COMPUTER SCIENCE.

What is a computer?
A computer is an electronic device that process or converts data into information.
A computer receives, stores, organizes and processes data into information.
A computer uses programs which are sets of instructions which a computer follows to perform
tasks

What is Computer Science?

Computer science is the study of computers and how computer technology can be used to solve
problems.

What is Data?
Data refers to raw facts such as numbers, symbols, images and letters that are not processed and
have no meaning to the user.
Data is plural while in singular it is datum.
Data is not meaningful to the user until it is processed.

What is information?
It refers to processed data that is meaningful to the user.
Information is meaningful to the user.

Identify the Functions of A computer

To receive input, inform of data.
To process data.
To give results as output (information)
To save or to store data or information.
To process numerical calculations and non-numerical calculations

Examples of computers.
 Notebook.
 Desktop.
 Laptop.
 Tablets.
 PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)
 Electronic calculators.
 ATM Machines.
 Smartphone.


characteristics of Computers.
 Speed-computers perform tasks faster compared to human beings.
 Accuracy-a computer performs tasks without any errors if the correct data is entered.
 Reliability-a computer is reliable as it gives consistent output results for similar tasks.
  Automation-a computer is an automatic machine. It starts a task from beginning to end
without requiring human assistance.
 Versatility –versatility is the capability of a computer to perform different tasks. A
computer can be applied in education, agriculture, military and medical fields.
 No logical decision-a computer cannot work on its own without being instructed by a
user hence it is not intelligent enough on its own.
 Diligence –a computer can perform millions of tasks without getting tired. It does not get
fatigue or loss concentration like human beings.
 Storage-computers have onboard storage facilities or memory for storing data and
information either temporarily or permanently which can be retrieved to be used later.

USES OF COMPUTERS.
 A computer is used to store, process and retrieve data.
 A computer can be used to perform calculations such as addition, division, multiplication and
subtraction.
 It can also be used to draw diagrams, listen to music, play games and search for information
from the internet.
 A person can use a computer to type documents and send electronic mails (e- mails.

THE COMPUTER PROCESSING CYCLE

Computer processing cycle means the process that take place in a computer from the time data is
entered into the computer through an input device to the time processed data(information) is
presented to the user through an output device. Stages of Computer Processing Cycle.
1. Input.
2. Processing.
3. Storage.
4. Output.
A computer receives data and instructions during the input stage through the input devices.
The instructions are applied to data during the processing stage. These instructions help in
performing operations on the data entered in the computer in order to produce information.
The information is saved in a computer during the storage stage. Storing is done to avoid re-
entering data and instructions or reprocessing information. The stored data is always available
for future use.
The computer presents information at the output stage through an output device.

Computer processing cycle.

Advantages of Computers in Data processing.
 Computer process data faster than human beings. Computers can carry out many tasks with
ease and they are faster than human beings.
 Computers increase productivity due to automation.
 Computers are more accurate than human beings. Information given by computers after
processing has no error because they work under instructions and are always accurate.
 Computers enable paperless working.
 Computers keep data and information secure. Computers provide security to data by
restricting unauthorized access to the data.
 Computers can store large amount of data than can be retrieved at any time. They have a very
big storage capacity and can store data and information for a very long time.
 Computer can do the same repeatedly tasks without getting tires or bored.
 Computer are able to perform different types of tasks at the same time
 A computer is reliable because it consistently does what it is supposed to do.

Disadvantages of computers in data processing.

 There are health issues such as eyestrain, back pain, repetitive strain injury (RSI) and wrist
pain due to prolonged use of computers.
 Pollution caused by electronic waste deposits in the environment. This electronic wastes
cause negative health effects on the people, plants and animals.
 Information and data stored in computers is at risk of theft and misuse. There can be loss of
information stored in the computer due to theft of computers or virus.
 People use the internet to perform online crimes and fraud.
 Online crimes such as cyber bullying as a result of sharing personal information, picture and
video using computers and other digital devices.
 Use of computer has caused people to lose jobs because computers process data within a
shorter time
 Computer lack intelligence. They cannot determine what is wrong or right. If given wrong
data, they give out wrong information
 People sometimes become too dependent on computers. This affects their creativity and
ability to do simple tasks

Application of Computers.
 Computers are used in businesses-to enable scanning of products and making payments
through mobile banking services, processing bills and keeping stock records.
 Computers are used in military-military uses drones to monitor the security of a country.
The drones are controlled by computers.
 Computers are used in education-to support teaching and learning through online classes
and research. They also help to prepare lesson plans and store learners’ records.
 Computers are used in banks- to carry out transactions like opening accounts, depositing and
withdrawing money, checking balances, exchanging foreign currency, money transfer and
applying loans.
 Computers are used in communication- they are used to send electronic mails (e- mails),
host video meetings, chat and make audio calls.
 Computer are used in law enforcement agencies of the government-to keep records. The
Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) keeps records of fingerprints taken from
different people.
 Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras are also installed to monitor security.
 People can access government services like filing returns, applying for birth certificates, land
title deeds and passports using computers.
 At home computers and smartphones are used to prepare budgets, shopping lists and keep
dates about family members birthdays.

Give various Application areas of computers

Education
 For online reading
 To maintain class notes and registers.
 For research and to do assignments

Business
 To make payments.
 To keep records.
 To order for goods.
 To sell goods and services online

Banking
 To facilitate online and internet banking.
 To operate ATM machines.
 For money transfer from one bank to another.
 To keep account and customer information.

Health care.
 To conduct research.
 To store patient data.
Manufacturing

 To model and design products for example airplane.

 To test functionality of machines that are manufactured.
 To automate processes in manufacturing companies.

Government.

 To offer government services online through platforms such as Nemis and

ecitizen.
 To store data and information

Communication

 To send and receive messages.

  For making video and voice calls.

Engineering design

 To design houses, roads and buildings.

EVOLUTION OF COMPUTERS.

The Evolution Stages of Computers.

The early computer devices in the evolution of computers are as follows:
 Abacus.
 Napier’s bones.
 Pascaline machine.
 Leibniz wheel.
 Jacquard Loom.
 Analytical engine.
 Differencial engine.
 Census machine.
 Mark 1

COMPUTER NAME TASK PERFORMED

1. ABACUS  It was a mechanical device in computer
evolution.
 It was used to count large numbers and perform
calculations involving addition, subtraction,
multiplication and division.
2. NAPIER BONES  It was a mechanical device.
 It was used for addition, multiplication, division
and subtraction.
3. PASCALINE MACHINE  It was a mechanical machine made up gears and
was faster than the abacus.
4. LEIBNIZ WHEEL  It was the first machine to perform automatic
multiplication and division.
 It was an advancement from Pascaline machine.

JACQUARD LOOM 
ANALYTICAL ENGINE  It was designed by Charles Babbage in 1837.
 It used punch cards to perform addition,
subtraction, multiplication and division.

DIFFERENCIAL ENGINE  It was designed by Charles Babbage in 1820.

 It was powered a steam powered calculator

that could only perform additions.
CENSUS MACHINE 

MARK 1  It was the first electromechanical machine.

 It was the largest electromechanical
computer and the first machine that could perform
tasks automatically.

Contemporary technology and sustained development of computers

Device Technology used

Decimal number system where each rod represents a column and each column
Abacus represents a place value Binary digit system used in computers today where a
value is either 0 or 1
Napier’s bones Used rods made of ivory, wood, metal or bones to work out multiplication problems
using position of a number on a rod
Pascaline or Used gears technology to feed data into the computer Had a display bar where the
pascal’s calculator user could see the number entered and the answer It had no storage
Jacquard loom Used punched cards technology to feed data into the computer Had no storage
Stepped used stepped drum gear which mechanized addition, subtraction, division and
reckoer multiplication employed the decimal number system
Used steam power Used a set of cogs levers and punched cards Had a storage for data
Difference engine Was designed to stamp its answer on set metal Used decimal number system where
each number from 0-9 was represented by position on toothed wheels
Analytical engine It had a processor called the mill and a store It could be given instructions to make the
work automatic using punched cards
Tabulating machine Used punched card technology Used electric current to count data on punched cards
ABC Used binary digits to represent data Performed calculations using electric current Had
storage for data Had processor
Mark 1 Used electric circuits Data was fed in using punched sheets or rolls

Digital devices Use the binary number system Have larger processors Have large storage Use
electrical components

GENERATIONS OF COMPUTERS.
Computer technology has been advancing in many ways since the invention of the
first electronic digital computer.
There are five generations of computers as follows:
1. 1ST generation 1940-1956
2. 2nd generation 1957-1963
3. 3rd generation 1964-1970
4. 4th generation 1971-1990
5. 5th generation 1991 – present and beyond

 First generation computers.

Characteristics of 1ST generation computers (1940 and 1956)
 They were developed between the year 1940 and 1956.
 They had vacuum tubes that consisted of bulbs and wires that carried data in form of
electronic signals.
 They were used to perform calculations.
 They were very large.
 They used a lot of electricity.
 They produced a lot of heat.
 They were expensive.
 They were very slow.
Examples of first generation computers are:
 Electronic discrete variable automatic computer (EDVAC).
 Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator.
 ENIA
 UNIVAC
 IBM 701
 1BM 750
 Second generation computers.

Characteristics of 2ND generation computers ()

 They were developed between the year 1957 and 1963.

 They used transistors instead of vacuum tubes.
  They were cheaper, faster than the first generation computers.
 They produced less heat.
 They were smaller in size and more reliable than the first generation
computers.

Examples of second generation computers include:

 Honeywell 200.
 Universal Automatic Computer (UNIVAC)
 1107.
 International Business Machines (IBM) 1401.
 IBM 1620
 IBM 7094

Third generation computers.

Characteristics of 3RD generation

computers

 They were developed from the year 1964 to 1970.

 They used integrated circuits that contained transistors.
 They were faster.
 They were cheaper and emitted less heat.
 They were smaller than the second generation computers.
 They consumed less electricity.
 They made fewer mistakes.
 They were more accurate.

Examples of third generation computers include:

 International Computers Limited (ICL) 2900 series.
 International Business Machines (IBM) 360.
 PDP
 IBM 370 series.

Fourth generation computers.

Characteristics of 4TH generation
computers
 They were developed from the year 1971 to 1990.
 They used Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits and Ultra Large
Scale Integrated (ULSI) circuits which were later replaced with very tiny
(micro) central processing units which was used to develop modern
computers.
 They were very smaller, portable and cheaper.
 They were very fast and more reliable.
 They were able to connect to the internet.
 Had very to large storage up to several hundred megabytes.
  Used a keyboard and a mouse to enter data.
 Used screens and printers to give information.
 They also used less electricity and emitted less heat.
 They were easier to use and maintain compared to third generation computers.

Examples of Fourth generation computers are:

 The Burroughs B7700.
 Honeywell DPS-88.
 IBM 4341.
 IBM 308 AND 4300 series.
 STAR 1000.
 CRAY.
 APPLE II.

 Fifth generation computers.

Characteristics of 5TH generation computers

 They are the present day or current computers that were developed from the
year 1991.
 They are the most advanced computers capable of mimicking human brains.
 They are cheaper and faster than other generations.
 They have very large storage capacity.
 They can perform one than one task at the same time.
 They are smaller and portable.
 They consume less electricity.
 They are easier to use.
Examples of fifth generation computers are:
 Notebooks.
 Smartwatches.
 Tablets.
 Smartphones.
 Desktops.
 Laptops.
Computer Computer technology used
generation
First generation Vacuum tubes These computers used
thousands of
electronic gadgets
called vacuum tubes
They were used for
storage, calculations
and control.

Second generation Transistor 2nd generation

computers used
smaller components
called transistors
They allowed the
use of words in
specifying
instructions

Third generation Integrated circuits The 3rd generation

used IC technology
which is a single
device containing
many transistors.
Four generation Very large scale integration During the 4th
generation LSI and
VLSI technology
was used to pack
thousands or
millions of
transistors on a
single device

Fifth generation Ultra large scale integration During the 4th

generation LSI and
VLSI technology
was used to pack
thousands or
millions of
transistors on a
single device

. CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS
Computers can be classified according to the following factors:
1. Physical size & processing power.
2. Purpose for which they are designed.
3. Functionality (Method/ mode of operation).

A. CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO PHYSICAL SIZE.

Computers can be classified into 5 main groups according to their size as:
 Supercomputers.
 Mainframe computers.
 Minicomputers.
 Microcomputers.
 Portable computers (Laptops, Notebooks & Palmtops).

Supercomputers.
Supercomputers are the fastest, largest, most expensive & also the most powerful computers
available.
They are very fast in processing. They can perform many complex calculations in a fraction
of a second.
Supercomputers are very large & heavy, and are usually kept under special environmental
conditions (i.e., in a special room).
They are operated by computer specialists. A Supercomputer can be operated by over 500
users at the same time.
Areas where supercomputers are used:
Supercomputers are mainly used for complex scientific applications that involve many
calculations & require a lot of computational power.
 Weather forecasting.
 Petroleum research.
 Defence and weapon analysis.
 Aerodynamic design and simulation.
Note. These tasks use large amounts of data, which need to be manipulated within a very
short time.

Mainframe computers.
Mainframes are less powerful & less expensive than supercomputers.
They are big in size but smaller compared to Supercomputers.
They can handle hundreds of users at the same time, e.g., they can be operated by 200 users
at a time.
Mainframe computers are general-purpose, and can handle all kinds of problems whether
scientific or commercial.
Areas where mainframe computers are used:

 In Banks & Hospitals for preparing bills, Payrolls, etc.

 In communication networks such as the Internet where they act as Servers.
 By Airline reservation systems where information of all the flights is stored.

Minicomputers.
A Minicomputer is physically smaller than a mainframe. However, it can support the same
peripheral devices supported by a mainframe.
A Minicomputer can support several users at a time, e.g., can be operated by 6 users at a
time.
Minicomputers are easier to manufacture & maintain compared to mainframes..
They handle small amounts of data, are less powerful, & have less memory than the
mainframes.
Minicomputers are slow compared to mainframe computers.

Areas where minicomputers are used:

Minicomputers are used mainly in:
 Scientific laboratories & research institutions.
 Engineering plants/factories to control of chemical or mechanical processes.
 Insurance companies & Banks for accounting purposes.
 Smaller organizations as Network Servers.
 Microcomputers.
Microcomputers are the PCs mostly found today in homes, schools & many small offices.
They are called Personal Computers (PCs) because they are designed to be used by one
person at a time.
The data processing in microcomputers is done by a Microprocessor (a single chip
containing the Arithmetic Logic unit & Control unit).
Microcomputers are smaller in size & also cheaper than minicomputers. Their design is
based on Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) that confines several physical components
into an IC.
They are less powerful than minicomputers & their internal memory is smaller than that of
minicomputers.
Areas where microcomputers are used:
Microcomputers are commonly used in:
 Training and learning institutions such as schools.
 Small business enterprises, and
 Communication centres as terminals.

An Embedded computer.
This is a computer that is within another device or system but is not accessed directly. E.g.,
there are embedded computers operating within Petrol pumps, Watches, Cameras & Video
recorders.

B. CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO PURPOSE.

Digital computers can be classified further according to the tasks they perform either as:
 General-purpose.
 Special purpose
 Dedicated computers.
General-purpose computers.
General-purpose computers are designed to perform a wide variety of tasks. They use
specifically written instructions (programs) to carry out the desired processing tasks.

Examples of general-purpose computers: Mainframes, Minicomputers, Microcomputers &

Laptops used in most offices & schools.

Special-purpose computer.
A special-purpose computer is designed to handle/accomplish a particular specific task only.
Such computers cannot perform any other task except the one they were meant to do.
Examples of special-purpose computers:
 Robots used in a manufacturing industry for production only.
 Calculators that carry out calculations only.
 Computers used in Digital watches.
 Computers used in Petrol pumps.

Dedicated computer.
 A Dedicated computer is a general-purpose computer that is committed to some processing
task; though capable of performing a variety of tasks in different application environments.
E.g., the computer can be dedicated to carrying out Word processing tasks only.

C. CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO FUNCTIONALITY.

Usually, there are two forms of data; Digital data, and Analogue data. Computers can be
classified according to the type of data they can process as either.
 Digital computers.
 Analogue computers, or
 Hybrid computers.
Digital computers.
This is the most commonly used type of computers.
A Digital computer is a computer that operates on discrete data only. Processes data and
instructions using binary codes (0s and 1s) at high speed .Therefore, any data to be manipulated
by a digital computer must first be converted to digital form.
Their output is usually in form of numbers, alphabets, & symbols.
Digital computers are usually general-purpose computers; hence, they are widely used in
different areas for data processing.
Most of the devices found at homes today are digital in nature.

Examples:
 A Television with a button which is pressed to increase or decrease the volume.
 Digital watches.
 Calculators.
 Microcomputers. They are said to be digital because they posses the ALU.

Analogue computers.
An Analogue computer is a computer that operates on continuous data.
They carry out their data processing by measuring the amount of change that occurs in
physical attributes/quantities, such as changes in electrical voltage, speed, currents, pressure,
length, temperature, humidity, etc.
An Analogue computer is usually a special-purpose device that is dedicated to a single task.
For example, they are used in specialized areas such as in:
- Scientific or engineering experiments,
- Military weapons,
- Controlling manufacturing processes like monitoring & regulating furnace temperatures
and pressures.
- Weather stations to record & process physical quantities, e.g., wind, cloud speed,
temperature, etc.
.

Examples of analogue devices:

 Thermometer.
It uses a volume of Mercury to show temperature. The Thermometer is calibrated to give
an exact temperature reading.
 Speedometer.
 In Speedometer, the rotation of the wheel is converted to a voltage, which causes a
pointer to rotate over a dial calibrated in Km/h or Miles/h.
 A Petrol pump measures the rate of flow of Gasoline (petrol) & converts the volume
delivered to 2 readings; one showing the volume & the other showing the cost.
 A Post-office scale converts the weight of a parcel delivered into a charge for posting.
 A Monitor with knobs that are rotated to increase brightness.
 A Television with knobs that are rotated to increase or decrease the volume.
 A Radio with a knob that slides in a slot to increase volume.

Hybrid computers.
Hybrid computers are designed to process both analogue & digital data. They combine
both the functional capabilities of the digital and analogue computers.
Hybrid computers are designed by interconnecting the elements of a digital computer &
analogue computer directly into one processor, using a suitable interfacing circuitry.
Hybrid computers are more expensive.
Example;

 Medical monitoring systems: Measure physical phenomena like heart rate (analog data)
and display it digitally.
 Advanced weather forecasting systems: Measure environmental data (e.g., wind speed)
and analyze it digitally for precise predictions.

Computer User Environment.

 Computer user environment is an area equipped with devices, facilities and

other components that provide suitable conditions for the use of computers.
 A computer user environment can also mean a specialized and secure room
that facilitates installation and usage of digital devices.
 Examples of computer user environment are cyber cafe and
computer laboratories.

Factors to consider when setting up A Computer user environment.

 Accessibility.
-Computer user environment should be set up in a place where the intended
user can easily reach.
 Good lighting.
-The room should be well it.
 Ventilation.
-The environment should be well ventilated, have free circulation of air and be
 free from heat, dust and moisture which can damage a computer
system.
 Power source.
-A computer user environment should have a reliable source of power
to prevent loss of data and damage of computers.
Space.
 -The floor space should allow free movement of people using the computer user
environment.
 Security.
-A computer user environment should be secure with strong doors and windows.
 It should also have system in place to prevent unauthorised access.
 Firefighting equipment.
-Should be available at all times in case of a fire.
 Proper cabling.
-Should be done from the power sources to the devices.
-The cable must be insulated and laid away from busy areas of the room to
prevent people from getting electrocuted or tripping.
 Proper furniture
-it should be used at workstations ensuring there is enough chairs for each
workstation and all tables have proper cable management to avoid cables
running across the room.

Appropriate Resources for setting up a computer user environment.

When setting up a computer user environment, you need the following:

1. Desks or tables and chairs.

2. Computer system.
3. Extension cards and electrical cables.
4. Good lighting.
5. Printers.
6. Scanner.
7. Projector.
8. Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS.)
9. Fire extinguisher.
10. Blower.

Safety precautions and practices in the computer user environment.

 Do not eat or drink in a computer user environment. Food particles clog
computer parts when they fall in while liquids may pour into electrical circuits
and cause short circuits.
 Do not touch naked wires.
 Only allow authorised people. Avoid welcoming strangers.
 Organise your desks before leaving.
 Enter and exit quietly from the computer user environment.
  Do not rush or push each other.
 Avoid carrying pointed objects near computers
 Remove shoes entry to minimise dust
 Always follow the proper procedure for starting and shutting down the
computer to avoid loss of data.
 Computers should be covered with dust covers when not in use.
 Place computers on strong, stable and spacious tables to avoid
accidentally knocking the computers components down.
 Install smock detectors and gaseous fire extinguishers that can be used in
case of fire in the computer user environment.
 Fit window curtains, air conditioning systems and dehumidifier to
control dust and dampness in the computer user environment.
 Practice regular cleaning of digital devices using a computer dust blower.
 Cables should be well laid out using floor cord covers (trunks) or cable
clips to prevent people from tripping over them.
Emerging trends in computer user environment

o Introduction of smartphones and small portable computers has made it

easier for people to access computer services.
o This means that the computer user environment is no longer confined
within walls. It goes where a person has access to a computing device
goes.
o Mobile phone companies have made connectivity easy by availing network
services to the people. This made it easy to access computer services
anywhere at any time.
o Current events and new technologies have enabled automation of processes,
scientific research, digital gaming and improvement in communication
through technological advancement. This has enabled wearable health
monitors, fleet management, industrial monitoring, smart homes security
systems, smart badges in organisations and asset tracking.
o Computer vision enables computers to get meaningful information from
digital images and videos and take actions or make recommendations
based on that information. For example, reading traffic signs in self-
driving cars.
o Digital health systems help in connecting health service providers to patients.
This is done by using smart or connected medical equipment that enable
continued distanced medical examinations. Patients do biometrics that have
enabled doctors to monitor the health status of their patients. Examples of
digital health platforms include M-tiba and Afya Moja.

Physical Parts of A computer.

The physical parts of a computer are the tangible parts of a computer.
These physical parts of a computer form the computer hardware.
The physical parts of a computer are; monitor, keyboard, mouse and the system unit.
They keyboard, mouse and monitor are attached to the system unit.
The devices attached to the system unit are known as peripheral devices. They are
attached to the system unit using interface cables that transmit data.
Some computer peripheral devices are connected to the system unit wirelessly.
A port is the part where peripheral devices are attached to the system unit.
Other devices that can be attached to the system unit are:
 Scanners.
 External speakers.
 Gamepads
 Flash disks
 Printers.
 Headsets.
 Web cameras

Part of computer Function of the part

Monitor Used to displaying information for example pictures and text
Keyboard Used for typing and giving instructions to the computer
System unit. Contains the devices of a computer that Process data and gives
information such as CPU
Mouse. Is used for selecting items and giving instructions to the computer
by clicking
Speaker and Are used for listening to music and audio files
headphones
Printer for printing hard compies
Flash disks Is used for storing and transferring information
Scanner Is used to take images of paper documents and displaying them on
a computer
Cables Are used to connect different parts of a computer
Computer parts and their functions

Reusing and Recycling Physical parts of A computer.

How to minimise wastage in computer usage
 We can reuse or recycle the physical parts of a computer. For example
1. If a device is in good working condition but longer in use it can be sold
for some money to someone who will reuse it.
 2. Such devices can also be donated to people who need them
3. A computer monitor can also be used as a television screen with little modification
4. We can transform a system unit to a lockable cabinet by removing
the inside components and installing a lock.
5. Physical parts of a computer can be used to make art for example the
keys of the keyboard
6. The physical parts of a computer can be sent to the manufacturer or
sent to a recycling centre where they are taken apart, their
components sorted and recycled.
7. Parts that can no longer be used can be disposed off in electronic waste
(e-waste) drop off points.
8. Plastic parts can be recycled to make plastic utensils and other plastic products.

Interacting with physical parts of a computer

Hands-on skills concepts
 There are certain computer skills a computer user should know.
 These computer skills involve:
a.) Starting a computer.
b.) Shutting down a computer.
c.) Using a computer to perform tasks such as typing and drawing.

 Starting a computer
 Switch on the power source.
 Press the power button of the monitor then press the power button of the system
unit to start your computer.
 Wait for the computer to finish the booting process.
 Click on your user account.
 Type your username, enter your password and press enter to sign in to the
computer.

 Shutting down a computer

 Close all the programs that may still be running on the computer.
 Click on the start button and select the power button.
 Click the power button. A window showing power option will appear.
 Click shut down for the computer to undergo the shutdown process.
 Switch of the monitor button.
 Switch off the UPS button (if any)
 Switch of the main power supply button on the wall socket.

Explain the meaning of the following in computer.

a.) Booting-booting is the process of starting a computer as initiated via
hardware such as a button or by a software command.
 b.) Cold booting-The technique of restarting a system from a power-
off state and returning it to normal function.

c.)Warm Booting-Reloading the operating system by performing a Restart

operation from the computer's main menu while it is still turned on.

d.) Shutting down-the act of stopping the operation or activities of the

computer by physically switching it off or using the command.

The Computer Keyboard

 A computer keyboard is an input device used to enter data into a computer.
 It contains keys such as backspace, shift, enter, tab, spacebar, control,
alphabet, numeric, insert and arrow keys.

Categories of a computer Keyboard Keys

 Function keys are special keys on a computer keyboard marked f1-f12.
 Alphanumeric keys are also called typing keys. They include the number keys
(0-9) and the alphabetic keys(A-Z).
 Navigation keys are used to move the cursor around the screen. They
include Arrow keys, Home key, End key, Page up and Page down
keys.
 Special purpose keys enable specific tasks to be performed when pressed in
combination with other keys. They include Control (Ctrl), Shift, Escape
(Esc), and Altmode (Alt) key.
 Toggle keys are keys used to switch between two functions or turn a
function on or off. Toggle keys include Caps lock, Num lock, Insert and
Scroll lock keys.
 Editing keys enable a user to make change to the typed text. These keys
 include Delete, Backspace and Insert Key.

Pointing Devices.
 A pointing device is used to control the movement of a cursor on the
computer screen. Most computers use a mouse as the pointing device.
 Examples of computer pointing devices include
 A mouse.
 Joystick.
 Stylus.
 Trackball.

The computer mouse

  A mouse is a handheld device that allows computer user to point, move,
open and click on objects displayed on the screen.
 A standard mouse has the left button, right button and a scrolling wheel.
 The left button is used to click, select and drag or to highlight a word or
object on the screen.
 The right button is used to provide additional information or
properties of a selected item.
 The scrolling wheel helps in to moving up and down the screen.
 Clicking is the pressing and releasing the left mouse button once with the
index finger.
 Double clicking is quickly pressing and releasing the left mouse button twice.
 Drag and drop is used when moving icons, folders and files on the
desktop. It helps in placing files in a folder or deleting them.
Right clicking is pressing and releasing the right mouse button once with the middle finger

COMPUTER SYSTEM.
A system is a group of things, objects or people that collectively work together to achieve a
common goal
 A computer system is mainly made up of the hardware, software and
liveware. These components work together to accept data, process it and
store the information in order to give the desired output.
 Computer hardware are the physical parts of a computer system that a
computer needs in order to function. They include: the monitor, keyboard,
scanner, system unit, mouse, speaker, printer, web-camera, hard disk and
central processing unit. (CPU)
 The computer software is a set of instructions or programs that tells the
computer what to do. Examples of computer softwares are the Operating
systems and computer applications like web browser, Microsoft office
components such as Ms word, Ms excel among others.
 The computer liveware is also known as the computer user. Computer
 liveware operates a computer using the hardware and software components
installed in the computer. Liveware are the users who command or direct
computers to perform a given task. The computer liveware operates a
computer using the hardware and software components. Computer liveware
include programmers and system analysts.
Functions of the Computer System components.
a.) Computer hardware.
 To accept data and instructions.
 To process data.
 To store data.
 To produce information.
 Communicates with
devices and users.
b.)Computer software.
 Manages computer resources/
 Provides computer interface.
 Stores and retrieves data and instructions.
 Does mathematical calculations.
c.) Computer liveware.
 To design and develop software and hardware.
 Operates the computer system.
 Enters data and instructions into the computer.
 Controls the computer environment.
Linkage among Computer system components.
 The various applications in the computer are the softwares.
 The user of the computer is the liveware and the computer itself is the hardware.
 The liveware uses hardware components to input data and give instructions to
the software.
 The software then processes the data and executes the instructions then gives
the information through hardware.
 The information is then used by the liveware for decision making or it is fed
back into the computer as data.
What is the Importance of Computer System?
 Computer system enable fast and efficient process through automation such
as in record keeping, bookings, transactions and payments take shorter time
since the processes have been automated.
 Communication has been enhanced in the society through computer system
such as social media, emailing, voice and video calls which allow faster and
cheaper communications.
 Research has improved through the use of computers system as
knowledge is acquired easily.
 Computer system enables storing and retrieving of data for better
access and reference.
 Computer system performs calculations faster and accurately as
compared to human beings.
  Shopping-computer has helped people to shop online goods and services and
pay for them using online channels.
 Employment-computer system has provided employment opportunities
such as software development and design.
 Entertainment-people can access music, films and computer games
in their computers.
 Education- the internet holds large amount of information that is easily
accessible compared to textbooks. Learners can learn online without the
need to attend classes physically.
Computer Hardware Concepts
 The physical parts of the computer make up the computer hardware.
 Computer hardware is made up the following categories of:
🢖 Central processing unit.
🢖 Input devices (keyboard, mouse, camera,
microphone, scanner)
🢖 Output devices (monitor, speaker, projector, printer)
🢖 Storage devices (hard disks, flash disk, CD)
Functions of Computer hardware
 Input devices are used to enter data and instructions into the computer.
They include; mouse, keyboard, touchpad, joystick, scanner, camera,
microphone and stylus.

 CPU-it processes the data entered into the computer according to the
instruction given by the computer user. It is the brain of the computer and it is
also called the processor. It is made up of Arithmetic Logic Unit. (ALU),
Control Unit and the registers.
 It retrieves and executes instructions by coordinating and processing
all the functions of a computer.

 Output device-they are used to give out information from the

computer. Examples of output devices include monitor, speakers,
plotter, headphones, projectors and printer.
 Storage devices-they are used to store information. They save data,
information, computer softwares and running operations. Examples of
storage devices include hard disk, memory card, flash disk and external
hard disks.
Selecting Appropriate Hardware for different situations.
 Different computer hardware components are used in different
situations depending on the tasks to be performed.
 Examples.
 For a taxi driver to communicate with his client he as to use a phone.
 To accurately capture item prices in a super market a scanner is used.
 During presentations a speaker and projector are required
alongside a computer.
Input devices
 A computer works faster after receiving data.
 The data is entered in the computer system using input devices.
 Therefore, the work of input devices is to enable a computer user to enter
data that needs to be processed and the instructions on how to process it.
The categories are as follow:
 Pointing devices- they control a pointer or cursor on the screen. They
include mouse, touchpads, joystick, light pen, mice and trackballs.

 Keying devices- they help in entering data by pressing the keys on them.
They include keyboard, keypads, touch screen keypads and television
remotes.

 Scanning device- they capture data directly from the source and convert it
into a form a computer can understand. They include barcode readers,
optical character readers, optical mask readers, magnetic stripe reader and
magnetic ink character readers.
 Voice input devices-they enter data and instructions into a computer in
form of speech. The microphone is an example of a voice input device.
Others
 Gaming controller-they are used when playing computer games. Example
includes joystick and steering wheel.

 Visual and imaging devices-They include digital camera, image scanner and
video recorders.
 Resistive touch screen-allow both fingers and non-fingers input. They are
used in feature phones, global positioning system (GPS), some printers and
digital cameras. They support single-finger touch and basic gestures.

 Infrared touch screen-devices emit infrared light which is picked up by

various sensors located on the edges or corners. Infrared rays are invisible.
Plants control systems, interactive whiteboards, ATM machines and ticketing
machines have infrared touch screens. Infrared touch screens can be operated
with dirty gloves or wet fingers.

 Capacitive touch screen -uses the conductive touch of human finger for
input. They work by sensing the electrical properties of the human body.
The phone touch screen and smartwatch’s touch screen are examples of
capacitive screens.

 Scanning is capturing data in its original format and converting it into

digital format.
 There are two dimensional (2D) and three dimensional (3D) scanners.
 2D scanners are used to read two dimensional barcodes.
 Barcodes are machine-readable data in form of numbers and a pattern of
parallel lines with varying widths printed on a product in order to identify it.
 Three dimensional scanners analyse a real-world object or environment to
collect data on its shape and possible its appearance.

Appropriate input devices for different situations. Factors to consider when

selecting input devices.
  User needs-the device should meet the need of the user.
 Type of data to be input.
 Available space for the input devices.
 Volume of the data to be input.
 Accuracy of the input devices.
 Cost of the input devices-the device shot be affordable.
 Compatibility-it is the ability of the input devices to work with the
existing computer hardware. The device should be able to work
together with other available devices in the computer.

Reusing Input devices to minimize wastage.

 Input devices that are in good condition can be reused to minimize waste.
 Computers keyboards can be used to make: book covers, pencil
holders, key holders, rings and fridge notes.
 A computer mouse can be used to make toys, soap dishes, toothbrush holders
and Christmas tree decorations.
 Obsolete and dysfunctional input devices can be sent to recycling facility
where they will be recycled to make new products.

THE CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT.

 The computer operations are performed through execution of instructions
in a computer by the Central Processing Unit.
 The CPU is the part of the computer that process data and instructions
from the user.
 It is also called the processor.
 It is regarded as the brain of a computer.

Locating the CPU in a computer.

 It is located inside the system unit.
 The CPU is mounted onto the motherboard.
 The functional elements of the CPU are: Arithmetic logic unit (ALU),
control unit and the registers.
 The motherboard is a circuit board which holds computer components and
allows communication between them.
 It also provides connectors for peripheral devices.
Functional elements of the CPU.
a.) Arithmetic Logic Unit.
 It carries out all the logical and arithmetic operations.
 The logical operations carried out include comparison of values using
equal to (=), less than (<) and greater than (>).
The arithmetic operations carryout include addition, subtraction, division and multiplication
a.) Control Unit.
 It coordinates all the processing activities of the CPU.
 Controls movement of data and information between the
processor and memory.

b.) Registers
 They are found in the processor.
 They are a type of computer memory that quickly accept, store and
transfer data and instructions that are being used immediately by the
CPU.
 They enhance the performance of the CPU.

Central Processing
Unit

Control Unit

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

Registers
 Types of Processors
To find the type of processor in a computer, follow the following
steps as outlined in the table below.
 Click start.
 Click settings.
 Click system.
 Click about.
You can also use the following procedure.

 Click control panel.

 Click system and security.
Click system to open.

 NOTE:
 You can also press the Windows Key + Pause break button on your
keyboard to instantly open the Settings window.

 There are 6 types of CPU.

 The CPU are classified according to the number of the cores they have.
 The core of a CPU receives instructions and performs calculations or
operations to satisfy the received instructions.

Type of core Number of Examples

Cores
Single core 1 Intel 4004
Dual core 2 Intel core duo, AMD X2
Quad core 4 ATHLON II X4, INTEL CORE I3-10100
Hexa core 6 INTEL CORE I5-11400, INTEL CORE I5-11600K
Octa core 8 INTEL CORE I7-11700K, INTEL CORE I7-11700
Deca core 10 XEON SILVER 4114T

OUTPUT DEVICES.
 Processed data can be given out in form of audio, text, pictures,
graphics or videos.
 Output devices are used to give out information from the computer.

Output devices of a computer.

 Output devices are peripheral devices that give out information from a
computer to the user.
 Examples of output devices are: monitors, printers, actuators, plotters,
speakers, earphones and projectors.

Functions of Output devices.

 Monitor
 - It displays data in text and graphics.
 Speakers.
- Gives information in form of sound or audio.
 Headphones/earphones.
- Produce audio information.
 Printers.
- Produce text or picture on paper.
 Projectors.
- Gives visual information by projecting it on a flat smooth like
wall or a white board.
 Plotters.
- Produces digital created graphics and drawings. A plotter uses
a pen to draw lines on paper.
 Actuators.
- A part of a device or machine that helps to create physical
movement using signals from a computer.
 Braille embrosser.
- A device that presses dots onto paper for people with visual
impairment to read using their fingers.

Categories of Computer Output devices

 They give intangible output in form of text, audios and videos.
 These devices include; monitors, speakers and projectors.

Hardcopy output devices.

 They give tangible output that is in form of printed text or graphics.
 Examples of hardcopy output devices are printers and plotters.
 Advantages and disadvantages of Softcopy and Hardcopy output.

Advantages of hardcopy Disadvantages of hardcopy

It is considered permanent data as editing It is expensive to produce as it requires paper, ink

and changing is not easy. and printer.

It does not need electricity, special devices or It is not easy to move from one place to another.
software to display/show

When properly stored it is not easily lost It requires a lot of physical storage space.
It is not subjected to data stealing and cyber attacks It can be stolen or destroyed through wear and tear
or be subjected to factors such as fire and water.

Advantages of softcopy Disadvantages of softcopy

It is easy to move from one place to another. It is vulnerable to cyber and data stealing.

It is cheap to produce as it does not require paper It requires electricity, a device and software to be
or ink. displayed or shown.

Large amount of data and information can be It is considered temporary data which can be altered or
stored without the need for a lot of physical manipulated.
space.

It is beneficial to the environment as it reduces

the number of trees cut to make paper.

Appropriate Output devices for different situations.

Factors to consider when selecting output devices.
 Number of people receiving the output i.e. large audience will need projector
for display and speakers for audio.
 Portability-determines the type of output device used.
 Environment in which the output device will operate.
 Nature of expected output/ Output quality.
 User friendliness.
 User needs.
 Suitability to the function it is intended to carry out.
 Compatibility with the available devices.
 The cost of purchasing and maintaining the output devices.

We care and use output devices by:

 Keeping the devices away from water and dust.
 Avoiding exposure to foods and fluids.
 Always powering off the devices after use.
 Connecting only with compatible devices.
 Cleaning and servicing the devices regularly.
 Ensuring secure connection of the devices before use.

Technological trends in development of output devices.

 Output devices have constantly been replaced with new and better devices
due to improved technology from innovators.
 Technology trends enable fast evolution of output devices which suits users’
needs better, are cost effective, friendly to the environment, secure and able
to multitask.
- Computer displays which are able to create clear, high
quality, digital displays.
- Wireless speakers and headphones which are more portable,
have noise reduction capability and produce better sound
quality.
- Better braille embrosser that give better quality braille while
producing very little noise. They also recognize speech and
give speech feedback,
making them user friendly.
- Printers which produce better quality hardcopies, can be
secured using passwords, are compact, cost effective and easy
to use.

Ports and Cables.

 The peripheral devices of a computer are connected to the computer
system using cables and ports.
 There are different types of
cables and ports.
A port
 it is a physical slot of a computer through which peripheral devices are
 connected.
 All input and output devices of a computer are connected on the
ports.
Cables.
 It is also called a cord, plug or connector.
 It is used to transmit power or data between devices.
 The cable that creates communication between devices is known as Data cable.
 The power cable provides power to the computer and its components.
Types of Cables found on the Computer.
 A computer system has HDMI cable, VGA cable, DVI cable,
Ethernet cable, PS/2 cable, audio cable, USB cable and computer
power cord cable.
1. High Definition Media Interface (HDMI).
HDMI cable is used to
transmit
signals.
It is used to connect
televisions, and other

1. Video Graphic Array (VGA)

 It is used to send video signals.
 It is used to link the monitor, TV’s or projectors to the computer.
 The VGA cable can also be used in High
Definition (HD) televisions.
 It has a total of 15 pins in the plugin cable which have three
rows containing 5 pins each.
1. Digital Visual Interface (DVI)
 DVI cable is used to connect the monitor and the video card.
It transmits

2. The Ethernet cable.

 The Ethernet cable is a computer network cable which is
used for a wired network.
 It is used to connect switches and Personal computers
(PCs) to the network.
3. The Personal System/2 (PS/2)
 The Personal System/2 (PS/2) cable is a standard
cable used to connect the mouse and keyboard to the
computer system,
  It has 6 pins and a round connector. This cable is now
replaced with the USB cable as it is a universal cable and
can be easily plugged int any system.

4. Audio cables.
 `They are used in a computer audio application.
 They can be used for connecting mini-stereo
audio devices, earphones and headphones to the

system.
5. The Universal Serial Bus (USB)
 It is a standard cable used to connect universal devices or
personal computers.
 Currently, the USB cable is used to charge devices like
smartphones and Bluetooth speakers.
 ```
 The Mouse and keyboard are also connected to a USB port
as they have USB cables.

Relating and connecting cables to their corresponding ports.

Connecting cables to computers.
 When connecting cables do not force the cable connector into a port
during connection because you will end up bending the pins.
 
Bending, folding or continuously stepping on cables may cause the wires
inside the cables to break or pull out. Instead, lay the cables neatly in trunks to
secure them.
Reusing and Recycling Cables.
 Old cables can be reused to make ornaments, decorations and Do It
Yourself (DIY) items.
 Cable wires can be removed from their sheath and sold.
 If the cables cannot be reused, they are recycled at electronics recycling (e-
cycling) centres.
 Old cables that are still in good working conditions can be donated to other users.
COMPUTER SETUP
 For the computer to be fully functional and start working, all the physical
parts required must be correctly connected and the softwares well
installed.
 Therefore, setting up a computer is connecting all the hardware and
preparing software programs for the computer to function properly.

Problems experienced when setting up computer.

Computer user may experience challenges when setting up computers. These challenges include
the following
 Unstable power supply that leads to power surge
which might destroy the computer.
 Inadequate knowledge and skills on setting up or fixing
hardware and software related problems leading to poor
computer setup and eventually failure to start up.
 Difficulty in matching cables to their respective ports.
 Inability to identify and correct failed connections.
 Lack of skills in installing operating systems.
 Damaged or broken cable pins due to improper fixing
e.g. forcing a cable to a wrong port.
 Damaged hardware devices that do not work.
 Computer and monitor not turning on due to faulty
power cables or improper fixing of cables to the power
Ways of setting
supply.up a
computer.
Setting up computers.
The following are tools and equipment used in setting up computer

 System unit.
 Monitor.
 Screw driver.
  Speakers.
 Cables.
 Keyboard.
 UPS.
 Power tester.
 Surge protector.
 Mouse.
 Power extension cables.
Applying appropriate Instructions to set up computers.
Some ways of ensuring safety when setting up computers include the following:
 Before installing any devices, always read through the user manual that
comes with the device.
 Remember to follow all the instructions of setting up a computer and exercise
caution as you set up computer.
 Ensure there is a stable power supply that can power a computer before the
connection.
 Use a UPS or surge protector for power connection to the CPU and monitor.
 Make sure your hands are completely dry to avoid electric shock and
damaging any computer parts with moisture.
 Handle all the parts of a computer with care. Place each component on a hard-flat
surface. Be careful not to drop any parts.
 Ensure your computer has enough room to allow proper ventilation. If there is
no free flow of air the computer can be damaged or cause fire.
 Be sure to connect all cables to the appropriate ports.
 If a cable does not connect easily to a port, do not forcefully push it in to
avoid damaging it. Check that you are connecting it to the right port and
that the pins and holes align.
 Manage cables properly when setting up a computer by ensuring nothing is
pressing on them and that they are not located in a place where they can be
stepped on or tripped over.
 Do not spill foods or liquids on the computer.
 Always switch on the monito before the CPU to display any errors or
messages while booting.

Ways of overcoming challenges experienced when setting up a computer.

 Make sure there is stable and reliable power supply or have a power
backup to minimise interruptions.
 Gently and carefully connect cables of each device to the correct ports to
avoid damaging cables or bending the port pins.
 Make use of user manuals to avoid erroneous connections when setting
up a computer.
 Observe boot up information on the screen to see whether power on-self
test (POST) displays any error message.
 Replace and repair damaged parts.
 Research and learn how to set up a computer properly.
 Practising Booting Computers.
To know if a computer is well setup, we must switch it on first and check it
all the components are working well. This process is called Booting up a
computer.
 The steps of booting a computer are as follows:
 Switch on the main power supply on the socket.
 If the computer is connected to the UPS, switch its power button on.
 Switch on the monitor by pressing the power button.
 Switch on the system unit by pressing the power button.
 Upon switching the system unit on, the computer performs a power on
self-test where the computer checks that all components are connected and
are functioning well.
The computer then displays the name of the Operating system followed by a display
of icons on the computer monitor
COMPUTER & SOCIETY.
2.1 Physical safety of computers.
 Physical safety of computers means the protection of computers from theft.
 It also involves understanding how to work safely with computers
and in environments with digital equipment.
 Physical threats to computers.
 Physical threats to a computer include:
🢖 Fluids such as water, milk and juice that can damage computer
keyboards, motherboards and CPUs.
🢖 Theft.
🢖 Damage caused by natural disasters, fire and impact of falls.
🢖 Corrosion caused by excessive humidity and dampness.
🢖 Exposed cables in the computer room.

 Ways of mitigating/reducing physical threats to computers.

 To prevent physical threats, the following should be done.
 Do not carry water into the computer room or near the computer.
 Do not use old and loose power extension cables in a computer room.
They produce sparks that can cause fire in the computer room.
 Replace loose power extension cables because they may lead to unstable
power supply.
 Use voltage controllers to curb unstable power supply in the computer room.
 Equip computer rooms with fire extinguishers that do not use water, the
computer room can be fit with automatic fire detectors that will detect fire or
smoke and alert the personnel in charge for quick action.
 Tuck computer cables in trunks or carefully lay them down under the
desks in order to prevent falls in the computer room.
 Place computers on strong furniture to prevent them from falling.
 Restrict access to computer rooms.
 Secure the computer room with strong windows and doors to control theft
 of computers. To increase the security level, you can install CCTV cameras
and also employ security personnel.
 Use computer cable locks to control theft in the computer room.
 Cover computers with dust covers when they are not in use.
Natural Disasters that cause physical threats to computers. Some of the natural
disasters that cause physical threats to computers include:

 Lightning.
 Floods.
 Earthquakes.
 Extreme sunshine.
Ways of mitigating/reducing physical threats caused by natural disasters
to computers.
To protect computers from lightning attacks, use lightning arresters.
Putting up computer rooms on raised grounds helps to avoid effects of flooding.
Fitting computer rooms with curtains will help to reduce direct sunlight on computers
Health and Safety.
 Prolonged and inappropriate use of computers can lead to health complications.
 Health complications associated with the use of Computers and the
prevention. Some of the health issues associated with use of computers
include:
🢖 Back & neck pains.
🢖 Obesity.
🢖 Arm pains.
🢖 Fatigue.
🢖 Eyestrain.
🢖 Itchy eyes

Complication Safety measures.

1 Poor sitting posture while using a Ensure that you sit in an upright posture and on a
computer may cause upper comfortable and adjustable chair to avoid
and lower back pain. back pain. Use adjustable chair.
2 Brighter or dim screen brightness causing Adjust the screen brightness and text font size when using
eye stains. computers to avoid eyestrains.
To decrease screen glare. Use antiglare screens, tilt your
computer screen appropriately and maintain a proper vision
distance.
Reflected glare from sun rays and brightly painted walls can
be prevented by fitting the
computer room with curtains or blinds that users can adjust.
 Prolonged time in using Taking short breaks from computers after
Computers working for some time helps to stretch muscles and rest the
eyes.
Reduce time spent on computers.

 Safe use and best practices when using computers.

🢖 Always ensure that your workstation has a comfortable chair with a backrest.
🢖 Sit with your back straight, feet at an angle of 900 and resting flat on the floor.
🢖 Have the correct height of desk and chair then place your computer screen
at an eye-level to avoid straining your neck while working on the computer.
🢖 Remember to keep a proper vision distance and always blink when working
on a computer.
2.2 Repetitive Strain Injury. (RSI)
 Repetitive Strain Injury involves gradual (slow) damages on muscles and
nerves due to repetitive movements when using computers.
 RSI affects the following parts of the body:
 The neck.
 Back.
 Wrists and hands.
 Forearms.
 Elbows.
 Shoulders.
Common Signs of Repetitive Strain Injury.
⭢ Mild to severe pain on the affected areas.
⭢ Tenderness.
⭢ Swelling.
⭢ Stiffness.
⭢ Numbness.
⭢ Weakness.
⭢ Sensitivity to cold or heat.
⭢ Sensitive and itchy eyes.
 Causes of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)
 Working for too long without breaks. It causes pain on the neck,
arms and shoulder cramps and cold hands.
 Sitting for too long in the wrong posture. It causes back and neck pains.
 Using a computer mouse, typing, playing computer games and watching
movies for too long. Causes swelling and pain on the wrists, shoulders,
arms and eyestrain.
 Preventing Repetitive Strain Injury when using a computer.
 Always take short breaks from the computer to stretch your muscles and rest
 your eyes.
 Place computer monito about arm length away from you in order to
maintain a safe distance from the eyes and reduce straining your eyes.
 Align your elbow to the keyboard as you type to a void straining.
 Remember to exercise and relax your muscles and seek medical advice
incase the symptoms persists.
 Readjust your chair and desk to help you sit in an upright posture. Ensure
your chair has a backrest and your feet rest flat on the floor or have a foot
rest. This minimise muscle strain and stress. This type of workstation are
called ergonomic workstations.
How to rearrange a workstation before using a computer.
 Using a wrist rest to elevate and cushion the wrist when typing.
 Adjusting the screen light on the monitor.
 Adjusting font size of the text.
 Readjusting the chair and desk to help in sitting in an upright
posture. Causes of wrist in.
⭢ Typing for too long.
⭢ Straining the hands during typing.
How to prevent wrist pain.
⭢ Using wrist rests to elevate and cushion the wrists when typing.
⭢ Using a mouse and aligning the elbow to the keyboard during typing to avoid
straining.
Ways of reducing eyestrain
⭢ Taking short breaks from the computer in order to rest the eyes.
⭢ Reducing the screen light to a level that is comfortable to the eyes.
⭢ Placing the computer monitor at about an arm’s length away in order to
maintain a safe distance from the eyes.

Using Computers safely to minimise RSI.

The safe measures that help prevent RSI are as follows.

 Presence of comfortable adjustable chair with a straight backrest.
 Hands are resting on the armchair.
 There is a footrest and feet resting on it.
  The distance of the screen is at an arm’s length to reduce eyestrain.
 Sitting is in upright posture to avoid back pain.
 Placing hands on the keyboard when typing.
 Taking breaks from the computer to reduce eyestrain.
 Reducing the screen brightness.
2.3 Data Safety in Computers.
🢝 Computers users should prioritise protecting data against loss.
🢝 Several control measures of securing data can be used.
🢝 Specific measures are designed to deal with specific data threats.

 Data threats in a computer.

i. Data safety-it is protecting digital data from lose through safe storage and
backing up.
ii. Data privacy-is protecting personal information from unauthorised access.
It is also the ability to determine of people to determine who can access their
personal data.
iii. Data threats- are any potential dangers to information stored in a computer
system. They include actions that may be internal or external and that may
cause stealing, destruction, denying access to or loss of data.
Data threats are commonly caused by:
 Hackers.
 Malware or virus attacks.
 Fraudsters.
 Thieves.
 Human errors.
 Unauthorised access to files.
 Malicious access to system functions by unauthorised persons.

 Control measures for securing data in a computer.

🢖 Installation of antivirus software.
🢖 Backing up data.
🢖 Use of strong passwords.
🢖 Regularly changing passwords.
Control measure What the measure protects the data against
Backing up data Protects data from loss.
Installing antivirus Protects the data from corruption and loss.
software
Using strong passwords Protects data from unauthorised access.
🢝
🢝 This interconnection of computers and other devices forms a computer network.
 Computer Network Concepts.

Computers and other devices can be interconnected to exchange data and share
resources.
Examples of networks in today’s world.
 Railway.
 Power lines.
 Telephone lines.
 Internet networks.
A network is an interconnection between two or more devices
 A computer network-is a connection of two or more computers linked
together using a transmission media for the purpose of communication and
sharing resources.
 A computer network can also be defined as an interconnection of two or
more computers through a medium.
 A sender-is the computing device from which data is sent to other devices
in the network.
 A receiver-is a device that accepts the transmitted data or information.
 Message -is data or information being transmitted from the sender to the
receiver through a transmission media.
 Protocol -refers to rules and regulations governing how devices communicate
in a network.

Importance (advantages) of Computer Networks.

 They enable effective and efficient sharing of information and resources.
 They enable fast communication.
 Computer networks increase productivity.
 They minimise or reduce the cost of buying stand-alone resources.

 Modelling a computer network.

 In a computer network, devices usually communicate by conveying signals
from one end to another by use of a channel or medium.

Below is an example of a computer network

In Computer Networks,
🢖 Transmission media may be physical or non-physical.
🢖 Physical transmission media uses cables for transmission.
🢖 Non-physical transmission media are wireless.
🢖 A medium is a physical path between the sender and receiver.
🢖 A cable is a network hardware used to connect one network device to
other network devices.
🢖 A modem is a hardware component that allows a computer or another
device such as a router or switch to connect to the internet.
 Benefits of computer networks.
 Computer networks enable:
 Sharing of devices like printers, servers, modems and routers in order to
reduce costs.
 Enables sharing of data or information that is stored in a central server by
many users.
 Enables sharing of applications and programs across a network.
 It enables convenient working away from the office by linking offices
remotely (telecommunication).
 Communication between users through emails, voice and video conferencing.
 Computer networks enable the business sector to increase efficiency,
promote online buying and selling of products and services and reach a
wider customer base.
 Computer networks enable people to access entertainment services,
conduct research and communicate easily and efficiently with other.

 Challenges of computer networks in the society.

🠾 High cost of hardware, software and connectivity to the networks.
🠾 System failures or disruptions leading to stalling(stopping) of work due to
relying too much on the network.
🠾 Poor internet connectivity.
🠾 Security threats such as computer viruses.
🠾 Violation of personal security and privacy because of multiple users.
🠾 Insufficient data bundles.
🠾 Computer viruses.
🠾 Hardware failures or Device malfunction.
🠾 Illiteracy among computer users.
🠾 Inadequate and unstable power supply.
🠾 Technological challenges.
🠾 Loss of data.
Slow connectivity.
🠾 Setup conflicts.
🠾 Insecurity.
🠾 Interferences from the environment for wireless network.

🢝 A computer virus is a malicious program that logs into user’s computer

without user’s knowledge and performs malicious actions such as corrupting
the system or destroying data and information.

Ways of solving challenges of computer networks.

 Use of antivirus programs.
 Topping up accounts in order to purchase services.
 Regular maintenance.
 User training.
 Employing qualified network personnel.
  Regular hardware services.
 Installing genuine softwares.

 Positive effects of Computer networks on learners in schools.

🢖 Convenient resource sharing.
🢖 Fast sharing of information.
🢖 Flexibility.
🢖 Ease of accessibility of resources.
🢖 Enables fast communication among others.

 Negative effects of Computer networks on learners in schools.

 Health complications that arise from too much use of computer networks.
 Overdependence on computer networks.
 Virus attacks leading to loss of communication.
 Insecurity that leads to theft of computers in a computer network.
 Sharing of malicious information among students.

Connecting to Computer Networks.

 Connection is required for any resource or data sharing to take
place in a computer network.
 The type of connection depends on the type of digital devices in a
particular set up.
Types of computer networks.
1. Cabled networks.
They enable data signals flow
through cables. Cables used
include;
🠾 Twisted pair cables.
🠾 Coaxial cables.
🠾 Fiber optic cables.

2. Wireless networks.
They deliver data and information in form of airwaves rather than through
physical cables.
Wireless connectivity may be achieved through satellites, radio waves, Wireless
 Fidelity (Wi-Fi), infrared and Bluetooth.

Advantages of wireless networks.

 They are more stable.
 They have fast transmission speeds and high connectivity.
 They have better security as they face less traffic interruptions.
 Some have the ability to connect to systems across long distances.

Connecting to computer networks.

🢝 Items and devices used in connecting the computers to a network include;
 Laptops.
 PCs.
 Cables.
 Switch and hub among others.

🢝 The network connectivity icon will appear at the bottom-right

corner of a computer status bar as a computer monitor with a network
cable indicating a successful cabled network connection.

Making a wireless network connection using smartphones.

🢝 You need at least two smartphones.
🢝 Tap the Bluetooth icon in your smartphones to turn Bluetooth on.
🢝 Pair the two smartphones. A Bluetooth pairing code will appear on both phones.
🢝 Select ‘PAIR’ to complete the connection
NB-Bluetooth connection range is approximately 10 metres.
Barriers such as walls and distance may affect Bluetooth connectivity.
 THE INTERNET

The Internet is a vast network that connects computers all over the world. Through the Internet, people
can share information and communicate from anywhere .
The word internet is derived from International network.
No one owns the internet but the users operate by following a set of guided rules and
regulations.
Uses of the Internet
1. Send and receive Emails.
2. Finding information.
3. Making online Payments.
4. Communicating with others.
5. Online shopping.
6. Entertainment.
7. Playing games

 Benefits/Adva of the Internet.

🠾 Internet enables communication worldwide through emails, chat
services and video calls.
🠾 Electronic learning through video teachings and research has enabled learners
and researchers to get information.
🠾 The internet is a source of entertainment. People listen to music, watch
videos, sports and even play online games through the internet.
🠾 Business flourish by using internet for online shopping.
🠾 Uploading, downloading and sharing data has been made easier with the internet.
🠾 The banking sector has embraced online banking. Sending and receiving
money is now faster and more convenient because of the internet.
🠾 Some job seekers use the internet to find and apply for jobs online.

 Challenges of the internet.

🠾 Causes antisocial behaviour due to too much use or addiction.
🠾 Causes laziness.
🠾 Hacking and computer viruses are online threats associated with the internet.
🠾 Some internet activities such as online gambling and posting of illicit
photos and videos are indicators of moral decay.
🠾 Personal data can be compromised through the internet and used to
commit crimes such as fraud and cyber bullying.
🠾 Sometimes the internet contains misleading and false information.

 Ways of overcoming Internet challenges.

 Using updated software and antivirus programs to prevent data attacks by viruses.
 Having strong and different passwords that cannot be cracked also protect
data from being compromised.
 Practising self-control through limiting the time spent on the internet and
shutting down devices to avoid internet distractions.
 Always watching out for scam messages and emails in order to prevent
online fraud.
  Parents, teachers and guardians monitoring all online activities done
by their children and advising them on how to use the internet wisely.
 Not sharing personal information.

Basic requirements for Internet connectivity.

🢝 An internet Service Provider (ISP)-is a company that provides internet

services to people or to organisations at a fee. An ISP may also provide
software packages such as browsers.
Most phone communication companies provide internet services. Examples are
Safaricom, Airtel, Zuku and Telkom.

🢝 The internet software-enables a user to access the internet.

Browsers like Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and Internet Explorer are
examples of internet softwares.

🢝 A hardware device capable of transmitting digital signal is a

communication device, modems and routers are examples of
communication devices.

🢝 Communication media-they are paths used to transfer data. They can be

cabled or wireless.
Cabled media includes the twisted pair, coaxial and fiber optic
cables. Wireless media include Blue tooth, Satellite and WI-FI.

THE WORLD WIDE WEB (WWW)

Introduction.
The World Wide Web (WWW), often called the Web OR W3, is
a system of interconnected webpages and information that
you can access using the Internet. It was created to help
people share and find information easily, using links that
connect different pages together. Documents can be connected
to other documents in the internet. This enables users to search for
information by moving from one document to another.

Importance of World Wide Web. (WWW)

• It is an information system where documents and other web resources are found.
• WWW enables internet users to get and share information. It enables the
spread of information over the internet in an easy and flexible way.
• Communication through conference calls is made possible by the WWW.
• It also enables people to get news, undertake research and transact business.
• WWW is a source of entertainment through watching videos, sports and
listening to music.

Common computer web browsers include;

 Microsoft edge.
 Internet explorer.
 Opera.
 Mozilla Firefox.
 Google Chrome.
 Safari.
features of a browser

 Navigation bar-contains the forward and back buttons that enable the
user to load previous and next pages during browsing.
 Refresh button-is used to reload a web page.
 The address bar-is used to enter website addresses.
 The bookmark button- redirects the user to a list of chosen websites from the
sites that are often visited.
 The home button-loads the home page of a browser
• Browsers have features that allow a user to open multiple web pages or
tabs at the same time, refresh and stop web pages during loading, move to the home
page, block and prevent unwanted windows that may interfere with browsing.

Website
A website is a collection of many web pages containing information about
individuals or organisations
web pages are digital files that are written using HTML(HyperText Markup
Language). To make your website available to every person in the world, it must be
stored or hosted on a computer connected to the Internet round a clock. Such
computers are known as a Web Server.
Types of Website:

Static Website
Dynamic Website
Homepage : It is the first webpage that appears when a visitor visits the website.
Hyperlink
In a website, a hyperlink (or link) is an item like a word or button that points to another
location. When you click on a link, the link will take you to the target of the link, which may be a
webpage, document or other online content.

Cookies
are files set on the user’s device while the user is browsing a website and are stored for a range
of purposes such as uniquely identifying users, managing their browsing sessions, facilitating
personalized user experiences, ad targeting, and much more.
Uniform Resource Locator (URL)
• Each web has a unique address known as Uniform Resource Locator (URL).
• Most URLs contain the protocol needed to access a resource, a prefix of
www, domain name, domain type, region, path to reach the file and the file name. for
example;
• Therefore, the components of a URL are:
• Protocol.
• Sub domain.
• Domain name.
• Domain type.
• Region.

• The protocol-it is used to access a resource on the internet.

• The hostname-is a unique reference that prevents a web page. It is also called
the domain.
• A path-is a file or location on the web server.
Step by step working of web browsers.
• A URL is entered in the web browser.
• The browser finds the IP address for the domain.
• The browser initiates a connection with the server.
• It sends an HTTP request to the web server.
• The server handles the request then sends out a HTTP response in form
of the searched information.

COMPUTER PROGRAMMING.
 4.1 Computer Programming Concepts.

 Introduction.
 There are a set of step by step instructions that directs a computer on
how to perform tasks and produce results.
 These instructions are developed by programmers and installed in computers.

 Meaning of Program and computer programming.

🢝 A program is a set of special step by step instructions that tell the computer
what to do. The instructions are normally logical, mathematical and sequential
functions grouped together to perform a task. A program is also known as an
application or simply an app.

🢝 A programmer is a computer specialist whose main work is to write

computer instructions using a programming language.

🢝 Computer programming is writing step by step instructions that a

computer should follow to perform a particular task. The instructions
are written in a language that a computer can understand.

 Importance of Programming.
🢝 Computer programming reduces errors during processes because it
produces accurate results. It enables an efficient and accurate flow of
processes.
🢝 Many job opportunities have been created through programming. Computer
programmers, computer system analysis and web developers are career
people in programming.
🢝 Computer programming fastens processes through automation. Automation
saves time, reduces costs and increases productivity through software robots
that
emulate human actions interacting with digital systems and software.
🢝 Computer programming enhances critical thinking and problem solving
hence making it easy to solve problems.
🢝 Programming stimulates creativity.
🢝 Programming improves functioning of devices.
🢝Programming enhances business activities

 Application areas of Computer programs.

🢖 Computer programs are used in education sector to undertake academic
research and also store academic records of learners. In Kenya, the National
Education Management Information System (NEMIS) is an example of
a program that manages data in education institutions.
🢖 Computer programs are used in health sector for medical diagnosis,
prescription and treatment. Medical records are also stored in computer
programs.
🢖 The banking system has embraced the use of computer programs to keep
information on customer accounts, perform electronic transactions
 through the Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT), process customer loans and
use of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) for withdrawal.
🢖 In the entertainment industry, computer programs are used to simulate games,
edit movies, play music, create animations and watch videos.
🢖 Bookings, reservations, checking in and out of guests, creating bills and
invoices in hotels are other uses of computer programs in the hospitality
industry.
🢖 Sending and receiving emails, Short Message Service (SMS), voice and
video calls have been enabled by computer programs in the communication
sector.
🢖 Computer programs such as maps help in finding locations while
calculators help in performing calculations faster.

 Launching and interacting with computer programs.

Launching a computer programs.
To launch a program on your computer, you typically click on its icon, which might be on the
desktop, in the start menu, or on the taskbar. Alternatively, you can use keyboard shortcuts or
type the program's name into the search bar and press enter.
 Introduction.
🢝 Visual programming is developing applications using graphical
components and figures.
🢝 These graphical components and figures mostly include images and video clips.

 Types of visual programming applications.

🢝 Visual programming is also called block-based programming.
🢝 It is a way of creating applications using graphical components and figures.
This is mostly done through the use of code blocks and drag-and drop
processes.
🢝 The most common visual programming applications are:
 Microsoft MakeCode.
 Scratch.
 Code.org.
 Sprite box.
 Microsoft Visual Studio.
 Roblox.
 Minecraft.
🢝 Visual programming applications are used because they are easy and
interesting to use. They also help in creating stories, animations and videos
that entertain users.

 Launching a visual programming application.

⭢ Type the word Scratch in the search box. The Scratch application will appear.
⭢ Click on the Scratch application to launch it.
⭢ Alternatively, click Start.
⭢ Scroll down to category S then click on Scratch App. The application will launch.
4.2 Visual Programming Features.
 Features of Scratch.

⭢ Scratch is a visual programming language that can be used to create interactive

stories, games and animations.
Features of scratch include:
 The menu bar-it contains the fie menu used to save and load projects
and the view menu which displays rulers, grid lines, status, zoom in and
out options.
 The black palette-it contains a coloured set of code blocks that are
used to program and give instructions to the sprite.
 The stage-it is the main working area where the sprite moves and
performs according to the given code of instruction.
 Backdrops pane-it is the part used to add a back ground to the project.
 Functions of the features of Scratch.

Feature Function
Sprite It is also called the coding area. it is where codes (scripts) area created
for a sprite to do a specific action.
Sprite area Are blocks shaped differently and are used to create codes in Scratch.
Code blocks A small graphic character that performs actions such as moving around
the stage.
Sprite pane Shows information about the size of each sprite.
Sprite info Displays all the sprites in a project
 A sprite is a small graphic character that performs actions such as moving
 around the stage.
 The script area is also called the coding area; it is where codes (scripts) are
created for a sprite to do a specific action. Codes are dragged and dropped
here then snapped together to create a program.
 Code blocks are blocks shaped differently and are used to create codes in
Scratch. The codes connect to each other vertically like a jigsaw.
 The sprite info shows information about the size of each sprite.
 The sprite pane displays all the sprites in a project. A selected sprite has a
blue border around it.

Activity
Launch the scratch application in your computer and practice
using it as in the text book page 170.

NB
🢖 To move the sprite, add a move block from the motion category.
🢖 To add sound, click on sound category and choose a sound block.
🢖 To move the sprite back, use a negative value on the move back block. The
block can be repeatedly severally to generate the desired animation.

 Terminologies used in visual programming applications.

 The start option commands the sprite to perform moves, it is represented
by a green flag . When you click stop the sprite ends its moves.
 Reserved words are also known as key words. These are words with a
special meaning to the programming application. In scratch they are
words that we cannot edit on the blocks. They include when, by and
change.
 The rules that should be followed when writing a program using an
application are called syntax.
 Input statement are blocks that are used to create animations.
 Output statements are outcomes of the processed instructions that are
programmed using clocks. These are the actions viewed on the stage
when the blocks are executing.
 Control structures are the blocks that allow selecting or repeating
execution of certain blocks or instructions.

 A backdrop is the background for the stage. Backdrops can be changed

from the gallery or photo in the computer.

 The sensing category helps one to enable input from the mouse, keyboard
and other input devices. ’IF’ is used to choose between two output. For
example, it can be used to perform mathematical calculations and state
whether the answer given is correct or not
Activity
Text book page 176
Using Scratch to create a sequence of instructions.