INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

What is a computer ?
A computer is an electronic device that can
accept data and instruction, process them
or store them for later retrieval, and
sometimes generate output.
Major functions of Systems.
Input
Processing
Output
Storage
Categories of Computer hardware

1. The central Processing Unit (CPU)
2. Input devices, Which allow data to be
entered into the computer
3. Output devices, which are use for outputting
data from the computer .
4. Storage devices both primary and secondary.
Central Processing Unit
(CPU)
It is the part of the computer that does the
processing. It also controls the transfer of
data between memory and the other devices.
Main Components of the CPU are:
1. The control Unit (CU)
2. The Arithmetic/Logic Unit
The Control Unit (CU)
The CU is the part of the CPU which control
the operation of the CPU. It is use to:
1. To control the flow of programs and data in
and out of the primary memory.
2. To read and interpret program instructions
3. To control the flow of information to and
from all the components of the computer.
The Arithmetic/Logic Unit
This is the part of the CPU that does the
following:
1. Performs arithmetic operations. These
operation include addition, subtraction etc.
2. Perform logical operations. These includes
reasoning and performing the comparisons
necessary to make decisions.
Primary Storage
Primary storage is the storage that is
directly available to the CPU. It is also
known as:
Main Memory
Direct Access Storage
Immediate Access Storage (IAS)

Primary Storage is made up of 2 types of
storage RAM and ROM.


Primary
Storage
RAM
ROM
What is Random Access
Memory (RAM)
The contents in this type of memory are
temporary and are lost when the computer is
turn off (the data is volatile).

RAM is use to store the instruction and data
for currently running program and the
operating system.
Types of RAM
Static RAM (SRAM)

Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM)

Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM)
What is READ ONLY MEMORY
(ROM)
This is a chip or a group of chips containing
instructions for the CPU. Only the CPU has
access to this memory type.

When we turn on the computer, the CPU gets
its first instructions from the ROM.
Types of ROM
Programmable Read only Memory (PROM)
Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory
(EPROM).
Electrically Erasable Programmable Read
Only Memory (EEPROM).

Comparison Between ROM and
RAM


RAM ROM
Data can be both read and written Read-Only
Volatile Non-volatile
Content modify by program on the
computer in question
Content modify by manufacturer
Use Chips
Data can be randomly access
Secondary Storage
Unlike primary storage, secondary storage is
not done on chips. Some examples of
secondary storage devices are:
1. Hard disks
2. Magnetic tape
3. Floppy disk
4. Microfilm
5. Optical disk
6. Flash drive/flash memory card

Technical terms used with
the storage of data
1. Bit it is the smallest unit of storage
2. Byte- is a group of eight bits
3. Word the size of the data or instruction
that the CPU can handle in a single cycle.
4. Word- length /word size the number of bits
in a word
5. Address the location in memory where
data is stored
6. Character any digit, letter or symbol


Input/output Devices
Input Devices
1. Mouse
2. Keyboard
3. Joystick
4. Scanner
5. Microphone
Output Devices
1. Monitor
2. Printer
3. Plotter
4. Speakers
Questions
1. Name three devices other than the typical
computer where ROM may be use.
2. You were typing a document on the computer
and the power to the computer was interrupted
momentary. When the computer was restarted
the document was no longer in memory.
a. explain why the document was not still in
memory
b. Give on precaution that can be employed to
ensure that a document is not completely
lost in the event of a power failure.


Home Work
Explain what is a Bistable device ?