Computer Basics 2
A computer is a machine that performs 4 basic functions: Input, Processing, Output, Storage
Computer
A complete working computer that has all of the necessary parts to make the computer
function.
Hardware Software
Computer System
Hardware
The physical components of the computer. The actual
equipment you can see and touch.
Hardware
The physical components of the computer. The actual
equipment you can see and touch.
HardwarePeripheral
A peripheral is an external piece of hardware that is
important, but not necessary for a
computer system to work.
Hardware
InputDevices Processing Output
DevicesStorageDevices
Input Devices
Hardware that enables a computer user to enter data and programs into a computer.
ProcessingThe main parts of
a computer system that
process information.
ProcessingThe main parts of
a computer system that
process information.
CPUCentral Processing Unit
The CPU is often called the “brains” of the computer.
Hertz measures the speed of a CPU◦ Hertz = number of cycles per second
Megahertz Gigahertz Terahertz
Hertz
ProcessingThe main parts of
a computer system that
process information.
CPUCentral Processing Unit
ROMRead Only Memory
The CPU is often called the “brains” of the computer.
ROM is permanent internal memory that cannot be changed.
ProcessingThe main parts of
a computer system that
process information.
CPUCentral Processing Unit
ROMRead Only Memory
RAMRandom Access Memory
The CPU is often called the “brains” of the computer.
ROM is permanent internal memory that cannot be changed.
RAM is temporary memory that can be changed.
Output DevicesHardware that represents data as either hard copy or soft copy after is has been processed by the computer.
Output DevicesHardware that represents data as either hard copy or soft copy after is has been processed by the computer.
MonitorRepresents data as “soft copy.” Some common monitors are CRT or flat-panel.
Output DevicesHardware that represents data as either hard copy or soft copy after is has been processed by the computer.
Monitor
Printer
Represents data as “soft copy.” Some common monitors are CRT or flat-panel.
Represents data as “hard copy.” Some common printers are laser or inkjet.
Output DevicesHardware that represents data as either hard copy or soft copy after is has been processed by the computer.
Monitor
Printer
Speakers
Represents data as “soft copy.” Some common monitors are CRT or flat-panel.
Represents data as “hard copy.” Some common printers are laser or inkjet.
Storage DevicesNeeded for permanently storing important information such as computer programs, files, and data.
Storage DevicesNeeded for permanently storing important information such as computer programs, files, and data.
Magnetic StorageHard Disk
Floppy DiskVideotape
Plastic or metal platters that are coated with oxide and store data magnetically.
Storage DevicesNeeded for permanently storing important information such as computer programs, files, and data.
Magnetic StorageHard Disk
Floppy DiskVideotape
Optical StorageCDs
DVDs
Plastic or metal platters that are coated with oxide and store data magnetically.
A storage medium on which data is recorded and read by two lasers
Storage DevicesNeeded for permanently storing important information such as computer programs, files, and data.
Magnetic StorageHard Disk
Floppy DiskVideotape
Optical StorageCDs
DVDs
Plastic or metal platters that are coated with oxide and store data magnetically.
USB Storage
A storage medium on which data is recorded and read by two lasers
A storage medium on which data is recorded and read by two lasers A small
storage device that can be plugged into a USB port.
Bit a 0 or a 1Smallest piece of data a computer understands or stores
Byte 8 0s and 1sA = 1000001
Kilobyte 1,024 bytes
Megabyte 1 million bytes
Gigabyte 1 billion bytes
Terabyte 1 trillion bytes
Petabyte, Exabyte, Zettabyte, Yottabyte
Computers use a binary or Base 2 system of 0s and 1s (0=Off, 1=On)
In September 1956 IBM
launched the 305 RAMAC, the first computer with a hard disk drive (HDD). The HDD weighed over a ton and stored 5MB of data.
IBM leased this machine for
$35,000 a year.
NetworkComputers that are connected in order to share information and resources. The main computer on a network is called a file server.
LAN – Local Area NetworkComputers are in close proximity to each other.
WAN – Wide Area NetworkComputers are in a larger geographical
area.
Software
A set of instructions or programs that tell a computer what to do.
Software
Operating Systemor
Platform
Applicationsor
Programs
Operating System
This type of software manages RAM, controls peripheral devices, manages file operations (saving, opening, deleting, renaming, etc.), monitors system performance, and provides a user interface
Operating System
This type of software manages RAM, controls peripheral devices, manages file operations (saving, opening, deleting, renaming, etc.), monitors system performance, and provides a user interface DOS, Windows, VistaDOS is a command-line interface OS. It is not very user-friendly!
Windows is a GUI OS environment that works with DOS. It uses icons and menus to make computers easy to use. You can multitask with Windows.
Operating System
This type of software manages RAM, controls peripheral devices, manages file operations (saving, opening, deleting, renaming, etc.), monitors system performance, and provides a user interface DOS, Windows, Vista
Macintosh
DOS is a command-line interface OS. It is not very user-friendly!
Windows is a GUI OS environment that works with DOS. It uses icons and menus to make computers easy to use. You can multitask with Windows.Macintosh
computers have their own operating system.
Operating System
This type of software manages RAM, controls peripheral devices, manages file operations (saving, opening, deleting, renaming, etc.), monitors system performance, and provides a user interface DOS, Windows, Vista
Macintosh
Other Operating Systems:Linux, UNIX, OS/2
DOS is a command-line interface OS. It is not very user-friendly!
Windows is a GUI OS environment that works with DOS. It uses icons and menus to make computers easy to use. You can multitask with Windows.Macintosh
computers have their own operating system.
Application Softwareor
Programs
Programs that allow users to perform specific tasks.
Application Softwareor
Programs
Programs that allow users to perform specific tasks.
Word ProcessingLetters, reports, text
Application Softwareor
Programs
Programs that allow users to perform specific tasks.
Word Processing
Spreadsheets
Letters, reports, text
Numbers
Application Softwareor
Programs
Programs that allow users to perform specific tasks.
Word Processing
Spreadsheets
Electronic Presentations
Letters, reports, text
Numbers
Slide Shows
Application Softwareor
Programs
Programs that allow users to perform specific tasks.
Word Processing
Spreadsheets
Browser
Electronic Presentations
Letters, reports, text
Numbers
Slide Shows
World Wide Web
Application Softwareor
Programs
Programs that allow users to perform specific tasks.
Word Processing
Spreadsheets
Browser
Electronic Presentations
Database
Letters, reports, text
Numbers
Slide Shows
World Wide Web
Large collections of data
Application Softwareor
Programs
Programs that allow users to perform specific tasks.
Word Processing
Spreadsheets
Browser
Electronic Presentations
Database
????
Letters, reports, text
Numbers
Slide Shows
World Wide Web
Large collections of data
Virus
A small computer program or piece of code that is put on a computer
(usually without the user knowing about it) that is destructive to the
computer.