The Importance of the Computer as a Tool for Data Processing The computer is a very unique electronic device and has certain features and characteristics that distinguish it from other machines. These include: Speed: Computers are very fast; they can perform tens of millions of operations per second. This is necessary for predicting weather forecasts, …
IMPORTANCE OF THE COMPUTER AS A TOOL FOR DATA PROCESSING Read More »
Definition of Data Processing Data processing is the process of producing meaningful information by collecting all items of data together and performing operations on them to extract information. Data processing can also be described as a series of actions or operations that convert or manipulate data into useful information. Data processing involves the systematic recording, …
Generations of Computers Generation of computers is the developmental stages that the computer has gone through. There are 5 generations of computers and their accompanying innovations. First Generation – Vacuum Tubes (1940 – 1956) First generation computers were those manufactured between 1940s and 1950s. The computers used the stored program concept. First generation computers were associated …
JOHN VON NEUMANN’S MACHINE In 1945, mathematician John von Neumann undertook a study of computation that demonstrated that a computer could have a simple, fixed structure, yet be able to execute any kind of computation given properly programmed control without the need for hardware modification. Von Neumann contributed a new understanding of how practical fast …
Electro-mechanical Counting Devices JOSEPH JACQUARD’S LOOM The Jacquard machine is a device fitted to a power loom that simplifies the process of manufacturing textiles with such complex patterns as brocade, damask and matelassé. It was invented by Joseph Marie Jacquard in 1804. The loom was controlled by a chain of cards, a number of punched …
Electro-mechanical Counting Devices These are counting devices that could be operated both electrically and mechanically. Electro-mechanical devices include the following: Speeding Clock Blaise Pascal machine Gottfried Leibniz Machine SPEEDING CLOCK OR CALCULATING CLOCK In 1623 and 1624, reported his design and construction of what he referred to as an arithmetical instrument that he has …
Mechanical Counting and Calculating Devices As a result of the disadvantages of the early counting devices, more advanced mechanical counting and calculating devices were invented. Some of these devices are; Abacus (Chinese) Napier’s Bone (John Napier) Slide Rule (William Oughtred) THE ABACUS The Abacus is made up of beads threaded on iron rods. The …
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF COMPUTERS: EARLY COUNTING DEVICES Definition and Examples of Early Counting Devices Early counting devices are devices that were used in the early days to perform arithmetic operations such as addition of numbers, subtraction and multiplication. These devices were used for the usual barter trade of the early days. Examples of early counting devices are fingers, toes, stones, sticks, pebbles, cowries among others. …
MODERN METHODS OF TRANSMITTING INFORMATION With modern inventions in communication, many ancient methods have been replaced with more efficient modern ways of transmitting information. These include the following: Printing Telephone Global Systems for Mobile communication (GSM) Telex Radio Television Facsimile (Fax) Satellite Internet, etc. Printing Information transmission by printing involves the production of information on …
Oral method This is one of the oldest methods of transmitting information. It is the era of our great grandfathers when information was sent to people only through the use of the mouth. Drum beating Beating the drums was a simple method of information transmission across distances. Explorers, fearfully making their way through a jungle, …
Definition of Information This is data already processed into a meaningful form for decision making. Information conveys meaning and is useful to one or more people. Definition of Transmission This is the process of transferring something from one location to another location, from one person to another person or from one device to another device. …
Users are a key component in any information system. Therefore, protecting users is just as important as protecting hardware, software and data. The widespread use of computers have led to some important health concerns which are; Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) Computer related RSI’s are the largest job related injury and illness in the United States …
Many of us go through our daily routine without noticing how many times we come into contact with computers. Computer technology has become such a part of our daily lives that if it were taken away we would lead radically different lives. Information communication technology involves the use of modern communication channels to convey information. …
Meaning of ICT ICT is an acronym which stands for Information and Communication Technology. It can be described as a diverse set of technological tools and resources used to communicate and to create, disseminate, store and manage information. These technologies include; (i) Computer (ii) Internet (iii) Broadcasting technologies (radio and television) (iv) Telephone Uses …
Rules and Regulations of the Computer Laboratory The following are the rules and regulations of the computer laboratory: Computer room should be kept tidy always by regular cleaning Do not remove or load any software into the computer The security should be very tight to prevent stealing of the equipment. Eating: eating in whatever form …
Definition of Computer Room Computer room is a room specially created for keeping computers and other peripheral devices. It is also called computer laboratory. In designing this room, the components of a computer room must be put into consideration. Components of a Computer Room Computer system Furniture (computer tables and chairs) Electric surge protector Stabilizer …
THE COMPUTER A computer is an electronic device that can accept data and process data in order to get the required information. The computer receives data through the input device, and it processes the data to generate 1information which it produces and displays through the output device. PARTS OF THE COMPUTER A computer has …
THE KEYBOARD AND TYPES OF KEYBOARD CONTROL KEYS:they are used in line with other keys to instruct the computer to perform specific tasks. They are ctrl, del Esc and Alt. CURSOR- CONTROL KEYS: otherwise known as curdor manipulations keys allow the user to move the cursor to the left, right, up one line and down …
Definition of the Keyboard The keyboard is an input device that is used to send data into the computer. Its cable must be connected to a port of the system unit before it can operate. It is similar to an ordinary typewriter keyboard. The keyboard is used mainly to enter alphabets from A – Z, …
TYPES OF MICRO COMPUTER Micro computer is the smallest and the cheapest class of computers built for special purposes, e.g. for use in clocks, cameras etc. Micro computer contains between ten thousand and two million bytes of internal memory locations, a micro processor and can allow few input/output devices to be attached to it. Micro …