Computer Concepts &

Applications
INSY 115
 Basic Concepts
• Definition of a computer
• Basic functions of a computer
• Characteristics of a computer
• Advantages & Disadvantages of using
Computers
• Application of Computers
• Classification of computers (use & size)
(Group Assignment)
2
 What is A Computer??

• Lets hear from you

3
 What is a computer?

• There are many definitions of what a computer is.

In this topic we will only look at a few that bring
out the essential aspects.
• A computer is an electronic device, operating
under the control of instructions (software)
stored in its own memory, that can accept data
(input), manipulate data (process), and produce
information (output) from the processing
• It is a device that has the ability to accept
data, internally store and execute a program
of instructions, perform mathematical, logical
and manipulative operations on the data and
reports on the results.

OR
• A digital device that is capable of accepting
data, processing it, storing it, and giving it out
when needed.

• Simply put, it is an electronic device that

accepts data (input), (processes) it into useful
information (output) and (stores) it for future
use.
 What Does A Computer Do?
Computers can perform four general operations /
functions which comprise the information processing
cycle
 Input
 Process
 Output
 Storage
 Cont..
(a) Input – computer accepts and captures data from
outside for processing
• The term input refers to data sent into the computer
for processing. You should realise that in most cases
we enter data into the computer and not information;
this is so because the main purpose of a computer is to
process data.
(b) Processing – a computer performs operations on the
data it holds
• To process is to make some calculations and logical
comparisons on data. Processing in a computer is done
in the CPU by the Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)
 Cont..
(c) Storage – a computer holds data before, during and
after processing
• To store is to keep, retain or save data for later use, this
is achieved through the use of storage devices such as
external HDDs, USB disks, etc.
(d) Output – a computer produces data for use
(information)
• Output refers to the information obtained from the
computer after processing. Same as with input you
should realise that in most cases we obtain information
from the computer and not data, hence it is not
appropriate to define output as data obtained from the
computer although it is possible to obtain data from
the computer especially with turnaround documents
 Data and Information
• All computer processing requires data,
which is a collection of raw facts, figures
and symbols, such as numbers, words,
images, video and sound, given to the
computer during the input phase.
• Data may or may not make sense to the
receiver, e.g 05.08.02 which can be taken to
be a date, time, code or anything.
• The word data is in plural while the
singular for data is datum.
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 Cont..
• Computers manipulate data to create information.
Information is data that is organized, meaningful, and
useful to users.
• During the output Phase, the information that has been
created is put into some form, such as a printed report.
• The information can also be put in computer storage for
future use
• The difference between data and information is that
information is processed while data are the raw facts yet
to be processed.

11
 Key concepts Cont..

Program
• A program is a set of instructions which
directs the operations of a computer. A
program tells the computer what to do.
 Data
• A collection of raw facts, figures and symbols,
such as numbers, words, images, video and
sound, given to the computer during the input
phase.Data refers to raw facts which are entered
into the computer for processing. Computers
manipulate data to create information.
• Data may or may not make sense to the receiver,
e.g 05.08.02 which can be taken to be a date,
time, code or anything. The word data is in plural
while the singular for data is datum.
Information
• Information is data meaningfully put together, or
data that is organized, meaningful, and useful. Or
data which has been processed. In computing
there is a difference between data and
information. The difference between data and
information is that information is processed while
data are the raw facts still to be processed.
Input
• The term input refers to data sent into the
computer for processing. You should realise that in
most cases we enter data into the computer and
not information; this is so because the main
purpose of a computer is to process data.
Store
• To store is to keep, retain or save data for later
use, this is achieved through the use of storage
devices such as external HDDs, USB disks, etc.

Process
• To process is to make some calculations and
logical comparisons on data. Processing in a
computer is done in the CPU by the Arithmetic
and Logic Unit (ALU)
Output
• Output refers to the information obtained
from the computer after processing. Same as
with input you should realise that in most
cases we obtain information from the
computer and not data, hence it is not
appropriate to define output as data obtained
from the computer although it is possible to
obtain data from the computer especially with
turnaround documents
Devices that comprise a computer
system
Monitor Speaker
(output) (output) System unit
(processor, memory…)

Printer
(output)

Storage devices
(CD-RW, Floppy,
Hard disk, zip,…)
Mouse
(input)
Scanner Keyboard
(input) (input)

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How Does a Computer Know what to
do?
• It must be given a detailed list of instructions,
called a computer program or software, that tells
it exactly what to do & how to do it.
• Before processing a specific job, the computer
program corresponding to that job must be stored
in memory.
• Once the program is stored in memory the
computer can start the operation by executing
the program instructions one after the other.

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Why Is A Computer So Powerful?

Characteristics of a Computer

19
 Characteristics of a Computer
• High Speed :-
The computer is able to process the data and
give the output in fractions of seconds such
that required information is given to the user
on time enabling the user to take right
decisions at the right time. A powerful
computer is capable of executing about 3
million calculations per second.
 Cont..
• Accuracy :-
In spite of its high speed of processing, the
computers accuracy is consistently high
enough which avoids any errors. If at all there
are errors, they are due to errors in
instructions given by the user.
• Computers perform all jobs with 100%
accuracy provided that the input is correct.
 Cont..
• Reliable :-
The output generated by the computer is very
reliable, but it is reliable only when the data,
which is passing as input to the computer and
the program, which gives instructions are
correct and reliable.
 Cont..
• Storage Capacity :-
• A computer has much more storage capacity
than human beings.
• It can store large amount of data.
• It can store any type of data such as images,
videos, text, audio, etc.
 Cont..
• Automation :-
• Computer is an automatic machine.
• Automation is the ability to perform a given
task automatically. Once the computer
receives a program i.e., the program is stored
in the computer memory, then the program
and instruction can control the program
execution without human interaction.
How Does a Computer Know what to
do?
• It must be given a detailed list of instructions,
called a computer program or software, that tells
it exactly what to do & how to do it.
• Before processing a specific job, the computer
program corresponding to that job must be stored
in memory.
• Once the program is stored in memory the
computer can start the operation by executing
the program instructions one after the other.

25
 Reading Assignment in Groups

Evolution of computers & Computer

Generations
Applications of computers in
various fields
 In Business
A computer has high speed of calculation,
diligence, accuracy, reliability, or versatility
which has made it an integrated part in all
business organizations.
Computers r used in business organizations for:
• Payroll calculations , Budgeting, Sales analysis
• Financial forecasting, Managing employee
database, Maintenance of stocks, etc.
Finance
• Companies use computers
to help manage their
finances.
• Finance software to
balance checkbooks, pay
bills, track personal
income and expenses,
manage investments,
evaluate financial plans
etc.
• Online Banking, Online
investing etc.
Health Care
• Accessing patient records
• Monitoring patient vital organs in
hospitals or at home.
• Computers and computerized devices
assisting doctors, nurses, and technicians
with medical tests e.g. CT Scanning
• Doctors using the Web and medical
software to assist with researching and
diagnosing health conditions.
• Doctors using e-mail to correspond with
patients.
• Surgeons implanting computerized
devices, such as pacemakers, that allow
patients to live longer.
• Surgeons use computer-controlled devices
to provide them with greater precision
during operations, such as for laser eye
surgery and robot-assisted heart surgery.
• Accessing health/nutrition info online etc.
Science
• Computers used to collect, analyse, & model
data.
• Also used in communication between scientists
• Breakthroughs in surgery, medicine, and
treatments often result from scientists’ use of
computers.
– Tiny computers now imitate functions of the central
nervous system, retina of the eye, and cochlea of the
ear. A cochlear implant allows a deaf person to listen.
– Electrodes implanted in the brain stop tremors
associated with Parkinson’s disease.
– Cameras small enough to swallow — sometimes
called a camera pill — take pictures inside your body
to detect polyps,cancer, and other abnormalities
Education
• Process of acquiring knowledge
• Traditionally
– People learnt from other people such as parents, teachers,
and employers.
– Heavy reliance on printed materials e.g. books, journals
etc.
• Today, educators also are turning to computers to assist with
education.
– Labs &classrooms equipped with computers, some
schools require students to have a mobile
computer/device to access the school’s network or
Internet wirelessly
– To promote education by computer, many vendors offer
substantial student discounts on software.
– E-Learning, distance learning – educational programs
online
Manufacturing
• Computer Aided
Manufacturing (CAM)- use of
computers to assist with
manufacturing processes such
as fabrication and assembly.
– Reduce product development
costs, shorter time to market,
strategic edge etc.
• Used by a variety of industries
e.g. oil drilling, power
generation, food production,
and automobile manufacturing.
– Automobile plants, for example,
have an entire line of industrial
robots that assemble a car
Publishing
• The process of making works available to the
public
– Books, magazines, newspapers, music, film, videos
etc.
• Special software assists
– graphic designers in developing pages that include
text, graphics, and photos
– artists in composing and enhancing songs
– filmmakers in creating and editing film
– journalists and mobile users in capturing and
modifying video clips
• Many publishers make their works available
online e.g online newspapers, magazines etc.
Travel
• Onboard or handheld
navigation systems
• Online maps
• Online reservations, check
in etc. – hotel, tickets
• Internet - It is a network of almost all the
computers in the world. You can browse
through much more information than you
could do in a library. That is because
computers can store enormous amounts of
information. You also have very fast and
convenient access to information. Through E-
Mail you can communicate with a person
sitting thousands of miles away in seconds.
• There is chat software that enables one to chat
with another person on a real-time basis. Video
conferencing tools are becoming readily available
to the common man.
• Digital video or audio composition – Audio or
video composition and editing have been made
much easier by computers. It no longer costs
thousands of dollars of equipment to compose
music or make a film. Graphics engineers can use
computers to generate short or full-length films or
even to create three-dimensional models.
Anybody owning a computer can now enter the
field of media production. Special effects in
science fiction and action movies are created using
computers.
• ATM machines - The computer software
authenticates the user and dispenses cash.
• Word Processing - Word Processing software
automatically corrects spelling and grammar
mistakes. If the content of a document repeats
you don’t have to type it each time. You can
use the copy and paste features. You can
printout documents and make several copies.
It is easier to read a word-processed
document than a handwritten one. You can
add images to your document.
• Plagiarism - Software can examine content for
plagiarism.
• Greeting Cards - You can send and receive
greetings pertaining to different occasions.
• Sports – Software is used for making umpiring
decisions. There are simulation software using
which a sportsperson can practice his skills.
Computers are also to identify flaws in
technique.
• Aero planes – Pilots train on software, which
simulates flying.
• Weather analysis – Supercomputers are used
to analyze and predict weather.
 Group Activity
• Classification of computers
 Classification of computers

• Computers can be classified in many ways.

• Lets take a look at the 2 main ways:

1) Classification by size

2) Classification by Function
 Categories of Computer (by size)

(i) Microcomputers
(ii) Minicomputers
(iii) Mainframe computers
(iv) Super computers
 MICROCOMPUTERS
• These are the most common type of computers in
existence today, whether at work in school or on the
desk at home
• They are also called Personal Computers (PCs) or
Desktop Computers.
• They are relatively small, inexpensive and designed for
an individual user
• Microcomputers are at the lowest end of the
computer range in terms of speed and storage capacity
• Used for word processing, accounting, desktop
publishing , database management apps, playing
games, surfing the internet and for many other things
• Can be linked together to form a network
• They include Desktop computers- a case & a
display put under & on a desk, in-car
computers(carputers), game
consoles(entertainment), laptops, Netbooks,
Notebooks ,personal digital assistant (PDA),
hand-held comp,palmtops, tablets &
smartphones are all egs. of microcomputers.
• Well known manufacturers of Micro-computer
are Dell, Apple, Samsung, Sony & Toshiba.
 Mini-Computers
• Minicomputers are also called “Midrange Computers”.
• These are medium sized computers designed to support
more than one user at a time.(upto about 200 users
simultaneously.)
• Have lesser processing and data storage capabilities & less
expensive when compared to Super-computers &
Mainframes.
• But have higher speed & storage capabilities larger than
that of personal computers.
• used by small and medium sized businesses & firms for
general business applications and department-level
operations
• They are also used as servers in Local Area Networks
(LAN).
• Most popular egs r K-202,Texas Instrument TI-990,SDS-
92,IBM Midrange computers
 Mainframe computer
• Large, expensive, powerful computers with a lot of
processing capabilities(multi-processing) when compared
to Micro & Mini computers.
• They operate at very high speeds, can process & store large
amounts of data.
• Can handle hundreds of thousands of connected users at
the same(multi-user)
• Mostly used by large institutions such as the
government,Banks & IT organisations, insurance companies
• They are generally used in centralized databases & also as
controlling nodes in Wide Area Networks
• Also used for bulk data processing such as census, industry,
consumer statistics, ERPs & transaction processing
• Eg if u hav used an ATM u have once used a Mainframe
Egs of- Fujitsu’s ICL VME,Hitachi’s Z800, IBM 3000 series
 Supercomputers
These are extremely powerful, fastest and most expensive
machines
They have high processing speed compared to other types of
computers
They also hv multiprocessing technique.
They are specifically designed for high speed numeric calculations.
They can process hundreds of millions instructions per second
(mips)
Specialized and task specific computers
Supercomputers are mainly used for whether forecasting,
biomedical research, remote sensing, aircraft design and other
areas of science and technology.
• Examples of supercomputers are Tianhe - 2 (MilkyWay – 2)
• Titan – Cray,IBM’s Sequoia, in United States,Fujitsu’s K
Computer in Japan,IBM’s Mira in United States,IBM’s SuperMUC
in Germany
 Classification by Function
• Servers: refers to a computer that is dedicated to providing a service to
other computers. It provides a centralized storage area for programs, data,
and information for clients on the network
• Client computers: Computers that require services from servers, they
can function independently though
• Work stations: intended for individual use, for business or professional
use, they can function as clients. Are geared for work that requires
intense calculations and graphics capabilities. Mostly used by
engineering companies, architects etc
• Information appliances: designed to perform a specific user-friendly
function e.g. photography, playing music, egs r PDAs, mobile/wireless
devices
• Embedded computers: are computers that are a part of a machine or
device &generally execute programs stored in Non volatile memory.egs
of machines with EC r Automobiles,Washing machines, DVD players
THE COMPUTER SYSTEM
 To cover
• Definition of a computer system
• Components of a computer system
• Computer Hardware
• Computer Software
 THE COMPUTER SYSTEM
• A system is a collection of interrelated
components that work hand in hand in order
to achieve a common goal.
• A computer system is therefore an
interrelated system of input, processing,
output, storage and control components that
work hand in hand to perform computations
and solve particular problems/ computations.
 Computer Hardware
• Refers to all the physical/ tangible parts of a
computer system such as the monitor, keyboard,
mouse, CPU ,RAM, Expansion, Power, Optical
disks , Hard disk drive and speakers to mention
a few.
• Hardware devices are commonly referred to as
peripherals.
• A peripheral is a computer component
connected (linked) to the CPU but located
outside the CPU, for example a keyboard or a
mouse. Peripheral devices can reside inside the
computer case or outside
Components of a Computer System
All computers require at least 5 basic hardware
components for them to operate:
 CPU
Control Unit

Input Arithmetic & Logic Unit Output

devices devices

Main Memory (Primary

Storage)

Secondary Storage
 Hardware components of a computer
system Cont..
1) Input device: Any hardware device used to enter
data into the computer for example a keyboard
and a mouse. The input device enables the user
to enter data and instructions into the
computer.
• data could be text, images, video or audio)to the
computer without which a computer only
becomes a display device and not allow user to
interact with it.
 More egs of Input devices
• Camera, mouse, keyboard, CD/DVD ROM
Drive, Microphone, drawing tablet, scanner,
joy stick, touch screen, bar code reader
 The mouse
• The buzzwords that describe how you use the mouse are:
• Point: to point to an item means to move the mouse
pointer so that its touching the item
• Click: Point to the item, then tap (press and release) the
left mouse button.
• Double click: Point to the item, and tap the left mouse
twice in rapid succession (click-click as fast as u can)
• Right Click: To point to an item, then tap the button on the
right
• Drag: Point to an item, then hold down the left mouse
button as you move the mouse. To drop the item release
the left mouse button.
 keyboard
• A key board is an input device with a number of
buttons called keys classified into sections according
to the functionality of the keys.
• Like the mouse the keyboard is means of interacting
with the computer
• Most times its used for typing text
• .
 Cont..
2) Output device: A component used to display
or printout information from the computer
for example a VDU, printer, or any other
device that displays or prints the results of
processing.
3. Main Memory: A temporary storage space for
data and programs being processed and the
immediate results of processing.
4. Secondary storage device: Permanent
storage space for data for example a magnetic disk,
flash disk, magnetic tape, etc. Secondary storage
devices keep large amounts of data.
5. Central processing unit (CPU): The brain of the
computer, the CPU is the component which
actually executes instructions.
 Main memory
• It is one or more sets of chips that store
data and/or program instructions, either
temporarily or permanently.
 Two types of memory

• 1) Random access memory (RAM)

–It is like an electronic scratch pad
inside the computer which holds data
and program instructions .
 Cont..
As new data is entered into the computer
it is loaded in memory but only
temporarily. Data is both written to and
read from this memory hence sometimes
called read/write memory
 Cont..
• RAM is volatile meaning that it loses its
contents when the computer is shut off
or if there is power failure. The same
memory is expensive.The more Ram a
computer has the more it can do and
faster it can perform certain tasks.
 Cont…
• The most common measurement unit for
describing a computer ‘s memory is the
byte- that is the amount of memory it
takes to store a single character such as a
letter of the alphabet.
 Cont..
• We normally refer to storage capacities
in terms of kilobytes (KB),
megabytes(MB), gigabytes (GB) and
terabytes (TB)
 2) ROM - Read only memory
• It permanently stores data, even when
the computer is shut off. Rom is non
volatile memory because it never loses
its contents when power shuts off.
THE CPU
 The CPU
• The CPU is the brain of the computer".
• It’s the device that actually does the processing
• ITS MADE UP OF THE:
• control unit – it controls and coordinates all the
activities of the computer as much as the brain directs
the body.
• Locates the next instructions to be processed
• Monitors the request and operations of a computer
system.
• ALU- It performs mathematical operations on two
numbers(e.g addition, subtraction etc), then display
results, or it might perform a logical operation (<, >, <=,
<> etc) such as comparing two numbers, then display the
results.
 Storage devices
–These are devices that supplement the
primary memory. The purpose of
storage is to hold data permanently
even when the computer is turned off.
 Cont..
–Eg floppy disks, optical storage –
devices that use lasers to read data
from or write data to the reflective
surface of an optical disc.eg CD ROM,
CD –R, CD-RW
 Other Hardware components
• Motherboard: which holds the CPU, main memory and
other parts.
• Power Supply: a case that holds a transformer, voltage
control and fan
• Storage controllers, of IDE, SCSI or other types, that
control different drives in a computer
• Graphics controller- produces the output for the
monitor
• Hard Disk, CD/DVD ROM drive and other storages
• Interface controllers: parallel, serial, USB, firewire, to
connect the computer to external peripheral devices.
 The System Unit
• This is the actual computer, everything else is
called a peripheral device
• The system unit has
• a CD or DVD drive, some also have floppy disk
drives
• A hard drive inside it- storing everything in
your computer(docs u create as well as those
u download)
• RAM- Also inside it
 Activity
• COMPUTER SOFTWARE
Computer Software
Application software
System Software
 COMPUTER SOFTWARE
• Software defines the non tangible instructions used by
hardware to accomplish its tasks.
• In contrast to hardware software cannot be touched.
• Software tells hardware what to do and how to do it
• It’s a collection of computer programs and related data
that provides instructions for telling a computer what to
do and how to do it.
• Software defines a set of programs, procedures,
algorithms and its documentation concerned with the
operation of a data processing system.
• Software Programs are an ordered sequence of
instructions for changing the state of the computer in a
particular sequence
 Computer Software
• Software is created by Software
developers/programmers using a programming
language.
• Programmers write code in different languages (Java,
C++ etc.), these commands are known as source code
• Another computer program called the compiler is then
used on the source code to transform them into a
language the computer can understand
• The result is an executable program/ software
• .
 Cont..
• There are two main types of software:
– System software: refers to the operating
system and the instructions used to power
up the computer (usually comes with the
computer)
– Application software: programs that help
users solve particular computing problems,
these are task oriented programs like
Microsoft Word, Mozilla Firefox browser
etc.
 Application software
• Application software: programs that help
users solve particular computing problems,
these are task oriented.
Common application software:
 Microsoft Word, PowerPoint (Multiple
applications bundled together as a package
are sometimes referred to as an application
suite e.g. Microsoft Office Suite)
 System software
• refers to the operating system and the instructions
used to power up the computer (usually comes with
the computer
• Is software on a computer designed to control and
work with computer resources.
• It is a collection of programs that interact with the
computer hardware and application software -
creating a layer of insulation between the two.
• A good example of system software is the operating
system
 The Operating System
• It is a program designed to run other programs on a
computer.
• Responsible for booting your computer
• Application software runs on the Operating System.
• It is the backbone of a computer, managing both
software & hardware resources
• It supports a computer's basic functions, such as
scheduling tasks(where multiple programs are running
at the same time, it determines which application
should run first, in what order & how much time
should be allocated to it before giving another a turn)
• It manages the sharing of internal memory among
multiple applications
• Handles input & output to and from attached
peripheral devices
• It sends messages to each application or
interactive user about the status of operation/
errors that might have occurred
• It can offload batch jobs like printing, so that the
initiating program can be freed from this work
• In parallel processing, it can divide the program
so that it runs on more than one processor at a
time.
• Also responsible for managing network
connections
 Common examples
• Microsoft windows(Windows XP, Windows
2000, Windows Vista, Windows 7, 8,10 etc..)
• Macintosh(Mac)
• Linux(Ubuntu, Redhat, Centos, Fedora etc.)
 Computer Software utilities
• These are part of system software and their main
purpose is to ensure that the system is
functioning properly.
• Normally come with the Operating system
• Disk Compression Utilities: for compression and
decompression of data files for the purpose of
having space for additional data to be stored.
• Common examples of disk compression tools
include:
• Double Doublers, Double Disk Gold, XtraDrive,
Stacker etc.
• Disk Checkers & Cleaners: checks the hard drive
for any damaged or unnecessary files and deletes
them for efficient hard disk functioning.
• They are good for increasing the speed of a slow
computer. Egs include:
• CHKDSK, Disk Checker, ADRC Hard Disk Checker
etc
• System Profilers: Provide the user with clear
information about the applications installed &
hardware devices connected to the system
• Egs include:
• CPU Speed Pro, SekChek Local etc.
• Antivirus Software: e.g. McAfee, ESET for
protecting the system form malicious software,
viruses, worms, spyware etc.
• Backup Utilities: For backing up information
• Egs include Norton Ghost, Windows Home Server
Computer Backup
• Disk Partitioning tools: For dividing hard drives in
to partitions for effective data management
• Egs include Logical disk manager, Partition master
etc
System Software Cont.
 To cover
• The Desktop
• The menu
• Working with the Keyboard and Mouse
• Working with files and folders … House keeping
 Switching on a Computer
• make sure all the cables are connected securely,
i.e.
• The power cables: ie. The Systems Unit and
Monitor
• Video cable (Video Graphics Array, Digital Visual
Interface, High Definition Multimedia Interface
etc.)
• USB cables for your keyboard, mouse etc are
securely connected through the USB port
• Internal cables (Serial Advanced Technology
Attachment (SATA) & Integrated Drive Electronics
(IDE))
• Make sure all your plugs are turned on
• Find and push the monitor “on” button to
turn on the monitor. Most PC monitors have it
on the bottom corner of the screen.
• Find &push the ‘on’ button which might be
square or oblong!) on top of the case or flat on
the front, in the middle of the tower.
 Booting
• Means starting a computer or a computer-
embedded device. It involves:
• switching on the power supply
• Running the BIOS (firmware i.e. a piece of
software permanently programmed into the
hardware)
• Loading the Operating system into computer’s
main memory.
 Types of booting
• Cold Booting: When the system is started by
switching on the power supply, followed by
loading of BIOS.

• Warm Booting: When the system is already

running and needs to be restarted or
rebooted, it is called warm booting. Warm
booting is faster than cold booting because
BIOS is not reloaded.
 Getting started with Windows 10
• After booting, your PC will take you to the
Welcome Screen, with the time and date. Just
click anywhere to go to the User Accounts
Screen.
The user Accounts Screen
 Cont..
• The User-Accounts Screen lets you choose
which user you want to log in to from the
lower-left corner.
• After choosing the right user, and entering a
password if necessary, you will see the
Windows Desktop.
 The Windows Desktop.
• On the next slide
 Search box Notification area
Start Task bar
 Windows
• In Windows 10, if an application is active or
opened, you will see a blue line below its icon.
Clicking the icon will bring the application
window up.
Every open window features three buttons in the upper-right
corner.

•Minimizing means that the window will hide in the

Taskbar.
•Maximizing will bring the window to a full-screen size.
Windows can be moved around or resized as you please −
•To move a window, just click on its Title Bar on the upper
side of the window and drag it.
•To resize a window, move your mouse to any corner until
you see a double-sided arrow. Then click and drag until
you reach the desired size.
 Icons
• An icon is simply a graphic
representation of an application or a
file. To open or access an icon, just
double click on it.
 To add an icon
• Step 1 − Right-click on the Desktop Background.
• Step 2 − Choose “New” and “Shortcut”.
• Step 3 − Browse for the application or file you
want to create a shortcut to.
• Step 4 − Assign a name to the shortcut and click
“Finish”.
• Icons can also be moved around by clicking on
them and dragging them to another place in the
screen.
Customizing desktop
configurations
 Desktop Background
• An image that appears at the back of your screen.
Most computers come with a pre-selected
background, but you can change it to any image
you want.
To change the background:
• Right-click on the background and choose
“Personalize”
• From the Personalization window, choose from a
series of pre-selected pictures or browse for your
own.
• After choosing a picture, the Background will
change automatically.
 Start Menu

• If you are looking for a specific application,

you can also open the Start Menu and an
alphabetical list of all the applications installed
on your computer will open up on the right.
 File Explorer

• If you are looking for a specific document,

another alternative is to use the File Explorer
by clicking on the Folder icon on the Taskbar.
File
Explorer

• In the File Explorer window, you can browse

all your folders and documents.
Keyboard & Mouse Skills
 Using the Mouse
• The buzzwords that describe how you use the mouse
are:
• Point: to point to an item means to move the mouse
pointer so that its touching the item
• Click: Point to the item, then tap (press and release)
the left mouse button.
• Double click: Point to the item, and tap the left mouse
twice in rapid succession (click-click as fast as u can)
• Right Click: To point to an item, then tap the button on
the right
• Drag: Point to an item, then hold down the left mouse
button as you move the mouse. To drop the item
release the left mouse button.
 Using the Mouse
• Depending on where the mouse pointer is on
screen, a different icon appears
 Using the Keyboard
• The keyboard is the most common input
device used to enter text and numeric data
into the computer.
 Steps to shut down
• For Windows 10 PCs:
• Select Start and then select Power > Shut
down.
• A computer shouldn’t be turned off by
pressing the same button that you pressed to
turn it ‘on’. If you do that, you can actually
lose data or damage some of the processes in
the machine.
• Its also important to Save your work &
• Close all open files, folders and programs b4
shutting down
FILE MANAGEMENT
 To cover:
• Creating, Naming &Renaming files & folders
• Moving, Copying & Pasting files & folders
• Deleting files & folders
• The Recycle Bin
 DEFINITIONS
• File management is the storing, naming,
sorting and handling of computer files (hold
data or information)
• File explorer- A utility program that enables
the user to perform file management tasks,
looking to see which files are stored on a
storage medium, as well as copying, moving,
deleting and renaming files and folders.
• FILES: A file is a collection of data on a single
unit. It can be anything from a word file to a
music, video, or photo file. Text files normally
contain written text and are called word
documents.
• files store data/ information, whether text,
music or film, photos etc.
• FOLDERS: places where files and other folders
are stored. They are also called Directories
• are used to organize files in your computer.
 Rationale
• Helps a computer user to efficiently organize
files and folders so that they are easy to
identify and find; & so that a user can access
and retrieve data faster and more
conveniently.
 Creating a new folder
• Using File Explorer, Click on Documents
• Click on the New folder icon in the Home
menu
• Type in the folder name and press the Enter
key/ Click away from the newly created folder
 Creating a sub-folder

• Double-click on the folder to open it

• Click on the New folder icon in the Home
menu
• Type in the folder name and press the Enter
key/ Click away from the newly created folder
 Renaming a folder

• Right-click on the folder name

• Select Rename from the pop-up menu
• Type in a new name for the folder then press
the Enter key/ Click in an empty part of the
same window
 Selecting folders

• Rather than selecting folders one by one, you

can select multiple folder at once
• To select adjacent folders, click on the first
folder, hold down the Shift key then click on
the last folder.
To select non-adjacent folders, click on the
first folder, hold down the Ctrl key then click
on another folder
 Copying & moving and folders

• Using File explorer, Select the folder you want

to copy
• Click on Copy from the Home menu
• Open the folder where you want the copy to
go to.
• Click on Paste from the Home menu
 Deleting a folder
• Using File explorer, Select the folder you want
to delete
• Then Click on Delete from the Home menu
 The Recycle Bin
• Is a Temporary storage area for deleted files
• To open the Recycle Bin just double-click on
the Recycle Bin icon on your Windows
Desktop
• To permanently delete the bin files, Right click
on the bin
• Then Select Empty Recycle Bin
• If you want to retrieve a file, right click on it
and select Restore from the pop-up menu
 TOPIC 4
Application software Cont..
PRACTICALS
 To cover:
• Word Processing
• Spread Sheet
• Presentation
 TOPIC 5
The Network Environment
 To cover:
• Definition of a network
• Advantages of networks
• Types of computer networks
• Network topologies
• The internet
 What is a Computer Network
• A collection of computers and devices connected
together, often wirelessly, via communications
devices and transmission media
• Computer networking is the process of inter
connecting two or more computers so that the
users can communicate with each other, share
resources and overcome other limitations of
stand-alone systems.
 Advantages of networks
1) Hardware resource sharing: Network enables
sharing of expensive resources such as processor,
storage space and peripherals like modern, fax,
and laser printer.
2) Sharing of databases: The network permits
concurrent access to the same data file by many
users in the network. Thus, user in the sales
department, production department, inventory
department etc share corporate databases.
3) Sharing of Software: Any user in a network can
load and use the software installed on any of the
computer of fileserver in the network.
 Cont..
4) Communication between users: The Network
users can communicate between them. E-mail
facility can also be used for communication.
5) Decentralized data processing: In a network, the
data processing can be decentralized by enabling
local offices to capture and store data, and
generate information to meet most of their
requirements a local level itself.
6) Security of data: In a networked environment
the data is backed up with duplicate storage.
Adequate security measures are also put in place
to product the data.
 TYPES OF NETWORKS
• Networks can be classified into three basic
types:
1) Local Area Network (LAN)
2) Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
3) Wide Area Network (WAN)
 Local Area Network (LAN)
• A LAN is an interconnection of computers that
need to communicate with each other in a
limited geographical area, such as within a large
building or offices within a few kilometers.
• The network may have other sharable devices
attached such as fax, laser printers and copiers.
• The network includes a central facility with huge
storage capacity for the requirements of the
organization. It also has a network operating
system for managing the network.
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
• Metropolitan area network covers a wider
area than a local area network. Usually MAN
covers a large metropolitan city and is a scaled
down version of wide area network.
 Wide Area Network (WAN)
• Network that covers a large geographic area
(E.g. a city, country, or the world)
• Can be one large network or can consist of
multiple LANs connected together.
– The Internet is the world’s largest WAN.
 Network Topology
The layout of the computers and devices in a
communications network
* See Notes

Star network Bus network Ring network

 Network Topology
Topology Advantages Disadvantages
Star • Fairly easy to install and maintain. If central device fails, the
• Nodes can be added to and removed from entire network is inoperable
the network with little or no disruption to until the device is repaired
the network.
• If one node fails, only that node is affected
(as long as that node is not providing
services to other nodes on the network).
Bus • Inexpensive and easy to install. Computers • Greatest risk - the bus
and other devices can be attached and itself might become
detached at any point on the bus without inoperable. The network
disturbing the rest of the network. remains inoperative until
• Failure of one device usually does not affect the bus is back in working
the rest of the bus network order.
Ring • Can span a larger distance than a bus • If a computer or device on
network, but it is more difficult to install a ring network fails, the
entire network potentially
could stop functioning.
 TOPIC 6 & 7
GROUP PRESENTATIONS
6. Definition of an information system
• Components of an information system
• Types of Information Systems
• The need for and use of Information Systems in Business
7. Information Technology Security
– What is Security
– What is Information Security
– What are IT Threats
– Protecting your computer and information
 Cont..
• The Internet
• Definition
• Who owns it?
• Internet services
• Advantages and disadvantages of the internet
– What is the business value of the internet