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CCM 201 Introduction To Computer Skills PDF
CCM 201 Introduction To Computer Skills PDF
CCM 201 Introduction To Computer Skills PDF
STUDENT MANUAL
COMPILED BY C. MOCHOGE
Course Objectives
By the end of the course the student should be able to:
1. Understand the various areas of application of computers in business enterprises.
2. Understand the history and essential features of computers
3. Gain practical skills on the use of various applications such as Word, Excel, Database etc.
Course outline:
1. Introduction to Computers:
Definition of a computer and computer systems.
Categories of computers
Generations of computers
Features/ characteristics of computers
Application of computers
Advantages and disadvantages of computers
Levels of programming language
2. Computer Hardware
Hardware definitions and portability
The desktop and hardware components
The central processing unit(CPU)
The computer memory-RAM and ROM
Input and output devices
Storage devices
3. Computer Software
Definitions and types of software
Systems and applications software in business
Categories of software
Using software to access to access the WWW
Database management Systems
Data vs Information and their Uses
Utility programs
4. Number system
Introduction
Decimal Number System
Binary-decimal Conversion
Complements
o 9’s complement
o 10’s complement
o 1’s complement
o 2’s Complement
Signed and unsigned number representations
Fixed-point representation of numbers
Floating point representation of numbers
Binary to Octal Conversion
Octal to Binary Conversion
Binary to Hexadecimal
Hexadecimal to Binary
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT:
Course text, Handouts, White board, Presentation slides, Journals, Internet
ASSESSMENT STRATEGY:
Continuous Assessment Tests : 30%
End –of-semester examination : 70%
Total : 100%
Although computers are thought to be modern devices, centuries ago many people contributed to
their development. Charles Babbage, for example, in 1882, development the structure of a
computing device that was the basic of modern computer. Samwel Morse invented telegraph in
1837, GEORGE Boole the Boolean Algebra in 1850, Alexander Graham Bell the telegram in
1876, Gugliemo Marconi the Radio in 1896 were all the 19th century inventors that contributed to
the development of today's computer.
Characteristics:
i. They are very large in size
ii. Produce a lot of heat
iii. They used magnetic drums to store data.
iv. They used punched cards as their input device
v. Breakdown chances were so high.
vi. They required experts to run them e.g. Universal Automated Computers (UNIVAC)
vii. Speed was 40,000 operation/second, for data processing.
Characteristics:
i. It was more reliable compared to the first generation computers
ii. They are small in size than first generation computers
iii. The internal memory was in form of magnetic tape.
iv. Data processing speed was 200,000 operation per second.
e.g. Atlas and IBM
THIRD GENERATION COMPUTERS 1964-1971(Integrated Circuits - Miniaturizing the
Computer)
The introduction of IBM’s system 360 series in 1964 marked the beginning of the 3rd
generation. The integrated circuit had many discrete electronic components such as transistors,
resistors and diodes were fabricated on the same silicon chip or water or crystal. It increased
speed, reduced cost and size and made it easier to construct computers with off-the-shelf
integrated circuits. The modern monitor (Cathode Ray Tube) begun to be used for both input and
output. Pascal was developed by Nicholas Wirth in 1971.
Characteristics:
i. They used magnetic tapes for output.
Characteristics:
i. They are small in size e.g. laptops.
ii. They have higher level of multitasking.
iii. It has a higher processing speed.
iv. It has a higher internal storage capacity.
v. They are made by specific companies e.g. Toshiba, HP, Compaq
Definition of a computer
A computer is a programmable machine. It is a fast electronic calculating machine that accepts
data, processes it according to a set of internally stored instructions and produces the resultant
output information. The two principle characteristics of a computer are:
It responds to specific set of instructions in a well-defined manner.
It can execute a prerecorded list of instructions (a program).
Definition:
A computer therefore can be defined as device that operates upon information or data. Data
can be anything given and accepted by the computer as input. Data comes in various shapes
and sizes depending upon the type of computer application. A computer can store, process
and retrieve data as and when desired.
Information Technology.
"Information Technology," and is pronounced "I.T." It refers to anything related to
computing technology, such as networking, hardware, software, the Internet, or the people
that work with these technologies.
Information technologies (IT) are tools used to build information systems. Information
technologies include hardware, software, database, networks, and other related components.
Information systems use and integrate these technologies to meet the information needs of
different users. The information technology, then, must support the goal of the information
system, which is to provide accurate, timely, relevant, complete, well-formatted information
that users value.
Computer literacy is the knowledge and understanding of computer systems and the ways
they function. It focuses primarily on knowledge of information technology. This knowledge
includes an understanding of computer terminology, recognition of the strengths and
weaknesses of the computer, and an ability to use the computer.
Information systems literacy is knowledge of how and why data, information, knowledge,
computer, and information technology are used by organizations and individuals.
Information system
An information system is a specialized type of system and can be defined in a number of
different ways. An information system can be defined technically as a set of interrelated
information technology components that collect (or retrieve), process, store, and distribute
data and information and provide a feedback/control mechanism to meet an objective. From a
business perspective, information systems can be defined as a combination of hardware,
software, and telecommunications networks which people build and use to collect, create,
and distribute useful data and information, typically in organizational settings. Information
Impact Printers use metal pins to strike an inked ribbon to make dots on a piece of paper. It has
the lowest print quality of all of the printers. It is rarely used today because of the poor print
quality, but still used in business to print multi-part forms Examples include dot matrix and
daisy wheel printers.
Non-Impact printers use drops of magnetic inked cartridges to produce dots on a page to
produce text or images. The print quality is almost the same as a laser printer's. The only
Problem is with the ink; it is very expensive. The ink is water soluble and will run if the paper
gets wet. For producing color documents, it has the highest quality at a reasonable price. They
include inkjets, laser, and thermal printers
Mass storage device- Allows a computer to permanently retain large amounts of data. Common
mass storage devices include disk drives and tape drives.
Elementary Structure of a Computer
CPU
Communication
Devices
System Unit
Control Arithmetic &
Unit Logic Unit
Input Registers (storage area) Output
Devices Devices
Secondary
Storage Devices
Communication devices
Modem - Modems allow computers (digital devices) to communicate via the phone
system (based on analog technology). It turns the computers digital data into analog,
sends it over the phone line, and then another modem at the other end of the line turns
the analog signal back into digital data.
Fax/modem - basic digital/analog modem enhanced with fax transmission hardware that
enables faxing of information from computer to another fax/modem or a fax machine
(NOTE: a separate scanner must be connected to the computer in order to use the
fax/modem to transfer external documents)
Computer Memory
Memory capability is one of the features that distinguish a computer from other electronic
devices. Like the CPU, memory is made of silicon chips containing circuits holding data
represented by on or off electrical states, or bits. Eight bits together form a byte. Memory is
usually measured in megabytes or gigabytes.
A kilobyte is roughly 1,000 bytes. Specialized memories, such as cache memories, are
typically measured in kilobytes. Often both primary memory and secondary storage capacities
today contain megabytes, or millions of bytes, of space.
Types of Memory
Volatile Memory types Non Volatile
RAM ROM
1. RAM (Random Access Memory) /RWM (Read Write Memory) – Also referred to as
main memory, primary storage or internal memory. Its content can be read and can be
changed and is the working area for the user. It is used to hold programs and data during
22 ROM (Read Only Memory) – Its contents can only be read and cannot be changed.
ROM chips is non-volatile, so the contents aren’t lost if the power is disrupted. ROM
provides permanent storage for unchanging data & instructions, such as data from the
computer maker. It is used to hold instructions for starting the computer called the
bootstrap program.
ROM: chips, the contents, or combination of electrical circuit states, are set by the
manufacturer and cannot be changed. States are permanently manufactured into the chip.
PROM: the settings must be programmed into the chip. After they are programmed,
PROM behaves like ROM – the circuit states can’t be changed. PROM is used when
instructions will be permanent, but they aren’t produced in large enough quantities to
make custom chip production (as in ROM) cost effective. PROM chips are, for
example, used to store video game instructions.
a. PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory) – It is written onto only once using
special devices. Used mostly in electronic devices such as alarm systems.
b. EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) –Can be written onto
more than once.
3. Cache Memory - Cache memory is high-speed memory that a processor can access more
quickly than RAM. Frequently used instructions are stored in cache since they can be retrieved
more quickly, improving the overall performance of the computer. Level 1 (L1) cache is
located on the processor; Level 2 (L2) cache is located between the processor and RAM.
Control Bus
The control bus is used by the CPU to direct and monitor the actions of the other functional areas
of the computer. It is used to transmit a variety of individual signals (read, write, interrupt,
acknowledge, and so forth) necessary to control and coordinate the operations of the
computer.
INPUT HARDWARE
Input unit consist of devices that translate data into a form the computer can process(machine
language or computer language).The people-readable form may be words, but the computer-
readable form consists of 0s and 1s or ON/OFF electrical signals.
Input hardware may be categorized into types
Keyboards
Pointing devices
Source data-entry devices
KEYBOARDS
A Keyboard is a device that converts letters, numbers , and other characteristics into
electrical signals that are machine-readable by the computer’s processor. It may look like a
typewriter to which some special keys have been added or it may look like the keys on a bank
a ATM.
POINTING DEVICES
Pointing devices control the position of the curser or pointer on the screen. They include
Mice, trackballs, pointing sticks and touch pads.
Light pens
Digitized tablets
Pen-based systems
SOURCE DATA-ENTRY DEVICES
They refer to the many forms of data entry-devices that are not keyboards or pointing devices.
CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT
Language translators
Although machine language is the only language the CPU understands, it is rarely used anymore
since it is so difficult to use. Every program that is not written in machine language must be
translated into machine language before it can be executed. This is done by a category of
system software called language translation software. These are programs that convert the code
originally written by the programmer, called source code, into its equivalent machine language
program, called object code.
There are two main types of language translators: interpreters and compilers.
Interpreters
While a program is running, interpreters read, translate, and execute one statement of the
program at a time. The interpreter displays any errors immediately on the monitor. Interpreters
are very useful for people learning how to program or debugging a program. However, the line-
by-line translation adds significant overhead to the program execution time leading to slow
execution.
Compilers
Data resources
Data
Data the raw material for information is defined as groups of non-random symbols that represent
quantities, actions, objects etc. In information systems data items are formed from characters that
may be alphabetical, numeric, or special symbols. Data items are organized for processing
purposes into data structures, file structures and databases. Data relevant to information
processing and decision-making may also be in the form of text, images or voice.
Information
Information is data that has been processed into a form that is meaningful to the recipient and is
of real or perceived value in current or prospective actions or decisions. It is important to note
that data for one level of an information system may be information for another. For example,
data input to the management level is information output of a lower level of the system such as
operations level. Information resources are reusable. When retrieved and used it does not lose
value: it may indeed gain value through the credibility added by use.
The value of information is described most meaningfully in the context of a decision. If there
were no current or future choices or decisions, information would be unnecessary. The value of
information in decision-making is the value of change in decision behaviour caused by the
information less the cost of obtaining the information. Decisions however are usually made
without the “right” information. The reasons are:
Much of the information that organizations or individuals prepare has value other than in
decision-making. The information may also be prepared for motivation and background
building.
Digital computers
They are computers that process data that is represented in the form of discrete values (e.g.
0123..) by operating on it in steps. Or they are computers that operate on information in binary
form. Digital data consists of data represented by on/off,1/1, true/false. They are computers
deigned to process data in numerical form.
In general, analog computers are extraordinarily fast, since they can solve most complex
equations at the rate at which a signal traverses the circuit, which is generally an appreciable
fraction of the speed of light. On the other hand, the precision of analog computers is not good;
they are limited to three, or at most, four digits of precision.
Analog computers
Analog means continuously varying in strength and /or quantity. Sound, light, temperature, and
pressure can fall anywhere along a range. Analog computers are akin to measuring instruments
such as thermometers and voltmeters with pointers on circular dials. They process data in the
form of electrical voltages; which are variable like the variable positions of a pointer n a dial.
The output of analog computes is often in smooth graphs from which information can be read.
Analog computers are used for scientific, engineering, and process-controlled purposes. Outputs
are represented in the form of graphs. Analogue computers process data represented by physical
variables and output physical magnitudes in the form of smooth graphs.
Analog computers operate by measuring rather than counting. Analog computers refers to
gradual type of change rather than changes in the form of steps which can be counted digitally.
An example of a simple mechanical computer is the moving pointer type speedometer of any
automobile vehicle.
In general, analog computers are extraordinarily fast, since they can solve most complex
equations at the rate at which a signal traverses the circuit, which is generally an appreciable
fraction of the speed of light. On the other hand, the precision of analog computers is not good;
they are limited to three, or at most, four digits of precision.
Hybrid computers
Hybrid computers are computers that exhibit features of analog computers and digital
computers. The digital component normally serves as the controller and provides logical
operations, while the analog component normally serves as a solver of differential equations.
Note that hybrid computers should be distinguished from hybrid systems. The latter may be no
more than a digital computer equipped with an analog-to-digital converter at the input and/or a
Classification by purpose
This is a classification by the use to which the computer is put.
a) Special purpose computers are used for a certain specific function e.g. in medicine,
engineering, manufacturing.
b) General-purpose computers can be used for a wide variety of tasks e.g. accounting, word
processing
Classification by generation
This is a time-based classification coinciding with technological advances.
The computers are categorized as First generation through to Fifth generation.
a) First generation. Computers of the early 1940s. Used a circuitry of wires and vacuum
tubes. Produced a lot of heat, took a lot of space, were very slow and expensive.
Examples are LEO 1 and UNIVAC 1.
b) Second generation. Computers of the early 1950s. Made use of transistors and thus were
smaller and faster. (200KHz). Examples include the IBM system 1000.
c) Third generation. Computers of the 1960s. Made use of Integrated Circuits. Speeds of up
to 1MHz. Examples include the IBM system 360.
d) Fourth generation. Computers of the 1970s and 1980s. Used Large Scale Integration
(LSI) technology. Speeds of up to 10MHz. Examples include the IBM 4000 series.
e) Fifth generation. Computers of the 1990s. Use Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI)
technology and have speeds up to 400MHz and above.
22 Mainframe computers. Large computers in terms of price, power and size. Require a
carefully controlled environment and specialist staff to operate them. It used for
centralized processing for large commercial organizations. Manufacturers include
International Business Machine (IBM).
22 Microcomputers. These are the personal computers commonly used for office and leisure
activities. Examples include Hewlett Packard (HP), Compaq and Dell. They include
desktops, laptops and palmtops.
A bit is either a 1 or a 0. These correspond to two electronic/magnetic states of ON (1) and OFF
(0) in digital circuits which are the basic building blocks of computers. All data operated by a
computer and the instructions that manipulate that data must be represented in these units. Other
units are a combination of these basic units. Such units include:
1 byte (B) = 23 bits = 8 bits – usually used to represent one character e.g. ‘A’
1 kilobyte (KB) – 210 bytes = 1024 bytes (usually considered as 1000 bytes)
1 megabyte (MB)– 220 bytes = 1048576 bytes (usually considered as 1000000
bytes/1000 KB)
1 gigabyte (GB)– 230 bytes = 1073741824 bytes (usually considered as 1,000,000,000
bytes/1000 MB)
1 terabyte (TB) – 240 bytes = 1099511627776 bytes (usually considered as one trillion
bytes/1000 GB)
Bit
This refers to a binary digit used to represent data in a digital computer. A bit may be a “0”
or a “1”.
Byte
This refers to a combination of 8 bits used to represent characters (e.g. the letter ‘A’) in a
digital computer.
CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTERS
All computers have certain common characteristics irrespective of their type and sizes. They can
be programmed to do complex, tedious and monotonous tasks. Computers are what they are
because of the following characteristics:
1. Word length
A digital computer operates on binary digits 0s and 1s. It can understand information only in
terms of 0s and 1s. A binary digit is called a bit. A group of 8 bits is called a byte. The
number of bits that a computer can process at a time in parallel is called its word length.
Commonly used word lengths are 8, 16, 32 or 64 bits. World length is the measure of the
computing power of a computer.
2. Speed
Computers can calculate at very high speeds. A microcomputer, for example, can execute
millions of instructions per second over and over again without any mistake. As the power of
a computer increases, the speed also increases.
3. Storage
Computers have their main memory and auxiliary memory systems. A computer can store a
large amount of data. With more and more auxiliary storage devices, which are capable of
storing huge amounts of data, the storage capacity of a computer is virtually unlimited.
4. Accuracy
The accuracy of a computer is very high. Errors in hardware can occur, but error detecting
and correcting techniques will prevent false results. In most cases, the errors are due to the
human factors rather than the technological.
5. Versatility
Computers are versatile machines. They can perform activities ranging from simple
calculations to performing complex CAD modeling and simulation to navigating missiles and
satellites. In other words, they are capable of performing almost any task, provided the task
can be reduced to a series of logical steps (program).
6. Automation
The level of automation achieved in a computer is phenomenal. Once a task is initiated,
computers can proceed on its own till its completion. Computers are capable of these levels
of automation, provided they are programmed correctly.
7. Diligence
APPLICATIONS OF COMPUTERS
Due to the versatility of the computer, it has been applied in various areas like industries and
commerce in process control, health care, in Government institutions, education sectors,
communication industry, police and defense, in multimedia applications, home and leisure
and employment.
1. In Government Institutions
Computers are heavily used in Government ministries such as Finance, planning, education
etc. to store Government records and improve the efficiency of work within the civil services.
Government agencies such as Tax departments, customs and utility companies such as KPLC
all use computers to keep their records and produce bills and statements. Computers helps in
easy retrieval of Government files in registers.
2. Health Care
Medical automation offer assistance in areas of automatic diagnosis, electro-cardiogram
screening and monitoring. Doctors also retrieve specialized opinion from computer storage.
Medical records are also today stored and retrieved from computers for patient management
purposes.
In medicine today, computers are used for everything from diagnosing illness to monitoring
patients during surgery and controlling permanent prostheses.
3. Process Control
Computers are also used in the production environment to control chemical and mechanical
process. Under these applications, each computer has to be constructed to do a specific job.
They are designed to respond quickly to changes in input measurements.
4. Industry and Commerce
Computers have been used in commerce and industry sector to make work more efficient,
productive and reliable. Leading companies are using computing technology as a competitive
tool to develop products and services and in forgoing new relationships with suppliers to and
edge out competitors. Competitors are also being used in inventory management, process and
quality control and optimization schedule.
5. Education and Research
Computers are also used in education as teaching aids, and research institutions. Long
distance using computers has reduced the old correspondence courses offered by postage. In
aviation, computers are used in training pilots and flight simulators which monitor the control
movements made by pilots. Engineers also use computers to design and redesign their work.
6. Communications Industry
Computers are used in every aspect of telecommunications i.e telephone exchange today
relies on computer to switch incoming and outgoing calls. Railway corporations relies on
computers to coordinate movement of their wagons and goods. In air-line industry.
Computers are used to control air traffic and surveillance of airspace using radar equipment.