Chapte

r One
INTRODUCTION

TO COMPUTER

Chapter One
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Lesson Objectives
At the end of the Lesson students should be
able to Answer the Following .
 Define ‘Computer’ and key terms of a
Relationship between data and information.
 State five Functionalities of Computers
 Describe five Characteristics of a Computer.
 Compare and Contrast the Advantages and
Disadvantages of using Computers.
 Explain the importance of various Hardware
Components and its importance in Computer
 Explain the Types of computers and its
classification
 What is a computer
 Theword “computer” is
comes from the word “TO
COMPUTE” which means to
calculate
 Computer is Programmable
electronic device that can store,
retrieve and process data.
 Computer is an electronic
device that operates under the
control of instructions stored in
its own memory, that can
accept date(input), process 06/29/2
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data, and produce

Mustafe Ismail Bullaale 3
 Data, Information and Knowledge

 Data is a collection of raw facts, figures and

symbols, such as numbers, words, images,
video and sound
 Computers manipulate data to create
information. Information is data that is
organized, meaningful, and useful.
 During the output Phase, the information that has
been created is put into some form, such as a
printed report.
 The information can also be put in computer
storage for future use.
 Knowledge is information that has been
retained with an understanding about the 4

significance of that information.

Muustafe Ismail Bullaale 06/29/2025
 Functions of a computer
 Anydigital computer carries out five
functions in a gross terms
 Takes data as an input
 Processdata and converts it into useful
information
 Storesdata/instructions in its own memory and
use them when required
 Generates output
 Controls all the above four steps
Input Process Output

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 Characteristics of a Computer

 Speed: Computer can process data at very fast speed, at

the rate of millions of instructions per second. The time taken
by computers for their operations is microseconds and
nanoseconds..
 Accuracy: - Computers perform calculations with 100%
accuracy. Errors may occur due to data inconsistency or inaccuracy.
 Diligence: - A computer is free from tiredness, lack of
concentration, fatigue, etc. It can work for hours without
creating any error.
 Versatility: - It means the capacity to perform completely
different type of work. You may use your computer to prepare
payroll slips. Next moment you may use it for inventory
management or to prepare electric bills.
 Storage Capacity Today’s computers can store large
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volumes of data. A piece of information once recorded 06/29/2025
(or
stored) in the computer, can never be forgotten and can be
 Advantages of using
Computer
 Speed: The ability to perform the
information processing cycle with
amazing speed.
 Reliability (low failure rate).
 Accuracy.
 Storage: Ability to store huge
amounts of data and information.
 Communications: Ability to
communicate with other computers.
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 Disadvantages of using Computers
 Unemployment - Different tasks are performed
automatically by using computers.
 Wastage of time and energy - Many people use
computers without positive purpose. They play games and
chat for a long period of time.
 Data Security - The data stored on a computer can be
accessed by unauthorized persons through networks. It
has created serious problems for the data security.
 Privacy violation - The computers are used to store
personal data of the people. The privacy of a person can
be violated if the personal and confidential records are not
protected properly.
 Health risks - The improper and prolonged use of
computer can result in injuries or disorders of hands,
wrists, elbows, eyes, necks and back.
 Impact on Environment -The computer manufacturing
processes, and computer waste are polluting
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 Computer Components
 Computers
consists of two main
Components
1. Hardware
2. Software

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 1.Computer Hardware
 Computer hardware is the collection of physical
elements that constitutes a computer system.
 Hardware is the physical parts of the computer that
you can see and touch such as Mouse and Keyboard

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Mustafe I. Bullaale
The Components of a Computer
Hardware
 Inputdevices – Allows you to enter data
and instructions into computer
 System unit : case that contains
electronic components that process data
 Output devices – Devices that convey
information to one or more people
 Storage devices. Writes and reads data
to/from storage media
 Communication Devices : Enables
computer to send and receive data,
instructions and information
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Computer Components
 Input Devices
 Inputdevices is hardware components
that allow users to enter data and
instructions into computer
 Inputdevices translate data from a form
that humans understand to one that
computers understand.

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 Input Devices
 Input device is any peripheral (piece of computer hardware
equipment to provide data and control signals to an information
processing system such as a computer or other information
appliance.
 Input device Translate data from form that humans understand to
one that the computer can work with. Most common are keyboard
and mouse.
Example of Input Devices:-
1. Keyboard 8. MIDI keyboard reader

2.Mouse(pointing 10. Graphics17. Digital camera

device) Tablets
11. Cameras
18. Joystick
3. Microphone
12. Pen Input
19. Gamepad
4. Touch screen
13.VideoCapture
20.Electronic
Hardware
5. Scanner Whiteboard

15. Trackballs
6. Webcam 21. Biometric
system
22. Finger Printer
7. Touchpads
16. Barcode
 Internal Devices (system
Unit)
 Internal is a term used to describe
a device that is installed in the
computer. For example, a video
card is an internal device
 An internal device processes data
or executes a program. The term
'internal' describes a device installed
inside the computer, unlike the
external peripheral devices. For
example, RAM is an internal device,
whereas a keyboard is an external
Internal computer hardware devices

 CPU
 RAM
 Drive (e.g., Blu-ray, CD-ROM, DVD, floppy
drive, hard drive, and SSD).
 Fan (heat sink)
 Modem
 Motherboard
 Network card
 Power supply
 Sound card
 Video card
 Central Processing Unit CPU

 CPU is the brain of the computer

 Its responsible for all functions and
processes of computer
 Regarding Computing power the CPU is
the most important element of a
computer system
 CPU is compromised of three main parts
 Arithmetic logic unit: Executes all arithmetic
and logical operations. Arithmetic calculations
like addition of numbers and logical operations
like comparing numbers
 Control unit: Controls and coordinates
computer components
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 Registers: Stores the data that is025to be
executed next – Very fast storage area
Cont.…
Machine Cycle
 RAM
 RAM- Random Access Memory -
Stores data on temporary basis.
 Data on RAM can be promptly
accessed by the processor when
needed
 Its volatile in nature. That means
it loses data if computer is
turned off.
 Therefore, each time you start
up your computer, the
operating system must be loaded
from secondary memory (such as
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 ROM

Thismemory is used as the

computer begins to boot
up.
ROM is not volatile. This
means it keeps its data
both when power in on and
off
ROM memory can not be
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 Primary Storage
 Also known as main memory
 Main memory is directly or
indirectly connected to the
central processing unit via a memory
bus.
 The CPU continuously reads
instructions stored there and
executes them as required.
 Example: 06/29/2 25

 RAM
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 Storage Devices
A storage
device is used
in the
computers to
store the data.
Provides one
of the core
functions of
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computer.
 Hard Disk

 The hard disk drive is the main,

and usually largest, data
storage device in a computer.
 It can store anywhere from 160
gigabytes to 2 terabytes.

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Internal Hard Disk External Hard Disk
What is an SSD?
 An SSD, or solid-state drive, is a type of storage device
used in computers. This non-volatile storage media stores
persistent data on solid-state flash memory.
 Solid-state drives (SSDs) are the most common storage
drives today.
 SSDs are smaller and faster than hard disk drives (HDDs).
 SSDs are noiseless and allow PCs to be thinner and more
lightweight.
 Hard disk drives (HDDs) are more common in older
devices.

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Examples of Storage
Devices
 HDD

 SSD
 USB Flash Memory
Optical Discs: (CD, DVD, and Blue
Ray)
 Cloud Storage
 Floppy disk
 Tape
 Magnetic Stripe Cards and Smart Cards
 Enterprise Storage
 Storage measurements

 Storage
measurements: The
basic unit used in computer data
storage is called a bit(Binary
Digit).
Data Measurement Size
Bit Single Binary Digit (1 or 0)
Byte 8 bits
Kilobyte (KB) 1,024 Bytes
Megabyte (MB) 1,024 Kilobytes
Gigabyte (GB) 1,024 Megabytes
Terabyte (TB) 1,024 Gigabytes
Petabyte (PB) 1,024 Terabytes
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Exabyte (EB) 1,024 Petabytes

 Output Devices

 An output device is computer hardware

which converts information into human-
readable form.
 It convey information for one or more
people
 Output can be:
Output
Text Devices
Graphic 1. Monitor
2. Printer
Audio 3. Projector
4. Speaker
Sound
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Video 6. Head Phone

 Communication Devices
 A communication device A communication device refers to
any hardware or software that facilitates the sending, receiving, or
transmitting of information.
 This includes various devices such as modems, computers, and
telephones, , other communications wired or wireless, which can
handle both analog and digital signals.
 Bluetooth devices
• Modem (over phone line)
 Mobile Phones.
 Landline Phones.
 Two-Way Radios.
• Wi-Fi devices (using a Wi-Fi router); examples shown below.
• Other examples of communication devices include
a NIC (network interface card), Wi-Fi devices, and access
points.
Speed Measurements
 The speed of central processing unit is
measured by Hertz(Hz). The speed of
CPU is known as Computer Speed.
CPU SPEED MEASURES
1Hz 1 Cycle per second
1MHz 1 million cycles per
second or 1000 Hz
1GHz 1 Billion cycles per
second or 1000MHz
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Types of Computers

Computers are classifying according

to:
▫ Purpose – Whether the computer is
general purpose or special purpose.
▫ Type of Data Handled – is using
analog, digital data or a combination of
both or Hybrid.
▫ Capacity – the volume of work that
the computer can handle is large or
small.
Types of Computers***
 Computers can be generally classified by size and power as follows,
though there is Considerable overlap:
 1. Personal computer: A small, single-user computer based on a
microprocessor. Common microcomputers include laptops and
desktops. In addition to the microprocessor, a personal computer has a
keyboard for entering data, a monitor for displaying information, and a
storage device for saving data.
 2. workstation : A powerful, single-user computer. A workstation is
like a personal computer, but it has a more powerful microprocessor
and a higher-quality monitor.
 3. Minicomputer
 A minicomputer, often referred to as a mini, is a
type of computer that is smaller, less expensive,
and less powerful than a mainframe or
supercomputer.
It is a mid size multi-processing system
capable of supporting up to 250 users
Minicomputer
simultaneously. :
 A multi-user
computer capable of
supporting from 10 to
hundreds of users
simultaneously.
 IT’s developed in the
mid-1960s,
minicomputers are
designed to support
mainframe (big iron) and Supper
Computer
 What is a mainframe computer?
 A mainframe, also known as big iron, is a high-
performance computer used for large-scale,
compute-intensive purposes and tasks that require
greater availability and security than smaller-scale
machines
 A supercomputer is a computer with a high level
of performance compared to a general-purpose
computer. Performance of a supercomputer is
measured in floating-point operations per second
(FLOPS) instead of million instructions per second
(MIPS). Supercomputers contain tens of
thousands of processors and can perform billions
and trillions of calculations or computations
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4. Mainframe Computer

 Mainframe is very large in size and is an expensive computer capable of

supporting hundreds or even thousands of users simultaneously. Mainframe
executes many programs concurrently and supports many simultaneous
execution of programs.

5. Super Computer
 Server Computer
 controls access to
A server
the hardware, software,
and other resources on a
network and provides a
centralized storage area
for programs, data, and
information
 All other computers connect
 Provides access to network
resources
 Multiple servers are called server Figure 12
farms A server controls
access to resources
 Often simply a powerful desktop
 Read More, Learn More and than Answer
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