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A Basic Computer System

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Icons key: For more detailed instructions, see the Getting Started presentation

Functional Skills check

Student task accompanies this slide Printable activity

What makes up a basic computer system.

The major components and their functions.

The relationship between input, processing, output and storage.

This lesson will cover:

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A basic computer system

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The four components

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Data has no meaning in itself.

Data Processing Information

If we look at a string of data, such as:31, 35, 32, 34, 38

we have no way of knowing what the numbers mean. They have no context – we have nothing to relate them to. However, if we knew the values were temperatures, then they would give us information because they would be in context.

Computers can process data and turn it into information:

31, 35, 32, 34, 38Avg. temperature

= 34°CCalculateaverage

Data and information

Data + Context = information

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Input, output or process?

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Input and output devices are peripherals – they plug into the computer and are arranged around it. The word peripheral comes from the Greek ‘peri-’, meaning ‘around’ or ‘about’, as in perimeter (the distance around a shape).

Processing devices are inside the computer.

Storage and communications devices can be inside (internal) or outside (external).

Where do we find the parts?

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Construct a system

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True or false?