INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS
(Computer Fundamentals /Computer Basics)
By
Meeme Julius M’Lingera (EMELISWAP)
(Email: )
Dated: July, 2021
Target Student/Trainees
Everyone taking any unit in Computer Literacy, Computer Studies,
Computer Science or Information and Communication Technology
(ICT) and other related subjects in either
Secondary or Tertiary Level
For Additional Information
You can contact the author through the email: for additional information
Page 1 of 10
, Terms Related To Computers
a) Computer - a computer is a programmable electronic device that accepts data and
transforms it into information under the control of programs stored in its own memory.
b) ICT- ICT is an acronym for Information Communications Technology. It is the integration
of the computers and telecommunication devices in order to facilitate the acquisition,
processing, storage and dissemination of audio, visual and audiovisual information.
c) IT - It stands for Information Technology. Information Technology is the processing and
distribution of data using computer hardware and software, telecommunications, and
digital electronics.
d) Hardware - These are all the physical and tangible mechanical, electrical and electronic
components or parts of a computer system.
e) Software - A computer program is a set of special step-by-step instructions that tell the
computer what to do and how to do it.
f) Liveware - These are all the people that make use of computers to enhance the efficiency
of processing and managing information. They are also referred to as orgware or
humanware.
g) Data - Data is the collection of raw facts and figures that do not have much meaning to the
user and can be processed to produce information.
h) Information - Information is the processed facts and figures that have been summarized in
the way you want and is meaningful to the user
Assignment
a) Explain the following types of data: numeric, alphanumeric, alphanumeric
b) Why is a computer said to be electronic?
c) List 10 examples of liveware
d) State five characteristics of good information
Evolution of Computers
1) Stones and sticks: - initially before human beings began using machines for computation,
data processing was done manually using simple tools like stones and sticks to count and
keep records. This was before 1900 and started in Mid-East.
Page 2 of 10
(Computer Fundamentals /Computer Basics)
By
Meeme Julius M’Lingera (EMELISWAP)
(Email: )
Dated: July, 2021
Target Student/Trainees
Everyone taking any unit in Computer Literacy, Computer Studies,
Computer Science or Information and Communication Technology
(ICT) and other related subjects in either
Secondary or Tertiary Level
For Additional Information
You can contact the author through the email: for additional information
Page 1 of 10
, Terms Related To Computers
a) Computer - a computer is a programmable electronic device that accepts data and
transforms it into information under the control of programs stored in its own memory.
b) ICT- ICT is an acronym for Information Communications Technology. It is the integration
of the computers and telecommunication devices in order to facilitate the acquisition,
processing, storage and dissemination of audio, visual and audiovisual information.
c) IT - It stands for Information Technology. Information Technology is the processing and
distribution of data using computer hardware and software, telecommunications, and
digital electronics.
d) Hardware - These are all the physical and tangible mechanical, electrical and electronic
components or parts of a computer system.
e) Software - A computer program is a set of special step-by-step instructions that tell the
computer what to do and how to do it.
f) Liveware - These are all the people that make use of computers to enhance the efficiency
of processing and managing information. They are also referred to as orgware or
humanware.
g) Data - Data is the collection of raw facts and figures that do not have much meaning to the
user and can be processed to produce information.
h) Information - Information is the processed facts and figures that have been summarized in
the way you want and is meaningful to the user
Assignment
a) Explain the following types of data: numeric, alphanumeric, alphanumeric
b) Why is a computer said to be electronic?
c) List 10 examples of liveware
d) State five characteristics of good information
Evolution of Computers
1) Stones and sticks: - initially before human beings began using machines for computation,
data processing was done manually using simple tools like stones and sticks to count and
keep records. This was before 1900 and started in Mid-East.
Page 2 of 10
