NOM: SHADRACK LUENDO DANIEL G2 INFO A

ACADEMIC YEAR: 2021-2022

Second part technical English

1. WHAT IS A COMPUTER?
Computer derives its name from the word ‘’Compute’’ that means calculation. It
can be said that computer is a device used for calculation. Nowadays, computer is not
limited to computation. So a more formal definition is required.
A computer is an electronic device that stores, retrieves and processes data, and
can be programmed with instructions. Computers are used to perform a wide range of
activities with Speed, accuracy, diligence, versatility, reliability.

1.2. THE COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER

A computer is composed of hardware and software, and can exist in a variety of
series and configurations.

1.a COMPUTER HARDWARE

Hardware refers to all physical and visible components from the computer. The
physical computer and its components are known as Hardware the general term used to
describe all electronic and mechanical elements of the computer together with those
devices used with the computer. Those components and devices make up a computer
system.
3.3.1.1 The central and the drivers of the computer
1. The housing
The housing or case (chassis) of the computer is the metallic housing that protects
various internal components and is used to connect external components to the
motherboard and other devices.

2. The motherboard
The motherboard is the foundation for the connection of all the essential elements of the
computer system. It is the main component of the computer.
3. Processors
The processor also known as Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the brain of the
computer. It allows one to manipulate digital information, that is to say, the information
encoded in binary form, and execute instructions stored. It can be characterized by its
band (Intel 486.intel Pentium. Intel II, Pentium III). Its frequency characterized by the
number of operations in one second.

4. Memory
The memory is any electronic component capable of temporarily storing data. It
can be distinguished into two main types:
- The main memory for temporarily storing data during execution of programs. This
memory is called the Random Access Memory (RAM).
- The mass memory is used for storing information for long-term. The mass memory
corresponds to magnetic storage devices such as internal and external Hard disk,
optical storage devices corresponding to the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM or USB Flash
disk, as well as other stick memories. ROM stands for Read Only Memory.

RAM, usually referred to as Random Access Memory is the main memory system. It is a
space for temporarily storing the data during executions of a program. Random Access
Memory includes all the working memories that can be read and modified by a write
operation. This memory is called temporary, because it loses its content whenever you
shut down the computer; it used only to store data when it is electrically powered. Thus,
whenever the computer is turned off, all data in memory are permanently deleted.

ROM called Read Only Memory is a type of memory used to keep the information
contained therein even when the computer is not connected to power.

5. Electric powers supply

The housing houses a power supply to provide electric current to stabilize and maintain
continuous functioning of all the constituent elements of a computer system.

6. Hard disk
The hard disk is used to keep body data, unlike the RAM, which is erased each time you
restart the computer. The hard disk is connected to the motherboard via a hard disk
controller as an interface between the processor and the hard disk.

7. The bus.
Bus in the computer is a set of physical connections (cables, printed circuit paths, etc) that
can be used by several hardware components to communicate. The buses are designed to
reduce the number of ‘’pathways’’ needed for communication of the various components.

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3.2.1.2 Hardware devices
Devices are called peripheral electronic equipment that may be connected to a
computer via one of its interface input /output (serial port, USB, Fire wire bus, SCS, etc via
a connector. It is therefore the computer external components to the CPU.

We may distinguish between four categories of devices: Input devices are the
following:
- Input devices,
- Out put
- Storage devices,
- Acquisition devices

a) Input devices (display devices)

The keyboard:
It is an input device containing switches that are activated by pressing keys.
Each key stoke, activates a switch that transmits a specific CD to the
computer.
It is used to enter characters (letters, numbers, symbols etc).Keyboards have
the 96 to 12Okets.
We can have the EZERTY keyboard or the QUERTY keyboard.

The mouse : It is a pointing device .That is moved by hand across a surface to

control the movement of the Cursor on the computer screen. It allows one to select
objects on the screen or send commands to the computer.
A cursor: Is a small mark on a computer screen that can be moved and that shows
the position on the screen.
A pointer: Is a small symbol, for example an arrow that marks a point on a
computer.
A screen is the flat surface at the front of a television or a computer on which you
can see pictures or information.
The scanner : It is a device that converts an image or text into digital form
Web camera is camera is a device that allows you to computer images directly
transferable to the computer.

The microphone is a device that computers the voice and can send it to a computer.
It is used for the voice recording in a computer;

b) Output devices
Output devices are devices that enable the computer to present information to the user.
For example Printers, overheated projections, the speakers, modem.

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 ▪ Monitor is a computer display device from which text, images, and video can be
viewed. The monitors are distinguished in particular by their size expressed inches
(1 inch = 2.54cm sizes are ranged from 14 to 21 inches).
▪ Printers are used at home fall into three main categories: inkjet printers, laser
printers etc…

▪ The speakers are devices allowing the users to hear sounds, voices, musk from
the computer.
▪ Modem (modular and demodular) is a device that allows the transmission of
digital data through a telephone line and telematics to facilitate the Internet or
Telephone.
c) Storage devices
The storage devices re :
▪ The hard disk: It is a device that permanently stresses large quantities of
information in the computer, especially Software, Works, Pictures videos and
music.
▪ USB or Flash memory: it is a small removable accessory connecting to the USB
port of a computer it contains a recordable and erasable memory.
▪ The Diskette is a data storage component that can store computer data. They are
regarded as old-fashioned.
▪ The floppy drive is a internal floppy drive reads and writers data as a floppy disk
or diskette.
NB : There are also acquisition devices that allow the computer to acquire specific data such
as : video, video computer or scanned images, web camera etc.

d) Extension card
The expansion card is electronic equipment in the form of card that can be connected to
a computer via one of its expansion slots.
e.g Graphics card, Sound card, Network card, TV card.

3.3.2 COMPUTER SOFTWARE

Software refers to the programs or applications that run the hardware. It is the intelligent
part of the computer. Computer software systems are classified into three main types
namely: system software, programming software and application software.
The system software includes device drivers, operating systems, servers and other
software components.
The programming software assists the programmer in writing programs by
providing him /her with tools (editors, compilers, linkers);
The application software is a set of programs used to carry out operations for
specific application.
e.g : an organization to produce pay slips. (Payroll application software).
It is used for word processing, billing system, accounting, producing statistical
report analysis of numerous data in research.

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 Types of software.
There are two types of software:

The basic software which is the operating system. (windows, mac, unix)
The application software (MS Word. MS. Excel. MS PowerPoint. MS Internet Explorer).

Some concepts

An operating system is the basic software that provides and facilitates communication
between the processor, peripherals and users. It is the first program that a computer may
contain. (For routine operations).

Windows operating system is a service of operating systems produced by Microsoft

home mainly for P.C compatible computers.

3.4 BASIC FUNCTIONS OF A COMPUTER

The basic functions of a computer are the following: data input, processing, storage,
output and control.

a) In put:
The first step is to enter the data through input devices. This is commonly achieved
by typing the data into keyboard devices that convert it into machine sensible forms.

b) Processing
The processing operation manipulates data according to the users instructions.
The Central Processing Unit. (CPU) is where the actual processing takes place. This is
where calculations are performed and logical functions are carried out. The part of the
processor that achieves this task is Arithmetic – Logical Unit (ALU) (e.g.: Logical
operations: AND, OR).
Each instruction tells the CPU what to (e.g add, divide, move and compare) and also tells
it where to find the data to be processed.

c) Storage
The most important function of a computer is probably referred to as data storage. The
most common way to store a file is to save it on the hard (disk) drive. Data and
instructions enter the main storage and are held until they are needed to be worked n the
instructions dictate the action to be taken on the data. Results of action will be held until
they are required for Output. An operating system will find the place on the hard drive,
save the file and remember its location. d) Control

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 The processor controls the operation of a computer. It fetches instructions from
main storage, interprets them and issues the necessary signals to the components which
are concerned with the operation and it directs all hardware operations.

e) Out put.
The output operation sends output to the video screen on or punter results are taken from
main storage and fed to an output device.
In this case the information is automatically converted to a printed form called “” Hard
copy” or alternatively data may be displayed on a monitor screen.

In put ut Unit Output Unit

Programs
& Data Result

Central
Processing
Unit

Basic organization of a computer system

3.5 SOME BASIC TERMS USED IN COMPUTER SCIENCE

Computer science includes a wide range of technical terms that abound in its literature.
We are going to be restricted to the concepts of Microsoft windows and its environment
as well as to those related to Microsoft word applications.

3.5.1 Concepts of Microsoft windows

1. Basic concepts

Booting:
It’s a process of starting up the computer. The boot sector contains a program that runs
when you first start the computer. Bootstrap loader: A small program that the computer
launches when it’s first turned on. It resides in the Basic Input Operating System. (BIOS)
Chip or Firmware and is loaded in the computer RAM.
RAM : Stands for Random Access Memory.
Firmware: Is a type of computer Software that it stared in such a way that it cannot be
changed or lost. It is Software embedded in the hardware. To power off the computer in
windows, it is safer to choose the Shut down button from the Start menu.

Operating System:

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It’s a basic software that provides and facilitates communication between the processor,
peripherals and the users. It contains instructions and information relating to routine
operations.
The operating systems roles for communication with external and internal devices
are:
To allow the computer to start and establish communication with other
external and internal users.
To establish communication between the hardware, programs, and related
various devices connected to the computer;
To allow organization of records and. Files that hold and contain devices.
To manage read, write data on disk or in memory.
To view, information on the screen and interpret the keys typed on the
keyboard.
File: It is a collection of information stored in a computer under a particular
name. By creating a document in Word, the name is given to it
Folder = It is used to classify a number of files in one place. For example ,
you can store in your closet (socks, ties, shoes, shirts, …)
Data: a collection of numbers, characters, alphabets and special symbols, etc
which can be processed to produce some meaningful information.
Data base: a large store of computerized data, especially lists or abstracts
of reports. It consists of all the files of an organization, structured and
integrated to facilitate update of the files and retrieval of information from
them.
Data processing: a process where a computer program is used to add data.
This program can often analyse, record, sort, calculate and store data.

Software application (computer application)

It is a set of programs designed to achieve one or more types of instructions defined
in files. It performs the following tasks : Texters, the spreadsheet, the navigators, Media
players the image processing, creating animation, creating slideshows, video processing
Database, management, E-mail, Antivirus…
Texters : These are applications for Word Processing, achievable by word
documents (doc
The spreadsheet : These are applications tables’ management and database. They
facilitate the creation of Excel workbooks.
The navigators : applications designated to view all the Websites, to read Web pages
(Internet Explorer, etc…)
Media players : Applications designated to play sound files (or, video types).
Image processing : applications for editing, image editing and creating drawings.
Creating animations : Applications that can create animated images

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Creating slideshows : Applications that can make animations intended to be presented to
a group. e.g : PowerPoint.
Video processing : It includes Windows Movie Maker. Data base
management: e.g. MS Access, Excel, e-mail : They allow
communication between two users :
e.g : yahoo.messenger. Facebook
Anti-virus : It is used to detect and remove bad programs
e.g : avast, avira, Panda, Kaspersky….)
Background screen: The background screen corresponds to the windows desktop. An
image can be selected from the list of images. That image will be put
on the desktop and it will appear as an image of the screen.

Desktop is the first screen displayed after the completion of booting process.
Screen Saver: It allows displaying throughout information or images on yours screen (If
you do not touch your computer for a certain time, it will keep freezing on
the same image). The screen saver is used to protect your files, change the
settings of your screen.
Taskbar:
It is a gray bar at the bottom of your screen. It is composed of various elements
from the Start menu. The Start menu is a activated by clicking on it. All Software programs,
placed on the Windows desktop are on it.

I cons :
An icon is an item placed on the windows desktop and allows to run programs faster than
the start menu.
Software liabilities are icons to the right of start menu.
Software active icons are icons at the right bottom of your screen. There is no need
to click on them to be activated.

Restarting the P.C

Restarting a P.C that has already been powered up is referred to as a Warm boot.
It is a achieved by pressing the Reset button on the from panel. Alternatively, press Ctrl
+ Alt + Delete and click Restart from the menu that displays.
▪ To click : Click enter to save your new name of the icon
▪ To double click: To click twice
▪ To delete: To remove data from a disk or data storage.

Note : When you click on the Start menu, the following screen appears.
▪ Shut down : to turn off a PC, always click the Turn off button when you have done
this, the following dialog box appears:

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 a) Shut down: The computer will shut down all alone
b) Restart : The computer will shut down and restart itself automatically.
c) To sleep : It’s past like when if you press the standby button.

The Dialog boxes:

Dialogs closely resemble Window. Unlike windows, a dialog boxes can be resized cannot
be moved, do not have reduction of enlargement bottom. An example is of the image to
Shut down the computer in a dialog box. There is a conversation between the computer
user and the microcomputer.
▪ O.k button to confirm.
▪ Cancel to cancel an instruction or a command and return to the previous screen.

The title bar:

It displays the name of the program, the name of currently active Word document,
the control of menu icon…

Menu bar: It displays the headings of each top down menu. Commands are grouped under
each of these menu headings according their functions.

Status bar: It displays the information about the active document on which you are
currently working.
Ruler bar: It enables to format the vertical alignment of text in a document Status bar: It
displays the information about the active document on which you are
currently working.

Interface: The layout of the screen and the menu. It is the way the computer program
displays information.
Laptop: It is a small computer that can work with batteries and can be easily carried
Terminals: A terminal is a combination of Input Unit and Output Unit like VDU and
keyboard VDU (Visual Display Unit).
Hard copy terminal : It provides a printout on the paper
Soft copy terminal : It provides a visual display on the screen.

Bits and Bytes.

Bit is a smallest piece of information that the computer can work with. It is an
acronym for Binary digit. The values 0 and 1 are called Bits. Bits are grouped together to
form a larger chunk of information called Byte 1 byte = 8 bits. A byte consists of eight bits
that the computer stores and processes as a single entry = one character of data (or
information):
e.g numeric, alphabetic characters, dollar signs, question marks…. 1
Byte = 8 bits
1 Kilobyte = 1024 bytes
1 Megabyte = 1024 kilobytes

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 1 Gigabyte = 1024 megabytes
1 Terabyte = 1024 gigabytes.

NOTE: Windows Based Operating system Support Multi-Tasking. This means we can perform
various tasks simultaneously. While one program is on and you want to start another
program, it’s not necessary to close the first program. You can simply minimize the first
program and work in other programs.

WINDOWS APPLICATION
* Some procedures.

a) How to create a file or folder.

Procedure in the menu.
Place the mouse cursor in the empty space of the office ;
Right click in the menu that appears called “context menu”, point to the New and
click Folder icon or program wanted.
Enter the name of the folder or file and confirm with the Enter key.
To open the folder or file newly created double click on its icon from the name
you entered
Copy a file or folder.

b) How to copy a file to another folder. Procedure in

the menu.
Select the file you want to copy
Right click that file
Select Copy.
Move to the folder where you want to copy your file
Right click on Paste and paste the copied file in the selected location.
Move a file or folder.
c) Two methods in windows to move a file or folder
❖ The cut / Paste method.
Select the file you want to move
Right-click the file and choose Cut.
Place the cursor to where you want to put your file.
Right-click the destination folder and select Paste.
Paste to selected location.

❖ Drag /move method

Note: This method only works with Windows Explorer and all windows open.
Open the folder to receive the file by clicking on the + to the left of explorer

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 On the right side of the browser, click and hold your mouse click on the file you need
to move and drag.
While holding the mouse key, move the mouse pointer to the destination folder
previously opened.

Note: These methods work equally well for files and folders.

d) To move a file or folder to send

Select the file you want to move
Right-click the file and choose send to
Click a desired location.

e) To delete a file or folder

Here too, there are different methods to delete a file. A deleted file does not disappear
completely from the microcomputer, it will be placed in a pending file called ‘’Trash” so
that it can be either permanently deleted or returned to where need arises.

Procedure:
The context menu
Select the file to delete
Right-click the file and choose Delete.

This dialog allows you to confirm the delete function of a file.

If you want to delete this file, click Yes

If unfortunately you have deleted one or more files that you did not desire to delete,
you can still take them back.

To do this:
Click on the Trash folder on the desktop or Explorer to select
Right-click the same folder and choose Restore.

To permanently delete all files in the recycle Bin/Trash, you can use the method above
far it is much faster:
Right click on the folder ‘’Trash’’
Select “Empty Trash”.
Click Yes if you want to permanently delete the files located in the trash. Note:
All files deleted from the recycle bin will permanently be lost.

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f) Renaming a file on folder
To change the name of a file or folder, simply:
Right-click the file or folder
Choose Rename from the menu
Delete the file name in or type the file name in place.

2. The workplace:
The workstation is a file manager
Double click on the driver with which you want to work. Generally we choose the hard
disk

Viewing the contents of a flash.

To view the contents of a flash drive, and to see the different files and folders located
there, one must:
Insert the Flash drive into the USB port
From the workstation, click two times on the Flash disk icon, then it will open to
show the contents.

3. Keyboard
The Keyboard enables
Entering information using the alphanumeric keys
Giving specific tasks with the functions
Moving the cursor
Performing specific functions using Key-combinations.

4. Function Keys
The F1 function is the key that displays the menu Help in any software. F2 to F12 keys are
specific to each software.
Key CTRL (Control) to use this button keep your finger on the button and hit the
second button that is relevant to the action that you want to perform.
For example: Copy is : CTRL + C
Cut is : CTRL + X
Paste is : CTRL + V
Save is : CTRL + S
Find is : CTRL + F
Center is : CTRL + E
The key is to use keyboard Shortcuts. Its action depends on the software used
Example :
When you are in your Word processing software and you want to Copy some for the text
already entered :
- Select your text

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 - Go to the Edit menu
- Click copy by pressing the CTRL + C
Key ALT : It is used with other keys for actions that vary depending on the Software
used. It is also used for obtaining the ASC II code for signs that are not on the
keyboard.

Example :
- ALT + F4 : Closes the current application

4. Other buttons :
▪ ESC : Cancels the current action
▪ Tab : Lets one makes a paragraph indent or move within a Window
▪ Caps lock : Allows to lock and unlock the keys in uppercase (to type, to switch on,
to uppercase).
▪ Shift : Is the key that enables the user to have access to the upper characters at the
top of a key such as / ? ; , +, *; % @ etc…
▪ Window key : Allows to move to Start menu using keyboard key.
▪ Space key : Allows spacing the text
▪ Alt GR : Lets one does the characters at the bottom right corner of a key, such as
the initials Euro (€) and characters based on the type of keyboard.
▪ Right click : The right click of the mouse allows the user to access the Shortcut
menu for Copy, Paste, or other icons needed for the formatting and editing of the
text.
▪ Return or Enter : Confirm the entry or the current Command that the user has
applied to perform a certain action.
▪ Backspace : Deletes a character before the cursor goes to the left side.
▪ DEL or Delete : Deletes a character after the cursor goes to the right side ▪ Insert
: Inserts one or more characters within a word as needed by the user.
▪ End : Moves the cursor to the end of the line in the text.
▪ Pg Down: It’s used to move the cursor left, right, up and down
▪ Num Lock : To lock the keypad of numbers (It is suggested that this button be
always on).
▪ Direction arrows : move the cursor left, right, up and down.
The mouse :
The mouse has three parts: Left, middle and right. The left side performs three actions :
single click, double click and drag /drop. The middle portion serves as a scroll box: The
right side is used to open a menu called Contextual Menu.

Term click Significance Action

Click Click on the left button. The mouse and Selection
release

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 Double Click Double click on the left key of your mouse Execution
Move Click on the left button of the mouse and hold
on while dragging to the right space that you
desire to work from.
Point Click on hold the arrow of the mouse unit it
reaches the place where you want it to be
positioning.

3.5.2 CONCEPTS OF MICROSOFT WORD

Microsoft word is used to write documents, it is also easier to correct or change the
context of a document using Microsoft Word than using a typewriter. In addition to text,
Microsoft word allows one to include images, graphs, tables, and may other possibilities.
Microsoft Word Processing is the process of creating, editing, formatting, storing and
printing text, documents.
A text document is anything that can be typed: a letter, report, book… This task is
done with the commands that are displayed in the menu bar or toolbars.

The right pointing arrow indicates

The word document window consists of two scroll bars.
Scroll Bars
The Word document Window consists of two scroll bars: vertical scroll bar and horizontal
scroll bar. The vertical scroll bar is used to move the document horizontally. But the
vertically scroll bar is used to move the document vertically and it is located along the
right side.

WORD APPLICATION
Microsoft word has some application features:
▪ Word : MS word recognizes a word space between each and every group of words;
▪ Phrase: MS word recognizes the end of each sentence when you use “….. or”?” ▪
Paragraph : word recognizes the en of a paragraph when you press the Enter key.

a. Starting word application

You have two options to start the word applications:
▪ The first solution is to double click on the Word icon from the desktop.
▪ The second solution is to click the Start menu, then Programs and then Microsoft
Word.
▪ The screen below will appear as result of applying the above procedures
On the Title bar, MS word displays the name of the name of the document you are
currently using. At the top of the screen, you should see” “Document 1 – Microsoft word”
or a similar name as shown below:

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The Menu bar is directly below the title bar and it displays the menu which begins with
the word File and continues with Edit, View, insert, Format, Tools, Table, Window and
Help.
The Menu-bar displays the headings of each drop-down menu. Commands are grouped
under each, of these menu headings according to their functions.

The Standard Toolbar contains Shortcuts of Icons to some of the most frequently used
commands from the Menu bar.

Formatting Toolbar: This contains short cuts of icons for some of the most frequently
used commands found under the format menu item.
Status Bar: This interface displays Information about the active document. Toolbars
provide short cuts to menu commands it is located just below the menu bar.

The ruler (see ruler bar)

The Status bar (at the very bottom of the screen) for the current page, current section,
total number of pages inches from the top of the page, etc….
The status bar also provides options that enable you to track changes or turn on the
record mode, the extension Mode.

B. Entering text.
▪ Enter the first paragraph : ▪ Type the word :
▪ Inter-Office Memo
▪ Create a new paragraph,

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