Information
Technology
Fundamentals
Nicole Carlet
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of the session, the students should be able to:
1. Define basic concepts on computer as such computer, data and information.
2. Relate the development of computing and computing devices.
3. Describe the development of computing devices, their capabilities and
limitations.
4. Explain the different components of computer systems.
5. Describe the role of each component in the functionality of the computer.
6. Describe basic troubleshooting techniques and proper use of hardware and
software.
What is
Computer?
Computer
An electronic device that accepts (inputs), processes,
stores, and outputs data at a high speed according to
programmed instructions. It is made up of five basic
elements:
● Electronic
● Programmable
● Storage
● Retrieve
● Process
Data and Information
DATA
● It is raw, unprocessed facts.
● Data is what computers feed on.
INFORMATION
● It is processed data.
Four Basic Functions of Computer
Input Process
It is the procedure of feeding or entering The operation of manipulating and
data into a computer. transforming data into something useful.
Output Storage
The result of the processing function. Computers save data and outputs for
later use.
Capabilities and
Limitations of a Computer
A computer is a machine that needs to be controlled
and instructed to successfully perform a task. Users
should follow the principal of GIGO (Garbage In,
Garbage Out) which means that wrong data entered
in the computer will result to wrong information
produced.
Capabilities of a
Computer
1. It can process data quickly.
2. It can perform operations tirelessly.
3. It can give accurate results depending on the
instructions and commands given.
4. It can store, recall, and retrieve information.
5. It can confirm and verify the accuracy of the
information.
6. It can perform multi-tasks.
Limitations of a
Computer
1. It needs human intervention.
2. It has a short life span.
3. It cannot formulate information on its own.
4. The information or results generated are user
dependent.
5. It can never replace the capabilities of the human
brain.
History of
Computer
ANCIENT TIME
The abacus was man’s first recorded ABACUS
adding machine. It was in 500 B.C
when the abacus was invented in
Babylonia, then popularized in China,
the abacus is an ancient computing
device constructed of sliding beads
on small wooden rods, strung on a
wooden frame.
MECHANICAL ERA
John Napier, Baron of Merchiston, LOGARITHMS
Scotland, invents logs in 1614. Logs
allow multiplication and division to
be reduced to addition and
subtraction.
MECHANICAL ERA
In 1642, a French mathematician PASCALINE
named Blaise Pascal invented a
mechanical calculation machine
called Pascaline. It was made out of
clock gears and levers and could
solve basic mathematical problems
like addition and subtraction.
MECHANICAL ERA
In 1671, Gottfried Leibniz, a German STEPPED RECKONER
mathematician, invented a machine
called steeped reckoner that could
multiply 5 digit and 12-digit numbers
yielding up to 16-digit number.
MECHANICAL ERA
In 1801, Joseph-Marie Jacquard JACQUARD LOOM
developed an automatic loom that
was controlled by punched cards.
MECHANICAL ERA
In 1822, Charles Babbage, invented DIFFERENCE ENGINE
the first modern computer design: a
steamed-powered adding machine
called the difference engine to
automatically solve math problems.
MECHANICAL ERA
Babbage also invented the analytical ANALYTICAL ENGINE
engine. It was a mechanical adding
machine that took information from
punched cards to solve and print
complex mathematical operations.
MECHANICAL ERA
The first program was written by Ada ADA
Augusta Lovelace for Babbage’s
difference engine. Thus, Ada Lovelace
is credited with being “the first
computer programmer”. The
programming ada is named in her
honor.
ELECTROMECHANICAL
ERA
PUNCHED CARD
TABULATING MACHINE
• In 1890, the first person to successfully use
punched cards specifically for census
taking was Herman Hollerith.
• Hollerith later went on to found the
Tabulating Machine Company, which later
became the Computer Tabulating Recording
Company. He retired in 1921, but his
company went on to become the
International Business Machines
Corporation. We know it today as IBM.
MILLIONAIRE
The Millionaire, the first efficient four-function
calculator, is invented by Otto Shweiger, a Swiss
Engineer in 1893.
ELECTRONIC ERA
Z3
In 1941, Konrad Zuse, built the first
programmable computer called Z3. It was the
first fully functional, program controlled
computer of the world. The Z3 was presented on
May 12, 1941 to an audience of scientist in Berlin.
The demonstration was a success.
MARK I
Howard Aiken, a Ph.D. student at Harvard
University built Mark I “The first Stored-Program
Computer”. 8 feet tall, 51 feet long, 2 feet thick,
weighed 5 tons, used 750,000 parts, 500 miles
of wires, 3-5 seconds per calculation.
ABC (ATANASOFF-
BERRY COMPUTER)
In 1942, John Atanasoff and Clifford Berry
completed the first all-electronic computer
called ABC (Atanasoff-Berry Computer). It was
the first computer to use electricity in the form
of vacuum tubes. It was used for solving
complex systems equations.
THE FIVE
GENERATIONS OF
DIGITAL COMPUTING
The First-Generation Computers (1951-1958)
● First-generation computers had vacuum
tubes, resistors, and welded metal joints.
They were large, slow, expensive, and
produced a lot of heat. In addition, first-
generation computers often broke down
because of burned-out vacuum tubes.
● In 1945, Presper Eckert and John Mauchly
developed the first operational electronic
digital computer, called ENIAC, for the US
Army. ENIAC had more than 18,000 vacuum
tubes and took up to 1,800 square feet of
space. Today, ENIAC’s technology could fit in
a modern wristwatch.
The First-Generation Computers (1951-1958)
● In 1951, the UNIVAC-1 became the first
commercially available electronic computer.
This computer was designed by Eckert and
Mauchly and built by the Remington Rand
Corporation.
● IBM 701 was the IBM’s first electronic
computer built in 1953.
The Second-Generation Computers (1959-1963)
● Instead of vacuum tubes, the second-
generation computers used transistors an
exciting new invention at the time. John
Barden, Walter Brattain, and William
Shockley of Bell Telephone Laboratories
invented the transistor.
● Magnetic tapes and disk began to replace
punched cards as external storage devices.
The Second-Generation Computers (1959-1963)
● Magnetic cores (very small donut-shaped
magnets that could be popularized in one of
two directions to represent data) strung on
wire within the computer became the
primary internal storage technology.
● In 1961, Grace Hopper, the woman that
found the first computer bug, finishes
developing COBOL (Common Business-
Oriented Language).
The Second-Generation Computers (1959-1963)
● The Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC)
founded by Ken Olsen, released the first
minicomputer, the PDP-8 in 1964.
● In 1965, Thomas Kurtz and john Kemeny of
Dartmouth College developed BASIC
(Beginners All Purpose Symbolic Instruction
Code) as a computer language to help teach
people how to program.
The Third-Generation Computers (1963-1974)
● Computers in the third-generation
computers relied on a new technology called
integrated circuit. The integrated circuit is a
single wafer or chip that can hold many
transistors and electronic circuits.
● Magnetic tape and disks completely
replace punched cards as external storage
devices.
The Third-Generation Computers (1963-1974)
● Magnetic core internal memories began to
give way to a new form, metal oxide semi-
conductor (MOS) memory, which, like
integrated circuits, used silicon-backed
chips.
● In 1958 Jack Kilby invented the monolithic
integrated circuit, which is still widely used
in electronic systems.
The Third-Generation Computers (1963-1974)
● The C programming language is developed
at AT & T bell Labs by Brian Kerninghan and
Dennis Ritchie.
● The Unix Operating system, also written at
Bell Labs, is rewritten using C. This later
makes UNIX one of the most portable
operating systems.
The Fourth-Generation Computers (1971-Present)
● The fourth-generation is just an extension
of the third-generation technology. This next
technological development is to put more
power and capabilities in one chip called
microprocessor which has made computers
the fastest and most powerful they have
ever been.
The Fourth-Generation Computers (1971-Present)
● In 1975, the Micro Instrumentation and
Telemetry Systems or MITS produced the
first Personal Computer. They named the
computer “Altair 8080”. This was the first
easily available micro-computer. It had256
bytes of memory and ran a version of BASIC
written by Bill Gates.
● Apple’s widely successful PC was the
Apple II personal computer. Apple II was the
first personal computer to come in a plastic
case and include color graphics.
The Fourth-Generation Computers (1971-Present)
● In 1978, VisiCalc was released. It is the first
spreadsheet program and it made
microcomputers useful to businesses.
● In 1993, Intel Pentium introduced Pentium
Processor, a microprocessor with 3.1 million
transistors.
The Fifth-Generation Computers (1982 - Onward)
● The Fifth Generation Computer Systems
was an initiative by Japan's Ministry of
International Trade and Industry, begun in
1982, to create computers using massively
parallel computing and logic programming.
It was to be the result of a massive
government/industry research project in
Japan during the 1980s.
● This generation’s focus is more on
connectivity. This is to permit computer
users to connect their computers to other
computers.
ENIAC IBM 701
UNIVAC-1 APPLE II
ALTAIR 8080
CLASSIFICATIONS OF
COMPUTER
According to Size
and Processing Speed
a) Supercomputers
b) Mainframe computers
c) Minicomputers
d) Microcomputers (Personal Computers)
SUPERCOMPUTERS
➢ The fastest type of computer.
➢ They are very expensive and employed for
specialized applications that require immense
amounts of mathematical calculations.
➢ They are mainly used for:
• weather forecasting
• animated graphics
• fluid dynamic calculations
• nuclear energy research
• petroleum exploration
➢ Examples:
• NEC Earth Simulator
• IBM ASCI White
• TERASCALE Computing System
• TERA Supercomputer
• NERSC IBM SP RS/600
MAINFRAME COMPUTERS
➢ A very large and expensive computer capable of
supporting hundreds, or even thousands, of
users simultaneously.
➢ They are slower and less than supercomputers.
➢ They support hundreds or thousands of users
at a time.
➢ They are used as e-commerce and web servers
and in large organizations, banks, universities
and airlines as databases.
➢ Examples:
• IBM 3090
• Andhal 5890
MINICOMPUTERS
➢ A midsized computer.
➢ In general, a minicomputer is a multi-
processing system capable of supporting from
4 to about 200 users simultaneously.
➢ They are also known as midrange computers.
➢ They are used in medium size business,
education and government departments and
are also used as servers on the network
environment.
➢ Example:
• IBM’s AS/400e
MICROCOMPUTERS
➢ Is generally a synonym for the more common
term, Personal Computer or PC, a computer
designed for an individual.
➢ It uses microprocessor technology to input,
manipulate, store and output data.
➢ Business use personal computers for word
processing, accounting, desktop publishing,
and for running spreadsheet and database
management applications.
➢ Examples:
• Apple II (introduced by Apple Computer in
1977)
• IBM PC (IBM’s first personal computer)
TWO CLASSIFICATIONS
OF MICROCOMPUTERS
PERSONAL COMPUTER
➢ It is widely popular with people of all lifestyle
because they are powerful, affordable and easy
to use.
PORTABLE COMPUTER
➢ Include laptops or notebooks, sub-notebook,
tablet computer and personal digital
assistants.
➢ They are small enough to move easily from one
place to another and they can operate on
batteries.
➢ They are popular with people who travel and
need computing power on the go.
Laptop/Notebook Computer
➢ A small portable computer. Small enough that
it can sit on your lap.
➢ Use a variety of techniques, known as flat-panel
technologies, to produce a lightweight and non-
bulky display c. screen.
Subnotebook Computer
➢ Slightly lighter and smaller than a full-sized
notebook computer.
➢ Have smaller keyboard and screen but are
otherwise equivalent to notebook computers.
Personal Digital Assistant
➢ A handheld device that combines computing,
telephone/fax, and networking features.
➢ It can function as a cellular phone, fax sender,
and personal organizer.
➢ Most PDAs began as pen-based, using stylus
rather than a keyboard for input.
Tablet PC
➢ Provides the full power and functionality of
today’s notebook PC’s
➢ Design for a fully equipped personal computer
that allows a user to take notes using natural
handwriting on a stylus or digital pen.
According to Data
Handled
a) Analog computers
b) Digital computers
c) Hybrid computers
ANALOG COMPUTERS
➢ Analog computers operate on mathematical
variables in the form of physical quantities that
are continuously varying. For example,
temperature, pressure, voltages, etc.
➢ Famous examples of analog computers are the
Planimeter, the nomogram, operational
amplifiers, mechanical integrators, slide rules,
tide predictors, electric integrators that solve
partial differential equations, electronic
machines that solve ordinary differential
equations, machines to solve algebraic
equations, the Norden bomb sight, and neural
networks.
DIGITAL COMPUTERS
➢ Digital computers deal with mathematical
variables in form of numbers that represent
discrete values of physical quantities. The
advantages of digital computers are that they
are versatile, reprogrammable, accurate, and
less affected by outside disturbances. In
contrast to analog computers, digital machines
work on numbers. Each variable is converted
into numbers and each number into binary
form, i.e., 0 and 1. It is this combination of 0 and
1 that does all the calculations.
➢ All modern computers, laptops, and calculators
are all digital computers.
HYBRID COMPUTERS
➢ A hybrid is a combination of digital and analog
computers. It combines the best features of
both types of computers. It has the speed of
analog computer and the memory and accuracy
of digital computer. Hybrid computers are used
mainly in specialized applications where both
kinds of data need to be processed.
➢ Computer used in hospitals to measure the
heartbeat of the patient. Devices used in petrol
pump. In scientific applications or in
controlling industrial processes.
According to Purpose
a) General-purpose computers
b) Special purpose computers (Dedicated
computers)
GENERAL-PURPOSE
COMPUTERS
➢ It is capable of dealing to a variety of different
problems and are able to respond to programs
created to meet different needs.
➢ It is capable of storing different programs of
instructions thus they can perform a variety of
operations.
➢ Example is a Desktop Computer
SPECIAL PURPOSE
COMPUTERS (DEDICATED
COMPUTERS)
➢ It is designed to perform one specific task.
➢ The programs are built into permanently in the
machine and given task are performed very
quick and efficient.
➢ Examples are computers used in monitoring
nuclear reactions, outer space missions, oil
explorations
COMPONENTS OF A
COMPUTER SYSTEM
HARDWARE
● It is the physical equipment associated
with a computer system.
● This is the tangible components of the
computer system.
Four Primary Components of a
Computer Hardware System
a) Input Devices
b) Output Devices
c) Storage Devices
d) System Unit
INPUT DEVICES
Any hardware component that allows the
user to enter data, execute commands and
user responses into the computer. Basically,
input devices are used for data entry.
INPUT DEVICES
Keyboard - the set of typewriter keys
that enables you to enter data in a
computer.
Mouse - invented by Douglas Engelbert
of Stanford Research Center in 1963, and
pioneered by Zerox in 1970s, the mouse is
a device that controls the movement of
the cursor or pointer on a display screen.
INPUT DEVICES
Joystick - a device consisting of a handheld
stick that pivots about one end and transmits
its angle in two dimensions to a computer. It
often used to control games, and usually have
one or more push-buttons whose state can
also be read by the computer.
Light pen - a small, photosensitive device
connected to a computer and moved by hand
over an output display in order to manipulate
information in the computer. Used in Personal
Digital Assistant and Smart Board.
INPUT DEVICES
Microphone - allows the computer to
receive and record sound. Necessary for voice
recognition software and any software that
needs to record sound.
Digital camera - takes pictures without
film and stores your snapshots as digital files in
its memory. Later, you can transfer your
picture files to your PC through cable.
INPUT DEVICES
Barcode reader - an optical scanning
device that reads texts which have been
converted into a special bar code or zebra
stripes.
Webcam - a digital camera capable of
capturing images to a computer for
transmission over the Internet or other
network.
INPUT DEVICES
Drawing Tablet - is similar to a white
board, except you use a special pen to write on
it and it's connected to the computer. Then
the word or image you draw can be saved on
the computer.
Scanner - an input device that takes in an
optical image and digitizes it into an electronic
image. This can be used to create a
computerized version of a photo or
illustration.
4 KINDS OF SCANNER
Flatbed scanner - a scanner that provides a flat, glass
surface to hold pages of paper, books and other objects for
scanning. The scan head is moved under the glass across
the page.
Sheet-fed scanner - a scanner that allows only paper
to be scanned rather than books or other thick objects. It
moves the paper across a stationary scan head.
4 KINDS OF SCANNER
Handheld scanner - a scanner that is moved across
the image to be scanned by hand. Handheld scanners are
small and less expensive than their desktop counterparts
but rely on the dexterity of the user to move the unit
across the paper.
Drum scanner - A type of scanner used to capture the
highest resolution from an image. Photographs and
transparencies are taped, clamped or fitted into a clear
cylinder. A light source that focuses on one pixel is beamed
onto the drum and moves down the drum a line at a time.
OUTPUT DEVICES
Any hardware component that presents,
displays, alters, or record output after it has
left a computer’s system unit.
OUTPUT DEVICES
Monitor - it is the most popular output device. It
receive signals from video card inside of the computer
and gives the user a graphical or textual display.
Speakers - are used to produce sounds, listen to
music, play music and watch movies.
Printer - create images on paper, plastic, cloth and
other print media using technologies like ink transfer,
heat transfer, chemical reactions and physical force.
TYPES OF PRINTERS
Laser Printer - uses toner and an internal laser to print.
Inkjet or Bubble Jet Printers - uses ink to print.
Usually available in color.
Dot-Matrix Printer - creates characters by striking
pins against an ink ribbon. Each pin makes a dot, and
combinations of dots form characters and illustrations.
STORAGE DEVICES
These are important for keeping a document
for later retrieval and use.
TWO CLASSIFICATIONS OF STORAGE DEVICES:
Primary Storage - is the main memory. In this memory, the data used from
processing and the programs to be read are stored.
ROM (Read Only Memory) - is a permanent memory. The
instructions stored can be changed and will not get lost even if
the power is switched off.
RAM (Random Access Memory) - is a temporary memory.
The information stored in it will get lost once the computer is
switched off or the power is cut off.
TWO CLASSIFICATIONS OF STORAGE DEVICES:
Secondary Storage - is also called an external memory.
Hard Disk - it is a magnetic disk in the system unit of a personal computer and
is an external hard disk device.
CD-ROM - is an optical disk format used to hold texts, graphics and sounds that
are pre-recorded. It is small, flat metal-coated plastic disc, about 4.75 inches in
diameter. It stores information by using a laser which creates pits on disc and is
read by using another laser to read the light reflected from the pins.
Flash Drives - is a type of compact USB memory drive that acts like a portable
hard drive, letting you to store and transport computer data.
SYSTEM UNIT
Part of the computer which is responsible for
accepting and processing the data brought
in by the input devices, passing resulting
information to the users via the output
devices.
COMPONENTS OF SYSTEM UNIT:
Main Circuit Board - central nervous system. Also called motherboard.
Port - is a connection from the main circuit board to a peripheral device such as
keyboard, printer or a video monitor by means of a special cable. Also called interface.
Expansion Slots - they are used to connect expansion cards to the main circuit
board. An expansion card is a printed circuit card with circuitry that gives the computer
additional capabilities.
COMPONENTS OF SYSTEM UNIT:
Central Processing Unit (CPU) - is the computer’s processing, control and
internal storage circuitry.
Bytes - unit of measurement in measuring memory
Hertz - unit of measurement in measuring speed
Bit - stands for binary digits. It is the basic unit of data recognized by the computer.
1 Byte= 8 bits
1 Kilobytes (KB) = 1024 bytes
1 Megabytes (MB) = one million bytes
1 Gigabytes (GB) = one billion bytes
1 Terabytes (TB) = one trillion bytes
SOFTWARE
● It is the programs and data that a
computer uses.
● The software provides the commands
that tell the hardware what task to
perform, what to read and write, how to
send the end result (the output) to a
monitor and/or printer.
Kinds of Software
a) Application Software
b) System Software
c) Utility Software
APPLICATION SOFTWARE
These are programs that people use to get
their work done.
APPLICATION SOFTWARE
Word Processor
- is a computer application used for the production (including composition, editing,
formatting, and possibly printing) of any sort of printable material.
- Examples: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher
Spreadsheet Software
- presents business data in a grid of rows and columns.
- Example: Microsoft Excel
APPLICATION SOFTWARE
Graphics and Presentation
- is a computer software package used to display information, normally in the form of a
slide show.
- Example: Microsoft PowerPoint
Database Software
- a software that helps a user organize data in a way that allows fast and easy access to
the data.
- Examples: Microsoft Access, Oracle, MySQL
APPLICATION SOFTWARE
Games
- involves interaction with a user interface to generate visual feedback on a video device.
- Example: Solitaire
Internet Browser
- a software application that enables a user to display and interact with text, images, and
other information typically located on a Web page at a website on the World Wide Web
or a local area network.
- Examples: Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge
SYSTEM SOFTWARE
The system software includes all programs
used to operate and maintain the computer
system. It controls all input/output
functions and coordinates the flow of
operations during processing.
SYSTEM SOFTWARE
Operating System
- a set of computer programs that manage the hardware and software resources of a
computer.
- Examples: Windows, Linux
Programming Languages
- a software used to write or create other programs or software.
- Examples: C/C++, Java, Visual Basic
UTILITY SOFTWARE
● Also known as service program, service
routine, tool, or utility routine.
● It is specifically designed to help manage
and tune the computer hardware,
operating system or application software,
and perform a single task or a small
range of tasks.
● Example: Virus Scanners
PEOPLEWARE
Are the users of the computer, they may be
the system analysts, programmers, web
developers, students, administrators,
encoders or just a common personnel who in
a way works with the computer.
THANK YOU FOR
LISTENING!
