CHAPTER 1:

Introducing Computer Systems

1 Introduction to Computers
Preview and Objectives
Identify the various parts of a computer system and what each does.
Identify various Operating Systems.
Identify major software applications packages and what they do.
Know how to use common features of windows and the desktop.
Know how to organize files and folders using Windows Explorer.
Be familiar with features common to Windows software.
Have a working knowledge of Microsoft Office software.
Use computers in the business workplace and other fields.
Explain why Information Systems are so important today and how they are
transforming organizations and management
Identify appropriate goals and objectives for organizations.
Use various positioning frameworks to analyze an organization’s dependence on
Information systems.
Produce /devise an Information Systems plan/strategy for an organization.
2 Introduction to Computers
 Definition of a computer
By definition, a computer is an electronic device that inputs
data, processes data(converting it into information that is
useful to people) outputs and stores information.
Computers are controlled by programmed instructions that
transform the data into meaningful information.
Generally a Computer is a device that accepts input,
processes it, stores data, and produces output.

3 Introduction to Computers
Information Processing Cycle
Steps followed to process data
Input
Processing
Output
Storage

4 Introduction to Computers
 Input
Input: Information provided to the computer by a person,
the environment, or another computer.
Examples of Input
words and symbols
numbers
pictures
audio signals from a microphone
signals from another computer
temperature, speed, pressures, etc. from sensors

5 Introduction to Computers
Processing
Processing - manipulation of data.
 Data are symbols that represent raw facts, objects, and ideas
about people, places, events, and things that are of importance
in an organization.
 A computer program or software is a series of instructions
that tell a computer how to carry out a processing task.
Examples of Processing
 Arithmetic calculations
 Sorting a list
 Modifying pictures
 Drawing graphs

6 Introduction to Computers
 Output
Output - the result produced by a computer after processing
the data.
Output device –displays, prints, or transmits the results after
processing.
Examples of Output
images on a monitor
printed documents
sounds
signals to device controllers

7 Introduction to Computers
Memory and Storage
Memory - the area of a computer that temporarily holds
data that is being processed or waiting to be processed,
stored, or output.
Storage - The area where data can be left on a permanent
basis while it is not needed for processing.
Examples of Storage
magnetic disks
CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read-Only Memory)
magnetic tapes
Flash disk
Memory card
Floppy disk

8 Introduction to Computers
Personal and Home Uses of Computers
 Computers allow people with
disabilities to do normal
activities.
 Shopping online
 Playing games with other people
 Work from home
 Entertainment such as listening
to music, watching videos etc.
 Enable communication through
the use of (electronic mails) e-
mails , chats etc.

Introduction to Computers 9
Business Uses of Computers
 Computers allow companies to
keep large amounts of
information at hand.
 Databases
 Makes ordering and tracking
resources quicker and easier.
 Allows people to have
meetings from different
locations.
 Helps in information
management which eases the
process of decision making .
 Computers allow people across
the world to communicate
easily. Introduction to Computers 10
Educational Uses of Computers
The Internet allows access to
hundreds of online research
materials.
Allows colleagues to
correspond quickly about
ongoing research.
Eases the process of analysing
research data.

Introduction to Computers 11
Parts of a Computer System
Computer systems have four parts
Hardware
Software
Data
User (people)

12 Introduction to Computers
 Parts of a Computer System
Computer hardware:
A computer's hardware consists of electronic devices; the
parts you can see and touch.
Inotherwords these are tangible parts of a computer.
The term "device" refers to any piece of hardware used by
the computer, such as a keyboard, monitor, modem, mouse,
etc.
These are mechanical devices that make up the computer.

13 Introduction to Computers
Computer Hardware Components

 Display Device (Monitor

15 Introduction to Computers
Peripherals
A peripheral(ADD-ON) device designates equipment that
might be added to a computer system to enhance its
functionality.
Examples:
Printer
Digital camera
Scanner
Joystick

16 Introduction to Computers
 Parts of a Computer System
Computer Software
Is the set of instructions that makes the computer perform tasks.
The software is a part of the computer you cannot touch but is
very important. 
 The software is all the programming that makes the computer
run; controlling everything that the computer does.
For any computer to function, it needs to have software
installed on it.

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 Parts of a Computer System
Data:
Data consists of raw facts, which the computer can manipulate
and process into information that is useful to people.
Computerized data is digital, meaning that it has been reduced
to digits, or numbers. The computer stores and reads all data as
numbers.
Users:
People operating the computer.
Tell the computer what to do.

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 Essential Computer Hardware
A computer’s hardware devices falls into one of the four
categories;
1. Processor-i3,i5,i7,i9
2. Memory-4g,8g,16g
3. Input and Output
4. Storage-500gb,1tb (SSD)

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 Essential Computer Hardware
Processing Devices
The procedure that transforms raw data into useful information
is called processing.
The processor is like the brain of the computer.
Organizes and carries out instructions from either the user or
software.
Manipulate the data.
Most computers have several processors.
Central Processing Unit (CPU) refers to a computer’s processor.

20 Introduction to Computers
Essential Computer Hardware
 Memory devices
 Memory is made up of one or more sets of chips that Store
data or program instructions either temporarily or
permanently. Memory is divided into two types:
a) Random Access Memory (RAM)
 RAM holds data and program instructions temporarily while the CPU
works with them.
 RAM is volatile, meaning it holds data only when the power is on.
When the power is off, RAM's contents are lost.
 The “random” in RAM implies that any portion of RAM can be
accessed at anytime. This helps make RAM very fast.
 More RAM results in a faster system.

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 Essential Computer Hardware
b) Read Only Memory (ROM)
 Permanent storage of programs.
 ROM is called non-volatile memory because it never loses its contents.
 Holds instructions that the computer needs to operate.
 Memory is measured in terms of:
 Kilobyte (KB) - 1,024 bytes
 Megabyte (MB) - 1,000,000 bytes
 Gigabyte (GB) - 1,000,000,000 bytes
 Terabyte (TB) - 1,000,000,000,000 bytes.
 1 Byte – 8 bits (bit-binary digit) – a unit digital storage space
in a computer

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 Position of RAM and ROM on the MotherBoard

23 Introduction to Computers
 Essential Computer Hardware
Input and Output Devices
Input devices accept data and instructions from the user or
from another computer system.
Output devices return processed data to the user or to another
computer system.
Input devices include: keyboard, mouse, scanner, digital
camera, microphone etc.
Output devices include: monitor, printer, stereo speakers,
headphones etc.
Communications devices (such as modems and network
interface cards) perform both input and output, allowing
computers to share information.

24 Introduction to Computers
Essential Computer Hardware
 Storage Devices
 The purpose of storage is to hold data permanently, even
when the computer is turned off.
 Storage devices hold data not currently being used by
the CPU.
 Data is commonly stored on a magnetic or optical disk.
 A disk drive is a device that reads data from and writes
data to a disk. Most new computers feature a floppy disk
drive, a hard disk drive, and an optical disk drive.(SSD
Hard Disk)
 The most common optical storage devices are CDROM
and DVD-ROM drives.

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Computer Software
Software is a set of instructions that drive a computer to
perform specific tasks.
These instructions tell the machine’s physical components
what to do.
A set of instructions is often called a program.
When a computer is using a particular program, it is said to
be running or executing the program.
The two most common types of programs are system
software and application software.

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Computer Software
1) System software: Is any program that controls the
computer’s hardware or that can be used to maintain the
computer in some way so that it runs more efficiently.
 System Software provides a platform for running
application software.
 There are three basic types of system software:
a) An operating system tells the computer how to use its
own components. All computers require an operating
system.
 The OS tells the computer how to interact with the user
and its own devices.
 Examples of operating systems include Windows,
Macintosh operating system and Linux.
27 Introduction to Computers
Computer Software
b) A network operating system allows computers to
communicate and share data across a network while
controlling network operations and overseeing the
network’s security. Example is Windows server 2003.
c) A utility is a program that makes the computer system
easier to use or performs highly specialized functions.
 Utilities are used to manage disks, troubleshoot
hardware problems, and perform other tasks that the
operating system itself may not be able to do. For
example a Symantec antivirus, Partition Magic etc.

28 Introduction to Computers
Computer Software
2) Application Software: Tells the computer how to
accomplish specific tasks, such as word processing or
drawing, for the user.
 Some of the major categories of these applications include:
 Word processing software for creating text-based documents
 Spreadsheets for creating numeric-based documents such as
budgets.
 Presentation programs for creating and presenting electronic
slide shows.
 Graphics programs for designing illustrations or
manipulating photographs, movies etc.
 Database management software for building and
manipulating large sets of data such as names, addresses etc.
29 Introduction to Computers
Data and Information
 Data are the words, numbers, symbols and graphics that
describe people, events, things, and ideas.
 Data becomes information when it is used as the basis for
initiating some action or for making a decision.
 Information are the words, numbers, and graphics used as
the basis for human actions and decisions.
 A set of data that has been given a name is called a file.
 A file that a user can open and use is called document.
 A folder is a place where groups of computer files and
other folders can be kept and organized.

30 Introduction to Computers
 Files
A file is a named collection of data, stored on a storage
medium such as a hard disk.
There are two types of files
Data files contains text, images, or other data that can be used
by a program.
Executable files contains programs or instructions that tell the
computer how to perform a task.
Filename extensions describe a file’s contents. For
example Executable files usually end in .exe, word files end
in .doc, adobe acrobat documents end in .pdf etc.

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Extensions and Formats
A filename might be followed by a filename extension that
further describes the file contents.
Word files end in .doc
Excel files end in .xls
The file format is the arrangement of data in a file and the
coding scheme that is used to represent the data.
The native file format is the format that is saved by the
application that created it.

32 Introduction to Computers
 Assignment 1
1. Discuss the history and evolution of computers.
(maximum. 3 pages).
2. Computers are used more extensively than ever for
tasks such as banking, investing, shopping and
communicating. Do you see this trend as having a
positive or a negative impact on our society and
economy? Give reasons to support your answer.
(maximum. 3 pages).

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