BASIC COMPUTER
APPLICATIONS:
INTRODUCTION TO
COMPUTER SYSTEMS
Informatics Dept. IAA
We Will look
on:
• Define common
concepts,
• Go through the evolution,
• Identify basic parts
• Identify basic function
• Look on the Characteristics
Understanding common
concepts
Data
Data consists of raw facts and figures that are processed into
information
Types of data
Numeric data: composed of alphabetical character
Non Numeric data : composed of digits only
special symbols eg: +, - ,& ,(, )
These numeric ,non numeric data & Special symbols are the
building blocks of information
Information
Processed data which are interpreted to present a
meaningful information
Cont
.
Information Technology
Term used to describe the equipment, hardware and
Software
programs that allows us to access and present data and
information
IT involves two categories
Computer Technology which involves hardware, and
software
Communication Technology which involves electronic
networking systems used for the purpose of
communication
System
Group of components organized to perform a certain goal
A set of detailed methods, procedures and routines created
What is a computer
system
Introductio
n
A Word “computer” comes from the word “compute”
which
mean to calculate
The word was originally given to humans who
performed numerical calculations.
They used their fingers, pebbles and later abacus
The word grew and later was names to mechanical
devices which started to replace the duties which
were performed by humans
Today, a Computer is a device that transforms and
processes
data into meaningful information.
Precise definition of a
computer
An electronic device, operating under the control of
instructions stored in its own memory, that can accept
data
,process the data according to specified rules, produce
results and Store the results for future use
Its an electronic device that accept data, process data,
produce
output and store the results
Computer is referred as a system because it involves
a combination of hardware components attached
together to perform an intended goal
Below is demonstration of a computer system
Computer
Syste
System m
1 Unit
Monitor
2
Keyboa
rd Mou
se
3
4
Microsoft Office 2010: Introduction to Computers
10
Primary
Functions
All computer systems perform four basic operations
1. Inputting: process of entering data /instructions in
to the computer
2. Processing: perform arithmetic operations and
logical operation on data in order to convert
them into information
3. Storing: saving data and instructions so that the
can be retrieve or reprocessed when required
4. Outputting: process of producing useful
information
Primary Components of a
computer
All computer systems must have atlest six primary
components
1. Inputting devices
2. Processing devices
3. Storing devices
4. Outputting devices
5. Motherboard
6. Power system
Characteristics of a
computer
1. Speed:
Is able of performing a large amount of data in
microseconds, nanoseconds or picoseconds.
It can perform a work in seconds which a human
being could take months to accomplish.
2. Accuracy:
there is no room for error, each and every
work is performed with the same accuracy
provided that correct input was given.
Cont
. 3. Versatility/ Flexible:
a computer can do more than one job at the
same time;
a computer is capable of performing almost
any task
provided the instructions are already in
place.
4. Storage:
a computer has got high capacity of storing
data
It can store any type of data such as image, 14
video, texts, audios etc
Cont
. 5. Diligence:
Unlike human, computer has no feelings of
tiredness or
lack of concentration
it can work 24 hrs a day 7 days per week and
364 days per year without a rest.
6. No I.Q:
computer has no intelligence of performing any
task
Its not equipped with the Artifical Inteligence
as a human being
its only operates on demands of it master’s
need
Cont
. 7. Automation:
It is fully automatic
After instructions stored in its memory, it can
perform
activities without the interactions of human being
8. High level of remembering:
unlike humans our power of remembering is low,
in computer technology, every peace of
information can be retained as long as desired by
the user and can be recalled as and when
required.
Cont.
9. . reduction:
Cost
Less paper
work
Less man
power
17
Thank you for
listening.
