IT 110 :

ICT and Communication

Skills
Introduction to Computers
Coursework Assessment and
University exam
 Quizz(es)–

 Assignment(s)- 50%

 Test(s) –

 End of Module University Exam 50%

Learning Objectives

Recognize
Recognizethe
theimportance
importanceof
of
computers
computers

Identify Identify
Identifythe
thetypes
typesofof
Identifythe
thecomponents
componentsofof
the computer
computerusers
users
theinformation
informationarchitecture
architecture

Discuss
Discussthe
theuses
usesof
ofthe
theInternet
Internetand
and
Describe
Describethe
thecategories
categoriesof
ofcomputers
computers World
WorldWide
WideWebWeb
Discuss
Discussvarious
variouscomputer
computer
Identify
Identifythe
thecategories
categoriesof
ofsoftware
software applications
applicationsin
insociety
society

Next
 What Is a Computer?
 Electronic device operating under the control of instructions stored in its
own memory

Accepts data Processes data into information

Raw facts, figures, and symbols Data that is organized, meaningful,
and useful

Produces and stores results

Next
Functionalities of a Computer
 Takes data as input
 Store data/instructions in its memory and use them when

required
 Process data and convert into useful information
 Generates the output
 Controls all the above

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Components of Information
Systems
 Hardware is a set of devices such as  Network is a connecting system that permits
processor, monitor, keyboard, and printer. the sharing of resources between computers.
 Procedures are the set of instructions about
 Software is a set of programs that enable the how to combine the above components.
hardware to process data.
 People are those individuals who work with the
 Database is a collection of related files, tables, system or use its output.
relations, and so on, that stores data.

7
Advantages of Using Computers

Speed Reliability Consistency

Storage Communications

Next
Disadvantages of Using Computers

Violation of
Public Safety
Privacy

Impact on Impact on
Health Risks
Labor Force Environment

Next
Computer Components

Hardwar refers to the physical parts or components of a computer such as

the monitor, mouse, keyboard, computer data storage, hard drive
disk (HDD), system unit (graphic cards, sound cards, memory,
e motherboard and chips), etc. all of which are physical objects that
can be touched

Software is a generic term for organized collections of computer data and

instructions, often broken into two major categories. all of which
are non physical objects that cannot be touched

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Information processing cycle

 Input
 Process
 Output
 Storage
 Communication

Next
Information processing cycle

Input device
 Hardware used to
enter data and
instructions

Next
 Information processing cycle

Input Technology Trends

First Second Third Fourth Fifth
Generation Generation Generation Generation Generation

Voice
Voice
Keyboard
Keyboard Data
Data
Punched
Punched Recognition
Recognition
Punched
Punched Key
Key to
to Tape/
Tape/ Entry
Entry
Cards
Cards Touch
Touch Devices
Devices
Cards
Cards Disk
Disk Pointing
Pointing Devices
Devices
Paper
Paper Tape
Tape Handwriting
Handwriting
Optical Scanning
Optical Scanning Recognition
Recognition

Trend: Towards direct input devices that are more natural

and easy to use

Next
 Information processing cycle

Output device
 Hardware that conveys
information to one or
more people

Next
 Information processing cycle

Output Technology Trends

First Second Third Fourth Fifth
Generation Generation Generation Generation Generation

Video
Video Displays
Displays
Video
Video Displays
Displays
Punched
Punched Cards
Cards Punched
Punched Cards
Cards Printed
Printed Reports
Reports Voice Responses
Voice Responses
Audio
Audio Responses
Responses
Printed
Printed Reports
Reports Printed
Printed Reports
Reports and
and Documents
Documents Hyperlinked
Hyperlinked
Printed
Printed Reports
Reports
and
and Documents
Documents and
and Documents
Documents Video
Video Displays
Displays Multimedia
Multimedia
and Documents
and Documents Documents
Documents

Trend: Towards output methods that communicate naturally,

quickly, and clearly

Next
 Information processing cycle

System unit
 Case containing electronic
components of the computer
that are used to process data

Next
 Information processing
cycle

Two main components on the motherboard

Processor
Also called a Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The electronic component that interprets and carries
out the basic instructions that operate the computer

Memory
Consists of electronic components that store
instructions waiting to be executed and data needed by
those instructions

Next
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
 A CPU is brain of a computer. It is responsible for all
functions and processes. Regarding computing power, the
CPU is the most important element of a computer system.
 The CPU is comprised of three main parts

i. Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

 Executes all arithmetic and logical operations.
ii. Control Unit (CU)
 controls and co-ordinates computer components.
iii. Registers
 Stores the data that is to be executed next, "very fast storage area".

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Information processing cycle

Storage
media

se ses

Storage
Primary
cr cre ses
Semiconductor
Semiconductor
Memory
Memory (ROM,
(ROM, RAM)

a
RAM)

it y D rea
Direct

s
Magnetic
Magnetic Access

r B it Inc
e
ea
Disks
Disks

pe pac d
st Ca ee Floppy
Floppy Disk
Disk

In
C o e Sp
Hard
Hard Disk,
Disk, RAID
RAID
ag ss

Sequential
or c e

Magnetic
Magnetic Tape
Tape Access
St Ac

y Storage
Secondar
Optical
Optical Disks
Disks
CD-ROM,
CD-ROM, CD-R
CD-R Direct
CD-RW Access
CD-RW
DVD
DVD
Information processing cycle

 Random Access Memory (RAM)

 Temporarily storage, for short term use by the CPU
 Store information for files that are actually being used by
the CPU at any given time
 Read Only Memory (ROM)
◦ Nonvolatile memory that are used for permanent storage

Next
 Information processing
cycle

Storage
CDs
media

Hard Disks

DVDs

Memory Cards
USB Flash Disks

Next
Information processing cycle

Hard disk
 Provides permanent &
greater storage
capacity than a
RAM
 Most are housed inside
of the system unit

Internal Hard Disk External Hard

Disk

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Information processing cycle

USB flash drive

Portable
Portablestorage
storagedevice
device
Small
Smalland
andlightweight
lightweightenough
enough
to
tobe
betransported
transportedon onaakeychain
keychainor
orin
inaapocket
pocket
The
Theaverage
averageUSB
USBflash
flashdrive
drive
can hold about 1-64 billion
can hold about 1-64 billion
characters
characters

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 Information processing
cycle
Compact disc
 Flat, round, portable metal disc
 CD-ROM
 CD+/-R
 CD+/-R/W
 DVD-ROM
 DVD+/-R
 DVD+/-R/W

 CD+/-R and DVD+/-R also called WORM

technology
[en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Write_Once_Read_Many ]Next
 Computer Software

Software Consists of a series of instructions that tells the computer what to do and how to do it

Types of Computer
Software
System Software

Application Software

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 System or operating
software
 Programs that control or maintain the operations of the computer and
its devices

Operating System (OS) A set of programs that coordinates all activities among
computer hardware devices

Utility Programs Allow the user to perform maintenance-type tasks usually

related to managing a computer, its devices or its programs

Next
Some popular operating systems are:

Microsoft Windows
for laptops, PCs and tablets

Mac OS for Apple computers, laptops and

tablets

Linux
for very large network computers
Handheld operating
systems for PDAs, MP3 players, and cell phones
◦ What Is a GUI?
 Nearly all modern operating systems use a graphical user interface (GUI).
This lets users click on images or text on the screen instead of having to type
commands
Understanding Operating Systems

• Today’s computers are:

1. Multi-user –
 Allows for multiple users to use the same computer at the same time and different
times.

2. Multiprocessing
 Capable of supporting and utilizing more than one computer processor.

3. Multitasking
 Capable of allowing multiple software processes to run at the same time.

4. Multithreading
 Allows different parts of a software program to run concurrently.
Application software

 Programs designed to make users

more productive
 Create/Produce useful data

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Draw Conclusions What types of software could you use to accomplish your college tasks?

Possible types of software and sample tasks you could accomplish with them are:
Type of Software Sample Task
Web browsers Conduct Internet research
Instant messaging Communicate with friends
E-mail Send a file to your lecturer
Word processing Write a letter, paper, or essay
Presentation Create a slide show
Spreadsheet Make calculations
Database Organize and access large amounts of
information, such as at a library
Classification/Categories of Computers

Personal
Computers A small, single-user computer based on a microprocessor

Workstation
A powerful, single-user computer

Minicomputer A multi-user computer capable of supporting from 10 to

hundreds of users simultaneously

Mainframe A powerful multi-user computer capable of supporting

many hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously

Supercomputer An extremely fast computer that can perform hundreds of

millions of instructions per second

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Personal Computers
A small, single-user computer based on a microprocessor.
 In addition to the microprocessor, a personal computer has a
keyboard for entering data, a monitor for displaying information,
and a storage device for saving data

Next
Workstation
 A powerful, single-user computer.
 A workstation is like a personal

computer, but it has a more

powerful microprocessor and a
higher-quality monitor

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Minicomputer
 A multi-user computer capable of supporting from 10 to
hundreds of users simultaneously

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Mainframe
 A powerful multi-user computer capable of supporting many
hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously
 Occupies part of a room
 Used by small to medium-

sized organizations

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 Supercomputer
 An extremely fast computer that can perform hundreds of
millions of instructions per second.
 Room sized
 Used by large corporations
 Bulk data processing
 host multiple operating systems
 Substitute for several small servers

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Other Types of computers
 Wearable Computers:
◦ Track human actions
◦ Constant interaction with the user
◦ Used in the study of behaviour modelling and human health
 Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices
◦ Notebook
 Portable, small enough to fit on your lap
 Also called a laptop computer
 Generally more expensive than desktop computers with equal
capabilities
◦ Tablet
 Resembles a letter-sized slate, Allows you to write on the screen
using a digital pen
Other Types of computers cont.…
 Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices
◦ Personal digital assistant (PDA)
 Provides personal organizer functions
 Calendar
 Appointment book
 Address book
 Calculator
 Notepad
◦ Smart phones
 A smart phone is an Internet-enabled telephone
that usually provides PDA capabilities
 Like the iPhone,
 Android (‘Droid) etc.

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How Does My Computer Work?
 The “brain” of a computer is the central processing unit (CPU).
• When the CPU receives and carries out an instruction, it has completed one
cycle.

 Computer’s speed = number of cycles completed in one

second

 Cycles are measured in:

 Megahertz (MHz) = millions of cycles per second
 Gigahertz (GHz) = billions of cycles per second

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 How Does My Computer Work?

Bits, Bytes, and Binary Numbers

bit
Bits and bytes are small pieces of
The smallest unit of
computerized data that communicate
computerized data. commands to a computer’s CPU:
byte  A bit is either a 1 or a 0 (binary digits).
The building block for all  A byte contains eight bits.
information that flows
through a computer. Each letter in the English language is
represented by
one byte.
How Does My Computer Work?

How Big Is a Terabyte?

Common storage units:
 Kilobyte (KB) = 1,000 bytes

 Megabyte (MB) = 1,000 bytes, or 1 million (1,000,000) bytes

 Gigabyte (GB) = 1,000 MB, or 1 billion (1,000,000,000) bytes

 Terabyte (TB) = 1,000 GB, or 1 trillion (1,000,000,000,000) bytes

Computer Viruses

Viruses
A virus is a small piece of software that piggybacks on real programs

E-mail An e-mail virus travels as an attachment to e-mail messages, and usually

replicates itself by automatically mailing itself to dozens of people in the
viruses victim's e-mail address book.

Trojan horses The program claims to do one thing (it may claim to be a game) but instead
does damage when you run it (it may erase your hard disk).

Worms A worm is a small piece of software that uses computer networks and security
holes to replicate itself.

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 Compare and Contrast What are some similarities and differences
between mainframe computers and personal computers?

Some similarities are:

 Both have a central processing unit (CPU).
 Both read only 1s and 0s.
 Both recognize and process bits and bytes.
 For both, speed is determined by cycles per second.

Some differences are:

 Mainframes are very large. PCs can be very small.
 Mainframes can be used by thousands of people at once. PCs can only be used
by one person at a time.
 Mainframes are used by corporations and government agencies. PCs are used
by individuals, like students!
Technology in Your Life
End...

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