Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
Introduction to Computers
Definition
It’s an Electronic device / machine that accepts digitized input information & processes it according to a list of internally
stored instructions & produces the resulting output information.
The central processing unit manipulates raw data into a more useful form and control the other parts of a computer
system.
Storage devices consist of primary storage and secondary storage devices. Primary storage temporary stores data and
program instructions during processing while secondary storage devices store data and program when they are not being in
processing.
Input devices convert electronic data produced by the computer for input in to the computer.
Output devices convert electronic data provided by the computer system and display them in a form that people can
understand.
Communication devices provide connection between the computer and communications networks.
Buses are circuitry paths for transmitting data and signals among the computer system. For information to flow throughout
a come system and to be in a form suitable for processing all symbols, pictures or words must be reduced to a string of
binary digits.
CPU
ALU
Backing Storage
Located near the CPU is the PRIMARY STORAGE (sometimes known as primary memory or main memory) where data and
program instructions are stored temporarily during processing.
Buses provide pathway for transmitting data and signals as the cpu, primary storage, and other devices in the computer
system. The characteristics of the CPU and primary storage are very important in determining a computers speed and
capability.
The ALU performs the computers principle logical and arithmetic operations. It adds, subtracts, and multiplies, divides
and determining whether a number is positive, negative or o.
The CU coordinates and controls the other parts of the computer system. It reads a stored program one instruction at a
time, and directs the components of the computers system to perform the program-required tasks.
Characteristics
Programs can be written into & read from RAM.
It is largest part of main memory.
It is volatile i.e. its contents are lost when power failure occurs.
RAM is reusable.
Functions of RAM
Stores data & applications awaiting to be processed.
Holds instructions which are being executed or whose parts have been executed by the computer.
Stores results before they are communicated to recipients.
Characteristics
Contents can only be read.
Its non-volatile i.e. data is not lost as a result of power failure.
ROM cannot be overwritten.
Its contents are always
Functions of ROM
Stores data & instructions that is necessary for the normal functioning of the computer hardware.
It stores programs that are necessary for the initial activation of Hardware.
SECONDARY STORAGE
The computing of the computer system not only depends on the speed and capacity of the CPU but also on the speed,
capacity, and design of storage, input and output technology.
Storage, input and output devices are called peripheral devices because they are outside the main computer system unit.
Most of the information used by a computer application is stored on secondary storage devices located outside the primary
storage area.
Secondary storage is used for relatively long term storage of data outside the CPU. Its a non-volatile and retains data even
when the computer is turned off.
MAGNETIC DISK
This is the most widely used secondary storage medium. There are three kinds of magnetic disks namely:
Floppy disk
Hard disk
Physical Characteristics
They are made from a light alloy coated on both sides with a layer of magnetizable oxide.
Data is stored on the disk surfaces along concentric tracks.
These tracks are divided into sectors similar to blocks on magnetic tapes.
Data in the disk is stored in binary code.
Read/ Write heads do not come into contact with the disk surface.
Disadvantages
They are expensive.
Data may be accidentally erased or overwritten.
Data will be lost if the disk is subjected to stress.
Large mainframe or midrange computer systems have multiple hard disk drives because they require immense disk storage
capacity.
Personal computers uses floppy disks, which are removable and portable, with lower storage capacity and access rates
than hard disks.
MAGNETIC TAPES
Physical Characteristics
Its typically 1.5-inch wide & 2400 feet long.
It has a plastic base coated with magnetizable material on one side.
Data is recorded as magnetized spots each representing a binary digit.
Data is stored in tracks, which run the length of the tape.
The physical end of the tape is marked by an end of tape marker.
Optical disks are most appropriate for applications where enormous quantities of unchanging data must be stored
compactly for easy retrieval for applications, combining text, sound and images.
Disadvantage CD-ROM is read only storage. No data can be written to it, it can only be read. WORM (write once/read
many) and CD-R (compact disk recordable)
CD-RW (compact disk –rewritable) technology has been developed to allow users to create rewritable optical disks for
applications requiring large volume of storage where the information is occasionally updated.
INPUT DEVICES
These are devices through which data is entered into the computer.
Computer mouse
This is a hand held device with point and click capabilities that is usually connected to the computer by a cable. The comp
user can move the mouse, around on a desktop to control the cursors position on computer display screen, pushing a
button to select a command.
Trackballs or touch pads are often used in place of the mouse as pointing devices.
Touch screen
These allow the users to enter limited amount of data by touching the surface of sensitized video display monitor with a
finger or a pointer.
Pen-based input
Handwriting recognition devices such as pen-based tablets, notebooks and notepads convert the motion made by an
electric stylus pressing on a touch sensitive tablet screen into digital form.
Digital scanner
This translates images such as pictures or documents into digital form and is an essential component of image processing
systems.
Audio inputs
Voice input devices can convert spoken words into digital form for processing by a computer. Microphones and tape
players can serve as input devices for music and other sounds.
Sensors
These are devices that collect data directly from the environment into digital form for processing by the computer e.g.
farmers can use sensors to monitor the moisture of the soil in their fields to help them in irrigation.
OUTPUT DEVICES
Cathrade ray tube terminals (CRT)/video display terminals, (VDTs), printers and audio outputs. Printers produce a printed
hard copy of information output. They include impact printers e.g. dot matrix and non-impact printers, e.g. laser jet, and
thermol transfer printers.
Speed –is determined by the volume of printing expected. A big organization needs a fast printer like laser printer.
Print Quality—this is determined by the nature of reports to be generated & their recipients.
Computer system interface (portability) ---a printer should be able to connect to almost all computers.
Audio output voice output devices convert digital output data back intelligible speech.
Speakers connected to the computer can deliver other audio output such as music.
Software is the detailed instruction that controls the operation of a computer system.
System software
This is a set of generalized programs that manage the computers resources such as the central processor communications
links and peripheral devices.
Programmes who write system software are called system programmers.
Application software
This describes the programs that are written for or by users to apply the computer to a specific task e.g. software for
processing an order or software for generating a mailing list. Programs who write application software are called
application software.
The types of software are interrelated and can be thought of a set of nested boxes, each of which must interact closely
with the other boxes surrounding it.
The system software surrounds and controls access to the hardware application software must work through the system
software in order to operate.
End users work primarily with application software. Each type of software must be specifically be designed for a specific
machine to ensure its compatibility.
Utility Programs
These are programs written to enhance the efficiency of carrying out routine/repetitive tasks.
These tasks can also be done by the OS but not as efficiently as utility programs.
Utility programs provide a useful service to the user of the computer providing facilities for performing common tasks.
Common types of utility programs include
1. Debuggers – used as aid to removing errors from a program
2. Editors – Provide a service of commands, which the user can use to look at a program or data to make alterations.
3. Peripheral transfer program – Devices helping in the transfer of data to and from the C.P.U.
4. Sort utility – Programs used to arrange files so that they can be read into a specified sequence or pre-determinal
criteria.
5. Merge utility – used to enhance the combining of two files into a single file e.g. mail merge.
6. Back up utility – Enables the user to make duplicate copies of a file or information on a hard disk.
7. Anti virus utility – A virus is program that has the capability of detecting or corrupting computer files. Anti virus
utility is a utility program that scans the hard disk, diskettes and computer memory to detect viruses.
Language translation
Program that convert program written in human sensible form into machine form. Examples
Compilers---translators, which transform source, code programs written in high-level languages into machine
code. (Binary code)
Interpreters---this transform one high-level language statement at a time.
Assemblers—translators, which transform source programs into 2nd generation languages to match the machine
code programs.
Application Software
It’s a set of instructions or programs designed to help the user save a specific application or problem/task.
A.S. can be bought from manufactures or can be manufactured in house.
An advantage of acquiring a suite of programs rather than an individual program is that it would be cheaper.
A suite is a set of applications put together.
Application programs are normally designed to solve a particular task or problem.
1. Off-the-shelves packages.
2. Tailor made/in-house packages/ bespoke.
Application packages
They are standardized ready made program that can be bought from the market.
Designed to solve a particular problem but not meant for a single user.
Examples
a. Accounting packages – application software designed to help accountants solve their day to day routines/tasks
e.g. bank reconciliation, payroll processing, production of scheduled reports etc e.g. sage, QuickBooks, surs
system, excel, pastel.
b. Spreadsheets - allow users to create tables and financial schedules by allowing data to be displayed into rows and
columns arranged on V.D.U. spread sheet is a grid of rows and columns used by accountants and the others
produce financial reports and projects. Spreadsheets offers the following:
Functions- summation, addition, standard deviation, mean e.t.c.
Prepared by Fred. For KCA-University 2019—Computer Application Software for Business/
Introduction to Computer Science.
Page 9 of 10
Formatting – allows the user to improve on the appearance of the spreadsheets e.g. entering labels and
values.
Consolidation – allows the users to match several works in a summary sheet while keeping the original
sheets intact.
Graphics – allows users to display numerical data in a variety of numerical forms including bar charts, bar
graphs, line graphs etc.
Uses of spreadsheets
I. Financial modeling such as cost computation and financial analysis.
II. Budgeting, planning, stock control e.t.c.
Advantages
I. Portable
II. Developed by experts therefore well tested and are likely to be free of errors.
III. Cheap coz they are produced in large scale therefore advantage of economic scale.
IV. Most application packages are well documented i.e. accompanied by user manuals
V. User friendly- easy to operate.
VI. Readily available – tasks less time to implement them.
Disadvantages
I. Since they are not tailor-made, can’t solve unique problems of users.
II. The user does not have the ownership right.
III. Require regular training especially every time a new package version is introduced into the market.
IV. Require regular maintenance and are subject to regular obsolescence due to rapid development in software
technology and hence they become obsolete or out of date.
Advantages
1. Tailor made- capable of meeting user’s specific problems/requirement
2. Require less training since the users are involved or were part of development
3. There is security since only users within the organization have the knowledge of the software operation therefore
outsiders interference is greatly reduced.
4. The user or the organization gets all the ownership rights.
5. Since the users are respected for the development of software, any maintenance or modifications can also be
done in-house therefore in-house software is not prone to risks of obsolescence.
Disadvantages
1. Require a lot of time to be implemented
2. Not highly potable i.e. specifically designed to run on specific computers.
3. Most of them may not be well documented i.e. may have no user manuals.
4. They are costly coz the user has to meet all the expenses and does not benefit from economics of scale.
5. Likely to have errors due to improper testing.