INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS

Definition of a Computer
 A Computer is an electronic device that operates (works) under the control of programs stored
in its own memory unit.
 A computer is an electronic machine that processes raw data to give information as output.
 An electronic device that accepts data as input, and transforms it under the influence of a
set of special instructions called Programs, to produce the desired output (referred to as
Information).
A computer automatically accepts data & instructions as input from an Input device, stores them
temporarily in its memory, then processes that data according to the instructions given, and
finally transfers the processed data (Information) to an Output device.
Explanations
 A computer is described as an electronic device because; it is made up of
electronic components and uses electric energy (such as electricity) to operate.
 A computer has an internal memory, which stores data & instructions temporarily awaiting
processing, and even holds the intermediate result (information) before it is communicated
to the recipients through the Output devices.
 It works on the data using the instructions issued, means that, the computer cannot do
any useful job on its own. It can only work as per the set of instructions issued.
A computer will accept data in one form and produce it in another form. The data is normally
held within the computer as it is being processed.

Program
 A computer Program is a set of related instructions written in the language of the computer
& is used to make the computer perform a specific task (or, to direct the computer on what to
do).
 A set of related instructions which specify how the data is to be processed.
 A set of instructions used to guide a computer through a process.

Data
Data is a collection of raw facts, figures or instructions that do not have much meaning to the
user.
- Data may be in form of numbers, alphabets/letters or symbols, and can be processed to
produce information.

TYPES OF DATA
There are two types/forms of data:
a). Digital (discrete) data
Digital data is discrete in nature. It must be represented in form of numbers, alphabets or
symbols for it to be processed by a computer.
- Digital data is obtained by counting. E.g. 1, 2, 3 …
b). Analogue (continuous) data
Analogue data is continuous in nature. It must be represented in physical nature in order to
be processed by the computer.
- Analogue data is obtained by measurement. E.g. Pressure, Temperature, Humidity,
Lengths or currents, etc
- The output is in form of smooth graphs from which the data can be read.
Data Processing
 It is the process of collecting all items of data together & converting them into information.
 Processing refers to the way the data is manipulated (or handled) to turn it into information.
The processing may involve calculation, comparison or any other logic to produce the
required result. The processing of the data usually results in some meaningful information
being produced.

Information
Information is the data which has been refined, summarized & manipulated in the way you
want it, or into a more meaningful form for decision-making.
- The information must be accurate, timely, complete and relevant.
Comparison between Data and Information
Data Information
1. Unprocessed (raw) facts or figures. 1. It is the end-product of data processing
(processed data)
2. Not arranged. 2. Arranged into a meaningful format.
3. Does not have much meaning to the user. 3. More meaningful to the user.
4. Cannot be used for decision-making. 4. Can be used to make decisions.

Characteristics / Features of a Computer

th
Before 20 century, most information was processed manually or by use of simple
machines. Today, millions of people are using computers in offices and at home to
produce and store all types of information
The following are some of the attributes that make computers widely accepted & used in the
day-to-day activities in our society:
1. Speed
Computers operate at very high speeds, and can perform very many functions within a
very short time.
They can perform a much complicated task much faster than a human being.
The speed of a computer is measured in Fractions of seconds.
-3
Millisecond - a thousandth of a second (10 )
-6
Microsecond - a millionth of a second (10 )
-9
Nanosecond - a thousand millionth of a second (10 )
-12
Picosecond - a million millionth of a second (10 )

2. Accuracy
Unlike human beings, computers are very accurate, i.e., they never make mistakes.
A computer can work for very long periods without going wrong. However, when an error
occurs the computer has a number of in-built, self-checking features in their electronic
components that can detect & correct such errors.
Usually errors are committed by the users entering the data to the computer, thus the saying
Garbage in Garbage Out (GIGO).
This means that, if you enter incorrect data into the computer and have it processed, the
computer will give you misleading information.
3. Reliability
The computer can be relied upon to produce the correct answer if it is given the correct
instructions & supplied with the correct data.
 Therefore, if you want to add two numbers, but by mistake, give the computer a
“Multiply” instruction, the computer will not know that you intended to “ADD”; it will
multiply the numbers supplied.
Similarly, if you give it the ADD instruction, but make a mistake and enter an incorrect
data; let say, 14 & 83 instead of 14 & 38; then the computer will produce the “wrong”
answer 97 instead of 52. However, note that, 97 is ‘correct’ based on the data supplied.
Therefore, the output produced by a computer is only as reliable as the instructions used &
the data supplied.

4. Consistency
Computers are usually consistent. This means that, given the same data & the same
instructions, they will produce the same answer every time that particular process is repeated.

5. Storage
- A computer is capable of storing large amounts of data or instructions in a very small
space.
- A computer can store data & instructions for later use, and it can produce/ retrieve this
data when required so that the user can make use of it.
- Data stored in a computer can be protected from unauthorized individuals through the use
of passwords.
6. Diligence
Unlike human beings, a computer can work continuously without getting tired or bored.
Even if it has to do a million calculations, it will do the last one with the same speed and
accuracy as the first one.

7. Automation
A computer is an automatic device. This is because, once given the instructions, it is guided
by these instructions and can carry on its job automatically until it is complete.
It can also perform a variety of jobs as long as there is a well-defined procedure.
8. Versatile
A computer can be used in different places to perform a large number of different jobs
depending on the instructions fed to it.
9. Imposition of a formal approach to working methods
Because a computer can only work with a strict set of instructions, it identifies and imposes
rigid rules for dealing with the data it is given to process.

ADVANTAGES OF USING COMPUTERS

Computers have many advantages over other types of office and business equipment’s that
are used for data processing functions. Some of the advantages are:
1) Computers process data faster:
The processing speed of a computer when measured against other devices like typewriters &
calculators is far much higher.
2) Computers are more accurate & reliable:
Computers produce more accurate results as long as the correct instructions & data
are entered. They also have the ability to handle numbers with many decimal places.
3) Computers are more efficient:
A computer requires less effort to process data as compared to human beings or
other machines.
4) Computers can quickly and effectively store & retrieve large amounts of data.
5) They are very economical when saving information, for it can conserve a lot of space.
6) Computers occupy very little office space.
7) Computers help to reduce paper work significantly.
8) Computers are flexible:
A computer can perform a variety of jobs as long as there is a well-defined procedure.
9) Computers are cheap:
They can be used to perform a number of organizational functions/ activities, which
are meant for individual persons, hence reducing the number of employees & the costs.
10) Computers enhance security & confidentiality:
Data stored in a computer can be protected from unauthorized individuals.
11) Have made communication easier.
12) Computers produce better information:
Computer output is usually tidy and error-free (accurate).
13) Computers reduce the problems of data or information duplication:
14) Computers can operate in risky environments, e.g. volcanic sites, dangerous chemical plants,
where human life is threatened:

DISADVANTAGES OF USING COMPUTERS

1) Computers are very costly in terms of purchase & maintenance.
2) Computers can only be used areas where there is source of power.
3) Requires skilled manpower to operate, i.e., one has to have some knowledge so as to
operate a computer.
4) The records are usually kept in a form that is not visible or human-readable. This makes it
difficult to control the contents of the computer’s master file.
5) A computer, like any other machine can break down.
6) Information stored in computers can easily get lost due to power interruptions or
machine breakdown.
7) A computer doesn’t have its own intelligence, i.e., it cannot do any useful job on its own, but
can only work as per the set of instructions issued.
8) Installation of computers causes retraining or retrenchment of staff/ employees.
9) The computer technology is changing very fast such that the already bought computers could
be made obsolete/ out dated in the next few years.
In addition, this rapid change in the computer technology makes computers & related
facilities to become outdated very fast, hence posing a risk of capital loss.
10) The emergence of computers has increased the rate of unemployment since they are
now being used to perform the jobs, which were done by human beings.
11) Computers have led to increase in computer crimes especially in Banks. The computer
criminals steal large amounts of funds belonging to various companies by transferring
them out of their company accounts illegally. In addition, they destroy vital data used in
running the companies.

AREAS WHERE COMPUTERS ARE USED

The following are some of the areas where computers are used:
1. Supermarkets.
- Supermarkets and other retail stores use computers for stock control, i.e., to help them
manage their daily activities.
The stock control system keeps record of what is in store, what has been sold, and what is
out of stock. The Management is automatically alerted when a particular item or items are
running out of stock and need to be reordered.
- For calculating customer’s change.
- For production of receipts.
- It can be used as a barcode reader.

2. Industries
The use of computers has made Industries more productive & efficient. They are used:
 To monitor and control industrial processes. The industries use remote controlled devices
called Robots. A Robot is a machine that works like a human being, but performs tasks
that are unpleasant, dangerous, and tedious to be done by human beings.
 For management control, i.e. to keep track of orders, bills and transactions.
 By companies as a competitive tool. E.g., they are used to assist in defining new products
& services. They also help industries form new relationships with suppliers and therefore,
enable the producers maintain a competitive edge against their competitors.
 For advertisement purposes, which enable an industry to attract more customers.

3. Banks/Insurance industries
Computers are used by Banks & Insurance industries:
 To manage financial transactions. They use special cash dispensing machines called
Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) to enable them provide cash deposit &
withdrawal services.
 For processing of Cheques.
 For preparation of Payrolls.
 For better record keeping and processing of documents.
 To provide electronic money transfer facilities.

4. Process control
Computers are used in production environments such as factories to control chemical &
mechanical processes. The computers are usually loaded with specialized programs & each
computer is designed to do a specific job.
5. Hospitals
Computers are used in hospitals:
 To keep & retrieve patient’s medical records.
 For automatic diagnosis of diseases like Cancer, electro-cardiogram screening
& monitoring.
They are used to get a cross-sectional view of the patient’s body that enables physicians
to properly diagnose the affected part of the body with high levels of accuracy.
 In medical equipments, e.g. blood pressure monitors, blood analyzers, etc.
 To control life-supporting machines in the Intensive Care Units (ICU).
 To enable medical experts in different countries to share their expertise or labour,
thus reducing the transportation of patients & professionals.

6. Offices
 For receiving & sending of messages through e-mails, fax, etc.
 Production of documents.
 Keeping of records.

7. Government Institutions
Computers are used in government ministries & agencies:
 To store/keep records and improve the efficiency of work within the Civil service.
If computers were not used, the large number of files in government registries would
make information recovery extremely difficult.
 To produce bills & statements.
8. Education
Computers are widely used in the teaching & learning process. Learning and teaching using
computers is referred to as Computer Aided Learning (CAL) and Computer Aided Teaching
(CAT).
 Computers are used in learning institutions (schools & colleges) as teaching aids, i.e.
to help in teaching various subjects.
E.g., they are used to demonstrate experiments in subjects like Chemistry or Physics using a
special program that can illustrate them on the screen through a process called Simulation.
 To assist the Long distance learning in universities usually referred to as the
Open University Concept.
 To analyze academic data.
 Computers are used in Aviation for training of pilots. Flight simulators are used to monitor
the control movements made by the pilot while the computer is used to physically change the
environment so that the pilot feels as if he were controlling an actual aircraft.

9. Research
Computers can be used for research in various fields. They are used by:
 Scientists to analyse their experimental data, e.g., in weather forecasting.
 Engineers & Architects to design & test their work.
 Computers have greatly assisted in space exploration.
 They are used to study the movement of stars.
 They have made manned & unmanned space exploration possible – they are used to launch space
vehicles and monitor the flights & activities both onboard and around them.
10. Communication industry
The integration of computers & telecommunication facilities has made the transmission and
reception of messages very fast and efficient.
 They are used in telephone exchanges to switch incoming & outgoing calls.
 For sending & receiving electronic messages, e.g. fax and e-mails, if connected to
a computer network.

11. Transport industry

Computers are used in:
 Automobile traffic control, e.g., to monitor vehicle traffic in a busy town.
 Railway corporations to co-ordinate the movement of their goods & wagons.
 Shipping control. The computers are used for efficient management of fleets &
communication.
 Airports (Airline industry). The computers are used;
 To control the movement of aircrafts, take off & landing through the use of radar
equipment.
 Making reservations (booking purposes).
 Storing flight information.
12. Police (Law enforcement agencies)
 Computers are widely used in fighting crime. The Police use computers to keep databases
on fingerprints and also analysed them.
 The Police also use computers for face recognition, scene monitoring & analysis,
which help them to arrest traffic offenders and criminals.
The information held in computers such as fingerprints, photographs and other
identification details helps law enforcers to carry out criminal investigations speedily.

13. Defence
 Computers are used in electronic news gathering, efficient communication, detecting
and tracking of targets; in radar systems, warning systems & in guided missile systems.
 Computers are used in military defence equipments, e.g. Fighter jets, Rockets,
Bombers, etc.
14. Multimedia applications
 Computers are used to prepare business presentations for advertisement purposes.
The presentations are done using overhead projectors attached to computers running slide
shows & digital video clips taken using a Camcorder. An overlaid voice is used to describe
the product.
 Computers are used in music related equipment such as Synthesizers.
 In entertainment (i.e., games & movies), computers are used to add stereo sound &
digital video clips, which make games more realistic.
 In Education & Training, Multimedia discs are used as teaching aids for all types
of subjects.
15. Domestic and Entertainment systems
Computers are used at homes:
 For watching movies, playing music and computer games.
 For storing personal information.
 For calculating and keeping home budgets.
  For shopping purposes. They provide people with lists of shopping items as well as
their prices. They also provide electronic money transfer facilities.
 In household items, such as, Microwave ovens, Televisions, etc.

16. Library services

Computers can be used in a library:
- To enable the library personnel to easily access & keep updated records of books and
other library materials.
- To search for book titles instead of using the manual card catalogue.
17. Employment
The emergence of computers has provided employment opportunities to very many people.