Scribd
Upload
8 views

Lecture1 (1)

Uploaded by

valespetro51
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
8 views

Lecture1 (1)

Uploaded by

valespetro51
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS EDUCATION

(CBE-Mwanza)

Computer Fundamentals
Course Code: ITT04106

Lecture: ONE

An amazing machine! We are living in the computer age today and most of our day to
day activities cannot be accomplished without using computers. Sometimes knowingly
and sometimes unknowingly we use computers. Computer has become an
indispensable and multipurpose tool. We are breathing in the computer age and
gradually computer has become such a desire necessity of life that it is difficult to
imagine life without it.

N o t e : In this module, the module will concentrate much in the computer as part of the
tool applicable in ICT.

W H AT I S C O M P U T E R ?
The computer is a programmable electronic device that accepts/inputting and
processing data and thereafter outputting and storing processed data (information)
according to set of instructions.

Question: Why is computer known as electronic device instead of electrical device,


though it works with the great help of electricity?

Note: the definition of a computer is derived from either the model known as an IPO or
the advancement of IPO known as IPOS that describe the general functionality of the
computer.

1|4Pages Prepare By: ALOYCE, N


Figure 1. IPOS Model

N o t e : There is significance difference between computer memory and computer


storage as we'll see on the coming lectures.

HOW DOES A COMPUTER WORK ?


A computer functions in the following manner:

1. The computer accepts input, Computer input is whatever is entered or fed into
a computer system. Input can be supplied by a person (such as by using a
keyboard) or by another computer or device (such as a diskette or CD-ROM).
Some examples of input include the words and symbols in a document, the
numbers for a calculation, and instructions for completing a process, pictures,
and so on.

2. Process inputted data (The computer performs useful operations),


manipulating the data in many ways. This manipulation is called processing.
Examples of processing include performing calculations, sorting lists of words or
numbers, modifying documents and pictures according to user instructions, and
drawing graphs. A computer processes data in the Central Processing Unit (CPU).

3. The computer stores data, a computer must store data so that it is available for
processing. Most computers have two kind of storage device (primary storage
and secondary storage). The place where the computer stores the data depends
on how the data is being used. The computer puts the data in one place while it
is waiting to be processed and another place when it is not needed for immediate
processing (For future uses). The storage of data in the computer is called ‘online
storage’ while the storage of data on computer tapes, diskettes or CD-ROMs is
called ‘offline storage’.

4. The computer produces output; Computer output is information that has been
produced by a computer. Some examples of computer output include reports,
documents, music, graphs, and pictures. Output can be in several different
formats, such as paper, diskette, or on screen.

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTERS


Much of the world runs on computers and computers profoundly changed human life

2|4Pages Prepare By: ALOYCE, N


mostly for better. What are the characteristics for computer?

 Speed - A computer is a very fast device. It can carry out instructions at a very
high speed obediently, uncritically and without exhibiting any emotions. It can
perform in a few seconds the amount of work that a human being can do in an
entire year – if he work day and night and is nothing else.

 Accuracy - Accuracy of a computer is consistently high and the degree of


accuracy of a particular computer depends on the instructions, how user interacts
with machine and the type of processor. But for a particular computer, each and
every calculation is performed for example, the computer accurately give the
result of division of any number up to 10 decimal points.

 Versatility -Versatility is one of the most wonderful things about computer.


Multi-processing features of computer makes it quiet versatile in nature. One
moment, it is preparing the results of particular examination, the next moment it
is busy preparing electricity bills, and in between it may be helping an office
secretary to trace an important letter in seconds.

 Diligence - The computer is a machine, does not suffer from the human traits of
tiredness. Nor does it lose concentration even after working continuously for a
long time. This characteristic is especially useful for those jobs where same tasks
are done again and again. It can perform long and complex calculations with
same speed and accuracy from the start till the end.

 Storage - The computers have a lot of storage devices which can store a
tremendous amount of data. Data storage is essential function of the computer.
Second storage devices like Hard disk can store a large amount of data
permanently.

 Power of Remembering - A computer can store and recall any amount of


information because of its secondary storage capability. Every piece of
information can be retaining as long as desired by the user and it can be recalled
information almost instantaneously. Even after several years, the information
recalled will be as accurate as on the day when it was fed to the computer.

 Automation - Computer is an automatic machine. Automation means ability to

3|4Pages Prepare By: ALOYCE, N


perform the given task automatically. Once a program is given to computer i.e.
stored in computer memory, the program and instruction can control the
program execution without human interaction.

HOME WORK:

1. Discuss the uses of computer with respect to human needs


2. Discuss the effects of computer in the following areas:
a. Teaching
b. Production/Industry
c. Agriculture
d. Finance
e. Personal/individual
f. Industries
g. Culture/believes
3. Explain things (criteria) to consider while buy a new computer

4|4Pages Prepare By: ALOYCE, N

You might also like