Subject: Computer Science

Class: Jss 1
Term: First Term
Duration: 40 minutes
TOPICS:
1. Fundamentals Of Computer
2. Data And Information
3. Computation Devices I (Pre-Computer Age To 19th Century)
4. Computing Devices Ii (20th Century To Date)

TOPIC1: FUNDAMENTALS OF COMPUTER

1. COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER

A computer system is made up of three main components:

 Hardware: These are the physical parts you can see and touch like the keyboard,
mouse, monitor, and CPU.
 Software: These are the instructions or programs that tell the computer what to do.
You cannot touch software.
 Peopleware: These are the people who use or operate the computer, such as students,
teachers, or computer operators.

2. HARDWARE: SYSTEM UNIT

This is a metal or plastic enclosure that houses hardware devices. It houses motherboard,
power supply, cooling fans, internal disk drives, memory modules, expansion cards, e.t.c. All
the hardware devices within a system unit are connected to the motherboard. It has both
internal and external features.

Case 1: Internal Features Of The System Unit

They are CPU, Motherboard, Cooling fan, Power supply, e.t.c.

1. Central Processing Unit (CPU): It is the brain of a computer system that makes all
the major decisions, calculations, activate and control basic operations of different
parts in a computer. The components of a CPU are Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU),
Control Unit (CU) and Main memory (MM).

 ALU: This performs the arithmetic (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and

division) and logic (inequalities symbols and exponentials) operations in a CPU.

 CU: This controls and monitors the hardware input, output and flow of data in a CPU.
  MM: This storage units within the CPU. REGISTER serves as a temporary storage
units.

2. Motherboard: This is the main circuit board of a system unit where other
components are attached or built on.

3. Cooling Fan: This cools the CPU and other crucial components.

4. Power Supply: This converts standard electrical power into a form the computer can
use.

Case 2: External Features Of The System Unit

They are Power button, reset button, hard disk drives, ports, e.t.c.

1. Power Button: This helps to put on or put off a computer.

2. Reset Button: This helps to adjust and rectify maladjustment of behaviour in a

computer to a normal mode.

3. Hard Disk Drives (HDD): This helps to store all files and programs forever with or
without electricity.

4. Ports: These are used to connect external electronic device to a computer.

The system unit is the main part of a desktop computer. It houses important components like:

 Motherboard: The main circuit board that connects all parts.

 CPU (Central Processing Unit): The brain of the computer.
 RAM (Random Access Memory): Temporary memory used when the computer is
working.
 Hard Drive: For storing data permanently.
 Power Supply: Sends power to all parts of the system unit.

Peripherals:

These are external devices connected to the computer.

 Input Devices: Used to enter data (e.g., keyboard, mouse, scanner).

 Output Devices: Used to display results (e.g., monitor, printer, speakers).
 Storage Devices: Used to save data (e.g., flash drive, external hard disk).

3. SOFTWARE

Two types of software:

 System Software: Helps run the computer itself (e.g., Operating System like
Windows, Linux).
  Application Software: Helps users perform specific tasks (e.g., Microsoft Word,
Excel, games).

4. CHARACTERISTICS OF A COMPUTER

 Speed: Works very fast.

 Accuracy: Gives correct results.
 Automation: Works without needing help once started.
 Storage: Can store a large amount of data.
 Multitasking: Can do many things at once.

TOPIC 2: DATA AND INFORMATION

1. Definitions

DATA is an unprocessed information or signals that computer accepts to be processed into

meaningful and useful information. Also, it is a raw information or unorganized form of
alphabets, numbers or symbols that is processed by the system unit.

Data is an unprocessed raw facts (e.g., names, numbers, and words).

TYPES OF DATA
They are Numeric, Alphabetic, Alphanumeric Data and Multimedia.
I. Numeric Data: These are data formed from the combination of numbers and decimal
point. The numbers is in-between 0 and 9 E.g. 2018, 090987654321, 7.26, e.t.c.
II. Alphabetic Data: These data contains only letters within the range of A and Z. e.g.
CONQUEROR, BERNADETTE, DOREGOS ARE CHAMPIONS, e.t.c.
III. Alphanumeric Data: These data are formed from the combination of letters and
numbers e.g. OPY-7, DPA4FOREVER, 10Q, e.t.c.
IV. Multimedia: These are formed from the combination of sound, pictures, graphic
video and moving elements.

SOURCES OF DATA
They are the Primary sources and Secondary sources.
I. Primary Sources: These are sources where data are created directly from an event,
speech, or original hand-writing manuscript.
II. Secondary Sources: These are sources where data are obtained after being improved
on, from the original sources or materials. E.g. Textbooks, Art, Music, Films,
Articles, etc.

INFORMATION
These are processed data by a computer system that are meaningful and useful to the user. It
can also be referred to as OUTPUT or PROCESSED DATA.

Information: Processed data that has meaning (e.g., a report card).

SOURCES OF INFORMATION
1. Library.
2. Internet.
3. Books.
4. News paper.
5. Radio.
6. Television.
7. Computer

QUALITY OF GOOD INFORMATION

1. It must be accurate.
2. It must be relevant.
3. It must be timely.
4. It must be meaningful.
5. It must be comprehensive.
6. It must be authoritative.
7. It must be cost-beneficial

2. Examples

 Data: “55”, “John”, “B+”

 Information: “John scored 55 marks and got B+ in Mathematics”

3. Difference Between Data and Information

Data Information
Raw and unprocessed Processed and meaningful
Cannot be used directly Can be used for decision-making
Example: 60 Example: John scored 60 in Maths

4. How the Computer Processes Data

The computer processes data using three steps:

 Input: Entering data (keyboard, mouse)

 Processing: CPU processes it
 Output: Result is displayed (monitor, printer)

5. Diagrammatic Representation of a Computer

INPUT → PROCESS → OUTPUT

(Keyboard, Mouse) (CPU/Processor) (Monitor, Printer)

STORAGE (Hard disk)

TOPIC 3: COMPUTATION DEVICES I (PRE-COMPUTER AGE TO 19TH
CENTURY)

1. Abacus

This is a manual calculating tool which has beads to represent large numbers. It is used
primarily to perform arithmetic operations (addition and subtraction).

 Features: First counting device.

 Components: Wooden frame and beads.
 Uses: Addition and subtraction.

2. Napier’s Bone

This is an ingenious arithmetic stick for performing arithmetic operations by the manipulation
of rods, called bones. It was invented by a Mathematician called John Napier in 1614.

 Features: Invented by John Napier.

 Components: Rods with numbers.
 Uses: Used for multiplication and division.

3. Slide Rule

This is used primarily to perform multiplication and division, and also logarithm,
exponentials and trigonometry. It is also known as Slip Stick. It was made in 1650 by two
English men named Edmund Gunther and Rev. William Oughtred

 Features: Looks like a ruler.

 Components: Fixed and sliding scales.
 Uses: Used for logarithms, multiplication, division.

4. Pascal’s Calculator

Blaise Pascal invented the mechanical calculator in 1642 to assist his Father as a tax
commissioner to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in carrying out difficult tax accounting.

 Invented by: Blaise Pascal.

 Uses: Performed addition and subtraction.

5. Leibniz Multiplier

Wilhelm Gottfried Leibnitz invented the mechanical calculating machine similar to that of
Pascal’s but lacked the ability to multiply and divide.

 Invented by: Gottfried Leibniz.

 Function: Could multiply and divide numbers.

6. Jacquard’s Loom
Joseph Jacquard invented a power loom with an automatic card reader with holes punched at
different positions to communicate with machines in 1801. It is an important step in
development of computers.

 Used in: Textile industry.

 Function: Wove complex patterns using punched cards.

7. Charles Babbage

In 1822, Charles Babbage, a Professor of Mathematics, devised a calculating machine called

difference engine to mechanically generate mathematical table and solve different
evaluations.

 Known as the “Father of the Computer”

 Designed the first mechanical computer.

8. Difference and Analytical Engine

 Difference Engine: Performed mathematical calculations.

 Analytical Engine: Designed to perform general calculations using input, memory,
and output.

9. Augusta Ada Byron

 First computer programmer.

 Helped Babbage with the Analytical Engine.

10. Hollerith Census Machine

He is an American inventor who developed a mechanical tabulator, in 1880, based on punch

cards to quickly tabulate and automatically read statistical information punched on the cards.

 Used in US Census (1890).

 Worked with punched cards.

TOPIC 4: COMPUTING DEVICES II (20TH CENTURY TO DATE)

1. Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC)

 First electronic digital computer.

 Used in solving equations.

2. ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator)

 First general-purpose electronic computer.

  Very large and used vacuum tubes.

3. EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer)

 Improved version of ENIAC.

 Used stored-program concept.

4. UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computer)

 First computer used for business.

 Sold commercially in 1951.

5. Desktop, Laptop, and Notebooks

 Desktop: Used on a desk, not portable.

 Laptop: Portable and lightweight.
 Notebook: Smaller and lighter than a laptop, with fewer features.

Difference Between Laptop and Notebook

Laptop Notebook
Slightly bigger and heavier Smaller and lighter
More powerful Less powerful
More ports and features Limited features

6. Other Forms of Portable Devices

 Tablets: Touch screen devices (e.g., iPad).

 Smartphones: Mini-computers that make calls.
 Smartwatches: Wearable devices with computer functions.
 PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants): Early portable computers (now outdated).