UNIT: Basic Computer Operations and File Management
Lesson 3
At the end of the lesson you should be able to:
Know and explain computer components:
a. Hardware
b. Software
a) COMPUTER HARDWARE
These are physical tangible parts of the computer system. Is the physical components that a computer system
requires to function.
Here are some of the hardware parts of the computer:
Input devices
1. Keyboard
2. Mouse
3. Scanner
4. Bar code reader
5. Magnetic card input
6. Touch screen
7. Voice input devices
Output devices
1. Monitor (Visual display unit)
2. Fax machine and fax modem
3. Sound output devices
4. Printers
Processing devices
CPU: Central Processing Unit.
The central processing unit is the electronic circuitry that controls the interpretation and execution of
instructions.
• The arithmetic logic units (ALU)
o This unit performs the fundamental arithmetic operations and it’s composed of two sections.
• Arithmetic unit – this performs the calculations such as addition, multiplication, division and
subtraction.
• The logic unit – this performs the comparisons such as true or false, greater than, equal to,
less than, etc.
• Control unit (CU)
o It processes the instructions and data stored in the computer and transfers them to the
arithmetic logic unit.
Storage devices:
1) Hard Discs
2)Tapes
1
3)Diskettes
4)Flash discs
5) Optical Disc Storage
6)The Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM)
7) Digital Versatile Disc (DVDs)
b) COMPUTER SOFTWARE
Computer software is a set of programs, documents, step-by-step instructions (procedures) and routines
associated with the operation of a computer system that makes the hardware capable of its various activities.
1. Software classification
i) System software
a) Operating Software:
b) System Utilities
ii) Application software
a) Application packages ( off shelf)
b) User programs ( Tailor made)
SYSTEM SOFTWARE
These are programs that start up the computer and function as the principal coordinator of all hardware
components and applications software programs. This is first loaded into the RAM of the computer before
loading the application software. It is developed and installed in the computer system for the purpose of
developing other programs. The software is developed and installed by the manufacturer of the system
hardware.
Functions of system software
1. Booting the computer and ensuring that all the hardware elements are working properly.
2. Performing operations such as retrieving, loading, executing and storing application programs.
3. Storing and retrieving files
4. Performing a variety of system utility programs
System software is divided into:-
i) Operating system-programs used start up a computer. Examples include MSDOS, windows, Linux, novel, etc.
ii) Utility software
iii) Firmware
iv) Networking software
Firmware (Stored logic)
This is a combination of both the software and hardware recorded permanently on electronic (memory) chips
that is mounted/plugged into the motherboard.
Utility software
This is a special program that makes certain aspects of the computer to go on more smoothly and support the
development of the application programs and render services by performing the common processing
requirements.
Such services include sorting, copying, file handling and disc management.
These utility programs are usually available on separate diskettes/CDs/DVDs
Examples
i) Virus protection – the anti-virus utility program scans hard discs, diskettes, and memory to detect
and delete viruses. Example – Norton, NOD32, Kaspersky, McAfee, Avira etc
ii) Backup – this utility make automatic backup or duplicate copy of information on the hard disc
iii) Data recovery – it is used to restore data that has been physically damaged or corrupted.
2
APPLICATION SOFTWARE
Application packages are programs that are designed to help the user accomplish specific tasks.
SOFTWARE USES EXAMPLES
1. Word processor Typing and manipulating text, Ms. word, WordPad, WordStar
characters, words, sentences to look
attractive eg in production of letters
and reports
2. Spreadsheet Manipulating text, numbers and Ms Excel, Lotus 123
formulae eg in budgeting, financial
analysis
3. Desktop Designing publications like Adobe PageMaker, Ms Publisher
Publishing newsletters, newspapers, books
4. Computer Aided Technical drawing AutoCAD, ArchiCAD,
Design CAD
5. Databases Used to organize, store & retrieve Ms Access, Dbase
information (files) from a large body
of data
6. Graphic Creating and manipulating pictures CorelDraw, Adobe Photoshop
software
7. Power point Create professional quality Ms power point
slideshows presentations.
Classification according to acquisition
i) Off shelf(packaged)
ii) Tailor made(customized)
Standard software (Off shelf)
These consist of computer programs designed to satisfy a user’s specific needs. They are developed by
software engineers, packaged and then made available for purchase through vendors. A developer may
bundle more than one but closely related software into one package to form a suite or integrated
software. Examples – Lotus suite, Microsoft office 2016,
Advantages of off shelf software
1. They are less expensive to acquire than the in-house software
2. They are readily available for almost any task
3. Most of the packages are user friendly.
4. Saves development time and cost of developing programs.
5. The packages are generally portable
Disadvantages of off shelf software
1. The user cannot modify the program to meet his/her needs.
2. The package may not meet the organization needs.
Tailor made (in-house)
These are programs that are uniquely designed and tailored to meet user’s needs. For example, a
bank may decide to manage its operations using a unique program developed by the programmer.
These software are developed using specific program language. These programs are not available in
the shops and once developed for one company or user may not address needs of other users.
Advantages of in-house software
1. Handles specific needs of the user
2. They can easily be modified to suit the needs of the user
Disadvantages of in-house software
1. Expensive to develop
2. Cannot be used to solve several tasks
