Computer Fundamentals

and Information
Processing
Campion College Teachers
But first the rules…
Computer Fundamentals
To develop an understanding of the fundamental hardware
and software components and the interrelationship among
them.
Why Information Technology?
• Why do we want to get into the field of IT?
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WB6RcY0MPc
What is Information Technology?
• Simple Definition: The use of computers to store, retrieve, manipulate
and send information.
• A computer based system of accessing information.
• What is a Computer?
• What is a Computer System?
• What is Hardware?
• What is Software?
Definitions
• A Computer is an electronic device that manipulates information, or data
and outputs the results.
• Computer Systems are a collection of hardware and software that are
designed to receive, process, manage the instructions/data given by user
and return output in the form of human readable information.
• Hardware – Tangible parts of the computer system.
• Software – Intangible parts of the computer system. •Computer System
•Hardware

•Software
Characteristics of the
Computer

It can perform its

operations with it
amazing speed,
reliability, accuracy,
power and
communication
capabilities.
 SPEED:

Characteristics
of the
Computer
cont…. A computer can process
billions of instructions in a
single second. E.g.
Computers used by utility
companies to produce
monthly bills. Without fast
and powerful computers
this would be impossible.
Characteristics of the Computer cont….

Modern computers have a

RELIABILITY: low failure rate, and they
produce consistent results.

Computers can work

continuously and never go a
strike.
Characteristics of the Computer cont….

•ACCURACY:
•THE COMPUTER PRODUCES ERROR FREE RESULTS IF THE DATA IS
ENTERED CORRECTLY. (GIGO)
 STORAGE:

A computer stores
Characteristics of the large amounts of data
in a very small place for
Computer cont…. later use.

Spare copies or backup

can also be stored in
case of accidents.
 •COMMUNICATION:
•COMMUNICATION DEVICES SUCH AS MODEMS ALLOWS TWO OR MORE
COMPUTERS TO SHARE STORED DATA AND INFORMATION.

Characteristics of the Computer

cont….
 •Computers can replace people.
(Unemployment)

Drawbacks of •Computers hold personal information that may

be misused.
Computer use •Downtime- Problems arise when a computer
cannot be used. Certain tasks have to be done
manually or postponed.
Drawbacks of
Computer use
cont…
• Staff need to be
trained. Training
can be expensive
and if the current
staff member
leaves a new staff
member will have
to be trained.
Types of Computer Systems
• Super Computers
• Mainframes
• Microcomputer – has a microcontroller
• Personal Computer
• Desktop
• Mobile devices
• Embedded devices

• Homework Create a Document on the types of computer system. Categorize them in

terms of processing speed, storage ability and portability.
• Major types OF Computer Systems: (a) Super
Computers (for example, Cray).
• (b) Mainframes (for example, IBM zEnterprise
System).
• (c) Desktop systems.
• (d) Mobile devices (for example, laptops, Lets discuss
notebooks, netbooks, smartphones, tablets What did you find?
and game consoles).
• (e) Embedded devices (for example,
special-purpose systems such as controllers
in microwaves, car ignition systems,
answering machines).
Hardware Components
The bits you can touch..
Hardware

•Eg. Speaker, keyboard, mouse, scanner, disk drives.

•Peripheral are hardware components usually outside the system unit.

•Parts of the computer that can be touched (Tangible)
 The System Unit

https://www.youtube.com./watch
?v=ctAVC2JwEwI
 System board (Motherboard)
More about the motherboard and ports
when we do PC Troubleshooting
Hardware Components
• CPU
• Peripheral Devices
• Input Devices
• Output Devices
• Storage Devices

• A peripheral device is not a core device for a computer which means a

computer can “work” without a peripheral device connected to it.
Basic Functions of a Computer System
• There are Four major functions/operations of every computer system.
• Input – Accept/Get Data
• Process – Manipulate Data
• Output – Produce Results
• Storage – Keep Data for future use
• Explain how these components Interrelate...
IPOS Cycle
Name the function of each CPU
Component.
Processing
CPU
• The CPU processes the instructions it receives from input devices and gives the
required output using output devices. CPU has four basic functions to perform a
task:

• Homework: Find out more about each step of the CPU Clock/Instruction/Machine
Cycle.
CPU
• The microprocessor (CPU chip) contains a variety of circuitry
and components and is connected to the motherboard.
CPU cont’d
• Processing speed is measured in megahertz (MHz) or
gigahertz (GHz).
• A computer word is a group of bits or bytes that may be
manipulated and stored as a unit. (more on this later)
• Other factors that affect the speed of the computer include:
• RAM,
• cache memory,
• bus width, and
• bus speed.
CPU Components
• Central Processing Unit consists of 3 components
• ALU
• CU
• Register

• https://www.computerhunger.com/what-is-the-cpu-and-its-function-componen
ts-and-diagram/
Machine Cycle
I-Cycle(Instruction) E-Cycle(Execution)

• Control Unit fetches from • Control Unit retrieves data

memory the next and commands ALU to
command. execute and ALU complies.
• Control Unit decodes the • Control Unit stores the
command into an result in memory.
instruction that the ALU
can process.
Storage
Quick side note
Storage
• Primary
• Volatile
• Non Volatile

• Secondary
• Local Devices: Magnetic, optical, Flash memory
• Cloud – Discuss the pros and cons of Cloud vs Local storage

• The history of Storage devices

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KRLWGaIunA
Primary Storage Devices
• Primary storage is one that is accessed directly by the CPU.
• 2 main types are RAM and ROM
RAM & ROM
Random Access Memory
• aka Main Memory
• Volatile meaning it is lost when
power is turned off
• DRAM - ordinary RAM
• SRAM - faster type of RAM
Read Only Memory
• Non-volatile meaning contents are
not lost when power is shut off
• Contents are Read Only
• Stores the BIOS (Basic Input Output
System)
• PROM, EPROM, EEPROM
Secondary Storage Devices
• Secondary storage is non-volatile, long-term storage.
• Usually have large storage capacity and they store data permanently. It
can be internal or external to the computer.
• Storage terms
• Media is the material storing data.
• Storage devices manage the media.
• Magnetic devices use a magnet.
• Optical devices use lasers.
Input/output devices
Project
• Input and output devices presentation and discussion.
Software
The bits you can’t touch…
Types of Software
• System Software
• Application Software