Computer Fundamentals

Presenter: R. L. Whyte
What is Information Technology?
Information Technology is the use of technology to process data into
useful information. You will already be familiar with some of the technologies
because you will have used or seen computers, smartphones, laptops,
tablets and games consoles in action.
• An example of Information Technology in action that you will be familiar
with is in your school. Students’ attendance, and examination and test
scores, will be stored on a computer and processed so that questions
such as ‘Which students passed the test?’ and ‘What is the attendance
record of a particular student?’ can be answered quickly and easily. The
answers are incorporated in the student’s term report to be viewed by
parents or guardians.
• This is what Information Technology is all about: technology that manages
information to make solving problems, answering questions and
displaying results quicker and easier.
Computer Fundamentals
The concept of Information Technology
Information Technology is made up of the technologies that are used to
capture input data; it processes that data into useful information, displays
the output information and stores it for future use.
• Information Technology (IT) can be described as ‘the use of computers,
storage, communication and other physical devices to create, process and
exchange all forms of electronic data’.
• IT merges the fields of Computer Science, Information and
Communications Technology (ICT) and Office Automation. Information is
the foundation of all Information Technology activities.
• IT involves the collection, processing, storage, retrieval and dissemination
of information. Nowadays IT impacts many areas of life, including work
and social activities.
Major types of computer systems
• A computer system is a complete computer installation including hardware,
software, users, procedures and data.
• In its simplest form a computer is an electronic device capable of executing a set of
instructions or a ‘program’.
• An electronic calculator is a simple computer, a tool that helps us solve
mathematical problems quickly, accurately and efficiently.
• Computer systems may be classified into five major types: supercomputers,
mainframes, desktop systems, mobile devices and embedded devices.
DVD drive
Types of Computer
Computer systems may be classified into five major types:
supercomputers, mainframes, desktop systems, mobile devices and
embedded devices.
• Supercomputers are designed to carry out single, extremely
complex computing tasks such as climate research, cryptanalysis
(code breaking), physical simulations, oil and gas exploration and
weather forecasting.
• They use the maximum computing power to solve a single large
problem in the shortest amount of time.
– Speed is measured in FLOPS (floating point operations per
second) but this is really only useful when comparing
supercomputers.
• A mainframe is a large-scale, powerful computer with a large
storage capacity and a fast Central Processing Unit (CPU).
• Mainframe computers are usually computer systems used by
large enterprises.
– Mainframes are designed, manufactured and supported by
a few vendors, primarily IBM, Unisys and Fujitsu.
– They are known for their reliability and rarely require
downtime for upgrades or repairs.
– If the system is brought down by a fault, it must be
repaired quickly so normal service can resume.
• Mainframes are used primarily for transaction processing,
for example:
– processing transactions related to logistics (parcel pickup
and delivery, tracking, billing and maintaining customer
records)
– national and international payments and transactions
(credit card transaction processing).
– It is highly likely that your next e-commerce transaction,
such as an online purchase or topping up the credit on
your smartphone, will be processed by a mainframe.
• You will find mainframe computers supporting the
operation of many large organisations.
• For example, a mainframe will be at the heart of an
airline’s booking system.
– This will allow seats on any particular flight to be
reserved, cancelled or changed by a customer.
– Contact details, payment record, meal preference
option and other such information will also be
associated with each booking.
Desktop systems
• A desktop system (or ‘desktop computer’) is a computer
system small enough to f it on a desk, but also powerful
enough for common business tasks and inexpensive enough
for home ownership.
• A desktop computer system is an example of a general-
purpose computer system, which is one that is suitable for
undertaking a wide range of common computing tasks.
• Desktop systems are usually installed in homes, offices,
computer labs in schools and Internet cafes.
• These systems, also called ‘desktops’, are commonly used in
small and medium-sized organisations.
• Desktop systems come in different sizes and shapes that
make them more or less easy to place on or under a desk.
Mobile devices
• Mobile devices are computing devices that are small
enough to hold and operate in one’s hand and are easily
portable.
• This grouping is dynamic and ever expanding, thanks to
the consumer’s desire to be able to work on the move.
• Although these devices are small in size they include
powerful processors and a lot of memory and storage
capacity.
• The higher-specification smartphones are as powerful as
lower-specification desktops.
Some categories of mobile device include:
• laptops and notebooks
• ultra-portables, for example netbooks and
Chromebooks
• tablets and eReaders, for example Apple iPad and
Amazon Kindle
• smartphones and phablets (phone tablets), for
example Samsung Note
• games consoles, for example Nintendo Switch.
Embedded devices
• A special-purpose computer is a computer system
which performs a small range of tasks and contains
features uniquely designed for use in a particular industry
or application.
• An embedded device is a special-purpose computer that
carries out a specific (and dedicated) function within a
larger electrical or mechanical system or a combination of
both.
• Common examples of embedded devices include DVD
players and video game consoles.
• Embedded systems include all the elements of a computer
system – a processor, memory and storage – but on a very
small and simple level.
• Common embedded systems include: electronic calculator,
handheld games controller, home assistants, touchscreen
controller and GPS satellite navigation systems.
• Embedded systems help control thousands of devices in
common use today.
• Approximately 98 percent of all microprocessors are
manufactured as components of embedded systems.
The Major Hardware Components of a Computer System
• A computer system includes hardware, software, users, procedures and
data.
• The term hardware component (or simply ‘hardware’) refers to the
physical parts of the computer system.
• Hardware is comprised of core components (such as the processor,
memory and storage) and peripherals (such as input/output devices).
• All computer systems need hardware to carry out the
following four main processes:
– accepting input
– processing that input
– producing output information
– storing data and/or information for later retrieval and
use.
Major Components of Computer Systems: Description and Functions
• A port is a physical docking point by which an external
device can be connected to a computer or other
electronic device.
• An external device may be connected to a port using a
cable.
• A USB (Universal Serial Bus) port is a common type of
port; a USB cable is one of the more widely used cables.
• It may be used to connect a wide range of input, output
and storage devices to a computer.
CPU
• The CPU is the ‘brains’ of the computer, where the
program instructions (calculations) are processed or
carried out. It is also called the processor or
microprocessor.
• Backing storage is the computer’s secondary storage:
the hard disk drives and optical drives.
• A port is a physical docking point by which an external
device can be connected to a computer or other
electronic device.
Secondary storage devices
• A secondary storage device retains data permanently, even when
the device is disconnected or the computer system is turned off.
• The options we will explore are hard disk drives, magnetic tape,
flash memory (USB drives and memory cards) and optical discs
(CD, DVD and Blu-Ray).
• The data storage needs of individuals and organisations can be
met by a range of local devices.
• These devices are usually pre-installed in computer systems (as
an internal drive); however, a user may choose to add devices via
available ports such as USB or Firewire (as an external drive).
• A backup is simply a copy of important files that can be
used if the original files are lost.
• A good backup system means that an organisation can
quickly resume operation after a disaster like a fire
destroys its computer systems.
• Users may choose from a range of storage technologies
such as magnetic, optical and compact f lash memory.
Storage devices that use flash memory
• Flash memory is a small electronic device that maintains
stored data without any external power source.
• Flash memory is used in storage devices such as memory
sticks (also known USB drives), solid state disk (SSD)
drives and memory cards.
• It is called flash memory because sections of the memory
can be erased and written in a flash.
• In recent years, flash memory devices have become very
popular for storing data.
• They are removeable and they store data even when the
power is removed.
• Their high capacity, reasonable data transfer rate, low
cost, durability and extremely high portability are reasons
for their popularity.
Storage devices that use optical technology
• The first commercial compact disc (CD) was produced on
August 17, 1982. For the next 20+ years, the CD was a
popular choice for storage.
• For example, the Windows 95 operating system was
distributed on a single CD.
• CD drives utilise a fine laser light to read a disc because
the light either reflects from the mirrored surface of the
disc or does not.
• When writing a disc, the laser light is used to burn the
surface of the disc, or not burn, depending whether a 0 or
Units of storage
• Data is stored and transferred from one hardware
component to another as digital data using the values ‘0’
and ‘1’. Each of these values is known as a binary digit
(or a ‘bit’).
• A bit is a binary digit, taking a value of either 0 or 1.
• Data transfer and storage take place in groups of bits
referred to as bytes.
• A byte is a collection of eight bits that is referenced as a
single unit.
• One byte of data is required to store a single character
 The Interrelationship of the Major
Hardware Components of a Computer
System
The Input, Process, Output, Storage cycle
• At the heart of every functioning computer system is the
idea of:
• input some data
• process that data into useful information
• output the resulting information in a way useful to humans
• store the information for future use.
• The IPOS cycle is the Input, Process, Output, Store cycle.
• Data is raw, unprocessed facts. This may be facts about
persons, places, things or events that have been
collected through observation or measurement.
• Information is useful, meaningful knowledge created
from raw data.
• Data that has been processed, related to other data,
organised or put into context so that it is meaningful to
the user/recipient may be regarded as information.
• Data and information can occur in many forms but words,
numbers, graphics and sound are common.
• Processing is performing a series of instructions in order
to convert data into useful information.
• In Information Technology the series of instructions is
called a ‘program’.
• A program is a sequence of instructions that a computer
can interpret or execute.
• An application is just a program that interacts with the
user. All the programs you use are applications.
Evaluating the relative merits of Cloud and Local Storage
• Cloud storage is a model in which data is stored on remote
servers and can be accessed only via the Internet or cloud.
• Cloud storage is still hardware, usually hard disk drives.
• The difference between local storage and cloud storage is
that local storage is physically connected to your computer
system.
• Local storage is any physical storage device directly
connected, internally or externally, to the computer system
hardware.
Evaluation criteria for choosing storage solutions
Selecting appropriate Input and Output
Devices.
Input devices
• Input is data entered into the computer via some form of
input device such as keyboard, mouse, microphone or
scanner.
• An input device is any specialised hardware peripheral
component that allows the entry of data and instructions into
a computer.
• A peripheral is any hardware device connected to and
controlled by the central processing unit.
Input devices that sense light: functions and applications
Input devices that use a sense of touch: functions and applications
Output devices
• Information produced by a computer must be presented in a useful form to
be of value to the user. We will discuss two types of output, categorised as:
• visual devices in the form of monitors, printers (including 3D printers),
plotters and microfilm
• audio devices in the form of speakers, headphones and earphones.
• Output is the displaying, playing, printing or storing of the information a
computer generates as a result of its processing.
• An output device is any device that displays, plays or prints the results of
processing operations or status messages related to that processing.
• Computer output may be printed on paper/plastic, displayed on a
monitor/screen, stored on a secondary storage medium, or presented as audible
or video output.
• Hard copy is permanent printed output from the computer.
• Soft copy is a temporary form of output, as produced by a visual display unit or
audio output device.
Output devices that produce printed output
• While all printers produce hard copy, they differ in the mechanisms
used to produce it. All printers create output in monochrome, colour,
or, in the case of a 3D printer, solid object. Different types of printer
include dot matrix, inkjet, laser, 3D and thermal printers, and
plotters.
• When comparing printers and plotters it is useful to consider:
resolution, print speed, memory capacity and paper tray capacity.
Output devices that display temporary output on a screen
• A visual display unit (VDU) is the main output hardware component of a computer
system that handles the display of soft copy information that the user sees.
• This information may be program output, error messages, data that is being entered
at the keyboard, or input from some other input device.
• Other common names for the VDU are monitor, cathode ray tube (CRT) and screen.
• When selecting a VDU, the user should consider three factors: type, size and
resolution.
• Sizes range from 5 inches to 52 inches; however, common sizes for
computers and laptops will range between 10 and 22 inches.
• The resolution of a VDU is the quality of the image displayed. Resolution
is measured in pixels.
• A pixel is a single picture element dot, many of which make up an image.
• The higher the resolution, the better the quality of the image produced.
• High-resolution monitors are useful for very detailed graphic work.
In general, VDUs are used as:
• the primary display device attached to desktop computers, workstations,
servers and gaming systems
• digital signage in airports, cinemas, fast-food restaurants, retail shops,
places of worship and public spaces
• display devices in monitoring and control systems in industries such as
public utilities and law enforcement.
Output devices that produce audible output
• Speakers, headphones and earphones are all hardware devices that enable the user to hear
sounds as they are generated (soft copy).
• Audible output is usually required in situations when:
• audio is the primary output method, for example virtual assistants
• the user has a visual impairment and relies on sound as the key component of the user interface
• the user is playing audio/video, for example during computer gaming, playing music and movies,
and videoconferencing
• audio is the most appropriate method of providing output, for example when sounding
emergency alerts or system notifications.
The role of the different types of Software
• Software is the program (set of instructions) that is executed
by the hardware.
• There are two basic types of software: system software such
as the operating system (OS), and application programs such
as a word-processing program.
• Both types of software are needed in a computer system.
System software
• System software is the category of software used to operate and
maintain a computer system including the operating system, utility
programs and program language translators.
Operating systems
• An operating system (OS) is a collection of software that manages
computer hardware resources and provides common services for
computer programs.
• When the computer is first turned on the operating system is loaded. Home and
business desktop computer systems commonly use the Windows 10 operating system
from Microsoft (MS) but older computers may use Windows 8.1 or even Windows 7.
• Even mainframes and supercomputers require an OS in order to operate. Operating
systems have six primary functions.
• Popular operating systems include the Windows, Chrome, Linux and Mac operating
systems for desktop and laptops and the Android and Apple iOS families (formerly
iPhone OS) for smartphones.
System utilities
• A system utility is a specialised program that assists in
maintaining and improving the efficiency of a
computer system.
Application software
• Application software is the category of software that performs end user tasks.
• It performs the useful tasks that organisations and home users rely on, such as:
– writing a letter using a word processor
– creating and sending an email
– managing records in a database
– performing automatic calculations in a spreadsheet
– creating a web page for publication on the World Wide Web
– adding a filter to a photo, making a video call & listening to music.
• A general-purpose application is software that is used to
perform a wide range of related tasks.
• Integrated package software contains several related
programs in one package.
• A special-purpose application is software that is used to
perform narrowly focused tasks.
Sources of software
• Individuals and organisations wanting to obtain and use software can do so in a number of
ways. These include:
1. Off-the-shelf: purchasing packaged software from a computer store or purchasing online.
2. Customised: using features in the software to personalise or modify the software that
already exists. For example, creating a set of template documents that include the
company name, logo and colours in a word processing program.
3. Custom-written: developing their own software programs from scratch.
4. SaaS: using ‘software as a service’ as provided by online companies, for example, Google
Docs and Word Online.
Different Types of User Interface
• A user interface is the combination of hardware and software that allows
users and computers to communicate with each other effectively.
• A hardware interface is those physical hardware components (input and
output devices) that allow the user to manipulate the computer.
• A software interface is the programs that are used to communicate with
the computer via the hardware.
Hardware interfaces
Software interfaces
• A command line interface is when interaction with a computer is by means of individual
lines of text.
• A menu-driven interface is when interaction with a computer is by the user selecting one
option from a list of presented options.
• A Graphical user interface (GUI) is when interaction with a computer is by using a pointing
device.
• In a simple form, a GUI displays elements such as Windows, Icons, Menus and Pointers
(WIMP) on the screen and the user points and clicks with a mouse or types on a keyboard
to operate the computer.
Evaluating the suitability of a Computer System
• The system’s specifications include its processing
speed, memory, secondary storage, types of software
and input/output devices.
Processing speed
• Processing speed, at a basic level, is how quickly a
microprocessor operates. The specification of a
computer will certainly include the CPU speed
measured in hertz and expressed as megahertz (a
million hertz) or gigahertz (a billion hertz).
• Memory
• Main memory is the functional unit of a computer
that stores data and instructions being used by the
CPU.
Secondary storage (capacity and speed)
• The secondary storage being considered here is the internal storage of the
computer system that stores data even when the computer is turned off. It is
common for new computers to be delivered with a single, large-capacity hard
disk drive installed.
• There are two main types of disk drive:
• solid state drive (SSD): very fast and robust but expensive per gigabyte
• hard disk drive (HDD): slower and less robust but much cheaper per gigabyte.
Types of software
• We have seen that all computers need an operating system to manage the
user interface, processes, security, memory, files and hardware resources.
• System utilities are also needed as these assist in maintaining and improving
the efficiency of a computer system.
• In addition, application programs are the software that perform end user
tasks, for example word processing, database, video editing and
spreadsheets.
Troubleshooting basic hardware problems
• From time to time, one or more of your hardware
devices may malfunction or fail.