Computer Fundamentals

and Concepts

Instructor: Rose Bella T. Lacanilao

 What is a Computer?

• The word computer comes from the word “compute” ,

which means, “ to calculate”

• Thereby, a computer is an electronic device that can

perform arithmetic operations at high speed

• A computer is also called a data processor because it can

store, process, and retrieve data whenever desired
A Computer …

Is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions

stored in its own memory that can accept data, process the data
according to specified rules, produce results and store the results for
future use (Shelly Cashman,2011)

Is a programmable machine that accepts data, performs

operations on that data presents the result, and stores data or
results as needed (Vermaat, 2010)
 Data Processing

The activity of processing data using a computer is called data processing

Data is raw material used as input and information is

processed data obtained as output of data processing
 History and Evolution of Computers

Blaise Pascal invented the first mechanical adding machine in 1642.

 Baron Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz
invented the first calculator for
multiplication in 1671.

Keyboard machines originated in

the United States around 1880.
Around 1880, Herman Hollerith came up with the concept of punched
cards that were extensively used as input media until late 1970s
Charles Babbage is considered to be the father of
modern digital computers

▪ He designed “Difference Engine” in 1822.

▪ He designed a fully automatic analytical
engine in 1842 for performing basic
arithmetic functions.
▪ His efforts established a number of principles
that are fundamental to the design of any
digital computer.
 Computer Generations

• “Generation” in computer talk is a step in technology. It

provides a framework for the growth of computer industry.

• Originally it was used to distinguish between various

hardware technologies, but now it has been extended to
include both hardware and software.

• Till today, there are five computer generations.

Electronic Devices Used in Computers of
Different Generations
 Capabilities and Limitations of a Computer

1. Automatic: Given a job, computer can work on it automatically

without human interventions
2. Speed: Computer can perform data processing jobs very fast ,
usually measured in microseconds (10-6), nanoseconds (10-9) ,
and picoseconds (10-12).
3. Accuracy: Accuracy of a computer is consistently high and the
degree of its accuracy depends upon its design. Computer errors
caused due to incorrect input data or unreliable programs are
often referred to as Garbage-In-Garbage-Out (GIGO).
4. Diligence: Computer is free from monotony, tiredness, and lack
of concentration. It can continuously work for hours without
creating any error and without grumbling.
 Capabilities and Limitations of a Computer

5. Versatility: Computer is capable of performing almost any task, if the

task can be reduced to a finite series of logical steps
6. Power of Remembering: Computer can store and recall any amount of
information because of its secondary storage capability. It forgets or
looses certain information only when it is asked to do so
7. No I.Q.: A computer does only what it is programmed to do. It cannot
take its own decision in this regard
8. No Feelings: Computers are devoid of emotions. Their judgement is
based on the instructions given to them in the form of programs that
are written by us (human beings).
 Why Computer Sometimes Fail?

• Computer Virus
➢A virus has the potential to cause unexpected or damaging effects,
such as harming the system software by corrupting or destroying
data. This should be prevented with the use of a virus
protection program or some sort of PC protection. This will limit the
chances of you getting a serious problem on your system.
• Physical Damage
➢Computers can also fail if there is a physical problem with the
computer, for instance if someone breaks it or bangs into it.
Computers are delicate machines and a knock can cause them to fail.
Be careful of them and try and prevent banging them or spilling
liquids on them.
 Why Computer Sometimes Fail?

• Voltage Spike
➢ This is a momentary change in the supply of electric power. Even a small power
glitch can damage a computer and corrupt data. If the screen goes blank during a
thunderstorm, it’s likely that a voltage spike is responsible.
• Environment
➢ A dusty environment will clog a computer and block cooling vents causing a
computer to overheat. Even home computers if not properly cleaned can succumb
to problems caused by too much dust.
• User Error
➢ Actions such as not powering down properly, skipping scan disks or continual button
pushing while a computer is processing can damage a computer's hardware,
particularly drives and processors. Always follow the correct guidance in using a
computer machine.
 Types of Computers

Personal Computer (PC)

• A single person defines the personal computer, or PC, as
any computer designed for general use by one person.
• While a Mac is a PC, most people relate the term with
computers that run the Windows operating system.
• PCs were first known as microcomputers because they
were a complete computer but built on a smaller scale
than the huge systems in use by most businesses.
• Personal computers come in many forms, including the
new Apple iPad.
 Desktop

• A PC that is not designed for portability is a

desktop computer.
• The expectation with desktop systems is that
you will set the computer up in a permanent
location, like a desk or table.
• Most desktops offer more power, storage and
versatility for less cost that their portable
brethren.
 Laptop

• Also called notebooks, laptops are portable

computers that mix the display, keyboard, a
pointing device or trackball, processor,
memory and hard drive all in a battery-
operated package slightly larger than an
average hardcover book.
 Tablet Computers

• Tablet Computers are ultra-portable computers that

are even smaller than traditional laptops.
• Their low cost means they're cheaper than almost any
brand-new laptop you'll find at retail outlets.
However, the internal components are less powerful
than those in regular laptops.
• Recent improvements to tablet computers have
allowed users to view HD video, get high quality
sound, great photo capabilities, and the ability to
share information, photos, and videos with anyone.
 Smartphones

• Smartphones are handheld-sized computers that

often use flash memory instead of a hard drive for
storage.
• These devices usually do not have keyboards but
rely on touchscreen technology for user input.
• Smartphones are typically smaller than a
paperback novel, very lightweight with a
reasonable battery life.
• Smartphones have the same capabilities as tablet
computers, but also allow users to text or make
phone calls.
 Workstation

• A workstation is simply a desktop computer

that has a more powerful processor, additional
memory and enhanced capabilities for
performing a special group of task, such as 3D
Graphics or game development.
• They may even use multiple screens to
enhance their viewing.
 Server

• A computer that has been optimized to provide

services to other computers over a network.
• Servers usually have powerful processors, lots of
memory and large hard drives.
• Servers allow many computers to share a printer
or other devices without the cost of having to
buy one for every computer.
• Servers also allow users to share information and
files with each other.
 Mainframe

• In the early days of computing, mainframes were

huge computers that could fill an entire room or even
a whole floor.
• As the size of computers has diminished while the
power has increased, the term mainframe has fallen
out of use in favor of enterprise server.
• You'll still hear the term used, particularly in large
companies to describe the huge machines processing
millions of transactions every day.
• Mainframes store vast amounts of information.
 Supercomputer

• This type of computer usually costs hundreds of

thousands or even millions of dollars.
• Although some supercomputers are single computer
systems, most are composed of multiple high
performance computers working in parallel as a single
system.
• Supercomputers are the fastest, most powerful, most
expensive computers made today.
• The best-known supercomputers are built by Cray
Supercomputers.
• Many of today’s great movies use supercomputers for
their CGI. They can perform over a trillion calculations
per second.
 Wearable Computers

• The latest trend in computing is wearable computers.

Essentially, common computer applications (e-mail,
database, multimedia, calendar/scheduler) are
integrated into watches, cell phones, visors and even
clothing.
• Users can use these devices for health and fitness,
navigation, social networking, and gaming.
• Google can now augment a person’s vision through special
computer glasses. The glasses can stream information to
the lenses and allow the wearer to send and receive
messages through voice commands. There is also a built-
in camera to record video and take pictures.
 Elements of a Computer System
The Five Basic Operations of a Computer System:

• Input - The process of entering data and instructions into the computer system
• Process - Performing arithmetic operations (add, subtract , multiply, divide,
etc.) or logical operations(comparisons like equal to, less than, greater than,
etc.) on data to convert them into useful information.
• Output - The process of producing useful information or results for the user such
as a printed report or visual display
• Storage - Saving data and instructions to make them readily available for initial
or additional processing whenever required
• Control - Directing the manner and sequence in which all of the above
operations are performed
Basic Organization of a Computer System
Information Processing Cycle

Accepts Perform
data Operations
(Input) (Process)

Produce
Store the
and display
results
the result
(Storage)
(Output)
Most computers today communicate with other
computers such as sending or retrieving data via the
internet, accessing information located in a share
company database, or exchanging email messages.
As a result, communication is becoming an
essential element of the information processing
cycle.
 Functions of a Computer

Input Unit - An input unit of a computer system

performs the following functions:

1. It accepts (or reads) instructions and data from outside world

2. It converts these instructions and data in computer acceptable form

3. It supplies the converted instructions and data to the computer system

for further processing
 Output Unit

An output unit of a computer system per forms the following functions:

1. It accepts the results produced by the computer , which are

in coded form and hence, cannot be easily understood by us.

2. It converts these coded results to human acceptable

(readable) form.

3. It supplies the converted results to outside world.

 Storage Unit

The storage unit of a computer system holds (or stores) the following:

1. Data and instructions required for processing (received from

input devices).

2. Intermediate results of processing

3. Final results of processing, before they are released to an

output device
 Two Types of Storage

• Primary storage • Secondary storage

➢Used to hold running program ➢ Used to hold stored program
instructions instructions
➢Used to hold data, intermediate ➢ Used to hold data and
results, and results of ongoing information of stored jobs
processing of job(s) ➢ Slower than primary storage
➢Fast in operation ➢ Large Capacity
➢Small Capacity ➢ Retains data even without
➢Expensive power
➢Volatile (looses data on power
dissipation)
 Processing Unit
• Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) - the place where the actual
executions of instructions take place during processing
operation.
• Control Unit (CU) - manages and coordinates the operations of
all other components of the computer system

• ALU + CU = Central Processing Unit (CPU)

• It is the brain of a computer system.
• It is responsible for controlling the operations of all other
units of a computer system
 The System Concept

A system has following three characteristics:

1. A system has more than one element

2. All elements of a system are logically related
3. All elements of a system are controlled in a manner to achieve the
system goal

A computer is a system as it comprises of integrated components ( input

unit , output unit , storage unit , and CPU) that work together to perform
the steps called for in the executing program
 Uses of Computer in Different Areas

Education
▪ Computers have its dominant use in the
education field which can significantly
enhance performance in learning.
▪ Even distance learning is made productive
and effective through internet and video-
based classes.
▪ Researchers have massive usage of these
computers in their work from the starting to
till the end of their scholarly work.
 Uses of Computer in Different Areas

Health and Medicine

▪ Most of the medical information can now be
digitized from the prescription to reports.
▪ Computation in the field of medicine allows
us to offer varied miraculous therapies to
the patients.
▪ ECG’s, radiotherapy wasn’t possible without
computers.
 Uses of Computer in Different Areas

Financial Institutions
▪ Computers are being used by the financial
institutions like banks for different
purposes.
▪ The foremost important thing is to store
information about different account
holders in a database to be available at any
time. Keeping the records of the cash flow,
giving the information regarding your
account
 Uses of Computer in Different Areas

Transportation System
▪ With internet on computers we can know
the details of the buses or trains or the
flight available to our desired destination.
▪ The timings and even the updates on the
delay can also be known through these
computers.
▪ We can book our tickets through online.
Staff of the transport system will keep a
track of the passengers, trains or flight
details, departure and arrival timings by
using computers.
 Uses of Computer in Different Areas

Business
▪ Every single information shared can be
recorded by using computer.
▪ Official deals and the issues were made even
through online.
▪ We use email system to exchange the
information.
▪ It has wide uses in marketing, stock exchanges
and bank.
▪ Even the departmental stores can’t run
effectively without computer.
 Uses of Computer in Different Areas

E-Commerce
▪ Electronic shopping through online shopping
added favor to purchaser and merchants.
▪ Electronic banking is now at your hand where
every bank has online support for transaction
of monetary issues.
▪ You can easily transfer your money anywhere
even from your home.
 Uses of Computer in Different Areas

Defense
▪ Computers are the main tools which help in
developing missiles and other equipment in the
defense system.
▪ Computer builds the links between the soldiers
and commanders through the satellite.
▪ Construction of weapons and controlling their
function is not possible without the aid of
computers.
▪ The list of the criminals and the records of the
cops are maintained regularly in the system.
 Uses of Computer in Different Areas

Designing
▪ Computers aid in designing buildings,
magazines, prints, newspapers, books and
many others.
▪ The construction layouts are designed
beautifully on system using different tools
and software’s.
 Uses of Computer in Different Areas

▪ Shipping Industry
▪ Computers have really changed the way ships used to operate
and increased their safety, reliability and efficiency making
marine life much easier.
▪ Modern day navigation equipment such as GPS and other
devices help a navigating officer to exactly follow the route
despite darkness, bad weather or poor visibility.
▪ Cargo operations which require precise balancing of the cargo
on board whether it is bulk cargo or liquid oil cargo is
necessary to ensure safety and stability of the ship even in
trying weather conditions.
▪ Training & Simulation is very necessary and these days
computers are used for these purposes.
 Uses of Computer in Different Areas

Pass Time
▪ Computers are now the major
entertainers and the primary pass time
machines.
▪ We can use computers for playing
games, watching movies, listening to
music, drawing pictures.
 Computer Hardware

External and Internal Devices

 Computer Hardware (External Devices)
Input devices - These are used to send data to the
computer.
• Mouse – A device used to control the
pointer and select objects displayed on
the screen.

• Keyboard – A device that allows

the user to enter instructions and
information into the computer.
• Microphone (mic) – converts sound into an electrical
signal. It is used for voice chatting and speech
recognition to input information into the computer.

• Web Camera (webcam) – Captures video image

in front of it. It is used together with
microphone and speaker for video chatting.

• Scanner – Converts texts or images on

paper into digital format.
Output devices – These are used to send data from
a computer to user or another device.

• Monitor – A display screen that enables the user to view

videos, texts, and images.

• Speaker – Receives audio signal from the

computer’s sound card and produces sound.

• Printer – Accepts text and graphic information

from a computer and transfers the output to
paper by ink or toner.
 System Unit

• It is the main part of the computer system and

houses essential components like power supply,
motherboard, expansion cards, central
processing unit, system memory, optical disc
drives, and hard disk drive.
• Peripheral devices can be connected to this
system unit to add functionality.
 Computer Ports

Peripheral devices are

connected to physical ports
and jacks, these are
connection points or
interfaces with other
peripheral devices.
• PS/2 Ports – introduced in 1987 to replace the serial mouse
and keyboard ports.

• USB Port (Universal Serial Bus) - Created in mid-1990s to

standardize communications between computers and
peripheral devices. These can also be used as source of
power supply for different devices like cellphones, laptop
coolers, etc.

• LPT1 Printer Port (Parallel Port) – It was designed

to be used with printers and could transfer only a
total of 300 kb/sec.

• Ethernet Port – Introduced in 1980 to standardize

connection to the local area networks (LAN).
• VGA Port (Video Graphics Array) – It has 15 pins
displayed on three rows and is used for connecting the
monitor.

• DVI Port (Digital Visual Interface) - It was

developed to be an industry standard for
transmitting digital video content to display devices
at resolutions as high as 2560 x 1600.

• HDMI Port (High Definition Multimedia Interface)

– It is capable of transmitting high-quality and
high-bandwidth streams of audio and video
between devices.
• Audio Port – A port where an audio device such
as speakers or headphones can be connected.

➢Line In - enable a user to connect to an

external audio device such as CD players,
audio mixers, musical instruments, and
microphones.

➢Line Out - It allows

external speakers, headphones, or other
output devices to be connected to the
computer.

➢Microphone Port – A port where a microphone

device can be connected.
 Computer Hardware (Internal Devices)

Motherboard
• Also called as mainboard, is the printed circuit
board found in computers.
• It holds many of the essential electronic
components of the system such us the cpu,
memory, video cards, network interface cards,
And hard drives.
• It also provides connector for other
peripherals.
• Central Processing Unit (CPU) - It is the brain of
the computer that performs the calculations.

• Random Access Memory (RAM) – Is where

all program execution and data
processing takes place.
• Hard Disk Drive (HDD) – Is the storage
medium in desktop, laptop, netbook,
server, and mainframes.

• Solid State Drive (SSD) – A storage

medium like HDD but has
an array of semiconductor memory
organized as a disk drive, using
integrated circuits (ICs) rather
than magnetic or optical
storage media.
Optical Drive

➢It is a drive used to access optical

discs that is written and read by laser
light.

➢The most common optical discs are

CDs (Compact Disc), DVDs (Digital
Versatile Disc) and Blu-ray Disc.
Adapter Cards

• Video Adapter Card – Provide enhanced graphic

capabilities for games and graphic programs.

• Network Interface Card (NIC) or LAN Card –

Enables the computer to connect to a network
via patch cable.

• Wireless NIC or LAN card – Enables a computer

to connect to a wireless network.
• Power Supply Unit (PSU) - Installed
inside the PC case that converts AC
voltages into DC voltages that are
required by electronic components of
the computer to function properly.
 References
Published References
• Cris F. Dinozo(2016), Computer Hardware Servicing 9, The Phoenix Publishing House Inc.
• Pradeep K. Sinha, Priti Sinha(2007), Computer Fundamentals 4th Ed., BPB Publications

Online References
• www.computerhope.com
• http://eeisdtruan.ss4.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_1230583/File/Intro%20to%20Computers/10%20
TYPES%20OF%20COMPUTERS.pdf
• http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/116177/computers/common_reasons_for_computer_failure_in_b
usiness_industry.html
• https://blog.hsb.com/2015/10/15/why-computers-fail/
• http://technology.blurtit.com/227150/why-does-the-computer-sometimes-fail
• https://us.norton.com/internetsecurity-malware-what-is-a-computer-virus.html
• https://www.informationq.com/uses-of-computers-in-different-fields-areas-sectors-industries-education/
• http://www.brighthubengineering.com/marine-engines-machinery/30614-use-of-computers-in-ships-part-two/
Any Questions?