ICT151

Computing Skills
Fundamentals

Lecture 1 – Basic Concepts

 Learning Objectives
In this lecture you will learn:
• Define a Computer
• Describe Basic Functions of a Computer
• Discuss how different Components of a Computer
Work together to achieve a particular task
• List and describe Storage and Peripheral Devices
• Describe different Types Of Computers
• Discuss Servers

Computing Skills Fundamentals 2

 What is a Computer?
• Computer: A machine that accepts input data
and instructions, and processes/manipulates the
data to produce useful results/Output.
• A computer is a programmable, multiuse machine that accepts data—raw
facts and figures—and processes, or manipulates, it into information we can
use.

Introduction to Computing 3
 What is a Computer cont..?

• It consists of Hardware and Software:

• Hardware: The physical/or tangible parts of a
computer
• Software: Computer programs that run on
Computer Hardware;
• System Software
• Application Software

Computing Skills Fundamentals 4

 Benefits of a Computer
• Computers are very fast. Modern computers, even those
commonly sold in retail stores, can perform millions of
operations in a second.
• Computers are very accurate. When a computer is
programmed correctly and when its input is without error,
the accuracy of the output, as made possible by the
capabilities of the processor, is virtually guaranteed.
• Computers have very large storage capacities. They can
store huge amounts of data in very small physical spaces.
The also enable very fast and convenient access to stored
data.
• Computers perform large numbers of tasks without getting
tired. Computer programs written to predict weather
patterns could run for days or longer. If this was done
manually by humans, they could get tired, allowing mistakes
to creep in, leading to erroneous results. 5
 Uses of Computers in everyday life
• Education: The Promise of More Interactive
& Individualized Learning
• Online Learning, or distance learning, is becoming
common. Tutoring, simulation, and avatars are also
aspects of IT in education:
• Health: High-Tech for Wellness
• Telemedicine: Medical care via telecommunications lets
doctors treat patients from far away.
• Health websites provide medical information.
• Government & Electronic Democracy:
• help governments to improve services, including police
services
• Online voting is becoming common.
• Information is easier to disseminate. 6
 Uses of Computers in everyday
life cont..
• Jobs & Careers
• People now use computers to post résumés and find
jobs.
• It is used in starting new business ventures.
• Basic computer skills are needed for most jobs:
• Your Personal Life
• “Digital is embedded into the fiber of every aspect of
our culture and our personal lives”– public safety and
security; in the home; entertainment; finance;
communications; traveling; shopping; medical care;
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and so on.
 Basic functions of a computer
The basic operations of a computer: All computers
use 4 basic operations + communications:
• Input: What goes into the computer system
• Processing: The manipulation a computer does to
transform data into information
• Storage:
• Primary storage, or memory, is temporary storage for data
waiting to be processed
• Secondary storage is permanent storage: media such as
hard disk, DVDs, and CDs
• Output: What comes out—the results of processing,
such as on the screen, printouts, sound
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• Communications: Sending and receiving data
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 Explain the Functions of a Computer

The information processing cycle converts raw data collected from viewers of a TV talent
show into useful information that determines the winners.
 Computer Devices
• Different devices are required to perform the 4 basic functions:
• Input is received through input devices such as mouse,
keyboard, touch screen, etc.
• Processing on the data received is carried out by the CPU
and working memory, which is within the system Unit
• After data processing output devices are used to display the
results, example Monitor, Printer
• This output can then be stored for later use on storage
devices such as hard disk, magnetic tape, memory stick etc.
• Communications hardware
e.g Modem
• Some devices can be used for several purposes; e.g. a printer,
scanner and photocopier can be combined as 11
one device.
Basic PC System

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 More on Basic Functions of a Computer

• The parts mentioned work together to

perform four basic functions of a computer:
• Input
• Processing
• Output
• Storage

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 Central Processing Unit
• Central Processing Unit(CPU)
• basic instructions that operate the computer are carried
out here; responsible for managing everything the
computer does
• It consists of :
Arithmetic Logic Unit- This is where calculations are
done i.e. it executes all arithmetic and logical
operations
Control Unit- Carries out the instructions stored in the
CPU. The order in which instructions are carried out is
controlled here. Coordination of all hardware
operations
 Main (working) Memory- works with the CPU closely to hold
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data and instructions for processing
 Processing
• Central Processing Unit

CPU
Arithmetic/L Control Unit
ogic Unit Output
Input

Memory

Secondary Storage

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 Main Memory/Primary Memory

There are two types:

• Read Only Memory (ROM)
• Holds data that can be stored and used but
cannot be modified
• Typically contains manufacturer’s instructions
• Non volatile
• Random Access Memory (RAM)
• Temporarily stores/holds data that the CPU is
currently processing (Analogy - Workbench)
• Volatile
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 Secondary Memory/Mass Storage

• Permanent storage, stores data as long as

you want
• Stores data that the computer is NOT
currently Processing (Analogy – Cabinet)
• Persistent memory that keeps data even
when power is switched off
• Secondary -backing storage, mass storage
• Relatively low speed
• Relatively cheaper than main memory
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 Secondary Storage Devices
• Examples of Storage Devices:
• Magnetic Tape –Common for Backup storage
• Hard Disk
• CD/DVD R
• Flash Drive

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 Exercise: Storage
• Primary vs Secondary Storage
In which Categories does each of these two
devices belong?

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 Exercise: Peripheral Devices

• External devices connected to the

computer(System Unit) to provide input and
output.

Can you think of any?

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 Peripheral Devices
Input Devices Output Devices
• keyboard • monitor
• mouse • projector
• digital pen • printer
• joystick • speakers
• keyboard
• scanner Both Input/Output
• microphone • external hard drives
• digital camcorders
• touch screen 21
 Types of Computers
• Today there are many types of computers, very
difficult to keep track of how many are out there,
but these can be categorized and be classified
under few categories:
• The classification is generally according to:
• Their Speed
• Processing Capabilities
• Price
• Size

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 All Computers, Great & Small: The Categories of
Machines

Computers come in different sizes; they also

function as clients and/or servers.
• There are five basic computer sizes.
1.Supercomputers
2.Mainframes
3.Workstations
4.Microcomputers/Personal Computers
5.Microcontrollers
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 Types of Computers cont..
Examples
• Minicomputers

Supercomputer Mainframe

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 1. Supercomputers
Supercomputers are used in very special situations.
• Priced from $1 million to over $350 million.
• High-capacity machines with thousands of
processors that can perform more than several
quadrillion calculations per second.
• Faster and largest computer available.
• Used for government census, weather forecasting,
designing aircraft, scientific projects, etc.
• The Titan (U.S.A.) computer is currently the largest
supercomputer.

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 2. Mainframes
Mainframe computers are used in many large
businesses.
• Capable of supporting hundreds of users
simultaneously
• Mainly used by large organizations for critical
applications such as registration, records, reports
• Priced from $5,000 to $5 million
• Process billions of instructions per second
• Size is dependent on the use
• Used by banks, airlines, insurance companies, colleges, and the like
for millions of transactions
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 3. Workstations
• Workstations are used for graphics, special effects, and certain professional
applications.

• A special computer designed for technical or

scientific and professional applications
• Expensive, powerful personal computers
• Used for scientific, mathematical, engineering, computer-aided
design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) applications
• Used for designing cars, drugs, movie special effects
• Are usually connected to a network

• Note that a workstation can also refer to a

computer connected to a server
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 4. Microcomputers/Personal
Computers
Microcomputers are used by individuals as well
as businesses, and they can be connected to
networks of larger computers. There are many
types of microcomputers.
• Personal computers that cost $500 to over $5,000
• Used either stand-alone or in a network
• Types include: desktop, tower, notebooks (laptops),
netbooks, tablets, mobile devices, personal digital
assistants (PDAs), and e-readers
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 Types of Microcomputers
Tower PC
• Desktop and tower PCs Desktop PC

• Notebooks & netbooks

• Tablets

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 Types of Microcomputers
• Mobile devices & PDAs

• E-readers

• Also called embedded computers,

microcontrollers are tiny, specialized
microprocessors inside appliances and
automobiles.
• They are in microwaves, programmable ovens, blood-
pressure monitors, air bag sensors, vibration sensors,
MP3 players, digital cameras, keyboards, car
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systems,
etc.
 Servers
• The word server describes the way a computer—
whether mainframe, workstation, or PC—is used.
• A server, or network server , is a central computer that
holds collections of data (databases) and programs for
connecting or supplying services to PCs, workstations,
and other devices, which are called clients.
• These clients are linked by a wired or wireless network.
The entire network is called a client-server network.
• Purpose: Hold data and programs for clients to access
and to supply services for clients.

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