Unit 1

Basic Computer Concepts

10 hours

1.1: Information Technology Fundamentals

Learning Objectives
At the end of the session, the students should be able to:
1. Define basic concepts on computer as such computer, data and information.
2. Relate the development of computing and computing devices.
3. Describe the development of computing devices, their capabilities and limitations.
4. Explain the different components of computer systems.
5. Describe the role of each component in the functionality of the computer.
6. Describe basic troubleshooting techniques and proper use of hardware and software.

Activating Prior Knowledge

1. What is a computer?
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2. Differentiate data from information.

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3. What are the four basic functions of the computer?

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 Presentation of Contents

What is a Computer?

By modern definition, a computer is an electronic device that accepts (inputs),

processes, stores, and outputs data at a high speeds according to programmed instructions. If
you look closely at the definition, you can see that a computer is made up of five basic
elements:

 Electronic – means all computers are powered by electricity.

 Programmable – computers follow set of instructions (called programs) in order to
operate.
 Storage – computers are able to store huge amount of data for future use (electronic
cabinet).
 Retrieve – computers are able to get back or return whatever it has stored.
 Process – computers are able to transform or manipulate data it has stored into useful
information.

Data and Information

Data is raw, unprocessed facts. It has the potential to become useful information, but
first it has to be manipulated and transformed. And the best way to do that is to feed the data
into the computer. Data is actually what computers feed on. Meanwhile, information is
processed data. It is a data that has already manipulated and transformed into something
useful.

Four Basic Functions of Computer

All computers perform the following four basic functions:
 Input – the procedure of feeding or entering data into a computer.
 Process – the operation of manipulating and transforming data into something useful.
This function is done through programs. Programs are written instructions that tell
the computer on how to manipulate and transform the data it was given to it.
 Output – the result of the processing function.
 Storage – computers save data and outputs for later use.

Capabilities and Limitations of a Computer

A computer is a machine that needs to be controlled and instructed to successfully
perform a task. No matter how powerful and sophisticated it is, it must be directed what to
do. Users should follow the principal of GIGO (Garbage In, Garbage Out) which means
that wrong data entered into the computer will result to wrong information produced.
Capabilities of a Computer
1. It can process data quickly.
2. It can perform operations tirelessly.
3. It can give accurate results depending on the instructions and commands given.
4. It can store, recall, and retrieve information.
5. It can confirm and verify the accuracy of the information.
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 6. It can perform multi-tasks.

Limitations of a Computer
1. It needs human intervention.
2. It has a short life span.
3. It cannot formulate information on its own.
4. The information or results generated are user dependent.
5. It can never replace the capabilities of the human brain.

ANCIENT TIME
INVENTION DESCRIPTION
The abacus was man’s first recorded adding machine. It was in 500 B.C
when the abacus was invented in Babylonia, then popularized in China,
Abacus
the abacus is an ancient computing device constructed of sliding beads
on small wooden rods, strung on a wooden frame.
History of Computer

MECHANICAL ERA
INVENTION DESCRIPTION
John Napier, Baron of Merchiston, Scotland, invents logs in 1614.
Logarithms Logs allow multiplication and division to be reduced to addition and
subtraction.
In 1642, a French mathematician named Blaise Pascal invented a
mechanical calculation machine called Pascaline. It was made out of
Pascaline
clock gears and levers, and could solve basic mathematical problems
like addition and subtraction.
In 1671, Gottfried Leibniz, a German mathematician, invented a
Stepped Reckoner machine called steeped reckoner that could multiply 5 digit and 12
digit numbers yielding up to 16 digit number.
In 1801, Joseph-Marie Jacquard developed an automatic loom that was
Jacquard Loom
controlled by punched cards.
In 1822, Charles Babbage, invented the first modern computer design:
Difference Engine
a steamed-powered adding machine called the difference engine to
automatically solve math problems.
Babbage also invented the analytical engine. It was a mechanical
adding machine that took information from punched cards to solve and
print complex mathematical operations.
Analytical Engine
Babbage’s difference and analytical engine are regarded as the first
“thinking machines”. These inventions earned him the title “Father of
Computers”
The first program was written by Ada Augusta Lovelace for Babbage’s
Ada difference engine. Thus, Ada Lovelace is credited with being “the first
computer programmer”. The programming ada is named in her honor.

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 ELECTROMECHANICAL ERA
INVENTION DESCRIPTION
Punched card In 1890, the first person to successfully use punched cards specifically
Tabulating for census taking was Herman Hollerith. The punched card was adapted
machine for use in early computers and provided computer programmers with a
new way to put information into their machines. Hollerith later went on
to found the Tabulating Machine Company, which later became the
Computer Tabulating Recording Company. He retired in 1921, but his
company went on to become the
International Business Machines Corporation. We know it today as IBM.
Millionaire The Millionaire, the first efficient four-function calculator, is invented by
Otto Shweiger, a Swiss Engineer in 1893.

ELECTRONIC ERA
INVENTION DESCRIPTION
Z3 In 1941, Konrad Zuse, built the first programmable computer called Z3.
It was the first fully functional, program controlled computer of the
world. The Z3 was presented on May 12, 1941 to an audience of
scientist in Berlin. The demonstration was a success.
Mark I Howard Aiken, a Ph.D. student at Harvard University built Mark I “The
first Stored-Program Computer”. 8 feet tall, 51 feet long, 2 feet thick,
weighed 5 tons, used 750,000 parts, 500 miles of wires, 3-5 seconds per
calculation.
ABC(Atanasoff- In 1942, John Atanasoff and Clifford Berry completed the first all-
Berry Computer) electronic computer called ABC (Atanasoff-Berry Computer). It was the
first computer to use electricity in the form of vacuum tubes. It was used
for solving complex systems equations.

The Five Generations of Digital Computing

The First-Generation Computers (1951-1958)

 First-generation computers had vacuum tubes, resistors, and welded metal joints.
They were large, slow, expensive, and produced a lot of heat. In addition, first-
generation computers often broke down because of burned-out vacuum tubes.
 In 1945, Presper Eckert and John Mauchly developed the first operational
electronic digital computer, called ENIAC, for the US Army. ENIAC had more
than 18,000 vacuum tubes, and took up to 1,800 square feet of space. Today,
ENIAC’s technology could fit in a modern wristwatch.
 In 1951, the UNIVAC-1 became the first commercially available electronic
computer. This computer was designed by Eckert and Mauchly and built by the
Remington Rand Corporation.
 IBM 701 was the IBM’s first electronic computer built in 1953.

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The Second Generation Computers (1959-1963)
 Instead of vacuum tubes, the second-generation computers used transistors an
exciting new invention at the time. John Barden, Walter Brattain, and William
Shockley of Bell Telephone Laboratories invented the transistor.
 Magnetic tapes and disk began to replace punched cards as external storage
devices.
 Magnetic cores (very small donut-shaped magnets that could be popularized in
one of two directions to represent data) strung on wire within the computer
became the primary internal storage technology.
 In 1961, Grace Hopper, the woman that found the first computer bug, finishes
developing COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language).
 The Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) founded by Ken Olsen, released the
first minicomputer, the PDP-8 in 1964.
 In 1965, Thomas Kurtz and john Kemeny of Dartmouth College developed
BASIC (Beginners All Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) as a computer
language to help teach people how to program.

The Third-Generation Computers (1963-1974)

 Computers in the third-generation computers relied on a new technology called
integrated circuit. The integrated circuit is a single wafer or chip that can hold
many transistors and electronic circuits.
 Magnetic tape and disks completely replace punched cards as external storage
devices.
 Magnetic core internal memories began to give way to a new form, metal oxide
semi-conductor (MOS) memory, which, like integrated circuits, used silicon-
backed chips.
 In 1958 Jack Kilby invented the monolithic integrated circuit, which is still widely
used in electronic systems.
 The C programming language is developed at AT & T bell Labs by Brian
Kerninghan and Dennis Ritchie.
 The Unix Operating system, also written at Bell Labs, is rewritten using C. This
later makes UNIX one of the most portable operating systems.

The Fourth-Generation Computers (1971-Present)

 The fourth-generation is just an extension of the third-generation technology.
This next technological development is to put more power and capabilities in one
chip called microprocessor which has made computers the fastest and most
powerful they have ever been.
 In 1975, the Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems or MITS produced
the first Personal Computer. They named the computer “Altair 8080”. This was
the first easily available micro-computer. It had256 bytes of memory and ran a
version of BASIC written by Bill Gates.
 Apple’s widely successful PC was the Apple II personal computer. Apple II was
the first personal computer to come in a plastic case and include color graphics.
 In 1978, VisiCalc was released. It is the first spreadsheet program and it made
microcomputers useful to businesses.
 In 1993, Intel Pentium introduced Pentium Processor, a microprocessor with 3.1
million transistors.

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 The Fifth-Generation Computers (1982 - Onward)
 The Fifth Generation Computer Systems was an initiative by Japan's Ministry of
International Trade and Industry, begun in 1982, to create computers using
massively parallel computing and logic programming. It was to be the result of a
massive government/industry research project in Japan during the 1980s.
 This generation’s focus is more on connectivity. This is to permit computer users
to connect their computers to other computers.

Classifications of Computer

1) According to size and processing speed:

a) Supercomputers
 The fastest type of computer.
 They are very expensive and employed for specialized applications that
require immense amounts of mathematical calculations.
 They are mainly used for:
o weather forecasting
o animated graphics
o fluid dynamic calculations
o nuclear energy research
o petroleum exploration
 Examples,
o NEC Earth Simulator
o IBM ASCI White
o TERASCALE Computing System
o TERA Supercomputer
o NERSC IBM SP RS/600
b) Mainframe computers
 A very large and expensive computer capable of supporting hundreds, or
even thousands, of users simultaneously.
 They are slower and less than supercomputers.
 They support hundreds or thousands of users at a time.
 They are used as e-commerce and web servers and in large organizations,
banks, universities and airlines as databases.
 Examples,
o IBM 3090
o Andhal 5890

c) Minicomputers
 A midsized computer.
 In size and power, microcomputers lies between workstations and mainframes.
 In general, a minicomputer is a multi-processing system capable of supporting
from 4 to about 200 users simultaneously.
 They are also known as midrange computers.
 They are used in medium size business, education and government
departments and are also used as servers on the network environment.
 Examples,

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 o IBM’s AS/400e

d) Microcomputers (Personal Computers)

 Is generally a synonym for the more common term, Personal Computer or PC,
a computer designed for an individual.
 It uses microprocessor technology to input, manipulate, store and output data.
 Business use personal computers for word processing, accounting, desktop
publishing, and for running spreadsheet and database management
applications.
 Examples,
o Apple II (introduced by Apple Computer in 1977)
o IBM PC(IBM’s first personal computer)

Two Classifications of Microcomputers

1. Personal Computer or PC
 It is widely popular with people of all lifestyle because they are
powerful, affordable and easy to use.

2. Portable Computer
 Include laptops or notebooks, sub-notebook, tablet computer and
personal digital assistants.
 They are small enough to move easily from one place to another and
they can operate on batteries.
 They are popular with people who travel and need computing power
on the go.

a. Laptop/Notebook Computer
 A small portable computer. Small enough that it can sit
on your lap.
 Use a variety of techniques, known as flat-panel
technologies, to produce a lightweight and non-bulky
display c. screen.
b. Subnotebook Computer
 Slightly lighter and smaller than a full-sized notebook
computer.
 Have smaller keyboard and screen, but are otherwise
equivalent to notebook computers.
c. PDA or Personal Digital Assistant
 A handheld device that combines computing,
telephone/fax, and networking features.
 It can function as a cellular phone, fax sender, and
personal organizer.
 Most PDA’s began as pen-based, using stylus rather
than a keyboard for input.
d. Tablet PC
 Provides the full power and functionality of today’s
notebook PC’s

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  Design for a fully equipped personal computer that
allows a user to take notes using natural handwriting on
a stylus or digital pen.

2) According to Data Handled

a) Analog computers
 Analog computers operate on mathematical variables in the form of
physical quantities that are continuously varying. For example
temperature, pressure, voltages, etc.
 Famous examples of analog computers are the Planimeter, the nomogram,
operational amplifiers, mechanical integrators, slide rules, tide predictors,
electric integrators that solve partial differential equations, electronic
machines that solve ordinary differential equations, machines to solve
algebraic equations, the Norden bomb sight, and neural networks.

b. Digital computers
 Digital computers deal with mathematical variables in form of numbers that
represent discrete values of physical quantities. The advantages of digital
computers are that they are versatile, reprogrammable, accurate, and less
affected by outside disturbances. In contrast to analog computers, digital
machines work on numbers. Each variable is converted into numbers and each
number into binary form, i.e. 0 and 1. It is this combination of 0 and 1 that
does all the calculations.
 All modern computers, laptops, and calculators are all digital computers.

c. Hybrid computers
 A hybrid is a combination of digital and analog computers. It combines the
best features of both types of computers. It has the speed of analog
computer and the memory and accuracy of digital computer. Hybrid
computers are used mainly in specialized applications where both kinds of
data need to be processed.
 Computer used in hospitals to measure the heartbeat of the patient. Devices
used in petrol pump. In scientific applications or in controlling industrial
processes.

3. According to Purpose
a. General-purpose computers
 It is capable of dealing to a variety of different problems and are able
to respond to programs created to meet different needs.
 It is capable of storing different programs of instructions thus they can
perform a variety of operations.
 Example is a Desktop Computer
b. Special purpose computers (Dedicated computers)
 It is designed to perform one specific task.
 The programs are built into permanently in the machine and given task
are performed very quick and efficient.
 Examples are computers used in monitoring nuclear reactions, outer
space missions, oil explorations

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Components of a Computer System
I. HARDWARE is the physical equipment associated with a computer system. This is the
tangible components of the computer system.
Four Primary Components of a Computer Hardware System
A. Input Devices - any hardware component that allows the user to enter data, execute
commands and user responses into the computer. Basically, input devices are used for
data entry.

1. Keyboard – The set of typewriter keys that enables you to enter data in a computer.
2. Mouse – invented by Douglas Engelbert of Stanford Research Center in 1963, and
pioneered by Zerox in 1970s, the mouse is a device that controls the movement of
the cursor or pointer on a display screen.
3. Joystick – a device consisting of a hand held stick that pivots about one end and
transmits its angle in two dimensions to a computer. It often used to control games,
and usually have one or more push-buttons whose state can also be read by the
computer.
4. Light pen - A small, photosensitive device connected to a computer and moved by
hand over an output display in order to manipulate information in the computer.
Used in Personal Digital Assistant and Smart Board.
5. Microphone – allows the computer to receive and record sound. Necessary for
voice recognition software and any software that needs to record sound.
6. Digital camera – takes pictures without film, and stores your snapshots as digital
files in its memory. Later, you can transfer your picture files to your PC through
cable.
7. Barcode reader - An optical scanning device that reads texts which have been
converted into a special bar code or zebra stripes.
8. Webcam - A digital camera capable of capturing images to a computer for
transmission over the Internet or other network.
9. Drawing Tablet - is similar to a white board, except you use a special pen to write
on it and it's connected to the computer. Then the word or image you draw can be
saved on the computer.

10. Scanner – An input device that takes in an optical image and digitizes it into an
electronic image. This can be used to create a computerized version of a photo or
illustration.

4 Kinds of Scanner
 Flatbed scanner - A scanner that provides a flat, glass surface to hold
pages of paper, books and other objects for scanning. The scan head is
moved under the glass across the page.
 Sheet-fed scanner - A scanner that allows only paper to be scanned
rather than books or other thick objects. It moves the paper across a
stationary scan head.
 Handheld scanner - A scanner that is moved across the image to be
scanned by hand. Handheld scanners are small and less expensive than

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 their desktop counterparts, but rely on the dexterity of the user to move
the unit across the paper.
 Drum scanner - A type of scanner used to capture the highest resolution
from an image. Photographs and transparencies are taped, clamped or
fitted into a clear cylinder. A light source that focuses on one pixel is
beamed onto the drum and moves down the drum a line at a time.

B. OUTPUT DEVICES- Any hardware component that presents, displays, alters, or

record output after it has left a computer’s system unit.

1. Monitor – it is the most popular output device. It receive signals from video card
inside of the computer and gives the user a graphical or textual display.
2. Speakers – are used to produce sounds, listen to music, play music and watch
movies.
3. Printer-create images on paper, plastic, cloth and other print media using
technologies like ink transfer, heat transfer, chemical reactions and physical force.

Types of Printers
 Laser Printer-uses toner and an internal laser to print.
 Inkjet or Bubble Jet Printers-uses ink to print. Usually available in
color.
 Dot-Matrix Printer-creates characters by striking pins against an ink
ribbon. Each pin makes a dot, and combinations of dots form
characters and illustrations.

C. Storage Devices- these are important for keeping a document for later retrieval and
use.

Two Classifications of Storage Devices:

1. Primary Storage- is the main memory. In this memory, the data used from
processing and the programs to be read are stored.
 ROM (Read Only Memory) - is a permanent memory. The
instructions stored can be changed and will not get lost even if
the power is switched off.
 RAM (Random Access Memory) - is a temporary memory. The
information stored in it will get lost once the computer is
switched off or the power is cut off.
2. Secondary Storage-is also called an external memory.

Most common examples of external secondary storage devices are the following.

a) Hard Disk- it is a magnetic disk in the system unit of a personal computer

and is an external hard disk device.

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 b) CD-ROM- is an optical disk format used to hold texts, graphics and sounds
that are pre-recorded. It is small, flat metal-coated plastic disc, about 4.75
inches in diameter. It stores information by using a laser which creates pits on
disc, and is read by using another laser to read the light reflected from the
pins.
c) Flash Drives – is a type of compact USB memory drive that acts like a
portable hard drive, letting you to store and transport computer data.

D. System Unit- part of the computer which is responsible for accepting and processing
the data brought in by the input devices, passing resulting information to the users
via the output devices.

Components of System Unit:

1. Main Circuit Board- central nervous system. Also called motherboard.

2. Port- is a connection from the main circuit board to a peripheral device
such as keyboard, printer or a video monitor by means of a special cable.
Also called interface.
3. Expansion Slots- they are used to connect expansion cards to the main
circuit board. An expansion card is a printed circuit card with circuitry
that gives the computer additional capabilities.
4. Central Processing Unit (CPU)- is the computer’s processing, control
and internal storage circuitry.

Bytes- unit of measurement in measuring memory

Hertz- unit of measurement in measuring speed

Bit- stands for binary digits. It is the basic unit of data recognized by
the computer.

1 Byte= 8 bits
1 Kilobytes (KB) = 1024 bytes
1 Megabytes (MB) = one million bytes
1 Gigabytes (GB) = one billion bytes
1 Terabytes (TB) = one trillion bytes

II. SOFTWARE – is the programs and data that a computer uses. The software provides the
commands that tell the hardware what task to perform, what to read and write, how to send
the end result (the output) to a monitor and/or printer.
Kinds of Software
1. Application Software – these are programs that people use to get their work done.
Examples of Application Software

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  Word Processor - is a computer application used for the production (including
composition, editing, formatting, and possibly printing) of any sort of printable
material.

Examples: MS-Word, MS-Publisher, PageMaker

 Spreadsheet Software – Presents business data in a grid of rows and columns.

Example: MS-Excel
 Graphics and Presentation - is a computer software package used to display
information, normally in the form of a slide show.

Example: MS-PowerPoint
 Database Software – a software that helps a user organize data in a way that allows
fast and easy access to the data.

Example: MS-Access, Oracle, MySQL

 Games - involves interaction with a user interface to generate visual feedback on a
video device.

Example: Mario, Solitaire, FreeCell, Minesweeper, DOTA (Defense of the ancient)

 Internet Browser - a software application that enables a user to display and interact
with text, images, and other information typically located on a Web page at a website
on the World Wide Web or a local area network.

Ex: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Opera Mini, Google Chrome

2. System Software – The system software includes all programs used to operate and
maintain the computer system. It controls all input/output functions and coordinates the flow
of operations during processing.
 Operating System - a set of computer programs that manage the hardware and
software resources of a computer.

Example: DOS, Windows, Linux, Mac

 Programming Languages – A software used to write or create other programs or
software.

Example: FORTRAN (Formula Translator), COBOL, Pascal, C/C++, Java, Visual

Basic
3. Utility Software (also known as service program, service routine, tool, or utility routine) It
is specifically designed to help manage and tune the computer hardware, operating system or
application software, and perform a single task or a small range of tasks.

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 Example: Disk Defragmenters, System Profilers, Virus Scanners (Disk doctors
– fix disks, Antivirus – “kill” viruses)

III. PEOPLEWARE are the users of the computer, they may be the system analysts,
programmers, Web Developer, students, administrators, encoders or just a common personnel
who in a way works with the computer.

Application
Identify the different parts of the computer and describe the role of each in the functionality
of the computer.

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Feedback

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