WHAT IS COMPUTER?

A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory, that can accept data, process the data according to specified rules, produce results (output) and stores the results for furture use.

EXPLAIN THE COMPUTER FUNCTIONS THROUGH FOUR STAGES:

(i) INPUT
ACCEPT DATA - Computer input is whatever is put
into a computer system, supplied by a person, by the environment or by another computer.

(ii) PROCESSING
Computer manipulate data by perfoming Calculations, sorting lists of words or numbers, Modifying documents and pictures.

(iii)OUTPUT
Output consists of the processing results Produced by a computer including reports, Documents,music,graphs and pictures by using Device displays,prints, or transmitsthe results of Processing.

(iv)STORAGE
A computer stores data in more than one Location, depending on how data is being used. Memory temporarily holds data waiting to be Processed,stored or output.Storage holds data On permanent basis when it is not immediately Needed for processing.

WHAT ARE THE COMPONENTS REQUIRED TO HAVE A COMPLETE PC?

Power supply Hard disk drive(s) CD-ROM drive(s)

 Floppy drive(s) Monitor

Keyboard
Mouse

EXPLAIN THE EVOLUTION OF COMPUTER.

This series covers many of the major milestones in computer history.

IDENTIFY THE INPUT AND OUTPUT DEVICES.

INPUT DEVICES

 KEYBOARD

 POINTING DEVICE

 MICROPHONE

 SCANNER

 DIGITAL CAMERA

 MONITOR

 SOUND DEVICES

 PRINTER

Explain the network-lan, man and wan

(a) LAN ADVANTAGES

Workstations can share peripheral devices like printers. This is cheaper than buying a printer for every workstation. Workstations do not necessarily need their own hard disk or CD-ROM drives which make them cheaper to buy than stand-alone PCs. User can save their work centrally on the network file server. This means that they can retrieve their work from any workstation on the network. Users dont need to go back to the same workstation all the time.

 Users can communicate with each other and transfer data between workstations very easily. One copy of each application package such as a word processor, spreadsheet etc. can be loaded onto the file and shared by all users. When a new version comes out, it only has to be loaded onto the server instead of onto every workstation.

(a) LAN DISADVANTAGES

Special security measures are needed to stop users from using programs and data that they should not have acess to. Networks are difficult to set up and need to be maintained by skilled technicians. If the file server develops a serious fault, all the users are affected, rather than just one user in the case of a stand-alone machine. Viruses spread easily.

(a) MAN ADVANTAGES

Speed. Networks provide a very rapid method for sharing and transferring files. Without a network, files are shared by copying them to floppy disks, then carrying or sending the disks from one computer to another. Cost. Networkable versions of many popular software programs are available at considerable savings when compared to buying individually licensed copies.

 Security. Files and programs on a network can be designated as "copy inhibit," so that you do not have to worry about illegal copying of programs. Also, passwords can be established for specific directories to restrict access to authorized users. Centralized Software Management. One of the greatest benefits of installing a network at a school is the fact that all of the software can be loaded on one computer (the file server).

 Resource Sharing. Sharing resources is another area in which a network exceeds stand-alone computers. Most schools cannot afford enough laser printers, fax machines, modems, scanners, and CD-ROM players for each computer. Electronic Mail. The presence of a network provides the hardware necessary to install an e-mail system. E-mail aids in personal and professional communication for all school personnel, and it facilitates the dissemination of general information to the entire school staff.

(b) MAN DISADVANTAGES

More cable required for a man connection from one place to another The large the network becomes difficult to mange It is difficult to make the system secure from hackers and industrial espionage.

(a) WAN ADVANTAGES

Messages can be sent very quickly to anyone else on the network. These messages can have pictures, sounds, or data included with them (called attachments). Expensive things (such as printers or phone lines to the internet) can be shared by all the computers on the network without having to buy a different peripheral for each computer. Everyone on the network can use the same data. This avoids problems where some users may have older information than others. Share information/files over a larger area.

(b) WAN DISADVANTAGES

Setting up a network can be an expensive and complicated experience. The bigger the network the more expensive it is. Security is a real issue when many different people have the ability to use information from other computers. Protection against hackers and viruses adds more complexity and expense. Once set up, maintaining a network is a full-time job which requires network supervisors and technicians to be employed. Information may not meet local needs or interests. Volunerable to hackers or other outside threats

OPERATING SYSTEMS
An operating system is software, consisting of programs and data, that runs on computers, manages computer hardware resources, and provides common services for execution of variousapplication software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system. Without an operating system, a user cannot run an application program on their computer, unless the application program is self booting.

 For hardware functions such as input and output and memory allocation, the operating system acts as an intermediary between application programs and the computer hardware, although the application code is usually executed directly by the hardware and will frequently call the OS or be interrupted by it. Operating systems are found on almost any device that contains a computer from cellular phones and video game consoles to supercomputers and web servers. Examples of popular modern operating systems are BSD, Linux (Ubuntu, Fedora, OpenSuSE, Debian etc.), Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows and UNIX.

APPLICATION SOFTWARE
Application software, also known as an application or an "app", is computer software designed to help the user to perform singular or multiple related specific tasks. Examples include enterprise software, accounting software, office suites, graphics software and media players. Many application programs deal principally with documents. Apps may be bundled with the computer and its system software, or may be published separately. Some users are satisfied with the bundled apps and need never install one. Application software is contrasted with system software and middleware, which manage and integrate a computer's capabilities, but typically do not directly apply them in the performance of tasks that benefit the user. The system software serves the application, which in turn serves the user.

 Similar relationships apply in other fields. For example, a shopping mall does not provide the merchandise a shopper is seeking, but provides space and services for retailers that serve the shopper. Rail tracks similarly support trains, allowing the trains to transport passengers. Application software applies the power of a particular computing platform or system software to a particular purpose. Some apps such asMicrosoft Office are available in versions for several different platforms; others have narrower requirements and are thus called, for example, aGeography application for Windows or an Android application for education or Linux gaming. Sometimes a new and popular application arises which only runs on one platform, increasing the desirablity of that platform. This is called a killer application.