Computer Studies - Ss1 1St Term: Topic One: Overview of Computer System

COMPUTER STUDIES - SS1 1ST TERM
TOPIC ONE: OVERVIEW OF COMPUTER SYSTEM
Definition of a Computer
A computer can be defined as an electronic machine (device) which
under the control of a stored program accepts data, stores the data,
processes the data and brings out the results as information.
Computer as an IPOS system
Computer performs 4 key operations on data
a. Input b. Processing c. Output d. Storage
Input: data are entered into the computer through the input unit.
Data are raw facts that are to be processed into meaningful form.
Processing: Computer performs certain operations on data entered

into it; the Central Processing Unit (CPU) handles this operation.
Output: The result of what has been processed will be displayed by

the output device such as the monitor.
Storage: Inputted data and processed information are stored in the

memory and permanent storage on the computer.
Constituents/Components of a Computer system
The computer is referred to as a system because it is made up of

several components that work together to enable it function
properly. There are 2 main constituents of the computer system,
these are:

 The hardware  The Software
Hardware
These are the physical components of the computer system. They
are the tangible parts that can be seen and touched. There are two
major parts, namely:
 The system unit

 The peripherals
System unit: The system unit is the rectangular casing that houses
(contains) several important components that controls the operation
of the computer system such as the motherboard, CPU
(Microprocessor), RAM, Sound card, video card, CD drive, Floppy
disk drive etc. It also provides interface for connection of the
peripherals.
Peripherals: These are the devices connected to the system unit

for the purpose of input, output and storage operations. Examples of
peripheral devices are keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Printer, Scanner,
DVD, CD, USB flash drive etc.
Software
The software is a term used to describe the collection (or set) of
programs that can be run on a computer system. A program is a set
of instructions that tells the computer what to do, when to do it and
how to do it.
There are two types of software, these include:

 System software
 Application software
System software: This software controls the computer hardware
and the internal operations of the computer system. Examples
include Windows OS (Windows XP, Windows ME, Windows Vista,
Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10), Linux OS(Redhat, Fedora,
Ubuntu etc.), MAC OS etc
Application software: These are software that enables the user to
perform specific operation or task on the computer. Examples
include:
Application software Functions / Uses

(packages)
MS Word, WordPad, WordPerfect Used for word processing
MS Excel, Lotus1-2-3, Quattro Pro Used for spreadsheet, calculation
and analysis
Corel draw, Paint, Photoshop, Used for graphic works
PageMaker, Corel Graphics
Front page, Publisher, For web designing
Dreamweaver, cold fusion
MS Access, Oracle, Postgre sql, For database management
Fox pro, Dbase, Ingress, MySQL
MS outlook, Outlook express, MS For email management
exchange, Sendmail
MS PowerPoint, Impress, Prezi, Used for presentation of seminars
Harvard Graphics and lectures
Maths, MATLAB, SPSS, Mintab Create and edit mathematical
formulae/statistical analysis
Internet explorer, Mozilla firefox, Internet/Web browsing
chrome, Opera mini, UC browser,
Netscape Navigator, Safari
, Mosaic,
Characteristics of a Computer
• Speed: Computer performs its data processing operation at a

very high speed. The speed of the computer is measured in
Hertz (Hz). A computer with speed rating of Mega Hertz (MHz)
can perform millions of cycle of operation per second.
• Accuracy: Computer gives accurate result as long as the
correct data is keyed into it.
• Versatility: computer can be used to perform various kinds
of task e.g. graphic design, word processing, web
development etc.
• Reliability/Durability: Computers do not get tired like
human; they can work continuously for days and weeks
without any error.
• Memory and storage: Computer can store large amount of
data and information. The capacity of the memory/storage
device is measured in bytes. A byte is a group of eight bits. A
kilobyte (KB) is 1024 bytes. A megabyte (MB) is 1,000,024
bytes.
• Programmable: The computer hardware is useless without
the program that controls it. Thus, all tasks and activities
performed by a computer are made possible by means of a
program.
• It is electronic in nature

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COMPUTER STUDIES - SS1 1ST TERM

TOPIC ONE: OVERVIEW OF COMPUTER SYSTEM

Computer performs 4 key operations on data

a. Input b. Processing c. Output d. Storage

Processing: Computer performs certain operations on data entered

Output: The result of what has been processed will be displayed by

Storage: Inputted data and processed information are stored in the

Constituents/Components of a Computer system

The computer is referred to as a system because it is made up of

 The system unit

Peripherals: These are the devices connected to the system unit

There are two types of software, these include:

Application software Functions / Uses

• Speed: Computer performs its data processing operation at a

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