INTRODUCTION TO

COMPUTERS
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DEFINITION OF A COMPUTER
TERMS USED IN COMPUTING
PARTS OF A COMPUTER
HOW A COMPUTER OPERATES
INPUT DEVICES
PROCESSING DEVICES
OUTPUT DEVICES
COMPUTER SOFTWARE
APPLICATION SOFTWARE
SYSTEM SOFTWARE

1. DEFINITION OF A COMPUTER

A computer can be defined as a

device/machine/equipment that
processes data(raw facts) into
information(finished product)
A computer is not necessarily a
PC(personal computer) rather a
computer can either be a calculator, a
mobile phone, washing machine, et al.
pc

2.

TERMS USED IN COMPUTING

Data these are raw facts which do not have much meaning
to the user i.e. 1+1= 2. therefore 1+1 represents data and 2
represents processed data referred to as information.
Information refers to data that has been processed and has
meaning.
A computer program (also software, or just a program or
application) is a sequence of instructions written to perform a
specified task with a computer.
Hardware -Computer hardware equals the collection of
physical elements that comprise a computer system.
Graphics- refers to data which is in pictorial, chart or iconic
form.
Text- refers to data in form of letters, numbers and symbols

3.PARTS OF A COMPUTER
A computer is made up of very many different parts but the
most common parts include:

System unit

Keyboard

Screen

Mouse

4. HOW COMPUTERs OPERATE

Input

feedback

processing

output

4. HOW COMPUTERs OPERATE

Explanations:
Data is entered into the computer at the input stage using
input devices that include: the keyboard and mouse
A special device known as the processor or simply
microprocessor then processes input data and transforms it
into information under the processing stage.
Processed information is then stored for future retrieval and
analysis.
Output devices are then used to display the outcome of the
processing activity. they include: screen, printer, plotter etc
n/b results of the output and storage can be used to input the
next activity and in this case output information change into
input data. Thus the activities moves on like that.