INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

WHAT IS A COMPUTER?

Computer is a device that transforms data into meaningful

information. Data can be anything like marks obtained by you in
various subjects. It can also be name, age, sex, weight, height,
etc. of all the students in a class.
Computer can also be defined in terms of functions it can
perform. A computer can:-
i) accept data,
ii) store data,
iii) Process data as desired,
iv) retrieve the stored data as and when required and
v) print the result in desired format.
The major characteristics of a computer are high speed, accuracy,
diligence, versatility and storage.

The below Diagram illustrates what a computer is:-

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

Data Information

Computer Terminologies

a) Data – Raw facts/Figures which are meaningless to the user.

- Unprocessed, unorganized or Unstructured Information.
b) Information – Processed/structured data or reliable word.
c) Process – Turning/Changing data into useful information or converting machine language into
human readable form.
d) Input – Key in or type into the computer through input components. i.e. Mouse, Keyboard etc.
e) Output – Results obtained after processing of data.
f) Retrieve – Making data that was stored accessible on the screen.
g) Store – make data permanent into the computer memory.

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ADVANTAGES OF USING COMPUTERS

 Processing capability/Speed – Computers have higher processing speeds than other means of
processing, measured as number of instructions executed per second.
 Accuracy – Computers are not prone to errors. So long as the programs are correct, they will
always give correct output. A computer is designed in such a way that many of the inaccuracies,
which could arise due to the malfunctioning of the equipment, are detected and their
consequences avoided in a way, which is completely transparent to the user.
 Consistency – Given the same data and the same instructions computers will produce exactly
the same answer every time that particular process is repeated.
 Reliability – Computer systems are built with fault tolerance features, meaning that failure of
one of the components does not necessarily lead to failure of the whole system.
 Memory capability – A computer has the ability to store and access large volumes of data.
 Computer can operate in risky environments e.g. volcanic sites, lethal chemical plants, where
it’s risky for humans to operate.

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  Computers help to reduce paper work significantly.
 Computers can work continuously without getting bored or tired.
 Helps to cut on wage bills by reducing manpower.

DISADVANTAGES OF USING COMPUTERS IN BUSINESS

 Initial cost of installation is high

 Can result to retrenchment of staff
 Computerization projects are not always cost-effective
 In case the computers break down or malfunction, it might be extremely difficult to revert back
to the old manual system. For this reason, stand by procedures are necessary, but expensive.
 Can compromise security of data stored or being transmitted.
 Computerization leads to cyber-crime e.g. pornography etc
 They present a health hazard for example eye strain, trigger-finger syndrome and addiction
 Due to the rapid change in the computer technology, the computer and related facilities can
become outdated very fast, hence posing a risk of capital loss and cost of upgrading.

SWITCHING ON A COMPUTER
Booting is the term referred to as switching on/putting on a computer.
It is always advisable before booting the computer ensure that the computer system is fully connected.

Types of booting

a) Cold booting

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 This is the first step taken when you want to use your computer.

Procedure
a) Ensure the computer is fully connected.
b) Put on the power on from the power source (wall switch)
c) Switch on the power button on the monitor/screen.
d) Wait for the computer response.
e) Some of the computer will require you to either press the username or the F1 key to
continue.
b) Warm booting
This is the process whereby a computer is restarted using either pressing reset button (found on
the system unit) or using the procedure below.

Procedure
Press on both controls (CRT), alternate (Alt) and delete keys (Del) to restart a computer.

Ctrl+Alt+Del keys

Procedure 3
The use of turn off dialogue box also be used to restart a computer by selecting on the restart
option.

SWITCHING OFF A COMPUTER

It involves the shutting down off a computer

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Procedure
N\B: Ensure the programs in use are shut down.

a)Click on the start button

b) Click turn off computer
c)On the dialogue window click on turn off/shutdown.
d) Wait for the computer instruction until it indicates ( it is now safe to turn off)
e)Switch OFF the power button on the screen
f) Then close by clicking the power button on the system unit
g)Lastly the users should switch off the electricity on power source

COMPUTER CLASSIFICATION

Computer can be classified in different ways

 Size
 Type of data it contains
 Reasons of invention
 Generations
a)SIZE

Computers are classified according to their sizes beginning with the biggest to the smallest.

Super computers: - they are the largest, expensive and they can be found at research centers

Mini computers: - they are small machines compared to the two above.

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Micro-Computers: - they are the smallest machines in the range of cells.

b) DATA PROCESSING

Basic types

1.Analogue computers: this types of computer measure physical magnitude such as

temperature, pressure e.t.c, and they are not used for commercial data processing.
2.Digital computers:- they are always used for commercial data processing by taking discrete
numbers and performing calculation in them.
3.Hybrid computers:- this type of computer has got both the characteristics of digital and
analogue.

c)REASONS FOR INVENTION

Reasons of computer inventions can be classified into two.

Special purpose computers:

Special purpose computers are designed to perform a specific work; solving problems of
restricted in nature. i.e computer designed for weapon control.

General purpose

These are designed to solve a wide variety of problems within the limitations imposed by their
particular design capabilities and they can also be adopted to perform particular work or solve a
problem by means of special written programs.

d) GENERATIONS

Technology has advanced into greater heights with each day a new product being invented.
Since the first introduction of computers in 1940’s there have been radical changes with each
break through based on electronic device thus forming the computer generations.

1st Generation:

These are computer which were produced in 1940’s and used vacuum tubes as their key
electronic device.

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Characteristics

 They were the biggest in size

 Produced a lot of heat
 Used punch cards as their input device
 Had the lowest operation speed per second of 40,000
 Required experts to operate

2nd Generation:

Were found in 1950’s and used transistors as they key electronic device.

Characteristics

 They were more reliable computer than the first generation

 They were smaller in size than the first generation
 It had a speed of 200,000 operations per second
 They were less expensive than the first generation
 It had internal memory inform of magnetic core
 It stored data on magnetic tapes

3rd Generation

Were invented in 1960’s and early 1970’s and had simple integrated circuits

Characteristics

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  They were more powerful and reliable computers
 It had a higher processing speed of 1,000,000 operations per second
 They have a smaller size than the second generation
 They were multitasking in nature
 Had a higher internal storage

4th Generation

This is the computer in use today and which contain more complex micro-electronic devices

Characteristics

 They are the smallest in size

 Have the higher processing speed
 Have a higher internal storage capacity
 They are cheap in the market compared to others

5th Generation

These are the latest computer to be introduced in the market

Characteristics

They are portable; one can easily move with them even in areas without electricity e.g. laptops,
mobile, PDA (personal Digital Assistant) and Palmtop

ELEMENTS OF A COMPUTER TO OPERATE

Computer is a system comprised of different parts that enable it function; the system is
comprised of;

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 a)HARWARE

These are the physical and touchable components of a computer which are mandatory for a
computer to operate. They include system unit, printers and mouse.

Input components

These are components used for entering or keying data and instruction to a computer, they
include:-

Mouse: - it is hand driven device which is an alternative of a keyboard but cannot be used in
typing but only for opening files in windows based programs.

Keyboard: - it is a device used by most of computers to key in data which is later displayed on
the screen, it has the following keys:

 Typing (alphanumeric) keys. These keys include the same letter, number, punctuation,
and symbol keys found on a traditional typewriter.
 Special (Control) keys. These keys are used alone or in combination with other keys to
perform certain actions. The most frequently used control keys are CTRL, ALT, the
Windows key , and ESC.
 Function keys. The function keys are used to perform specific tasks. They are labelled as
F1, F2, F3, and so on, up to F12. The functionality of these keys differs from program to
program.
 Cursor Movement (Navigation) keys. These keys are used for moving around in
documents or WebPages and editing text. They include the arrow keys, HOME, END,
PAGE UP, PAGE DOWN, DELETE, and INSERT and ARROW KEYS.
 Numeric keypad. The numeric keypad is handy for entering numbers quickly. The keys
are grouped together in a block like a conventional calculator or adding machine.

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Key names

A – Function keys

B – Alphanumeric keys

C – Control keys

D – Navigation keys/cursor movement keys

E – Numeric keypad

Output components

These are components that display the processed data (information) in human readable form.

Examples:

Screen/monitor/visual display unit (VDU):- it is a television like and it display text and images in
softcopy form. E.g (CRT – Cathode Ray Tube, TFT – Thin Film Transistor, LCD – Liquid crystal display.)

Printers

They produce paper copies of what is displayed on the screen.

Factors to consider when selecting a printer

 Price
 Speed of the printer
 Result obtain after printing
 Printing color i.e colored or black and white

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TYPES OF PRINTERS

Dot matrix

They were 1st type of printers to be introduced and were very slow, noisy in their operations compared
to the current one and had a poor quality

Daisy wheel

They were noisy but could not be compared to the dot matrix but less expensive than dot matrix and
had a better print out than dot matrix

DeskJet/inkjet

 They are fast in printing but not as the dot matrix

 They are expensive
 They print in color
 They produce picture
 Printout quality is good though not as the laser

Laser printer

 They are fastest and can be compared to the photocopy machine

 They are the most expensive printers
 They make minimal noise
 Has the best print out

PROCESSING HARDWARE

Take place in the system unit. It’s done by the CPU – central processing unit.

Four elements of the CPU

 Register
 Micro-processor
 Central unit
 Control unit

Register: - it’s a temporary storage location of data in the CPU. It’s main purpose is to quickly accept
data.

Microprocessor: - it is made up of silicon and chip and its work is to speed up the processing of data that
might be slow.

Central unit: - this is integrated circuits that are capable of performing arithmetic calculations. It is also
referred to as ALU (Arithmetic and logic unit)

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Control unit: - This is the main center of the circulatory system that responds and co-ordinates all action
that takes place in the computer system.

DATA/INSTRUCTION FLOW

Data flows from input devices (e.g. Keyboard) into the main memory (RAM), and then it is taken to the
processor to be processed, from the processor it is taken to the main memory again and finally
displayed in the output device. E.g. Screen, printer e.t.c. Data that is supposed to be store is taken to the
backing storage where it is saved permanently.

PROCESSOR

Data Information

INPUT MAIN MEMORY OUTPUT

E.G KEYBOARD (RAM) MONITOR

BACKING STORAGE

E.G HARD DISK

DATA PROCESSING

This is a term given to the process of collecting all items of data to produce meaningful information.

There are two types of data processing:

1. Online data processing: this is the process whereby data is processed within a short period of
time. i. e. it can be within hours, day example when typing letters, memos e.t.c
2. Batch processing: it is a situation whereby data is accumulated in large quantities and processed
later, i.e. after days, weeks or months e.g. typing a water bill, payroll system.

REASONS FOR STORING DATA

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  For future reference
 Updating purposes that is adding or formatting a text
 Learning purposes.

MAIN STORAGE

We have two main storage namely:

1. Primary storage
It’s a temporary storage as data is stored for a short period of time when using a computer
It is volatile as data it contains can be lost when power goes off
Referred to as Random Access Memory (RAM)

2. Secondary storage
Termed as permanent since it stores information for long period of time
Its non volatile and its contents can be retrieved when the power goes off
Referred to as Read Only Memory (ROM)

SECONDARY MEMORIES (BACKUPS)

These are devices used to store instruction and data in permanent form.

They include hard disks, flash disks, DVD, CD, floppy disk, tapes, zip disk etc. the capacity of secondary
backups are represented by the following units: byte – is a character in a computer

Bits

Bytes

KB – kilo byte

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MB – mega byte

GB – Giga byte

TB – Tetra byte

Table conversions of the above units

1024 GB = 1 TB

1024 MB = 1GB

1024 KB = 1 MB

1024B = 1 KB

8 Bits = 1 Byte

B) HUMAN WARE/USER/PEOPLE

These make up the most important requirement of a computer system. Their work is to operate and
respond to the computer where necessary. Computer experts can be classified into three:

System designer: They are specialized people who deal with hardware designing.

Computer programmers: Programmers are people who are expert in designing and writing computer
programs and confirming how best the programs operate.

Computer operator: Operator s are people who have knowledge concerning the use of computer
software packages

C) SOFTWARE

These are set of instruction designed to perform specific task and without the instructions the computer
cannot work.

There are two categories of software

 System software
 Application software

System software

This type of software controls, co-ordinates and unite various hardware parts and avail them to the
users.

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It also controls the various programs that are used to achieve a particular work i.e. Ms Access, Ms
PowerPoint.

APPLICATION SOFTWARE

This type of software are used to achieve specific work, thus each software got its different function.

Example:

Software used for typing cannot be used for calculation and vice verse.

To install application software the user must determine the type of jobs the computer is intended to do
i.e.

 Installing Ms Word will enable the user to type

 Installing Ms Excel enables the user to do calculation
 Installing Ms PowerPoint enables one to design and typeset a document

Examples of Application Software.

1. WORD PROCESSOR: Program used for typing. E.g.

Ms word Word Perfect
MultiMate Wang write
2. ELECTRONIC SPREADSHEET
A program that enables you to perform calculations by use of numerical data. Suitable for
accounting oriented work
Examples;-
Ms Excel Multiplan
Supercalc Lotus 1,2 & 3
3. DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Database is a collection of related information that is used to serve specific purpose. It is often
applied in working area that needs collecting of different details of a person or an item. I.e.
telephone directory, payroll system. E.t.c.
Examples:-

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 Dbase FoxPro paradox
Ms Access
4. GRAPHIC SOFTWARE
It is a type of software that is used to produce high quality graphics and it is commonly used by
architectures and designers.
Examples:-
Corel draw AutoCAD
Auto shop
5. DESKTOP PUBLISHING PROGRAM
Software that is used to produce professional looking publications.
Examples
Ms Publisher
e.g. calendars, magazines, business card etc.

VIRUS
A virus is a computer term meaning Vital Information Resource Under Siege.
It can also be defined as a program designed to affect the normal functioning of a computer.

SYMPTOMS/EFFECTS OF A VIRUS
 Files changing in sixes unusually and filling storage media.
 Accessing a program taking a longer time than usual.
 File name being changed into code.

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  Computer shutdown unexpectedly.
VIRUS TANSMISSION
 Use of infected hardware’s.
 Use of fake and pirated soft ware’s.
 Opening of unprotected network sites that contain computer viruses

PREVENTION OF COMPUTER VIRUS

 Avoid use of fake software
 Avoid opening internet in unprotected sites
 Avoid use of infected hardware such as diskette, flash disks

Examples of virus
 Raila virus Trojan
 I love you Life so beautiful

ANTIVIRUS: Is a program designed to protect the computer from getting a virus.

Types of antivirus
 Kaspersky
 Avast
 Avg
 Avira
 Norton
 Eset nod 32.

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