TOPIC 1

Computer Literacy
Computer literacy entails having knowledge and understanding of
computers and their uses.

Importance of Computer Literacy

As computers become an increasingly important part of daily living,
many people believe that computer literacy is vital to success.

Benefits of Computer to businesses

A computer is a powerful tool because it operates with amazing
speed, reliability, consistency, and accuracy. Computers also can
store huge amounts of data and information.

Computer Network
A network is a collection of computers and devices connected
together via communications devices and transmission media .

Purpose of Computer Network

Networks allow computers to share resources, such as hardware,
software, data, and information.

Computer Machine
A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of
instructions stored in its own memory, that can accept data,
manipulate the data according to specified rules, produce results,
and store the results for future use.

Computer Hardware
The electric, electronic, and mechanical components of a computer,
or hardware, include input devices, output devices, a system unit,
storage devices, and communications devices. An input device
allows you to enter data or instructions into a computer. An output
device conveys information to one or more people. The system
unit is a box-like case that contains electronic components of a
computer that are used to process data. A storage device records
and/or retrieves items to and from storage media. A
communications device enables a computer to send and receive
data, instructions, and information to and from one or more
computers.

Categories of Computer
Industry experts typically classify computers into five categories:
personal computers, mobile computers and mobile devices,
midrange servers, mainframes, and supercomputers. A personal
computer is a computer that can perform all of its input, processing,
output, and storage activities by itself. A mobile computer is a
personal computer that you can carry from place to place, and a
mobile device is a computing device small enough to hold in your
hand. A midrange server is a large and powerful computer that
typically supports several hundred and sometimes up to a few
thousand networked computers at the same time. A mainframe is a
large, very expensive, very powerful computer that can handle
hundreds or thousands of connected users simultaneously and can
store tremendous amounts of data, instructions, and information. A
supercomputer is the fastest, most powerful, and most expensive
computer and is used for applications requiring complex,
sophisticated mathematical calculations.

Information System
An information system combines hardware, software, data, people,
and procedures to produce timely and useful information

Interaction of the elements of the Information System

People in an information technology department develop procedures
for processing data. Following these procedures, people use
hardware and software to enter the data into a computer. Software
processes the data and directs the computer hardware to store
changes on storage media and produce information in a desired
form.

Types of Computer User

Home User
SOHO user
Large business user
Power user
TOPIC 2

Internet
The Internet is a worldwide collection of networks that links millions
of businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, and
individuals.

History of Internet
The Internet has its roots in ARPANET , a network started in 1969 by
an agency of the U.S. Department of Defense to link scientific and
academic researchers across the United States. In 1986, the
National Science Foundation (NSF) connected its huge network,
called NSFnet, to ARPANET, creating a configuration of complex
networks and hosts that became known as the Internet. Today, the
Internet consists of many local, regional, national, and international
networks.

IP Address
An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a number that uniquely
identifies each computer or device connected to the Internet.

Importance of IP Address
The Internet relies on IP addresses to send data to computers at
specific locations.

Domain Name
A domain name is the text version of an IP address. As with an IP
address, the components of a domain name are separated by
periods.

Domain Name System (DNS) server

A DNS (domain name system) server translates a domain name into
its associated IP address so data can route to the correct computer.

Web Browser
A Web browser, or browser, is application software that allows
users to access and view Web pages.

Services in the Internet

E-mail (short for electronic mail) is the transmission of messages
and files via a computer network. FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is an
Internet standard that permits file uploading and downloading with
other computers on the Internet. A newsgroup is an online area in
which users have written about a particular subject. A message
board is a popular Web-based type of discussion group that is
easier to use than a newsgroup. A mailing list is a group of e-mail
names and addresses given a single name, so that everyone on the
list receives a message sent to the list. A chat room is a location on
an Internet server that permits users to chat, or conduct real-time
typed conversations. Instant messaging (IM) is a real-time
Internet communications service that notifies you when one or more
people are online.
TOPIC 3

Application Software
Application software consists of programs that perform specific
tasks for users.

Categories of Application Software

The four major categories of popular application software are
business software; graphics and multimedia software; software for
home, personal, and educational use; and software for
communications.

Business Software
Business software is application software that assists people in
becoming more effective and efficient while performing business
activities.

Four widely used Business Software

Business software includes the following programs. Word
processing software allows users to create a document by
entering text and inserting graphical images, edit the document by
making changes, and format the document by altering its
appearance. Spreadsheet software allows users to organize data
in rows and columns (called a worksheet), perform calculations,
recalculate when data changes, and chart the data. Database
software allows users to create a database, which is a collection
of data organized in a manner that allows access, retrieval, and use
of that data. Presentation graphics software allows users to
create a slide show that is displayed on a large monitor or on a
projection screen and print an outline with text from each slide.
TOPIC 4

Computer Processor
The processor interprets and carries out the basic instructions that
operate a computer.

Machine Processing Cycle

Processors contain a control unit that directs and coordinates most
of the operations in the computer and an arithmetic logic unit
(ALU) that performs arithmetic, comparison, and logical operations.
The machine cycle is a set of four basic operations — fetching,
decoding, executing, and storing — that the processor repeats for
every instruction. The control unit fetches program instructions and
data from memory and decodes the instructions into commands the
computer can execute. The ALU executes the commands, and the
results are stored in memory.

Volatile Memory
Volatile memory loses its contents when the computer’s power is
turned off.

Volatile and non-volatile types of memories

The system unit contains volatile and nonvolatile memory. Volatile
memory loses its contents when the computer’s power is turned off.
Nonvolatile memory does not lose its contents when the computer’s
power is turned off. RAM is the most common type of volatile
memory. ROM, flash memory, and CMOS are examples of nonvolatile
memory. RAM consists of memory chips that can be read from and
written to by the processor and other devices. ROM refers to
memory chips storing permanent data and instructions that usually
cannot be modified. Flash memory can be erased electronically
and rewritten. CMOS technology uses battery power to retain
information even when the power to the computer is turned off.
TOPIC 5

Computer Input
Input is any data or instructions entered into the memory of a
computer.

Input Device
An input device is any hardware component that allows users to
enter data or instructions.

Digital Camera
A digital camera allows users to take pictures and store the
photographed images digitally. When you take a picture, light
passes into the camera lens, which focuses the image on a charge-
coupled device (CCD). The CCD generates an analog signal that
represents the image. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) converts
the analog signal to a digital signal. A digital signal processor (DSP)
stores the digital image on the camera’s storage media. The image
is downloaded to a computer’s hard disk via cable or copied from
the camera’s storage media.
TOPIC 6

Computer Output
Output is data that has been processed into a useful form.

Four types of computer outputs

Four categories of output are text, graphics, audio, and video. An
output device is any hardware component that conveys information
to one or more people.

Printer
A printer is an output device that produces text and graphics on a
physical medium, such as paper or transparency film.

Impact and Non-impact printer

An impact printer forms characters and graphics on a piece of
paper by striking a mechanism against an inked ribbon that
physically contacts the paper. Two commonly used types of impact
printers are a dot-matrix printer and a line printer. A
nonimpact printer forms characters and graphics on a piece of
paper without actually striking the paper. Commonly used
nonimpact printers are ink-jet printers, photo printers, laser printers,
thermal printers, mobile printers, label and postage printers,
plotters, and large-format printers .
TOPIC 7

Role of storage
Storage holds data .

Storage Device
A storage device is the computer hardware that records and/or
retrieves items to and from storage media.

‘Reading’ and ‘Writing’ data

Writing is the process of transferring items from memory to a
storage medium, and reading is the process of transferring these
items from a storage medium into memory.

Storage device and storage media

A storage medium (media is the plural) is the physical material on
which a computer keeps data, instructions, and information. The
number of bytes (characters) a storage medium can hold is its
capacity . A storage device is the computer hardware that
records and/or retrieves items to and from storage media. Writing
is the process of transferring items from memory to a storage
medium, and reading is the process of transferring these items
from a storage medium into memory.

Characteristics of CD and DVDs

CDs and DVDs are a type of storage media that consist of a flat,
round, portable disc made of metal, plastic, and lacquer. CDs and
DVDs are optical media that store items by using microscopic pits
(indentations) and lands (flat areas). A high-powered laser light
creates the pits, and a lower-powered laser light reads items by
reflecting light through the bottom of the disc. CDs and DVDs
commonly store items in a single track that spirals from the center
to the edge of the disc.
TOPIC 8

System Software
System software consists of the programs that control or maintain
the operations of a computer and its devices.

Two types of System Software

Two types of system software are operating systems and utility
programs. An operating system (OS) contains instructions that
coordinate all the activities among computer hardware resources. A
utility program performs maintenance-type tasks, usually related
to managing a computer, its devices, or its programs.

User Interface
The user interface controls how data and instructions are entered
and how information is displayed.

Role of BIOS
he BIOS performs the power-on self test (POST) to check system
components and compares the results with data in a CMOS chip.

The role of utility software included in the Operating System

software.
Most operating systems include several utility programs. A file
manager performs functions related to file and disk management.
An image viewer displays and copies the contents of a graphics
file. An uninstaller removes a program and any associated entries
in the system files. A disk scanner detects and corrects problems
on a disk and searches for and removes unnecessary files. A disk
defragmenter reorganizes the files and unused space on a
computer’s hard disk. A diagnostic utility compiles and reports
technical information about a computer’s hardware and certain
system software programs. A backup utility is used to copy, or
back up, selected files or an entire hard disk. A screen saver
displays a moving image or blank screen if no keyboard or mouse
activity occurs for a specified time.
TOPIC 9

Computer communication
Computer communications describes a process in which two or
more computers or devices transfer data, instructions, and
information.

Successful computer communication system

Successful communications requires a sending device that initiates
a transmission instruction, a communications device that connects
the sending device to a communications channel , a
communications channel on which the data travels, a
communications device that connects the communications channel
to a receiving device, and a receiving device that accepts the
transmission.

Communication Device
A communications device is hardware capable of transmitting
data between a sending device and a receiving device.

Advantages of network
Advantages of using a network include facilitating communications,
sharing hardware, sharing data and information, sharing software,
and transferring funds.

The use of computer communications

Communications technologies include the Internet, Web, e-mail,
instant messaging, chat rooms, newsgroups, FTP, Web folders, video
conferencing, and fax machine or computer fax/modem. People also
use communications for other purposes. Internet telephony
enables users to talk over the Internet. Internet printing prints to a
Web address that is associated with a particular printer. Web
services describe standardized software that enables programmers
to create applications that communicate over the Internet or an
internal network. Many software products provide a means to
collaborate, or work online with other users. Groupware is
software that helps people share information over a network. A
public Internet access point lets people connect wirelessly to the
Internet. A cybercafé is a coffee house or restaurant that provides
computers with Internet access. A global positioning system
(GPS) analyzes signals sent by satellites to determine an earth-
based receiver’s geographic location. Voice mail allows someone to
leave a voice message for one or more people. Users can send and
receive wireless messages to and from smart phones, cellular
telephones, or PDAs using text messaging, picture messaging,
and instant messaging
TOPIC 10

Data
Data is a collection of unprocessed items, which can include text,
images, audio , and video. Computers process data into information.

Information
Information is processed data; that is, it is organized, meaningful,
and useful.

Attributes of a valuable information

For information to be valuable, it should be accurate, verifiable,
timely, organized, accessible, useful, and cost-effective.

Database
A database is a collection of data organized in a manner that
allows access, retrieval, and use of that data.

Significance of Database
Company uses a lot of data to generate information. Thus it is also a
valuable asset and it requires a good management.

Data Integrity
Data integrity identifies the quality of data.

Importance of Data Integrity important

Data integrity is important because computers and people use
information to make decisions and take actions. For a computer to
produce correct information, the data that is input into a database
must have integrity.

Character, Field, Record, and File

Data is classified in a hierarchy, with each level of data consisting of
one or more items from the lower level. A bit is the smallest unit of
data a computer can process. Eight bits grouped together in a unit
form a byte, and each byte represents a single character . A field is
a combination of one or more related characters and is the smallest
unit of data a user accesses. A record is a group of related fields. A
data file is a collection of related records stored on a disk such as a
hard disk, CD, or DVD.
TOPIC 11

Computer security risk

A computer security risk is any event or action that could cause a
loss of or damage to computer hardware, software, data,
information, or processing capability.

Types of computer security risk

Common computer security risks include computer viruses , worms,
and Trojan horses; unauthorized access and use; hardware theft;
software theft; information theft; and system failure.

Safeguarding against Computer Viruses, Worms, and Trojan

Horses
A computer virus is a potentially damaging program that affects, or
infects, a computer negatively by altering the way the computer
works. A worm is a program that copies itself repeatedly, using up
resources and possibly shutting down the computer or network. A
Trojan horse is a program that hides within or looks like a legitimate
program. Users can take precautions to guard against these
malicious-logic programs. Do not start a computer with a floppy disk
in drive A (unless the disk is an uninfected boot disk). Never open an
e-mail attachment unless it is from a trusted source. Disable macros
in documents that are not from a trusted source. Install an antivirus
program and a personal firewall. Stay informed about any new virus
alert or virus hoax.

Safeguards against Hardware Theft and Vandalism

Hardware theft is the act of stealing computer equipment.
Hardware vandalism is the act of defacing or destroying computer
equipment. The best preventive measures against hardware theft
and vandalism are common sense and a constant awareness of the
risk. Physical devices and practical security measures, passwords,
possessed objects, and biometrics can reduce the risk of theft or
render a computer useless if it is stolen.

Discuss the types of devices available to protect against

system failure. [8 marks]
A system failure is the prolonged malfunction of a computer. A
common cause of system failure is an electrical disturbance such as
noise, an overvoltage, or an undervoltage. A surge protector
uses special electrical components to smooth out minor noise,
provide a stable current flow, and keep an overvoltage from
reaching the computer. An uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
contains surge protection circuits and one or more batteries that can
provide power during an undervoltage.