Session One

INTRODUCTION TO BASIC COMPUTER
Leaning objectives:
By the end of this session should be able to:-
 Define the Term ‘Computer’
 Classify Types of Computers
 Explain the History of the Personal Computers
 Explain the Uses of Computer
 Identify Computer Parts and Connect Parts
 Explain Keyboard Layout
 Perform Turn on and Shut Down of Computer
Meaning of Computer
Computer
 An electronic device that can follow instruction to accept
input, process that input and produce information.
 It can also simply be defined as an electronic machine
that takes data, stores it, processes that data and
produces information. (Data can be defined as
unprocessed facts and processing data gives
information).
The Two Principal Characteristics of a Computer
 Responds to a specific set of instructions in a well-
defined manner
 Can execute a pre-recorded list of instructions (a
program)
Classification of Types of Computers
 Computers can be classified by using Size and Power as
follows:
Workstation computers
 A powerful, single-user computer.
 A workstation is like a personal computer, but it has a
more powerful microprocessor and a higher-quality
monitor.
Minicomputer
 A multi-user computer capable of supporting from 10 to
hundreds of users simultaneously.
Mainframe computer
 A powerful multi-user computer capable of supporting
many hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously
Supercomputer
 An extremely fast computer that can perform hundreds
of millions of instructions per second.
Personal Computer
 Personal computer (PC) is a small, relatively
inexpensive computer designed for an individual user
Classified by size
Desktop Computers
and portability
Laptops or notebooks
Personal Digital Assistants
Portable Computers
Tablet Computers
Wearable Computers
Cell Phones
 All are based on the microprocessor technology that enables
manufacturers to put an entire Central Processing Unit (CPU) on
one chip.
 The principal characteristics of personal computers are that they
are single-user systems and are based on microprocessors.
 Although personal computers are designed as single-user systems,
it is common to link them together to form a network.
 In terms of power, there is great variety.
 At the high end, the distinction between personal computers and
workstations has faded.
 High-end models of the Macintosh and PC offer the same
computing power and graphics capability as low-end workstations
by Sun Microsystems, Hewlett-Packard, and DEC.
History of Personal Computers

 Personal computers first appeared in the late 1970s.
 One of the first and most popular personal computers was the Apple II
 During the late 1970s and early 1980s, new models and competing
operating systems seemed to appear constantly.
 In 1981 a new standard was established in the micro-computer
industry with the debut of the IBM PC.
 The IBM PC quickly became the personal computer of choice, and most
other personal computer manufacturers fell by the wayside.
 In order to survive, other companies adjusted to IBM's dominance by
building IBM clones, computers that were internally almost the same
as the IBM PC, but that cost less.
 Because IBM clones used the same microprocessors as IBM PCs, they
were capable of running the same software.
 Since then, hundreds of millions of PC-compatible systems have been sold as the
original PC has grown into an enormous family of computers.
 More software has been written for this computer family than for any other system on
the market.
 Apple computer did survive and to date it remains a major player in the personal
computer marketplace.
 Today, the world of personal computers is basically divided between Apple Macintoshes
and PCs.
There are two uses of computer, these are:
 General purpose computer
 Special purpose computer
General purpose computer
• General purpose computer is design to solve wide variety of problems. Examples
of general purpose computer are
 School computers
 Hospital computers
 Office computers
Special purpose computer

• Special purpose computer is designed for particular job only to solve
problem of restricted nature. Examples of special purpose computer
are

Petroleum pumps

Traffic lights

Programmable pocket calculator

Weapons guidance system
Computer Parts and Connection
 Computer parts include the following:
 Keyboard
 Mouse
 Monitor(Screen)
 Central Processing Unit (CPU)
 System unit
 Random Access Memory(RAM)
Connecting Computer Parts

• Connecting a computer includes the following steps:
 Connect monitor and system unit together.
 Connect keyboard.
 Connect mouse
 Connect computer to electrical power
Keyboard Layout
• The keyboard has the following keys:
 Enter or Return - Moves the cursor down one line and to the left margin. Enter
also process commands such as choosing an option in a dialog (message)
boxes and submitting a form.
 DEL or Delete - Deletes the character at cursor and/or characters to the right
of the cursor and all highlighted (or selected) text.
 BKSP or Backspace - Deletes the character to the left of cursor and all
highlighted text
 Space Bar - Moves the cursor one space at a time to the right
 Shift Key - Use the shift keys to type capital letters and to type the upper character
on keys with two characters on them
 Caps Lock - Locks the keyboard so it types capital letters (a light goes on when caps
lock is on)
 Tab - Moves the cursor five spaces to the right (number of spaces are usually
adjustable). Tab moves to the next field in a form or table (Shift-Tab for previous
field).
 ESC or Escape - Cancels a menu or dialog box
 Arrow Keys - Moves the cursor around document without changing text
 Function Keys or F keys - Access commands by themselves or in combination with
the three command keys; CTRL, SHIFT, and ALT
Command or Special Keys

 Command keys normally do nothing on their own but work in combination with other keys.
 Each piece of software uses the command keys differently though there is a move to
standardize some functions.
 The Control key or Ctrl is often used to access commands.
 The Alternative key or Alt is often used to access menus.
 The Shift key is used to type CAPITAL LETTERS.
 The command keys are all used to move through documents and edit text faster and easier.
 Many computers have special keys designed specifically for the particular computer.
 Apple computers have the Apple keys and Macs have Command keys.
 Many older computers also have special keys used for a variety of different functions.
 Some laptop keys are left out because of space limitations and they usually have a special
function key which allows other keys to double for the missing ones.
Turn On and Shut Down Computer

 Computer is like other electronic equipment like
Television or radio. It has on/off button. When switch
on computer you just press the button and it will start
automatic. The process is called booting.
 Turning off is different from other devices because you
have to follow procedures.
 The figure below (2 and 3) shows the procedure of
switching OFF the computer.

 By using computer mouse click start button as shown
in figure 2.

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Session One

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INTRODUCTION TO BASIC COMPUTER

History of Personal Computers

Special purpose computer

Connecting Computer Parts

Command or Special Keys

Turn On and Shut Down Computer

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