devices

Objective 2.1 Describe the four main functions of a computer system and how they interact with
data and informacion.

What exactly does a computer do? Strictly defined, a computar is a data processing device that
performs four major functions: Input: It gathers data or allows users to enter data. Process: It
manipulates, calculates, or organizes that data into information. Output: It displays data and
information in a form suitable for the user. Storage: It saves data and information for later use.
What’s the diference between data and information? In casual conversations, people often use the
terms data and information interchangeably. However, for computers, the distinction between data
and information is an important one. In computer terms, data is a representation of a fact, a figure,
or an idea. Data can be a number, a word, a picture, or even a recording of sound. For example, the
number 7135553297 and the names Zoe and Richardson are pieces of data. Alone, these pieces of
data probably mean little to you. Information is data that has been organized or presented in a
meaningful fashion. When your computer provides you with a contact listing that indicates that Zoe
Richardson can be reached at (713) 555-3297, the data becomes useful—that is, it becomes
information. How do computers interact with data and information? Computers are excellent at
processing (manipulating, calculating, or organizing) data into information. When you first arrived on
campus, you probably were directed to a place where you could get an ID card. You most likely
provided a clerk with personal data that was entered into a computer. The clerk then took your
picture with a digital camera (collecting more data). All the data was then processed so that it could
be printed on your ID card (see Figure 2.1). This organized output of data on your ID card is useful
information. Input data Processing data into information.

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