Introduction to Computers

What is a Computer?
Definition: Is an electronic device that accepts data,
process it according to preset instructions and
produces useful information that human being can
use to make business decisions.

Data - is anything entered into a computer for the

purpose of getting output e.g. text, graphics,
numbers, sound, etc.
Information- Is the result obtained after data has been
entered and processed.

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 CATEGORIES OF COMPUTERS
Computers can be categorized into two main groups:
1. General purpose computer
2. Special purpose or Embedded computer
General purpose computers:-
These are computers manufactured for general
purposes. It includes desktop computers, laptop
computers, etc.
Special purpose computers:-
These are computers dedicated for specific tasks
only.
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GENERAL PURPOSE COMPUTERS
General purpose computers can be categorized into
four main groups
1. Microcomputers
Designed to meet the computing needs of an
individual. These includes personal computers,
portable computers, and laptop computers.
2. Min computers
These are more powerful computer than micros and
can support up to 100 terminals with users
performing different tasks.

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 3. Mainframe computers
These are larger systems that can handled huge
amounts of data and supports hundreds of user
terminals.
Used by governments and large corporations to
provide centralized storage and control
Processes billions of data per second and includes
many units where one directs overall operations, a
second one handles communication between users,
and third searches for requests given by user.

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 4. Supper computers
It is the fastest type of computer.
Supercomputers are very expensive and are employed for
specialized applications that require immense amounts of
mathematical calculations.
It is often used for:
Breaking codes, Modeling weather systems (weather
forecasting ), Simulating nuclear explosions,
Research simulations (research centers)
Capable of performing over 600 billion floating-point
operations per second.
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 ADVANTAGES OF COMPUTERS
 Speed
 Efficiency
 Consistency
 Storage
 Communications

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 DISADVANTAGE OF COMPUTERS

 Violation of Privacy
 Impact on Labor Force
 Health Risks
 Impact on Environment

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 APPLICATION OF COMPUTER
• Commercial Data Processing
• Science and Research
• Leisure
• Education
• Monitoring and control system
• Communication and information system
• Robotics
• Artificial intelligent
• Computer Aided design

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COMPUTER SYSTEM

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 COMPUTER SYSTEMS

HARDWARE SOFTWARE

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 Computer Components
 A computer is divided into two main parts,
namely,
1. Computer Hardware
 This refers to the physical parts of a
computer system
2. Computer software
 Software describes the programs that are
used to operate the computer system.
Computer software, also called programs,
instructs the computer on how to operate.
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COMPUTER HARDWARE
Is Categorized into three parts
1. Input Devices
2. Output Devices
3. System unit
Input devices: These devices are used for
accepting or entering data/information into the
System unit Or
simply devices that take data into computer systems.
Examples of input Devices include:
Keyboard, Mouse, Scanner, Camera, Microphone, etc.
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 Output Devices
 Output devices are used for displaying
information which have been processed by the
Central Processing unit (CPU).
They include devices like:
 Monitor Screen
 Printer

 Speaker etc.

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 The keyboard
 This device is used by a user for typing data into
a computer. The Keyboard contains Keys that
user uses to type in Data into the system unit.
 The following Keys can be found on the
Keyboard:
– Function keys Labeled F1 to F12
– Letters Labeled A to Z
– Numbers Labeled 0 to 9
– Special Characters i.e Punctuation Marks
– Control Keys
– Arithmetic Operators e.g +, -, *, %, ^
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 Practice on how to use the Keyboard and
Backspace key- This key is used to move back the cursor by
canceling unwanted characters and words towards the left side
of the cursor.
Space bar key- Is used to leave space between words.
Enter key- Is used to commit an operation.
Arrow keys- These keys are used to manipulate position
of the cursor.
Home key- Varies depending on the program. For some
programs pressing HOME moves the cursor to the top left
corner of the screen. Other programs moves the cursor to
the beginning of a line.
End key - Varies depending on the program. In some
Programs, this key moves the cursor to the end of a line.
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Tab key-This key moves the cursor to the next tab setting.
Shift, Control & Alt keys- These keys are used in conjunction
with one or more character keys to perform operations or access
special commands by holding down one of the keys and pressing
another at the same time.
Capslock key-This key is used to change cases from upper case
to lower case and vice versa.(changing small letters to capital
letters and capital letters back to small letters).

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 THE MOUSE
 This is an input device that helps computer users to
communicate within different parts of the opened
window or on the desktop screen.
 Buttons found on the mouse
Left button- Is used to select menu options
or commands by pointing to the option and
clicking(pressing) the button once.
Right button- Is used to access shortcut menus
Within windows and windows applications.
Scroll Wheel - Located at the middle of the two buttons,
it is mainly used to move up and down on the Working
window area.

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 Holding The Mouse
Hold like this And not like this

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 Basic mouse operations
 Moving- This means sliding the mouse around the
opened window to change the location of the pointer.
 Clicking-This means moving the mouse pointer onto
an object/icon and pressing the left button once.
 Double clicking-This means moving the mouse
pointer onto an object and pressing the left button
twice quickly.
 Dragging-This refers to moving the mouse
pointer onto an object/icon, pressing the left button
and holding it down and moving the object/icon to a
new position.

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 SCANNERS
 This device is used to scan photographic pictures,
graphics, text documents etc. into a graphic file that
can be edited on the computer.
 They are of different types.
-Hand scanner
This scanner is capable of scanning small sized
photographic pictures
-Full page scanner
This scanner is capable of scanning a full page
document at once.

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 The Monitor
 This hardware device is used to display information on
the screen that have been processed by the CPU.
 They usually come in different sizes eg 14-21 inches.
 Monitors are of two types e.g.

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 PRINTERS
 A printer is an output device used for printing
documents.
 TYPES OF PRINTERS
Dot matrix- This printer has a head of pins from 9-24
which when activated, strike the ribbon and create a
matrix of dots on the paper hence forming characters.
Inkjet-This printer spray drops of inks to shape
characters on the paper.
LaserJet-These printers work with the laser technology
just like the Photo copying machine. They produce
quality text and graphics and are considerably faster
and very expensive compared to other types of printers.

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 THE SYSTEM UNIT
 Is the main component of the computer system that
holds the central processing unit (CPU), Hard Disk
Drive, Memory, Buses, Floppy Drive, CD ROM Drive
etc.
 The processor (CPU) handles most of the operations
that are required by the computer for processing
instructions and sending signals out, checking for
connectivity, and ensuring that operations and
hardware are functioning properly
 The hard disk holds information that you save in the computer
for future use. It also holds system files and other configuration
files required to run the computer.
 Buses carry the information from one part of the computer to
another, i.e. from the input and output (I/O) devices.
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 The CPU contains
 The Arithmetic-Logic Unit (ALU)
 The Control Unit (CU)
 The Registers

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Arithmetic/ Logic Unit (ALU) - Performs and controls all
arithmetic operations (e.g. Add (+), Subtract(-), Multiply(*),
Divide ( /),) & logical operations(e.g. AND, OR, NOT, etc.)
Control Unit(CU) - It controls and coordinate all programs
instructions and processing of data. It send control signals to all
parts in the processor to co-ordinate their activities.
Register.
This is the Fast-access memory used by a processor to store
intermediate results. The register is a small amount of storage
available on the CPU whose contents can be accessed more
quickly than storage available elsewhere.
It provide the fastest way for a CPU to access data
Registers are measured number of bits they can hold e.g. 8 bit
register or 32 bit register

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 Memory (main memory)
Random Access Memory (RAM) is Place in a
computer where operating system, application
programs, and data in current use are kept for quick
access by computer's processor.
Data in RAM stays there only as long as your
computer is running. Any information stored in
RAM is lost when the computer is turned off.
Called "random access" because any storage
location can be accessed directly – better term may
have been “direct access memory”
Note: All active programs resides on it.
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Permanent storage Devices or Auxiliary Memory
These are devices that store data and information permanently
except one deletes them. Examples are:
Hard Disk Drive HDD(C)- Software programs, files and folders
are stored in this drive even if the computer is off. They are much
faster and are capable to store large data. Sizes of hard drives varies
e.g from 2GB, 20GB, 40GB, 80GB, etc.
Floppy Disk(A) or Diskette (31/2 )- These are removable disks,
compatible and portable. Files can be easily transported from one
location to another. Diskette holds 1.44MB of data.
CDs (CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD)- This is used to regain
information stored in it or can be used to copy in new information. It is also used
to store programs, user files, movies, or audio files. Can hold data/information
from 200MB to 16 GB
Flash Disks/Memory Stick (USB) –These storage devices have
become common now days due to their portability and ability to
store more information compared to diskette or CDs. Can hold
information up to 32GB.

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 Computer Storage units
1 0 0 1 0 1 1 1

Bits
Bit – The smallest unit of data in a computer. A bit can take the
value of either one or zero, and it is the binary format in which
data is processed by computers.

Byte – A byte is used to describe the size of a data file, the amount
of space on a disk or other storage device, or the amount of data
being sent over a network. One byte consists of eight bits of data.  29
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 Storage units
 8bits => 1Byte
 1Byte => One Character
 1024 (210) Bytes => 1kilobyte(1Kb)
 1024 Kilobytes (220Bytes) =>
1Megabyte(1MB)
 1024MB (230Bytes)=>1Gigabyte(1GB)
 1024GB (240Bytes) => 1 Terabyte

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Computer Software
Over View of Computer Software

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 COMPUTER SOFTWARE
Software is the instructions that tell the hardware what to do.
Or Is a series of instructions that tells the hardware of a
computer what to do.
The software is Organized into sets called programs
• For example some instructions direct the computer to allow
you to input data from the keyboard and store it in memory.

• For example:

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  Other instructions causes data stored in
memory to be used in calculations such as
adding, subtract a series of numbers to get
a total and difference.
 Some instruction direct the computer to
print a report, copy, paste, cut etc. or store
information on a disk.

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 Types of Software

Basically there are two main types of

computer software:

 System software &

 Application software

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 System Software
 System software consists of the programs that control
the operations of the computer and its devices directly.

 Functions that system software performs include

starting up the computer, opening, executing, running
applications; storing, retrieving, and copying files,
formatting disk; reducing files sizes and backing up the
contents of a HD

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Types of System Software

Two types of system software are;

1. Operating system
2. Utility Programs (system tools)

Operating System (OS)

 Operating system (OS) contains instructions
that co-ordinate all of the activities of hardware
devices.
 It also contains instructions that allow you to
run application software

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 Examples of OS are:
 Microsoft Windows is the name of the
popular operating system that is used on
many of today’s computer.
Windows Xp, Windows 2000, Windows
98,
• Linux and Unix

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 UTILITY PROGRAMS
A utility programs is a type of system software
thatperforms a
specific task usually
related to managing a
computer, its devices
or its programs
 Most OS include
several utility
programs
 You can also buy
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The following are Popular
utility programs and their
functions:
 Compressing files (e.g. WinZip, PKZIP) to improve
system performance.
 Scanning disk (ScanDisk ) detects and corrects
problems.
 Disk Cleanup searches for and removes unwanted files
e.g. temp and internet temp files)
 Disk defragmenter is a utility that reorganize files and
unused space on a HDD, data can be accessed more
quickly, program run faster)
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 Uninstalling software (Uninstaller) is a utility that
removes an application

 Backing up files (backup) help you to create a backup of

your programs and files prevent to prevent data loss in
case of HD or OS crash.

 Antivirus is a utility that prevents, detects and removes

virus from the computer memory or storage devices

 Screen savers is a utility that causes the monitor screen

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 Applications Software
Application software accepts input from the user and then
manipulates it to achieve the output.
 Application software is a program that
helps user in accomplishing specific tasks productively. i.e.
allows end users to accomplish one or more specific e.g.
typing, browsing
These are programs developed to solve real life problems.
Examples of applications include:
word processors, database programs, spreadsheets, web
browsers, web development tools, graphic design tools,
presentation applications, games, etc.

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 WINDOWS BASICS
WINDOWS-Is a graphical user interface(GUI) kind of
operating system. It is more user friendly than other
operating systems in the market like MS DOS, Macintosh,
Linux, Unix etc.
 Windows OS is a multitask operating systems that allows you to
perform more tasks at the same time.
 Multi-user OS is the OS that allows more than one user to work
on one computer at the same time( Concept of Client/Server)
A window-This is a bordered rectangular screen display,
through which a user uses an opened program to perform a
task.

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Windows Desktop Environment
Desktop- The main display screen in Windows is known
as the desktop. This is the first screen of a window. The
Desktop contains the following Items:
Icons- Icons are shortcuts to programs or files on the
computer desktop that improve navigation.
The Taskbar- The taskbar contains the Start button,
quick launch buttons, currently running applications
and the clock
The start menu-The Start button displays the Start menu.
This menu allows access to virtually every program
and function on the PC.
Quick launch toolbar- Quick launch buttons are similar to
desktop icons as they are also shortcuts to
applications.
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 The Desktop

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WORKING WITH A WINDOW

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 Starting, Shutting Down,
and Restarting Microsoft Windows
To shut down the computer, click on the Start button on the
lower left corner of the Windows Taskbar and select Shut
Down.
Or press Ctrl+Alt+Delete, and click Shut Down from the
menu that displays.
Note: Do not turn the computer off until a message displays
indicating that it is safe to do so. Important data that is
stored in memory while the system is running needs to be
written to the hard disk before turning off the computer.

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Understanding Windows Menus
Start Menu:
Contains all access menus in the computers e.g.
Run, Help, Search, Settings , Documents,
Programs etc.
Working With Dialog Boxes
Beyond the menus available from the menu, Windows
uses dialog boxes to collect all of the information it
requires to carry out commands. A dialog box is a sort
of input form that allows you to make selections from
the pre-defined options.

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 Menus
Search:
Help the user to find files or folders in the computer.The
search may base on file or folder name,date of
update,file size, file type and size etc.
Settings:
This menu help the user to make various settings,
installation of a printer/fax, customizing the start button
etc.
Documents:
This hosts the most recently used files, it can contain up to
20 or so files depending on the settings
Programs:
This menu contains all the programs installed in the
computers
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 Moving, Resizing and Hiding the Task Bar

The Task bar is the command centre for Windows, and that’s
is why always rests along the bottom of the Screen. But
you can decide to change the location of the task bar along
the Desktop screen.

Steps for moving the Taskbar to a new Location

1. Position the mouse over a blank area of the Taskbar and
hold down the left mouse button.
2. Drag the task bar to the Left or Right or Up depending on
your choice, when done release the button.

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Steps for Resizing the Taskbar
1. Position the pointer over the top edge of the task bar
until it changes to a
2. Drag the mouse up a half-inch and release the button.
Then Drag the task bar to its previous size.

Steps for Hiding the Taskbar

1.Right click on a blank area of the Taskbar.
2.Select properties from the shortcut menu that appears.
3.Click the auto hide option to check it, then click OK. Position
the pointer near the very bottom of the screen.
NOTE. The Taskbar reappears whenever the mouse pointer is
near the bottom of the screen. When you move the mouse away
from the bottom of the screen, the Taskbar will disappear.

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 Other options available for the
Taskbar Customization
Always on Top
Ensures that the taskbar is always visible, even when you run a
program in full mode.
Show Small Icons in Start Menu
Shrinks the size of the start menu icons. Useful if your start menu
contains lots of programs.
Show Clock
Displays a digital clock on the taskbar. This option is selected by
default.
Once done click OK

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 Customizing the Desktop
Since you will access your Desktop on a regular basis, you
will likely want to customize it to suit your particular needs.
Windows allows you to customize your desktop in a variety of
ways by rearranging icons, change background colors and
patterns, set screen saver, customize Windows colors and
change Video resolution.
To customize the Desktop appearance access the following menu:
Pont your mouse on an empty space on the desktop then Click
your Right click once and select Active Desktop => Customize
My desktop or Choose Properties from the Shortcut Menu that
appears.
Use the six tab from the Display Properties Dialog box to
change appearance of the desktop to suit your needs.
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Working with Windows Explorer
↔ Windows Explorer displays the hierarchical
structure of files, folders, and drives on your
computer.
↔ Using Windows Explorer, you can copy, move,
rename, and search for files and folders
↔ For example, you can open a folder that contains a
file you want to copy or move, and then drag it to
another folder or even another drive.
↔ To open Windows Explorer, click Start, point to
Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Windows
Explorer. Or Right Click on Start Menu and Click on
Explore To open Windows Explorer
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 Creating folders
 Folders provide a useful way to organize the files on
your system, providing logical places to create and store
your files.
 Create folders for categories that match the way you want
to organize your information, then save your files in the
most appropriate folder. You can create a folder from
almost anywhere in Windows.
To create a new folder follow these steps:
1. Open windows explorer
2. Click the drive or folder in which you want to create - a new
folder.
3. On the File menu, point to New, and then click Folder
4. Type a name for the new folder, and then press ENTER.
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 Deleting a Folder or a file.
Procedure:
1. Select the file or folder to be deleted
2. Press delete key on the keyboard
or
3. Right click the file or folder you wish to delete
and then click on delete
4. Accept delete from the dialog box that appears

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 Renaming folder or file

1. Right click the file or folder to be renamed

2. Select and click on Rename from the menu
3. Type the new name
4. Click outside or Press Enter Key on the
keyboard to complete renaming

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 Selecting continuous Files or
Folders
1. Select the first file or folder
2. Press and hold down the shift key from the
keyboard
3. Click the last file in the list

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 Non-continuous selection
1. Select the first file or folder.
2. Press and hold down ctrl key from the
keyboard.
3. Then Select files or folders by clicking
randomly from the list.

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 Copying Files/Folders
1. Select file(s) or folder(s) to be copied
2. Right click while pointing to the selected
file/folder then select and click on copy.
3. Right click while pointing to the destination
folder/drive and then click paste
or
4. Select folders or files to be copied
5. Press ctrl key and drag the folders to the
destination folder/drive.

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 Moving Files/Folders
1. Select files or folders to be moved
2. Right click while pointing to the file/folder to be
moved then select Cut from the menu
3. Right click while pointing to the destination
folder and then click on paste.
Or
4. Select the files/folders to be moved
5. Drag and drop the files or folders to the
destination

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