ICT 161
Computing Skills
Fundamentals I
Faculty of
Education
Lecture 2: Basic Concepts of IT
Overview
In this lecture you will learn:
Definition of a Computer
Basic Functions of a Computer
How different Components of a Computer Work together
to achieve a particular task
Storage and Peripheral Devices
Different Types Of Computers
Servers and Workstations
What is a Computer?
Computer: A machine that accepts input data and
instructions, and processes/manipulates the
data to produce useful results/Output.
Computer
Receives Data from
user
User
Processes the Data
Sends back results
e.g. Find average of students’ scores
input=scores, instructions=how to find the average, process
data according to instructions, output=average , display
output/store output
Hardware vs Software
Hardware : physical/tangible components of
computer you can touch
Software: set of instructions ( a program)
that tells hardware what to do
OS/applications that run
on a computer
Benefits of a Computer
Speed and Efficiency- Processing of data is
carried out at high speed, allowing billions of
tasks to be carried out in a second
Consistency- Executes a pre-recorded list of
instructions (a program) the same way
Once programmed to carry out specific tasks a
computer carries out instructions
consistently/reliably
Storage: Computers are able to quickly store
and retrieve huge amounts of data
Basic Parts of a Computer
Mouse and Keyboard are used for data entry
System Unit-Housing for electronic components of a
computer. This is where processing takes place and data
is stored
Monitor displays output to the user
Basic Functions of a Computer
The parts mentioned work together to perform
four basic functions of a computer:
Input
Processing
Output
Storage
Basic Functions of a Computer
Different devices are required to perform the 4 basic functions:
Input is received through input devices such as mouse, keyboard,
touch screen, etc.
Processing on the data received is carried out by the CPU and
working memory, which is within the system Unit
After data processing output devices are used to display the
results, example Monitor, Printer
This output can then be stored for later use on storage devices
such as hard disk, magnetic tape, memory stick etc.
NB: Some devices can be used for several purposes; e.g. a
printer, scanner and photocopier can be combined as one
physical device.
Central Processing Unit
Central Processing Unit(CPU)
basic instructions that operate the computer are carried
out here; responsible for managing everything the
computer does
It consists of :
Arithmetic and Logic Unit- This is where calculations are
done i.e. it executes all arithmetic and logical operations
Control Unit- The order in which instructions are carried
out is controlled here. Coordination of all hardware
operations
Working Memory- works with the CPU closely to
hold data and instructions for processing
Processing
Central Processing Unit
CPU
Arithmetic Control
/Logic Unit Unit Output
Input
Memory
Secondary Storage
Types of Memory: Main Memory
There are two types:
Read Only Memory (ROM)
Holds data that can be stored and used but
cannot be modified
Typically contains manufacturer’s instructions
Non volatile
Random Access Memory (RAM)
Temporarily stores/holds data that the CPU is
currently processing (Analogy - Workbench)
Volatile
Types of Memory :Secondary Memory
AKA Mass Storage or backing storage
Stores
data that the computer is NOT currently
Processing (Analogy – Cabinet)
Persistent
memory that keeps data even when
power is switched off
Relatively low speed
Relatively cheaper than main memory
Secondary Storage
Examples of Storage Devices:
Magnetic Tape –Common for Backup storage
Hard Disk
CD/DVD R
Flash Drive
Exercise: Storage
Primary vs Secondary Storage
In which Categories does each of these two
devices belong?
Exercise: Peripheral Devices
External
devices connected to the
computer(System Unit) to provide input and
output.
Can you think of any?
Peripheral Devices
Input Devices Output Devices
keyboard monitor
mouse projector
printer
digital pen
speakers
joystick
keypad
Both Input/Output
scanner
external hard drives
microphone digital camcorders
touch screen
Types of Computers
Today there are many types of computers, very
difficult to keep track of how many are out
there, but these can be categorized and be
classified under few categories:
The classification is generally according to:
Their Speed
Processing Capabilities
Price
Size
Types of Computers
The main categories of Computers are:
Microcomputers/Personal Computers
Desktop computer, Tower Computer, Laptop, netbooks,
Handheld: tablets, smartphones, palmtop computer, PDA
Minicomputers
More expensive, powerful and faster than a personal
computer
Mainly developed for complex operations such as maths
and engineering calculations
NB: categories can overlap
Types of Computers
The main categories of Computers are:
Mainframe
Large in size compared to micro and mini computers
Capable of supporting hundreds of users simultaneously
Mainly used by large organizations for critical applications such as registration,
records, reports
Examples: banks, airlines, insurance companies, and colleges
Supercomputers
The most expensive also the fastest
Typically many computers working together to perform complex and data
intensive calculation tasks such as forecasting weather, genetic analysis, and
astrophysics
NB: categories can overlap
Types of Computers
Examples
Minicomputers
Supercomputer Mainframe
Servers and Clients-Network
Server
A computer that provides other computers with services
An example is a computer in a local area network in the
University library which control access to resources in the
library like printers.
On the internet it could be a computer that responds to request
from a client e.g. sharing files
Client
Generally a computer that requests services from a server
Example is a computer in the lab that you use to access
notes in the form of files located on a server (running
Moodle)
Workstations
A workstation is a special computer designed for
technical/ scientific and professional applications
e.g. performing intensive scientific calculations,
creating complex graphics
Intended for individual use but can also be setup to
service multiple clients as a server
However more capable and faster than a personal
computer
Note
that a workstation can also refer to a
computer connected to a server
Thank You!!!
Questions???
Recommended Reading
https://www.unm.edu/~tbeach/terms/types.html#equipment
Recommended Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLgTnkw558w&t=18s
Optional Viewing (FYI)
Read about one of Africa’s most powerful super computers
(LENGAU)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NplqeHspJ7g
