JOBKEY UNIVERSITY INTRODUCTION TO ICTI

Chapter one
Introduction to computer
Definition
Computer is an electronic device that allows you to processing and storing data and produce
output. Computer you can use in many ways you can input and process something and
output something.

Classificationof a computer according to physical size.

Based on physical size, computer can be classified into four main groups namely:-
 Super Computers
 Mainframe Computers
 Mini Computers
 Micro Computers
1. Super Computers.
Super computers are the fastest, largest, most expensive and power full computers viable.
Super Computers are mainly used for scientific research.
2. Mainframe Computers
Mainframe Computers are less powerful and less expensive than Super Computers.
Mainframes are used for processing data and performing complex mathematical calculation
they have a large storage capacity and can support variety peripheral devices.
3. Mini Computers
Minicomputers are resemble the mainframe but are slightly smaller.
They are used mainly in scientific laboratories, research institution, engineering plants and
places where processing automatic is required.
4. Micro Computers
A Microcomputer is smallest, cheapest and relatively least power full type of computer.

Instructor: - Eng. Ibrahim Abdinor Hashi (Cardoofe) Page 1

 JOBKEY UNIVERSITY INTRODUCTION TO ICTI

They are commonly used in training institutions, small business enterprises, communication
centers, among other today.

Generations of computer.
Computers, at various stages of their evolution, have been divided into Four generation.
 First generation computers (1940s to 1958 )
First generation computers were very large physically and used thousands of
electronic.
 Second generation computers (1958 – 1964 )
Computers in this generation operated using tiny solid-state electronic devices called
transistors.
 Third generation computers (1964 – 1970 )
The third generation computers used electronic devices called integrated circuit.
 Fourth generation computers ( 1970 – present )
From 1970 further technological improvement was done on the silicon.
Input devices
Input devices are pieces of computer hardware that entering data into a computer.
 Keyboard
 Mouse
 Scanner
 Camera
 Microphone
Output devices
Output devices are parts of a computer hardware that displays the information.
 Screen or monitor
 Printer
 Speakers

Instructor: - Eng. Ibrahim Abdinor Hashi (Cardoofe) Page 2

 JOBKEY UNIVERSITY INTRODUCTION TO ICTI

Looking Inside the Computer System

Ask yourself these questions?
 Have you ever looked inside a computer case before?
 Or seen pictures of the inside a computer?
 What did you know inside a computer?
 The small parts may look complicated.
 Most parts of inside a computer are interconnected by wires.

The parts of computer system

Complete computer system consist of four parts.
 Hardware
 Software
 Data
 Users
Hardware
 The mechanical devices that make up the computer are called Hardware.
 Hardware is any piece or any part of the computer you can see and touch.
 Computer’s hardware consists of interconnected electronic devices that you can use
to control the computer’s operation.
 All input devices are examples of hardware.
 All output devices are examples of hardware.
Software
 Software is a set of instructions that makes the computer perform task.
 In other words software tells the computer what to do.
 The term program refers to any piece of software.

Instructor: - Eng. Ibrahim Abdinor Hashi (Cardoofe) Page 3

 JOBKEY UNIVERSITY INTRODUCTION TO ICTI

 Some programs exist primarily for the computer’s use to help it performs tasks and
manage its own resources.
 Other types of program exist for the user, enabling to perform tasks such as creating
document.

DATA
 Data consist of individual facts or pieces of information that by themselves may not
make much sense to a person.
 Computer’s primary job is to process these tiny pieces of data in various ways,
converting them into useful information.

USERS
 People the most computer operators, called Users.
 It can be argued that some computer systems are complete without person’s
involvement.
 However, no computer is totally autonomous.

Information Processing Cycle (IPC)

 Computer converts data into information by performing various actions on data.
 For example computer might perform a mathematical operation on two numbers, and
then display the result.
 Or the computer might perform a logical operation such as comparing two numbers,
and then displays that result.
 These operations are part of a process called The Information Processing Cycle (IPC),
which is a set of steps the computer follows to receive data, process the data
according to instruction from a program, display the resulting information to the user,
and store the result.
The Information Processing Cycle has four parts, and each part involves one or more specific
components of the computer.

Instructor: - Eng. Ibrahim Abdinor Hashi (Cardoofe) Page 4

 JOBKEY UNIVERSITY INTRODUCTION TO ICTI

 Input: - Accepts data from some sources for processing.

 Processing:- Transforms raw data into useful information
 Output: - Computer displays the results of its processing.
 Storage: - Computer permanently stores the result of its processing.

Essential Computer Hardware

A computer’s hardware devices fall into one of the four categories.
 Processor
 Memory
 Input and output
 Storage

Processor and Memory

 The procedure that transforms raw data into useful information is known as
processing.
 To perform this transformation, the computer uses two components: The Processor &
memory.
 The processor is like the brain of computer.
 Personal computer’s processor is usually a single chip or a set of chips contained on
circuit board.
 The term central processing unit (CPU) refers to a computer’s processor.

Memory devices
 In computer memory is one or more sets of chips that store data and or program
instructions either temporarily or permanently.
 PC uses several different types of memory, but the two most important are called
Random access memory (RAM) and Read-only memory (ROM).
 RAM holds data and program instruction while the CPU works with them.

Instructor: - Eng. Ibrahim Abdinor Hashi (Cardoofe) Page 5

 JOBKEY UNIVERSITY INTRODUCTION TO ICTI

 ROM holds instruction that the computer needs to operate.

 RAM is temporarily storage.
 ROM is permanently storage.

Storage Devices
 A computer can function with only processing, memory, input, and output devices.
 To be really useful, however, a computer also needs a place to keep program files and
related data when they are not in use.
 The purpose of storage is to hold data permanently, even when the computer is turn off.
 There are three major distinctions between storage and memory.
 There more rooms in storage than memory.
 Contents are retained in storage when the computer is turn off.
 Storage is much cheaper and slower than memory.
 Two main storage devices are Magnetic and Optical.

Software brings the machine to life

 The ingredient that enables a computer to perform a specific task is software, which
consists of instruction.
 A set of instructions that drive a computer to perform specific task is known as Program.
 These instructions tell the machine’s physical component what to do, without the
instructions, a computer could not do anything at all.
 Although the array of available programs is vast and varied, most software falls into two
major categories:
 System software
 Application software

System software

Instructor: - Eng. Ibrahim Abdinor Hashi (Cardoofe) Page 6

 JOBKEY UNIVERSITY INTRODUCTION TO ICTI

 System software is any program that controls the computer’s hardware or that can be
used to maintain the computer in some way so that it runs more efficiently.

 There are three basic types of system software.

 An operating system (OS):- tells the computer how to use its own components.
 A network operating system: - allows computers to communicate and share data
across a network.
 A Utility: - is a program that makes the computer system is easier to use or
perform highly specialized functions.
 Utility are used to manage disks, troubleshoot hardware problems, and so on.

Application software
 Application software tells the computer how to accomplish a specific task, such as word
processing or drawing, for the user.
 Thousands of applications are available for many purposes and for people of all ages.
 Some of the major categories of these applications include.
Word processing software.
Database management software.
Entertainment and education software.
More and more

User’s Role
When working with a personal computer, the user can take on several roles, depending on
what he or she wants to accomplish.
» Setting up the system.

Instructor: - Eng. Ibrahim Abdinor Hashi (Cardoofe) Page 7

 JOBKEY UNIVERSITY INTRODUCTION TO ICTI

» Installing software.
» Running software.
» Managing files.
» And some others.

END

Instructor: - Eng. Ibrahim Abdinor Hashi (Cardoofe) Page 8