TECHNICAL REPORT ON STUDENT INDUSTRIAL WORK EXPERIENCE SCHEME

(SIWES) TRAINING PROGRAMME UNDERTAKEN AT

LOSTCODES TECHNOLOGY NIGERIA LIMITED.YENAGOA, BAYELSA STATE.

www.lostcodes.com, info@lostcodes.com+2348067976680, +2347032671390, +234803884828.

BYNAME: ODOMO AYODELE ELIJAH MATRIC NO: FUO/11/CSI/218 PROGRAMME: COMPUTER SCIENCE & INFORMATICSFACULTY: SCIENCEINSTITUTION: FEDERAL UNIVERSITY, OTUOKE, BAYELSA STATE.

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APRIL – SEPTEMBER, 2015.DEDICATION

This report is dedicated to Almighty God for his protection, wisdom, knowledge, and understanding throughout the period of the industrial training.Special dedication also goes to my ever supportive parents and my dear wife, for their relentless support and encouragement towards me during the course of my six months training.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I am highly thankful and grateful to the Almighty God Jehovah for his awesome presence in my life and his continued guidance and assistance. I am also grateful to my instructors, Mr. Godwin Larry, Mr. Premobowei Oti, Miss. Theresa Briseimo, and Mr. Kelly Omekwe for their encouragement and guidance as well as their mentorship even when all seemed impossible. I also wish to express my profound gratitude to all LostCodes Technology staff for their accommodation and contributions throughout the six months of the training programme.

For everyone that contributed in one way or the other to the success of this six month SIWES programme, especially her Excellency, Mrs. Martha Nestor Binabo and her caring husband who housed and fed me, I say thank you very much and may the good lord continue to guide and bless you all.

I appreciate you all.

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TABLE OF CONTENTSTitle PageCover Page iDedication iiAcknowledgement iiiTable of Contents ivAbstract vOverview viChapter 1: Introduction 1

1.2 Aims of SIWES 2 1.3 Objectives of SIWES 2 1.4 LostCodes Technology Nigeria Limited 3 1.4.1 LostCodes Products & Services 3 1.4.2LostCodes Departments & their Functions 4

1.4.3LostCodes Organisational Structure 6 1.4.4 LostCodes Organogram 7

Chapter 2: Activities at LostCodes Technology 8 2.1 Computer Hardware Maintenance & Repair 8 2.2.0 Microsoft Office Word 2007 16 2.2.1 Microsoft Office Excel 2007 18 2.3 Basic Computer Network 21 2.4 Java Programming Language 23

Chapter 3: Problems Encountered LostCodes 34Relevance of SIWES programme 35

Chapter 4: Summary, Recommendation, and Conclusion 35 4.1 Ways of Improving The SIWES programme 35

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4.2 Advice For Future Participant 37 4.3 Advice For The SIWES Manager 38 4.4 Conclusion 38 4.5 Recommendation 39

ReferenceABSTRACT

This technical report covers a review of work undertaken and skills acquired during the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) at LostCodes Technology Nigeria Limited, Amarata, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, from April 2015 to September 2015.

The nature of the work undertaken include: Computer hardware maintenance and installations, Basic use of Microsoft Office package (MS word, Excel and Powerpoint), Java programming language and Basic computer system networking. The report also covers the activities as well as duties carried out by me.

I was also involved in repairs and general maintenance of computer components within the company.

This report gives concise information on all the subjects matter mentioned above, and defines the experience gained. It also highlights some problems I encountered during the process of acquiring this experience, and a few recommendations that I think will help improve the purpose of the programme.

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OVERVIEW

This report is organized in the following order:

Chapter One: Introduction to SIWES and LostCodes TechnologyThis chapter describes briefly the history and objectives of SIWES, including the bodies under SIWES. This chapter also describes the location and brief history of establishment of LostCodes Technology Nigeria Limited, aim and vision as well as objectives of the establishment, its organizational chart, and the various departments and their functions.

Chapter Two: SIWES activities at LostCodes Nigeria LimitedThis chapter discusses the various activities and duties performed in relation to the different departments in the firm. This chapter also explains the knowledge acquired in computer hardware maintenance including the tools and software used the use of Microsoft word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint. Basic introduction to Java programming language as well as basic computer networking was also discussed.

Chapter Three: Problems encountered during the programmeThis chapter enumerates the problems encountered and the relevance of the SIWES programme.

Chapter Four: ConclusionThis chapter gives the summary of all experiences and knowledge gained and the skills acquired, recommendations on the ways of

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improving the programme, advice for future participants as well as for the SIWES Managers.

CHAPTER ONE

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) is a programme which was established by ITF in 1973 under the direct coordination of the Nigeria Universities Commission (NUC), National Commission for College of Education (NCCE), and National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to solve the problem of lack of adequate practical skills required for employment in industries by Nigerian graduates of tertiary institutions.

Participation in Industrial Training is a well-known educational strategy. Classroom studies are integrated with learning through hands-on work experiences in a field related to the student’s academic program and career goals. Successful internships foster an experiential learning process that do not only promotes career preparation but provides opportunities for learners to develop skills necessary to become leaders in their chosen professions.

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One of the primary goals of the SIWES is to help students integrate leadership development into the experiential learning process. Students are expected to learn and develop basic non-profit leadership skills through a mentoring relationship with innovative non-profit leaders.

By integrating leadership development activities into the Industrial Training experience, ITF hope to encourage students to actively engage in non-profit management as a professional career objective. Participation in SIWES has become a necessary pre-condition for the award of Diploma and Degree certificates in specific disciplines in most institutions of higher learning in the country. The scheme is a tripartite programme involving the students, the Universities and the Industries (the employers of labour).

1.2 AIMS OF SIWES

SIWES is aimed at promoting the much-desired technological know-how for the advancement of the nation by exposing students to machines and equipment, professional work methods and ways of safeguarding the work area as well as the workers in industries and other organizations.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF SIWES

The following are some of the objectives of SIWES:

1. To provide students the opportunity to test their interest in a particular career before permanent commitments are made.

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2. To develop skills in the application of theory to practical work situations.

3. To provide students the opportunity to test their aptitude for a particular career before permanent commitments are made.

4. To develop skills and techniques directly applicable to their careers.

5. To aid students in adjusting from college to full-time employment.

6. To prepare SIWES students in entering into full-time employment in their area of specialization upon graduation.

7. To help SIWES student acquire good work habits. 8. To help SIWES student develop employment

records/references that will enhance employment opportunities.

1.4 LOSTCODES TECHNOLOGY NIGERIA LIMITED

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LostCodes Technology is a fully fledge Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solutions provider situated at No. 1 Jimmy Ebi street, Amarata in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The company was established by a group of young ICT intellects in 2006; LostCodes was established as a private owned Limited Liability Company (LLC). LostCodes is committed to offering delivery-on-demand ICT solutions to both small and large scale enterprises. They also offer ICT consultancy services by always keeping their clients abreast with the current trends in the ICT world and helping in realizing all available ICT opportunities for business growth and stability. Their approaches are business oriented and their core goal is aimed at offering efficient ICT solutions as well as building human capacity development in the ICT industry for the economic growth of Nigeria in particular and the world at large.

1.4.1 LOSTCODES TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Some of the services offered by LostCodes Technology are:

Training & ConsultancyLostCodes provides professional IT training and consultancy services throughout Nigeria. With a team of highly trained and skilled ICT professionals, they offer a wide range of courses from short daytime courses through a six-month part time training leading to a diploma certification, as well as hands-on training on various computer applications and packages.

Networking Systems

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Network/Communication Solutions (Internet facilities, Telecommunications and Systems Security)

ICT Office/Lab SetupComputer Installation and Maintenance (General ICT Office/Lab Supplies, Sales, Setup, Support and Delivery)

Responsive Web DesignWebsite Design and Maintenance that provides an optimal viewing experience, easy reading and navigation with a minimum of resizing, panning, and scrolling across a wide range of devices.

Software EngineeringSoftware application development and mobile computing (RIM Blackberry Applications, Android Applications, iOS Applications, Mobile Integration, etc.).

Data ManagementWe offer an administrative process by which the required data is acquired, validated, stored, protected, and processed, hence the data accessibility, reliability, and timeliness is ensured to satisfy the needs of the end users.

1.4.2 LOSTCODES DEPARTMENTS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS

LostCodes has different strategic departments and units that assist in performing various functions in order to achieve the desired objectives. This section explores these diverse units and shows how they function in LostCodes Technology.

1. ADMINISTRATION: This department over sees the smooth running of daily activities and ensures good flow of work process. It sub divided into the following:

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Human Resource Management (HRM): Here, they are committed to providing an enabling environment where the full potentials of each and every staff can be unleashed to create a mastery of achievement. They are in charge of employment and code of conduct and ethics of members of staff. Training of IT students, students of LostCodes and staffs of the company is also carried out in this unit.

Reception/Customer Service: These units are responsible for welcoming visitors and customers to LostCodes. They enquire from the customers what they want, whom they would want to see, show them the firm facilities, direct their enquiries or complains to the appropriate staff, keep records of visitors log and ensure that the log is filled correctly.

2. FINANCE DEPARTMENT: The Finance department is responsible for the following:

Keeping Procedures - Keeping records of the purchases and sales made by a business as well as capital spending.

Preparing Final Accounts - Profit and loss account and Balance Sheets

Providing management information - Managers require ongoing financial information to enable them to make better decisions.

Management of wages - The wages section of the finance department will be responsible for calculating the wages and salaries of employees and organizing the collection of income tax and national insurance for the Inland Revenue.

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Raising Finance - The finance department is also responsible for the technical details of how the business raises finance e.g. through loans, and the repayment of interest on that finance. In addition it also supervises the payment of dividends to shareholders.

3. ICT DEPARTMENT: The Information Communication Technology (ICT) performs a cross-cutting function and therefore addresses the connectivity and harnessing of the emerging technologies to enhance research capacity. Modernizing the infrastructure and services that support research activities of the firm is also a priority of this department. The contract of the company as relates to technology (database design, web design, software development and networking etc.) is executed in this department.

1.4.3LOSTCODES TECHNOLOGY ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

LostCodes Technology Nigeria Limited is headed by a Chief Executive Officer, CEO who also doubled as the director of research and innovation. He sees to the smooth running of the day-to-day activities of the company. The CEO is directly assisted by three (3) different directors, namely: director of ICT and Chief Architect, director of Administration, and director of Finance.

The three directors who are in charge of the three departments are also assisted by six (6) other managers who are in charge of various units in the company. The six units are: Administration, Account, Operation, Human Resources, System Security, and Network System.

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CEO, DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH &INNOVATION

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS ANALYSIS

BUSINESS DEVELOPER

OPERATION MANAGER

DIRECTOR OF FINANCECHIEF ARCHITECT AND DIRECTOR OF ICT

SYSTEM SECURITY MANAGER

NETWORK SYSTEM MANAGER

ACCOUNT MANAGER

CASHIER

LostCodes also has a business developer who report to the director of Business analysis, Network Engineer working with the Network System manager, a receptionist under Administration manager, training instructors working in the Human Resources department as well as a cashier assisting the Account manager.

1.4.4

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CHAPTER TWO

Activities during the SIWES period:

During my six months SIWES programme at LostCodes, all lectures and practical works took place at the company’s classroom/Laboratory whereby all resource persons come to deliver their lecture or take the students on practical. The activities undertaken during the period of attachment in LostCodes Technology can be divided into four (4) distinct parts, they are:

A. Computer hardware maintenance and repair,B. Use of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint,C. Preparing, installing, configuring of computer network,D. Basic introduction to Java programming language.

2.1 Computer hardware maintenance and repair:15

This section deals with the repair, maintenance and installation of some basic computer hardware. In order to work as a professional in computer hardware repair and maintenance, some basic tools such as Anti-static wrist strap, Spare parts container, Screwdrivers, Inspection flashlight, Part retriever, Wire Stripper, Solder iron, IC puller, Pliers etc. are required. These tools can be purchase in a single tool kit or separately. Some basic precautions that must be observed in carrying out either repair or maintenance, or installation of basic PC hardware are:

Remember to turn off the AC supply and unplugged the system or remove the battery in case of a laptop for extra safety.

Always put on your anti-static wrist strap or ground yourself by discharging yourself of any electric charges, also remove any hand jewelry.

Avoid capacitors in the first 10 minutes of opening the system because capacitor stores charges.

Never service the non-serviceable like the PSU, hard & Optical drives, etc.

Some of the Computer hardware I was opportune to have a hand-on experience with during the SIWES and the problems associated with each of them solved are: Motherboard, Hard disk drive, CPU, RAM, PSU, keyboard, case fan, etc.

A.FAULTY MOTHERBOARDThe Motherboard is the heart of a computer because other major

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components that make the system work are connected to it. As the processor is said to be the brain of a computer system, so also is a Motherboard refers to as the heart of a computer system. As long as the system Motherboard is intact, if other things go wrong with the system, it is often repairable at a reasonable cost. Motherboard repair or replacement is usually very expensive.

Symptoms:Failure to boot at all or boot successfully, increased window errors or blue screens of death, freezing, or connected device that previously worked suddenly won’t work. Four beeps, followed by 2, 3, or 4 beeps indicate serial or parallel port issues on a motherboard which also implies a damaged motherboard.

Causes:

Electrical spikes & surges, Dust, Pet hair, & debris, smoke and tar, heating issues, physical impact or spill, normal aging & wear, manufacturer design defects etc.

Solution:Most repair of motherboard is usually done by professional technician because of the various circuitry on it if it has not damaged beyond repair else a new motherboard of the same form factor and specification will be acquired for replacement to the dead motherboard.

Installation:17

STEP 1: Orient the system board into the case,STEP 2: Locate the mounting holes,STEP 3: Insert the riser fittings (if needed),STEP 4: Position the system board,STEP 5: Screw the system board.The faulty motherboard I handled in LostCodes Technology had a symptom of not booting at all and after eliminating every other possible component such as CPU, RAM, & PSU, it was confirmed that the Motherboard was responsible for the problem and the problem was solved by simply replacing the faulty Motherboard with a new one.

B.FAULTY HARD DISK DRIVE

Hard disk drive is a secondary storage medium of a PC, the operating system (OS) and every other programs that is not in execution are stored in the hard disk drive. Hard disk failure can cause loss of data stored in it if it isn’t backup with another storage medium.

Symptoms:

Although, there are many signs associated with a failing or dead hard disk drive like slowing down of performance, frequent freezes, Blue screen of death (BSOD), corrupted data, strange sounds etc. but the most common of them all is the slowing down in performance or the strange sounds. When the hard disk drive is failing, it can take up to 25 – 30 minutes to load the OS after booting and the same amount of time to also shut down properly. Even when

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the system finally load the OS, frequent freezes will still be experienced during the use of the PC.

Causes:

Firmware or manufacturer faults, heating issues, frequent power outage without UPS, electronic failure or power surges, mechanical or internal failure, corrupted system files by unethically shutting down of PC, human errors like modifying the system registry settings, altering system files attribute and location, wrong installation of OS.

Repair:

In case of corrupted system files, always use the standard way of shutting down of PC by closing any or all the running programs before shutting down. Regular updating of system, running the latest copy of antivirus program or replacing a hard disk drive after 5 years of intensive use can handle problem arising from mechanical or internal failure. In case of electronic failure, use only required power supply. If the disk drive is dead, try changing the SATA/USB or IDE cable as well as the power adapter and if this does not work, replace the dead hard disk drive with a new one.

Installation:STEP 1: Configure the drive as a master or slave,STEP 2: Locate the drive cage,STEP 3: Orient the drive in the cage,STEP 4: Secure the drive by installing the mounting screws,STEP 5: Install the drive cage into the computer case,

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STEP 6: Secure the case with screws.

The two particular hard disk drive problems I encountered at LostCodes was caused by its SATA cable which was not properly plugged and other was caused by mechanical failure with a symptom of strange sound which was solved by replacing the faulty hard disk drive.

C.FAULTY CPU

Central Processing Unit (CPU) which is also refers to as the ‘Processor’ is the brain of a computer system as it performs the Arithmetical/logical operations in the system. Without a CPU, a system cannot work.

Symptoms:i. Computer turns on, no beeps, no screen and does no POST.

ii. Computer turns on; fans run at highest speeds, still no POST and OS not loading.

iii. Computer turns on but turns off immediatelyiv. Computer screen freezes after being on for a few minutes.v. System halts error (BSOD).

Above symptoms is also associated with other hardware fault in the system but in other to be sure of a faulty CPU, the following is what needed to be checked if they are working properly before drawing your conclusion:

i. If the heat sink and fan is working properly,

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ii. If there is no bulging or leaking capacitors on the motherboard near the CPU or memory,

iii. If the power supply is working properly by checking with a tester,

iv. If the system has a dedicated video card that is in good condition.

If all the above checks out well, then the CPU or the motherboard is faulty.

Causes:

Age, heat, overclocking or stress, dried thermal compound, electrical power surge.

Solution:

If it has been confirmed that the CPU is bad, the only solution is to replace the bad CPU with another one.

Installation:STEP 1: Locate the processor socket on the system board,STEP 2: Open the socket cover,STEP 3: Orient the processor,STEP 4: Insert the processor into the socket,STEP 5: Secure the processor by closing and locking the cover.

A complete dead case of CPU was handled during my attachment, its symptom is that the computer is not turning on at all and it was resolved changing the CPU with a new one

D. FAULTY RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY (RAM)

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RAM is a volatile primary memory medium in which programs in execution are stored. Without the RAM, OS can’t be loaded thereby terminating the boot process uncompleted.

Symptoms:

i. Computer first turn on and runs fine but it performance start deteriorating about an hour of use.

ii. Computer System randomly restarts while using it or freeze sporadically.

iii. Files regularly access and save seem to be inexplicably corrupted.

iv. Attempt to install a new program repeatedly fail for unknown reasons.

v. Computer fails to boot to OS.vi. System beeps 2 to 3 times when turned on and refuse to boot to

OS.

Causes:

The symptom of 2 to 3 beeps when turned on is usually caused by improper installation of the RAM stick into its slot on the motherboard. Soft errors due to heat, magnetic interference, electrostatic discharge, power surges and flaws, hard errors which cause hardware or software to crash whenever the affected memory cell is accessed. Unlike soft errors, hard errors are uncorrectable. Factory defect can also cause a faulty RAM.

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Solution:

The memory sticks can be removed if they are more than one and start testing each of the RAM modules in the slots. If all the RAM modules seem bad, then the problem might probably be the RAM slots. If the module is not inserted correctly on the slot, then remove and re-insert correctly. But if the RAM module is bad, replacing it will be appropriate. To fix a faulty RAM slot, one would need to replace the motherboard completely.

Installation:STEP 1: Locate RAM slots on the system board,STEP 2: Orient the RAM over the slot,STEP 3: Insert the RAM into the slot;STEP 4: Secure the RAM by verifying that the locking arms have properly closed into the locked position.

Most RAM problems I encountered were that of improper installation which was corrected by simply re-installing them.

E.FAULTY POWER SUPPLY UNIT (PSU)

Power supply unit converts alternating current (AC) to low voltage regulated DC power for the consumption of internal components of the PC.

Symptoms:

When your computer does not get the power it needs, the result can be erratic behaviour, irregular shut downs, or spectacular failures. Unexplained crashes could point to a

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PSU failure, unexplained video errors, noise and odour, complete failure. Hard disk and fan simultaneously fail to spin.

Causes:

PSU fan failure, electric shocks, smoke, blown circuit breaker, bad capacitor, inadequate cooling fan, overloading etc.

Solution:

If the PSU has been ascertained to be dead, a replacement is an option to bring the system back to life. Repair of dead PSU is done by a professional technician who is grounded in the recoiling and service of PSU. If the power cord is bad, replacement is necessary.

Installation:

STEP 1: Locate the power supply bay in the case,

STEP 2: Orient the power supply to the bay,

STEP 3: Insert the power supply into the bay,

STEP 4: Secure the power supply to the case by installing the mounting screws.

The problem of the PSU I came across at LostCodes technology was complete failure to power a system which was solved by purchasing a new PSU of the same specification.

Other problems encountered and solved were keyboard problem, monitor not displaying at all, optical drive that is not reading a digital video disk (DVD), etc.

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2.2.0 MICROSOFT OFFICE WORD 2007

Is a word processing application, and it is a part of the Microsoft office package. A word processor is a program that helps you create, edit, format, and print documents such as letters, reports, and Web pages.

A.COMPONENTS OF THE WORD WINDOW

Word had several components that help you interact with the program, they are listed below:

the title bar, the menu bar, standard toolbar, document area view buttons (print layout, full screen reading, web layout etc.) status bar, vertical and horizontal scroll bar, ruler

Important shortcuts in Microsoft word are:

ctrl + n = new document, ctrl + s = save document ctrl + d = font, ctrl + f = find ctrl + p = print document, ctrl + b = bold ctrl + I = italics, ctrl + u = underline ctrl + ] = to increase text size, ctrl + [ = to decrease text

size ctrl + c = copy, ctrl + v = paste ctrl + z = undo ctrl + x = cut ctrl + e = centralise shift + arrow keys =

highlight text ctrl + j = justify ctrl + a = highlight all text shift + f3 = to toggle between lower case, upper case etc alt + f4 = shutdown, etc.

B. DIFFERENT METHODS OF CREATING TABLES: 25

USE OF THE TABLE MENU

Click where you want to insert a table.

On the Insert tab, in the Tables group, click Table, and then, under Insert Table, drag to select the number of rows and columns that you want.

USE THE INSERT TABLE COMMAND

You can use the Insert Table command to choose the table dimensions and format before you insert the table into a document.

Click where you want to insert a table.

On the Insert tab, in the Tables group, click Table, and then click Insert Table.

Under Table size, enter the number of columns and rows.

Under AutoFit behaviour, choose options to adjust the table size.

DRAW A TABLE

Click where you want to create the table.

On the Insert tab, in the Tables group, click Table, and then click Draw Table.

The pointer changes to a pencil.To define the outer table boundaries, draw a rectangle. Then draw the column lines and row lines inside the rectangle.

2.2.1MICROSOFT EXCEL 2007

This is a spreadsheet program used to store and manipulate data.

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To open an Excel workbook, click on ‘Start menu’, then ‘All programs’, then ‘Microsoft Office’ and finally click on ‘Microsoft Office Excel’. When a new workbook is opened, the following are some features found in MS Excel:

Office, Quick office access, title bar, menu bar, standard toolbar (Ribbon), cell address, formula bar, column heading, row heading, spreadsheet cell, status bar, horizontal & vertical scrollbar, etc.

In MS Excel, two or more cells can be merged together.

Autofill – This feature is used to copy cell contents across or down the spreadsheet. This is useful if you have to type the same word or number into a group of neighbouring cells.A.To use Autofill:

Select the cell containing the data you wish to copy Position over the fill handle until the cursor changes to a black

cross Click on the fill handle and drag down or across the sheet, until

the data series has reached the size you want

If Autofill is used with dates or words relating to dates, such as months or days, it will produce a ‘fill series’. This will work with months in full (January) or in short (Jan) and days of the week in full (Monday) or in short (Mon).

B. SELECTING A CELL, COLUMN, ROW

1. To select a cell – click on the cell with your cursor2. To select a column – click on the grey column heading at the

top of the column

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3. To select multiple columns – click and drag across the column heading

4. To select a row – click on the row heading5. To select multiple row - click and drag down through the row

heading6. To select non Adjacent Range - it is also possible to select two

ranges of cells that are not touching each other. Click and drag through the cells to select the first range Press the Ctrl key and hold it down Click and drag through the second range of cells

7. To select the whole spreadsheet – click on the small grey box at the top of the spreadsheet, it is located to the left of the column heading A and above row heading 1

C. Create or delete an Excel table in a worksheet

When you create a table in a Microsoft Office Excel worksheet, you can manage and analyse the data in that table independently of data outside the table. When you no longer need a table, you can delete it.

D. Manipulating the data in a table1. To calculate TOTAL of a range of numbers:

Select the cell you wish to contain the total Type = sign, to start the formula Type the function for adding cells, SUM Type the open brackets character ( Click on the first cell in the range

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Type a colon : Click on the last cell in the range Type the close brackets character ) Press enter to finish the formula

The AutoSum ∑ can also be used to calculate the TOTAL

2. To calculate AVERAGE of a range of numbers Select the cell you wish to contain the AVERAGE in Type = sign, to start the formula Type the function code AVERAGE Enter the range you wish to act upon, in brackets i.e

(A1:A50) Press enter to finish the formula

To input GRADE in a table, logical IF expression is used e.g

=IF(F3>200, “A”, IF(F3>150, “B”, IF(F3>100, “C”, IF(F3>50, “D”, “F”))))Data in a table can be used to plot its chart

Select the rows or the columns to be used Click on INSERT from menu bar Select your desired chart

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2.3 BASIC COMPUTER NETWORK

This is a collection of two or more computers that are connected together to share files, or resources.

A. NETWORK CABLE

This is a medium which connects two or more devices together in which information can flow.

ETHERNET CABLE PIN OUTS IN UNSHIELDED TWISTED PAIR

There are two basic Ethernet cable pin outs. A straight-through Ethernet cable, which is used to connect to a hub or a switch, and a crossover Ethernet cable used to operate in a peer-to-peer fashion without a hub/switch.

For straight-through, there are two standards which are T568A refers to as Standard A and T568B also refers to as Standard B. Both ends for Standard A are the same as well as that of Standard B. Their colour configurations are:

STANDARD A STANDARD BS/NO

WIRE S/NO

WIRE

1 White Green 1 White Orange2 Green 2 Orange3 White Orange 3 White Green4 Blue 4 Blue5 White Blue 5 White Blue6 Orange 6 Green7 White Brown 7 White Brown

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8 Brown 8 Brown

Colour configurations for Crossover Ethernet cable pin outEND 1 END 2S/NO WIRE S/

NOWIRE

1 White Orange 1 White Green2 Orange 2 Green3 White Green 3 White Orange4 Blue 4 White Brown5 White Blue 5 Brown6 Green 6 Orange7 White Brown 7 Blue8 Brown 8 White Blue

B. HOW TO WIRE ETHERNET CABLESWiring your own Ethernet cables and connectors.Required items are: Ethernet Cable (Preferably Cat 5, 5e, 6, 6e Or 7), Multipurpose

Crimper Tool Modular Connector Plug (RJ45), LAN Cable TesterBelow are the steps on how to wire Ethernet patch cables:

1. Strip off about two inches of the Ethernet cable sheath2. Untwist the pairs3. Align the coloured wires according to your desired standard

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4. Trim all the wires to the same length, about ½ to ¾ inch left exposed from the sheath

5. Insert the wires into the RJ45 plug – make sure each wire is fully inserted to the front of the RJ45 plug and in correct order. The sheath of the cable should extend into the plug by about ½ inch and will be held in place by the crimp.

6. Crimp the RJ45 plug with the crimper tool7. Verify that the wires ended up the right order and that the

wires extend to the front of the RJ45 plug and make good contact with the metal contacts in the RJ45 plug

8. Cut the Ethernet cable to length – make sure it is more than long enough for your needs

9. Repeat the above step 1 – 7 for the other end with the same colour configuration for straight-through but different colour configurations for the Crossover cable

Test the cable with the LAN cable tester to check for continuity in each of the wire.

2.4 JAVA PROGRAMMING LANGUAGEAmong other things I learnt was how to write some basic Java programs. Towards the end of the forth month of my SIWES programme, Java programming language was introduced and I learnt some rules governing Java programming.Java is an Object Oriented Programming (OOP) language that was designed to meet the need for a platform-independent language. Java is used to create applications that can run on a single computer as well as a distributed network. Java is used to develop stand-alone and Internet-based applications.

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A.Declaring Variables and Literals in Java

Java supports some basic programming elements, such as data types, keywords, literals, and variables. Keywords are the reserved words for the Java programming language, which cannot be used as names for variables, classes, or methods. The data stored in the memory of the computer can be of many types. Data types are used to define the operations that are possible on the variables and the storage method. Java is a strictly typed language. The data stored in the memory of a computer can be of different types. The various data types in Java are:

o Primitive data types

o Reference data types

o Abstract data types

Primitive Data Types.The built-in data types in Java are known as the primitive or the simple data types. There are eight primitive data types in Java, they are:

o Integer type: Can store whole number values. The size of the values of the variables depends upon the chosen integer data type. The four integer data types are: byte, short, int and long.

o Floating point type: Can store fractional numbers. The two types of floating point type are: float and double.

o Boolean type: Can store only the true and false values. The Boolean data type is required when a condition has to be checked. The true or false value of the expression or the condition determines further execution of the Java programs.

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o Character type: Can store symbols, such as letters and

numbers. In character type, there is only one data type, char. Reference Data Types.

A reference data type contains the reference or an address of dynamically created objects. They are also known as non-primitive data types. The default value of a variable that is of reference data type, is null. The examples of reference data types in Java are: Objects and Arrays.

Abstract Data TypesThe abstract data type includes the data types derived from the primitive data type and have more functions than primitive data types. For example, String is an abstract data type that can store letters, digits, and other characters, such as /, (), :, $, and #. You cannot perform calculations on a variable of the String data type even if the data stored in it has digits.

B. Defining Variables and LiteralsA variable is the name that refers to a memory location where some data value is stored. You can assign different values to a variable during program execution. Java allocates memory to each variable that you use in your program.

Types of Variable.The area or the region of a program where a variable can be accessed is known as variable scope. The various types of variables based on the variable scope in Java are: Class variables: Are accessible within a class and its objects. The

class variables are declared inside the class before their use. Instance variables: Are declared inside a class and are created

when the class is instantiated. Objects give different values to 34

instance variables as per the specific requirements of the object of that class type.

Local variables: Are declared inside a method. Their scope is within the block of code in which they are defined. They are local to the block of code and are not accessible outside the method.

Static variables: Are allocated memory only once but are globally accessible to all instances of a class. Therefore, when an instance of a class is destroyed, the static variable is not destroyed and is available to other instances of that class.

Automatic variables: Are accessible within the function in which they are declared. The automatic variables are created when a function is called and are destroyed when you exit the function.

Syntax for declaring variables:<type><variablename>; // Single variable of given type.<type><variable1name,variable2name ... variable_n_name> // Multiplevariables of given type.You need to initialize variables in java before you use them. The Java compiler initializes the class data variables to default values when an object is created. You can assign values to a variable during declaration or after declaration of the variable, before first use of the variable. For example, you can use the following code snippet to declare the variables, num1 and num2 to calculate the sum of two numbers: int num1, num2;The following code snippet shows how to assign values to a variable:<type><variablename>=<value>; // During declaration.<variablename>=<value> // after declaration.

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For example, you can use the following code snippet to assign values to the variables,num1 and num2 to calculate the sum of two numbers:float num1, num2; // Declaration of variables.num1 = 7; // Assigning values to the variables. num2 =12;You can also assign the same value to more than one variable in a single statement. The following code snippet shows the assignment of the same value to more than one variable: x = y = z = 9;In the preceding command, integer value 9 is first assigned to variable z, then toy, and finally to x.C. Structure of a Java ApplicationIn Java, you can either create a stand-alone application or a networked application. A stand-alone application uses resources of a local computer. A networked application uses the resources available over a network. For example, a networked application is allowed to read from or write to files on remote computers. Classes and objects form the basis of the structure of a Java application. A Java application consists of a class, in which you declare the data members and methods. An object is an instance of a class, and it encapsulates the methods and data members of a class. Objects can be reused across programs.

Creating Objects and ClassesA class defines user-defined objects and their characteristics. Any concept that you need to implement in a Java program is encapsulated within a class. A class defines the attributes and methods of objects of the same type sharing common

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characteristics. For example, when you create an online shopping site for books, each book is an instance of the Books class. All books have attributes, such as the number of pages, type of binding, and title. In addition, the books have various common methods, such as being selected, being bought, and being sold. The state of each book is independent of the state of another book. The main components of a class are:D. Data Attributes and Methods.Classes contain statements that include the declaration of data members, which specify the type of data to be stored. Methods of a class contain a set of executable statements that gives a desired output. Methods define the action to be carried out on the data members of the class. The class block or the class body is included within a set of braces, {}, which indicate the start and end of the classes.E. Creating Classes in JavaVarious data members and methods of a class are defined inside a class. The statements written in a Java class must end with a semicolon (;). The following code snippet shows how to declare a class:Class ClassName{//Declaration of data members//Declaration of methods}

F. Creating Objects of a ClassAn object is an instant of a class and has a unique identity. Classes and objects are closely link together, while an object is a unique

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identity, a class is an abstraction of common properties of various object.Declaration: Declares a variable that holds the reference to the object. The following code snippet shows how to declare an object of the class:class_nameobject_name;

Instantiation or creation: Creates an object of the specified class. When youdeclare an object, memory is not allocated to it. Therefore, you cannot store data in the data members of the object. To allocate memory to the object, you need to use the new operator. The new operator allocates memory to an object and returns a reference to that memory location in the object variable.object_name= new class_name();To access the data members of a class, you use the following syntaxobject_name.data_member_name

G. Declaring the main() MethodA Java program consists of the main() method that calls the methods defined in a class. You can create a number of classes in a Java program. The Java compiler compiles all the classes in an application. However, to execute a program, you need to include a main() method in the program. The following code snippet shows how to declare the main() method:public static void main(String [] args){// Code for main() method}

For example:

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A Java application containing an Account class that consists of variousdata members, such as account number, name, age, and balance. The application initialize the data members to some default values when an object of the Account class is created. In addition, the application display the data stored in the object.Import java.Util.*;Account.java; class Account {Scanner input = new Scanner (System.in);privateintaccount_no; // Data members converted to private toencapsulate dataprivate String name; private int age; private float balance; public Account(){System.out.println (“enter the account number”); account_no = input.nextInt ();System.out.println (“please enter the account name”); name = input.nextLine ();System.out.println (“please enter the age”); age = input.nextInt ();System.out.println(“ please enter the balance”);balance = input.nextInt();}public void showData() { // Method can be called from outside the classto access the data membersSystem.out.println("Account Number = "+ account_no);System.out.println("Name = "+ name);System.out.println("Age = "+ age);System.out.println("Balance of this customer is = "+ balance);}publicstatic void main(String args[]) {

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Account ac = new Account();ac.showData();}}

H. Operators in JavaOperators are used to calculate, compute, and compare values. Operators are also used to test multiple conditions. You can connect two or more variables in a logical expression by using operators. Operators can operate on one, two, or three operands.Using Increment and Decrement Operators: The increment and decrement operators are unary operators. The increment operator (++) increases the value of an operand by 1. The decrement operator (--) decreases the value of an operand by 1. For example, the following code snippet increments the value of the z variable by 1:++z;In the preceding code snippet, 1 is added to the z variable and then the result is assigned to it. This code snippet is equivalent to the z = z+1 statement. Similarly, the following code snippet decreases the value of the y variable by 1:--y;In the postfix form, the operator follows the operand. In this form, the operator operates on the operand after the value of the operand is used in the expression. That is;n = 5;m = n++;

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In the preceding code snippet, n is assigned the value 5. The value of m is set to 5, because n is incremented after the value of n is assigned to m. The following code snippet shows the two statements that are equivalent to the m = n++ statement:n = 5;m = n;n = n+1;The following codes show how to use increment and decrement operators:class Increment_DecrementOperators {publicstatic void main(String args[]){int x= 2;int y= 5;int a,b,c,d;a=x++; // Postfix increment operatorb=y--; // Postfix decrement operatorc=++x; // Prefix increment operatord=--y; // Prefix decrement operatorSystem.out.println("The value of variable a is:" + a);System.out.println("The value of variable b is:" + b);System.out.println("The value of variable c is:" + c);System.out.println("The value of variable d is:" + d);}}

Output: a = 2, b = 5, c = 4, and d = 3.I. Arithmetic Operators in Java

In Java, various arithmetic operators, such as +, -, /, *, and % are combined with the assignment operator and are called arithmetic assignment operators. For example:

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classAssignOperator{public static void main(String args[]) {int x, y, z;x = y = z = 6;x += y; // Arithmetic assignment operatory -= z;z *= x;System.out.println("The value of x is: " + x);System.out.println("The value of y is: " + y);System.out.println("The value of z is: " + z);}}

J. Defining and Using Methods In JavaA method define an executable code that can be invoked (called), passing a fixed number of argument. Methods are declare within a class source file. The method declaration includes the method signature, which includes any modifier, a method name, a return value and type and name of the method arguments that are required to be passed in. The method body follows the method signatures which is a collection of statement that is to be executed when the method are invoked. The syntax follows:Method_modifierreturn_valuesmethod_name(){Statements to be executed}

Example: A program that test for the largest of ten numbers inputted by a user.importjava.util.*;public class LargestNumber{static Scanner console = new Scanner(System.in);public static void main(String[] args){double num;double max;

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int count;System.out.println("Enter 10 numbers:");num = console.nextDouble();max = num;for (count = 1; count <= 10; count++){num = console.nextDouble();max = larger(max, num);}System.out.println("The largest number is " + max);}public static double larger(double x, double y){double max;if (x >= y)max = x;elsemax = y;return max;}}

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CHAPTER THREE

PROBLEM ENCOUNTERED

Having problem in life is inevitable and my SIWES period was not an exemption as I was also faced with some problems in which some were solved and some were without solution. Some of the problems I encountered during the programme at LostCodes Technology were:

Inadequate Equipment – During my attachment, some basic tools needed for troubleshooting of basic computer system hardware were not available. So, troubleshooting a system with problems like faulty motherboard or CPU was done manually through elimination process.

Communication Gap – At the early stage of my programme, information was not properly flowing from the management of the company to the students on industrial training attachment which was corrected when their attention was drawn to it.

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Job Scarcity – Computer repairs, maintenance and installations for clients as well as other jobs were not rampart as some complained about the economy situation of the country. This limits the level of work I was able to perform during my programme.

Office Space–the small office space at the company was a major problem as students on IT attachment are made to carry out every work performed in a classroom that can only accommodate not more than twelve students at a time.

RELEVANCE OF SIWES TO MY COURSE OF STUDYSIWES having been introduced to enable student obtain reasonable and necessary skills in handling challenges and to help in the transformation of the classroom knowledge acquired in tertiary institution into practical skill has really achieved a lot of its objectives. The relevance of SIWES programme to students educational lives are numerous, amongst are:

Preparing students for employment and making the transition from school to the world of work easier after graduation.

Enabling students appreciate the connection between their courses of study and other related disciplines in the production of goods and services.

Opportunity for students to blend theoretical knowledge acquired in the classroom with practical hands-on application of knowledge required to perform work in industry.

Enabling students bridge the gap between the knowledge acquired in institutions and the relevant production skills required in work organizations.

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Enhancing students’ contacts with potential employers while on training.

Provision of an enabling environment where students can develop and enhance personal attributes such as critical thinking, creativity, initiative, resourcefulness, leadership, time management, presentation skills and interpersonal skills, amongst others.

Exposure of students to the environment in which they will eventually work, thereby enabling them to see how their future professions are organized in practice.

CHAPTER FOUR

4.1 WAYS OF IMPROVING THE SIWES PROGRAMME

SIWES programme can be improved by the various actors in the programme which include the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Supervisory Agencies (NUC, NCCE, NBTE), the Institutions, and the Employers.

A.THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA

The Federal Government should make it mandatory to all ministries, companies, and other organization to offer placement and as well as accept student for industrial attachment.

The Federal Government should increase the fund being provided for the SIWES Programme and other educational

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Programme in general for effective and productive implementation of the scheme.

B.THE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING FUND (ITF)

The Industrial Training Fund should provide a strong insurance policy covered for student on SIWES programme.

The Industrial Training Fund should provide logistic and material necessary for the effective administration of the scheme.

The Industrial Training Fund should formulate policies and guidelines on SIWES programme for enhancement to all SIWES participating bodies, Institution and companies involved in the scheme.

The Industrial Training Fund should provide information on companies for the attachment and help in the placement of student.

C.THE SUPERVISORY AGENCY The Supervisory agency should liaise with the industrial

training funding (ITF) to ensure the implementation of all the federal government policies on the scheme.

The Supervisory agency should ensure adequate funding of the SIWES Unit in all the institution for effective administration of the scheme.

The Supervisory agency should research into the development of the scheme in line with advances in technological development.

The Supervisory agency should develop, monitor and review job specification in collaboration with the institution toward the maintenance of the National Minimum Academic Standard for the entire programme approved for SIWES.

D.THE INSTITUTION The institution should help identify placement opportunities for

student attachment with employers.

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The institution should ensure regular visitation of their student on industrial attachment to monitor their welfare and improvement status.

The institution should have adequate information on some of the challenges facing the firm and the student; it should be noted and treated immediately.

The institution should ensure payment of student allowances and other outstanding financial challenges.

E. THE EMPLOYER

The Employer should accept student for industrial training attachment

The Employer should allow the student to have access to some of their useful equipment like the computer system and its other resourceful accessories (Internet service) and other useful facilities.

The Employer should provide welfare services like – Drugs and other Medication and show good hospitality to student and general public.

4.2 ADVICE FOR FUTURE PARTICIPANT

The future participant of SIWES Programme, I strongly recommend that they should bear the following in mind:

The student should be focus to avoid disputing the reputation of the institution in their place of industrial attachment and they should also bear in mind the objective of the scheme and show commitment, diligent and honesty.

The students should obey and adhere strictly to all rules and regulations of the company; they should respect the industrial based supervisors as well as other staff of the company because the moral standard of the student is also evaluated.

The student should avoid change of placement without seeking permission from the institution even in special circumstance which must always be determine and approved by their

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institutional based supervisor, the employer and the industrial training fund.

The student should handle the equipment of the firm with great care and they should take pride in protecting the interest of the company throughout the period of industrial attachment.

4.3 ADVICE FOR THE SIWES MANAGER

The SIWES Manager should give attention to student welfare on industrial training and the student allowance should be increase as a result of high cost of standard of living in our society.

Technologists from various departments or programs should be involved in the drafting of time table for students on IT to ensure that students are always sent into areas where activities that will result in learning experience are taking place.

4.4 CONCLUSION

In conclusion, there were many things that I experienced and learnt during the six month of my Industrial Training at LostCodes Technology. As a student majoring in computer science I was very much involve in computer related work and task, most of my training time were focused on computer system repairs, maintenance and installation as well as basic computer networking. The whole training period was very interesting, instructive and challenging. Through this training I was able to gain new insights and more comprehensive understanding about the real industry working condition and practice because it has afforded me the basic

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practical and theoretical knowledge that I would not have gotten from the lecture room going by my experience in the past three years in the institution. It also gave me the opportunity to have a feel of what it would be like after graduation when I start working. Going by the experience acquired during this programme, SIWES can be said to be the best way to prepare students to face the real working life after graduation. I also have been able to use this training to explore various avenues available at my disposal career-wise especially in preparing for CompTIA A+ certificate examination.

4.5 RECOMMENDATION

Although SIWES undergone did achieve quite a lot of its stated objectives, nevertheless, the following recommendations are suggested to improve the qualitative context of the programme:

i. Participation of private corporate organization to minimize the problem of low funding as recently complained by the director of ITF and payment of befitting student allowance to assist in students finances during the period of training should be done on monthly basis and promptly.

ii. Participation of various professional, regulatory and statutory bodies such as CPN, NCS in the supervision of students.

iii. Sending students specifically to establishment where the stipulated aims and objectives of SIWES would be achieved.

REFERENCES: David B, David G, & Jim M, 2004, Cabling: complete guide to network

wiring, 3rd Edition, SYBEX, London.50

Jeans Andrews, 2004, A+ Guide to managing & maintaining your PC, 5th

Edition. IT Essentials: PC Hardware & Software Companion Guide. (pg 103 - 112). Fundamentals of programming using Java by Edward Currie (2006).

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