CHARLES BABBAGE is considered the “Father of the Computer”

computer is derived from the Latin term ‘computare’, this means to calculate or programmable machine
MODERN COMPUTER- advanced electronic device that takes raw data as input from the user and processes
these data under the control of set of instructions (called program), then gives the result (output) and saves
output for the future use.
CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS: ACCORDING TO PURPOSE
 GENERAL PURPOSE COMPUTERS They are designed to perform a range of tasks. They have the ability
to store numerous programs, but lack in speed and efficiency.
Examples: Personal computers, including desktops, notebooks, smartphones, and tablets
 SPECIFIC PURPOSE COMPUTERS They are designed to handle a specific problem or to perform a
specific task. A set of instructions is built into the machine.
Examples : Automatic teller machines, washing machines, trafficlight control systems, and weather-forecasting
simulators
CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS: ACCORDING TO DATA HANDLING
o ANALOG COMPUTERS They work on the principle of measuring, in which the measurements obtained
are translated into data
o DIGITAL COMPUTERS They operate with information, numerical or otherwise, represented in a digital
form.
o HYBRID COMPUTERS They incorporate the measuring feature of an analog computer and counting
feature of a digital computer.
o SUPER COMPUTERS The fastest and most powerful type of computer. They are very expensive and are
employed for specialized applications that require immense amounts of mathematical calculations.
CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS: ACCORDING TO SIZE
 MAINFRAME COMPUTERS A very large and expensive computer capable of supporting hundreds, or
even thousands, of users simultaneously.
 MINI COMPUTERS A midsized computer. In size and power, mini computers lie between workstations
and mainframes.
 WORKSTATIONS A terminal or desktop computer in a network. In this context, workstation is just a
generic term for a user's machine (client machine) in contrast to a "server" or "mainframe."
 MICRO COMPUTERS OR PERSONAL COMPUTERS Desktop Computers A personal or micro-mini
computer sufficient to fit on a desk.
 MICRO COMPUTERS OR PERSONAL COMPUTERS Laptop Computers A portable computer complete
with an integrated screen and keyboard.
 MICRO COMPUTERS OR PERSONAL COMPUTERS Palmtop Computer / Digital Diary / Notebook / PDAs A
hand-sized computer. Palmtops have no keyboard but the screen serves both as an input and output
device.
USAGE OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
 STRUCTURE ENGINEERING Computer technology can be used to design stronger structure of buildings,
blocks, and homes through proper planning of maps.
 PRIMAVERA PROJECT PLANNER One of the most important software for managing a civil engineering
project is “Primavera Project Planner”, which is operated with the help of computer.
 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Information technology (IT) is used mostly to control the flow of
information within and outside the organization.
 CONCRETE AND MATERIAL STRENGTH Role of concrete technology is similar to a role of blood in a
human’s body. Concrete gives strength by combining thousands of bricks. Perfect composition of sand,
water and cement for the purpose of preparing strong concrete can be achieved through the usage of
different computer software.
COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER
HARDWARE -It refers to the physical parts of a computer and related devices.
-INTERNAL HARDWARE
The internal hardware parts of a computer are often referred to as components.
Examples: Motherboards, hard drives, RAM, and ROM
- EXTERNAL HARDWARE
The external hardware devices are usually called peripherals.
Examples: Monitors, keyboards, mice, printers, and scanners
SOFTWARE
It is commonly known as programs or apps which consists all the instructions that tell the hardware how to
perform a task.
MAJOR CLASSES OF SOFTWARE
-SYSTEM SOFTWARE
Helps run the computer hardware and computer system itself.
- APPLICATION SOFTWARE
Allows users to accomplish one or more tasks.
It includes word processing, web browsing and almost any other task for which you might install software.
BASIC ORGANIZATION OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM
INPUT UNIT
It accepts (or reads) the list of instructions and data from the outside world.
It converts these instructions and data in computer acceptable format.
OUTPUT UNIT
It accepts the results produced by the computer which are in coded form and hence cannot be easily
understood by us.
It converts these coded results to human acceptable (readable) form.
It supplies the converted results to
STORAGE UNIT
It is used for storing data during, before, and after processing.
PRIMARY STORAGE
It is commonly referred to as “primary memory” which is volatile in nature.
Primary storage refers to internal storage devices that provide fast and efficient access to data or information.
PRIMARY STORAGE
RANDOM-ACCESS MEMORY (RAM) RAM is a type of volatile memory. Data in RAM is not permanently
written. When you power off your computer the data stored in RAM is deleted.
READ-ONLY MEMORY (ROM) ROM is a type of non- volatile memory. Data in ROM is permanently written
and is not erased when you power off your computer.
SECONDARY STORAGE
It is used to store data or information on the long term basis, more like permanently.
Examples: Hard disk drives (HDD), CDs, DVDs, and USB flash drives
CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT
The main chip in a computer is the microprocessor chip, which is also known as the CPU (Central Processing
Unit).
The CPU is mounted on a printed circuit board called the main board or mother board.
ARITHMETIC AND LOGIC UNIT
It is the place where the actual execution of the instructions take place during the processing operations.
CONTROL UNIT
It manages and coordinates the entire computer system

DATA REPRESENTATION- It refers to the form in which data is stored, processed, and transmitted.
DATA It refers to the symbols that represent people, events, things, and ideas.
DIGITIZATION The process of converting information, such as text, numbers, photo, or music, into digital data
that can be manipulated by electronic devices.
BYTE (B) -A group of bits (8 bits) used to represent a character.
NIBBLE Half a byte, which is usually a grouping of 4 bits.
WORD Two or more bits make a word. It is the natural unit of data used by a particular processor design.

MICROSOFT WORD- It was first released on October 25, 1983 under the name MultiTool Word for Xenix
systems.
WORD PROCESSING computer program used to create and print text documents that might otherwise be
prepared on a typewriter.

PRESENTATION SOFTWARE A category of application software that is specifically designed to allow users to
create a presentation of ideas.
MICROSOFT POWERPOINT
A presentation program, created by Robert Gaskins and Dennis Austin at a software company named
Forethought, Inc. It was released on April 20, 1987
VIEWING A PRESENTATION
SLIDE PANE - shows the full layout of a slide
THUMBNAILS - shows slide thumbnails
NOTES PANE - used to input text relevant to a specific slide
PRINTING
Under Settings click on Print All Slides and select one of the options to print:
PRINT ALL SLIDES - print entire presentation
PRINT SELECTION - only print the selected slides
PRINTING
PRINT CURRENT SLIDE - only print the current slide
CUSTOM RANGE - enter specific slides to print

SPREADSHEET SOFTWARE
A software application capable of organizing, storing and analyzing data in tabular form.

WORKBOOK, WORKSHEET, AND SPREADSHEET

FORMULA BAR- A place where you can enter or view formulas or text.
EXPAND FORMULA BAR BUTTON-This button allows you to expand the formula bar.
HORIZONTAL / VERTICAL SCROLL
Allows you to scroll vertically / horizontally in the worksheet.
NORMAL VIEW -This is the default view for working on a spreadsheet in Excel.
PAGE LAYOUT VIEW -View the document as it will appear on the printed page.
PAGE BREAK PREVIEW- View a preview of where pages will break when the document is printed.
AUTOSUM FUNCTION
Functions are more complex formulas that are invoked by typing their name.

SCREEN ELEMENTS OF MS WORD 2016

FILE MENU-The File tab will bring you into the Backstage View.
The Backstage View is where you manage your files and the data about them
RIBBON- An area across the top of the screen that makes almost all the capabilities of Word available in a
single area.
TABS-An area on the Ribbon that contains buttons that are organized in groups.
TITLE BAR- A horizontal bar at the top of an active document. This bar displays the name of the document and
application.
GROUP- A group of buttons on a tab that are exposed and easily accessible.
DIALOG BOX LAUNCHER- A button in the corner of a group that launches a dialog box containing all the
options within that group.
STATUS BAR- A horizontal bar at the bottom of an active window that gives details about the document.
VIEW TOOLBAR- A toolbar that enables, adjusts, and displays different views of a document.
ZOOM -Magnifies or reduces the contents in the document window.
QUICK ACCESS TOOLBAR A customizable toolbar at the top of an active document.
TELL ME- This is a text field where you can enter words and phrases about what you want to do next and
quickly get to features you want to use or actions you want to perform.
CONTEXTUAL TABS They are designed to appear on the Ribbon when certain objects or commands are
selected.
INSERTION POINT
The point where the next characters typed from the keyboard will appear on the display screen.