Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Pablo Borbon Campus
Rizal Avenue Ext., Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 406-8800 / (+63 43) 779 – 8400 loc. 1124
E-mail Address:
[email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph
College of Accountancy, Business, Economics and International Hospitality Management
The World of Computers
IT 101
1. 1. Definition
A computer is “an electronic device that processes data into information.”
It accepts raw data (numbers, text, signals), follows instructions (called a program), and
produces information—organized or transformed data that is meaningful.
Modern computers are:
o Electronic (use electricity, transistors).
o Programmable (same hardware can run many different programs).
o General-purpose (can do many tasks, from word processing to simulations).
👉 What sets a computer apart from a calculator is its stored-program nature: both instructions and
data live in memory, so the machine can be instantly repurposed.
2. 2. Basic Functions (IPO + Storage)
IPO = Input – Process – Output (a model of how computers work)
Input
Channels that bring data/commands into the system.
o Human inputs: keyboard, mouse, touch, microphone, camera.
o Machine inputs: sensors (temperature, GPS = Global Positioning System,
accelerometers), barcode/RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) readers.
o Device drivers (software that lets hardware talk to the operating system, or OS)
handle signals efficiently.
Process
o The CPU = Central Processing Unit executes instructions in a fetch-decode-
execute cycle.
o The GPU = Graphics Processing Unit and TPU = Tensor Processing Unit
accelerate graphics and AI tasks.
o Performance depends on clock speed (GHz), cores/threads, and memory bandwidth.
Output
o Ways the system presents results: displays (LCD = Liquid Crystal Display, OLED =
Organic Light-Emitting Diode), printers (DPI = Dots Per Inch), speakers, haptics.
o For machines: API (Application Programming Interface) replies, JSON (JavaScript
Object Notation), or Protobuf (Protocol Buffers).
Storage
Where data persists beyond power cycles.
o Primary memory: RAM (Random Access Memory, fast but volatile).
o Secondary storage: SSDs (Solid State Drives), HDDs (Hard Disk Drives), SD
(Secure Digital) cards, optical discs.
o Remote storage: Cloud-based or network drives.
o File systems: NTFS (New Technology File System), APFS (Apple File System), ext4
(Fourth Extended File System).
o Backups follow the 3-2-1 Rule: 3 copies, 2 media types, 1 stored off-site.
Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation
Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Pablo Borbon Campus
Rizal Avenue Ext., Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 406-8800 / (+63 43) 779 – 8400 loc. 1124
E-mail Address:
[email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph
College of Accountancy, Business, Economics and International Hospitality Management
3. 3. Parts of a Computer System
1. Hardware (physical components)
Input devices
o Keyboard/Mouse/Touch.
o Scanners/Cameras with CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) or CMOS (Complementary
Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) sensors.
o Microphones convert sound into digital samples.
o Specialized: biometric readers, IoT (Internet of Things) sensors.
Output devices
o Monitors: resolution (e.g., 1920×1080), PPI (Pixels Per Inch), Hz (Hertz, refresh
rate).
o Printers: inkjet vs. laser.
o Speakers/Headsets: sample rate and bit depth affect audio quality.
Storage devices
o HDD vs. SSD (explained above).
o USB (Universal Serial Bus) drives, SD cards, CDs/DVDs (Compact Disc / Digital
Versatile Disc), Blu-ray.
o Cloud storage.
CPU (Central Processing Unit, “the brain”)
o Uses an ALU = Arithmetic Logic Unit and a Control Unit.
o Cache memory (L1/L2/L3).
o Instruction sets: x86-64 (Intel/AMD), ARM64 (Advanced RISC Machine, 64-bit).
GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) for graphics.
TPU (Tensor Processing Unit) for machine learning tasks.
2. Software (programs/instructions)
System software
o OS = Operating System manages hardware, files, processes, and security.
o BIOS = Basic Input/Output System or UEFI = Unified Extensible Firmware
Interface boot up the computer.
Application software
o Productivity, browsers, media, CAD (Computer-Aided Design), IDEs (Integrated
Development Environments), games.
Middleware/Runtimes
o JVM = Java Virtual Machine, .NET runtime, Docker (container platform).
4. 4. Types of Computers
Supercomputers
o Measured in FLOPS (Floating Point Operations per Second).
o Used for climate modeling, AI training, etc.
Mainframes
o Designed for reliability and high-volume transaction processing (e.g., banking).
PCs = Personal Computers
Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation
Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Pablo Borbon Campus
Rizal Avenue Ext., Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 406-8800 / (+63 43) 779 – 8400 loc. 1124
E-mail Address:
[email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph
College of Accountancy, Business, Economics and International Hospitality Management
oDesktops and laptops.
oComponents: CPU, GPU, RAM, SSD.
Tablets & Smartphones
o Use ARM processors.
o Include sensors like GPS (Global Positioning System).
Embedded Systems
o Use MCUs = Microcontrollers (like ARM Cortex-M).
o Found in appliances, cars, medical devices.
5. 5. Computers in Everyday Life
Education
o LMS (Learning Management Systems), AI tutors, digital libraries.
Business
o ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), CRM (Customer Relationship Management),
RPA (Robotic Process Automation).
Health
o EHR (Electronic Health Records), MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), CT
(Computed Tomography).
Entertainment
o AR/VR (Augmented Reality / Virtual Reality), streaming, esports.
o CDN (Content Delivery Network) delivers video/music quickly.
Communication
o Email, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), social media, video conferencing.
o Encryption and moderation protect communication.
Responsible Use of Computers
Internet Safety
Use strong, unique passwords and multi-factor authentication.
Keep systems updated; beware of phishing (check sender, URL, urgency cues).
Download software only from trusted sources; run reputable antivirus; limit app
permissions.
Manage privacy: review settings, use passcodes/biometrics, encrypt devices where possible.
Digital Etiquette (Netiquette)
Be clear and respectful; tone can be misread—use context and headings.
Cite sources; avoid plagiarism.
Don’t share private info of others; get consent for recordings/photos.
Report and don’t engage in cyberbullying; remember your digital footprint is persistent.
Health & Wellness
Ergonomics: neutral wrist posture, back support, screen at eye level.
20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation
Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Pablo Borbon Campus
Rizal Avenue Ext., Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 406-8800 / (+63 43) 779 – 8400 loc. 1124
E-mail Address:
[email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph
College of Accountancy, Business, Economics and International Hospitality Management
Micro-breaks and stretching reduce RSI risk; manage blue-light exposure in evenings;
maintain balanced screen time.
Environmental Care (Green IT)
Choose energy-efficient devices; enable sleep modes.
Extend lifespan: repair/upgrade when feasible.
Dispose of e-waste via certified recyclers; wipe data before recycling.
Consider cloud/storage policies that minimize redundant data and emissions.
Practical Tasks
Lab: assemble a PC from labeled parts (virtual or real); trace a data path from keyboard
press to screen character.
Demo: benchmark SSD vs HDD file copy; observe CPU/GPU utilization during a task.
Reflection/Short Essay
“A day without computers”
Data → Information: raw facts → processed, meaningful results.
CPU/GPU: processors for general tasks / massively parallel tasks.
RAM/Storage: short-term working memory / long-term persistence.
OS: software that manages hardware and runs apps.
Input/Output: how data enters/leaves a system.
Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation
