Module 01 - Introduction To Computer

COMPUTER APPLICATION IN
JOURNALISM
LECTURER: MUKHWANA ERICK
(Bsc.Csc(MUK),PGD I.T(MUK)HCIA AI (Huawei)
HCIA Datacom(Huawei))
Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
CONTACT: 0702383384
CONTACT HOURS: Tuesday@5pm ,Friday@5pm, Saturday@1pm
COURSE UNIT : COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
Lecture 1
Introduction to Computers
ICT by Mukhwana Erick

Lecture objectives
Define the term computer
Define the term “computer system”
Components of computer system
Identify hardware and software parts of a computer
Input devices, output devices, memory, disk drives, CPU
Types of computers

Definition of a computer
• By definition, a computer is an electronic device that processes data,

converting it into information that is useful to people.
• A Computer is a device that accepts input, processes it, stores data,

and produces output.

Definition Cnt’d
• Input: Is whatever is typed, submitted or transmitted to a

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

Definition Cnt’d
Processing – This refers to 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.
Examples of Processing
Arithmetic calculations
Sorting a list
Modifying pictures
Drawing graphs

Definition Cnt’d
Output refers to the result produced by a computer after

processing the data.
• An Output device displays, prints, or transmits the results
after processing.
• Examples of Output
• images on a monitor
• printed documents
• sounds

Definition Cnt’d
• Storage the purposes of storage is to hold data permanently, even

when the computer is turned off.
• Examples of storage.
• Hard disk
• Floppy disk drives
• CDROM
• DVDROM

Characteristics of Modern Computers
(1) Speed
Computers operate at extremely high speeds. Their speed is measured in
millions of instructions per second (MIPS).
(2) Automatic
Computers are automatic machines, because once started on a job, they carry
on, until the job is finished, without any human assistance. However,
computer being machines cannot start them. They cannot go out find their
own problems and solutions. They have to be instructed.
(3) Accuracy
Computers are very accurate. The errors in made computing are due to the
users but not technological weakness. If a user enters wrong data, the
computer gives wrong Information. This trend is described as GIGO (Garbage
In, Garbage Out)

(4) Computers are versatile:
Modern Computers can perform different kinds of tasks at the same time.
For example you can play music while typing a document at the same time.
This is also known as multi-tasking.
(5) Diligence: this is the ability of a computer to work without getting tired or
bored. It can continuously work for hours without creating any error human
beings in doing regular types of jobs, which requires great accuracy..
(6) Artificial Intelligence: This is the ability of a computer to think and reason
likes a human being. The computer is capable of mimicking human
behaviours like sensing, responding to the stimuli and others.

Computer system
• Computer System refers to a computer and all the hardware

interconnected with it.
Components of computer system
1. Hardware
2. Software/Programs
3. Data/Information
4. People
5. Procedures

Computer system cnt’d

1. Hardware are parts you can see and touch. In other words these are .
tangible parts of a computer.
2. Software are parts of a computer that we see but cannot touch
3. People – These are Users and Creators of IT Applications
User (End User): The people who use computers in their jobs or personal
lives. A user can also be referred to as a person who controls a computer.
4. Procedure: A step-by-step process or a set of instructions for
accomplishing specific results.
5. Data/ 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.

Hardware
• Hardware refers to parts of a computer that we can see and touch.

• In other words they are tangible parts of a computer.
• A computer's hardware consists of electronic devices;
The term "device" refers to any piece of hardware used by the
computer, such as a keyboard, monitor, modem, mouse, etc.

Examples of hardware parts of a computer
• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Monitor
• System Unit
• Motherboard
• Printer
• Scanner
• Cpu fan
• Power supply

Examples of hardware cnt’d

Computer Software
• Software is a set of instructions that drive a computer to perform specific
tasks.
• They are parts of a computer that we see but cannot touch.
• 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.

Software cnt’d
• The two most common types of programs are system software and application
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. E.g.
operating system
2. Application Software: Tells the computer how to accomplish specific
tasks, such as word processing or drawing, for the user.

Input devices
Input devices
• These are devices that are used to enter data into a computer.
• Examples of input devices
• Keyboards
• Mouse
• Touch screen
• Digital camera
• Scanner
• Bar code reader
• microphones.

Output Devices
Output devices are devices which produce information out of a
computer.
Common forms of output are reports, schedules, budgets,
newsletter s among others.
Examples of output devices include:
Printers
Speakers
Monitor
Projectors
Note: Communications devices (such as modems and network interface

cards) perform both input and output, allowing computers to share
information.

Memory
• Memory - the area of a computer that temporarily holds data that is being
processed or waiting to be processed, stored, or output.
• Memory is made up of one or more sets of chips that Store data or program
instructions either temporarily or permanently. No processing takes place in
memory. Instead, memory stores data, information and instructions.
Types of memory
• There two types of memory which include:
1. RAM and
2. ROM

Types of memory cnt’d
.
1. 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.
 More RAM results in a faster system.

2. Read Only Memory (ROM) .
 ROM Permanently stores programs.
 ROM is called non-volatile memory because it never loses
its contents.
 Holds instructions that the computer needs to operate.
 This type of memory lets you store the data needed to start
up or boot the computer
 Essential start-up data contained in ROM is a computer
BIOS
 The BIOS includes instructions on how to load basic
computer hardware and includes a test referred to as a POST
(Power On Self Test) that helps verify the computer meets
requirements to boot up properly.

 Memory is measured interms of:
 Kilobyte (KB) - 1,000 bytes
 Megabyte (MB) - 1,000,000 bytes
 Gigabyte (GB) - 1,000,000,000 bytes
 Terabyte (TB) - 1,000,000,000,000 bytes.
• Three major distinctions between storage and memory.

• There is more room in storage than in memory.
• Contents are retained in storage when the computer is turned off, whereas
programs or the data in memory disappear when you shut down the computer.
• Storage devices operate much slower than memory chips, but storage is much
cheaper than memory.

Disk drives
 A disk drive is a device that reads data from and writes data to a disk.
 Most new computers have a floppy disk drive, a hard disk drive, and an
optical disk drive.
 The most common optical storage devices are CDROM and DVD-ROM
drives.
 Storage - The area where data can be left on a

permanent basis while it is not needed for
processing.
 More examples of Storage
• ROM chips (Read-Only Memory)
• CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read-Only Memory)
• magnetic tapes

…..End…..

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COMPUTER APPLICATION IN

Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

CONTACT HOURS: Tuesday@5pm ,Friday@5pm, Saturday@1pm

COURSE UNIT : COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

ICT by Mukhwana Erick

Define the term computer

Define the term “computer system”

Components of computer system

Identify hardware and software parts of a computer

Input devices, output devices, memory, disk drives, CPU

ICT by Mukhwana Erick

• By definition, a computer is an electronic device that processes data,

• A Computer is a device that accepts input, processes it, stores data,

ICT by Mukhwana Erick

• Input: Is whatever is typed, submitted or transmitted to a

ICT by Mukhwana Erick

Processing – This refers to manipulation of data.

ICT by Mukhwana Erick

Output refers to the result produced by a computer after

ICT by Mukhwana Erick

• Storage the purposes of storage is to hold data permanently, even

ICT by Mukhwana Erick

ICT by Mukhwana Erick

ICT by Mukhwana Erick

• Computer System refers to a computer and all the hardware

ICT by Mukhwana Erick

ICT by Mukhwana Erick

ICT by Mukhwana Erick

• Hardware refers to parts of a computer that we can see and touch.

ICT by Mukhwana Erick

ICT by Mukhwana Erick

ICT by Mukhwana Erick

ICT by Mukhwana Erick

ICT by Mukhwana Erick

ICT by Mukhwana Erick

Note: Communications devices (such as modems and network interface

ICT by Mukhwana Erick

ICT by Mukhwana Erick

1. Random Access Memory (RAM)

ICT by Mukhwana Erick

ICT by Mukhwana Erick

• Three major distinctions between storage and memory.

ICT by Mukhwana Erick

 Storage - The area where data can be left on a

ICT by Mukhwana Erick

ICT by Mukhwana Erick

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