Computer Definition

An electronic programmable device that accepts data (input), process data, output
and store information. You may want to watch this video from GCF learn for
details.

What does each of the major terms mean?

Word Meaning
Electronic It uses electricity OR it needs electricity to operate.
Programmable It works by following instructions and those are
contained in programs.
Device It is a tool/machine.
Accepts data (Input) [means that it allows the user to enter data into the
computer], the following are some of the devices that
can be used:
 Touch pad or mouse (for giving the computer
instructions)
 Keyboard (for entering text (letters, numbers
and symbols))
 Microphone ( for voice input)
 Sensors e.g. light sensor
 Scanners e.g. barcode reader, finger print
Process data [It turns data into meaningful and usable information]
 E.g. Central Processing Unit-CPU  the only
processing device.
Output data and/or [It provides the user with feedback], the following are
information some of the devices that can be used:
 Screen/monitor (for visual display e.g. Video,
pictures, text)
 Speakers (for voice output)
 Printer (for hardcopy or paper feedback), you
can print text or pictures.
Store data and/or [It can keep the user’s data or information for future
information. use]
NB: [You can store Primary storage Secondary storage devices
your documents or files devices
online/remotely (e.g. on  Random  Magnetic media:
Google drive, drop box Access -Hard disk drive
or one drive ) or Memory- (HDD) and it can be
offline/locally e.g. on RAM external or internal.
the hard disk] -Floppy disk (obsolete)
  Read Only  Solid state storage:
Memory- -USB flash
ROM -Memory card
 Basic Input  Optical media:
Output -Compact Disk (CD)
System-BIOS -Digital Video Disk
(memory (DVD)
intended for
keeping
booting
results)

Software: A set of programs, which is designed to perform a well-defined

function. Or you can say, it is a set of electronic instructions that tell the
computer what to do and how to do that.
Hardware: All the physical parts of the computer that can be seen and touched
e.g. mouse.
User: A person who is using the computer.
Data: Anything that is entered into the computer e.g. text [letters (a, b, c…),
symbols (?, /, !…), numbers (1, 2, 3…)], sound, video or pictures.
Example
M (data) on its own is senseless but once meaning is attached (i.e. once it is
processed and usable) then it will be known as information. [If someone tells you
that M is his gender, then you begin to think of Male. M can also mean that
someone is married, when it is written in front of marital status]
Therefore, information is data with meaning.
 Information processing cycle

Communication
(e.g. MODEM,
USB cable)

Input (data) Processing Output

(information)

Storage (data or
information)

Most computers work by accepting data, processing that and

displaying/outputting it on the screen, an example here is the traditional
calculator. Some of these devices are capable of storing and retrieving data, e.g.
scientific calculators. Not all systems are able to communicate, hence why the
line that goes to communication is broken. If you send a photo from your laptop
to your smartphone or tablet, you are making the two devices to communicate.
But you cannot send the figure you have on your calculator to your friend who is
in another room/school, say, during examinations.

Computer as a system

Hardware (has 5 categories) Software (to be explained

further)
Basic parts of the computer: You may want to watch this video from GCF learn
for details.
 Mouse
 Keyboard
 Monitor
 System unit (it needs to have all of its components for functionality)
Software has two types:
(a) System software – it manages the actual operation of the computer (NB: it
is basic to the machine). It has the following types:
i) Operating System (OS) – a set of programs containing instructions
that coordinate all the activities among the computer hardware
devices (NB: it is very basic to the machine). It allows you to interact
with the computer.
Examples
 Windows e.g. Microsoft Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10, 11
 MAC OS - for apple machines
 Open source OS (they are free and do not get affected by the
virus) e.g. Linux, Unix
ii) Utility programs – software programs that add functionality to your
computer.
 PC security
 Antivirus
 Disk organisation
 File transfer
 Formatting (but you can’t format your HD just like a
flash, you need an OS disk for that)
 System maintenance
 System information and diagnosis (e.g. disk
properties)
iii) Device driver – a type of software that tells the operating system
how to communicate with a particular device.
iv) Language translators, you need compilers and interpreters for
translation from HLL to LLL. (LLL - Low Level Language and HLL
- High Level Language).
(b) Application software refers to all programs that are used for a specific
purpose. You will either buy a single application or a suite (i.e. a package).
i) Suites – a suite is a group of applications bundled as one, it is a
package. They have common features and data can be easily
integrated.
 Online suites e.g. Google apps (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms
etc.). Online means that they are installed on a remote server
and can only be used when there is Internet access.
 Desktop suites e.g. Microsoft (MS) office (Word, Excel,
PowerPoint, Access etc.). Desktop means that they are stored
locally and that they do not need access to the Internet before
they can be used.
ii) Individual applications (apps) e.g.
 Text editor – for plain text e.g. Notepad
 Word processor – is used when your data consists more of the
words e.g. MS word and WordPad (it is not advanced though).
 Spreadsheet – is used when your data consists more of the
numbers (for data analysis because they have built-in
calculators) e.g. MS Excel.
 Database – for data storage (especially textual data) e.g. MS
Access.
 Multimedia –Allows you to use a combination of several
media (the form and technology used to communicate
information), such as: pictures, sounds, videos, numbers and
text for example: a presentation program (e.g. MS
PowerPoint).
 Communication (e.g. a web browser) – allows you to view
webpages.
 Media player – plays multimedia files e.g. VLC, Windows
Media Player.
 Graphics – for drawing e.g. paint program.
 Games – playing e.g. Cards
PHONE ANALOGY

Software (S/W)
Operating System (OS): Android  it is pre-installed on most devices.
Suite(s): WPS office (it has a PDF reader), Kingsoft office  suites need to be
downloaded and installed.
Apps (they have an .apk extension): An example can be WhatsApp  Apps need
to be downloaded and installed.

Hardware (H/W)
Input: (Touch) screen, keypad (a miniature keyboard), microphone (for picking
your voice) camera (for taking pictures and videos), and sensors (e.g. when
making a call, certain phones will automatically lock the screen once the phone
gets closer to the ear)
Output: (Touch) screen, speakers, headphones (they cross-over your head),
earphones (they rest on your ear canal), headsets (headphone + microphone) and
ear sets (earphone + microphone).
Storage: Phone memory and memory card.