INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS

UNIT PURPOSE/AIM
Give learners an understanding of the technical background in the use of computers in today's world;
Address fundamental areas of computer hardware and software, information, communications, internet and
technology concepts.
Roles of computers in society, including ethical and legal issues.
Application of computers in society, consider social and economic implications, examine questions of privacy and
security, and analyse recent advances in computer technology.
Exposure to the concepts of computer programs, including: word processing, spreadsheet, graphics and database
applications, programming, and user networks.
Prepare learners for the use of the computer as a productivity tool;
WHY COMPUTERS IMPORTANT IN TODAY’S WORLD?
Educational purpose- e-learning, e-books, typing assignments/projects.
Evaluation of business and decision making.
Advertisement of products
Weather forecast
Scientific experiments
Communication at low cost
Entertainment
1. DEFINITION OF A COMPUTER/ COMPUTER SYSTEM
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.
2. DEVICES THAT COMPRISE A COMPUTER
SYSTEM

Monitor Speaker
(output) (output)

Printer System unit

(output) (processor, memory…)

Storage devices
Mouse (CD-RW, Floppy,
Scanner Keyboard
(input) Hard disk, zip,…)
(input) (input)
3. DATA AND INFORMATION
Data: are raw facts, figures , transactions etc which have been recorded.
They are facts obtained by reading, observation, counting, measuring,
weighing etc.
 Information: is data that has been processed in such a way as to be
useful to the recipient. Information can be words, numbers, pictures,
sound or video.

computer Information
Data
System
4. MAJOR OPERATIONS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM.
Computers can perform four general operations, which comprise the information processing cycle.

 Input
 Process
 Output
 Storage
5. COMPUTER CATEGORIES
 Personal computer: 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.
 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.

 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: One of the fastest computers. Very expensive and are employed
for specialized applications requiring immense amount of mathematical
calculations, eg- weather forecast, scientific simulations, animated graphics,
nuclear energy research etc.
PC
WORKSTATION
MINICOMPUTER
MAINFRAME
SUPERCOMPUTER