WEEK ONE

OBJECTIVES
At the end this lesson, the students should be able to:

1. Recognise computer set

2. Define Computer
3. Classify a computer into hardware and software
4. List examples of hardware and software
5. State the characteristic of a computer.

Definition of a Computer System.

The most powerful tool man ever created is the computer. Computers are everywhere – at
home, school, bank, airport etc
The term ‘Computer’ is derived from Latin word COMPUTE which mean to calculate

An electronic device, which takes input from the users in the form of data and instructions,
process the input according to the user’s instruction and generates results called OUTPUT,
displayed on the screen before the user, printed on paper or stored as information for futures
use

In other words, a computer is a programmable, multi-use machine which work under a set of
instruction called program that can accepts data such as raw facts and figures and is able to
process or manipulate it base on a given instruction to produce information such as reports
etc and is able to display it on output device such as VDU

COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE

Computer hardware includes the physical parts of a computer, such as the case, central
processing unit (CPU), monitor, mouse, keyboard, computer data storage, graphics
card, sound card, speakers and motherboard

Note: - computer hardware can be divided into two broad categories

The system unit
A system unit is the part of a computer that houses the primary devices that perform
operations and produce results for complex calculations. It includes the motherboard, CPU,
RAM and other components, as well as the case in which these devices are housed. This unit
performs the majority of the functions that a computer is required to do.

The term system unit is generally used to differentiate between the computer itself and its
peripheral devices, such as the keyboard, mouse and monitor.

A system unit is also known as a chassis or a tower in layman's terms.

The peripheral
Computer Peripherals are commonly divided into three kinds: input devices, output
devices, and storage devices (which partake of the characteristics of the first two). An input
device converts incoming data and instructions into a pattern of electrical signals
in binary code that are comprehensible to a digital computer. An output device reverses
the process, translating the digitized signals into a form intelligible to the user. At one time
punched-card and paper-tape readers were extensively used for inputting, but these have
now been supplanted by more efficient devices.

COMPUTER SOFTWARE

Software, instructions that tell a computer what to do. Software comprises the entire set of
programs, procedures, and routines associated with the operation of a computer system.
The term was coined to differentiate these instructions from hardware
 CHARACTERISTICS AND APPLICATION OF A COMPUTER

For computers to serve the need of users, it must possess the following characteristic

1. Its must produce accurate results

2 must be consistent and diligent
3. High storage capacity
4. Must be capable of automatic operation
5.
6.
7.
8
ROLE OF COMPUTERS IN EVERYDAY LIFE

1. Medical diagnosis

2. Entertainment

3. Education

4. Communication

5. Web Visibility

6. Scientific Activity

7. Government
 WEEK TWO
DATA AND INFORMATION

OBJECTIVES
At the end this lesson, the students should be able to:
1. Define data and information
2. Understand the difference formats of data and their use/application
3. Differentiate between data and information
4. know and able to provide examples of data and inforaamtion

Data is a collection of facts. Information is how you understand those facts in context.
Data is unorganized, while information is structured or organized. Information is an
uncountable noun, while data is a mass noun.

Data can be defined as a representation of facts, concepts, or instructions in a formalized

manner, which should be suitable for communication, interpretation, or processing by
human or electronic machine.
Data is represented with the help of characters such as alphabets (A-Z, a-z), digits (0-9) or
special characters (+,-,/,*,<,>,= etc.)

What is Information?

Information is organized or classified data, which has some meaningful values for the
receiver. Information is the processed data on which decisions and actions are based.
For the decision to be meaningful, the processed data must qualify for the following
characteristics −
 Timely − Information should be available when required.
 Accuracy − Information should be accurate.
 Completeness − Information should be complete.
Examples of Data
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

Examples of Information
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
 WEEK THREE

TOPIC: INTRODUCTION TO DATA PROCESSING

OBJECTIVES
At the end this lesson, the students should be able to:
1. Define Data Processing
2. List out the properties of Data processing
3. List out the properties of Data processing
4. Mention the importance of Data processing

The term data means any basic fact which may be input to some processing system. A
processing system is one where computations, comparisons and general manipulation of data
are done. The processing may be people or machine e.g the computer.

Information on the other hand, is the end – result of a processing system. The information is
needed by management for decision making. The relationship between data and information
is shown in the diagram below:

INPUT PROCESSING OUTPUT

WHAT IS DATA PROCESSING?

Data processing is the task of using a collection of basic facts to produce useful information,
usually it has no value in itself until it is subjected to analysis, validations and comparisons
with other data to produce result (information), for example a collection of weights of
individuals do not turn useful information for decision making.

However when the set of data is processed such as searching for individual with a maximum
or minimum weight or the weight of all concerned in the study, information is produced.

Management can decide on the basis of each information to assign special duties to the fellow
with the maximum or minimum weight. Other use could be made on such information
depending upon the situation prevailing on the organization and their special needs.

Therefore, Data processing is an operation on computer data which involves the

entering, sorting, updating and retrieving of information using computer.

PROPERTIES OF DATA
1. Collected/Captured
2. Prepared
3. Presented
4. Precise
5. Complete
6. Accurate
7. Purposeful
8. Assigned
DATA PROCESSING CYCLE
The data processing cycle describes the stages of data processing. It involves the following
stages:
 Data gathering
 Data collation
 Input stage
 Processing stage
 Storage stage
 Output stage

Element of data processing;

INPUT PROCESSING OUTPUT

Data is often required for various purposes. Even the same item of data may be used in a
great variety of ways depending upon the user’s objectives.
Most data processing work may be viewed as consisting of data, processor and output.
Usually, storage also features since both data and program instructions need to be stored.

DATA PROCESSING ACTIVITIES

Data processing activities involve the following:

1. INPUT: involves three steps; collection, verification/validation and coding

2. PROCESSING : involves classification, sorting, calculating, converting and storing

3. OUTPUT: involve retrieving, converting and communication.

INPUT ACTIVITY

a) COLLECTION: involves gathering data from various sources and assembling it at

one location.

b) VERIFICATION/VALIDATION: after data have been gathered, its accuracy and

completeness must be checked. This is an important step that helps to eliminate the
possibility of Garbage-In – Garbage-out (GIGO)

c) CODE: data must be converted into machine readable form so that it can be entered
into the processing system. Entering data via a computer terminal and keyboard is
one example of coding.

PROCESSING ACTIVITY

a) CLASSIFICATION: Classification involves categorizing data according to

certain characteristics to make it meaningful to the user. For example, sales data can
be grouped according to salesperson, product type, customer or any other
classification useful to management.

b) SORT: This involves arranging the grouped data element into predetermined
sequence to facilitate processing. For example, an employee number can be last.
Sorting can be done on numbers, letters, special characters or a combination of them.
After it has been classified, data may be stored.
 c) CALCULATION: The arithmetical or logical manipulation of data is referred to as
calculation. Examples include computation of students’ grade –point
averages, customers’ bank balances and employee’s wages.

d) SUMMARISE: Reducing large amount of data to concise, usable form is called

summarizing. The logical reduction of data is necessary to provide information that is
useful.

e) STORE: this involves the storing of data not immediately needed; data could be stored
on a disk, tape or CD-ROM.

OUTPUT ACTIVITY
This involves retrieving data, printing data and data communication.

IMPORTANCE OF DATA PROCESSING

The art of management is increasing as our society becomes more competitive and more
technologically advance. The volume of data being generated is correspondingly increasing
and becoming unmanageable. On the other hand, the need to make information available,
timely and accurately is becoming more vital in the competitive world in which we have
found ourselves. It is when a large volume of data is required to be processed speedily and
accurately that Data Processing becomes indispensable.

 Report making is simplified

 Cost is reduced
 Speed, Accurate and more reliable
 Storage and distribution is easy when data is processed
 Safe and secure
 Yield better result and increase productivity

GENERAL EVALUATION
1. What is data processing?
2. Describe a typical data processing cycle.
3. Describe what is involved in each stage of data processing.
4. Why is computer a better tool for data processing?
5. Discuss why data processing is important in business organization.

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
1. is a basic fact that needs to undergo processing.
A. information B. data C. output D. Input

2. The methodology of converting data into information is

A. data and information B. data processing C. decision making D. none of the above

3. The major reason for data processing is A. decision making B. conflict promotion
C. information generation D. data manipulation

4. In data processing, input activity involves A. Collection B. verification

C. retrieving D. All of the above.

5. One of these is not data property

A. presentation B. collection C. misuse D. Accuracy
TYPES OF DATA
1. Qualitative data i.e descriptive information
2. Quantitative data i.e numeric information

SUBDIVISION OF QUANTITATIVE DATA

1. Continuous data: this can take any value. It is also known as measured data. It can
take value within a range e.g 0-99, 10-20 etc.
2. Discrete data: this type of data is whole in nature. It is not continuous. It takes a
whole numbers and also called Counted data.

FORMS OF DATA
1. Numeric i. e 0-9
2. Letters i.e a-z or A-Z
3. Symbols e.g + , _ , * , % , = , <, >, etc
EXAMPLES OF DATA
Numbers, name of thing, place or animal, words, measurements, observations, descriptions of
things etc.

SOURCES OF DATA
Data can come from different sources depending on the importance of the data. The
following are sources of data: television, internet, articles, government documents and public
records, newspaper, textbooks, biographies.

EVALUATION
1. Define data.
2. Explain the two types of data.
3. Mention any five sources of data.

INFORMATION
This refers to data that have been converted into a more meaningful and useful form.
It refers to a processed data that is meaningful to the user.

EXAMPLES OF INFORMATION
1. Student ID card
2. Weather reports
3. Student’s report card
4. International passport
5. Utility bills e.g PHCN bills, Water bills

SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Internet, Database, Magazine/ Newspaper, Census board, Documents, Observation etc

CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD INFORMATION

1. Relevance: it must be relevant and good enough for its purpose.
2. Reliability: it must come from a reliable source.
3. Accuracy: it must be an end product of processed data. That is, it must be error-free.
4. Availability: it must be available and communicated to the user as at when it is
needed.
5. Suitability: it must be expressed in the form the user of the information can
understand it and of suitable for its purpose.

DATA HANDLING
This the process of ensuring that research data is stored, archived or disposed off in a safe
and secure manner during and after the conclusion of a research project.

WAYS OF HANDLING DATA

1. Electronic methods: Data can be handled electronically ensures data integrity. It
includes personal digital assistants (PDA), storage media, CD/DVD, MEMORY
CARDS etc.
2. Non-Electronic methods: This method includes paper files, journals and laboratory
notebooks. It is basically called manual method in which human energy and effort are
used to process data.

GENERAL EVALUATION
1. Mention any five sources of information.
2. Differentiate between data and information.
3. State any three forms of data.
4. Mention the two types of data
5. What is the difference between continuous data and discrete data?
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
1. are raw facts which have not undergone processing.
A. Information B. Data C. Record D. None
2. One of the characteristics of good information has to do with the correctness of
information. A. reliability B. availability C. accuracy D. none
3. refers to the information that has been processed.
A. Data B. Information C. Database D. None
4. There are ……… types of data. A. 2 B. 3 C. 4 D. 8
5. The process of surfing the NET to get information for further research is …….
A. primary source B. on-line C. secondary source D. None

THEORY
1. Mention and explain the two ways of handling data.
2. Explain at least four characteristics of good information.

WEEK FOUR

HISTORY OF COMPUTING DEVICES

OBJECTIVES
At the end this lesson, the students should be able to:
1. State the features of pre – computer age devices to the 19th century computing
Devices
2. List their components
3. State their uses

The pre computer age to the 19th century computing devices were the early computing
devices that were designed to help man perform some calculations, these devices were
either mechanical or electromechanical devices meaning that they contained numerous
moving parts. These moving parts were complicated to manufacture, difficult to
maintain and above all, relatively slow.

EARLY MECHANICAL COUNTING/CALCULATING DEVICES

1. Abacus
2. Slide rule
3. John Napier bone
4. Blaize Pascal machine
5. Gottfried Leitbnitz machine
6. Joseph Jacquard Loom
7. Charles Babbage analytical machine

EARLY ELECTRONIC COUNTING DEVICES:

1. Herman Hollerith punch card
2. John Von Neumann machine

Man has put in every effort to have better methods of calculations. As a result of man’s
search for fast and accurate calculating devices, the computer was developed. Essentially,
there are three kinds of calculating devices: manual, mechanical and automatic.

ABACUS
The first calculating device was probably Abacus. The Chinese invented it. It is still in use in
some countries because of its simple operation. It is made up of a frame divided into two
parts by a horizontal bar and vertical threads. Each thread contains some beads. It was used to
calculate simple addition and subtraction.

NAPIER’S BONE
The need for a better calculating device was felt as time passed. John Napier, a Scottish
mathematician, invented a set of eleven rods, with four sides each which was used as a
multiplication tool. These rods were made from bones and this was the reason why they were
called Napier Bones. The rods had numbers marked in such a way that, by placing them side
by side, products and quotients of large numbers can be obtained.

PASCALINE
The first mechanical calculating machine was invented in 1642, by Blaize Pascal, a French
mathematician. Numbers were entered by dialling a series of numbered wheels in this
machine. A sequence of wheels transferred the movements to a dial, which showed the result.

Through addition and subtraction were performed the normal way, the device could perform
division by repeated subtraction and multiplication by repeated addition.

LEIBNITZ CALCULATING MACHINE

Gottfried Wilhelm Von Leibnitz invented a computer that was built in 1694. It could add and
after changing some things around, it could multiply. Leibnitz invented a special stepped gear
mechanism for introducing the added digits and this is still being used.

JACQUARD’S LOOM
Jacquard’s loom was one of the first machines that were run by a program. Joseph Jacquard
changed the weaving industry by creating a loom that controlled the raising of the thread
through punched cards. Jacquard’s loom used lines of holes on a card to represent the
weaving pattern.

PUNCHED CARD
During the years1920 and 1930, the punched card system developed steadily. A standard card
was divided into 80 columns and 12 rows. Only one character could be represented in the 80
columns, thus providing a maximum of 80 characters per card. Punching one, two or three
holes in any one column represented a character. Holes were punched into a blank card by a
punch machine whose keyboard resembled that of a typewriter.

NUMBER SYSTEM (REVISION)

To effectively use the computer, it is therefore necessary to know how data is represented and
communicated to it. There are different ways of representing data in the number system,
namely:
1. Decimal System
2. Binary System
3. Octal System
4. Hexadecimal Number System.

EVALUATION
1. How does Abacus and Jacquard’s loom function?
2. What type of operation can Pascaline perform?
3. Explain the four number system.
4. List any four early counting devices.

CLASS ACTIVITY

1. Napier’s Bones had ……..A. 9 rods B. 11 rods C. 10 rods D. 12 rods

2. Jacquard’s loom was used in the ……A. mechanical industry B. weaving industry
C. food industry D. all of the above

3. ……. was the first calculating device. A. Napier’s Bones B. Punched card C.
Abacus D. Slide rule
 4. The octal number system has a radix of ……. A. 7 B. 10 C. 16 D. 8

5. The Decimal Number is in Base ……A. 2 B. 8 C. 10 D. 16

THEORY
1. Describe a standard Punch Card.
2. Explain Decimal Number system.