INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER.

Def;- A computer is an electronic device /set of devices that work under the control of store programs accepting data
outside itself and processing it to produce information.
QUALITIES OF A COMPUTER
Automatic- works with minimum human intervention once supplied with data and instructions.
Data Processor -process raw facts and figures to produce information.
Storage Device- stores information for future reference.
Electrical – requires some form of power to drive it
ADVANTAGES
1. Stores large chunks of information in limited space
2. Fast -it performs within short period compared to working manually.
3. Secrecy-information is fairly protected if the computer system is well managed.
4. Versatility-can do something more then once without getting tired /worn out.
DISADVANTAGES
1. Computers are expensive.
2. Cut down employment.
3. Need expertise which is expensive to hire and maintain.
4. Bring about sight interference.
5. Can lead to loss of important information if not well managed well.
6. COMPUTER SYSTEM (PARTS)
Comprises of;
1. Hardware
2. Software
3. Operator/user/org ware

1. HARDWARE
-Computer hardware comprises of all the physical components.
-The hard ware equipment act under the following categories;

1. Input devices
2. Central processing unit (C.P.U).
3. Output devises.

Peripherals-these are devises for input storage and output.

(i) INPUT DEVICES
Used for inputting data and instruction
They include
 Key board.
 Mouse.
 Scanner.
(ii) OUTPUT DEVICES
-Are used to relay what is internal to a computer to the outside world.

Examples include;
 Speaker.
 Printer.
 Monitor /Screen
(iii) CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (C.P.U)
-It’s the brain of computer where all the processing is done.
it’s divided into 3 major parts;
1. Control unit (C.U)-carries out instruction and tells the rest of the computer what to do.
2. Arithmetic and logic unit-carries out arithmetic and logic operations.
3. Main memory – hold current data and instructions-it’s divided into two parts.
a. The Read Only Memory (R.O.M) - components are permanent and hold some of the system files
necessary for booting process.

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 b. Random Access Memory (R.A.M) - it’s the computer working area and holds data and instruction that are
currently in use.

ILLUSTRATION OF CENTRAL Control unit

PROCESSING UNIT (CPU)
Arithmetic & Logic unit
ROM RAM
Main memory

QUALITIES OF R.A.M AND R.O.M

RAM ROM
Volatile – Loses contents when power goes off Non – Volatile contents are permanent
Expandable – upgrade can be done to increase No upgrades
The machine memory size

N/B: The larger the main memory, the faster the computer.
In computer system the main memory is referred to as the Primary Storage.
Secondary storage devices include;
 Compact disks.
 Hard disks.
 Flash disks.
Storage is in form of units called bytes.
8 bits – A character
1 character – 1 byte
1,000bytes – 1 kilobyte
1,000,000bytes – 1 megabyte
1 billion bytes – 1 gigabyte

KINDS OF COMPUTERS
There are two kinds of computers;
a) Analog computers – used to manipulate continuous and non-countable data e.g. in air control system.
b) Digital computers – used widely in Research, Business and Education Sectors.

TYPES OF DIGITAL COMPUTERS

1. Main frame computer
-This is a very large and powerful computer.
-It’s a general purpose computer with a range of input and output devices and most cases several c.p.u.
-It’s an expensive computer.

2. Mini-frame computers
-This is a scaled down version of main frame computer.
-It has a wide range of input and output devices.

3. Micro-computers
-This is a small, cheap, general purpose computer.
-They include personal computers (p.c), laptops and notebooks.

THE MOUSE: Left mouse button is used to; Issue commands, Move items, Select items,
[Link] mouse button is used to; Retrieve commands, Create shortcuts.
Mouse actions:
i. Single click – click once on the left mouse button.
ii. Double click – click twice in rapid succession the left mouse button while holding the mouse steadily.
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 iii. Right click – click once on the right mouse button.
iv. Drag and drop/Move – point hold down mouse button and drag to the desired location and release.
v. Hover – hold your mouse over an icon without clicking where you will get short explanations
STARTING A COMPUTER
-Turn the power button on the system unit then the power button on the monitor/visual display unit. (V.D.U)
BOOTING
-This is the process by which computers loads system files into the main memory.
-The process involves diagnostic test.
a) Cold booting – starting the computer by turning the power button on.
b) Warm booting – restarting the computer by pressing (ctrl+alt+delete) use restart options on the start button.

1 SOFTWARE (PROGRAMS)
-A program is a set of instructions in a language known to computer telling computer what to do.
-There are two types of Software’s;
1) System software
-These are programs concerned with effective performance of computer hardware.
-They make it easy for people to handle the computer.
-There are several types of system software;
a) Operating system (o.s)
-A program that controls and co-ordinates the computer operations.
-Some operating systems are machine specif.
-Examples of operating systems include;
 Windows 98.
 Windows 2000.
 Windows xp/VISTA.
 Windows NT.
 Windows millennium edition.
 Ms Dos (Microsoft Disk Operating System).

b) Language translators
-Programs that are used to translate unknown language to computers.

c) Utility service programs (Anti-Virus)

-Programs that are used to tackle computer viruses.
-A virus is a computer program that interferes with normal operation of a computer.

d) Communication software
-These are programs that are used to network computer hardware.

2) APPLICATION SOFTWARE.
-These are programs written to solve specific problems and can be divided into two major groups;

i. User Application Program

-These are custom programs written to meet user’s specific needs. This may be done by in house programmers under
contract.

ii. Application Packages-These are ready made purchased by the user. They cover common
business functions in many business applications.
-They include;
 Spread sheets (ms excel) – used for preparation of budgets, planning, calculations e.t.c.
 Word processor (ms word) – used for preparations of documents, CV, Letters, Notes.
 Database (ms access) – used for setting up database records-Age, Date of Birth.

FILE EXTENTIONS
-They identify the source program of a file.

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-The system adds these extensions automatically once the document has been saved.
-The file name and the file extensions are separated by a dot e.g.
 doc – word document
 mdb – access database
 xls – excel spread sheets
 ppt – power point
 sys – system files
 com – command files

KEYBOARD AND TYPING.

GOAL: LEARN TO TYPE & USE THE COMPUTER KEYBOARD
Introduction
The ability to type and use a computer keyboard and mouse are essential if you want to be able
to communicate well in the world today. As reading and writing skills improve, it’s a great idea
to include computer and typing training. And the great part about this curriculum is it includes
exercises that will at the same time help you improve your reading and writing!
Although learning to write by hand is essential, there are benefits to using a computer for some
of your lessons. With typing, there’s no need to worry about your handwriting and editing is
much easier. Plus, learning to use a computer will be a great boost to your confidence and self-esteem.
“But, wait,” you say, “I don’t know ANYTHING about computers!” No problem! This
curriculum includes resources, activities, example exercises, and lessons that will be fun ways
for you to become more confident in your computer and typing skills.
So, whether you’ve used a computer before or not, you’ll find an appropriate level within these
lessons to jump in and begin. A few of the resources begin by teaching what all the keyboard
keys actually do. Plus, you’ll learn to effectively manipulate computer windows and dialogue
boxes using the all-important mouse.
So … ready to get started? Let’s go . . .
Vocabulary
Keyboard Vocabulary
Although keyboards differ, they all follow the same basic layout which looks something like
this:
1. Shift Key. Press shift at the same time you are pressing any other key and you will get a new
character. For instance, press shift at the same time you press a letter and it will capitalize the
letter. Press shift at the same time you press a number and you will get a “%” or “$.”
2. Tab Key. Just like a typewriter, the tab key helps you indent your text.
3. Function Keys. Sometimes referred to as “F keys,” they are not as popular as they once were
(with older DOS programs). But there’s one F key you can pretty much always count on: the F1
. It will most often bring up a help menu, no matter what program you’re in.
4. Enter Key. On your keyboard, the Enter key might be marked as a “Return” key or with only a
large arrow. It’s used to go down to a new line when typing text. It also can be pressed any time
a button or choice is highlighted (within a software program or on the Internet) to tell the
computer you select that particular item.
5. CTRL Key. The Control key is used in conjunction with another key to initiate a certain action.
In most programs, holding down the CTRL key while pressing the S key will save a file,
CTRL+P will print a file, etc.
6. ALT Key. Also used in combination with other keys to do something. For instance, ALT+F
usually opens the File menu.
7. Caps Lock. Press it once and when you type the letters they will all be capitalized. Press it
again and the letters will go back to lower case.
GOAL: Learn to Type & Use the Computer Keyboard (& Mouse)
8. Num Lock and Numeric Keypad. The Num Lock key toggles the numeric keypad on and off.
When off, the keys perform other functions (i.e., directional arrows) instead of typing numbers.
9. Space Bar. Used to enter a blank space between sentences when typing text.
10. Backspace. This key will remove the character to the left of the cursor (the small blinking

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 vertical line that shows you where you are on a page of text).
11. Shift Key. The Shift key allows you to create a capital letter. Or ... you can hold down Shift key
and press one of the number keys (on the top row of keyboard) to get a punctuation symbol (!,
@, #, $, for instance).
12. Insert Key. No longer found on some keyboards. It’s a toggle key for either inserting text as
you type (the default), or overwriting existing text.
13. Tab Key. Within a text document, the Tab key will move the cursor to the next “tab stop.” In
forms, it is used to move from field to field or from one table cell to the next. Pressing Tab and
Shift simultaneously will usually “tab” you back to the previous field.
14. Delete. Pressing this key will remove the character to the right of the cursor when pressed.
15. Print Screen. The Print Screen button will send a copy of your monitor’s screen to the
“clipboard” ready to be pasted into another program.
BASIC COMPUTER PRACTICE
Let’s practice using some of the keys we’ve been talking about. First we’ll open WordPad (it’s
on almost every Windows-run computer). You can also use Microsoft Word for these exercises
or any other word processing software.
To open WordPad, click the Start button in the bottom left-hand corner of the computer screen.
On the Start menu click: Programs, Accessories, then WordPad.
Or…
If you’re using something other than WordPad, open that software. If you’re at the library or
literacy program computers, have someone help you open the word processing software.
1. Click the Maximize button (the symbol in upper right corner of the window, just to the left of
the X (close) button. It looks like one square (or window). This makes the window fill the
whole monitor screen.
2. Look for the blinking Cursor (a small blinking vertical line that shows that you can type in
that space). This is where you are on the blank page.
3. On your keyboard, press the ENTER key three times, and
notice how the cursor moves down the page.
4. Press the BACKSPACE key three times. This erases characters to the left of the cursor,
including the returns you put in with the Enter key.
5. Point your mouse cursor (which now looks like an “I” beam because it’s in a text area) to the
middle of the blank page, then Right-Click with your mouse. You will see a menu pop up
(REMEMBER: Right-clicks always bring up menus that have to do with whatever you’re
pointing to when you click).
6. We don’t need the menu after all, so press the ESC key on your keyboard to close the menu
(the ESC key is used by some programs to cancel an operation).
GOAL: Learn to Type & Use the Computer Keyboard (& Mouse)
1. Using the SHIFT key for capitals of the first letters of each,
type your first and last name, then press the ENTER key.
2. Type the words Keyboard Class and press ENTER again.
3. Press the Up-Arrow key one time. Now you’re back on the line that reads “Keyboard Class.”
4. Press the Right-Arrow key 8 times. Your cursor (the vertical blinking line) should now be
between the words “keyboard” and “class.”
5. Press the Home key. This moves the cursor to the beginning of the line.
6. Press the End key, and watch the cursor move to the end of the line.
7. Press Home again, then press the Right-Arrow key 8 times.
8. Press Delete 6 times. The delete key deletes characters to the right of the cursor, so this should
have deleted the word “class” and the blank space to the left of it.
9. Notice the toolbar towards the top of your computer screen– the row of little picture icons? On
that toolbar, you’ll find a picture of an arrow that’s curved and pointing backwards? That’s the
undo button. Using your mouse, point to the Undo button
and click it six times and watch it bring back the word “class,” one
letter at a time, and the blank space you deleted. REMEMBER:

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The Undo button is your friend! You can almost always count on it
to undo the very last thing you did in a document. (Personally, I think it should be called the
Oops! button.)
10. Now press Backspace 8 times. This will delete the word “keyboard.”
11. Press Delete 6 times. This will remove the word “class.”
GOAL: Learn to Type & Use the Computer Keyboard (& Mouse)
Next, you will create a tabulated list using the TAB key. (In this exercise you will discover that the
CTRL key can make other keys on the keyboard do more than one thing. Note: These commands
can also be accomplished using the mouse.)
1. Let’s make the first line of our list in bold letters. To turn on the “bold” function, hold
down the CTRL key, then tap and release the B key (CTRL+B).
2. Type Monday and press TAB. (The cursor should now line up under the 1” mark on the ruler.)
3. Type Tuesday and press TAB. (The cursor should line up under the 2” mark on the ruler.)
4. Type Wednesday and press TAB. (The cursor should line up under the 3” mark on the
ruler.)
5. Type Thursday and press TAB. (The cursor should line up under the 4” mark on the ruler.)
6. Type Friday and press ENTER.
7. Now press CTRL+B to deactivate the bold formatting.
8. Type Water plants and press TAB.
9. Type Clean kitchen and press TAB (this should line up under Tuesday).
10. Type Sweep porch and press TAB.
11. Type Go shopping, press TAB.
12. Type Wash car and press ENTER.
13. Then type Feed fish (TAB), Pay bills (TAB), Dust furniture (TAB), Groceries (TAB),
Hair cut – then press ENTER.
GOAL: Learn to Type & Use the Computer Keyboard (& Mouse)