INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTING

RP/PG/CH 159
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 Course Description
Student will learn through quizzes,
presentation and assignments the following:
▪ INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS (PCs)

▪ OPERATING SYSTEMS

▪ WORD PROCESSING USING MS WORD 2010

▪ SPREADSHEET USING MS EXCEL

▪ PRESENTATION APPLICATION USING MS POWERPOINT 2010

▪ COMPUTER NETWORKS

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 LECTURE 1
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS

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 Objectives and Expected Outputs
The objectives of this chapter are to:
▪ Appreciate how computers have evolved over
the years.
▪ Present some uses of computers.
▪ Provide basic understanding of computer
hardware and peripherals, and the mechanism
of communication between them.
▪ categorise the types of software and highlight on
the importance of the operating system
software.
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 Course Assessment
▪ Class Attendance – 10%
▪ Mid Semester Quiz – 20 Marks
▪ PowerPoint Presentation – 10 Marks
▪ Final Exam Score – 60 Marks

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 Exercise One (5 mins)
1. What is a computer system
2. Outline 5 uses of a computer system
3. What is the difference between data and
information
4. The parts of a computer that can be seen
and touched is known as ………………….
5. A computer system has 2 main parts,
name them.
6. Name the 2 main types of software.
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 What Is A Computer?
A computer is an electronic device, operating
under the control of instructions (software)
stored in its own memory unit, that can accept
data (input), manipulate data (process), and
produce information (output) from the
processing.
Generally, the term is used to describe a
collection of devices that function together as a
system.

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 Computer System
A computer system consists of three primary
units:
Input units – accept data
Processor unit – processes data by
performing comparisons and calculations
Output units – present the results

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History of Computers

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 Computer System
MONITOR

PROCESSOR

KEYBOARD

Storage
devices

PRINTER
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 Devices that comprise a computer system

Monitor Speaker
(output) (output) System unit
(processor, memory…)

Printer
(output)

Storage devices
(CD-RW, Floppy,
Hard disk, zip,…)
Mouse
(input)
Scanner Keyboard
(input) (input)

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 Computer Hardware
The parts of computer itself (tangible objects)
which includes:
⚫ CPU (or Processor)
⚫ Input devices i.e the keyboard and mouse
⚫ Output devices
⚫ Storage devices

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Components of a Computer System
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Data
control unit (CU)

Memory output
Arithmetic
logic RAM units
Input
Unit (ALU)
units ROM

Auxiliary Information
Memory /Knowledge
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 Hardware Organization
Input Devices ...

CPU

memory

motherboard

hard drive
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 What Do Computers Do?
•Input, Process, Output, & Store data

Input Process Output

Store Data

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 Data and Information
• All computer processing requires data, which is a
collection of raw facts, figures and symbols, such as
numbers, words, images, video and sound, given to the
computer during the input phase.
• Computers manipulate data to create information.
Information is data that is organized, meaningful, and
useful.
• During the output Phase, the information that has been
created is put into some form, such as a printed report.
• The information can also be put in computer storage for
future use.

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 Why Is A Computer So Powerful?

•The ability to perform the information

processing cycle with amazing speed.
•Reliability (low failure rate).
•Accuracy.
•Ability to store huge amounts of data and
information.
•Ability to communicate with other
computers.

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 How Does a Computer Know what to do?

•It must be given a detailed list of instructions,

called a compute program or software, that
tells it exactly what to do.
•Before processing a specific job, the computer
program corresponding to that job must be
stored in memory.
•Once the program is stored in memory the
computer can start the operation by executing
the program instructions one after the other.
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 Uses of Computer
Home Use Office Use
•Computer games
◼ Stock Control
•Telecommuting
◼ Accounts & Payroll
•Online Banking
•Surfing to the Web ◼ Tele-conferencing

•Playing Games ◼ Telemedicine

•Watching movies ◼ Webinars

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 Input Devices
Data are facts, numbers and characters that are
entered into the computer via keyboard.
Other types of input devices are mouse, joystick,
light pens, scanners, camera, etc.

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 Computer Input Devices

•Keyboard •Touch screen

•Mouse/Trackball •Bar code reader
•Joystick •Scanner
•Light pen •Microphone
•Pointing Stick •Graphics Tablet
•Touchpad •Digital Cameras

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Output Unit
After the data has been
processed, the results are output
in the form of useful information.
Output units such as monitors
and printers make the result
accessible for use by people.

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 Computer Output Devices
Monitor: screen that display Speakers: allow you to
information such as text, numbers, and hear voice, music, and other
pictures-softcopy. sounds from your computer.

Printer: gives you information from Modem: allows you to use

the computer in printed form – your computer to communicate
hardcopy. with other computers.

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Processor Unit
Two main parts:
CPU – where the actual processing takes place; and
Main memory – where data are stored.
The contents of main memory can be transferred to
auxiliary storage devices such as hard disks, floppy diskettes, zip
disks, compact disks, or USB flash disk.

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 Central Processing Unit
The microprocessor, the brains of the computer. Referred
to a CPU or processor. Housed on a tiny silicon chip.

CPU knows which switches to turn on and which to turn

off because it receives its instructions from computer
programs (software).

CPU has two primary sections:

▪ Arithmetic/logic unit
▪ Control unit

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Arithmetic/logic unit (ALU):
Performs arithmetic computations and logical
operations; by combining these two
operations the ALU can execute complex
tasks.
- Arithmetic operations include addition,
subtractions, multiplication, and division.
- Logical operations involve comparisons.

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Control Unit:
is the “boss” and coordinates all of the CPU’s
activities.
Uses programming instructions, it controls the flow
of information through the processor by controlling
what happens inside the processor.
We communicate with the computer through
programming languages.
Examples: COBOL, C++, HTML, Java Script or
VisualBasic.net

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Types of Computers

Types of Computers

Microcomputer Minicomputer Mainframe Supercomputer

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 Microcomputer
• Can be classified into:
•Desktop PCs
•sits on desks, rarely moved, large and bulky.
•Memory capacity, graphics capacity and
software availability vary from one computer to
another Used both for business and home
applications
•Portable PCs – can be moved around easily
•Mostly used by students, reporters, etc.

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 Microcomputer Model
Desktop Laptop Notebook

Subnotebook Palmtop

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 Uses of Microcomputer
•Word Processing
•Home entertainment
•Home banking
•Printing
•Surfing the internet
•etc

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 Minicomputer

•Medium sized computer

•Also called the minis
•e.g. IBM36, HP9000, etc
•Computing power lies between
microcomputer and mainframe
computer

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 Uses of Minicomputer
•Control of Automated Teller Machine
(ATMs)
•Payroll
•Hospital patients registration
•Inventory Control for supermarket
•Insurance claims processing
•Small bank accounting and customer
details tracking
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 Minicomputer
•Advantage
•Cater to multiple users
•Lower costs than mainframes
•Disadvantage
•Large
•Bulky

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Mainframe
•Known as enterprise servers
•Occupies entire rooms or
floors
•Used for centralized
computing
•Serve distributed users and
small servers in a computing
network

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Areas where mainframes are used
•Airline reservation
•Big banks with hundreds of branches located all over
the world
•Big universities with thousands of enrollment
•Natural gas and oil exploration companies
•Space Vehicle control
•Weather forecasting
•Animated Cartoon
•Some mainframes are designed to be extremely fast
and called super computers. It is used for space
launching, monitoring and controlling.
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 Mainframe Computers
•Advantage
•Supports many users and instructions
•Large memory
•Disadvantage
•Huge size
•Expensive

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Supercomputer
•Fastest and expensive
•Used by applications for
molecular chemistry, nuclear
research, weather reports,
and advanced physics
•Consists of several computers
that work in parallel as a
single system

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Super Computer
•Advantage
•Speed
•Disadvantage
•Generate a large amount of heat
during operation

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 Storage Devices - Memory
▪Stores the OS and other system software programmes that
controls computer resources.
▪Stores application programmes like word processors,
spreadsheets, and databases.
▪Stores data temporarily, i.e. data received from input devices
or secondary storage to be processed or to be sent to output
devices or secondary storage after processing.
▪Stores data required during processing inside an area of
storage work.
▪Provides additional storage space to programmes or data, if
required.

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Storage Devices - Memory
Found on the motherboard
❑ Short term - Random Access Memory
(RAM), volatile
❑ Long term - Read Only Memory
(ROM), non-volatile

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 Random Access Memory (RAM)
Memory on the motherboard that is short term;
where data, information, and program instructions
are stored temporarily on a RAM chip or a set of
RAM chips. Known as the main memory.

This memory is considered volatile.

The computer can read from and write to RAM.
When the computer is turned off or if there is loss of
power, what ever is stored in RAM disappears.

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 Read-Only Memory (ROM)
Memory on the motherboard that is long term;
where the specific instructions that are needed for
the computer to operate are stored.

This memory is nonvolatile and your computer can

only read from a ROM chip.

Most common is the BIOS ROM; where the

computer uses instructions contained on this chip to
boot or start the system when you turn on your
computer.
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 • Secondary Storage
• 3 different types of Secondary Storage:

• Magnetic Media - one of the oldest types of magnetic media. Eg. hard disks, are the most commonly used
secondary storage, because of their low cost, high speed and large storage capacity.

• Optical Media - data is recorded by using pinpoint laser beam that burns tiny hole into the surface of a
reflective plastic platter. Data is read by another laser installed in the optical disk drive that shines on the
surface of the disk.

• Flash Memory - This type of storage is normally used in the form of flash card. This card has only a
limited amount of storage capacity. E.g. SD cards, pen drives, memory cards, etc.

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 • Types of Storage – Disk Storage
• Three basic types of Disk Storage (drives).

• Hard Disk Storage - Located inside the system unit box and it is installed in such a way that dust or other
damaging agents are prevented from getting on it. It is called "C" drive on most computers.

• CD (Compact disk) storage - CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory) - Contains read only
information.

• CD-R/CD-RW (Recordable/Rewritable) – Information can be saved or recorded to the disk. For

Rewritable disks, data can be erased and copied again. The maximum capacity is 700/800MB

• DVD (Digital Versatile/Video Disk) – A CD size disk capable of storing a maximum of 17 GB of digital
audio, video, or data using both sides of the disk

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 Computer Motherboard
• A computer motherboard is the central printed
circuit board (PCB) in a computer that connects
all the essential components together, allowing
them to communicate and work in harmony.

• It serves as the backbone of a computer system,

providing the platform for various hardware
components to interact and function as a
cohesive unit.

• The motherboard houses the CPU (Central

Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access
Memory), expansion slots, connectors, and other
essential components necessary for a computer
to operate.
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 Computer Motherboard
key parts of a computer motherboard and their
functions:

• CPU Socket: The CPU socket is where the processor,

or CPU, is installed. It provides the physical and
electrical connections between the CPU and the rest of
the motherboard. The CPU is often considered the
brain of the computer, responsible for executing
instructions and performing calculations.

• Chipset: The chipset is a set of integrated circuits that

manages the data flow between the CPU, memory,
storage devices, and peripherals. It includes the
Northbridge and Southbridge chips, which handle
different functions such as memory control,
input/output operations, and interfacing with
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 Computer Motherboard
• RAM Slots: These slots hold the
system's RAM modules, allowing the
CPU to access data quickly. The RAM
(Random Access Memory) provides
temporary storage for data and
instructions that the CPU needs to
access frequently. The motherboard
may support different types of RAM,
such as DDR4, DDR5, etc., depending
on its specifications.

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 Computer Motherboard
• Expansion Slots: Expansion slots allow for the
installation of expansion cards, such as graphics
cards, sound cards, network cards, and storage
controllers. Common types of expansion slots include
PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express)
slots, which provide high-speed data transfer rates for
graphics cards and other peripherals.

• BIOS/UEFI Chip: The BIOS (Basic Input/Output

System) or UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware
Interface) chip contains firmware that initializes the
hardware components during the boot process and
provides low-level system control. It also stores
configuration settings that the user can access and
modify through the BIOS/UEFI interface.
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 Computer Motherboard
• Connectors: Various connectors on the
motherboard facilitate connections to
peripherals and external devices. These
include SATA (Serial ATA) connectors for
hard drives and SSDs, USB (Universal
Serial Bus) ports for connecting
peripherals, audio jacks for speakers and
microphones, Ethernet ports for network
connectivity, and display connectors such
as HDMI, DisplayPort, and VGA.

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 Computer Motherboard
• Power Connectors: The motherboard has power
connectors that supply electricity to the board and its
components. The main power connector, typically a 24-
pin ATX connector, delivers power from the power
supply unit (PSU) to the motherboard. Additional power
connectors, such as the 4-pin or 8-pin CPU power
connector, provide power specifically to the CPU.

• CMOS Battery: The CMOS (Complementary Metal-

Oxide Semiconductor) battery powers the CMOS
memory, which stores BIOS settings and system
configuration information. It ensures that the settings
are retained even when the computer is powered off.

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END OF LECTURE 1

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