 INTRODUCTION TO

COMPUTERS

 Prepared By O. Hibbert
What is a Computer?

 A computer is an automatic, electronic,

digital data processor that accepts,
stores, and manipulates data and
outputs the results.
 Characteristics of the Computer

It can perform its operations with it amazing

speed, reliability, accuracy, power and
communication capabilities.
Characteristics of the
Computer cont….
 SPEED:
 A computer can process billions of
instructions in a single second. E.g.
Computers used by utility companies to
produce monthly bills. Without fast and
powerful computers this would be
impossible.
Characteristics of the Computer
cont….
 RELIABILITY:
 Modern computers have a low failure rate,
and they produce consistent results.

 Computers can work continuously and never

go a strike.
Characteristics of the Computer
cont….
 ACCURACY:

 The computer produces error free

results if the data is entered correctly.
(GIGO)
Characteristics of the Computer
cont….
 STORAGE:

 A computer stores large amounts of

data in a very small place for later use.

 Spare copies or backup can also be

stored in case of accidents.
Characteristics of the Computer
cont….
 COMMUNICATION:

 Communication devices such as

modems allows two or more computers
to share stored data and information.
 Drawback of Computer use
 Computers can replace people.
(Unemployment)

 Computers hold personal information that

may me misused.

 Downtime- Problem arise when a computer

cannot be used. Curtain task has to be done
manually or postponed.
Drawback of Computer use
cont…
 Staff need to be trained. Training can
be expensive and if the current staff
leaves new staff will have to trained.
 Basic Operation of The
computer
 The computer’s basic operations are
– Input
– Processing
– Output
– Storage
Computers can usually:
* "input" data from a mouse or keyboard,
* "process" the data using a CPU and memory, and
* "output" the result onto a monitor or save it onto a disk.
Data Flow of Computer
System
 Data

 Raw facts and figures

 Meaningless until they are processed

 When processed, it provides

Information
E.g. of DATA 250299
 Information

 Data that has been processed

 Data made meaningful

 250299 could be a data value

 i.e. February 25, 1999
The Computer System
 HARDWARE
 SOFT WARE
 USERS

 All part of the computer system MUST

interact for it to function
 Hardware
 Parts of the computer that can be
touched (Tangible)

 Peripheral are hardware components

usually outside the system unit.

 Eg. Speaker, keyboard, mouse, scanner,

disk drives.
Types of Hardware

 Input devices – Used to capture data

 The Processing Unit – CPU and Memory
 Output devices – Provide Output
 Backing storage – Used to permanently
store data.
Software

 Programs that allows hardware and

users to perform.

 Two types- System software and

Application Software
Users

 Anyone who operates the computer

 Uses the computer to carry out tasks
 Can be computer professionals or end
users such as students or employees.
Home work

 Make notes on the following

– Microprocessors
– Microcomputers
– Personal computer
– Minicomputers
– Mainframe computer
– Supercomputer