INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

CSC 101 – 3 Units

 LECTURE ONE

Computer Concepts
 LECTURE OUTLINE
 Definition of computer
 Primary Units of the computer
 Input unit
 Output unit
 Processing unit
 Internal and External Memories
 Review questions
 Definition of computer
• A computer can be defined from the angle
one looks at it but the basic is that “A
computer is any electronic device that can
accept data, stores data and processes data to
give an output”.
 Definition of computer cont.
• A computer is an electronic device which
accepts and processes data by following a set
of instructions (PROGRAM) to produce a result
(INFORMATION). Since the ultimate aim of a
computer is to produce information, the art of
computing is often referred to as information
processing. (Ayo, 1994)
Diagrams of Computer Systems
• Output in this case is the result of the
processed data and it is also known as
information. It is very important to know that
what is information at one time may become
data at another time for other analysis. Data
can be defined as raw facts and figures while
information is a processed data.
 Primary Units of the computer
• There are three basic units of the computer
system which are the Input Unit, the
Processed Unit and the Output Unit. This is
tagged IPO.
A Diagram Showing the 3 Basic Units
 Input unit
• This is the unit that sends data and
instructions into the computer. It is the
avenue whereby users “talk” or communicate
with the computer system. Examples of these
are keyboard, scanner, light pen, mouse,
joystick etc.
 Output unit
• This is the unit that displays the information
i.e. the processed data or the result. Examples
are monitor or screen, printer (for hard copy,
i.e. copy printed on paper).
 Processing unit
• This is the unit where the processing of data is
done i.e. where data is manipulated. It is
divided into three main parts namely the
Control/Processor Unit, Arithmetic and Logic
unit (ALU) and the Main Computer storage.
 a. The Control/Processor Unit

• This Unit coordinates the flow of instructions

or directs all activities within the computer
system. All activities either input or output
involve this unit.
 b. The Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)

• This is the arithmetic division of the system.

All arithmetic operations like addition,
subtraction, multiplications etc takes place at
the ALU.
 c. The main computer storage

• This is the internal memory of the system, it is

divided into two namely ROM and RAM.
 Internal and External Memories
• Internal memories are computer memories
that reside inside the system while external
memories are external to the system.
 ROM
• ROM stands for Read Only Memory. Pre stored
information that is responsible for the booting
or starting up of the computer system is
permanently stored in the ROM and cannot be
altered. Every time the computer is switched
on, it goes to this memory and fetches already
coded instructions to come on.
 RAM
• RAM stands for Random Access Memory. This
is the memory upon which executing program
runs. Such programs could be system
programs, application programs or user
programs. The RAM is a temporary or volatile
memory because it does not keep data
permanently. The data disappears when there
is power failure hence the need to save
documents constantly.
External or Secondary Memories
External memories are secondary memories,
they are not part of the computer system, they
are separate, external to the system. They hold
information permanently; their contents are
not affected by power failure.
 External or Secondary Memories cont.
• They are easily movable and non-volatile,
examples are: hard disk, flash drive, CD-ROM,
PROM, EPROM etc. PROM means
Programmable Read Only Memory while
EPROM means Erasable Programmable Read
Only Memory, information on this can be
erased. CD-ROM stores information in
Gigabytes.
 Advantages of using Computers
The following are some of the advantages of using a
computer
1. High Speed of operation: Computer operates at a very
high speed. The speed of operation can be measured in
seconds, nanoseconds, pico seconds and trillionths of
seconds. Computer processing speed is measured in
megahertz and gigahertz. It is faster in operation
compared to manual methods.
2. Accurate Processing: Information produced by computers
are accurate especially when the concepts of “GIGO” is
maintained. GIGO means Garbage in Garbage out.
 Advantages of using Computers contd.
1. Flexibility of Operation: This is the ability of the
computer to handle several operations at the same
time. Such operations include real time processing
application, on-line system applications, Multi-
processing operations, Multi programming
operations, and Multi-tasking operation. It can be
used by small and medium size organization.
2. Large Volume Processing: Computers can process
large volumes of data in a relatively short period of
time.
 Advantages of using Computers contd.
1. Application in Management Information System:
Computers can be used by management at various
levels in a business organization to effect a decision
making.
2. Automatic Operation: Computers can operate
automatically with minimal or without human
intervention.
3. Reliable and Efficient: When large volume processing
is required, computer produces reliable and efficient
information compared to other processing methods.
 Disadvantages of Using Computers

The following are some of the problems

associated with using computers
1.The cost of acquisitions may be too high
2.The cost of maintenance may be too high
3.Inefficient feasibility studies by Systems
Analysis may jeopardize result produced by
computers
4.Lack of skilled systems and programming
personnel may affect result negatively
Disadvantages of Using Computers Contd.

5. It may bring out redundancies and

displacements, that is, changes in
administration.
6. It has a dehumanizing effect on man
7. The effect of computer virus may be
dangerous to a company’s database.
 Data and Information
Representation in Computer
Data and information can be represented in computer using:
1. Binary number system which is a number system that has
its digits between 0 and 1, the highest number is 1 and
the least is 0, therefore, the base is 2.
2. Octal Number system which is a number system that has
its digits between 0 and 7, the highest number is and the
least is 0, therefore, the base is 8.
3. Decimal number system which is a number system that
has its digits between 0 and 9, the highest number is 9
and the least is 0, therefore the base is 10.
 Data and Information
Representation in Computer contd.
4. Hexadecimal Number system which is a number
system that has its digits between 0 and 15, the highest
number is 15 and the least is 0, therefore, the base is 16.
5. Bit: This is a single binary digit 0 or 1 or the
smallest unit of information representation on the
computer memory.
6. Byte: This is a group of eight bits or 8 bits = 1 byte
0r 1 character or the smallest unit of information
representation which is addressable on the computer
memory.
 Data and Information
Representation in Computer contd.
7. Kilobyte: This is a group of Bytes or 1024
byte = 1 kilobytes
8. Megabyte: This is a group of 1024
kilobytes or 1024 kilobytes = 1 meg
9. Gigabyte: This is a group of 1024
megabytes or 1024 meg = 1 gigabyte
10. Terabyte: This is a group of 1024 gigabytes
or 1024 Gig = 1 Terabyte.
 Review questions
1. What is a computer?
2. Explain the primary units of the computer
3. Differentiate between external and internal memories
of a computer
4. What is the difference between data and information?
Illustrate this with an example.
5. What are the advantages of using computer in our
society?
6. What do you understand by the volatility of the RAM?
7. What are peripheral devices?