COMPUTER 1 COMPUTER LITERACY

ALEXIS P. RAMIREZ, Page 1

Do computer matters?
Nowadays, computer is everywhere - in the company, hospitals, schools, institutions and any other establishments and
even at home. Everywhere there is a need to process data computer exists. This leads the idea that a computer is not an
option but it is a must!
The Help of Computer
Helped us to do work in an easy and fast way.
Compute Numerous Calculations
Keep pace in the modern life.
Why we study them?
There are many factors to be considered why we need to study computer.
However, let us focus these five (5):
Education
Productivity
Fun
Employment
Capability
What is computer literacy?
To be literate means to be knowledgeable or educated about something.
Computer literacy is being knowledgeable educated about the computer and how it works and what in our daily
lives.
It also means being able to operate and use computer, at least to perform basic tasks.
What is a system?
A system is a collection of interrelated components that work together towards a collective goal.
A system comprised of a computer, the software installed on it and the peripherals connected to it.
What is a Computer System?
A computer system consists of a number of interrelated components that work together with the aim of
converting data into information. In a computer system, processing is carried out electronically, usually with
little or no intervention from a human user. The components of a computer system include hardware and
software.
What is a Computer System?
The term computer system refers to the whole of computer hardware, components, peripherals and data
communication equipment. Peripherals with the emphasis on the computer interface, such as digital and
analogue input and output, but also simple sensors and actuators in process control, are usually considered to
be part of the computer system, too. Computer systems belong to the basic elements of an IT infrastructure that
facilitates IT applications.
WHAT IS A COMPUTER?
An electronic device designed to accept data (input), perform prescribed mathematical and logical operations at
high speed (processing), and supply the results of these operations (output).
Classes of Computers
1. Analog computers -an analog computer represents data by measurable quantities, such as voltages. It does not
count in two digits but rather continuously measures and compares changing values. recognize data as
continuous measurements of a physical property. (e.g. thermostat, speedometer)
2. Digital computers - A digital computer processes data as numbers and includes mainframe computers,
minicomputers, and microcomputers. It uses the binary arithmetic system as the basis for its operation. Binary
arithmetic uses only two digits: 0 and 1. It has also high speed, programmable, electronic devices that perform
mathematical calculations, compare values, and store the results

Three components of a computer:
1. Hardware - refers to the physical components of the computer system.
2. Software - is a computer program.
3. Peopleware/User - is the one who uses the computer.

What is a Data?
Data is defined as any collection of facts. Thus, sales reports, inventory figures, test scores, customers' names
and addresses, and weather reports are all examples of data.

What is Data Processing?
Data Processing is the manipulation of data into a more useful form. It is the modern name for paperwork and
involves the collecting, processing, and distributing of facts and figures to achieve a desired result. Data
processing includes not only numerical calculations but also operations such as the classification of data and the
transmission of data from one place to another.
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ALEXIS P. RAMIREZ, Page 2


Three categories of Data Processing
Manual Data Processing
2. Mechanical Data Processing
3. Electronic Data Processing

The Process
Manual data processing is conventional way processing data. All operations are done using manual procedures.
Mechanical and Electronic data processing are both modern data processing employing machines and other devices.
Mechanical data processing systems use a combination of manual procedures and mechanical equipments. The system
uses various devices such as typewriters, sorters, tabulators, and calculators. Most of these systems operate on punched
cards. In electronic data processing different types of input, output, and storage devices may be interconnected to an
electronic computer to process data.
A major difference between the Mechanical and Electronic categories is that the mechanical system usually
requires constant manual intervention between the different data processing operations are performed automatically
with a minimum of manual intervention.

What computers can do?
1. Data Processing
2. Control
3. Design and Development
4. Data Communication

What computers can't do?
1. Cannot identify the problem to be solved.
2. Cannot decide the output needed to solve a problem
3. Cannot identify and collect the data needed to produce the output.
4. Cannot design the software necessary to transform the data into a desired output and
5. Cannot interpret and use information to solve a problem.

Classification Hardware
Peripheral Devices is any external device attached to the central portion of the computer.
Examples of peripherals include keyboards, monitors printers, modems and mice.
Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the part of a computer that performs calculations and controls the other parts
of the computer. In a PC, it is usually made up of several parts located on the motherboard. These include a
master microprocessor chip and a portion of the motherboard system logic.
Mass Storage System is where you put the data you need immediately at hand but which would not fit into
memory. Designed to hold megabytes and retrieve them at the realm of magnetic disks, but other technologies
and formats now serve specialized purposes and await their chances to move into the mainstream. Personal
computers use varieties of mass storage. In most PCs, the primary mass storage medium are the disk drive and,
to a lesser extent, the floppy disk drive.

THE PERIPHERAL DEVICES
1. Input. Devices are used to put data into your program such as keyboard, mouse penlight, scanner and
joystick.
2. Output Devices are used to display and generate information such as monitor, printer, and speaker.
3. Input and Output Devices are used both for entering date into and extracting data from a computer such as
disk drive, CD-ROM drive, touch screen and modem

THE CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT
a. Arithmetic and Logic Unit - is the part of a CPU where all arithmetic and logical functions are performed.
- Arithmetic functions (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division)
- Logic functions (greater than, less than, equal)
b. Control Unit - interprets any instructions it receives from memory and directs the sequence of events
necessary.
c. Main Memory Unit - is the internal memory of a computer, which store computer program instructions and
date during execution. It also serves as temporary storage during program execution.
- Writing - the process of entering data to memory
- Reading - the process of retrieving data from the memory
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ALEXIS P. RAMIREZ, Page 3


Types of Memory
1. RAM (random-access memory) is also known as the main memory. You can both write data into and read
data from RAM. RAM is volatile, which means that it requires a steady flow electricity to maintain its contents.
When the power is turned off, whatever data was in RAM is lost.
2. ROM (read-only memory) is the types of memory, which never permits you only to read data. In other words,
ROM cannot be written to. Computers almost always contain some read-only memory that holds instructions for
starting up the computer.


Types of Modern Computers
1. Supercomputer - The largest and most powerful category of computers (i.e., Cray II). . The largest computer
with a WORD WIDTH of 64 to 128 bits. The most expensive and most powerful category of computers. It is
primarily used to assist in solving massive research and scientific problems.
2. Mainframe - A large digital computer, normally able to process and store more data than a minicomputer and
far more than a microcomputer. Second largest of the computer family, in capability and, generally, in size,
having a WORD-WIDTH of 32 bits and higher.
Mainframes are large, powerful computers that can carry out many different tasks for many different people at
the same time.
They are slower than a supercomputer but they are far less expensive. They may cost around 4 million pounds
to purchase.
Mainframes can execute billions of instructions per second and can process large amounts of data
simultaneously.
They are usually connected to a large number of peripherals e.g. printers, terminals, disk drives etc.
3. Minicomputer - A small or medium scale central computer. A computer that is larger than a microcomputer
and less powerful than a mainframe computer.
4. Personal - A small computer designed for use by one person. All of the main components of the computer
(CPU, memory, disk drives, keyboard, display screen, etc.) are usually located together. A relatively small single-
user computer

Classification of Software
1. System Software is the software that controls application processing and hardware resources such as
memory, disk space, and peripheral devices.
2. Application Software is a program that is created to assist users towards a specific task. Programs to perform
word processing, manipulate spreadsheets, manage database, and communicate with other computers are
some of the popular applications.
3. Programming Languages. A computer program is nothing more than a list of instructions. The computer goes
through the instruction list of the program step-by-step, executing each one in turn.

Types of System Software
1. Wordprocessor. Word, Wordstar, Wordperfect,Ami-Pro
2. Spreadsheet. Lotus 123, Excel, Quattro
3. Database Management System. Dbase, FoxPro, Fox BASE, Access, Paradox.
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4. Graphics. Harvard Graphics, AutoCAD, 3D Studio, Corel and Adobe
5. Desktop Publisher. PageMaker, Ventura, Publisher
6. Games. Chessmaster, DOOM, NBA Live, Fritz, deep Blue
7. Educational. MathCAD
8. Accounting Package. ACCPAC, DAC-Easy

Types of Programming Languages
1. Object-Oriented Programming Languages - Also known as Windows based Programming Languages such as Visual
Basic, FoxPro, C Languages, Java and etc.
2. Structured Languages. Also known as DOS based languages such as Turbo Pascal, Q Basic and etc.