Foundation of computer

science
Being a modern-day learner, you have used, seen or read about computers. Did you know that
computer technology has evolved over time from early devices that used to do simple calculations,
to the highly advanced technology used in devices today?

Computers are used at home and in many areas for example education, agriculture, medicine,
business, communication, engineering and banking. It is therefore important that you learn what
they are and how they function because they have become an essential part of our day-to-day lives.

Characteristics of a computer

Computer- an electronic device that accepts data from a user, processes the data using given
instructions, stores it and presents it in a desired format.

Data- raw facts which include numbers, text, images, audios, or videos that are input into a
computer.

Information- data that has been processed and made meaningful to the user.

For example, a simple arithmetic problem like 10+20=30 is represented as follows:

 10 and 20 are the data.

 The addition (+) sign is the instruction to the computer.
 The equal (=) sign prompts the computer to process the data using the given instructions.
 The answer (30) becomes the information.

Instruction of the below equation (10 and 20 are data. =sign tells computer to process the data)

10+20=30

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Some of the examples of computers are: Characteristics of a computer

 Notebooks  Computers work at higher speed than

 Desktop computer human beings.
 iPad  Computers have storage space that can
 Smartphones hold large amounts of data and
 Tablets information.
 Smartwatch  Computers give out information without
 MacBook errors if given the correct data and
 Workstation instructions.
 Servers  Computers can perform more than one
 Personal digital assistant (PDA) task at the same time.
 Laptops  Computers are used in different areas to
perform different tasks.
Computers have different features that enable them to  Computers can do many tasks without
serve different purposes. getting bored or tired.
 Computers cannot work without
instructions from the user.

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Functions of a computer

1. A computer accepts data from the user

2. A computer processes data into information using given instructions.
3. A computer stores data and information.
4. A computer gives out information to the user.

Activities to work on

1. the table below shows the breakfast budget for Musa’s family. Copy the table in your book.
Take turns to carry out the following activities using a computer or any other digital device
that is available.
Start a calculator app on computer or any other available digital device.

Item Price per item in Number of items Total cost

shillings required
Bread 80 3 loaves
Milk 70 5 packets
Tea leaves 50 1 packet
Eggs 15 10 pieces
Sugar 120 1 kg
TOTAL
Calculate the following;
(a) the total cost for each item under total cost column.
(b) How much money is needed to buy all the items.
(c) Musa had a 1000 shillings note to buy all the items. How much change was he given
back?
(d) There are 5 people in Musa’s family. How many eggs did each family member get?
(e) You can search calculator from search icon;

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 2. Use a computer connected to the internet for the following steps.
(a) Open browser program. Type the words “business ideas” in the search area the click
search.
(b) What business ideas have been displayed?
(c) Write them down in your notebook.
(d) Which business ideas would you like to venture on when you finish the school?
3. Open a drawing program such as pain using a digital device. Draw and colour a picture of a
house.

You can search ‘paint’ from search icon on desktop.

4. Open the music player of a computer or available digital device.
(a) Choose the music you want to listen to.

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 (b) Play and listen to the music. Did you enjoyed the music?
Note: you can also search and play music from the internet.
5. Use a computer to write a letter to your friend explaining the ways in which a computer can
be used in our daily lives activities. Submit the letter to your teacher.

Stages of a computer processing cycle

1. Visit a computer user environment or use any available digital devices.
2. Open the calculator app.
3. Perform the following using a calculator.
(a) 15+14=
(b) 39-11=
4. What happen?
5. Explain the stages the process above has gone for final answer.
6. Draw the computer processing cycle.

The stages or events that take place from the time data is
entered into a computer to the time information is given to the
use.

The stages are known as the computer processing cycle.

Sometimes the information produced after processing is used as
data for another processing cycle.

Drawing a computer model

Requirements: Manilla paper, pencils, marker pen, rubber.

Make your drawing as attractive as possible and name all parts of a computer.

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 Advantages and disadvantages of using
Advantagescomputers
of computers in data processing
a) Computers process data faster than human being Disadvantages of computers
b) Information given by computers after processing a) Use of computers has caused people to lose jobs
has no error because they work under the because computers process data within a shorter time.
instructions and are always accurate. b) Use of computers for long hours leads to health
c) Computers have a very big storage capacity. They problems like headaches, eyes strain and backaches.
can store a lot of information and data for a very c) Computers lack intelligence. They cannot determine
long time. what is wrong or right. If given wrong data, they give
d) A computer is reliable because it consistently out wrong information.
does what it supposed to do. d) Online threats such as cyber bullying are on the
e) Computers are able to perform different types of increase with increased use of computers and internet.
jobs at the same time. e) People sometimes become too dependent on
f) Computers can do the same task repeatedly computers. This affects their creativity and ability to do
without getting tired or bored. simple tasks.
g) Computes can store a lot of data in a small f) Information and data stored in computers is at risk of
physical space. theft and misuse.
h) Computers keep data and information secure. g) People use the internet to perform online crimes and
fraud.
h) Electronic waste from computers contains chemicals
that damage the environment.

Application areas of computers

Computers are used in various areas of our lives. These include: education, business, the military,
communication, government, agencies, healthcare, manufacturing, engineering design and in our homes.

Areas where computers are used

Areas of How computers are used

application
Education  For online learning
 To maintain class notes and registers
 For research and to do assignments.
Business  To make payments
 To keep records
 To order for goods
 To sell goods and services online

Banking  To facilitate online and internet banking

 To operate ATM machines
 For money transfer from one bank account to another.
 To keep account and customer information.
Defense  For communication

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  To enhance security through CCTV surveillance, information gathering
and warning systems.
Communication  To send and receive messages
 For making video and voice calls

Government  To offer government services online through platforms such as NEMIS

and eCitizen.
 To store data and information.
Home  For entertainment like watching movies, playing and listening to
music.
 For security purposes like storing and displaying data from CCTV
cameras.
Insurance  Computers are used to keep records about customers
 Computers are used to manage money transactions.
Marketing  Marketing of goods and services
 To design and create marketing content.
Health care  To conduct research
 To store patient data
Engineering  To design houses, roads and buildings, engineers and designers use
design programmes like Computer Aided Design for design.
Manufacturing  To model and design products for example airplanes and vehicles.
 To test functionality of machines before they are manufactured.
 To automate process in manufacturing companies.

Computers are used in different fields to perform different tasks. It is therefore important to have
computer skills and knowledge because it opens doors to many promising opportunities.

Evolution of
computers
Think about how life was before the invention of computers.

Watch this video about evolution of computes https://youtu.be/xSlnTA5nNxE

The Abacus

It is believed to have been invented 4000 years ago. It was made of a

wooden frame with rods fitted across, with round beads that slide along the
rod.

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Mechanical Devices
1617-Napier’s bones it was invented by a man called John Napier. It consisted of wooden or bone rods with numbers
engraved on them.

1642-Pascaline or Pascal’s calculator this was invented by a French mathematician called Blaise Pascal.

1671-1674-Stepped reckoner it was invented by Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz.

1801-1804 Jacquard loom it was invented by Joseph-Marie Jacquard. It was used to make patterns when weaving
textiles.

1820-1822 Difference engine the difference engine was designed by Charles Babbage. It was the first automatic
calculating device

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1834-1838, Analytical engine the analytical machine was designed by Charles Babbage after he was unable to
complete building the difference engine

Electromechanical devices

1880-1888, Tabulating machine this was an electrical counting machine invented by Herman Hollerith. It was first
used in the U.S census of 1890 for data analysis.

1937-1942 Atanasoft-Berry Computer (ABC) This was designed by Dr John Vincent Atanasoft and his graduate
assistant, Cliff Barry. It used electrical components.

1937-1944 Mark I This was built by Howard Aiken using Babbage’s Analytical Engine idea. It was also called IBM
automatic Sequence Controlled calculator (ASCC).

Electromagnetic digital computers

Digital computers are now classified into five generations with each having improved features from the previous.

Tasks performed by computers at different

evolution stages
Type Computer Tasks performed
Abacus Abacus It performed calculations like addition and
subtractions.
Mechanical Napier’s bones They performed arithmetic calculations like addition,
Devices Pascaline subtractions, division and multiplication.
Stepped Reckoner They automated tasks

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 Jacquard Loom The analytical engine had a store, processor (mil) and
Difference engine printing components
Electromechanical Tabulating They solved fairly complex calculations.
devices Machine They compiled and analyzed statistical information.
ABC They solved calculations based instructions given.
Mark I

Electronic digital Personal computers They perform complex tasks such as mathematical
computers Desktops calculations, word processing, data storage and
Laptops analysis and communication.
Smartphones

Difference engine and analytical engine

The difference engine and the analytical engine were designed by Charles Babbage. The difference engine
was a simple calculator. When he was unable to complete the difference engine, he started work on the
analytical engine which was an advancement of the difference engine.

Major differences between the difference engine and the analytical engine.

Difference engine Analytical engine

Could perform only one mathematical could perform four mathematical operations.
operation.
It had no input components. It used punch cards as an input component.
It had no storage component. Had a storage unit called the store.
It had no processing component. Had an arithmetic unit called the mill.
It was a simple mechanical calculator. It was a general-purpose computer system that
could be fed with instructions to carry out
operations automatically.
It was faster than analytical engine. It was slower than difference engine.
Technologies used at different stages of computer development

Device Technology used

Abacus Decimal number system where each rod represents a column and each column
represents a place value. Binary digit system used in computers today where a
value is either 0 or 1.
Napier’s bones Used rods made of ivory, wood, metal or bones to work out multiplication
problems using the position of a number on a rod.
Pascaline Used gears technology to feed data into a computer. Had a display bar where
the user could see the number entered and the answer.
It had no storage.
Jacquard loom Used punched cards technology to feed data into the computer.
Had no storage.
Stepped Used stepped drum gear which mechanized addition, subtraction, divisions and
Reckoner multiplication.
Employed the decimal number system.
Difference Used steam power.
engine Used set of cogs levers and punched cards.
Had a storage data.

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 Was designed to stamp its answer on set metal.
Used decimal number system where each number from 0-9 was represented by
position on toothed wheels.

Analytical It had a processor called the mill and a store.

engine It could be given instructions to make the work automatic using punched cards.
Tabulating Used punched card technology.
machine Used electric current to count data on punched cards.
ABC Used binary digits to represent data.
Performed calculations using electric current.
Had storage for data.
Had a processor.
Mark I Used electric circuits.
Data was fed in using punched sheets or rolls of paper.
Digital Use the binary number system.
computers Have a small processor.
Have large storage for data.
Use electrical components.

Generations of
Computers
The five computer generations.

1st Generation 1940-1956 2nd Generation 1956-1963 3rd Generation 1964-1971

4th Generation 1971-1980 5th Generation 1980-present

To map computers to their generations

1. Guidance from computer technician or a teacher.

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 2. Switch on each computers and follow these steps below to find out the year of manufacture
of the computer.
(a) Click start button.
(b) Go to search bar and type “System information”. press Enter key.
(c) A window like these below should appear.

3. Scroll down and look for BIOS Version or date. That will show you the year of manufacture of
the computer.
4. Mapp each year the computer was manufactured and fill this table on your exercise book.

Computer Year of manufacture Generation

1. Lenovo 2020 5th Generation
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

5. Repeat for all the computers. Example have been done for one computer.

Characteristics of different computer generations

Each computer generation has its own characteristics or features. The characteristics are:

First generation computers:

1. Entered data using punched cards, paper tape and magnetic tape
2. Produced information in form of print-out.
3. Were very expensive and only large organisations could afford them.
4. Were very large in size and filled a large room.
5. Used a lot of power.
6. Produced a lot of heat.
7. Were very slow.
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 Examples

 ENIAC-Electronic Numerical Integrator And Calculator.

 EDVAC-Electronic Discreet Variables Automatic Computer.
 UNIVAC- UNIVersal Automatic Computer.
 IBM 701
 IBM 750

Second generation computers:

1. Increased data processing speed

2. Were expensive to buy
3. Consumed less power
4. Were smaller in size compared to the first generation
5. Were more reliable as compared to the first generation.
6. Used punched cards to enter data

Examples

- IBM 1620
- IBM 7094
- CDC 1604
- CDC 3600
- UNIVAC 1108

Third generation computers

1. Had faster processing speed than the previous generations.

2. Consumed less power and emitted less heat as compared to other generations.
3. Became relatively cheaper and therefore available for commercial use.
4. Were smaller in size than the second generation
5. Had a larger storage for data
6. Could allow more than one user
7. Used a mouse and keyboard to enter data
8. Were more accurate.

Examples

- IBM 360 SERIES

- PDP (Personal Data processor)
- IBM 370 SERIES

Fourth generation computers

1. Were very fast and more reliable

2. Were cheap and more available
3. Were much smaller in size and therefore portable
4. Introduced the use of Personal Computers
5. Were able to connect to the internet
6. Had a very large storage, up to several hundred megabytes
7. Used a keyboard and a mouse to enter data
8. Used screens and printers to give information
9. Produced less heat and could be cooled using a fan

Example

IBM 308 and 4300 series – Star 1000 -Apple II - CRAY

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 Fifth generation computers

1. Have very large storage capacity New word

2. Can use more than one processor at the same time Artificial intelligence (AI) is the science of
3. Can perform more than one task at the same time making machines that are capable of
4. Are cheaper and readily available even for personal use performing tasks that usually need human
5. Are much faster than the other generation computers intelligence such as learning, decision
6. Led to development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) making and problem solving.
7. Are easier to use.

Examples

- Desktop - Laptop - Tablets - Notebook

Applying technologies of different computer

generations in daily life situations

Each computer generation underwent a lot of change in size, type, and functionality. The biggest change is
however in the development of the technology used.

First generation Second generation Third generation

Vacuum tubes Transistors Integrated Circuits
These computers used thousands Second generation computers The third-generation computers
of electronic gadgets called used smaller components called used integrated Circuits technology
vacuum tubes. They were used transistors. They allowed the use which is a single device containing
for calculations, storage and of words in specifying many small transistors.
control. instructions.

Fourth generation Fifth generation

Very Large-Scale Integration Ultra-Large-Scale integration
During the fourth The fifth generation of
generation, Large Scale computers is based on Ultra
Integration (VLSI) technology Large Scale of transistors are
was used to pack thousands packed into one small device.
or millions of transistors on a This has enabled the rise in
single device. the use of Artificial
Intelligence (AI).
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Watch a video on YouTube of a robot called Sophia https://youtu.be/G-zyTlZQYpE

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