7Basic Computer Concepts

Definition of ComputerDefinition of Computer

A device that computes, A device that computes, especially a programmable especially a programmable electronic machine that electronic machine that performs high-speed performs high-speed mathematical or logical mathematical or logical operations or that assembles, operations or that assembles, stores, correlates, or stores, correlates, or otherwise processes otherwise processes information. information.

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What is computerWhat is computer

Electronic device used to Electronic device used to store, store, retrieve, and retrieve, and manipulate the datamanipulate the data

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History of ComputersHistory of Computers

Charles Babbage - father of computerCharles Babbage - father of computer 1800’s planned analytical engine1800’s planned analytical engine

ENIAC - developed at end of WW IIENIAC - developed at end of WW II 1951 - 1963 1st and 2nd generation1951 - 1963 1st and 2nd generation

very large, used unreliable vacuum tubesvery large, used unreliable vacuum tubes 1963 - present - 3rd and 4th generation1963 - present - 3rd and 4th generation

smaller, faster - use transistors and integrated smaller, faster - use transistors and integrated circuitscircuits

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History - MicrocomputersHistory - Microcomputers

AppleApple First sold in late 1970’s First sold in late 1970’s Developed by Jobs and WozniakDeveloped by Jobs and Wozniak

IBM Personal ComputersIBM Personal Computers First sold in 1981First sold in 1981 Was quickly accepted by businessesWas quickly accepted by businesses IBM compatibles soon developed IBM compatibles soon developed

Computers Have Two Main PartsComputers Have Two Main Parts

2.2. Computer HardwareComputer Hardware

4.4. Computer SoftwareComputer Software

Benefits of using computersBenefits of using computers

SpeedSpeed AccuracyAccuracy ConsistencyConsistency Storage capacity andStorage capacity and FlexibilityFlexibility

The Basic ComponentsThe Basic Components

INPUT UNIT OUTPUT UNITCPU

ALU CONTROLUNIT

MEMORY

SYSTEM UNIT

Input devices:Input devices:

Computer Devices that input information in Computer Devices that input information in the computerthe computer

KeyboardKeyboard MouseMouse ScannerScanner JoystickJoystick Digital CameraDigital Camera

Output devices:Output devices:

Computer Devices that output information Computer Devices that output information from the computer.from the computer.

MonitorMonitor PrinterPrinter PlotterPlotter

What is Computer Hardware?What is Computer Hardware? Computer Hardware is the Computer Hardware is the

physical part of the computer physical part of the computer system, the machinery and system, the machinery and equipment. equipment.

Parts of the computer “you can Parts of the computer “you can see”see”

Examples of Computer HardwareExamples of Computer Hardware

Monitor: T.V. like screen used to show pictures and words

CPU: Central Processing Unit this is where most of the computer’s calculations take place. In terms of computing power, the CPU is the most important element of a computing system.

Keyboard: This device is used to type information into the computer and contains the numbers 0-9.

More Computer HardwareMore Computer Hardware

Mouse: a small device, which you move across the top of the desk to move the pointer or cursor on the screen.

Printer: used to make a paper copy of the information into the computer.

Image Scanner: an electronic device that generates a digital representation of an image for data input to a computer

What is Computer Software?What is Computer Software?

Computer Software are programs that tell the Computer Software are programs that tell the computer what to do.computer what to do.

ExamplesExamples Microsoft Word-word processing programMicrosoft Word-word processing program Microsoft PowerPoint-presentation programMicrosoft PowerPoint-presentation program Microsoft Excel-work book program used to Microsoft Excel-work book program used to

track, calculate, and analyze numeric datatrack, calculate, and analyze numeric data

Input devices:Input devices:

Computer Devices that input information Computer Devices that input information in the computerin the computer

KeyboardKeyboard MouseMouse ScannerScanner JoystickJoystick Digital CameraDigital Camera

Output devices:Output devices:

MonitorMonitor PrinterPrinter PlotterPlotter

CablingCabling

For items in or attachedto a system to work properly they must be securely connected.

Inside the CPUInside the CPU

PROCESSOR

MEMORY

EXPANSION SLOTS

Inside the CPUInside the CPU

MicroprocessorMicroprocessor MemoryMemory BusBus Expansion slotsExpansion slots

MicroprocessorMicroprocessor

Performs numerical computationsPerforms numerical computations

Logical comparisonsLogical comparisons

Transfers data, addresses and control Transfers data, addresses and control signals using busessignals using buses

Memory Memory To store theTo store the DataData InstructionInstruction Intermediate and final resultsIntermediate and final results

BUSBUS

used to transfer the data’sused to transfer the data’s interface between devicesinterface between devices

Built-in programsBuilt-in programs

The programs written in the ROM at the The programs written in the ROM at the time of mother board manufacturingtime of mother board manufacturing

Expansion SlotExpansion Slot

To upgrade the PC To upgrade the PC

Basic technical termsBasic technical terms

Hardware:Hardware:Electrical Electrical Mechanical and Mechanical and Electronic partsElectronic parts

Software:Software:InstructionInstruction - what is to be done and how the - what is to be done and how the

work is to be done.work is to be done.program program - Set of instruction- Set of instructionSoftwareSoftware - Set of interconnected program - Set of interconnected program

Firmware:Firmware:Embedded software (hardware +software)Embedded software (hardware +software)A software written for an electronic deviceA software written for an electronic device

General Understanding of howGeneral Understanding of how your computer works! your computer works!

OverviewOverviewTo understand anything it helps to break it down into To understand anything it helps to break it down into it's basic components. Then you need to know how it's basic components. Then you need to know how each component works. Finally you look at how all the each component works. Finally you look at how all the components work together to achieve the desired end components work together to achieve the desired end product or result. product or result.

MotherboardMotherboardIt is the main It is the main circuit boardcircuit board inside the CPU case. It inside the CPU case. It holds the microprocessor, memory and other crucial holds the microprocessor, memory and other crucial circuits and components that control the operation of circuits and components that control the operation of the Personal Computer. Every device inside or the Personal Computer. Every device inside or connected to a Personal Computer finds it's way to connected to a Personal Computer finds it's way to this board. this board.

MemoryMemoryThe mother board takes the input you give it like The mother board takes the input you give it like mouse mouse clicksclicks, and produces output for you like displaying or , and produces output for you like displaying or printing a file. It can't do this without memory. The PC printing a file. It can't do this without memory. The PC operating systemoperating system used by the PC is copied from storage used by the PC is copied from storage to memory at power up. The OS copy in memory then to memory at power up. The OS copy in memory then runs the PC. Memory is volatile which means that when runs the PC. Memory is volatile which means that when your PC is turned off the contents of memory are lost. It your PC is turned off the contents of memory are lost. It is completely blank and must reloaded each time the PC is completely blank and must reloaded each time the PC is powered up.is powered up.

StorageStorageStorage is non-volatile which means it retains Storage is non-volatile which means it retains information even when it is powered off. It stores information even when it is powered off. It stores programs which run the PC as well as data, which is a programs which run the PC as well as data, which is a digital form of everything you use like documents, music, digital form of everything you use like documents, music, pictures, etc pictures, etc

Input DevicesInput DevicesThe keyboard and mouse are the main input devices you The keyboard and mouse are the main input devices you use to control your PC. use to control your PC.

Output DevicesOutput DevicesWhen you send inputs into the PC, it processes When you send inputs into the PC, it processes them and produces useful output for you. The them and produces useful output for you. The primary output devices are the video display, primary output devices are the video display, printerprinter and speakers. and speakers.

SoftwareSoftwareSome people want to use the power of their Some people want to use the power of their computercomputer to create works of art, others want to to create works of art, others want to create musiccreate music, or play games, surf the web, or play , or play games, surf the web, or play the stock market. Whatever you want to do with the stock market. Whatever you want to do with your computer, software is the key to doing it. your computer, software is the key to doing it.

What happens when your PC is powered on?What happens when your PC is powered on?With a simple push of a button, your computer With a simple push of a button, your computer comes to life. comes to life.

NETWORKSNETWORKS

A A networknetwork is a collection of computers is a collection of computers and devices connected together so and devices connected together so users can share data and resourcesusers can share data and resources

A A local area network (LAN)local area network (LAN) connects connects computers in a limited geographic areacomputers in a limited geographic area

A A wide area network (WAN)wide area network (WAN) covers a covers a large geographical arealarge geographical area

Networks and the InternetNetworks and the Internet

The world’s largest The world’s largest network is the network is the InternetInternet

Most users connect Most users connect to the Internet in to the Internet in one of two ways:one of two ways: Internet service Internet service

providerprovider Online service Online service

providerprovider

The World Wide WebThe World Wide Web One of the more popular segments of the Internet is One of the more popular segments of the Internet is

the the World Wide WebWorld Wide Web, also called the Web., also called the Web. A A Web pageWeb page is a document that contains text, is a document that contains text,

graphics, sound, and/or video and has built-in graphics, sound, and/or video and has built-in connections, or hyperlinks to other Web documentsconnections, or hyperlinks to other Web documents

A A Web siteWeb site is a related collection of Web pages is a related collection of Web pages You access and view Web pages using a software You access and view Web pages using a software

program called a program called a Web browserWeb browser A Web page has a unique address, called a A Web page has a unique address, called a Uniform Uniform

Resource Locator (URL)Resource Locator (URL) A A hyperlinkhyperlink is a virtual connection to another place on is a virtual connection to another place on

the Webthe Web

More Internet TermsMore Internet Terms Cookies Cookies – – a text file created by a Web server a text file created by a Web server

and your Web browser, that sits on your hard and your Web browser, that sits on your hard drivedrive

Search engineSearch engine – a Web site containing a – a Web site containing a database of web pages and their contentdatabase of web pages and their content

Electronic commerceElectronic commerce – conducting business – conducting business online, such as shopping or investing.online, such as shopping or investing.

PortalPortal -- a launching point for browsing online; -- a launching point for browsing online; one of the most well-known is Yahoo!, where you one of the most well-known is Yahoo!, where you can search the Web, shop, chat, check e-mail, can search the Web, shop, chat, check e-mail, build a Web site, and view news articles.build a Web site, and view news articles.

Web BrowsersWeb Browsers

Internet ExplorerInternet Explorer – built into Windows – built into Windows NetscapeNetscape – the oldest browser; an all- – the oldest browser; an all-

round communications package for the round communications package for the Internet; free at Internet; free at http://www.netscape.comhttp://www.netscape.com

OperaOpera – free version available at – free version available at http://www.opera.comhttp://www.opera.com

Uniform Resource Locator (URL)Uniform Resource Locator (URL)

http://www.yahoo.com