Term 1 ICT - Year 6

Chapter 1 – Know Your

Week 2 Computer
LO: To be able to learn about: Classification
of computers and Functional components of a
computer

Reference: Click Start, Learner’s Book 6, pages 5 -12

Keywords:
• Microcomputer
• Mainframe computer
• Minicomputer
• Supercomputer
• Input Unit
• Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• Output Unit
• Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
• Control Unit (CU)
• Memory Unit
• Primary Memory
• Auxiliary Memory
Classification of
Computers
1. Microcomputer
 Microcomputer is a commonly used term for
personal computers (usually in classrooms, homes,
banks)
 Consists of CPU, memory and input/output devices
 One person can use it at a time
 Slower and have less storage capacity than a
minicomputer or a mainframe computer.
Shown below are the kinds of microcomputers:
 Desktop PC
 Laptop
 Tablet
 Smartphone
 Classification of
Computers
2. Mainframe computer
 Mainframe computer is a very large computer, often
filling an entire room.
 They can store and enormous amount of
information and perform many task simultaneously.
 Usually used by large businesses, government
agencies, banks, universities, hospitals, airline and
reservation companies.
 Classification of
Computers
3. Minicomputer
 Minicomputer is much larger than a microcomputer,
and is also much more expensive.
 Often referred to as a midrange computer since it
lies between microcomputers and mainframe
computers.
 It possesses most of the features found on a
mainframe computer, but on a limited scale.
 Medium and small businesses and colleges
typically use minicomputers.
 Classification of
Computers
4. Supercomputer
 Supercomputer is a modern computing machine that is
capable of giving speedy calculations.
 Supercomputer system are used in graphic animation,
weather forecasting, nuclear research works, petroleum
research, crypt analysis, molecular modelling, etc
 While mainframe is used for a number of purpose,
supercomputers are designed to serve a single purpose.
How does a computer
Works?
 Functional Components of a
Computer

e input and output units attached to a comput

called computer peripherals.
Functional Components of a
Computer
 Input unit
Data is accepted by a computer through the input unit.
The standard input device is a keyboard.
Examples of input devices:
 Input device:
Bar code reader
Bar code reader is used by
computer to scan and
identify the product or item
code.
The code of each item is a
unique combination of
vertical bars and can be
identified by a bar code
reader.
Usually used in
supermarkets, book stores
to identify the price code,
item code, etc.
Input device: Magnetic Ink
Character Recognition
(MICR) Reader
MICR reader reads the
special characters
printed using a special
magnetic ink.
Cheque number, bank
code and branch code
are printed on cheques
using magnetic ink,
making them difficult to
forge.
Input device: Optical Mark
Recognition (OMR)
Reader
OMRs are used for
recognizing a pre-
specified space on a
paper that is marked by
pencil or pen.
It is commonly used for
marking the answers on
examination sheets.
 Central Processing Unit
(CPU)
CPU is the control centre of a computer.
IT is known as the brain of the computer.
The CPU has three components: ALU, CU and
MU
 CPU: Arithmetic Logic
Unit (ALU)
ALU performs all
arithmetic and logical
operations within a
computer.
This part provides the
arithmetic and decision-
making capability to a
computer.
CPU: Control Unit (CU)
CU controls and guides the interpretation, flow
and manipulation of all data and information.
The CU sends control signals until the required
operations are completed by the ALU and the
memory.
CU performs program execution and controls
the flow of data from the input devices to
memory and from memory to the output
devices.
 CPU: Memory Unit (MU)
MU is where the data is stored and is accessible to the
CPU.
The various measurement units of computer memory
are:
1. Bit
-A bit means a binary digit
-There only two possibilities, either 0 or 1
2. Byte
-A byte is a group pf 8 bits
-One byte represent a meaningful data or

character
-Memory is measured in terms of bytes.
3. Nibble
-A nibble is a group of 4 bits
CPU: Memory Unit (MU)
Computer memory can also be
expressed in other units:
1 Byte = 8 Bits
1024 Bytes = 1 Kilobyte (KB)
1024 Kilobyte = 1 Megabyte (MB)
1024 Megabyte = 1 Gigabyte (GB)
1024 Gigabyte = 1 Terabyte (TB)
CPU: Memory Unit (MU)
 CPU: Memory Unit (MU)
Primary Memory
Primary memory determines the
size and number of software
application that a computer can
store. It classified into: RAM (volatile
memory) and ROM (non-volatile
memory).
CPU: Memory Unit (MU)
Secondary Memory
Secondary memory is also
known as auxiliary memory. It is
used for storing data or programs on
a temporary or on a permanent
basis.
 Output Unit
Output Unit is for getting information from
a computer. Data is sent from the computer
to an output device.
Information can either be a soft copy or a
hard copy.
Examples of output devices:

Video Display Unit or Monitor Printer Speakers

Headphones LCD Projector Plotter

Other output devices:
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) projector
LCD projector is used to display
information on a large screen or flat surface.
It is usually used for showing PowerPoint
presentations in Schools and businesses.
 Other output devices:
Plotters
Plotters are used for making high-quality
graphics, charts, diagrams, maps, etc. The three
basic types of plotter are:
• Inkjet plotter – sprays small
droplets of ink onto a piece of paper
and creates an image.

• Drum plotter – uses a drum o

a revolver or roller to move the
paper and the pen or the jets of
Flatbed plotter – the pen or Ink during printing process.
e inkjet moves in horizontal and
rtical direction on flat surface
n which paper is mounted.
 Questions
What are the classification of computer and
describe each of them?
Microcomputer is a commonly used term for personal
_____________________________________________
1.
_____________________________________________
computers
_____________________________________________
2. Mainframe computer is a very large computer, often
_____________________________________________
filling an entire room.
_____________________________________________
3. Minicomputer is much larger than a microcomputer,
_____________________________________________
and is also much more expensive.
4. Supercomputer is a modern computing machine that
is capable of giving speedy calculations.
 Questions
Complete the diagram to identify the
functional components of a computer.
INPUT UNIT CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT
OUTPUT UNIT
(CPU)
True or False?
a. An operating system acts as an interface
between the user
T and the computer.
b. Business software are those application
programs that assist the computer by F
performing housekeeping functions.
F
c. In an inkjet plotter, the pen moves in
horizontal and vertical direction.
d. A drum plotter
T uses roller to move the
 Questions
 Give the full forms of the following:

Arithmetic Logic Unit

1. ALU ______________________________________________
Optical Mark Recognition
2. OMR ______________________________________________
Magnetic Ink Character Recognition
3. MICR _____________________________________________
Liquid Crystal Display
4. LCD ______________________________________________

5.
Visual Display Unit
VDU ______________________________________________
 Questions
Explain the difference between the two
types of primary
M refers
memory toavailable
Random Access Memory while
in computers.
M refers to Read Only Memory.
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
M is volatile or the information is cleared
_____________________________________________
en _____________________________________________
the computeris turned off while ROM is
n-volatile or information is retained even when
_____________________________________________
mputer is turned off.
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
M is temporary while ROM is permanent memo
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
THANK YOU