Topic 1: Computer Basics

Week 1

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 Learning Objectives

Learning Outcome (LO) Assessment Criteria (AC)

Describe an Information Define an information system
System Outline the elements of an information system

Explain hardware and Differentiate between computer hardware and software

software as two key Distinguish between the various types and categories of
components of an computers
information system Differentiate between different hardware components
Describe types of software and their respective roles

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Evaluate the role of Using relevant examples, describe the role computers play in
society and business
computers in organisations
Citing examples, evaluate the potential risks posed as a
and society result of computer abuse and/or misuse
Propose relevant remedies to combat computer abuse /
misuse
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 What is an Information System?

• Three Definitions:
• A set of interrelated components that collect, process, store, and distribute
information to support decision making and control in an organization
• Combinations of hardware, software, and telecommunications networks
that people build and use to collect, create, and distribute useful data,
typically in organizational settings
• Interrelated components working together to collect, process, store, and
disseminate information to support decision making, coordination, control,
analysis, and visualization in an organization

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 Components of an Information System

Component Category
Hardware
We must understand
Software Technology how these
components work
Data together to add value
to an organisation
People

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Non-Technical
Processes

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 The 6th Component…

Component Category
Hardware
Software Technology
Data
People
Non-Technical

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Processes
Networking Hardware + Sofware

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The Computer as a Digital Device

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 1. Defining a computer

A computer is:
• A programmable digital or electronic device
• That uses instructions from its own memory
• That allows data to be captured into it
• To manipulate/process data according to specific rules/algorithm
• To produce and display/ present processing outcomes to the user (output)
• To store the results for future use (storage).

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 1:1. Programmable device

• Programming can be loosely defined as teaching someone or something how to

perform a task.
• Computers are taught how to perform tasks through a set of written instructions.
• Computer instructions are also known as programs or code or software.
• Instructions to a human being can be written (or communicated) in languages
such as: English, IsiXhosa, Afrikaans
• Instructions to a computer can be written in languages such as:
• C#

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• C++
• JAVA
• Python

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 1:2. Using instructions from memory

• A unique and important characteristic of computers is that they are able to

store instructions (code/programs) that are written for it, and execute those
instructions when they are required to.
• This means you do not have to write the same instructions every time when
you want a computer to perform a specific task.
• For example: A computer has written instructions that tells it how to load and display
the desktop. These instructions are stored in its memory and it executes them from its
memory every time it starts up. Users do need to write or manually load these
instructions every time.

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• Note: All Software are a set of instructions (programs). Software that is used
for performing tasks, such as managing banking information, is known as
Application Software or Applications or Apps.

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1:3. Accepting input

• Computer input includes both instructions and data.

• Data can simply be defined as raw facts.
• A computer is an electronic device that must enable a user to insert and
store data in it (specifically, in a storage device called a hard drive).
• A computer manipulates/processes data using already installed software
from its memory, and produces information.
• Information is defined as data that has been processed and structured in a
manner that can easily be understood by a user.

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• It is important that a computer presents the produced information to the
user, otherwise that information would not be useful. Therefore a
computer must be able to display/produce output.
 THE FOUR PRIMARY OPERATIONS OF A COMPUTER

1. INPUT 2. PROCESSING 3. OUTPUT 4. STORAGE

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Entering data Performing Presenting Saving data,
into a operations on results programs, or
computer data output for
future use
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 2. The Main Components of a computer

Hardware needs instructions from software in order to function.

The main components of a computer are therefore hardware and
software.

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 2:1. Hardware

• Hardware are the physical components of a computer.

• Hardware components can be divided into the four categories:
Input devices Processing devices Output devices Storage devices
Keyboard Central Processing Unit Monitor Hard Disc Drive (HDD)
(CPU)
Mouse Random Access Printer External Hard Drive
Memory (RAM) module

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Scanner Speaker USB Flash Drive
Web camera Compact Disc
Microphone

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 2:2. The motherboard

• The motherboard is the main circuit System Unit

inside the system unit. All devices
used with a computer need to be
Random Access Memory connected to the motherboard
(RAM) modules either directly or via a cable.
• Devices inside the system unit, such
Motherboard as RAM modules and CPU, are
plugged directly onto the
motherboard.
• Devices such as the keyboard,
mouse, monitor etc. connect to the
Motherboard by plugging into a

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port on the motherboard.
• Wireless devices such as a wireless
mouse connect via a receiver
plugged into the USB port.
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 2:3. Peripheral devices

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The devices that are outside the system unit, and are connected the motherboard through
ports of the system unit are also called Peripheral devices. As shown in the diagram above,
some peripheral devices are input devices, and some of them are output devices.
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Software
 3. Software

• All computers require software to operate and perform basic tasks.

• Software is a program that is stored in a computer and is used as
instructions for the computer to perform tasks.
• Software is typically installed on a computer and stored in the
computer’s hard disk drive.
• Software is divided into two main categories:
• System software
• Application software

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 3.1: System software

• System software is the software used to run the computer.

• It runs in the background at all times.
• It enables the hardware of a computer system to operate and to
run application software.
• It controls the computer system and allows you to use the
computer.
• System software consists of:

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• Operating system
• Utility programs

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 3.1.1: The Operating system

• It is a collection of programs that manage and coordinate the

activities taking place within a computer.
• It is the most critical software installed on a computer.
• It is the first program loaded on the RAM when the boot process is
initiated. The boot process occurs from the moment you start the
computer until it displays the desktop (or log in screen), wherein
the user can start using the computer and accessing application
programs.

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 3.1.2: Utility programs

• A utility program is a software that performs a specific task related to

managing and maintaining a computer system.
• Many utility programs are built into the operating system.
• Some functions performed by utility programs include
• Finding files and backing up files
• Diagnosing and repairing system problems
• Cleaning up the hard drive

• Some utility programs are not built into the operating system, but can be

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installed separately. Some examples include:
• Security programs such as antivirus software
• File Recovery programs

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 3.1.3 Functions of the operating system

• Provides a user interface – the means by which users interact with a compute
e.g. menus, icons, windows, cursor, dialogue boxes etc.
• Manages the computer’s resources – examples of a computer’s resources are
disk space, RAM and application programs. If a program stops working
properly, or too many programs are open for the RAM space available, the
Operating system tries to correct the problem.
• Performs file management – when the user saves a file, the operating system
updates the hard drive’s directory with the file name and disk location, so that
the file can been traceable and retrieved when needed.

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• Configures all devices connected to a computer – small programs called device
drivers are installed and are used by the operating system to communicate
with devices that are connected to the computer.

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 Old Generation Desktop OS: MS DOS

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 3.2: Application software

• These are all the programs that allow the user to perform specific tasks on a
computer.
• Here are some examples of specific tasks and programs that can be used to
perform those tasks:
• Writing a letter – Microsoft office word
• Preparing a budget – Microsoft excel
• Browsing the web – google chrome
• Playing music – vlc Media Player
• Designing things – computer aided design software (cad)

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• There is an endless list of application programs as users can download a
relevant program is they need to perform any task on their computer.

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 Computer Categories

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 3. Types of Computers

• Computers are generally classified by category based on size,

capability and price. The categories are:
• Embedded Computers
• Mobile Computers
• Personal Computers
• Midrange Servers
• Mainframe Computers
• Supercomputers

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 3:1. Embedded Computers

• An embedded computer is a tiny computer that is embedded into a

product designed to perform specific tasks or functions for that
product.
• These computers perform various functions, depending on the
requirements of the product in which they reside.
• Embedded computers in printers, for an example, monitor the amount
of paper in the tray, check the ink or toner level, signal if a paper jam
has occurred.

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• Embedded computers in our homes

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 3:2. Mobile Devices

• A mobile device is a very small communication device that has built-in

computing or Internet capability.
• They are typically used for making telephone calls, sending text
messages, viewing Web pages, taking digital photos etc.
• Mobile phones that have many of the Internet capabilities are referred
to as smartphones.
• Some gaming devices such as Sony PSP and Nintendo DSI also have

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Internet capabilities, and are therefore recognized as mobile
computing devices.

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 3:3. Personal Computers

• A personal computer is a small computer designed to be used by one

person at a time.
• Personal computers that are designed to fit on or next to a desk are
referred to as desktop computers.
• Personal computers that are designed to be easily carried around are
called portable computers.
• Laptop computer/notebook computer
• Netbook computer

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• Tablets

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 3:4. Midrange Servers

• A midrange server is a medium-sized computer used to host programs

and data for a small network.
• It is typically larger, more expensive and more powerful than a
desktop computer.
• It is typically located in a secured area and connected to company
computers through a network.
• They are typically used in small to medium-sized organizations such as
schools, clinics etc. (Special home servers do exist)

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 3:5. Mainframe Computers

• A mainframe computer is a powerful computer used in many large

organisations that need to manage large amounts of centralized data.
• They are larger, more expensive and more powerful than midrange servers.
• They are generally located in a climate-controlled room/data centre and
connect to the rest of the company computers through a computer network
(LAN).
• Using a banking example, during working hours a bank’s mainframe typically
runs the programs needed by a variety of users e.g bank employees, online

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banking customers, ATMs etc. At night they perform large processing tasks
(typically in batches) such as payroll and billing.

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 3:6. Supercomputers

• Supercomputers are the most powerful and most expensive computers available.
• They are used for tasks that require extraordinary speed and accuracy. For example:
• Weather forecasting
• Controlling missile guidance systems and satellites
• One of the differences between supercomputers and mainframes is
supercomputers typically run one program at a time as fast as possible.
Mainframes, on the other hand, run multiple applications simultaneously.
• Supercomputers can be built by connecting hundreds of servers into a
supercomputing cluster that acts as a single supercomputer.

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• South Africa’s Lengau is the 496th fastest supercomputer in the world, and the
fastest in Africa (Centre for High Performance Computing, 2019).

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Role of Computers in Society

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4. Benefits of a computer-oriented society

• The capability to virtually design, build and test things before actual
constructions e.g. buildings, bridges, cars, aeroplanes.
• In medical technology enables early diagnosis and effective treatment,
robotic surgery, even remote surgery
• The ability to shop, pay bills, research products and take online
courses 24/7.
• Documents and photographs can be emailed in seconds, instead of
mailing them physically via a courier.

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 4. Computers in Business

• Computers and Computer networks enable businesses and business models that could not
otherwise exist.
Other services that are enabled by
• Examples of such companies are:
computers are:
• Uber • Point of sale (POS) systems
• Takealot • Online job adverts and applications
• Mr d food
• Google Online shopping business enable customers to view goods online, purchase
them and have them delivered to their homes or address of choice.

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 Massive Business Success for Tech Companies

• Amazon’s revenue growth in 2020

reached $570 billion (est. R9.5
trillion). Forbes Mag.

• The company is now worth $1.49

trillion.

• South Africa’s national budget for

2020/21 is R1.95 trillion (National

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treasury)

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 Computers in the Medical field aka
Telemedicine

• Such technology is only made

possible by computers.
• Software interprets hand
movement/signage to human
language and speech.
• Other Examples: Robotic Surgery,

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Remote surgery

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 Computers In Sport
• Modern athletes are faster and
more powerful than ever before.
Biomechanics technology is used
to help athletes perfect their
performance.
• High speed cameras capture the
movement of the athlete.
Software is used to analyze every
detail and identify inefficiencies.
• Censors record the energy output
of the cyclist. Software processes
that data. As a result, strength and

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weaknesses can be identified.
Even special diets can be
designed for the energy needs of
the cyclist.

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 COMPUTERS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT
• Surveillance systems help law
enforcement catch criminals. They may
even prevent crimes sometimes.

• DNA analysis is responsible for the

solving of many mysterious crimes.
• DNA code of known persons is stored in

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a database. When a crime is
committed, DNA samples from the crime
scene are compared by software with
DNA that is stored in a database to help
identify suspects.
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Risks of a computer-oriented society

• Security concerns e.g. identity theft, hacking, harmful programs etc.

• A lot of business takes place online, or data from thereof ends up in a database. Potential for
misuse is enormous e.g. medical aid companies using personal healthcare records to profile
people, pharmaceuticals target marketing.
• depression and health concerns e.g. online bullying, Body shaming, etc.

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 Online scams (Social engineering)

Social engineering is computer crime approach wherein

the perpetrator misrepresents himself/herself. They trick
victims into divulging confidential details or into taking
actions that allow the perpetrator to gain in an illicit manner.

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Dating, Trading and Investment scams have
become common and are costing victims lots
of money

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 Discussion Question:

Will computers create

jobs or eliminate them?

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• An increasing amount of job losses is one of the greatest risk
presented by modern computer technology.
• Jobs such as those of bank tellers are already affected.
• This adds to already high rates of unemployment.
END

A very good watch if you have a moment…

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Steve Jobs Grad Speech:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Yhf0wBFtvY