MODULE I, LESSON 1: COMPUTER HARDWARE

Overview

- A computer hardware is defined as all of the physical components of a computer

- A computer is a machine that uses electronic components and instructions to the components to perform
- Computer technology has evolved from huge, room-sized electronic calculators developed with military funding during
WW2 to palm-sized machines
- The basic hardware of a computer composes the computer’s architecture, and includes electronic circuits
o Microchips, processors
o Random access memory (RAM)
o Read-only memory (ROM)
o Graphic and sound cards
o The motherboard
- Devices that are inside the computer case but are not part of the architecture:
o Main storage device which is usually an internal hard drive
o Cooling system
o Modem
o Ethernet connectors
o Optical drives
o Universal serial bus (USB) connectors
o Multi -format card readers
- Devices that are attached or linked to a computer that are peripheral to the main computer box and are part of the system’s
hardware
- Computer systems are composed of many different component parts that enable user to communicate with the computer, and
with other computers to produce work
- The group of required and optional hardware items that are linked together to make up a computer system is called its
configuration
- When computers are sold, many of the key components are placed inside a rigid plastic housing or case, which is called the
box
- Computers are now pervasive throughout the healthcare industry
- Their applications are expected to continue to expand and thereby improve the quality healthcare while at the same time
reducing some costs

Computer Hardware Advancement in Healthcare

- Advances in 1900’s to 2000’s

- Administrative Functions
- Radiology and Imaging
- Enhanced Surgical Instruments
- Virtual Reality Program in Surgery
- Telemedicine/Telehealth

COMPUTER HARDWARE

- All the physical components of the machine

- Composed of many different parts that enable the user to communicate with the computer and with other computers to
produce work
- Uses electronic components and instructions to perform calculations and repetitive and complex procedures, process text and
manipulate data and signals.
- Major Characteristics:
o Automatic
o Electronic
o General purpose such as:
 Speed
 Reliability
 Storage capacity
BASIC COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER HARDWARE

- Central Processing Unit

o It is considered to be the brain of the computer. It is consisted of one arithmetic and logic unit, a control unit and a
memory.
 Arithmetic and Logic Units
 Control Unit
 Memory
 Read Only Memory (ROM) - permanent storage, can only be read by the computer and cannot be
erased or altered.
 Random Access Memory (RAM) - working memory primarily used for working storage. It is
changeable, can be accessed, used and written on repeatedly
 Motherboard
 A printed circuit board and foundation of a computer that is the biggest board in a computer
chassis
 Allocates power and allows communication to and between the CPU, RAM, and all other
computer hardware components such as hard drives and video cards.
 MICROCHIP/MICROPROCESSOR
 A complete computation engine that is fabricated on a single chip
 The heart of any normal computer, whether it is a desktop machine, a server or a laptop
 A CPU chip’s performance is measured in MIPS or “millions of instructions per second”
- Input and Output
o It is used as a way of receiving commands and data from the outside and a way of reporting out its work. This are
wired to a controller that is plugged into the slots or circuit boards.
o Input Devices: allows computer to receive information from the outside world.
o Output Devices: allows the computer to report its result to the external world, can be in a form of text, data files,
sounds, graphics or signals to other devices
- Storage Media
o It includes the main memory but also external devices on which programs and data are stored

HARD DRIVE A peripheral that has high speed and high density
DISKETTES A round magnetic disk encased in a flexible or rigid case
CD-ROM Rigid disk that holds a much higher density of information
than a diskette and has a much higher speed
CD-RW New type of CD that could be written on by the user
USB Small, removable hard drive that is inserted into the USB
DISK/FLASHDRIVE port of a computer
MAGNETIC TAPE Run a magnetic tape the same with any music tape player.
DRIVES Today it is obsolete for home computer use
ZIP AND JAZ DRIVES Similar to floppy disk but are of higher capacity
HISTORY OF COMPUTERS

- 1ST Gen Computers - They were introduced in mid-1960’s. They used

- They used vacuum tubes in their design, they run
hot thus required a great deal of cooling.
- The first true digital computer, was built in 1943
with funding from the U.S Military and used to
design airplane and other complex engineering
applications.
1. Prototype World War II Military Computer
2. Vacuum Tube Computer
3. Univac – 1
- 2 Gen Computers
ND
- They were introduced in 1950’s. They used
transistors instead of vacuum tubes. There is
lesser heat, improve reliability and much greater
speeds
- 3RD Gen Computers
micro miniature; solid state components called
“integrated circuits”
- 4TH Gen Computers/Modern Personal Computer
- They developed a new speed which could
process instructions rather than access and
speeds were measured by instructions per
second.
1. Intel 8008
2. Apple
3. IBM 370
- SUPERCOMPUTERS
- They are computers with a high level of
performance as compared to a general-purpose
computer. The performance of supercomputers is
commonly measured in floating-point operations
 per second instead of million instructions per 1. CDC 6600
second. 2. Cray I supercomputer

CLASSES OF COMPUTERS

1. Analog Computer – operates on continuous physical or electrical magnitudes, measuring ongoing continuous analog quantities
such as voltage, current, temperature and pressure.
2. Digital Computer – operates and discrete discontinuous numerical digits using binary numbering system
3. Hybrid Computer – contains features of both the analog and digital computer. It is used for specific applications such as complex
signal processing and other engineering-oriented applications

TYPES OF COMPUTERS

Supercomputers: The largest type of computer, computational oriented specially designed for scientific applications requiring
gigantic amounts of calculations

Mainframes: The fastest, largest and most expensive type of computer used in corporate America for processing, storing and
retrieving data. It is a large multiuser central computer that meets the computing needs especially the large amount of repetitive
calculations of bills and payroll of large organizations

Microcomputers: It is used for an increasing number of independent applications as well as serving as a desktop link to the programs
of a mainframe. Commonly known as “Personal Computer”.

Handheld Computers: small and special functioned computers. It was introduced in the late 1990’s. It has the same functionality and
processing capabilities to the standard desktop microcomputer however, there are limited expansion possibilities in the office network

COMMON HARDWARE PERIPHERALS

1. Keyboard – a most common input device. Similar to a keyboard of typewriter and is connected to the box with a cord. Different
type of keys found in a keyboard as follows:
A. Typewriter Keys
B. Function Keys
C. Numerical Keys
D. Cursor Keys.
E. Toggle Keys
F. Special Operation Keys
2. Monitor – a display screen component that allows the user to see images, programs, commands. Similar to television screen
however the resolution or clarity is related to the number of dots, pixels on the screen.
3. Mouse and trackball – hand controlled mechanical device that electronically instructs the cursor to move across the video display
screen.
4. Touchpad and Mouse Button – flat, rectangular depression on the keyboard that senses pressure and movement of the user’s
finger.
5. Light pen / Touch Screen – photosensitive device that responds to light images when placed against a monitor screen.
6. Magnetic Ink Character Recognition - use to exam the shape of the Magnetic Ink Character and convert them into binary code for
computer input.
7. Voice Synthesizer – allows users to input data through speaking which is connected to a microphone.
8. Optical Character Recognition – Allows data to be read directly from a form or document. An electronic optical scanning device
or a barcode reader that interpret marks, codes, numbers, letters or characters.
9. Imaging – primarily transforms images from various types of graphics into digital form which the computer can accept, represent
on the screen and process. Many types of graphics images on paper such as x-rays.
10. Digital Versatile Disk – looks and feels like CD-ROM but holds much more information and contains many more multimedia
features.
11. Printers – converts information produced by the computer system into printed form. Different kinds of printers are as follows:
Laser printers, Inkjet printers, Bubble Jet Printers
12. Modems – communication device used to connect a terminal with mainframe or another computer

MODULE I, LESSON 2: COMPUTER SOFTWARE

COMPUTER SOFTWARE
  The software is a kind of programs that enable a user to perform some specific tasks or used to operate a computer.
 It directs all the peripheral devices on a computer system - what to do and how to perform work
 Software is supplied as an organized instruction sets called program or more typically as a set of related programs called
package.

PURPOSE

- Needed to translate instructions created in human language into machine language.

- Needed to make the computer an economical work tool.

HISTORY

- In 1800, Charles Babbage a mathematician invented a device that he named the analytical machine.
- Augusta Ada Byron, Countess Lovelace, the first programmer, theorized the use of automatic repetitions arithmetic steps that
analytical engine would follow to solve a problem this is known as Loop Concept
- The development of data processing machine was taken form field of textiles. Joseph Jacquard invented the Jacquard Loom
- In 1881, Herman Hollerith used Jacquard’s idea but developed a machine that could read punched card and tabulate results.
- Grace Murray Hooper, the world’s most expert programmer of early computers, she greatly advanced the power of computers
through her innovation in computer programming and program languages.

System Software

- Systems software controls the operations of the machine and how it works peripheral equipment and supports utility and
application programs.
- There are 2 basic types of system software:
o Basic Input Output System
o Operating System
- IMPORTANT FEATURES:

o System Software is closer to o The system software is o Less interactive

the system difficult to design and o Smaller in size
o Generally written in a low- understand o Hard to manipulate
level language o Fast in speed

Utility Software

- Utility software supports efficiency, productivity, and security of the systems software and application programs.
- This software includes algorithms, file manager tool, compression tool, Disk Management tool, Disk clean up tool, Disk
Defragmenter and security programs such as antivirus

Application Software

- Various programs people used to do work, process data, play games, communicate with others or watch multimedia programs on
a computer.
- Application programs are written in a particular programming language
- IMPORTANT FEATURE:
o Perform more specialized tasks like word processing, spreadsheets, email, photo editing, etc.
o It needs more storage space as it is bigger in size
o Easy to design and more interactive for the user
o Generally written in a high-level language
- Word-processing software: It makes use of a computer for creating, modifying, viewing, storing, retrieving, and printing
documents.
- Spreadsheet software: Spreadsheet software is a numeric dataanalysis tool that allows you to create a computerized ledger
- Database software: A database software is a collection of related data that is stored and retrieved according to user demand.
- Graphics software: It allows computer systems for creating, editing, drawings, graphs, etc.
- Education software: Education software allows a computer to be used as a learning and teaching tool.
- Entertainment software: This type of app allows a computer to be used as an entertainment tool.

SYSTEM VS APPLICATION
 SYSTEM
System software are designed to manage the resources of the
system, like memory and process management, security, etc.
A general-purpose software
Written in a low-level language like a machine or assembly
language
Capable of running independently
Starts running when the system is powered on and runs until the
system is powered off
E independent of the application software
APPLICATION
Application software are designed to fulfill the requirements of
the user for performing specific tasks.
Specific purpose software
A high-level language is used to write application software
Can't run independently
Starts when the user begins, and it ends when the user stops it.
Needs system software to run.

PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES

- A computer cannot naturally understand human language

- Machine language
- More English-like languages have been developed to facilitate programming
- Five Generations of Programming languages or sometimes divided into three levels
o FIRST LEVEL:
 First Generation Language
 Machine language
 Level of instructions and data that the processor is actually given to work on Binary Numbers
 Lowest level computer language – info is sent to the computer by the programmer as binary instructions
 In 1940s/1950s, computers were programmed by scientists before control panels were equipped with toggle
switches so that they could input instructions as strings of 0s and 1s
 Machine Language -- Second Generation Language
 Assembler Language
 Used assembly language – assembler converts assembler language statements into machine language
 Popular in late 1950s
 Consists of letters of the alphabet
 Easier
 More popular when Grace Hopper invented FLOW-MATIC  easier programming language
o SECOND LEVEL: Third Generation Language / Procedural Language Fourth Generation Language / High level procedural
Language
 Designed to be closer to natural language than 3GL language
 Attempt to make computer communication as humanly as possible (thought process and communication)
 Consists of English-like works and phrases (include graphic devices such as icons and onscreen push buttons for use
during programming and running the application)
 Use C++, C. Java and SQL that support stand-alone as well as web applications
o THIRD LEVEL: Fifth Generation Languages / Natural Language/ Visual Programming Language
 Uses a visual or graphical development interface to create source language that is usually complied with a 3GL or
4GL language complier
 MICROSOFT, Borland, IBM and other companies make 5GL visual programming for developing applications in
Java, J++, Visual Javas, Visual Basic, ASP, ASP.NET, VB.NET and C#
 Visual programming allows you to see object-oriented structures and drag icons to assemble program blocks

COMMON SOFTWARE USEFUL FOR NURSES

- Programs are available in workplaces to assist nurses

- Programs are available in workplaces to assist nurses
- Examples are: ADT systems, mar, charting software, Computerized Physician’s Order Entry, laboratory and radiology orders,
chat rooms, electronic bulletin board & listservs

MODULE I, LESSON 2: OPEN SOURCE & FREE SOFTWARE

The System Life Cycle (SLC)

  Tasks that multiple disciplines must accomplish to produce technically sound, regulatory compliant, and user -
friendly system
 Consists of four major phases: planning; analysis; design, develop and customize; and implement, evaluate,
support and maintain
1st Phase of SLC: Planning

 The planning phase determines the problem scope and outlines the entire project
 Project governance structure, definition of the project’s goals/purpose, feasibility study, environmental
assessment, scope of the proposed system and timeline
2nd Phase of SLC: Analysis

 The fact-finding phase the analysis phase assesses the problem being studied through extensive data gathering
 All data needs related to the requirements are defined in the project scope agreement developed in this phase
 Key documents created in this phase: gap analysis; technical requirements for hardware, software, networks;
functional design document; system proposal document
3rd Phase of SLC: Design, Development & Customization Phase

 Design details to develop the system and the detailed plans for implementing and evaluating the system
 Policies and procedures are reviewed and updated
 Thorough testing of the new system and detailed plans are executed
4th Phase of SLC: Implement, Evaluate, Maintain & Support

 The preparation of documents to describe the system for all users is an ongoing activity
 Documentation should begin with the final system proposal
 Manuals are prepared
Operating Systems

 Functions a traffic controller

 Brain of the computer
 Provides access to applications, such as office software and email.
Four Main OSs for personal Computer
1. Microsoft Windows OS
2. Mac OSX
3. Linux
4. Google Chrome OS

DOS

 Disk operating system

 Was text based and required the user to remember a set of commands, such as Delete, Run, Copy, and
Rename
 Screens were black and generally only displayed text and numbers
GUI

 Pronounced as “gooey”
 Graphical user interface
 Point and click
 Vannevar Bush
o Advanced Research Project Agency (ARPA),
 Douglas C. Engelbert
  Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), Xerox Company
 Xerox Alto
 Apple Computer - Macintosh
 Microsoft – Windows 1
CLOUD COMPUTING

 Refers to the ability to access software and file storage on remote computers using internet
 Many of the cloud computing office applications and file storage resources provide the ability to share files and
folders with others
Free Cloud Office Apps

 Microsoft Office
 Google Drive
 Apple iWork for iCloud
Sharing Files in the Cloud

 the ability to create and edit files using cloud computing apps is a great feature as is the ability to share and edit
files simultaneously with other users.
Common cloud computing sharing features include the ability to determine if:

 A file is publicly visible on the web where anyone can search and view.
 A file is visible to anyone who has the link without a sign in.
 A file is private and a sign in is necessary to access the file.
 Shared users can have the ability to view the file.
 Shared users have the ability to edit the file.
 Shared users can collaborate and edit files.
 Shared users have the ability to make comments on the file.

Advantages and Limitations of Using the Cloud

Advantages Limitations

 Backup of important documents.  No control over the cloud site

 Share and Edit  Lack of Internet access
 Target for cyber criminals.
 Concerns about safety of the information.
Software Program – Copyright Policies

 Open Source
 Shareware
 Freeware
 Public - Domain Software
 Commercial Software
Open Source

 Software
 Has copyright protection, but the software source code is available to anyone who wants it.
 Using peer review to find and eliminate bugs
 Grew in the technological community as a response to proprietary software owned by corporation.
Shareware

 Developers of shareware encourage users to give copies to friends and colleagues to try out.
 Anyone who uses the program after a trial period pay them a fee.
 Registration information is included
 Continuing to use without paying the fee is charge software piracy.
 There are terms of use statement when the program is installed.
 Has copyright protection.
Freeware

 Is an application the programmer has decided to make freely available to anyone who wishes to use it.
 Usually, it is closed source with some restricted usage rights.
 Maintain copyright.
 Some freeware programs available on the internet
 Freeware has a copyright protection.
Public - Domain Software

 software with no copyright restrictions.

 No ownership
 Example:
 GNU operating system used with Linux
 Source code used for the Veteran Administration electric health record (HER),
 Vista - The VistA source code is public domain under US copyright law and is licensed as open source under
WorldVistA.
Commercial Software

 Is proprietary.
 Has copyright protection
 You must purchase it.
 installation of proprietary software requires the user to register the software
 you can still purchase software from CD, it is more common to purchase it and download it from the website.
 You can also purchase a key card for the software that includes the installation number.
o Serial number
o Product key
o Other designation
 Keep the numbers for all commercial software in several safe places
Software Piracy

 Most problems are from countries outside the Western World.

 According to 2016 Business Software report – value of software theft in 2015 was $400 billion.
 39% Global piracy rate
 17% United States piracy rate
 1992 – Congress passed the Software Copyright Protection Bill, which raised Software Piracy from a
misdemeanor to felony.
Managing File Extensions

 3-4 letters after the period in a file name, differ between applications.
 Instruct computer which program to use to open the file.
 An automatic extension assigned to the file name when saving the file.
  Commercial office software, such as Microsoft Office and Apple iWork, include file extension translators that
allow you to open files created with other similar software.
Disk and Data Encryption

 Use to encrypt an entire hard drive or encrypt selected files,

 To access encrypted files, you must decrypt them.
 File Encryption – is a feature built into some Windows and Mac OS.
 The good and bad about file encryption is that it works.
 Thieves will not be able to steal private data.
 However, if you forget the password used to encrypt the file, you will not be able to view the file contents.