SINO – ZAM VOCATIONAL COLLEGE OF
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
UNIT: 1.0 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS
By Malembeka, J.
1.1 DEFINITION OF TERMS
What is a computer?
An electronic devise that inputs, stores, processes and outputs data
and information. (French,2002)
It is a machine that performs tasks according to pre-written set of
instructions and programs it contains.
Data – a collection of raw material (unprocessed text, figures etc.)
Information – consists of meaningful and useful material
(processed content or data put into context)
PARTS OF A COMPUTER
A computer consists of three (3) main parts:
1. Hardware: the physical and tangible components of the computer that
can be seen and touched; i.e. peripheral devices
Peripheral devices: devices that are connected to the computer to
increase its performance. (enhancing the capabilities of a computer)
Peripherals can either be internal (i.e. the GPU, internal HDD or SSD)
or external (i.e. input - keyboard, mouse etc., output – monitor,
printer etc. or storage – external hard drive, flash drive etc.)
2. Humanware: this part comprises the computer users, as well as
software and hardware engineers i.e. programmers, manufactures etc.
SOFTWARE
3. Software: this refers to a set of programs that basically tell the
computer what to do. Instructions that control the hardware
components.
A Program is simply a set of instructions for the computer to carry out.
Software can be classified into:
Application software: consists of instructions that are packaged for
automating a manual task; used by computer users to carry out a specific
task in a specific way.
o Examples include Microsoft office packages, media players, web browsers etc.
System software: comprises all instructions which a computer uses for
activation or internal resource management. i.e. the OS
The computer cannot operate without system software (fundamental elements).
SYSTEM SOFTWARE
The Operating System (OS)
The actual software responsible for all internal management functions.
Hence, ensuring operations in the system are run efficiently. Examples of
OS include; windows 7, 8,10,11, Linux, Android, iOS, etc.
OS also activates the computer components and resources to make them
ready for work. (it is referred to as ‘the soul of the computer’)
Commands
This comprises all the user’s day-to-day instructions for performing tasks
such as saving files, renaming or copying files etc.
CONT.
Utilities
This consists of all software that safeguard the computer and its resources
from hazards.
They ensure proper functioning of the computer and create an efficient
working environment.
E.g. windows defender, firewalls, disk compressors, anti – malware etc.
Device Drivers
A collection of software packaged for the objective purpose of making both
input and output devices functional when connected to the computer.
E.g. web cam drivers, printer drivers, scanner drivers etc.
FIRMWARE
A form of microcode or program embedded into hardware devices to
help them operate effectively
Hardware like cameras, mobile phones, printers, routers, scanners, and
television remotes rely on firmware built into their memory to function
smoothly.
It is the software that provides low-level control for a device's specific
hardware. Hence, tailor made for a specific machine saved in ROM.
Firmware is neither software nor hardware, i.e. BIOS, CMOS etc.
COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER
A computer system refers to the organisation of units; put together to
make computerisation of an application possible. Below are the five (5) main
components of a computer (based on the Von Neumann model)
1. The Input Unit
2. The Output Unit
3. The Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The Control Unit (CU)
The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
Registers (PC, CIR, AC, MAR, MDR)
4. The Memory Unit
Cache, RAM & ROM
5. The Input /Output Unit (storage devices & connectors
THE VON NEUMANN STRUCTURE
The Input /Output Unit
THE INPUT UNIT
These are peripherals used to provide data and control signals to a
computer.
Devices that can only be used to enter data into the system
They allow users to insert data into the system for processing. Such devices
are called input devices
examples include: Mouse, Keyboard, Scanner, Microphone, Webcam etc.
THE OUTPUT UNIT
Comprises all devices used to communicate the results from data
processing performed by a computer
They can only be used for retrieving information from the system. These
devices are called output devices
Examples include: Monitor, Printer, Projector, Speaker, Headphones etc.
INPUT/OUTPUT UNIT
This unit serves the purpose of both i.e. the input unit and the output unit.
All devices that provide means for data storage of results, or allow the computer
user to both input and output information are called input/output devices.
Some devices under this unit can also store results permanently; meaning, data
and information can be written on them and later read from them respectively.
Examples include: Connectors i.e. (USB, VGA, HDMI, DVI etc.) and Storages
i.e. Hard disk drive, Flash drive, memory card etc.
THE CPU
The Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The CPU is the electronic circuit responsible for executing the instructions
of a computer program.
It is sometimes called the microprocessor or processor.
The CPU contains the ALU, the CU and a variety of registers:
i.e. the Program counter, the Accumulator, the CIR, MAR and MDR).
It is an integral component of the computer system hence, referred to as
‘the brain’ of the computer.
CONTROL UNIT (CU)
The control unit coordinates the operations of the computer’s ALU,
memory and input/output devices.
It provides the timing and control signals required by other computer
components.
It acts as the supervisor or manager in the system as it follows the program
execution cycle (PEC), also known as the FDES or processing cycle:
FETCH
1. Collecting data from input unit
STORE DECODE
4. Keeping record 2 . Translation
EXECUTE
3. Computerization
ARITHMETIC AND LOGIC UNIT (ALU)
Another sub unit of the CPU that handles all the calculations the
CPU may need.
A digital circuit that carries out Arithmetic operations such as
Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, Average etc.
Also Logical operations such as (AND, OR, NOT etc.) These work
in binary.
demo:
AND: 100110 AND 110011 = 100010
OR: 100110 OR 110011 = 110111
NOT: if input is 1 then, output = 0, and vice versa
XOR: 100110 XOR 110011 = 010101
REGISTERS
These are high speed storage areas in the CPU; where data awaiting
execution is temporarily kept.
high speed storage areas in the CPU; where data awaiting execution is
temporarily kept.
THE MEMORY UNIT
The Memory Unit can be categorized into 3 types:
Cache Memory: much faster than RAM, it is the first source of data results
and instructions that the computer requires to read.
Placed in between the processor
and RAM
Secondary Memory: consists of all electronic mechanisms that store data
and information usually as back-up for the computer
This may include; the cloud, external HDD, Flash drives, Compact disks etc.
PRIMARY MEMORY
The Primary memory consists of ROM and RAM
Random Access Memory (RAM)
RAM is sometimes referred to as main memory.
this memory is fast and directly accessible by the CPU
Is used to store program instructions and data which can be accessed
randomly
it uses buses to communicate with the CPU; data bus, address bus and
control bus
It is volatile (meaning; any data stored in RAM is lost when power is
removed)
Under RAM you can read, write and delete information or data.
TYPES OF RAM
SRAM (Static Random Access Memory)
Does not need to be continuously charged for it to retain
information.
DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory)
Needs to be continuously charged for it to retain information.
SRAM DRAM
Does not require refreshing Must be continuously refreshed
Takes up more space Consumes more power
Faster Can hold more data
Expensive Cheaper
Used for processor’s cache Used for computer’s main memory
CPU BUSES
Means by which data is transmitted from one unit of the system to
another, connecting all major internal components to the CPU and
memory unit
BUS FUNCTION
ADRESS BUS Carries the memory locations of data between the
processor and memory
DATA BUS Carries the actual instruction between the processor, the
memory unit and the input/output devices
CONTROL BUS Carries status signals or commands from the CPU and
other units
READ ONLY MEMORY (ROM)
It is mostly a few kilobytes in size
used to store core software instructions such as code needed to
load the operating system into RAM.
It is non-volatile in nature; meaning it always retains information
even when disconnected from power.
Data can only be read/accessed, but neither editable nor erasable,
unless special mechanisms are introduced
E.g. firmware, bootstrap etc.
TYPES OF ROM
PROM: Programmable Read Only Memory,
o data can be written or recorded only once. E.g. the mechanism
used when inserting content on a Blank CD
EPROM: Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory
o Data can be written, edited and deleted using ultraviolet
light.
EEPROM: Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory
o Data can be written, edited and deleted electronically. E.g.
flash memory
CLASSES OF COMPUTERS
The type of input a computer accepts; determines its capabilities and type
of computations it can perform.
Analog: these operate on signals (e.g. speed or temperature level etc.)
as input.
Examples include thermometer, speedometer etc.
Digital: computers that accept digits (e.g. age, alphabets, numbers etc.)
as input. They are mostly found/used in offices e.g. Desktops PC, Laptop
PC etc.
Hybrid: this category comprises computers that accept both signals and
digits as input. E.g. ICU Computers where the heartbeat – signals, and
instructions – digits.
mostly found in hospitals, mines, military facilities etc.
GENERATIONS OF COMPUTERS
The size, speed and capabilities of a computer are greatly influenced by
the existing technology of that particular time.
1st Generation computers (1942 - 1955)
they were very large in size and extremely slow in executing instruction.
The technology used were vacuum tubes.
they produced a lot of heat and required heavy air conditioning.
They were costly and they used machine language (binary)
They also consumed a lot of power when in operation
CONT.
2nd Generation computers (1955 - 1964)
The technology used were called transistors or Solid State Devices
made using a semiconductor device called silicon and used better devices such
as printers, card readers etc.
They were more reliable and smaller than 1st G computers
They used better language development ; Assembly language
They consumed very little power and produced less heat
3rd Generation computers (1964 - 1975)
These computers used integrated circuits (it was a micro electronic
technology allowing integration of many circuits on a single chip)
They had improved storage and output devices (the Visual Display Unit
(VDU), Magnetic Ink Character Reader (MICR), printers etc.)
Use of high level programming languages and an Operating System (OS)
They made multi – programming possible and were faster than the
previous generations
Basic high level language was used
CONT.
4th Generation computers (1975 onwards)
Involves the development of a microprocessor chip which contains the entire
CPU on a single silicon chip
The technology being used is called Very Large Scale Circuits (VLSC)
Also called microcomputer generation because they are small in size and
they use advanced input/output devices.
These computers are compact, faster and more reliable. Some are even portable
5th Generation computers
These computers are intelligent and more accurate
They are said to have thinking power (capability to make decisions)
The technologies being used are Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Knowledge
Information Processing System (KIPS)
The language used is called PROLOG (Programming in Logic)
These include high-tech Robots and advanced technological devices that are
expensive to purchase later on owning them.
CATEGORIES AND TYPES OF COMPUTERS
Based on the computer size in terms of (memory, number of terminals that can
be connected to the computer, storage, capacity of hard disk, type of processor
used etc.)
1.Microcomputers
The smallest category of computers in which a single microchip is used for
two basic units i.e. The ALU & CU.
They are single user computers.
This microchip is often referred to as Microprocessor
Types of Microcomputers
A) Desktop PC
Comprises the CPU, Keyboard, the VDU and Mouse separate
They are not portable because they need continuous charge of battery when in
operation
CONT.
B) Tablet PCs
The latest development which looks like a laptop, but with more
enhancements (i.e. vertical 180 degrees’ rotation, a special light pen for
input etc.)
Some even accept voice input through the microphone (speech to text)
C) Laptop PC
They process some capabilities and resources of desktops
However, they look like a briefcase with the upper panel comprising an
LCD screen and the lower panel the keyboard and mouse arrangements
(touchpad).
They are light in weight (portable) and they run on chargeable battery.
CONT.
D) Personal Digital Assistance (PDA)
Very small in size that they can fit in a palm (scientific calculator size)
They are also called Palmtop computers, and are often used for storing
addresses and telephone numbers etc.
They can also be connected to a higher range of computers for exchange of data
and information. e.g. Smartphones
2. Server Computers
These control access to the resources on a network, where computers; each
called a client or workstation is connected.
They make programs and data available for people/computers connected on a
particular network.
They are not meant to be used directly other than for data exchange purposes
CONT.
3. Minicomputers
Relatively larger and faster than computers from single
user environment as they support multi-user environment
Generally used for automating large applications which require fast processing
capabilities and demand for resource sharing among multiple users
They are built using high performance and processing capabilities,
with very large memory size
They support multiple terminals and provide facility to connect
multiple printers
They have the capability of performing computer network related
operations
CONT.
4. Mainframes
The second largest category of computers, with the internal architecture
and circuitry that remains different from minicomputers and the rest
Their circuitry promotes higher connectivity, faster throughputs and large
data processing capabilities.
They can address large memory size and support larger capacity disks
They are very large in size and can allow minicomputers and
microcomputers to be connected to them
They possess large number of application libraries that provide great help
to developers in developing useful applications
CONT.
5. Supercomputers
This is the largest category of computers
Uses multiple CPUs for processing data and executing instructions
Performing a task using supercomputers is done through a processing
methodology called ‘parallel processing’ where each CPU takes up
individual tasks to be completed in parallel
They can process large volumes of data at very fast speed.
(multimillion to trillion commands per seconds)
They execute applications which require tremendous processing
capabilities like weather focusing, nuclear weapon design etc.
REFERENCES
French, C.S. (2002) Computer Science, 5th ed. Book Power :
London
Englander, I (2003). The Architecture of Computer Hardware
and Systems Software : An Information Technology Approach
Wiley : London
Khanna, R. (2008) Basics of Computer Science, New Age
International Publishers : Delhi
