ITE 1922 - ICT Applications Week 02

1.0 Introduction to Computers

Introduction

This is the first lesson you would be learning for the “ICT Applications” module.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) provides the infrastructure and the
components that enable modern computing. Since Computers are the core of ICT, as
the first lesson you will learn the basics of the computer.

Learning outcomes

After completing this lesson, you will be able to understand basics of a computer.

From this lesson you will be able to,

• Define a computer
• Describe parts of a computer
• Describe types of computers

Computing has changed the world more than any other invention of the past hundred
years, and it has come to pervade nearly all human endeavors. It has reshaped our
lives at home, at work and in school. Computers are everywhere, including in your
phone, car, home appliances, etc.

If you need to type an assignment….

If you need to send faxes and emails…
If you need to contact your friends through facebook…

To do all these tasks we make use of different types of computers. It could be a

desktop computer, a laptop or a smartphone.

Introduction to Computers 1/11

ITE 1922 - ICT Applications Week 02

For novices it is important to learn the fundamentals of computers and thus, this will
be a handy guide to get an understanding on software development.

1.1 What is a computer?

In simple terms, the computer is used to convert data into information.

To understand the meaning of computer precisely, you need to know what is ‘Data’
and ‘Information’.

Data
Data can be defined as the stream of raw facts representing events that occur in an
organization, or the physical environment, before they have been organized and
arranged into a form that people can understand and make use of.

The following is an example of data:

00139 Bottled Water – L – Speed 120.00
00024 Air Freshener - Spray 549.50
00567 Carpets - small 1036.00
00841 Garbage bags - M 26.00

As you can see, the data may not make much sense. We have to organize the data in a
proper manner to make them meaningful.

Information
Information can be defined as the data that has been shaped into a form that is
meaningful and useful for human beings.

The following Table 1.1 describes you how the above data can be arranged in to
information:

Introduction to Computers 2/11

ITE 1922 - ICT Applications Week 02

Table 1.1: Data that has been arranged as Information

Sales Office: Moratuwa

Store: Mega Mart

Item No Description Unit Price Units Sold Sales

00139 Bottled Water – L – Speed Rs. 120.00 4 Rs. 480.00

00024 Air Freshener - Spray Rs. 549.50 1 Rs. 549.50
00567 Carpets - small Rs. 1036.00 1 Rs. 1036.00
00841 Garbage bags - M Rs. 26.00 5 Rs. 130.00
Rs. 2195.50

A Computer accepts data and processes it to produce information.

Now lets consider a more precise definition for a Computer:

A Computer is a device that works under the control of stored instructions,

automatically accepting (input), storing, and processing data to produce information
according to the instructions available, and output the information which is the result
of that processing.

Figure 1.1 provides a graphical illutstaion of the defintion given above. We need some
devices to input data, and process data to generate information and output
information.

Figure 1.1: Basic functions of a computer

Introduction to Computers 3/11

ITE 1922 - ICT Applications Week 02

Pay your attention to the highlighted terms in the definition. They are the key
features of the computer. Complete Activity 1.1 to revise the meanings of those
keywords.

Activity 1.1

List A contains the highlighted key words in the definition given above. List B contains the
functions of each keyword in the list A in a wrong order. Join the key word and the related
correct function with a line.

A B
Input The Computer produces results after processing data
Output Converting Data in to Information
Data Collecting data
Information The Computer accepts data from outside for processing
within
Storing Processed Information
Processing Unprocessed facts

In the next section you will identify some useful devices used in a computer system.

1.2 Parts of a Computer System

There are different types of computers in various sizes. But no matter how big it is or
how it is used, every computer is a part of a computer system. There are 4 main parts
in a computer system. They are as follows:
• Hardware
• Software
• Data
• Users (People)

Introduction to Computers 4/11

ITE 1922 - ICT Applications Week 02

Figure 1.1: Main parts of a computer system

(Courtesy: http://computer.atlas4e.com/Project_E1/chapter01/Computer_Component.JPG)

As many other machines, a computer is a collection of several main parts. It is

important to understand these parts to master important concepts in computing and
to learn how a computer works.

Hardware
Hardware consists of interconnected electronic devices that you can see and touch.
The term "device" refers to any piece of hardware used by the computer, such as a
keyboard, monitor, modem, mouse, etc.

There are several categories of computer hardware devices. They are as follows:
1. Processor – like the brain of the computer. It organizes and carries out
instructions received from users or software.

2. Input and Output – input devices accept data and instructions from the user or
other computer systems and output devices return processed data to user or
to another computer system.

Introduction to Computers 5/11

ITE 1922 - ICT Applications Week 02

3. Storage –

• Primary storage (memory) – temporarily or permanently store data and

program instructions
• Secondary storage - permanently keep program files and related data when
they are not in use (even when the computer is turned off).

Processing devices transform raw data into useful information. To do that, the
computer uses the processor and memory. Figure 1.2 illustrates vaious hardware
devices of a computer system.

Figure 1.2: Hardware devices of a computer system

(Courtesy: http://cs.loc.edu/~chu/lecture/)

Introduction to Computers 6/11

ITE 1922 - ICT Applications Week 02

In lessons 2, 3 and 4 you will learn about input/output devices, processor, and storage
devices.

Software
Software is a set of instructions that makes the computer perform tasks. In other
words, a software tells the computer what to do. It is also called as programs. Some
programs exist for the computer's use, to help it manage its own tasks and devices
and other programs exist for the user, and enable the computer to perform tasks for
you, such as creating documents.

There are two types of software. They are as follows:

1. System Software – controls the computer’s hardware or maintain the computer
in someway so that it runs more efficiently.
• Operating Systems – tells the computer how to use its own components.
It acts as the interpreter between the hardware, application programs
and users.
• Disk Utilities - makes the computer system easier to use or performs
highly specialized functions (e.g. manage disks, troubleshoot hardware
problems).

2. Application Software – used to accomplish specific tasks (e.g. word

processing, spreadsheets, graphics, databases, communications, presentation)

During Week 03 you will learn more about software.

Data
We have already discussed what is data in section 1.1. Data consists of raw facts and
Computer process data into useful information.

Introduction to Computers 7/11

ITE 1922 - ICT Applications Week 02

Users
Users are computer operators. Also, people will design, build, program, and repair
computer systems.

Do Activity 1.2 to identify examples for each part of a computer system. You might
need search the internet to find answers.

Activity 1.2

List hardware, software, data and users in a computer system used for personal computing.

After looking into inside of the computer system, it is important to understand

different types of computers that are used today. In the next chapter, you will learn
about various types of computers.

1.3 Types of computers

There are different types of computers. Most of the computers are meant to be used
by only one person at a time. These types of computers are for individual users and
are known as personal computers (PCs). They are also called as microcomputers as
they are the smallest created for people to use.

The primary types of PCs are as follows:

1. Desktop computers - The most common PC that is kept on a desk. It is too big
to be carried around.

2. Workstations - A specialized single-user computer having more power and

features than a standard desktop PC. They are used by scientists, engineers
and animators who need a system with greater than average speed and power.

Introduction to Computers 8/11

ITE 1922 - ICT Applications Week 02

3. Laptops - They are portable have same power as desktop. But it can be kept on
the lap.

4. Notebook computers - Approximate the shape of an 8.5 by 11 inch notebook

(i.e. it is smaller than a laptop). They have less hardware functionality and
processing power than a laptop. But, some users call notebooks as laptop
computers.

5. Tablet computers - They are portable, full featured computers. They offer all
the functionality of a notebook PC but they are lighter and accept input from a
stylus or a digital pen. That is there is no physical

6. Handheld computers - They are small enough to fit in your hand. E.g. Personal
digital assistant (PDA).

7. Smartphones -This includes special software as personal organizers and

hardware as cameras and music players other than the voice and text
communication support.

Eventhough PCs are developed for individual users, they also can be connected
together to create networks. Even small handheld computers can be connceted to
networks. You will learn about networking in Week 06.

Other than the PCs, there are computers used in an organisation. These computers
handle the needs of many users at the same time. They are used by organisations such
as businesses and schools. They are also used as the center of the networks to
connect and manage individual PCs.

There are several computers for organisations. They are as follows:

Introduction to Computers 9/11

ITE 1922 - ICT Applications Week 02

1. Supecomputers - Process very large amounts of information including

processing information to predict hurricanes, satellite images and navigation,
and process military war scenarios.

For example, supercomputers are used to forecast weather and model complex
processes like nuclera fusion.

2. Mainframes - Used by government and businesses to process very large amounts

of information. Large main frames can handle the processing needs of
thousands of users at a given time. However, most of these mainframes can
handle only a specific set of tasks.

For example, mainframes are used in airline reservation systems. You may have
unknowingly access a mainframe computer when reserveing a seat through an
airline’s website.

3. Minicomputers - They are similar to mainframes and are used by business

organizations and governments to process large amounts of information. Users
can access central minicomputers through a standard PC.

4. Network servers -Most organizations’ networks are based on PC. Individual

users’ desktop computers are connected to one or more centralized computers
called network servers.

Advantages of computers
high speed
accuracy
storage cababilty
Disadvantages
no intelligence
dependancy
no feelings or

Introduction to Computers 10/11

ITE 1922 - ICT Applications Week 02

Summary
Now we have completed learning the Lesson 1. In this lesson, we discussed what is
a computer. Further, we explored the meaning of data and informatiom.

Hardware, software, data and users are basic components of a computer system.
These parts interact together to get some work done. There are many different
types of computers to do our work. They can be categorised as computers for
individual users and computers for organizations.

In the lesson 2, you will learn about input and output devices. Before you go to
the next lesson, complete the self-assessment Quiz 1 to check what you have
learnt in the Lesson 1.

Introduction to Computers 11/11