NIF lAB
NIF lAB
NIF lAB
Overview
COMPUTER HARDWARE
HARD DRIVE A peripheral that has high speed and high density
DISKETTES A round magnetic disk encased in a flexible or rigid case
CD-ROM Rigid disk that holds a much higher density of information
than a diskette and has a much higher speed
CD-RW New type of CD that could be written on by the user
USB Small, removable hard drive that is inserted into the USB
DISK/FLASHDRIVE port of a computer
MAGNETIC TAPE Run a magnetic tape the same with any music tape player.
DRIVES Today it is obsolete for home computer use
ZIP AND JAZ DRIVES Similar to floppy disk but are of higher capacity
HISTORY OF COMPUTERS
CLASSES OF COMPUTERS
1. Analog Computer – operates on continuous physical or electrical magnitudes, measuring ongoing continuous analog quantities
such as voltage, current, temperature and pressure.
2. Digital Computer – operates and discrete discontinuous numerical digits using binary numbering system
3. Hybrid Computer – contains features of both the analog and digital computer. It is used for specific applications such as complex
signal processing and other engineering-oriented applications
TYPES OF COMPUTERS
Supercomputers: The largest type of computer, computational oriented specially designed for scientific applications requiring
gigantic amounts of calculations
Mainframes: The fastest, largest and most expensive type of computer used in corporate America for processing, storing and
retrieving data. It is a large multiuser central computer that meets the computing needs especially the large amount of repetitive
calculations of bills and payroll of large organizations
Microcomputers: It is used for an increasing number of independent applications as well as serving as a desktop link to the programs
of a mainframe. Commonly known as “Personal Computer”.
Handheld Computers: small and special functioned computers. It was introduced in the late 1990’s. It has the same functionality and
processing capabilities to the standard desktop microcomputer however, there are limited expansion possibilities in the office network
1. Keyboard – a most common input device. Similar to a keyboard of typewriter and is connected to the box with a cord. Different
type of keys found in a keyboard as follows:
A. Typewriter Keys
B. Function Keys
C. Numerical Keys
D. Cursor Keys.
E. Toggle Keys
F. Special Operation Keys
2. Monitor – a display screen component that allows the user to see images, programs, commands. Similar to television screen
however the resolution or clarity is related to the number of dots, pixels on the screen.
3. Mouse and trackball – hand controlled mechanical device that electronically instructs the cursor to move across the video display
screen.
4. Touchpad and Mouse Button – flat, rectangular depression on the keyboard that senses pressure and movement of the user’s
finger.
5. Light pen / Touch Screen – photosensitive device that responds to light images when placed against a monitor screen.
6. Magnetic Ink Character Recognition - use to exam the shape of the Magnetic Ink Character and convert them into binary code for
computer input.
7. Voice Synthesizer – allows users to input data through speaking which is connected to a microphone.
8. Optical Character Recognition – Allows data to be read directly from a form or document. An electronic optical scanning device
or a barcode reader that interpret marks, codes, numbers, letters or characters.
9. Imaging – primarily transforms images from various types of graphics into digital form which the computer can accept, represent
on the screen and process. Many types of graphics images on paper such as x-rays.
10. Digital Versatile Disk – looks and feels like CD-ROM but holds much more information and contains many more multimedia
features.
11. Printers – converts information produced by the computer system into printed form. Different kinds of printers are as follows:
Laser printers, Inkjet printers, Bubble Jet Printers
12. Modems – communication device used to connect a terminal with mainframe or another computer
COMPUTER SOFTWARE
The software is a kind of programs that enable a user to perform some specific tasks or used to operate a computer.
It directs all the peripheral devices on a computer system - what to do and how to perform work
Software is supplied as an organized instruction sets called program or more typically as a set of related programs called
package.
PURPOSE
HISTORY
- In 1800, Charles Babbage a mathematician invented a device that he named the analytical machine.
- Augusta Ada Byron, Countess Lovelace, the first programmer, theorized the use of automatic repetitions arithmetic steps that
analytical engine would follow to solve a problem this is known as Loop Concept
- The development of data processing machine was taken form field of textiles. Joseph Jacquard invented the Jacquard Loom
- In 1881, Herman Hollerith used Jacquard’s idea but developed a machine that could read punched card and tabulate results.
- Grace Murray Hooper, the world’s most expert programmer of early computers, she greatly advanced the power of computers
through her innovation in computer programming and program languages.
System Software
- Systems software controls the operations of the machine and how it works peripheral equipment and supports utility and
application programs.
- There are 2 basic types of system software:
o Basic Input Output System
o Operating System
- IMPORTANT FEATURES:
Utility Software
- Utility software supports efficiency, productivity, and security of the systems software and application programs.
- This software includes algorithms, file manager tool, compression tool, Disk Management tool, Disk clean up tool, Disk
Defragmenter and security programs such as antivirus
Application Software
- Various programs people used to do work, process data, play games, communicate with others or watch multimedia programs on
a computer.
- Application programs are written in a particular programming language
- IMPORTANT FEATURE:
o Perform more specialized tasks like word processing, spreadsheets, email, photo editing, etc.
o It needs more storage space as it is bigger in size
o Easy to design and more interactive for the user
o Generally written in a high-level language
- Word-processing software: It makes use of a computer for creating, modifying, viewing, storing, retrieving, and printing
documents.
- Spreadsheet software: Spreadsheet software is a numeric dataanalysis tool that allows you to create a computerized ledger
- Database software: A database software is a collection of related data that is stored and retrieved according to user demand.
- Graphics software: It allows computer systems for creating, editing, drawings, graphs, etc.
- Education software: Education software allows a computer to be used as a learning and teaching tool.
- Entertainment software: This type of app allows a computer to be used as an entertainment tool.
SYSTEM VS APPLICATION
SYSTEM APPLICATION
System software are designed to manage the resources of the Application software are designed to fulfill the requirements of
system, like memory and process management, security, etc. the user for performing specific tasks.
A general-purpose software Specific purpose software
Written in a low-level language like a machine or assembly A high-level language is used to write application software
language
Capable of running independently Can't run independently
Starts running when the system is powered on and runs until the Starts when the user begins, and it ends when the user stops it.
system is powered off
E independent of the application software Needs system software to run.
PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
The planning phase determines the problem scope and outlines the entire project
Project governance structure, definition of the project’s goals/purpose, feasibility study, environmental
assessment, scope of the proposed system and timeline
2nd Phase of SLC: Analysis
The fact-finding phase the analysis phase assesses the problem being studied through extensive data gathering
All data needs related to the requirements are defined in the project scope agreement developed in this phase
Key documents created in this phase: gap analysis; technical requirements for hardware, software, networks;
functional design document; system proposal document
3rd Phase of SLC: Design, Development & Customization Phase
Design details to develop the system and the detailed plans for implementing and evaluating the system
Policies and procedures are reviewed and updated
Thorough testing of the new system and detailed plans are executed
4th Phase of SLC: Implement, Evaluate, Maintain & Support
The preparation of documents to describe the system for all users is an ongoing activity
Documentation should begin with the final system proposal
Manuals are prepared
Operating Systems
DOS
Pronounced as “gooey”
Graphical user interface
Point and click
Vannevar Bush
o Advanced Research Project Agency (ARPA),
Douglas C. Engelbert
Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), Xerox Company
Xerox Alto
Apple Computer - Macintosh
Microsoft – Windows 1
CLOUD COMPUTING
Refers to the ability to access software and file storage on remote computers using internet
Many of the cloud computing office applications and file storage resources provide the ability to share files and
folders with others
Free Cloud Office Apps
Microsoft Office
Google Drive
Apple iWork for iCloud
Sharing Files in the Cloud
the ability to create and edit files using cloud computing apps is a great feature as is the ability to share and edit
files simultaneously with other users.
Common cloud computing sharing features include the ability to determine if:
A file is publicly visible on the web where anyone can search and view.
A file is visible to anyone who has the link without a sign in.
A file is private and a sign in is necessary to access the file.
Shared users can have the ability to view the file.
Shared users have the ability to edit the file.
Shared users can collaborate and edit files.
Shared users have the ability to make comments on the file.
Open Source
Shareware
Freeware
Public - Domain Software
Commercial Software
Open Source
Software
Has copyright protection, but the software source code is available to anyone who wants it.
Using peer review to find and eliminate bugs
Grew in the technological community as a response to proprietary software owned by corporation.
Shareware
Developers of shareware encourage users to give copies to friends and colleagues to try out.
Anyone who uses the program after a trial period pay them a fee.
Registration information is included
Continuing to use without paying the fee is charge software piracy.
There are terms of use statement when the program is installed.
Has copyright protection.
Freeware
Is an application the programmer has decided to make freely available to anyone who wishes to use it.
Usually, it is closed source with some restricted usage rights.
Maintain copyright.
Some freeware programs available on the internet
Freeware has a copyright protection.
Public - Domain Software
Is proprietary.
Has copyright protection
You must purchase it.
installation of proprietary software requires the user to register the software
you can still purchase software from CD, it is more common to purchase it and download it from the website.
You can also purchase a key card for the software that includes the installation number.
o Serial number
o Product key
o Other designation
Keep the numbers for all commercial software in several safe places
Software Piracy
3-4 letters after the period in a file name, differ between applications.
Instruct computer which program to use to open the file.
An automatic extension assigned to the file name when saving the file.
Commercial office software, such as Microsoft Office and Apple iWork, include file extension translators that
allow you to open files created with other similar software.
Disk and Data Encryption