MEDICAL COMPUTER LITERACY

MEDICAL SCHOOL PRE-CLINICAL -

MSPC 202
Understanding Computers

Topic 2
Part 1
 What is a computer?
• Electronic device operating under
the control of instructions stored in
its memory
 What is a computer system
• a basic, complete and functional computer,
including all the hardware and software
required to make it functional

• should have the ability to receive user input,

process data, and with the processed data,
create information for storage and/or output
Components of a computer system
 A computer system consists of
1. Hardware –the physical devices
associated with a computer

2. Software – the set of instructions the

hardware executes to carry out a
specific task
 Hardware Components
• Systems Unit

• Storage devices

• Input devices

• Output devices

• Communication devices
 Hardware: Systems unit
• A box-like case containing electronic
components used to process data

• Contains the processor, memory and storage

• Houses the power supply, memory cards,

storage units, video card, sound card, CPU
(central processing unit)
 Processor
• An essential component of a computer

• Found in the Systems Unit

• It executes the instructions that make up the

computer program

• The processor is held by the motherboard

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 Memory
• Found in the Systems Unit

• Main memory: stores all the instructions on a

computer along with data needed to carry
them out.

• Permanent Secondary Memory: permanently

attached to the computer and is usually only
removed when the computer is undergoing
some repairs. Eg: Hard disk
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 Memory contd
• Removal Secondary Memory: allows
users to store files, remove them
from their computers or transport
the files to another computer. Eg:
memory cards, SD cards, CD-ROMs,
DVDs
 Hardware: storage device
Two types:
1. Primary storage device

2. Secondary storage device eg Hard

drive
 Primary storage device
• holds memory for short periods of time while
a computer is running.

• It is directly accessible by the CPU

• It is volatile and it is non-removable

• Examples are RAM (random access memory) and

cache
 Secondary storage device
• A non-volatile device that holds data
until it is deleted or overwritten

• Does not interact directly with the CPU

• Permanent storage
 Secondary storage device
• Alternatively, referred to as external
memory, secondary memory, and auxiliary
storage,

• An example of non-volatile memory and

storage is a computer hard drive, flash memory,
ROM

• Offline storage is a subset of secondary storage

 Hardware: Input Devices
• Collect information from outside the
computer and present it to the computer as
data, in a form the processor can work with

• Functions of Input Devices

1. Capturing the information
2. Translating the information into a data form
the processor can use
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 Examples of input devices
• Keyboard

• Mouse

• Webcam

• Scanner

• Headset (microphone)
Hardware: Output Devices
• Collect data from the processor in the
processor’s format and translate it into
something that is meaningful outside the
computer

• Functions
1. Translating data in a form the processor
uses
2. Presenting data as information
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 Examples of output devices
• Monitor

• Speakers

• Headsets (speakers)

• Printer
 Hardware: Communication device
• It is hardware device capable of transmitting
an analog or digital signal over the telephone,
other communication wire, or wirelessly

• A computer can work fine without a

communication device

• Needed for a computer to communicate with

other computers eg to connect to the Internet
to view a web page
 Examples of communication devices
• Bluetooth devices

• Infrared devices eg tv remote

• Modem over phone lines

• Network card

• WiFi devices - router

Part 2
Types of computers
 Five main types of computers
• Super computers

• Mainframe computers

• Minicomputers

• Micro Computers or Personal Computers (PCs) eg

desktop computers, video game consoles, smart
TVs

• Mobile Computers eg laptops, tablets,

smartphones, calculators
 What does a computer work?
The computer
first accepts data such as raw facts,
figures and symbols
then processes data into information
(data that is organised, meaningful and
useful)
Finally, produces and stores results
 Another way to look at it…
• Computers receive information as input by
human beings.

• They then store, process, retrieve, and provide

results in the form of displayed or printed
output.

• All computer operations transpire in

accordance with instructions that are written
by human beings.
Computer Software
 Software
• Software/program is a series of related
instructions, organized for a common purpose

• tells a computer what task to perform and how to

perform them

• Two types of Software

1. Systems software
2. Applications software
 System Software
• Consist of programs that
control/maintain the operations of the
computer and its devices

• Programs dedicated to managing the

computer itself

• Serves as interface between the user,

the application software and computer’s
hardware
 System Software

• They are almost always pre-installed

on the computer.

• Examples: Operating System, device

drivers, diagnostic tools
 Categories of System Software
1. Operating system

2. Utility programs

3. Device Driver

4. Translator

5. Firmware
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Definition of system software
 Operating System
• Master controller of all the activities
that takes place within a computer
system

• Coordinates all the activities among

computer hardware devices

• Provides a means for users to

communicate with the computer and
other software
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 Operating System
Examples
• Microsoft Windows
• Mac OS
• LINUX
• UNIX
• Android
• iOS
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 Functions of Operating System
• Starting and shutting down a • Establishing an internet
computer connection

• Providing a user interface • Monitoring performance

• Provide file management and

• Managing programs other utilities (organise file
storage)
• Managing memory
• Updating software
automatically
• Coordinating tasks
• Controlling a network
• Configuring devices
• Administering Security
 Features of Operating System
Activity Description
Real-Time Multitasks and responds to inputs instantly
Multitasking Allows more than one program to run concurrently. Only one
CPU is involved but switches from one program to another so
quickly that it gives the appearance of executing all the
programs at the same time. Users can perform many tasks at
once.
Eg: word processor, email, web browser, antivirus residing in
the same CPU at the same time
Multiprocessing Ability to support more than one process at the same time. ie:
enables several programs to run concurrently. More than one
CPU is involved

Multi-user Allows two/more users to run programs at the same time with
each user having a unique session

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

Ability of the OS to execute different parts of a program called
threads simultaneously without interfering with each other. Eg:
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multiple users sharing the same copy of a program
 Role of Operating System
• Helps run programs and applications
on a computer

• Manages all the memory, processes,

software and hardware function to
effectively interact and not interfere
with each other
 Role of Operating System
• Provides software platform on which
applications run

• Input and output display (interface)

• Control peripheral devices

• Access control (security)

 Utility Programs

• Utility program is a system software that is

designed to help analyze, configure,
optimize or maintain a computer and
enhance the computer’s performance.

• They focus on computer centered tasks and

perform maintenance type tasks, such as,
provide password protection, memory
management, virus protection, file
compression, data backup, diagnostic tools
 Utility Programs
• File manager • Personal firewall
• Search utility • Antivirus programs
• Uninstaller • Spyware and adware
• Image viewer remover
• Disk cleaner • Inter filters
• Disk defragmenter • File compressor
• Backup and restore • Media player
utility • Disc burner
• Screen saver • Personal computer
maintenance
 Other system software
• Device Driver is a software component that
permits a computer system to communicate with a
device.

• Translator is a computer program that converts

other programs from one computer language into
another

• Firmware is a software program permanently

etched (instructions) into a hardware device such
as a keyboards, hard drive, BIOS, or video cards.
Application software
 Application Software
• Computer programs that help users to
carry out a variety of tasks

• Designed to make users more

productive and assists them with
personal tasks

• Productivity program/end-user
program/apps
 Application software examples
• Productivity software eg, word processor,
spreadsheet, presentation, database mangement

• Mutimedia software eg, VLC media player,

windows media player

• Mobile apps such as calender, note-taking, email

• Web Browsers such as mozilla firefox

 System software vs application
software
System software Application software
• Usually pre-installed • Usually installed by the user
• System software is one which
basically drives the hardware • Allows users to run different
to operate applications as per their
• It allows the user to be able need.
to communicate with the
machinery • Application software is
• The system software is the dependent on the system
basis on which the whole software
computer system runs
• It is not dependent on any • May be uninstalled easily
other software without adverse effects
 Summary
• What is a computer?

• What is the computer system?

• Components of a computer system

 Summary
• Types of computers

• How does the computer system work

• Computer software – Systems

Software, Application software