INTRODUCTION TO

COMPUTER
APPLICATIONS

Lecturer: Fellystas A. Obiero

Topic 1

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 Introduction
• Information and communication plays an
important role in our day to day activities.
• It has become a common practice to find
information based systems in banks, retail
stores, government agencies, entertainment
industry and media houses.
• To adapt to the ever changing technological
world, one needs to be a knowledgeable and
competent user of computer based
technologies.
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 Definition of Terms
• Computer
– A computer can be defined as an electronic
device that processes a users input usually
referred to as data to a desired output ,also
known as information.
– This is made possible by a set of instructions
called computer programs stored in a
computer.

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 Cont. of Definition of Terms

Input Output
(Data) Process
(Information)
Input, Process and Output

• Data can be defined as raw facts that do not have much

meaning to the user and may include; numbers, letters
and symbols.
• Information is the processed data that is meaningful to
the user.
• A computer is said to be electronic because it utilizes
electrical signals to process information.

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 Cont. of Definition of Terms
• The integration of computers and
telecommunication facilities for the purpose of
communication is referred to as Information
Communication and Technology (ICT).
• Computers come in different sizes and
designs but the most common is referred to as
a Personal Computer (PC).
• Personal computers are mostly used in offices,
schools, business premises and at home.

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 Physical Parts of a Computer
• A desktop computer is made up of a collection
of different components that are interconnected
in order to function as a single entity.
• A typical desktop computer is basically made
up of a system unit and other devices connected
to the system unit called peripheral devices.
• Examples of peripheral devices include:
• Monitor/Screen
• Keyboard
• Mouse

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 System Unit
• This is the part that houses the brain of the
computer called the Central Processing Unit
(CPU).
• The system unit also houses other devices
called drives.
• Drives are used to store, record and read
data.
• The two common types of system units are:
– Tower Type
– Desktop Type
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 Peripheral Devices
• Peripheral devices are connected to the system
unit using special cables called interface cables
that transmit data and information to and from
the devices.
• The cables are attached to the system unit
through connectors called ports.
• Peripheral devices may be arranged with the
monitor resting on top of the system unit or a
stand alone if connected to a tower type
system unit.
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 Keyboard
• A keyboard is the most common
peripheral device that enables a user to
enter data and instructions in a computer.
Mouse
• A mouse is a pointing device that enables
the user to execute commands.
• It is used to control an arrow displayed on
the screen.

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 Monitor
• A monitor or simply the screen is a
television like device used for displaying
information.
• It is called a monitor because it enables the
user to monitor what is going on in the
computer.

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 Computer Software
• In order for a computer to process data, it is
guided by a set of instructions known as
programs.
• The term software and program are used
interchangeably.
• The term software is however not only used to
mean programs but also the documentation
associated with it such as user guides.
• There are three major ways of classifying
computer software;
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 Classification of Computer Software

• According to purpose
• According to Acquisition
• According to End user License (EUL)

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Classification According to purpose

• Computer software may primarily be

designed to manage the hardware
resources or to help the user accomplish
specific tasks.
• Therefore software may be classified as
either :
• System Software
• Application Software

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 System Software
• System software performs a variety of
fundamental operations that avails computer
resources to the user. These functions include:
– Booting the computer and making sure that all the
hardware elements are working properly.
– Performing operations such as retrieving, loading,
executing and storing application programs.
– Storing and retrieving files.
– Perfoming a variety of system utility functions.

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 Cont. of System Software
• System software can further be
subdivided into four sub- categories
namely:
– Operating systems
– Firmware
– Utility Software
– Networking Software

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 Operating Systems
• An operating system consists of a set of complex
programs that work together to control the execution of
user programs called applications and acts as a go
between (interface) between the applications and the
computer hardware.
• It manages input, output and storage operations in a
computer.
• Examples of common operating systems include:
– Microsoft Windows (2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8)
– UNIX
– Linux
– Macintosh (MacOS)
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 Firmware
• It is also referred to as stored logic.
• It is a combination of both the software
and hardware recorded permanently on
electronic chips.

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 Utility Software
• Is a special program that performs
commonly used services that make certain
aspects of computing to go on smoothly.
• Such services include:
– Copying
– Sorting
– File handling
– Disk Management

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 Networking Software
• This type of software is mostly used to
establish communication between two or
more computers by linking them using a
communication channel like cables to
create a computer network.
• Networking software enables the
exchange of data in a network as well as
providing data security.

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 Application Software
• Application software, also known as
application packages are programs that
are designed to help the user accomplish
specific tasks.
• The table below shows examples and uses
of common application packages.

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 Cont. Of Application Software
Software Uses Examples
Word Processors Typing Documents like Ms. Word, Lotus
Letters, Reports WordPro, Open Office
Resumes etc. Writer, WordStar
Spreadsheets Calculating and Ms. Excel, Lotus 1-2-3,
analyzing budgets Open Office Calc.
Databases Keeping files and Ms. Access. My SQL,
records FoxBase, Paradox
Desktop Publishing Designing Publications Ms. Publisher. Adobe
like newspapers and Page maker, Adobe
books InDesign.
Computer Aided Design Technical Drawing AutoCAD, Archi CAD,
Rhino 3D
Graphics Software Designing and Corel Draw, Adobe
manipulating graphics Photoshop
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 Classification According to
Acquisition
• Software can be classified according to
acquisition as:
• In –house developed
• Vendor off-the-shelf software

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 In-House Developed Software
• These are programs that are uniquely
designed and tailored to meet a particular
users needs.
• These programs are not available in the
shops and once developed for one
company they may not address the needs
of other users.

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Vendor off-the –shelf Software
• These software are developed by software
engineers, packaged and then made available
for purchase through a vendor, a distributor or
directly from the developer.
• A developer may bundle more than one but
closely related software into one package to
form a suite or integrated software;
• Examples of suites are:
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Lotus Suite
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Advantages of vendor off the shelf over
the in-house developed
• They can be easily installed and run.
• They are cheaper than in-house developed
software.
• They are readily available for almost any
task.
• Minor or no errors since they are
thoroughly tested.
• They can easily be modified to meet users
needs.
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 Disadvantages of Vendor off the shelf

• They may have some features not needed

by the user which may take extra storage.
• They may require the user to change
processes and hardware for compatibility
which may in turn be expensive.
• They may lack some features required by
the user.

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 Classification According to End-User
License
• Software may also be classified according to
End user License as:
• Open Source/Non-Proprietary- Refers to software
whose source code is freely made available to the users.
The users are encouraged to use, modify and distribute
the modified product.
• Proprietary-Are software whose source code is hidden
from the users. Modifications are only made by the
software manufacturer.
• Freeware- Are software products that are freely made
available to the user. However ,beware of freeware
because some may be malicious software.
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 Criteria for selecting a computer
system
• Before purchasing a computer, hardware
or software resources, it is advisable to do
a requirement analysis of all the
requirements necessary in order to
balance between cost and user needs.
• Requirements analysis involve,
identifying user needs and software and
hardware evaluation.

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 Hardware Considerations
• Microprocessor type and speed
• Warranty
• Cost
• Upgradability and Compatibility
• Portability
• Special user Needs
• Monitor
• Multimedia Capability
• Available Ports
• Wireless Connectivity
• System Unit Form Factor
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 Software Considerations
• Authenticity
• Documentation
• User Needs
• Reliability and Security
• User Friendliness
• Cost
• Compatibility and System Configuration
• Portability
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