General overview of a

Computer
Objectives
By the end of this lesson learner should be able to describe: b
• Information technology
• Computer
• Hardware
• Data & Information
• Processing
• Types of computers
• Viruses
 Definition of Information Technology (IT)
The acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of vocal, pictorial,

textual and numerical information by a micro-electronics-based combination

of computing and telecommunications".

 Definition of Information Technology (IT)
cont..
In IT there is a convergence of three strands of technologies:

• computers,

• micro-electronics

• communications.

NOTE IT is not just concerned with new pieces of equipment but with much broader spectrum of

information activities.

It encompasses such different things as book, print; reprography, the telephone network, broadcasting

and computers.
Computer

A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of

instructions store in its own memory that can accept data (input),

process the data according to specified rules, produce information

(output), and store the information for future use.

Functionalities of a computer
Components of a Computer
1. Hardware

It is the collection of physical elements that constitutes a computer system.

Refers to the physical parts or components of a computer such as the

monitor, mouse, keyboard, computer data storage, hard drive disk (HDD),

system unit (graphic cards, sound cards, memory, motherboard and chips),

physical objects that can be touched

Components of a Computer

A. Input Devices

• Is any peripheral (piece of computer hardware equipment to provide data and

control signals to an information processing system such as a computer or other

information appliance.

• Translates data from form that humans understand to one that the computer

can work with. Most common are keyboard and mouse

Components of a Computer
B. Output devices

• Is any piece of computer hardware equipment used to communicate

the results of data processing carried out by an information

processing system (such as a computer) which converts the

electronically generated information into human- readable form.

Components of a Computer
2. Software

Refers organized collections of computer data and instructions.

Two major categories:

• System software that provides the basic non- task-specific functions
of the computer e.g. Microsoft windows, Linux, Unix, Mac OSX
• Application software which is used by users to accomplish specific
tasks eg . Chrome, Microsoft office, whatsapp, smadav
 Data
• Facts and figures which relay something specific, but which are not organized in

any way and which provide no further information regarding patterns, context,

etc.

• data means

• "unstructured facts and figures that have the least impact on the typical

manager."
 Information

• For data to become information, it must be contextualized, categorized,

calculated and condensed.

• Information thus paints a bigger picture; it is data with relevance and purpose.

• Essentially information is found "in answers to questions that begin with such

words as who, what, where, when, and how many".

 Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• A CPU is brain of a computer. It is responsible for all functions and processes. Regarding

computing power, the CPU is the most important element of a computer system.

• Comprises of three main parts :

1. Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): Executes all arithmetic and logical operations.

2. Control Unit (CU): controls and co-ordinates computer components.

3. Registers :Stores the data that is to be executed next, "very fast storage area".
Storage

1. Primary Memory:-

• RAM: Random Access Memory is a memory scheme within the computer system responsible for storing

data on a temporary basis, so that it can be promptly accessed by the processor as and when needed. It

is volatile in nature, which means that data will be erased once supply to the storage device is turned off

• ROM (Read Only Memory): is a permanent form of storage. ROM devices do not allow data stored on

them to be modified.
• Secondary Memory:-
• Stores data and programs permanently :its retained after the power is
turned off
• Hard drive: (HD) Also called hard disk. Can be inbuild or external
• Optical Disk: use medias like Compact disk (CD) or digital video disc
(DVD)
• Flash Disk/ memory sticks/ usb drive
Classification of Computers

• Computers can be generally classified by size and power as follows, though there is Considerable

overlap:

• Personal computer: A small, single-user computer based on a microprocessor. In addition to the

microprocessor, a personal computer has a keyboard for entering data, a monitor for displaying

information, and a storage device for saving data.

• workstation : A powerful, single-user computer. A workstation is like a personal computer, but it has a

more powerful microprocessor and a higher-quality monitor.

Classification of Computers

• minicomputer : A multi-user computer capable of supporting from 10 to hundreds of

users simultaneously.

• mainframe : A powerful multi-user computer capable of supporting many hundreds or

thousands of users simultaneously.

• supercomputer : An extremely fast computer that can perform hundreds of millions of

instructions per second.

Characteristics of Computer

• Speed: The computer can process data very fast, at the rate of millions of instructions

per second.

• Accuracy: Computer provides a high degree of accuracy. For example, the computer can

accurately give the result of division of any two numbers up to 10 decimal places.

• Diligence: When used for a longer period of time, the computer does not get tired or

fatigued.
Characteristics of Computer

• Storage Capability: Large volumes of data and information can be

stored in the computer and also retrieved whenever required.

• Versatility: Computer is versatile in nature. It can perform different

types of tasks with the same ease. Eg Listening to music while typing
Viruses

• A virus is a small piece of software that ride along on real programs.

For example, a virus might attach itself to a program such as a

spreadsheet program. Each time the spreadsheet program runs, the

virus runs, too, and it has the chance to reproduce (by attaching to

other programs) or wreak havoc

Types of computer viruses

• E-mail viruses: An e-mail virus travels as an attachment to e-mail messages, and

usually replicates itself by automatically mailing itself to dozens of people in the

victim's e-mail address book

• Trojan horses: A Trojan horse is simply a computer program. The program claims to

do one thing (it may claim to be a game) but instead does damage when you run it

(it may erase your hard disk). Trojan horses have no way to replicate automatically.
Types of computer viruses

• Worms: A worm is a small piece of software that uses computer

networks and security holes to replicate itself. A copy of the worm

scans the network for another machine that has a specific security

hole
Assignment
How can you prevent viruses from attacking your computers?
• One page
• Submission on Monday 24/07/23 by end of business
 The end
talentgra [email protected]