SUMARY OF THE FIRST TOPIC

Introduction
Computer network
The old model of a single computer serving all the organizational completation
needs have been replaced by a one in which a large number of inter connected
computer do the same job. This system is then called the computer network.
Definition
A computer network is the inter connection of two or more computer link to
share information and resources. When connected the can share files and
peripherals such as: modem, printer, backup driver, etc. Each computer on the
network is called a node.

1. Benefits of computer network

 Sharing files and software: A network enables us to share data files
 Improve communication: It provides the user of different computers
with powerful, fast, and reliable communication medium
 Access to remote database: This is and other major use of computer
network for which it is easy for and average person or use to access data
base e.g. airline reservation, data base of trains , hotel booking , etc. Can
be access remotely.
2. Limitations of computer network
 Threat of data: This like file security that help protect the computer
when connected to WAN
 Difficult to set up: The setting of a network has become
complex and sophisticate that it is a difficult task to set up large
network.
Applications of computers network
The following are some areas were the computer network are employed:
 Electronic data inter change
 Tele conferencing
 Cellular phones
 Cable television
 Financial services, marketing and sales
 Reservation of air lines, trains, buses etc.
  Tele medicine
 ATM
Component required for a computer network
 At least two computers
 Network interface card (NIC)
 A collection medium, wired or cabled , although wireless communication
btw computer network and peripherals is also possible
 Network operating system software (NOS) such as Microsoft window
NT, lunix and unix
The role of computer in the network
 Client: This computer require resources but don’t provide them
 Peers: This computer uses resources from the network and provides
their own resources
 Servers: This computer provides resources
Type computer network
A computer can classify according to;
 Size
 Geographical area it cover
 How it manage it resources
 Base on the connection( wired or wireless)
 And also base on the technology( types of topology)
A. SIZE
1. Wired network: This type of network is stabled use cables
2. Wireless network: This type network connects peripherals to the
network without cables but rather use space or air to connect them
together
Advantages of wired and wireless network
1. It is easy to add or move work stations
2. It is easy to place in areas where the need wireless
Disadvantages of wired and wireless network
1. The more the computer the slower the rates of the communications
2.
B. Geographical areas it covers
1. Local area network (LAN):
  A LAN is a private network that is confide to a small area
 It is limited to a localized area
 It is fast with speed from 10mbps to 10Gbps
 The key purpose of a LAN is to server it users in resources
sharing
2. Metropolitan area network (MAN)
 MAN is a network that speeds overacity
 It covers an area of 5 to50km
 The rate of data transfer is moderate
3. Wide area network (WAN)
 It speeds across countries
 They are separated by large distance and are tired together
 Internet is the largest WAN that exist
C. How it manages it resouces
1. Client /server network: This is network in with a more powerful
computer called the server serve the less powerful computer called the
clients. The clients require for resources or services while the server
provide the required resources or services
2. Peer to peer network (P2P): In this network all the computer acts as
the server and the clients. Each computer is called a peer and has equal
capacity and responsibility.
D.Type of topology
A network topology is refers to the configurations of computer and other
devices in a network. A network topology can physical or logical.
Physical topology: It is a physical layout or arrangement of a network
a. Bus topology: it uses a single cable to connect all the computers to the
network
Advantages of a bus topology
 Easy and inexpensive to set up as little cabling is required
 Easy to include additional stations without disturbing the network
Disadvantages of a bus topology
 High rate of data collision
 Fail if there is any damage in the network
b. Star topology: they are all connected to a central devices called hub or
a switch
 Advantages of a star topology
 Easy to install and wired
 Easy to detect faults
Disadvantages of a star topology
 Required more cable than a linear topology
 If the hub or switch fail, nodes, attached are disabled
c. Ring topology: in this network all the computers are connect in the
form of a ring
Advantages of a ring topology
 Easy to install and wired
 No collision as data travels in one direction
Disadvantages of a ring topology
 Failure in one computer affects the whole network
 It is difficult to trouble shoot
d. Tree topology: it is a network the computer are connected in the form
of a tree
Advantages of a tree topology
 Eliminates network congestion
 The network can easily be extended
Disadvantages of a tree topology
 Uses large cabling length
 Installation and reconfiguration is very difficult
e. Mesh topology: in this network all the computer are connected to each
other with cables
Advantages of a mesh topology
 It is most reliable network
 It is ease to trouble shoot
Disadvantages of a mesh topology
 It is the most expensive network

Software
Definition
Software is a set of program and the accossiation of data which instructs
the computer to preform particular operations
As a software package is a group of programs that that solves a specific
problem or perform a specific job
Features or quality of a good software
a. Reliability: this refer to the ability to make result for which the software
was made for and for a long time
b. Usability: it refers to the ability of the software to be easy used without
much training and to have available tutorial package or online help or
shot cut for advanced users
c. Efficiency: this is the ability of a software to give the same result for the
same operation all the time
d. Portability: this refers to the ability of a software to run on different
system or the files can be transfer form one computer to the other or
transfer data from one program to the other
e. Upgradability: this is the ability of a software to meet up with changes
of the time
f. Reusability: this is the ability of a software to ease the reusability of
designing other software
g. Maintainability: this the ease with which software can be modify to
satisfy new requirement or correct deficiency
h. Security: this the ease with which software can be protected from
unauthorized access and to with stand malicious interface on it
operation

Way of acquiring software

1. Buying pre-written software
2. Ordering custom software
3. Developing custom software
4. Downloading public domain software

Classifying software
There are two types of software which are;
 System software
 Application software
 1. System software: it is a collection of programs designed to operating,
control, and extend the processing capacity of the computer
2. Application software: it is a type of software that is design to help users
preform specific task

Differences btw application and system software

Basic for System software Application software
comparison
basic It manages system resources When run, perform specific
and provide a platform for task the are design for
application software
Language It is written in a low level It is written in high level
language I.e. assembly language like java, c++
language
requirements A system is unable to run It is even not required to run a
without a system software system; it is user- specific
run It starts running when the It runs when the user request
system is boot on or until the
system is short down
purpose It is a general-purpose It is a specific-purpose
example Operating system Photoshop, animation
software ,etc.

Types of system software

1. Utility software: it is a type of system software that is design to analyze ,
optimise a computer system
i. Dis formatter: this is a piece of program that deletes the data already on
the hard disk and divided the surface of the disk in to track and sectors
ii. Disk defragmenter: it is one that scan the hard disk for fragment files and
brings all the fragment together
iii. Text editor: this is a program that is used to facilitate the creation of
flawes text documents
iv. Data recovering program: this are program used to recover deleted or
damaged files
v. encryption or decrypting: it is used to hide data for secured transmission
2. Devices driver: it is a software that enables the Os to communicate with
a peripheral devices
3. Language translator: it is a program that help translate the machine
language called source code into the human language
4. Operating system (Os): an Os is software program which provides an
environment for application to run and acts as an interface btw the user
and the hardware

The role of the system software

 Make the operation the computer system more efficient and effective
 Help hardware components together

Types of application software

This software can classify under two main categories
 General-purpose software
 Special-purpose software
A. General-purpose software: this are application software that are design
to a variety of tasks
I. Words processors: it is a general-purpose software used to create
document. It allows us to create, edit and format documents
II. Spread sheet package: it is a software that lets us create and store
data intubar form
B. Customised software: it is used to perform task that are designed for
specific organisation e.g. Railway, reversion system
C. Utility software: it is used to support the architecture of the computer.
It is designed for optimizing and maintaining the system and also taking
care of it is requirement

Human computer interface (HCI)

It is a term used to specify how the user interact with an electronic device,
particularly a computer system

Types of user interface

They are different computer interface which are; form based interface,
menu bar interface, graphical interface, and natural language interface
1. Form based interface: