CMT 04105, BASIC COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

Basic concepts of Computer

What is Computer?
Computer is an electronic machine that takes
data, stores it, processes that data and
produces information
 Data
Data is unprocessed facts
 Information
Information is a processed facts
 Characteristics of Computer
There are two principal characteristics of com-
puter
• A computer responds to a specific set of
instructions in a well-defined manner
• A computer can execute a pre-recorded
list of instructions
Computer System
Computer Hardware and Software
Any physical/tangible components of a
computer system is called computer hardware
e.g. Mouse, Keyboard etc

Those physical components are categorized

into four main categories:-
1. System Unit
2. Input/Output devices
3. Storage devices
4. Communication devices
Function of each Component

System Unit
System unit is a housing that encloses and
protect internal delicates components of
computer.
Common components of System unit are Pro-
cessor, Memory(RAM), Adapter Cards, Ports,
Drive bays and Power Supply
System Unit Components
System Unit Components
Processor: It manipulates data into
information
 System Unit Components

Memory(RAM): It holds instructions for

processing data, it also holds the
processed information before
they are output
Function of each Component

Input/Output devices
Input device is any device that sends data into a
computer for processing. e.g. Keyboard,
Mouse, Scanner etc
Output device is any device that takes informa-
tion out of computer. e.g. Monitor, Printer,
Speaker etc
Function of each Component

Secondary storage devices

Unlike memory, secondary storage devices hold
data and programs even after electrical power
to the computer has been turned off.
Examples of secondary storage devices are:-
Floppy disks, Hard disks, Optical disks
(Compact Disk, Digital Versatile Disks)
Function of each Component
Communication devices
These are devices which facilitate communica-
tion from one computer to the other computer
system located as near as the next office or as
far away as halfway around the world using the
internet.
The most widely used communication device is
a modem (modulator demodulator) and NIC
A modem is also known as a both input and
output device.
 More on Computer Components
Motherboard
The motherboard is the base of the mod-
ern computer system. It is also called
main board or the system board is the
most important component in a PC sys-
tem.
If the processor is the ‘brain’ of the com-
puter, then the motherboard is the cen-
tral nervous system and circulatory sys-
tem.
 Importance of the Motherboard
Organization: In one way or another,
everything is eventually connected to
the motherboard. The way that the
motherboard is designed and laid out
dictates how the entire computer is
going to be organized.
Control: The motherboard contains the
chipset and BIOS program, which be-
tween them control most of the data
flow within the computer.
 Importance of the Motherboard
Communication: Almost all communica-
tion between the PC and its peripherals,
other PCs, and you, the user, goes
through the motherboard.
Processor Support: The motherboard
dictates directly your choice of processor
for use in the system.
Peripheral Support: The motherboard
determines, in large part, what types
of peripherals you can use in your
PC.
– This means, the type of peripheral devices
 Importance of the Motherboard
Performance: The motherboard is a ma-
jor determining factor in your system's
performance, for two main rea-
sons:
– Determines what types of processors,
memory, and hard disk interface speed
your system can have, and these compo-
nents dictate directly your system's perfor-
mance.

– The quality of the motherboard circuitry and

chipset themselves have an impact on
performance
 Importance of the Motherboard
Upgradability: The capabilities of your
motherboard dictate to what extent
you will be able to upgrade your ma-
chine.
 More on Computer Components
Motherboard
 More on Computer Components
Processor
This is a short form for microprocessor
and also often called the CPU or central
processing unit.
It is the brain of the computer, where
most calculations take place.
It processes data.
It is the center of PC data processing.
 More on Computer Components
CD ROM Drive
This is a compact disk read-only memory
drive.
It is a device that can read information
from a CD-ROM
More on Computer Components
Hard Disk Drive(HDD)
This is the device that stores data
permanently in a PC unless deleted.
When the hard disk fails, the conse-
quences usually are very serious (all the
data will be lost). Capacity of a hard
disk drive is usually quoted in gigabytes.
More on Computer Components
Power Supply
The power supply supplies electrical
power to every component in the system.
The basic function of the power supply is
to convert the type of electrical power
available at the wall socket to that which
is usable by the computer circuitry.
More on Computer Components
Random Access Memory (RAM)
This temporarily stores data when the PC
is on. When PC is switched off, all data
on it is lost.
RAM is considered temporary or volatile
memory.
More on Computer Components
Ports
All external devices that connect to the
computer use connectors on the back
of the computer known as ports. Ports
are classified into male ports and fe-
male ports.
A male connector is commonly referred
to as a plug and has a solid pin. A female
connector is commonly referred
to as a jack and has a hole in it to accept
the male pin.
More on Computer Components
Ports
 Computer Software
Computer software is a Program which
consist of the step by step instructions
that tell the computer how to do its
work.
There are two major kinds of software:
1.System Software
2.Application Software
 System Software
System software: is computer software
designed to provide services to other
software. Examples of system soft-
ware include operating systems, utilities
and device drivers
An operating system(OS) is a software
program that enables the computer
hardware to communicate and operate
with the computer software. e.g.
Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows
8, Windows 10, Fedora, and Ubuntu
 System Software
Three Categories of Operating Sys-
tem
1. Embedded Operating System
2. Network Operating System
3. Standalone Operating System
 System Software
Device drivers: Program that allows OS
to communicate with input or output
device. For example audio driver allows
OS to communicate with audio
device(Speaker)
 System Software
Utilities: Also known as service programs
perform specific tasks related to man-
aging computer resources.
For example, the windows utility called
disk defragmenter locates and elimi-
nates unnecessary file fragments
and rearranges files and unused disk
space to optimize computer opera-
tions.
 Application Software
Application software: Is a software de-
signed for a specific
purpose
e.g. MS Word, VLC Media player, Mozilla
firefox, Antivirus etc.
Application software are further classified
into:-
1. Basic Application Software
2. Special purpose Application Soft-
ware
3. Additional Application Software
 Starting a Computer
How to switch/turn on Computer?
1. Make sure all cables are well connected
2. Switch on Electric Power Source
(Socket)
3. Switch on System Unit
4. Switch on Monitor
5. Start to operate your computer
 Switch off a Computer
How to switch/turn off Computer?
1. Click on start button
2. Click on shutdown/turn off
3. Wait for a computer to turn off
4. Switch off Monitor
5. Switch off Electric Power source
 Operating a Computer
We use Mouse and keyboard to anything
in a computer. For example if we want to
write we use a mouse to open any text
editor program and then use a keyboard
for typing.
Mouse has two button Left and right but-
tons. We use those buttons to click. There
are three types of clicking.
1. Click - Is an action of pressing left button
2. Right click - Is an action of pressing right but-
ton
 Operating a Computer
Keyboard is a main input device used for
typing. It consists of several keys but
frequently you will use the following
keys while typing.
Enter or Return - Moves the cursor down
one line
DEL or Delete - Deletes the character to
the right of the
cursor and all highlighted (or
selected) text.
Backspace - Deletes the character to the
left of the cursor and all highlighted text.
Space Bar - Moves the cursor one space
at a time to the right.
Shift Key - Use the shift keys to type
capital letters and to type the upper
character on any keys with two charac-
ters on them.
Caps Lock - Types capital letters (a light
goes on when caps lock is on).
Tab - Moves the cursor five spaces to the
right
ESC or Escape - Cancels a menu or dia-
Arrow Keys - Moves the cursor around
document without changing text.
Function Keys or Fn keys - Access
commands by themselves or in combina-
tion with the three command keys;
CTRL, SHIFT, and ALT.
The Control key or Ctrl is often used to
access commands.
The Alternative key or Alt is often used
to access menus.
 Keyboard Shortcuts
CTRL+ESC: Open Start menu
ALT+Tab: Switch between open pro-
grams
ALT+F4: Quit program
Shift+Delete: Delete item permanently
CTRL+C: Copy
CTRL+X: Cut
CTRL+V: Paste
CTRL+Z: Undo
CTRL+B: Bold
CTRL+U: Underline
 Types of typing
There are two types of typing
1. Touch typing -This is a method of using
the ‘home keys’, in which all the fin-
gers on both hands are used.
2. Hunt and peck- Involves using one or
more finger on one or two hands to
type.
 Basic Typing Rules
- Place one space between each word, af-
ter a punctuation mark and at the end of
a sentence.
- Always start a sentence with a capital
letter.
- Use capitals for names, addresses, prov-
inces and countries, places, organiza-
tions, businesses, associations,
schools, colleges, universities, days of
the week, months, holidays, nation-
alities, ethnic groups and languages.
Health and Safety Factors in Computer

There are Health factors that have to be

kept into consideration while using com-
puter
-Eye Strain
-Back ache
-Wrist problems
-Leg swelling etc
Factors affecting performance of Computer

1. Memory Size-The more memory you

have the faster the PC and vice versa
2. Processor Speed-The higher the pro-
cessor speed, the faster the computer
and vice versa
3. Number of programs running-The more
programs which are running at the
same time, the slower each one will
run
4. The lower the hard disk size, the slower
the computer.
Factors affecting performance of Computer

5. Hardware problems such as overheat-

ing which is caused by poor cooling,
dust makes computer to be slow
6. Another cause of lower computer
performance is spyware(Virus). Virus
is software that is installed into your
system that invades your privacy,
changes your settings. We can get
rid of virus by using Antivirus
Planned Preventive Maintenance (PPM)

PPM is the act of a regularly scheduled

check of the computer hardware or soft-
ware to ensure it continues to operate
properly
 Importance of PPM

1. Minimize running cost

2. Prolongs life of equipment
3. It increases efficiency of equipment
4. Reduces equipment downtime
5. Ensures quality of medical services
Planned Preventive Maintenance (PPM)
1. Cleaning your computer hardware.
2. Downloading the latest drivers for your
hardware.
3. Downloading the latest updates for
your computer software.
4. Verifying you have the latest anti-virus
protection updates on your com-
puter.
5. Running disk software utilities such as
disk defragment. Disk defragmenta-
tion is the process of locating and elim-
inating unnecessary file frag-
Planned Preventive Maintenance (PPM)
6. Deleting unused programs or other files
on your computer.
7. Use UPS to prevent power surge
8. If you don't turn off your computer it
may be good to reboot your computer
every few months, unless the computer
is a critical computer such as a com-
puter server.
File Management
Icon
Icon is a graphic representations for a program
Pointer
Pointer is a controller that specifies a fo-
cus point on the screen
-It changes its shape depending upon its
current function.
-For example, when shaped like an arrow,
the pointer can be used to select items
such
as an icon.
File Management
Window
Window is rectangular area for displaying
information and running programs.
File Management

Folder
A folder is a virtual location where files can be
located

File
A computer file is a computer resource for
recording data
File Management
Creating Folder
1. Right click in any empty space
2. Select New from the list and it will expand.
3. Select Folder from the new list. A new folder
is created at the bottom of the list of files and
folders with the name New Folder. It will be
highlighted if you haven’t moved the mouse.
4. Type in a name for the folder. e.g. Letter
5. Hit Enter key and the folder will have the new
name you typed.
File Management
Renaming Folder or File
1. Right click on folder
2. Select rename from the list
3. Type in a new name for the folder. e.g. Job
4. Hit Enter key and the folder will have the new
name you typed.
File Management
Copy and Cut folder or file
The cut command removes the selected data
from its original position, while the copy
command creates a duplicate leaving the
original unchanged; in both cases the selected
data is kept in a temporary storage tool called
the clipboard
File Management
To Copy/Cut folder or file
1.Right-click your folder and choose Cut or
Copy from the menu that appears, depending
on your need.
2.Right-click the item’s destination and choose
Paste.
File Management
To delete folder or file
1.Right-click your folder and choose delete.
2.A dialog box appears that asks are you sure
you want to delete? Click yes to delete the file
or folder to recycle bin. If you don’t want your
folder or file to be taken to the recycle bin hold
down the Shift key while pressing the delete
key. Your file or folder will be deleted
permanently
File Management
Restore deleted folder or file
1.Open the Recycle Bin by double-clicking on
its icon on the Desktop.
2.Select whatever file(s) and/or folder(s) you
need to restore.
3.Right-click on the selection and then choose
Restore.
Advantages of Using Computer in
recording Clinical Records
1. It reduce the time spent in looking for
information. The reduction is achieved
because information can be retrieved quickly
and reliably.
2. It facilitate easy sharing of information,
thus facilitating easy flow of information.
e.g. Email
3. It reduces the unnecessary duplication of
information.
4. It provides Information confidentiality
Disadvantages of Using Computer in
recording Clinical Records
1.Expensive in Installment and maintenance of
computer software
2.Requires good infrastructure (Air condition
rooms free from dusts) which are expensive
and requires special care.
3.Requires reliable power source and thus
may be costly if no reliable power supply
4.Knowledge is needed so as one to be able to
use the software