CC101: [FUNDAMENTALS OF COMPUTER]

LESSON 2:
FUNDAMENTALS OF COMPUTER

Learning Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, the student is expected to:
✓ Briefly define the terms: computer, hardware, software, data, information, input,
process and output.
✓ Enumerate the capabilities, characteristics and limitations of computer.
✓ Identify the different kinds of computer (classification of computers).
✓ Discuss the components of computer system.
✓ Explain the different phases of data processing
✓ Enumerate the career opportunities in Information Technology.
✓

DEFINITION OF COMPUTER

B y modern definition, a computer is an electronic, programmable device that can store, retrieve and process data.
Based on this definition, you can conclude that the abacus is not really a true computer; neither a paper and pencil,
nor a simple pocket calculator. You can use these things to compute, but they are not computers. If you look closely at
the definition again, you can see that a computer is made up of five basic elements:

Electronic – All computers are powered by electricity. They must run on electricity in one form or another, which
means that they are exclusively a product of the Twentieth
Century
Programmable – A computer must be able to follow a set of Data – the raw fact/material, unevaluated
instructions (called programs) to operate
figure concerning to people, objects,
Storage – A computer must be able to store information (like
events and other entities. Example:
programs and data) to be used to another time. This
names of students, grades in quizzes,
computer feature turns the machine into an electronic filing
projects and major exams, etc.
cabinet.
Retrieve – On top of being able to store information, a
computer must be able to retrieve the information, a Information – data that is organized,
computer must be able to retrieve the information that it has meaningful and useful. It should be
stored. Storing is meaningless without the capability to accurate, complete, timely, relevant,
retrieve and concise. Example: name of student
Process – Most importantly, a computer must be able to with his/her final grade.
process information, In other words, a computer must be able
to manipulate and transform the information it has stored

NATURE OF COMPUTERS

Almost everything that we encounter daily involves the use of computer. In every place that we go, computers are at
work. Life won’t be easy without them. But how powerful are they? Do you think they are more powerful and smarter
than us? No. computers were created, operated, and instructed by human beings. So without the people involved they
will not function or run. Computers need human intervention to run, and they can only do things for which they were
designed.

Prepared by: Milagros S. Constantino Saint Mary’s University | Bayombong, Nueva

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 CC101: [FUNDAMENTALS OF COMPUTER]

Some Characteristics of Computer are as follows:

Machine – computer is an inanimate object and it needs outside intervention for it to run. It also performs
things for which it was designed.

Electronic – it is made up of electric circuits and it needs electrical energy for it to run

Automatic – once it started, it continues to run without outside intervention

Process Data – following specific rules, it can perform arithmetic functions and compare data

Memory – it has the capacity to remember what it has done. It also store instructions in its memory and follow
these through unaided

Logic Functions – it can be given a set of instructions which tell what it must do and how it must do them

Here are the Capabilities of Computer why it has become indispensable part of our lives.

Speed – with speeds reaching up to 50 million operations per second, the computer can process data faster than
any other machine designed to perform a similar task

Repetitiveness – a computer can tirelessly perform the same operations millions of times in exactly the same
way without getting bored

Accuracy and Reliability – a computer’s high speed processing is accompanied by high-accuracy results. No
other system can produce as much accuracy as the computer system

Logical Operations – computer can make decisions based on alternative courses of action. The decision of the
computer are however dependent on the choices prepared for it by the programmer

Store and Recall Information - computer is like the human brain because it can store facts, instructions and
information. However, once data, instructions and information are store in the computer it does not forget
these. The data storage capability of the computer is unique. It stores vast amounts of information at high
speeds.

Self-checking – the computer verifies the accuracy of its own work by means of parity check. This means that
the computer counts the numbers of characters it has in storage to make sure there is no loss of data during
processing.

Self-operating – once the data and the program are fed into the computer’s memory, the computer is capable
of executing the instructions on its own, without human intervention.

Although a computer can do a variety of tasks at blinding speed and with 100% accuracy, it has one fundamental
limitation. It is still dependent on the instructions and data given to it by man to do.

Consider the other Limitations of Computer below:

It cannot generate information on its own. – True, the computer has the capability to put information together
from many sources but only if it is programmed by man to do so.

Prepared by: Milagros S. Constantino Saint Mary’s University | Bayombong, Nueva

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 CC101: [FUNDAMENTALS OF COMPUTER]

It cannot correct wrong instructions. – If a computer should be fed incorrect instructions or incorrect data,
either intentionally or accidentally, it does not have the common sense to detect the incorrect data or correct
the wrong instructions. Any corrections to be done must come from a programmer. Thus, the term “GIGO”
exists, meaning “Garbage In, Garbage Out”. A computer fed with erroneous instructions or data will produce
wrong information.

It cannot come out with an original “decision”. – It is true

that a computer chooses between alternative paths but
such choices are limited, however, only to those prepared INPUT
for it by the programmer.
STORAGE
It cannot think for you. – It does not have common sense.

It is subject to breakdown.
PROCESS OUTPUT
PHASES OF DATA PROCESSING

Input – the procedure of feeding data into a computer is called

input. A typical way of feeding – or entering – data into a computer is
by typing on a keyboard.
Process – this is the operation of manipulating and transforming data
into something useful. A program, which is a set of written
instructions, tells the computer how to manipulate and transform the
data.
Output – this is the result of the processing function. Once data has
been processed into information, the computer then must produce
and present that information in a form that human can understand.
How computer system process transaction?
Online processing (interactive processing /
real-time processing) – data is
inputted immediately as each transaction
occurs and processed immediately. Each
transaction is fully processed when
inputted and there is immediate
feedback/result. Example: ATM, Airlines
reservation system, etc.

Storage – Computers can save data so that it can be used at another Batch processing – data items are accumulated
time. over a period of time and it will be process
as a group, not individually and
The computer is a machine that can be programmed to accept data immediately. Example: computing the
(input), process it into useful information (output), and store it away salary of employee at the end of the
for safekeeping or later use. month, etc..

CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS

C omputers come in various types and these may be classified in various ways. Generally, computes are classified
according to:

A. PURPOSE

1. General-purpose computers – these computers are designed to handle a variety of different problems and
to meet different needs. A general-purpose computer can be used for such varied applications as payroll,
accounts receivable, inventory control, budgeting and sales analysis. General-purpose computers are
strong in versatility but are normally weak in speed and efficiency.

Prepared by: Milagros S. Constantino Saint Mary’s University | Bayombong, Nueva

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 CC101: [FUNDAMENTALS OF COMPUTER]

2. Special Purpose computers – these computers are designed to handle a specific problem or to perform
specific tasks. Examples of special purpose computers are those used for collecting highway tolls, airline
reservations, satellite tracking, air traffic control and industrial processes control. While these special
purpose computers maybe highly sophisticated, these are quite inflexible and cannot be used for tasks
other than that for which it was designed.

B. Type of Data Handled

1. Analog computers – the term analog is taken from the word “analogous” which means similar. The
speedometer is an analog device wherein changes in the speed of the automobile are shown by analogous
(similar) changes in the speed of the camshafts rotation.

Analog computers deal with continuously changing physical data (such as pressure, temperature and
current). As such their primary advantage is their prompt response to the handling of data generated by
an ongoing physical process. Since these computers deal with quantities that are constantly changing,
these computers can only provide approximate results. The obvious disadvantage is therefore the accuracy
factor.

Analog computers are commonly used for scientific and engineering problems, particularly in chemical
industries, electric power plants, and petroleum refineries.

2. Digital computers – Digital computers specialize in counting. Unlike the analog computer which receives
data in a continuous form, the digital computer handles values that are in a discrete (separate or distinct)
form. Since most business data are in discrete form, the digital computer is readily adaptable to business
data processing applications, especially when repetitive arithmetic operations are involved and when 100%
accuracy is demanded.

3. Hybrid computers – Hybrid computers are those that incorporate in a single computer both analog and
digital features. These computers are used in working out special types of problems in science and various
areas of engineering, such as space vehicle simulations and training of astronauts.

C. Capacity

1. Super Computers – these are the biggest and fastest machines

today where numerical calculations are carried out at speeds
of up to 50 million operations per second. Such machines are Capacity- refers to the volume of work that a
essential for applications ranging from nuclear weapons computer can handle. In the early
development, accurate weather forecasting and other days of the computer, capacity was
applications where maximum speed and power are so determined by size-the larger the
important that costs are just secondary. size, the greater data it can
process. Due to the
2. Mainframe Computers – Less powerful than Super miniaturization of computer
Computers, these are fast, large-capacity computers components, capacity is now
occupying specially wired air-conditioned rooms. measured by the number of jobs
Mainframes are used by large organizations-banks, airlines, (or instructions) it can run rather
insurance companies, mail-order houses, and universities- to than by the volume of data it can
handle millions of transactions. process.

Prepared by: Milagros S. Constantino Saint Mary’s University | Bayombong, Nueva

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CC101: [FUNDAMENTALS OF COMPUTER]

3. Minicomputers – these are refrigerator-sized machines that are essentially scaled-down mainframes.
Because of their lesser processing speeds and data storing capacities, they are typically used by medium-
sized companies for specific purposes, such as accounting.

4. Microcomputers – these are the most important category of computer systems for businesspeople and
consumers. Though usually called a personal computer, or PC, a microcomputer is much more than a small
computer for use by an individual. The computing power of microcomputers now exceeds that of the
mainframes of previous computer generations at a fraction of their cost. Thus, they have become powerful
networked professional workstations for business professionals.
5. Others
▪ PDA – is hand-held microcomputer devices that enable you to manage information such as
appointments, to-do lists, and sales contacts, send and receive E-mail, access the Web, and exchange
such information with your desktop PC or network server.

▪ Information Appliances – small Web-enabled microcomputer devices with specialized functions, such
as hand-held PDAs, TV set-top boxes, game consoles, cellular and PCS phones, wired telephone
appliances, and other Web-enabled home appliances.

▪ Notebook computer – a computer that is designed for those who want a small portable PC for their
work activities.

▪ Desktop computer – a computer that is designed to fit on an office desk.

▪ Workstation - (1) A computer system designed to support the work of one person. (2) a high-powered
computer to support the work of professionals in engineering, science, and other areas that require
extensive computing power and graphics capabilities.

▪ Network Servers – these powerful microcomputers are used to coordinate telecommunications and
resource sharing in small local area networks and Internet and intranet websites.

COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER SYSTEM

1. Hardware – equipment that includes the computer itself. It includes monitor, SYSTEM- is defined as a group
keyboard, mouse, printer and other devices (more discussions later) of related
components that
2. Software – commonly known as application programs, consist of step-by-step
interact to perform
instructions that tell the hardware how to perform a task. e.g. Microsoft office,
a task.
multimedia software, photo editing, etc… (more discussions later)

3. Data/ Information

4. Procedures – are the guidelines to follow when using hardware, software and data

5. People(ware) – operate the hardware, create hardware, put data into the system and use the information that
comes out of the system

6. Connectivity – consists of the electronic connections or communications between computer systems.

e.g. telephone lines, microwave transmissions or satellite

Prepared by: Milagros S. Constantino Saint Mary’s University | Bayombong, Nueva

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