Introduction

Modern industrialization has shifted the operation of industries from manual operations to automated operations. The evolution of technology requires the necessity of computer literacy. For effective operations of modern machines, individuals are required to be equipped with basic computer skills. Paper filling in offices is shifting from hardware to software storage. Therefore, the necessity of secretaries to have basic typing and computer document storage. Our society has become increasingly dependent on computers to take care of our daily needs. This has created a high demand for skilled computer professionals to maintain as well as take advantage of this technology. Computer literacy refers to the acquisition of the basic operations and workings of computers. It is also having updated knowledge on computer usage, capabilities, and applications. This article will discuss computer literacy regarding computer language, software, coding, and various computer mechanisms.

Computer language

It is important to comprehend the process of communication between the user and the computer. This is because computers give feedback depending on the input from computer users. Therefore users are supposed to understand all computer languages and how and when to apply them. Computer users must be able to give computer commands and also be able to understand the output of the computers. A computer uses high and low-level languages.

Low-Level Language

Computers understand instructions through the use of machine codes. Machine codes help computer users to instruct computers on their operations. Machine codes are input through the keyboard which is the hardware of computers. The variety of keys on the keyboard ranging from numeric to alphanumeric keys help in handling all instructions which form the architecture of the hardware systems.

Machine language: This is the basic low-level computer language and it’s written in binary code. Thus, machine codes consist of two digits 1 & 0.

Assembly language: This is a development of machine language and it consists of alphanumeric keys to input English words, names, and symbols. Therefore it important for individuals to understand what keys to input for accuracy of the output results.

High-Level Language

These are programming languages only understood by the computer. Programming languages such as PASCAL, FORTRAN and C++ require operation by a skilled computer professional. Programming languages are used in writing programs for all types of computers. High-level languages are always converted to machine languages for effective computer output. Wrong conversion of high-level languages to machine languages brings an error code message on computer monitors. Therefore, programming requires skilled programming computer professionals. Telecommunication companies such as Airtel need database programmers with skills of secure data management to prevent leakage of crucial information of the corporations. Retrieval skills are also required in case of cyber-attacks by highly skilled computer hackers.

Procedural programming languages such as FORTRAN AND COBOL are used in the creation of programs that help in either online or offline transactions. For instance, the bank apps which link bank accounts to bank users to ease money transactions.

My interest in computers started when I was in high school. Being curious, I learned more computer skills raising my computer literacy level. After high school, I seized an opportunity to work as a network administrator in a software company. I earned a lot more than some people who had college degrees. Thus, computer literacy is very crucial in the developing world.

Computer Software

The tangible part of computers are hardware and are used in the housing of computer software. Computer software are programs that run on computers. Software help computer to perform specific tasks through integration with computer hardware. Thus computer hardware without software, no tasks will be performed by the computer. Operating systems and application programs make up computer software.

Operating Systems: This is a software that guides the users on computer hardware. It enables users to input commands using the keyboard. Operating systems help in memory management, printing, and networking.

Application Programs: These are software that help in delivering particular functionality to the user. Word processors help in typing and printing. Web browsers are used for research and graphic packages such as Adobe Photoshop for editing images. There other programs that help computer gamers. Installation of operating systems is required for the operations of application programs.

Computer software is one of the interesting areas in advancing computer literacy. Knowledge of computer software helped me troubleshoot my laptop which had hanging problems. I did this through the re-installation of the operating systems. Reinstallation refreshes application programs and enables normal operations of the programs. This experience has helped me earn a lot from computer installation. My friends visit me with their computer issues and each time I learn new troubleshooting skills. This has made me prominent and trustworthy in repairing computers.

Computer Coding Mechanisms

Computers have various processes for the proper functioning of application programs. Computer coding mechanisms require knowledge on the programming languages for proper input of commands to computers. Programming languages have their own rules for the correct execution of commands. These rules are known as syntax. For instance, if-else, loop conditions, input and output operations are common in all programming languages.Ommission of these conditions leads to incorrect output. Various programming languages have different applications. Python language is used for web and internet development. It is also used in desktop graphic user interfaces and business applications. Java is for developing android apps.PHP is for website development and contents management after developing of websites.SQL programming language is used in any database. The common C++ programming language is used for game development.

I find it easy to use the python programming language. It is user-friendly and has improved my computer literacy since I have gained basic knowledge of website development and content management.