THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF ZANZIBAR

Introduction to Computers and Office

Automation.

Instructor: Ms. Maryam Kh. Juma

Email: zhumeisi06@gmail.com
Department: School of computing, Communication and Media.
 Aims and Objectives of Course

• The aims and objectives of the course include the following:

To understand the general fundamental of computer system.
To interact effectively with computer.
To know the basic uses of components of the computer.
To manage the system to some extent before involving the expert.
To know some basic things about the computer and the world.
Increase personal productivity.
Ability to determine the right tool for the job.
 Course Outline

• Module 1: Computer Concepts .

History of Computer.
Computer Types .
Element of Computer.
• Module 2: Hardware.
Input Devices.
Outputs Devices.
Processing Devices
Storage Devices.
Communication Devices.
Introduction
 Computer Concepts

INTRODUCTION
A computer is an electronic device that accepts user input (data)
and processes it under the influence of a set of instructions (programs) to
produce the desired output (information).
Data are the raw facts may not make much meaning to the user.
 Programs are set of instructions that instruct a computer what to
do.
Information is result after data has been processed.
 Computer Concepts

Factors that make Computer Powerful

Speed a computer can do billions of actions per second.
Reliability Failures are usually occur due to human error, one way or
another. (Blush for us all)
Storage a computer can keep huge amounts of data.
 History of Computer
The history of computer development is often referred to in reference
to the different generations of computing devices.
Each generation of computer is characterized by a major
technological development that fundamentally changed the way
computers operate, resulting in increasingly smaller, cheaper, more
powerful, efficient and reliable devices.
• First Generation - 1940-1956: Vacuum Tubes.
• Second Generation - 1956-1963: Transistors.
• Third Generation - 1964-1971: Integrated Circuits.
• Fourth Generation - 1971-Present: Microprocessors.
• Fifth Generation - Present and Beyond: Artificial Intelligence.
 Computer Types

Primarily there are four types of digital Computer based on size.

Digital Computer

Super Computers Main Computer Mini Computer Micro Computer

 Computer Types
Super Computers
The fastest computers currently available.
Supercomputing means "mass computing at ultra high speed."
Employed for specialized applications that require huge amounts of
mathematical calculations (number crunching).
Example: weather forecasting, scientific simulations, nuclear energy
research, and analysis of geological data
 Computer Types

Mainframe Computer
Large computing machines which occupied extremely large space, more
than the size of the rooms today.
 They were capable of operating multiple users via single interface and
typically operated more than million instructions per second.
 Computer Types

Mini Computer (mid-range computers)

Meaning most computing takes (physically) place on the mini itself. A
mini is associated with de-centralized computing.
 Intermediate solutions between Mainframe computers and Micro
Computers.
 Computer Types

Micro Computer
The most common computers being used for domestic / commercial
purposes now a days.
They also include solutions like Desktop Computers, Game Consoles,
Tablet Computers, and Smart Phones etc.
They are basically portable and carry very less space.
 Element of Computer System

Basically, there are three basic elements

Computer Hardware (Devices)
Computer Software (Programs)
Computer User (Operator)
 Computer Hardware (Devices)
Are physical components or equipment's that you can see, touch and
feel (tangible things).
The following are component of Computer Hardware:
• Input devices
• Output devices
• Storage devices
• Processing devices
• Others can be communication devices.
 Computer Hardware (Devices)
Input Devices
Are parts of the computer that allow information or data to be given
to the computer like Keyboard, Scanner, Microphone and a Mouse.
Output devices
Are parts of the computer that gives out information generated by
the computer like a Monitor, Printer and Speaker.
• Processing devices
Are part of the computer that processes and controls the flow of
information; it actually does the work. The one part of the computer that
handles this job is the central processing unit or CPU.
 Computer Hardware (Devices)
Storage Devices/System Memory
Are chips that store information for quick retrieval by the CPU. There are two
types of storage which are :-
Primary Storage (Main memory)
• located on the motherboard.
• Very fast, but expensive.
• They are basically divided into two ROM and RAM.
Random Access Memory (RAM)
Is used to store information and instructions that operate the computer
programs. Typically, programs are transferred from storage on a disk drive to RAM.
RAM is also known as volatile memory because the information within the
computer chips is lost when power to the computer is turned off or the computer
hanged.
 Computer Hardware (Devices)
Storage Devices/System Memory
Read-Only Memory (ROM)
Contains critical information and software that must be permanently
available for computer operation, such as the operating system that directs
the computer actions from start up to shut down.
ROM is called non-volatile memory because the memory chips do
not lose their information when power to the computer is turned off.
• To check RAM.
• To check communications with peripheral devices.
• Bootstrap loader program.
 Computer Hardware (Devices)
Secondary Storage devices
• External devices (not on the motherboard); either inside or outside the
computer
• Store programs and data permanently
Example: hard disk drive, flash disk, CD etc.
 Computer Hardware (Devices)
Processing Devices
Is the part of the computer that translates commands and runs programs.
Central Processing Unit(CPU)
• It is the heart of the computer
• Communicates with the output, input and storage devices to perform tasks that are
important to the functioning of the computer.
Most CPU chips are composed of four functional sections:
Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU): It performs two types of operation, arithmetic
and logical.
Arithmetic Operations: Are fundamental math operations; addition, subtraction,
multiplication and division.
Logical Operations: Consists of comparisons. That two pieces of data or more are
compared to see whether one is equal to (=), less than (<), or greater than (>) the other.
 Computer Hardware (Devices)
Internal Bus: Network of communication lines that connects the internal
elements of the processor and also leads to external connectors that links the
processor to the other element of the computer.
Registers: Temporary storage areas that hold data, keep tracks of
instruction, and hold the location and results of these operations.
Control section: Times and regulates the operation of the entire computer
system, by using its instruction decoder to read patterns of data in a designated
register and translate the patterns into activities, such as addition or comparison.
It also uses its interrupt input to indicate the order in which individual
operations uses the CPU and regulates the amount of CPU time allotted to each
operation.
 Communication Devices
Port
-For connecting peripheral devices
USB, Parallel and serial ports
Modem (internal or external)
- For communicating over telephone lines
Summary of Hardware Devices
 Activity 1.1

Questions
1. Students discuss in groups and identify the different types of computers
2. Identify and name computer parts.
3. Define basic concepts used in computer.
 Software
Software
Is a set of instructions given to the computer that tells it what to do.
• A computer processes data under the direction of the instructions in a
program.
Basically two types
• System software (Operating system)
• Application software
 System Software
System software
The fundamental tasks such as computer boot up and system control.
System software are further classified into:
1. Operating system
2. Utility software
3. Network software
4. Firmware
 System Software
Operating System
Is a program that manages the computer hardware resources and
controls the execution of application programs. Examples are: Microsoft
Windows, Linux and MacOS.
Utility Software:
Utility software also called service programs are special programs
used to enhance perform both at system and user levels. System level
utilities optimizes system performance while application level utilities help
in smooth running of application programs. Examples are
Norton utility
McAfee suites
 System Software
Network Software:
Networking software enables computers and other peripheral
devices connected on a network to communicate and share resources.
Examples are:
Novell Netware
UNIX
Windows NT based operating systems
Firmware:
Firmware, also referred to as stored logic is an integration of both hardware
and software on a single silicon chip. These are mostly packaged as ROM
chips.
 Application Software
Application Software
These are programs used to perform specific user tasks such as
typing, calculations, publishing, drawing, presentation, design and
accounting. Examples are:
1. Word processors.
2. Spreadsheets.
3. Databases software.
4. Presentation Software.
5. Computer Aided Design (CAD).
6. Accounting software.
 ASSIGNMENT

Questions
Explain applications of computers.
Discuss advantages & disadvantages of computers.