Chapter 1

Computer Fundamentals

Prepared by:

Mr. John Edgar S. Anthony

Instructor I
ED 210 - Computer Education
INTRODUCTION TO
COMPUTERS

Why do we need
computers?
ED 210 - Computer Education
 Three measurements to assess the level
of computer literacy:
 Awareness. When you begin to study computers, you will be
aware of their importance, versatility and pervasiveness in our
society.

 Knowledge. You will learn what computers are and they function.
This requires knowing some technical jargons in order to
understand the computer language.

 Interaction. The best way to understand computers is to use

directly for some applications, like doing research via the internet,
mailing and chatting electronically.

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Computer system is an electronic
device which consists of several
components that together provide the
capability of executing a stored
program. It is a device that accepts
data, processes and stored these, and
produces a result. It performs four
basic functions such as input, process,
storage and output. Figure 1.1
illustrates the flow of the basic
functions of a computer.

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 Fig. 1.1 Basic Computer Functions

STORAGE

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

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Computer system consists of
the ff:
 Input devices which allows users to
input data for processing.
 Storage devices where the processed
information are stored.
 CPU(Central Processing Unit) which
interprets and executes data or
instruction.
 Output devices where the outcomes are
displayed.

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Three main elements of
computer system

Hardware
 Software
Information Technology
(IT) professionals or
peopleware.

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Hardware refers to the physical
components of a computer that
you can actually touch, such as
the keyboard, monitor, central
processing unit (CPU), mouse
and printer.

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Unlike hardware, software is
untouchable. It is a set of
instructions used to direct the
hardware on how to turn data into
useful information for people to use.
These are programs used by the
user to interact with the computer.

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The people who use the
computer system are referred
to as people. They are the most
important factor computer
system because they
manipulate and program the
computer system to make it
useful.

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Nature of Computer
 The three fundamental characteristics of
computer.
1. Speed- computer provides the processing
speed essential to our fast-paced society.
2. Reliability- capable of producing accurate
and timely results.
3. Storage capability – capable of storing
tremendous amounts of data which can
be located and retrieved efficiently.

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Uses of Computer
Principal areas of computer use
 Graphics
 Retailing
 Energy
 Paperwork
 Transportation
 Law enforcement
 Money
 Agriculture
 Government
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 Education
 Home
 Health and Medicine
 Robotics
 Sciences
 Connectivity
 Human Connection

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ELEMENTS OF A COMPUTER
SYSTEM
 A. Hardware
Hardware may be classified into input device,
output devices, the central processing unit (CPU) and
secondary storage.
1. Input Device
 Input hardware consists of external devices – that is,
components outside of the computer’s CPU – that
provide information and instructions to the computer.
There are different types of hardware that serve as input
devices. Some devices are pre - installed with the
monitor and the CPU when you buy the computer set
(like the keyboard and mouse0 but most are bought
separately. Some of the devices are affordable but some
are quite expensive.

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Input Devices
 Keyboard  Mark Interface
Character
 Terminal
Recognition
 Touch tone device
 Optical Mark
 Set-up boxes Recognition
 Mouse  Wand reader
 Joystick  Fax Machine
 Touch screen  Image scanner
 Light pen  Magnetic strip card
 Graphics tablet  Phone Card
 Scanner  Digital Cameras

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2. Output Device
 Output hardware consists of devices which communicate
the result of processing back to the user by converting
electrical signals from the Arithmetic/Logic Unit into a
form recognizable by a human operator. The most
common output devices include video displays, high-
speed printers and console typewriters. A recent
development in output equipment is an audio response
unit that can construct sentences with human speakers’
words that have been digitalized and stored in a memory
device. Others synthesize human speech, providing the
appropriate response by generating signals similar to
those produced in regular speech.

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Output Devices

 Monitor
 Printer
 Plotter
 Computer Output Microfilm
 Speakers
 Picture phone

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3. Central processing Unit (CPU)
 The processing and conversion of data from input
to output to output to output is done is in the
central processing unit (CPU). Its function is to
perform arithmetic and logical operations on the
taken the primary storage or on information
entered through any input device.
 The CPU is composed of five basic components:
main storage, registers, buses, ALU and the control
unit.

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Basic CPU Components

Main Storage (RAM and ROM)

Registers
Buses
ALU
Control Unit

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4. Secondary Storage
 The secondary storage is where data are stored
permanently. It is outside the primary storage and
serves just like a filing cabinet. There are two reasons
why we need to store data in an auxiliary or secondary
storage device. First, the primary storage can only store
a limited amount of data. Second, the data stored in the
primary storage are volatile and temporary. If we used
secondary storage area, then a limitless amount of data
can be stored permanently. In short, secondary storage
provides cheap, non – volatile high – capacity storage.
 The two classes of secondary storage media are direct
access media and sequential access storage media.
Direct Access Media (e.g., floppy disk) supports
sequential access where data can be accessed directly,
unlike sequential access media (e.g., magnetic tape)
where data are accessed in a specific order.

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Secondary Storage Media
 Magnetic Tape
 Magnetic Disk
 Hard Disks
 Floppy Disks
 Optical Disk
 CD
 DVD
 Blu-Ray
 Flash Drive

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B. Software

 The set of instructions or programs that tells the

computer how to do a specific task is called
software . Software may be categorized as systems
software or Application software.

 System software performs tasks necessary to the

efficient management of the hardware. It refers to
computer programs or library files whose purpose
is to help run the user by the manufacturers of the
computer system. It includes operating systems,
utility programs, compilers and interpreters

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 Application software is programs that help
solve and meet user problems and needs
directly. They are designed to perform
specific functions, which make daily
activities easier and facilitate the
performance of work efficiently tools;
assist in graphic and multimedia projects;
support home, personal and educational
use, and facilitate communication.

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C. Peopleware
 The skilled workers in the Information Technology field
are considered as the peopleware. The major
compositions of these IT professionals are the
management group, systems and procedures group,
programming group and the computer operations group.

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