INTRODUCTION TO

COMPUTERS
•INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS
DEFINITION OF A COMPUTER
•A computer is an electronic device
that accepts user input called (data)
and converts it to an output called
information.
DATA: Is defined as raw facts that do
not have much meaning to the user.
•It may include; numbers, letters and
symbols.
INFORMATION: Can be defined as
processed data that is meaningful to
the user. Information is used for
making decision in an organization.
•The computer is said to be
electronic because it utilizes small
electrical signals to process data.
The integration of computers and
telecommunication facilities for the
purpose of communication is
referred to as Information and
Communication Technology (ICT).
- Computers came in different sizes
and designs but the most common
is a computer referred to as
personal computer (PC).
- PCs are mostly used in offices,
schools, business premises and at
homes.
- Computers came in different sizes
and designs but the most common
is a computer referred to as
personal computer (PC).
- PCs are mostly used in offices,
schools, business premises and at
homes.
•PARTS OF A COMPUTER
•A computer is made up of a collection of
different components that are
interconnected in order to function as a
single entity.
•A typical computer is basically made up of
a system unit and other devices
connected to the system unit called
peripheral devices.
•PARTS OF A COMPUTER
•A computer is made up of a collection of
different components that are
interconnected in order to function as a
single entity.
•A typical computer is basically made up of
a system unit and other devices
connected to the system unit called
peripheral devices.
Examples of peripheral devices include:
1. Monitor/visual display unit
(VDU)/screen.
2. Keyboard
3. Mouse
4. Printers
5. Scanners
6. Projectors
7. Speakers e.t.c
System unit
•This is the part that houses the
brain of the computer called Central
Processing Unit (CPU). The system
unit also houses other devices called
drives. Drives are used to store,
record and read data.
Peripheral devices
•Peripheral devices are connected to
the system unit using special cables
called interface cables that transmit
data and information to and from the
devices. The cables are attached to
the system unit through connectors
called ports.
Peripheral devices may be
arranged with the monitor
resting on top of the system
unit or a standalone if
connected to a tower type
system unit.
Keyboard
• It is the most common
peripheral device that
enables a user to enter data
and instructions in a
computer.
Mouse
•It is a pointing device that
enables the user to execute
commands. It is used to
control an arrow displayed on
the screen.
Monitor
• It is like a TV used for displaying
information. It is called a
monitor because it enables the
user to monitor or see what is
going on in the computer.
CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS
Computers can be classified
according to:
1. Physical size and processing
power
2. Purpose
3. Functionality
1. Classification according
to physical size and
processing power
SUPER COMPUTER
a) It is the largest, fastest and most
expensive computer available.
b) They are able to perform many
complex operations in a fraction of a
second.
c) Due to its weight, a supercomputer is
kept in a special room.
d) Due to their huge processing power,
super computer generate a lot of heat
and therefore special cooling fans are
required.
e) Super computers are mainly used for
scientific research which requires
calculations. Applications that justify
use of super computers include;
aerodynamic design and simulation.
2. MAINFRAME COMPUTERS
a) Are less powerful and less expensive than the
super computers.
b) Mainframe computers are also bigger in
physical size.
c) There are used for processing data and
performing complex mathematical
calculations. They have a large storage
capacity and can support a variety of
peripherals.
d) Mainframe computers handle all
kinds of problems whether scientific
or commercial.
e) They are mostly found in government
agencies, big organization and
companies such as banks, hospitals,
airports e.t.c which have large
information processing needs.
3. MINICOMPUTERS
a) Resembles the Mainframe computers
but slightly smaller.
b) Minicomputer supports fewer peripheral
devices and not powerful and fast as
Mainframe computers.
c) It was developed as a cheaper
alternative to the Mainframe computers
for smaller organizations.
d) They are used mainly in scientific
laboratories when processing
automation is required.
e) They are well adapted for
functions such as accounting,
word processing, database
management as specific industry
applications.
4. MICROCOMPUTER
a)A microcomputer is the smallest,
cheaper and relatively least powerful
type of a computer.
b)It is called a microcomputer because its
CPU is called Microprocessor, which is
very small compared to that of a mini,
mainframe or super computer.
c) Microcomputer are also
called Personal computers
because they are designed to
be used by one person at a
time
d) Microcomputers are commonly used in
training and learning institutions, small
business enterprises, communication
centres e.t.c.
e) Technological advancement has seen the
development of smaller and smaller
microcomputer. The following are the
various types of microcomputers in
operations today arranged in describing
order according to size.
(A) DESKTOP COMPUTERS
•It is not portable.
•It is designed to be placed on
top of an office desk.
(B) LAPTOP COMPUTERS
•It is portable.
•It is designed to be used by
placing it on the lap.
(C) PALMTOP COMPUTER (PDA –
PERSONAL DIGITAL ASSISTANT)
•Small enough to fit in the pocket
and can be held in the palm
when using it.
•It is portable.
2. CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING
TO PURPOSE
•Computers can be classified
according to the tasks they
perform i.e.
1. General computers
2. Specific purpose
computers
General purpose computers
•These are computers designed to be able to
perform variety of tasks when loaded with
appropriate programs. They are the most
common types of computers in use today.
•Their flexibility enables them to be applied in
a wide range of applications like document
processing, performing calculations,
accounting, data and information
management.
Special purpose computers
•Special purpose computers are
designed to serve a special purpose
or to accomplish one particular
task.
•Such computers can perform no
other task except the one they were
meant to do. This means that the
set of instructions, which drive a
special purpose computers are
limited in number at the time of
manufacturer.
•Examples of such computers
include: robots used in
manufacturing industry production,
mobile phones for communication
only and electronic calculators that
carry out calculations only.
3. Classification according to
functionality
- Computers can be classified
according to the type of data they
can process.
•Discrete data which is called digital data
is one that can be represented as
distinct values that do not have any
transitional stages over time, e.g. or 0. 1
- Continuous data also called analog data
can be represented as progressively
changing values over time.
•Computers can be
classified as either
digital, analog and
hybrid.
Digital computers – Digital
computers process digital data
only. Any data to be manipulated
by a digital computer must be
converted to digital form. Most
home appliances today are also
digital in nature.
Analog computer – This refers to
computers that process data that
is analog in nature. Analog
computers solve problems by
measuring the amount of change
that occurs in quantities like
speed, temperature and pressure.
An analog machine is usually a
special purpose device that is
dedicated to a single task.
Analog computers are used in
manufacturing process control
like monitoring and regulating
furnace temperatures, pressures.
•They are also used in other
applications like weather
stations to record and
process physical quantities
e.g. wind, cloud, speed,
temperature e.t.c.
These types of computers are used in scientific work, commercial and personal purpose. Examples of
analog computer some of its characteristics are presented .
These computers are used in Hospitals, Air-crafts and so on. An analog computer can be mechanical analog
computer or electronic analog computer.
Hybrid computers are
designed to process both
analog and digital data.
DEVELOPMENT OF
COMPUTERS
•Around 3000 BC, Asian merchants came
up with a special calculating tool called
Abacus, that could be used to calculate
large figures. Abacii are still in use even
today.
• An abacus is made of a rectangular
frame and a crossbar at the middle. It is
fitted with wires or strings running across
the frame to the crossbar.
How to represent a number using an
abacus
•Each bead in the lower row represents
unitary value while the upper ones
represent five. To represent a number,
the bead is moved to the crossbar.
Those beads away from the crossbar
represent zeros.
EARLY DISCOVERIES
1. Blaise Pascal
•In 1647, Pascal invented
mechanical calculator. The
device performed addition and
subtraction by means of a set of
wheels linked together by gears.
2. G.W. Leibniz
•In 1694, Leibniz invented a
more advanced calculator than
that of Pascal. It could multiply,
divide and extract square roots.
He developed the binary
numeration system.
3. George Boole
•In mid 1800’s, Boole contributed to
development of binary mathematics.
•He used the binary system to invent a
new type of mathematics. Boolean
algebra and Boolean logic perform
complicated and logical operations on
the symbols 0 and 1.
•Thus, a mechanical representation
of binary mathematics would
require the representation of only
those two digits. This advanced
system shaped the development of
computer logic and computer
languages
5. Joseph Marie Jacquard and Charles
Babbage
•Jacquard introduced the punched
cards which inspired the English
mathematician Charles Babbage.
During the 1830’s Babbage developed
the idea of a mechanical computer
that he called an analytical engine.
When performing complicated
computations or a series of calculations,
the analytical engine would store
completed sets of punched cards for use
in later contained all the basic elements
of an automatic computer storage,
working memory, a system for moving
between the two and input devices.
4. Napier bones
•Napier bones was develop
by John Napier, a Scottish
mathematician in the 17 th

century. It helped in
multiplication and division.
ELECTRONIC COMPUTERS
•It took several years after Babbage
designed the analytical engine to come
up with an electronic computer. The age
of modern electronic computers can be
traced back to 1951. These computers
are classified into five generations
depending on the technology used to
develop them:
FIRST GENERATION COMPUTERS (1940s to 1958)
• These computers were very large in physical size and
used thousands of electronic gadgets called vacuum
tubes or thermionic valves.
• These computers consumed a lot of power hence
they constantly broke down due to excessive heat
generated.
• Examples of first generation computers include
Electronic Numeric Integrator and Calculator (ENIAC)
and the Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic
Computer (EDVAC).
FIRST GENERATION COMPUTERS (1940s to 1958)
• These computers were very large in physical size and
used thousands of electronic gadgets called vacuum
tubes or thermionic valves.
• These computers consumed a lot of power hence
they constantly broke down due to excessive heat
generated.
• Examples of first generation computers include
Electronic Numeric Integrator and Calculator (ENIAC)
and the Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic
Computer (EDVAC).
• SECOND GENERATION COMPUTERS (1958-1964)
• Computers in this generation operated using tiny,
solid-state electronic devices called transistors
that were much smaller than the vacuum tubes.
• These computers produced less heat, were much
faster, smaller in size and more reliable than
those made with vacuum tubes.
• Examples of these computers include:- IBM 1401
& 7070, UNIVAC 1107, ATLAS LEO Mark III and
Honeywell 200.
• THIRD GENERATION COMPUTERS (1964-1970)
• The third generation computers used electronic devices called
integrated circuits (I.C) instead of transistors. An integrated
circuit consists of thousands of small transistor circuits etched
on a semi-conductor called a silicon chip. The use of I.C
improved the processing speed and storage capacity of
computers.
• Computers were smaller and less expensive.
• 3rd generation computers emitted less heat and were easier to
program, use and maintain compared to their predecessors.
• Examples of third generation computers include smaller and
less expensive minicomputers such as IBM 360 and ICL 19000
series.
• FOURTH GENERATION COMPUTERS (1970 -1989)
• There was further technological improvement done on the
silicon chip design by compressing more tiny circuits and
transistors into even smaller space. This design produced
what is called large Scale Integrated (LSI) and Very large Scale
Integrated (VSLI) circuits which were used in the innovation
and technological development of the brain of the computer
called microprocessor.
• 4th generation computers are characterized by very low
emission of heat, are small in size and easier to use and
maintain.
• Examples of 4th generation computers include IBM 370 and
4300, Honeywell DPS-88 and Burroughs 7700.
• FIFTH GENERATION COMPUTERS (1989 TO PRESENT)
• Computers under this generation have high processing
power and speeds than the other generation of
computers.
• The size of these computers increasingly became smaller.
• These computers have special instruction sets that allow
them to support complex programs that mimic human
intelligence often referred to as artificial intelligence (A.I).
• This generation of computer is characterized by the
merging of telecommunication with computer technology.
• AREAS WHERE COMPUTERS ARE USED
•The following are areas where
computers are used:
1. Supermarkets – Most retail
stores use computers to help in
the management of daily
activities like stock control.
2. Offices –Computers are used in offices to
store data/information.
3. Banks –Special cash dispensing machines
called automated teller machines (ATMs)
have enabled automation of cash deposits
and withdrawal services. Efficiency has
been increased due to better record
keeping and document processing by use
of computers.
4. Industries – computers are used for monitoring and
controlling industrial processes by use of robots.
Robot is a machine that works like a human being
but performs tasks that are too unpleasant,
dangerous or complex and tedious to assign to
human beings.
5. Transport- Computers are used to monitor vehicle
traffic in busy towns, in aircraft navigation and in
making reservations.
5. Communication- Integration of computers and
telecommunication facilities has made message
transmission and reception to be very fast and
efficient. Because of speed with which information
can be transmitted around the world using
computers, the world is said to have become a
global village.
6. Law enforcement agencies – Information stored in
computers such as fingerprints, images and other
identification details help law enforcers carry out
criminal investigation.
7. Education – Computers are widely used in teaching
and learning processes. Learning and teaching
using computers is referred to as computer Aided
Learning (CAL) and Computer Aided Instruction
(CAI) e.g. experiments in subjects like Chemistry or
Physics may be demonstrated using a special
computer program that can depict them on the
screen through a process called simulation.
8. Domestic and entertainment – Computers can be
used at home for recreational activities such as
watching movies, playing music and computer
games. They can also be used in storing personal
information, keeping home budgets and research
9. Library –In a computerized library, a computer
enables library personnel to easily access and keep
updated records of books and other library
materials. Library users can also use computers to
search for titles instead of using the manual card
catalogue
THE COMPUTER LABORATORY
•Definition of computer lab – A
computer lab is a special room set
aside and prepared for safe
installation and use of computers. In
schools, a computer lab provides a
safe conducive environment for
teaching and learning of computer
studies and ICT related disciplines.
•The following factors must be considered
when designing/preparing a computer
lab.
1. Security of computer hardware and
software.
2. Reliability of the source of power.
3. Number of computers to be set up or
acquired.
4. Maximum number of users.
•SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND
PRACTICES
•For effective teaching and learning in
the computer lab, a number of safety
precautions, rules and practices need
to be observed in order to avoid
accidental injury to users & damage
to computers.
1. Measures that protect
computers
•Burglar proofing – The room should
be fitted with grill on doors,
windows and the roof to deter
forceful entry into a computer room.
Alarm system should be also be
fitted. Employing security guards
also increases the level of security to
computer lab.
•Protection against fire –The room should
have gaseous fire extinguishers i.e. carbon-
dioxide. Water based fire extinguishers
should be avoided because it will cause
rusting and corrosion of computer
components. Powder fire extinguishers
contain particles which may increase
friction and wear of movable parts. The
particles may also cause disks to crash.
•The room should be well laid –With
enough space for movement.
Computers should be placed on
stable, wide desks to avoid
accidentally knocking them down.
Cables should be laid out in trunks
away from user paths to avoid
people stumbling on them.
•Stable power supply – Computers
are very delicate devices that
require a stable source of power.
Power from mains supply is not
always stable and may sometimes
experience power surges or under
voltage sometimes referred to as
brownout.
•To protect the computers from being
damaged due to instabilities, avoid
connecting it directly to the main
electricity supply. Instead, connect it
to a special device called
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS).
UPS stabilizes power and acts as a
backup in case of power blackout.
•Dust and dump control – dust can be
controlled by fitted good window curtails
and air condition system that filters dust
particles from the air entering the room.
Also computers should be covered with
dust covers when not in use. Dampness or
humidity in the lab can be controlled by
using dehumidifiers. High humidity leads
to rusting of the computer metallic parts.
•Cables and power sockets should
be laid and well insulated- and of
the correct power rating to avoid
short circuits that can cause
damage of computer components.
•The users should not eat or drink in
the computer lab. Food particles
may fall in moving parts like the
keyboards and clog (block) them
while liquids may pour into
electrical circuits and cause short
circuits.
Measures that protect the user
•All cables should be insulated to avoid the
danger of electric shock to users.
•Cables should be laid away from user paths
to avoid tripping on them.
•Providing antiglare screen- (light filters) and
adjustable screens to avoid eye strain and
fatigue by over bright cathode ray tube
(CRT) monitors.
•The room should be properly ventilated to
avoid dizziness caused by lack of oxygen and to
allow computers to cool.
•The walls of the computer lab should not be
painted with over bright reflective oil paints
and the screens should face away from the
window to avoid glare caused by bright
backgrounds.
•Overcrowding in the computer room is not
allowed. This may cause suffocation.
PRACTICAL HAND – ON SKILLS
•Computer studies is a
practical subject hence
requires practical
approach.
BOOTING
•Booting is the process by which a
computer loads system files into the
main memory.
•Booting is not an event but a process.
It involves sequence of predictable
steps that verifies the system and
prepares it for an operation.
•Types of booting
•Cold booting–it is the process of
switching on a computer that has been
off completely for some time by pressing
the power button. Once you switch on a
computer, you may hear the sound of
the cooler fan running. After a few
seconds, lines of text start scrolling up
on the screen.
•This process is called Power –On- Self Test
(POST).POST checks on existing drives, Basic
Input and Output devices such as keyboard,
mouse and monitor. If the problem is
encountered, the process is halted and an
error message is displayed on the screen.
POST is accomplished by a special firmware
program called the Basic Input/Output System
(BIOS) which is held in a ROM chip mounted
on the motherboard.
• After POST, the computer reads some instructions
such as current time and date from a special
memory known as the Complementary Metal –
Oxide Semiconductor(CMOS). CMOS is powered
by a dry cell that mostly resembles that of a
digital watch. If the cell is down, the computer
requires the user to enter the current date and
time.
• Lastly, a special type of computer program used to
manage computers called an Operating System is
loaded to the computer memory.
• Warm booting– Warm booting happens when the
computer stops responding to the users’ keyboard
commands or mouse clicks. When this happens,
the user is forced to restart the computer, but this
time, by pressing combination of the keys on the
keyboard.
• Ways of warm booting the computer:
• i) Press CTRL+ALT+DEL key at the same time.or
• ii) Press Reset button on the system unit.
• iii) Using mouse, click shutdown.
• SHUTTING DOWN A COMPUTER
• It is important that the user follows the correct
procedure of shutting down a computer at all
times. If the procedure is not correctly followed,
then loss of data, damage of programs and
computer components may occur. To shut down
a computer proceed as follows:
• Ensure that all the work has been properly
stored. This process is called saving.
• Close all programs that may be currently running.
• If your computer is running on Microsoft Windows
XP or Vista
• Click the Start button.
• On the start menu, click turnoff computer
• On the message box that appears, click turn off.
The computer will undergo the shut down process.
• On users using Microsoft Windows 7, click on
Windows start button on the left bottom of the
screen and click Shutdown.
KEYBOARDING AND MOUSE SKILLS
• Keyboard and mouse are the most common
basic input devices.
• KEYBOARD LAYOUT
• Like the typewriter, the first typing keys on the
upper left of a typical computer keyboard are
Q, W, E, R, T, Y. Its commonly referred to as
QWERTY keyboard.
• The keys on the keyboard can be classified into
five categories namely:
1. Alphanumeric (typing keys)
2. Function keys
3. Cursor movement and editing keys
4. Special PC keys
5. Numeric keypad keys
• Alphanumeric keys
• It is also known as typing keys are labeled with
alphabetic letters A to Z, numbers arranged in a
line, 1,2 ….. 0 and special symbols such as ?, and
%. This group also includes the following keys:
caps lock, enter, tab, space bar and backspace.
• Caps lock key: Pressing this key lets the user to
type in upper case letters (capital). To switch
back to lower case letters simply press the same
key again.
• Enter key: Pressing this key forces the text cursor to move to
the beginning of the next line. A cursor is a blinking
underscore or a vertical beam that shows where the next
character to be typed will appear. This enter key is also used
to instruct the computer to execute a command that has
been selected on the screen.
• Tab key: This key is used to move the text cursor at set
interval on the same line e.g. 1.5cm, 3.0cm.
• Space bar: This bar creates a space between words during
typing.
• Backspace key: This key deletes/erases characters from right
to left on the same line. (Erases characters to the left of the
cursor and leave to the right of the cursor)
• FUNCTION KEYS
• They are located along the top of the keyboard.
They are labeled F1, F2……..F12. They are used
for tasks that occur frequently in various
programs. F1 is used for help in most programs.
• CURSOR MOVEMENT AND EDITING KEYS
• These keys are used to move the cursor on the
screen. They include:
• Arrow keys: Pressing these keys moves the
cursor to the direction of the arrow key.
• Page up and Page down: Pressing page up key
moves the cursor up one page up in case the
document has many has many pages.Pressing
page down key moves the cursor down one page
in case the document has many has many pages.
• Home and end keys: Pressing home key moves
cursor to the beginning of the current line. Pressing
end key moves cursor to the end of the current line.
• Editing keys are used to delete or insert characters
in a document. They include:
• Insert key: This key helps the user to insert or
replace a character at the cursor position.
• Delete key: This key erases character at the cursor
position from left to right. (Erases characters to the
right of the cursor)
• Numeric keypad keys
• The numeric consists of a set of numbers 0 to 9
and the arithmetic signs like + (addition), -
(subtraction), * (multiplication) and / (division).
They are located on the right hand side of the
keyboard. The keypad is meant to help the user
to rapidly enter numeric data. The numbers on
the numeric keypad can be only used when the
NUM lock key, situated on the numeric key pad,
is turned on.
MOUSE SKILLS
• Moving a mouse on a flat surface makes the
pointer on the screen to move in the same
direction as the mouse itself.
• The four common mouse operations are:
1) Clicking
2) Double clicking
3) Right clicking
4) Dragging and dropping.
Clicking:
•This means pressing and
releasing the left mouse
button once. A click often
selects an object.
Double clicking:
• This means pressing and
releasing the left mouse button
twice in quick succession.
•Double clicking usually opens a
file or starts a program.
Right clicking:
This means pressing and
releasing the right mouse
button once. It displays a list
of commands from which the
user can make a selection.
Drag and drop:
This is where the user
drags an item from one
location on the screen to
another.