DBT 1101 Fundamentals of

Information Technology

Mr. Malongo Newton A.

nmalongo@strathmore.edu
Tel.: +254 720 373 069
19th May, 2025
 Computer Systems
Are defined as:
A machine for solving problems. Specifically the modern computer
is high-speed electronic computational machine that accepts
information in the form of data and instructions through some
input device and processes this information with arithmetic and
logic operation from a program stored in its memory. The results
of processing can be displayed stored or recovered using suitable
output devices or transmitted to another location.
OR

“A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of

instructions stored in its own memory unit, that can accept data
(input), process data arithmetically and logically, produce
information (output) from the processing, and store the results for
future use.”
 The Computer Hardware
• Hardware
Hardware is everything you can touch and see

The physical components of the computer, including the

computer itself and matched peripherals.

Input Processing Output

 Functions of a Computer
Four operations performed
• The four operations are referred to as the information
processing cycle: Input, Process, Output, and Storage.
• Computers transform raw data into information
• People who use this information are referred to as end
users, computer users or users
Cont’
It includes at least five hardware components:
-An input device
-A central processing unit (CPU)
-Internal memory
-An out put device
-An external memory or storage
 1. Input Unit
•Input is all information put into a computer. Input can be
supplied from a variety of sources:
– A person
– A storage device on computer
– Another computer
– A peripheral device
– Another piece of equipment, such as a musical instrument
or thermometer
•Purpose: Captures data and instructions from users or
external sources.

•Function: Converts user input into binary signals that the

computer can process.
•Common Devices (2025):
• Keyboard, Mouse, Touchscreens
• Scanners, Sensors, Stylus pens
• Voice Assistants (e.g., Siri, Alexa)
• Biometric devices (face/fingerprint recognition)
• Iot-based inputs from smart devices
• Touch Screen Input
• OCR
•Input devices gather and translate data into a form the
computer understands.
•Primary input device:
– Keyboard - Most common input device; used to type in
commands and data.
– Mouse or trackball enhances user’s ability to input
commands, manipulate text, images.
– Joystick useful in education as an adaptive or assistive
input device.
– Scanners are peripheral input devices which allow users to
import:
– Text
– Graphics
– Images
•Specialized software aids in translating information into a
format the computer can understand and manipulate.
• Digital Cameras are peripheral input
devices that allow users to create
pictures and/or movies in a digital
format.
– Some require specialized
software to import images
into the computer.
– Some record digital images directly to a
disk that can be read by the computer.
Summary
• Badge Reader
• Bar-code Reader
• Cartridge & cassette drives
• CD Rom
• Digital camera
• Digital tables & scanners
• Keyboard, mouse, pens
• MICR
• Voice
• OCR
• Touch screen
 Binary System
Bit - the smallest unit of data that a computer
uses (microprocessors) . It can be used to
represent two states of information, such as
Yes or No(0,1).

Byte - is equal to 8 Bits. A Byte can represent

256 states of information, for example,
numbers or a combination of numbers and
letters. 1 Byte could be equal to one character.
 Bits on Bytes
1 byte = 8 bits
1 kilobyte (K / Kb) = 1,024 bytes
1 megabyte (M / MB) = 1,048,576 bytes
1 gigabyte (G / GB) = 1,073,741,824 bytes
1 terabyte (T / TB) = 1,099,511,627,776 bytes
Central Processing Unit
Its also called “The Chip”, a CPU, a processor, or a
microprocessor
– Memory (RAM)
– Storage Devices
– Input Devices
– Output Devices

Small chip found on the motherboard.It is the brain of the

computer, it consists of a control unit that direct the
activities of the machine and an arithmetic-logic unit
(ALU) to perform mathematical calculations and data
Processing ( transforming data into information) .

The internal memory or main memory for the permanent

storage of software instructions and data.
 Microprocessor

The Processor Unit is comprised of two components:

• Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• Memory

• Interprets instructions to the computer

• Performs logical and arithmetic operations
• Causes the input and output operations to occur
• A Pentium Pro Microprocessor can perform
approximately 250 million instructions per second
(MIPS)
 CPU TYPES
• Intel, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Motorola,
Cyrix
• X86 family of processors: 8080, 8086, 8088,
80286, 80386, 80486, Pentium (P5), Pentium
Pro, Pentium II
• MMX - additions to the CPU programming that
allow for better and faster multimedia tasks like
graphics and sound.
 CPU Components
• Arithmetic/Logic Unit (ALU): processes data
arithmetically (addition, subtraction, multiplication,
division) or logically (greater than, less than, equal to)
• Control Unit: works with the operating system to move
data between auxiliary storage and main memory; and
between main memory and the ALU
• Main Memory: contains both program instructions and
the data that is required.
• A single machine can have multiple CPUs to share
processing tasks (co-processors, multiprocessing), but
each CPU can execute only a single task.
 CPU Machine Cycle
A machine cycle, also known as an instruction cycle or CPU cycle, is the sequence
of steps a computer's central processing unit (CPU) follows to execute a single
machine language instruction.

This cycle generally involves fetching, decoding, and executing the instruction.
It's the fundamental process that allows a computer to perform any task.
Cont’
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
• Fetching:
– The CPU retrieves the next instruction to be executed from memory.
• Decoding:
– The CPU analyzes the retrieved instruction to determine what action it
needs to perform.
• Executing:
– The CPU carries out the action specified by the instruction, which may
involve performing calculations, accessing data, or controlling other parts
of the computer.
• Writing (optional):
– In some cases, the CPU may also write the result of the execution back
into memory.
• This cycle repeats for each instruction in a program, allowing the computer to
follow the sequence of instructions and execute the desired task. The
machine cycle is a fundamental concept in computer architecture and is
crucial for understanding how computers process information.
 Output Devices
After data is processed, results are sent to an output
device in the form of hard or soft copy.
Example:
Hardcopy output devices is the printer.
Softcopy output devices is when the results are
displayed on a monitor for direct viewing.

• Output Devices make the information resulting

from processing available for use
• Examples of Output Devices:
– Computer Screens
– Printers
– Speakers
Computer Screens
• Also called monitor or Cathode Ray Tube (CRT)
• Flat panel screens - LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
• Screen is made up of pixels

Display Consideration
• Screen size- diagonal measurement from corner to
corner. Popular sizes are 14”, 15” and 17”
• Dot pitch - measure of image clarity. The smaller the
dot pitch, the crisper the image or resolution.
Video adapters/cards impact image resolution and
display speed. Today, most monitors are Super VGA
(1024 x 768)and use non-interlaced projection
technology (flicker)

Laptop - liquid crystal display (LCD). Passive matrix vs

active matrix screen (display method which impacts
image quality). Active matrix is much better but more
expensive and can have problems.
TYPES OF MONITORS
• CRT (Cathode Ray Tube):
• The oldest technology, CRT monitors use a vacuum tube to create images, but
they are bulky and have been largely replaced by flat-panel displays.
• LCD (Liquid Crystal Display):
• LCD monitors are widely used and employ liquid crystals that change shape
when an electric current passes through them, displaying images.
• LED (Light Emitting Diode):
• LED monitors utilize LEDs for backlighting, improving image quality and power
efficiency compared to older LCDs.

• OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode):

• OLED monitors offer superior image quality with perfect blacks, wide viewing angles,
and fast response times, making them ideal for gaming and professional applications.
CONT’
Curved Monitors:
Curved screens enhance immersion and reduce eye strain, offering a wider field of
view and a more immersive experience.

Touchscreen Monitors:
Touchscreen monitors allow for interactive input by touching the screen, making
them ideal for applications like digital signage and interactive kiosks.

Ultrawide Monitors:
Ultrawide monitors offer a wider aspect ratio, providing more screen real estate for
multitasking and immersive gaming experiences.

Gaming Monitors:
Gaming monitors are specifically designed for gaming, featuring high refresh rates,
low response times, and wider viewing angles to reduce motion blur and improve
gaming performance.

4K Monitors:
4K monitors offer significantly higher resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels) than standard
1080p monitors, providing sharper visuals and better detail for video editing,
gaming, and other tasks.
TYPES OF MONITORS
Printers
They are broadly classified into two main categories
based on their printing technology: impact and non-
impact. Impact printers create an image by physically
striking an inked ribbon against the paper, while non-
impact printers use a different mechanism to deposit
ink or toner without physical contact.
Impact Printers
• Dot Matrix Printers
• These printers form characters by striking a series of pins against an inked ribbon,
creating small dots on the paper.

•Daisy Wheel Printers

•These printers use a rotating wheel with individual characters in relief, and the wheel
strikes the paper against an inked ribbon to form characters.

•Line Printers
•These printers are designed for high-volume printing and can print an entire line at a
time, using methods like drum, band, or chain printers.

Non-Impact Printers
• Inkjet Printers
• These printers use tiny nozzles to spray ink droplets onto the paper, forming images.
• Laser Printers
• These printers use a laser beam to attract toner to an area of the paper, which is then
fused onto the paper.
• Thermal Printers
• These printers use heat to transfer ink or create images on specially coated paper.
• 3D Printers
• These printers create physical objects by depositing material layer by layer.
Other Types

• LED Printers: These printers are similar to laser printers but use LEDs instead of a
laser for creating the image.
• Solid Ink Printers: These printers use solid ink blocks instead of liquid ink cartridges.

• Photo Printers: These are specialized printers designed for high-quality photo
printing.

• Label Printers: These printers are designed for printing labels and tags.

• Plotter Printers: These are large-format printers used for printing maps, blueprints,
and other technical drawings.

• Continuous Inkjet Printers: These are used in industrial applications for marking
and coding.

• Dye-Sublimation Printers: These printers use a dye-sublimation process to create

high-quality, vibrant prints on various material
Printers

Printer Considerations
• Dot matrix - low price & inexpensive to operate.
Lower quality. Impact - can print carbon forms.
Color option. Slow.
• Ink jet - moderate price & better output. Color
option. Nonimpact. Quieter.
• Laserjet - more expensive. Faster. High quality.
Nonimpact.
Projection System
Projection systems or classroom TVs can display
information from a computer system on a larger screen
for whole-class instruction.
Thank You All

Questions??
Recap Question
1. Define computer hardware and give two examples.
2. List and briefly describe the functions of the four main components of a digital
computer.
3. Explain the difference between input and output devices, and give two examples of
each.
4. Describe the role of the CPU in a digital computer. Why is it called the "brain" of the
computer?
5. Explain the function of storage devices in a computer system, distinguishing between
primary and secondary storage with examples.
6. Describe the function of the motherboard and explain how it supports communication
between hardware components.
7. Using a well-labeled diagram, explain how the input, processing, storage, and output
components interact during data processing.
8. Discuss the major components of a digital computer system under the following
headings:
• Input devices
• Output devices
• Storage devices
• Processing unite)
• Power supply