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INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER
WHAT IS A COMPUTER?
A computer is an electronic device that accepts data, processes data, stores data if
necessary and brings out the result of its processing in an understandable format called
output. It can also be defined as a machine that performs tasks, such as calculations or
electronic communication, under the control of a set of instructions called a program.
Parts of a Computer:
• Hardware: These are the physical components of a computer system that can be
touched and handled. They are basically made up of electronic components and
examples include Mouse, Keyboard and hard Disk.
• Software: these are set of instructions and codes that make a computer function
properly. They cannot be handled or touched but are very important to the
operation of the computer system.
• Firmware: Codes that come with the computer hardware from the manufacturer
which are stored in the Read-Only Memory (ROM) and they stay the same even
in the absence of electricity. An example of firmware is the Basic Input and
Output System (BIOS), which coordinates the transfer of information between
elements of the system.
Application of Computers
• They are used to store information in electronic form
• They are used to manipulate data and perform calculations
• They are used for communication
• They are used for entertainment purposes such as music recording and film
production
• They are used in forecasting or predicting weather conditions and the stock
market
• They are used to automatically control machines in the manufacturing industry
Classification of Computers
Classification of computers can be done in two ways:
• Classification by size
• Classification by mode of operation
Classification by size
• Supercomputers: They are the biggest, fastest and most expensive computers
and they can process trillions of information per second. They are used by the
government for research.
• Mainframe Computers: They are also giant computers (next to supercomputers)
which can access billons of data per second. They are used in hospitals and big
companies because of their capability to retrieve huge amount of data.
• Minicomputers: These type of computers offer less capability than the
mainframe, they are preferred by small businesses, colleges etc.
• Personal Computers (PCs): These are the most common types and are less in
cost and capability. They are also called microcomputers.
• Notebooks: They are small in size and low in weight, they have similar capacity
with PCs. They are also called mobile computers.
Advantages of Computers
• They are very fast and accurate
• They have capacity to store large amount of information
• They make people’s work easier and more efficient
Computer Hardware
Input Hardware:
Hardware components that are used to enter data into a computer system which include:
• The Keyboard: a typewriter-like device that allows the user to type in text and
commands to the computer.
• The Mouse: is a pointing device designed to be gripped by one hand. It has a
detection device (usually a ball, a light-emitting diode [LED], or a low-powered
laser) on the bottom that enables the user to control the motion of an on-screen
pointer, or cursor, by moving the mouse on a flat surface. As the device moves
across the surface, the cursor moves across the screen.
• Optical scanner: converts images such as a picture or text into electronic format.
• Other input devices include joystick, microphone and light pen.
Output Hardware:
• Monitor: also called visual display unit (VDU), it is the television like device
used to display the output of computer processes. There are two types Cathode ray
tube (CRT) and liquid crystal display (LED).
• Printer: produces hard copies of documents on the computer systems
• Speaker: used to produce sound outputs.
Storage Hardware:
• Random Access Memory (RAM): a fast temporary storage device which serves
as the workbench of the computer system.
• Hard Disk Drive (HDD): high capacity storage device used to store data
permanently.
CPU
ALU CU
Input Output
Unit REGISTERS Unit
Primary
Memory
Secondary
Memory
Input Unit: consists of devices through which data or instructions are entered into the
computer e.g. keyboard, mouse, and light pen.
Output Unit: consists of devices through which the result or output of computer
processes are displayed e.g. monitor, printer and speakers.
Central Processing Unit: this unit is made up of three components namely:
• Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): performs arithmetic and logical operation in a
computer system.
• Control Unit: also known as the computer administrator or traffic controller. It
controls the flow of data in a computer system. It also coordinates the activity of a
computer system.
• Registers: very fast memory element attached to the CPU.
Primary Memory: Fast memory element that stores data temporarily. It is a volatile
memory which is limited in capacity and is used for temporary storage.e.g RAM.
Computer Software
They are group of related programmes that accomplish specific tasks. There are two
types; System software and Application Software.
System Software: contains several system programmes which contribute to the general
control and performance of the computer system. Examples include the Operating
System, translators and utility software like antiviruses which help optimize the
capability of computers.
Application Software: contains several programmes which solve user’s defined
problems. They are user oriented in function and interact more with end users than with
the computer components. There are five main categories:
• Word processors: used for preparing word documents e.g. MS Word.
• Spreadsheet: used for calculation and database management e.g. Ms Excel.
• Database: used for manipulating and storing data e.g. Ms Access.
• Graphics: used for designing and drawing pictures e.g. Adobe Photoshop.
• Presentation: Used for making electronic presentations e.g. Ms Power Point.
The Windows Operating System uses Graphical User interface (GUI) to simplify the
operation of the computer system. GUI employs the use of mouse clicks in performing
actions as against the use of commands in Command Line Interface (CLI).
Classes of Operating System
• Single-user OS: allows one single user per time.
• Multi-user OS: allows more than one user to perform different tasks.
• Network User OS: enables user on a network.
Functions of the Operating System
• Coordinates and manipulates the operation of the computer hardware
• Enables users to interact with computer system
• Enables the security of the computer System
• organizes files on a variety of storage media, such as floppy disk, hard drive,
compact disc
• Loads users program into computer memory
The Keyboard
The keyboard is an input device that has about 109 functions which are grouped into 5:
1. Functional keys F1 - F12
2. Alphabetic functions A – Z
3. Numeric Keys 0-9
4. Arrow keys up, down, left and right
5. Lock keys Caps lock, Nums lock
NB: the shift key is used to move between primary and secondary keys.
Properties of a Window
Desktop: combination of wallpapers or the background and icons.
Taskbar: runs from the leftmost corner of the monitor to the rightmost side
Taskbar
Time scheduler: found at the extreme right end of the computer. It is used to make
changes to the system time, date, month and year.
Taskbar icon: displays the name of currently opened program
Start button: This is the key to other application packages. It has options like All
programs, search, run and turn off.
MICROSOFT WORD
Microsoft Word (MS Word) is a word processor application package used to enter, edit,
format and print out text. Other word processors include: Lotus note, Note pad, perfect
writer, word start and word perfect. MS Word is preferred for its efficiency.
Features of MS Word
Title bar: displays the title of the document you are currently working on.
Menu bar: used in making selections such as saving a file, inserting pictures etc. It
contains options such as file, edit, view etc.
Standard tool bar: contains short cut icons for items on the menu bar.
Formatting bar: used to add effect to texts (BIU).
Scroll bar: used to move up and right, left and right.
Ruler bar: used for measurement.
Drawing bar: graphical bar used to make designs. It is used to draw shapes and to add
effect to shapes.
Selection in MS Word
• To select a word – double click on the word
• To select a line - triple click
• To select all on the document - click and drag or press control A
Modification of Font
This involves changing the outlook of a text using format bar and font dialog box.
Column
Used to divide pages into various segments
Tables
Creating Tables
1. Click on Table on the menu bar
2. Click on Insert
3. Click on Table (a dialog box appears)
4. Set the no of Rows/Columns
5. Click on OK
Inserting Row and Column
1. Place Cursor on desired row or cell
2. Click on Table
3. Click on Insert
4. Click on row above or below/column to the left or right
Language Tools
Auto text: used to add text that cannot be found in the system
Steps
1. Click Tools
2. Click Autocorrect (Dialog box appears)
3. Click on auto text
4. Type in desired text
5. Click Add
6. Click OK
Autocorrect: automatically corrects text that its initial is supposed to be capital letter but
in small letter.
Steps
1. Click Tools
2. Click Autocorrect (Dialog box appears)
3. Set necessary parameters (e.g. capitalize name of days)
4. Replace text as you type
5. Click OK
Thesaurus: also known as synonyms, it gives words with similar meanings
Steps
1. Select desired text
2. Click Tools
3. Click on Language
4. Click on Thesaurus
5. Select desired text (i.e. the synonyms in the dialog box)
6. Click on Replace
Printing Options
Writing Professional CV
1. Click on File
2. Click on new (dialog box appears)
3. Click on my computer
4. Click on other documents
5. Click on Resume wizard
6. Click on OK (a dialog box appears)
7. Click on next
8. Select desired style
MICROSOFT EXCEL
This is an application package used for complex calculations and for database
management. It is made up of workbook and worksheets. Each worksheet is made up of
columns and rows. There are 256 columns and 65, 536 rows. By default MS Excel has 3
worksheets.
Terminologies
Columns/fields: Vertical lines, labeled or ranging from A-IV. They are collection of
related data.
Rows/Records: horizontal lines ranging from 1-65536. They are collection of different
data values.
Cells: combination of rows and columns. They are labeled by combining the label of
columns and rows e.g. A2.
Reference: a command that is used to work with formulas and data values contained in a
cell. It identifies a cell or range of cells on a worksheet and tells MS excel where to look
for the values or data you want to use in a formula.
Launching MS Excel
1. Click on Start
2. Click on All Programs
3. Click on Microsoft office
4. Click on Microsoft Excel
Features of excel
Title bar, menu bar, standard tool bar, formatting bar, scroll bar, drawing bar, status bar,
sheet tab, name box.
How to Insert Text
1. Activate the Cell
2. Type the desired text
Adjusting Rows and Columns
1. Place the cursor on Row or Column header
2. Adjust to the left/right or up/down
Types of Operators
Arithmetic Operators: Used for arithmetic calculations (+,-, /,*, ^)
Logical Operators: used for logical comparisons of values in cells (<, >, =, <=, >=)
Referential Operators: used to set the range of cells e.g. colon (;), comma (,).
Function
Made up of various formula configured in the excel worksheet.
Various types of functions
• Math & Trig e.g. sum, sine
• Statistical e.g. mean, median
• Logical e.g. true/false, less than
• Date & Time
Steps on how to use function
1. Click on cell where you want your answer to be
2. Click on insert
3. Select function (dialog box appears)
4. Select desired function
5. Click on desired task to be performed (formula)
6. Click on OK
Formatting Worksheet
Deleting a worksheet
IF statement
Checks whether a condition is met, and returns one value if true and another value if false
=if(c3>=70,"A",if(c3>=60,"B",if(c3>=50,"C",if(c3>=45,"D",if(c3>=40,"E",if(c3<40,"F"
))))))
MS POWER POINT
Terminologies
Slide: an environment where text and objects are inserted
Place holder: Work areas in a slide where text and object are placed. There are two types
Title placeholder: where title is typed
Subtitle placeholder: where body of presentation is typed
Slide Layout: an environment where various slides are contained
View
View options are used to check or view ones work closely in different format.
Types of view
Normal view: this is the work area where presentation is designed.
Slide view: used to view the content of the slide closely
Slide sorter view: used to view all the slides in a presentation. Here slides can be
arranged, rearranged, deleted or hidden.
Outline view: used to view the outline of a slide
Slide show: used to display the content of a slide on a full screen (F5)
Background Colour
1. Click on format
2. Select background (dialog box appears)
3. Click on drop down arrow
4. Select desired colour or click on more colours if desired
5. Click on Apply or Apply to all
Fill Effect
1. Click on format
2. Select background (dialog box appears)
3. Click on drop down arrow
Slide Transition
This is the process of moving from one slide to another. The effect applied is called slide
transition effect.
Steps on slide transition
1. Click on slide show on the menu bar
2. Click on slide transition (dialog box appears)
3. Select desired effect
4. Click on Apply or Apply to all
Animation
This is the process of moving texts or objects electronically. The effect applied is called
animation effect. There are two types:
Custom animation: this is effect applied to text or object
Steps
1. Click on slide show
2. Click on custom animation (dialog box appears)
3. Click on effect button
4. Click on text or object in the text box
5. Select desired effect from the effect box
6. Click on preview button if desired
7. Click on Apply
Time Animation: this involves applying timing to the effect applied to an object or text.
Steps
1. Click on slide show
2. Click on Custom Animation (dialog box appears)
Action button
This is used to move through slides in a presentation
Steps
1. Select the slide on the normal view
2. Click on slide show
3. Click on action button
4. Click on desired button
5. Take it to desired the position on the slide and drag
6. Adjust to desired size
Duplicating slides
1. Select the slide
2. Click on insert
3. Select duplicate slide
Deleting a Slide
Rehearse Timing
This is the process of timing a slide automatically (used for adverts and film production).
Steps
1. Click on slide show
2. Select Rehearse timing (the slide show window appears)
3. Set desired timing for each slide
4. Click on yes
Custom Show
Used to generate slide presentation from a particular presentation (maybe six out of ten
slides).
Steps
1. Click on show on the menu bar
2. Click on custom show (dialog box appears)