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Unit 1: Computer Basics

Unit 1: Computer Basics. Computer Applications. What Makes a Computer a Computer?. A computer is an electronic device that Receives data: Information, such as text, numbers, or graphic images, is entered into the computer.

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Unit 1: Computer Basics

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  1. Unit 1: Computer Basics Computer Applications

  2. What Makes a Computer a Computer? A computer is an electronic device that • Receives data: Information, such as text, numbers, or graphic images, is entered into the computer. • Processes data: The computer will change the data from what was entered into the result the user wants. • Stores data: The information is stored in the computer’s memory. • Produces a result: A final display of the information that was entered can be printed or displayed on a monitor. Computer Literacy BASICS

  3. The Processing Cycle of a Computer Computer Literacy BASICS

  4. Why Are Computers So Popular? • Computers perform functions very quickly. • Computers produce accurate and reliable results. • Computers store large amounts of data. • Computers are versatile and cost-effective. • Computers are becoming more powerful and more useful every day. Computer Literacy BASICS

  5. How Computers Are Used Today Computers are used every day for • News: Newspapers and television news stations post breaking news, and weather can be accessed on demand on the Internet. • Shopping: Millions of people use the Internet every day to purchase goods and services. Computer Literacy BASICS

  6. How Computers Are Used Today (cont.) • Homework: Students have instant access to research and information and use word-processing and other software applications for assignments. • Managing businesses: Businesses use computers to maintain inventory records, print invoices, track financial information and personnel records, advertise online, and many other tasks. Computer Literacy BASICS

  7. Types of Computers • Supercomputers: The largest and fastest computers that are used by government agencies and large corporations to process tremendous volumes of data. Video • Mainframes: Large, very expensive machines that can support thousands of users; used by large corporations. Computer Literacy BASICS

  8. Types of Computers • Minicomputers: Larger than a desktop and much more expensive, but can support many users • Microcomputers: Commonly called personal computers or desktop computers. Personal computers also include • Desktop computers • Notebook (laptop) computers • “Smart Phones”, iPad, & iPod Touch Computer Literacy BASICS

  9. Other Computing Devices • Microprocessors are computer chips that perform special functions to process information. • These computer chips help many kinds of equipment perform more efficiently and effectively: • Household appliances • Calculators, cellular telephones, and digital cameras • Game systems • Automobiles • Industrial equipment Computer Literacy BASICS

  10. Computer Systems • A computer system is a combination of parts working together: • Hardware: The physical devices such as keyboard, monitor, CPU, and so on • Software: Operating systems and application programs • Data: The information entered into a computer to be processed • People: The users who enter the data and use the resulting output Computer Literacy BASICS

  11. Computer Networks • A network consists of multiple computers connected to each other to share data and resources. • Local Area Network (LAN): A computer network located in a small area, such as one building or department. • Wide Area Network (WAN): A network made up of several LAN’s in a city, region, or across the world. • Networks at in schools, businesses, and people’s homes. Computer Literacy BASICS

  12. A Typical Network Layout Computer Literacy BASICS

  13. Inside the computer…

  14. The Motherboard The motherboard is a circuit board inside the computer’s plastic case. It contains integral components including • The central processing unit or CPU • RAM & ROM • Expansion ports and slots Computer Literacy BASICS

  15. Diagram of a Motherboard Computer Literacy BASICS

  16. The Central Processing Unit • The CPU is a tiny chip that acts as the brains of a computer. • Also called the processor. Intel & AMD are the 2 biggest makers of processors • The rate of speed is measured in gigahertz (GHz). Computer Literacy BASICS

  17. Types of Computer Memory There are two types of memory found on a motherboard: • RAM: Random Access Memory • ROM: Read-Only Memory Computer Literacy BASICS RAM chip

  18. Random Access Memory (RAM) • RAM is short-term, temporary memory where data is processed while a program is running. • The more programs you have running, the more RAM you are using. • This type of memory loses any data it holds if the computer is shut down. Computer Literacy BASICS

  19. Read-Only Memory (ROM) • ROM is permanent memory placed on the motherboard by the manufacturer and contains instructions, such as BIOS ROM, that tell the computer how to start itself. • This data cannot be accessed or modified by application programs. • The contents of this memory are not lost when the computer is shut down. Computer Literacy BASICS

  20. How information is stored • Data is stored in a computer in binary format as a series of 1s and 0s. Every 1 or 0 is a bit of information. • Data is stored in a series of 8-bit combinations called a byte. • 8 bits (01101101) = 1 byte

  21. Hard Drive • Hard disks are large-capacity and fast-access storage devices. • Most data on a computer is stored here. • Hard disks are usually built into the computer’s case. • Early computers had a storage capacity of about 20MB, but now hard drives of 60GB or more are common. Computer Literacy BASICS

  22. Hardware • Physical parts of the computer that you can see and touch

  23. Software • Instructions for the computer • Programs

  24. Input and Output Devices • Input devices: enable a user to input data and commands to the computer to be processed. • Output devices: enable the computer to give or show you the results of its processing. • Some devices, such as a modem, can perform both input and output operations. Computer Literacy BASICS

  25. Keyboard Mouse Voice recognition devices Scanners Joysticks Cell phone Touch display screen Digital cameras Video camera Examples of Input Devices Computer Literacy BASICS

  26. One Output Device — Printers • The most popular types of printers are • Laser: Produce images using the same techniques as copier machines • Ink-Jet: Use fine nozzles to spray ink onto the page as the paper passes through • Dot matrix: Work similarly to a typewriter in that ink is transferred to the paper by some part of the printer striking a ribbon to transfer an image. Computer Literacy BASICS

  27. Other Output Devices • Monitor • Projectors • Speakers Computer Literacy BASICS

  28. Storage Devices • A place to save and store files • Examples: • Hard drive (can’t take with you) • Flash drive • Floppy disk • CD • iPod Computer Literacy BASICS

  29. Typical PC Port Arrangement Computer Literacy BASICS

  30. USB (Universal Serial Bus) • Most popular type of plug on computers • Used for printer, keyboard, mouse, scanner, iPod, flash drives and many more

  31. Virus • A program created to cause harm to other computers • Viruses can be used to ruin a computer or steal personal information • How can you get a virus?

  32. HACKER • Someone that breaks into computer networks or steals personal information • Could be someone that creates a virus

  33. Firewall • A program to prevent hackers from stealing information from your computer • Sometimes it needs to be disabled to install new programs

  34. Types of Software There are literally thousands of software programs you can buy, but all of them can be grouped into one of two categories: • Applications software • Systems software Computer Literacy BASICS

  35. Applications Software • Application software consists of programs that were created to perform a specific task. • Application software is also called productivity software. Computer Literacy BASICS

  36. Applications Software (cont.) • The most common types of application software are • Word-processing programs • Spreadsheet software • Presentation software • Database software • Web browsers • Games Computer Literacy BASICS

  37. Systems Software • Systems software refers to the programs that are used to manage computer system resources. • Systems software coordinates and controls the resources and operations of the computer itself. • The three categories of systems software are • Operating systems • Utility programs • Language translators Computer Literacy BASICS

  38. Graphical User Interface (GUI) • Having graphics and icons on the screen to click • On older computers, you used to have to type commands. No icons!

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