INTRODUCTION TO

COMPUTER
 INTRODUCTION
 NAME: FADHIL M. HAJI
 CONTACTS:
 Phone: +255 777 731 948
 E-mail: fadhilhaji43@gmail.com

Help anytime be free

on learning
on concerning
 What are ICT?
 Information
 Communication
 Technologies

ICT are the hardware and software that enable

society to create, collect, consolidate and
communicate information in multimedia formats
and for various purposes.
The technology used to handle information and aid
communication
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 What is ICT?

Information technology: is a contemporary term that

describes the combination of computer technology -
hardware and software
WITH
telecommunications technology - data, image, and
voice networks – used to collect, transform, and
disseminate information, primarily for economic
purpose in a business context

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 ICT
Communications technology: Also called
telecommunication technology, consists of
electromagnetic devices and systems for
communicating over long distances.
The principal examples are telephone, radio,

broadcast television and cable TV.

Additionally, online communication means using a

computer or some other information device,

connected through a network, to access information
and services from another computer or information
device
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 Impact of ICT on society
 Developments in ICT have brought about
the merger of
 the computing,

 information,

 communications,

 entertainment,

 mass media industries

thereby providing a means of exchanging

information in the digital format used by
computers.
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 ICT

ICT - i.e. computer linked to

all facets of society

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 What is the impact of ICT on
information centers?
 ICT made information creation in digital
format possible.
 ICT made online access and file transfer
possible
 ICT made networking and sharing of
information resources possible

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 Transition
Shift from Print to Digital Internet

 ICT has made the transfer of digital information from

remote sites possible
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 Information Technology?

Computers technology: Here we are talking

about computer system

Define a system:
A system is a collection of integrated parts that
work together to achieve a goal.

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Why using IT to Computerize
Systems
 To improve performance
 To improve information (and data)
 To improve economics, control costs, or
increase profits
 To improve control or security
 To improve efficiency of people and
processes
 To improve service to customers, suppliers,
partners, employees, etc.

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 Computer System
A computer system is a combination of six
elements
1. Hardware
2. Software
3. Data/information
4. Procedures
5. People
6. Communications

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 Information Technology?

 Hardware: This means simply the physical

equipment of a computer system.
 Hardware can’t be used until it is connected to
other parts of the computer system.

 Software: Is the term used to describe the

instructions that tell the hardware how to
perform a task. Without software, the
hardware is useless. 13
 Information Technology?

 Data: can be considered the raw material -

whether in paper, electronic or other form - that
is processed by the computer.
 In other words, Data consists of raw facts and

figures that are processed into information.

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 Information Technology?

Information: is summarized data or otherwise

manipulated (processed) data.
 For example, the row data of employee’s

hours worked and wages rates is processed

into the information of paycheck and payrolls

People: constitute the most important component

of the computer system.
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 Information Technology?

 They operate the hardware

 They create and use computer software

 They enter data and use the information the

system generates
 They also follow certain procedures when

using the hardware and software

Procedures: are descriptions of how things are
done, steps for accomplishing a result
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 Information Technology?

when one computer system is set to share data

and information electronically with another
computer system, communication is important
communication: Also called connectivity it is
the manner in which various systems are
connected. It can be by phone lines,
cables microwave transmission, or
satellite.
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In the Beginning
 Today

CRT Display “The Box ” CD-ROM Drive

Floppy
Disk
Drive
Keyboard

Mouse
 What is a Computer?

 Electronic and sub mechanical device

 Accepts input (data)
 Processes data
 Gives Output (information)
 Stores data/information/instruction
A Computer is “a data processor that can perform
substantial computations, including numerous
arithmetic and logic operations, without
intervention by a human operator during the run.”

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 What is a Computer?

 A computer is an electronic machine that has the

capability to perform certain types of
processing/computation on the supplied data. It
can also store the data as well as generated results.

Data & Instructions Processing/ Information/Results

Computation

Storage
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What is a Computer?

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 Data v/s Information

 It means that computers acts upon fact,

which is called ‘data’ in computing
terminology.
 It is the science of processing data that
includes the methods of recording,
manipulating and retrieving data.
 The outcome of data processed is termed as
‘information’.

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 Data v/s Information

The primary purpose of computer system in

most business today is to transform data into
information that can be used by people to make
decisions, sell products, and perform a variety
of other activities.

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 Data v/s Information

In other words, Data consists of raw facts and

figures that are processed into information.

Information: is summarized data or otherwise

manipulated (processed) data.
 For example, the row data of employee’s

hours worked and wages rates is processed

into the information of paycheck and payrolls
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 COMPUTER GENERATIONS

 You know that the evolution of computer started

from 16th century and resulted in the form that we
see today.
 This period, during which the evolution of computer
took place, can be divided into five distinct phases
known as Generations of Computers. Each phase is
distinguished from others on the basis of the type of
switching circuits used.

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 COMPUTER GENERATIONS

 First Generation Computers

 Second Generation Computers
 Third Generation Computers
 Fourth Generation Computers
 Fifth Generation Computers

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 Types of computer System and
classifications:
 There are many different types of computer system.
Based on their power, storage size and processing
speed as follows:
Supercomputers: These are very high performance
systems capable of processing large amounts of data
very quickly. They are Largest, Fastest, and most
Expensive computer available.
They are mainly used for research, weather
forecasting, oil exploration, airplane building and
complex mathematically operations
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 Types of computer System

 Mainframe: Second most powerful computer after

Super computer.
 These are large centralized computer systems that
are able to support hundreds to several thousands of
user, simultaneously.
 They are generally used in centralised databases.
 They are used by large organization such as banks,
airlines, insurance company and colleges – for
processing millions of transaction

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 Types of computer System
 Minicomputer: This is designed to support
more than one user at a time. It possesses large
storage capacity and operates at a higher speed.
 The mini computer is used in multi-user
system in which various users can work at the
same time. This type of computer is generally
used for processing large volume of data in an
organization.
 They are also used as servers in Local Area
Networks (LAN).

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 Types of computer System

 Microcomputers or personal computers

(PCs) are low cost, small stand-alone
computer systems. Microcomputer is at
the lowest end of the computer range in
terms of speed and storage capacity. Its
CPU is a microprocessor.

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 Types of computer System

Today the microcomputers are found in almost

every office and in millions of homes. They
now come in many forms as follows:
 Pocket PC e.g PDA
 Laptop PC
 Desktop PC
 Table PC.

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What is a personal digital assistant (PDA)?

 Provides personal
organizer functions
 Calendar

 Appointment book

 Address book

 Calculator

 Notepad

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 Desktop PC

 Designed so all of
the components
fit entirely on or
under a desk or
table

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 Laptop (Notebook) PC

 Portable, small
enough to fit on
your lap
 Also called a laptop
computer
 Generally more
expensive than a
desktop computer
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 Table PC

 What is a Tablet PC?

 Resembles a letter-sized slate

 Allows you to write on the screen using a digital pen

 Especially useful for

taking notes
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 FEATURES OF A COMPUTER

Going through the definition of a computer,

one notices that computer has some distinct
features. The following are the main features
of computers:

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 FEATURES OF A COMPUTER

 High speed. The most special feature of a

computer is its high speed. Computer
calculations are extremely fast. Take, for
example, the multiplication of two-digit numbers,
say 56 and 98. It will probably take 30 seconds to
calculate it with pencil and paper. In 30 seconds
a modern computer would have performed 30
million such multiplications.

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 FEATURES OF A COMPUTER

 Storage. A computer can store large

volumes of data for processing and can
store other large volumes of information as
an outcome of processed data. The storage
device in the computer is called the
‘memory’.

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 Accuracy. Computers are also very
accurate. They rarely commit errors. They
work with a high degree of reliability.
They can perform millions of operations
every second and can run errorless for
hours and days at a stretch.

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 Automatic. Computer does all work
automatically. They are automatic
machines. Once the data and instructions
are fed (installed) into it properly, human
instructions are not required.

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 Diligence. Man may feel tiredness after long
working hours but a computer does not
suffer from this handicap.
 Scientific approach. A computer applies
scientific approach in processing
information. There is no question of
emotional or subjective evaluations as often
happen in the cases of human calculations.

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 Logical Decisions. Computer has a
capability to take decisions which are based
on certain conditions. These decisions are
called ‘Logical Decisions’. Logical
decisions means to choose a proper path
out of various alternatives available.

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 Essential IT Concepts

Hardware Resources
Computer Processing, Input/Output and
Storage Hardware

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 01101111
10001111
01101010 10000000
01001010
 Typical Components of Computer
Hardware
 System unit – CPU,
Memory,BIOS, and Expansion
buses (PCI, USB, ISA, etc.)
 User input devices - Keyboard
and pointing device (Mouse)
 Display and printer devices -
display adapter, monitor, printer
 Storage components - diskette,
disk, CD, DVD, tape
 Communications components -
network interface card (NIC), or
modem
 Add-on devices - cameras,
joysticks, scanners, etc.
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 The Five Basic Categories of
Computer Hardware

1. Input
2. Processing
3. Output
4. Storage
5. Communications

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 Input Hardware

Input hardware consists of devices for entering

data into a computer system in a form that can
be processed by the computer. There are three
basic categories of input hardware. They are:
1. Keyboard Input
2. Pointing device
3. Source-data entry

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 Keyboard Input

Keyboard is the most widely used input device.

It includes five basic types of keys:
1. Standard typewriter keys – used type in
text and special characters.
2. Cursor movement keys: the cursor also
called the insertion point , is the symbol on
the display screen that shows where data
may be entered next.

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Keyboard

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 Pointing device

Pointing devices: are input devices that control

the position of the cursor or pointer on the
screen. They includes:

Mouse: a device that rolled about on a desktop

to direct a pointer on the computer’s display
screen

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 Pointing device

Mouse: a device that rolled

about on a desktop to
direct a pointer on the
computer’s display
screen

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 Pointing device

 Touch pad: Flat,

rectangular input
device that uses a very
weak electrical field to
sense your touch.
They let you control
the cursor/pointer with
your fingers
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 Pointing device

Light pens: A light pen is a computer input

device in the form of a light-sensitive stick
used in conjunction with the computer's CRT
monitor. It allows the user to point to
displayed objects, or draw on the screen.
They are used by the engineers, graphic
designers and illustrators for making
drawings

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 The user can point, tap,
draw and write on the
computer’s screen with a
pen.
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 Source-data Entry device

Also called source-data automation; non-keyboard

data-entry device. They can make data entry more
accurate they includes:
 Scanners
 Audio input devices
 Video input devices
 Electronic cameras
 Human biology input

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 Source-data Entry device

Scanner: Source data input-device that

translates hardcopy images of text, drawings,
and photo into digital form.
Audio input device: Device that records or
plays analog sound and translates it for
digital storage and processing.

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Analog Sound Signals
Digital Audio Output
[electrical signals]
(ex. 11100011) to
computer

Analog Signals are Digitized 58

 Source-data Entry device

Video input device: Device that records or

plays analog video and translates it for
digital storage and processing.

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Electronic
Cameras

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 Kilobyte (K, KB) = 1000 byte = 1024
 Megabyte = (M, MB) = 106 bytes
 Gigabyte = (G,GB) 109 bytes

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 CPU Components

The central processing unit

(CPU) is the “brain” of
the computer. It has two
main parts.

1. Control unit :
2. Arithmetic/logic unit
(ALU):

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 CPU Components

1. Control unit :The control unit directs the

movement of electronic signals between main
memory ALU. It also directs these electronic
signals between the main memory and input and
output devices.

2. Arithmetic/logic unit (ALU): Performs arithmetic

and logical (comparison) functions and controls the
speed of these operations

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 CPUs used in PCs

Intel's Pentium family of processors includes the Pentium,

Pentium Pro, Pentium with MMX, Pentium II, Pentium III,
Celeron, and Xeon processors.

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) was long known as a provider

of lower-performance processors for use in low-cost computers.

Cyrix processors are most commonly used in low-price, low-end

consumer PCs

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 Processing speeds

Microcomputer speed is measured in

megahertz (MHz) or (GHZ), with 1 MHz
equal to 1 million beats (machine cycles)
Machine cycles: series of operations performed
by CPU to execute a single program
instruction.

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 STORAGE HARDWARE

These are hardware that holds data, instructions, and

information for future use.
 A computer uses two types of storage:
1. Primary Storage
2. Secondary Storage

 Primary Storage: Or main memory, is the internal computer

circuitry, that temporarily holds data waiting to be processed.
It consists of RAM, Registers.

 Secondary Storage: refers to the devices and media that

store data or information permanently. which can be internal
(a hard disk) or external (e.g., floppy disk or CD)  
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RAM: Random Access Memory.  
 RAM is a fast temporary type of memory in which
programs and data are stored whilst the computer is
switched on.
For example, when you load a word processing
program it is loaded into RAM. The contents of the
computer's screen is also held in RAM. If the
computer loses power, data stored in RAM is lost

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 RAM Capacity

RAM Capacity: it is stated as (MB)

We have:
16 MB RAM
32 MB RAM
64 MB RAM
128 MB RAM
256 MB RAM
512 MB RAM etc

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 Secondary Storage

 Internal backing store :

 Hard disk
 External backing stores:
 Magnetic disks
 Optical disks
 Magnetic tape
 Other types

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Floppy disk

They have three main uses:  

 to transfer small files of data
from one machine to another
 to back up important small
files that are stored on your
hard disk
 to store restricted files that
you don't want all other users
of your computer seeing
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 External backing store:
Optical Disk

CD-ROM  
 CD-ROM stands for
Compact Disk - Read
Only Memory.
 They store up to 700
Mb of data and a laser
beam is used to read the
data off the disk.  

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 External backing store:
Optical Disk
 CD-R and CD-RW  
CD-Rs: Compact Disk Recordable:
Are blank optical disks onto which you can write data
with a piece of hardware called a CD writer. They
have a similar capacity to CD-ROMs
CD-RWs: Compact Disk Rewritable:
Are blank optical disks which can be written and re-
written to

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 Optical Storage Devices

• Compact Disk Read-Only

Memory (CD-ROM)

• Digital Video Disk Read- inexpensive,

Only Memory (DVD-ROM) relatively high
capacity
• CD-Recordable (CD-R)

• CD-Rewritable (CD-RW)
price dropping,
• PhotoCD standards still
evolving 73
 Output Hardware

 Output hardware consists of devices that

translate information processed by the
computer into the form that human can
understand.
 Output is available in two forms
1. Hardcopy
2. Softcopy

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 Output Hardware

Hardcopy: refers to that information that has been

recorded on a touchable form (you can touch
it), such as paper or microfilm.

Softcopy: refers to output displayed on the

computer screen or produced as sound

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 Output Hardware

Softcopy Output Hardware

Consists of:
 Display screens
 CRT – Cathode-Ray Tubes
 LCD – Liquid Crystal Display
 Audio Output (speakers)
 Voice output: converts digital data in speech-like sound.
Commonly used in telephone systems, toys and games
 Sound output: produces digitized nonverbal sounds
ranging from beeps and chirps to music

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 Output Hardware

Hardcopy Output Hardware

Consists of:
1. Printer:
 Output device that prints characters, symbols and perhaps graphics
on paper e.g. Laser printer, Dot-matrix printer
2. Plotters:
 Specialized output device designed to produce high-quality
graphics in variety of colors e.g. maps and architectural drawings
3. Multifunction Device:
 Single hardware device that combines several capabilities, such as
printing, scanning, copying and faxing

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 Communication Hardware

They facilitate connections between computers and

between groups of connected computer
(networks).
 Examples are:
1. Cable: this is direct communication between
computers via cable, e.g. UTP Cable

coaxial
cables
twisted pairs
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 Communication Hardware

2. Modems: convert
computer’s digital signals
to analog signals and vice
versa.

It allows computers to
communicate with each
other over telephone lines.

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Communication Hardware

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Different Types of Computers

Today’s PCs are

the supercomputers
of the 1980’s!

Speed and storage

cost $$$

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Essential IT Concepts

Software Resources
System and Application Software

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 Software Resources
A computer is an inanimate device that has no
intelligence of its own and must be supplied with
instructions so that it knows what to do and how
and when to do it. These instructions are called
software. You might have the “best” computer
sitting on your desk in front of you; however,
without software to “feed” it, the computer will do
nothing.

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 System and Application
Software
• Software is a set of electronic
instructions that tells the
computer how to do certain tasks.
A set of instructions is often
called a program.

• When a computer is using a

particular program, it is said to
be running or executing the
program.

• The two most common types of

programs are system software
and application software.
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 Further Classification of Software

Computer
Software

Application System
Software Software

General- Applicatio
Purpose Operating Utility Language
n-Specific
Application System programs translator
Software Programs
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 System Software

 System Software: It tells the hardware what to do and how

and when to do it, as well as coordinating applications
software programs
 Application software cannot run without system software
 It tells the computer
 how to interpret data and instructions;

 how to communicate with peripheral equipment like

printers, keyboards, and disk drives;

 how to manage files; and

 how to use the hardware in general.

 Also, it allows you, the user, to interact with the computer.

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 System software

 System software can be grouped basically

into three parts
1. Operating System
2. Utilities
3. Language Translator

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 System software

1.Operating System (OS):

Principal (main, primary, key) system software in any
computer system; consists of the master set of
programs that manage the basic operations of the
computer. It remains in RAM until the computer is
turned off.

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 System software

 The OS is automatically loaded into main memory

soon after you turn on, or “boot” the computer.

 Booting: The process of loading the operating

system from disk into computer’s main memory

 Test system for equipment failure

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 System software

Application of Operating System

1. Managing storage media
2. User interface
3. Managing computer resources
4. Managing files
5. Managing task

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1. Managing Storage Media:
Formatting diskettes, displays disk space
available etc
2. Managing Computer Resources : e.g.
 CPU (which process should be running)
 Memory (which process should reside in main
memory)

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3. Provide User Interface:
provides the means for you to communicate with
the computer; it controls the manner of interaction
between user and the operating system
 It can be:
1. Command-driven
2. Menu-driven
3. Graphical- GUI
4. Network- NUI

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 Command-driven: This interface require you to enter a
command by writing in codes or words.

 Menu-driven: This interface allows you to use cursor-

movement (Arrow) keys to choose a command from a menu

 Graphical User Interface – GUI: Uses graphics (Images)

and menus as well as keystrokes to choose commands, start
programs, and see list of files and other options. GUI
provides desktop screen

 Network User Intrface –NUI: The latest interface which

offers a browser like interface that helps users interact with
online programs and files
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5. Managing Files: Copy, Delete Find, Rename.

6. Managing Task : A computer is required to

perform many different tasks at once.
 e.g. in word processing,
 it accepts input data,
 stores the data on a disk and
 prints out a documents.

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Operating system can be classified as follows:
 Multitasking
 Multiprogramming
 Time sharing
 Multiprocessing
 Multi threading
 Real time

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 Multitasking: Allows more than one program
to run concurrently. In multitasking, only one
CPU is involved, but it switches from one
program to another so quickly that it gives the
appearance of executing all of the programs at
the same time.

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 Multiprogramming: Operating system
that allows the execution of two or more
programs on a multi-user system
 Program execution occurs concurrently,
not simultaneously.

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 Time sharing: Operating System whereby
a single large computer processes the tasks
of several users at different stations in
round-robin fashion

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 Multiprocessing: Operating system that
allows two or more computers or
processors linked together to perform
work simultaneously

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Multithreading : Allows different parts of a
single program to run concurrently.

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 System software

2. Utility Programs: Helping Hands

The second part of system software, are generally
used to support, enhance, or expand existing
programs in a computer system.
System software has many utility programs built
in. others external utility programs are available
separately.

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 Utility Programs
Examples of utility programs are:
 Backup: operating system utility that makes a
duplicate copy of contents of a disk.
It is essential function; user should backup all their
work so that they don't lose it if the original disks
are destroyed.
 Data recovery: System software utility used to
restore data that has been physically damaged or
corrupted on disk or tape.
Disks and tapes can be damaged by viruses, bad
software, hardware failure and power fluctuations
that occur while data is being written/recorded. 102
 Utility Programs

 Data Compression: software utility that removes

redundant elements, gaps, and unnecessary data
from computer files so that less space is required to
store and transmit data.
Many of today’s files, with graphics, sound, and video,
require huge amounts of storage space; data
compression utilities allow users to reduce the space
required.
(Some times referred as zipping)

103
 Utility Programs

 Virus Protection: (Antivirus Software) software utility that

scans hard disk, diskettes, and memory to detect viruses;
and some destroy virus.
 A virus A piece of software designed to make additional

copies of itself and spread from location to location,

typically without user knowledge or permission and
buried within application or system program.
 They can destroy program and data

 They are spread when people exchange diskettes or

download information from internet.

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 File – conversion: programs convert files
from one format to another

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 SYSTEM SOFTWARE

3. Language translator:
Is software that translates a program written by a
programmer in high-level language into machine
language, which the computer can understand.
All system software and applications software
must be turned into machine language (0s and 1s)
for execution by the computer.
 Language translators, including compilers and
interpreters
 Example of high-level languages (C, C++, Visual
Basic, Java, COBOL, etc)
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 Application Software

 Application Software: consists of computer

programs designed to satisfy user’s needs.
 Allows end users to accomplish one or more
specific (non-computer related) tasks
 Two categories of application software are:
1. General-Purpose Application Software
2. Application-Specific Programs

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 Application Software

 Application-Specific Programs: (used to solve

particular task in a particular industry )
 Business
 Accounting,
 Transaction Processing,
 Customer Relationship,
 Resource Planning, etc.
 Science and Engineering
 Education, Entertainment, Etc.

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 Application Software

 General-Purpose Application Software:

(appropriate to many users)
 Web Browsers
 Electronic Mail
 Word Processing
 Spreadsheets
 Database Managers
 Presentation Graphics etc

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 Application Software

 Word Processor: It is a special purpose computer

program which is used to process text material.
 It is generally are used to produce documents such
as pay bills, letters, reports, etc.
 It accepts a text as input together with instructions.
Word processing performs operations on words for
creating, editing, rearranging, storing, retrieving
and printing in required formats.

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 Application Software

 Word processor programs includes:

 Microsoft Word
 Word Perfect
 Word Star
 Word Mark
 Word Pad, etc.

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 Application Software

 Spread Sheet. Spread sheet programs are used to

process accounting and other mathematical related
tasks. The figures are entered in rows and columns
with the inter-relationships existing between them.
 The spread-sheet programs are like:
 Microsoft Excel
 Lotus 123
 Quattro Pro
 Symphony

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 Application Software

 Data Base: Data base programs are used to

collect data, processing them and organize
them as required by the organization.
 For example: a college can use database
management to setup and access details of
students and courses at the college

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 Presentation Software: Such as Microsoft
Power Point used to represent information
during talks.
 Its is increasingly used in the classroom
 Is normally used with data projector for
presenting to an audience

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 Web Browsers: such as Microsoft Internet
Explorer, or Netscape Navigator, are used to
access websites
 Email software: such as Microsoft Outlook
Express, is used to send emails and
attachments

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 Desktop-publishing (DTP) software: Such as
Microsoft Publisher, is used to design and
create printed documents, such as:
 Magazine pages
 Flyers
 Posters
 Invitations
 Leaflets
 Advertisements

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 More Application Software

 Graphics and Presentation

Illustrations, diagrams, charts, graphs
 MS Paint, Adobe Photoshop, Visio, Powerpoint

 Multimedia Authoring
 Work with sound, video, animation

 Macromedia Director

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