UCC 1100

Computer
Fundamentals

Introduction To Computers
By
Lawrence Tusabe
 Definition
A computer: is an electronic device that processes data,
into meaningful information that is useful to people.

A Computer: is an electronic device that accepts input,

processes it, stores data, and produces output.

A Computer: an advanced electronic device that accepts

input, processes it, stores data, and produces output.

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Input, processing, storage, output

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Input
• 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

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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
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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

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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
• CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read-Only Memory)
• Flash disks
• Hard disks

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 Basic Functions Of A
Computer
 Accepts data (input): Receives data from outside(input
device) for processing.
 Process data (Processing): Performs operations or
manipulations on data particularly numerical data.
 Produce output (output) Produces data from within for
external use.
 Stores results (Storage): Holds data internally before,
during and after processing. Hard disks, CD-ROM, DVD
ROM, Tapes and others.

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 Computer System
Set of interrelated elements working together in an integrated away to
achieve a set of objectives.
• It consist of
Hardware: computer itself and any equipment connected to it
(tangible/physical components) that make up a computer system.
Software: set of instruction that the computer follows in
performing a task. Or is a series of instructions that tell a
computer how to carry out a processing task.
Data: facts that are used by program to produce useful
information
Procedures: policies that govern the operation of a computer
system
People: every computer needs people if its to be useful.

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5 Components of a
Computer System

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Components of a computer system : People
• Users and Creators of IT Applications
• User (End User): The people who use computers in their jobs
or personal lives

• Programmer/Analyst: A person who has joint responsibility for

determining system requirements and developing and
implementing the systems.

• Computer Engineer: Professional who designs, develops, and

oversees the manufacturing of computer equipment.

• Systems Engineer: Professional who installs and maintains

hardware.

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Components of a computer system: Procedure
• Procedure: A step-by-step process or a set of instructions for
accomplishing specific results.
– Operations
– Backup and Recovery
– Security
– Development

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Procedures cont’d…
• Operations Procedure: A procedure that describes how a computer
system or application is used, how often it can be used, who is
authorized to use it, and where the results of processing should go.

• Backup Procedure: A procedure that describes how and when to

make extra copies of information or software to protect against
losses.

• Recovery Procedure: An action taken when information or software

must be restored.

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 Procedures cont’d…
• Security Procedure: A procedure designed to safeguard data centers,
communications networks, computers, and other IT components
from accidental intrusion or intentional damage.

• Security Software: Software that is designed to protect systems and

data.

• Development Procedure: A procedure that explains how computer

literates should describe user needs and develop applications to
meet those needs.

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 Advantage of computers
• Speed: Computers work at very high speeds and are much faster than
humans. Computer speed is measured in Mega Hertz (MHz).
• Storage: A computer can store a large amount of data permanently.
User can use this data at any time. Text, graphic, pictures, audio and
video files can be stored easily.
• Processing: A computer can process the given instructions. It can
perform different types of processing like addition, subtraction,
multiplication and division. It can also perform logical functions like
comparing two numbers to decide which one is the bigger etc.
• Accuracy: Provide results without any error. Computers can process
large amount of data and generate error-free results.

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 Advantage of computers
• Communication: Most computers today have the capability of
communicating with other computers. We can connect two or more
computers by a communication device such as modem.
• Versatility: Computers can do computations with all kinds of data
including alphabets, pictures, sound images, voice, e.t.c.
• Automation: Computers work automatically, i.e. they do not need
any supervision to do programmed routines.
• Diligence: Computers are diligent i.e. they have ability to perform the
same task “over and over” without getting tired e.g. in industrial
robotics, like those in Car assembly lines.
• Artificial Intelligence: Computers can respond to requests given to
them and provide solutions.

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Disadvantage Of Computers
• Create unemployment
• Health problems
• Expensive
• Laziness
• Sources of computer viruses
• Crackers
• Delicate
• Literate people
• Immoral activities
• Technology changes

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Limitation Of Computers
• Vulnerable to data loss
• Have no common sense
• Need power in order to operate
• Technology change very often
• Computers are delicate

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 Uses of Computers
Personal and Home
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.

Slide 19
 Business Uses of Computers
• Computers allow companies to
keep large amounts of
information at hand by using
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 .

Slide 20
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 analyzing
research data.

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 Data and Information
• Data is a collection of raw and unprocessed facts,
figures, numbers, characters, images and symbols.
• Information is data that is organized, meaningful and
useful. The process of transforming data (facts) into
information is called data processing.
• Data is presented in the form that a computer
understands (binary digits 0/1).
• A string of 8 bits a called a byte which represent a
character.

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Computer Hardware

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Categories of hardware

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 Input Devices
• Input: The data or information entered into a computer
• The process of entering data/information into the
computer for processing, storage and retrieval, or
transmission.
• Example of input devices
• Keyboards
• Mouse
• Touch screen
• Digital camera
• Scanner
• Point of sale terminals
• Bar code reader
• Microphones
• prerecorded sources lie CD & DVS
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 Output Devices
• Output:
inputting The
and results
processingof
data
returned and
by the information
computer,
either
using directly
the to the person
system or to
secondary
• Common storage.
forms schedules,
of output
are
budgets,reports,
newsletter s
among others.
output• devices Examples
include: of
Printers
• Plotters (prints large
images
•• Speakers (plan))
• Monitor
Projectors
Note: Communications
devices (such as modems
and network
cards) perform interface
both input
and output,toallowing
computers share
information.
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 Processor (CPU)
• Processor/Central Processing Unit (CPU): A set of electronic
circuits that perform the computer’s processing actions.
• A chip is a collection of electronic components in a very small,
self-contained package. Chips perform the computer’s
processing actions, including arithmetic calculations and the
generation of lines, images, and sound.

• Examples of chips include sound chips which

generate signals to be output as tones.

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 System board
• The processor/CPU can take several forms. Microcomputers
contain a specific micro-processor chip as their CPU. This is put
into a protective package, and then mounted onto a board contained
within the computer. This board is called a system board or a
mother board.

The system board contains other

chips and circuitry that carry out
processing.

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 Hardware cont’d

 Memory devices
 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. 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.
 More RAM results in a faster system.

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 Hardware cont’d
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.
 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.

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 Hardware cont’d
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) - 1,000 bytes
 Megabyte (MB) - 1,000,000 bytes
 Gigabyte (GB) - 1,000,000,000 bytes
 Terabyte (TB) - 1,000,000,000,000 bytes.

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 Bits and Bytes
• 1 Bit is a single 0 or 1.
• 1 Byte consists of 8 bits.
• 1 Kilobyte consists of 1,024 bytes approximately
1000 bytes.
• One Megabyte is 1,024 kilobytes or approximately
million bytes.
• 1 Gigabyte is 1,024 megabytes or approximately
1 billion bytes
• 1 Terabyte is 1,024 gigabytes or approximately 1
trillion bytes.

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Numeric Data Representation Codes

 Numeric data consists

of numbers that
represent quantities and
that might be used in
arithmetic operations

 Binary (0, 1) vs.

decimal number system
(0-9)

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Character Data Representation Codes
Character data is composed of letters,
symbols, and numerals that will not be
used in mathematical operations.
The following are the most popular text
code systems:
ASCII (American Standard Code for
Information Interchange) uses 7 bits to
represent data.
Extended ASCII uses 8 bits to represent
data.
EBCDIC (extended binary-coded decimal
interchange code) uses 8 bits to represent
data (used on old IBM mainframes)
Unicode uses 16 bits to represent each
letter, number or symbol.
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 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.
 The most common optical storage devices are
CDROM and DVD-ROM drives.

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Computer Health and Safety
issues
• Never user the computer in a dusty environment
• Water should be avoided near computers
• Never eat or drink in a computer room
• Do not smoke near computers
• Do not block the ventilation hole on a computer when its hot
• Computer room must be well ventilated
• Do not allow diskettes from outside (viruses)
• Do not switch the computer on and off abruptly
• Protect the machine using UPS and stabilizers
• When in doubt. Please ask an expert.

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Classification of Computers
• Computers are classified according to;
Size: Some computers are designed for individual use while
others are for organizations.

Technology: Some computers are more powerful than others

in terms of the speed at which they operate as well as the
technologies they use.

Purpose: Some computers are designed to handle lighter

tasks compared to others that can handle heavier tasks

• Because of the above factors, we have computers of different

prices, having different hardware as well as compatible with
different software.
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 Classification of Computers According to size

 Supercomputers
 The most powerful computers
made.

 Handle large and complex

calculations.

 Because of their size and expense,

supercomputers are relatively rare.

 These are used by research

institutions, government agencies,
and large businesses.
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Classification of Computers According to size

 Mainframe Computers
 Are slower, less powerful and less
expensive than supercomputers.

 Are used by banks and many

businesses to update inventory etc.

 Are used in large organizations

where many users need access to
shared data and programs.

 Can support thousands of users,

handling massive amounts of
input, output, and storage.

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Micro computers/Personal Computers
• Computers can be shared by multiple users but can be used by only
one person at a time.

• Types of computers in this category

include;
- Desktop computers
- Workstations
- Notebooks
- Tablet computers
- Handheld Computers
- Smart phones

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Microcomputers
• Desktop computers
• The most common type of computer
• Sits on the desk or floor
• Performs a variety of tasks including producing music, edit
photographs and videos, play sophisticated games and videos

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Microcomputers
• Workstations
• Has more power and features than a standard desktop PC
• Have large, high resolution monitors
• Suitable for architectural engineering design, animation and
video editing.

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Microcomputers
• Notebook computers/ Laptops
• Small portable computers
• Weighs between 3 and 8 pounds
• People frequently set these devices on their laps hence
laptop computers
• Operate on alternating current or special batteries
• When not in use, device folds up for easy storage.

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 Microcomputers
• Tablet computers
• One of the new
development in portable
computers

• Input is through
a pen

• Run specialized versions

of office products

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Microcomputers
• Smart phones
• Hybrid of
cell phone
and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)
• Web surfing,
e-mail access

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 Common Terms
• Program: set of computer instructions that enable the computer
hardware to accomplish a task.
• Application: a program in which you do your work
• Driver: a file on a computer which tells it how to communicate
with an add-on piece of equipment. E.g. sound drivers, network
drivers etc.
• Software: set of instructions that the computer follow in
performing a task.
• Data processing: process where data is transformed into
information.
• Information Communication Technology (ICT): Scientific mean of
sending and receiving information which requires sending
understanding and sending feedback

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Chapter Review Questions
1. Why are there different types of input devices?
2. Do all computers, regardless of size, have a processing unit?
Why or why not?
3. Discuss the relationship between hardware and software.
4. Why do computers use binary numbering system?
5. What is the difference between data and programs?
6. What is the purpose of RAM? What is its relationship with
secondary storage?
7. Why are some devices called peripheral equipment?
8. Why are procedures needed when managing computer
systems?

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