BASIC CONCEPT OF COMPUTING

COMPUTER COMES FROM THE WORD

COMPUTE WHICH MEANS TO CALCULATE.
 WHAT IS A COMPUTER?
COMPUTER IS DEFINED AS ANY ELECTRONIC
DEVICE THAT IS ABLE TO ACCEPT, PROCESS
AND STORE DATA.
 COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER
DEFINITION:
ALL THE DIFFERENT PIECES OF ELECTRICAL HARDWARE THAT
JOIN TOGETHER TO MAKE UP THE COMPLETE COMPUTER
SYSTEM.
 HARDWARE
Computer hardware refers to the physical parts of a computer and related
devices. The internal hardware parts of a computer are often referred to as
components and the external hardware devices are usually called
peripheral devices.

EXAMPLES
 CATAGORIES OF HARDWARE
INPUT DEVICES
An input device allows the user to interact directly with a computer.
The devices give data and instructions to the computer.
Keyboards
Mouse
Touchscreens
Touchpads
Tablet/pen input devices
Game controllers
Cameras
Microphones
Video capture devices
Scanners
 OUTPUT DEVICES
AN OUTPUT DEVICE IS ANY DEVICE THAT TAKES DATA STORED ON A
COMPUTER AND MAKES IT AVAILABLE TO THE USER IN ANY EASY WAY
TO UNDERSTAND.
• MONITORS
• PRINTERS
• DATA PROJECTORS
• SPEAKERS.
 SOFTWARE
SOFTWARE IS DEFINE AS SETS INSTRUCTIONS THAT
TELL A COMPUTER WHAT TO DO. SOFTWARE
COMPRISES THE ENTIRE SET OF PROGRAMS,
PROCEDURES, AND ROUTINES ASSOCIATED WITH
THE OPERATION OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM

EXAMPLES
 1. SYSTEM SOFTWARE
In case of a system software, it helps the user as well as the hardware to function and even interact
with each other easily. Essentially, it is a software which is used to manage the behaviour of the
computer hardware in order to offer basic functionalities which are needed by the user. In simpler
word, it can be said that system software is essentially an intermediator or even a middle layer
between the user as well as the hardware.

TYPES OF SYSTEM SOFTWARE

OPERATING SYSTEM:
The operating system is a type of system software that sits between computer hardware and end user. It is
installed first on a computer to allow devices and applications to be identified and therefore functional.
System software is the first layer of software to be loaded into memory every time a computer is powered up.
Suppose a user wants to write and print a report to an attached printer. A word processing application is
required to accomplish this task. Data input is done using a keyboard or other input devices and then displayed
on the monitor. The prepared data is then sent to the printer.
Some of the key examples of operating systems are as follows:
EXAMPLES:
1. MS Windows 6. CentOS
2. MacOS 7. Ubuntu Unix
3. Linux
4. iOS
5. Android
 2. APPLICATION SOFTWARE:
THEY ARE ALSO POPULARLY KNOWN AS END-USER PROGRAMS OR EVEN PRODUCTIVITY
PROGRAMS WHICH ASSIST THE USER IN COMPLETING VARIOUS TASKS LIKE CONDUCTING
ONLINE RESEARCH, MAKING NOTES, DESIGNING GRAPHICS, MAINTAINING ACCOUNTS,
CARRYING OUT CALCULATIONS OR EVEN PLAYING COMPUTER GAMES. THEY
ESSENTIALLY LIE ABOVE THE SYSTEM SOFTWARE. THEY ARE ACTUALLY USED BY THE
END-USER AS WELL AS HAVE SPECIFIC FUNCTIONALITY OR TASKS WHICH THEY ARE
DESIGNED TO PERFORM. THESE SOFTWARE ARE OFTEN DEVELOPED THROUGH CUSTOM
SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT, BASED ON THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE USERS. THERE IS A
VARIETY OF APPLICATION SOFTWARE. SOME OF THEM ARE:
 WHAT IS A DESKTOP
A desktop is the first screen that appears before you when you
start your computer. It is where all programs are lunched and it
is where one return when one exits a program.

ICONS
An Icon is an interface graphic object that represent a program. There are three types of icons
and they are:
1. Program Icons e.g. My computer Icon on the desktop
2. Command Icon e.g. The print icon on Ms word on the quick access toolbar
3. Folder Icon e.g. My document icon sometimes found on the desktop
 FOLDER
A folder is a yellow icon found in the computer that is
used for keeping files, folders and other programs

FILE
A file is the collection of text or data, saved under a unique name.
Examples of files are Microsoft word, document, text document,
Ms excel etc..
 CUT &COPY
• CUT: This is the process of moving a piece of text, file or
folder from one location to another.

• COPY: This is the process of duplicating a piece of text, file

or folder.
 KEYBOARD
A keyboard is an electronic device that is used for inputting data.
The keyboard is divided into five parts namely:

1. Function Keys e.g. F1 to F12

2. Special function keys e.g. enter key, space bar, cap-lock etc.
3. Alphabetic or standard keys e.g. A to Z
4. Numeric pad e.g. 0 to 9
5. Cursor or arrow keys
 INTERNET

The Internet is the global system of interconnected

computer networks that uses the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP)
to communicate between networks and devices.
The Internet in essence is a network system of the
interconnected computer systems globally, that is available to
everyone. These interconnected computer systems work by
sending data by way of a particular form of packet switching
which is known as the IP or the internet protocol.
 USES OF THE INTERNET
In general, the Internet can be used to communicate across large or
small distances, share information from any place in the world and
access information or answers to almost any question in moments.

Some specific examples of how the Internet is used include:

• Social media and content sharing;
• E-mail and other forms of communication, such as Internet
Relay Chat (IRC), Internet telephony, instant messaging,
video conferencing
• education and self-improvement through access to online degree
programs, courses and workshops and
• searching for jobs -- both the employer and applicant use the
Internet to post open positions, apply for jobs and recruit
individuals found on social networking sites like LinkedIn.
 ONLINE DISCUSSION GROUPS AND FORUMS
1-Online dating
2-Online gaming
3-Research
4-Reading electronic newspapers and magazines
5-Online shopping, or e-commerce.
 BENEFITS OF THE INTERNET
1-Access to endless information, knowledge and education.
2-An increased ability to communicate, connect and share.
3-The ability to work from home, collaborate and access a global
workforce.
4-The chance to sell and make money as a business or individual.
5-Access to an unlimited supply of entertainment sources, such as
movies, music, videos and games.
6-The ability to amplify the impact of a message, allowing charities and
other organizations to reach a wider audience and increase the total
amount of donations.