Computer and its Components

A computer is an electronic device that consists of both hardware

components and software applications that are used for storing
and processing data according to instructions given by a user.
It is used to perform many functions such as send email, type a
document, play games or browse on the Internet.

5/10/17 Introduction to IT | 1
Computer and its Components

The instructions or input given to a computer is in data form.

These are raw facts that are entered by a user e.g. audio, text or
numerical
The computer processes these raw facts in a term called
information processing
The result is information, which is an organized version of raw
facts.

5/10/17 Introduction to IT | 2
Class Discussions

Why do we need Computers?

Are they so much important in our lives?

Support your answer with detailed examples.

5/10/17 Introduction to IT | 3
Why Computer?

Everything we doour work, our play, the way we communicate and carry
on commerce, and our relationshipshas been affected by computers.
Becoming computer literatebeing familiar enough with computers that you
understand their capabilities and limitations and know how to use themhas
become a necessity for success.
Now that the personal computer is such a large part of our lives, knowing
how to analyze, choose, purchase, and maintain your own computer
system is a required skill for success in the academic and business worlds.

5/10/17 Introduction to IT | 4
Why Computer?

Being a savvy user will:

Save you money;

Make you more productive;

Help you protect your identity;

Ensure that you have a working system when you need it.

As technology evolves, you will also be able to keep up and adapt.

Help you to avoid hackers and viruses

Protect your privacy

5/10/17 Introduction to IT | 5
Why Computer?

Being a savvy user will:

Help you understand the real privacy and security risks

Use the Internet wisely

Help you avoid online annoyances

Help you to maintain your computer

Help you make good purchase decisions

Help you to integrate the latest technology

5/10/17 Introduction to IT | 6
Computers in your Career

Information technology (IT) involves:

Information handling
Information retrieval
Computers
Telecommunications
Software deployment
The seven fastest-growing occupations are computer related.

5/10/17 Introduction to IT | 7
Computers in your Career

Regardless of which profession you pursue, if computers are not

already in use in that setting, they most likely will be soon.
Becoming truly computer literateunderstanding the capabilities
and limitations of computers and what you can do with themwill
undoubtedly help you perform your job more effectively.

5/10/17 Introduction to IT | 8
Computer Hardware

Computer hardware consists of the physical parts of a computer

Its tangible, meaning you can see and physically touch them
They are categorized into 4 parts:
Main computer components (CPU, RAM, motherboard, fans)

Input devices (mouse, keyboard, scanners)

Output devices(monitor, speakers, printers)

Storage devices (hard disks, flash disks, memory cards, CDs, DVDs,
BluRay Disks)

5/10/17 Introduction to IT | 9
Computer Hardware

Class Discussions

Why do we need computer hardware?

Between hardware, and software, who is the bully, support your

answers with justifiable evidences.

5/10/17 Introduction to IT | 10
Computer Software

This is the term used to refer to the set of data and instructions in
a computer.
Its categorized into two:
System software - used to control, integrate and manage hardware
components
Application software accomplish a specific task and consists of a
single or more programs e.g. an image viewer

5/10/17 Introduction to IT | 11
System Software

This is the software that interact with hardware components of a

computer
It hides low level functions of a computer such as starting a
computer, transferring data to a hard disk or transforming images
to display
The user therefore sees the computer as one functional unit
It consists of fundamental utilities such as disk formatting, user
management and log in, networking and device control software

5/10/17 Introduction to IT | 12
Application Software

Application software is used to perform a specific task directly for a user or

for another program
The application uses the operating system and other supporting software
The formal requests and means of communicating with the other programs
that the application software will use is called application program interface
(API)
Examples include:
Web browsers

Word processors

Database programs

Development tools

5/10/17 Introduction to IT | 13
Starting a Computer

|
Basic Input/output System (BIOS)

This is a preinstalled program used when starting a computer

It contains generic code that is used to control and check the

monitor, disk drives and input devices such as keyboard
Its purpose it to set up hardware then load and start the operating
system. Other functions include:
Setting the computer system clock

Enabling and disabling certain system components e.g. networking

Selecting boot drives

BIOS is stored in the nonvolatile ROM chip in a computer to ensure

its available at all times

5/10/17 Introduction to IT | 15
Basic Input/output System (BIOS)

BIOS Chip example

BIOS during start up

5/10/17 Introduction to IT | 16
Operating Systems

An operating system is a collection of software that manages hardware resources

and provides common services to computer programs
It acts as an intermediary between the users and the computer hardware

This creates an environment in which the user can execute programs efficiently and
effectively through either a command line interface (CLI) or a graphical user
interface (GUI)
Its key functions include:
Memory Management

Processor management

Device management

File management

Security

5/10/17 Introduction to IT | 17
Operating Systems

5/10/17 Introduction to IT | 18
Examples of Operating Systems

Operating systems evolve with time through constant updates and

development
Currently the following are the most common OS being used:
Windows and is different versions

Discuss them. {Class Discussions}

Linux and it variants

Mac OS

UNIX

5/10/17 Introduction to IT | 19
Windows Operating System

This is the most commonly used operating system that runs on

personal computers
It is developed by Microsoft Corporation with its first version
released in 1985.
Subsequent updates and releases provided for greater
functionality and a more dynamic interface
The current version, Windows 10, was released in 2015.

5/10/17 Introduction to IT | 20
Windows Operating System

5/10/17 Introduction to IT | 21
Starting a Computer

The first step in using a computer is switching it on!

1. Press on the power button to switch on a computer

2. The BIOS will be the first part of the software to run

3. The BIOs will then initialize the Operating System to start. If two
or more are installed, choose the preferred OS

4. Once the OS has started, the user is prompted to enter the

password. Depending on the user level, can be the administrator
or guest

5. On successful log in the desktop is displayed

5/10/17 Introduction to IT | 22
 Windows Desktop
The Desktop is the default page that is viewed after logging in.
It has navigation and task bars that can be used to start different
programs installed
It can also contain documents saved

Files and Program Shortcuts

Navigation Bar
rt Button

5/10/17 Introduction to IT | 23
Common Uses of a Computer
Window Explorer - This is where files are stored and can be
retrieved for viewing.
Click on the start button
Select My Computer

5/10/17 Introduction to IT | 24
Common Uses of a Computer
Internet Browsers this is used to surf in the internet
There are several browsers available with similar functionalities
and navigation tools
Internet Explorer this is the default Internet browser in the Windows
OS
Firefox
Google Chrome
Safari this is the default internet browser in the Mac OS
Opera

Discuss types of Internet Browsers, Search

Engines and their properties. (Class Discussion)

5/10/17 Introduction to IT | 25
 Internet Browser Example - Firefox

Click to add
arch Bar/
new Tab
L bar
Tab

Search Bar

5/10/17 Introduction to IT | 26
Factors to Consider in a Good
Computer

|
Characteristics of a Good Computer

When purchasing a computer, several factors are considered to

meet the requirements of the end user
Factors to consider include:
Users needs
Processor speed The
RAM faster/larger,
Storage capacity the better
Graphics card
Portability netbooks, laptop or desktop
Cost everything ties down to the price of the computer

5/10/17 Introduction to IT | 28
 Characteristics of a Good Computer

Processor the CPU can have one or more processors. The higher
the number of processors, the faster the clock speed hence a large
amount of data can be analyzed
Current personal computers have up to 4.7Ghz clock speed, and
more than 8 cores, hence making the processor faster
Depending on the applications being run, the capacity of the
different components should be similar.
E.g. a gaming laptop has a higher CPU and more RAM than a
netbook.
However powerful computers require more power and fans to run
the applications as compared to one that runs fewer application.
Netbooks have a longer lasting battery life as compare to laptops

5/10/17 Introduction to IT | 29
Class Discussions

Discuss the Different cores of computers

How many processors do they have, speed?
Advantages, Disadvantages, clock speeds?
Meaning of CPU boost.

Core 2 duo
Core 2 Quad
Corei3
Corei5
Corei7

Look at other examples as well.

5/10/17 Introduction to IT | 30
Generations of Computers

|
Generations of Computers

Computers and technology is a fast and rapidly update industry with

constant updates
There is need for faster memory and larger storage capacity while factoring
in design and size of devices
The difference between the first and current computers is really huge
The generations are as follows:
First Generation (1946-59)

Second Generation(1957-64)

Third Generation(1965-70)

Fourth Generation(1970-90)

Fifth Generation(1990 till date)

5/10/17 Introduction to IT | 32
Generation 0

These were mostly mechanical calculators used for fast data

calculations as compared to the manual process
This existed from 1600 1940
Examples include :
Pascaline by Blaise Pascal for basic additions
Leibniz wheel by Gottfried Wilhem von Leibniz for addition
subtraction, division and multiplication
Punch cards marketed by IBM

5/10/17 Introduction to IT | 33
Generation 1

Machines were big in size and could occupy a whole room

Vacuum tubes were used which was 1000 faster than the first
generation
They existed between 1946-1959
The ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) is an
example released as a general purpose computer

5/10/17 Introduction to IT | 34
Examples of Vacuum Tubes

5/10/17 Introduction to IT | 35
Generation 2

Transistors were used in place of vacuum tubes.

Second generation computers were smaller in comparison with the

first generation computers.
They were faster in comparison with the first generation computers.

They generated less heat and were less prone to failure.

They took comparatively less computational time. Assembly language

was used for programming.
Second generation computers has faster input/output devices.

5/10/17 Introduction to IT | 36
Examples of Transistors

5/10/17 Introduction to IT | 37
Generation 3

Integrated Circuits were used in place of transistors.

Semiconductor memory was used instead of magnetic core
memory.
Mini computers were introduced during this time.
Operating speed is high (e.g. nano seconds).
High level languages were used widely
They were smaller in size and better in performance and
reliability.

5/10/17 Introduction to IT | 38
Examples of Integrated Circuits

5/10/17 Introduction to IT | 39
Generation 4 Computers

Microprocessors were introduced in the 4 th generation by Intel

The microprocessor has the functions of a computers CPU on a single

integrated circuits or several IC
It is a multipurpose programmable device that accepts digital data as
input, processes it in instructions and gives the results as the output
The storage capacity was much increased and very user-friendly.

Input-Output devices were versatile.

Processing speed was 1 billion instruction per second.

Comparatively smaller in size and greater reliability.

5/10/17 Introduction to IT | 40
Generation 5 Computers

It is based on artificial intelligence which is the ability of the

machine to perform tasks thought to require human intelligence.
It can understand natural human language.
It can see, hear and react to other stimuli.
Based on technologies such as :
Online social networks
Artificial intelligence
Learning
Natural language processing
Expert systems
These are the computers introduced as from 1990 to date

5/10/17 Introduction to IT | 41
Ole Sangale Road, Madaraka Estate. PO Box 59857-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: (+254) (0)703 034000/200/300 Fax : +254 (0)20 607498
Email: [email protected] Website: www.strathmore.edu
|