Essential Computer Conceptsfaculty.cord.edu/kamel/07S-104/Presentations/Concepts.pdf · Essential...

Essential Computer Concepts 1

XP

Essential Computer Concepts


XPChapter ObjectivesAt the end of the chapter, you will understand:

• The components of a computer system

• The different types of computers

• Personal computer hardware and its functions

• Data representation and the ASCII code

• Peripheral devices

• Hardware and software used to establish a network connection

• Internet, e-mail, and World Wide Web

• System software• Popular application

software• Data sharing among

different application software


XPWhat is a Computer?

A computer is a device that:• Accepts input• Processes data• Stores data• Produces output



A Computer System is made up of:

• Hardware—the physical components• Software—the programs or lists of

instructions• Peripherals—the additional components



Architecture or configuration is the design of the computer.

As in, what does the computer consist of?

Specification is the technical detail about each component.

As in, how big is the monitor?


XPHow a Computer Works

The hardware, software, and you work together to complete tasks.


XPHow a Computer Works

The data you type into the computer is called input.

The result of the computer processing your input is called output.


XPTypes of Computers

The categories of computers are:• Personal or microcomputers

– Desktop– Notebook, Laptop, Table PC

• Hand-helds or PDAs• Mainframes• Supercomputers



Personal computersare used for general computing tasks and fit the needs of most users



Hand-held computers fit in the palm of your hand and run on batteries.



Mainframes are used by companies to provide centralized storage, processing, and management for large amounts of data.



Supercomputers are the largest and fastest of computers, and can process an enormous volume of data.


XPComputer Hardware

Computer hardware includes:• Input devices• Output devices• Processing hardware• Storage devices and media


XPComputer Hardware

Some input devices are:• Keyboard• Mouse• Wireless pointer• Touch pad• Track point

Cordless mouse


XPComputer Hardware

Output devices are:Monitors and Printers are common output

devices.

CRT monitors and LCD (or flat panel display) monitors are two types of monitors.


XPComputer Hardware

Factors that influence a monitor’s quality are:

• Screen Size

• Resolution

• Dot Pitch


XPTypes of Printers include:

• Laser

• Ink-jet

• Dot Matrix


XPComputer Hardware

• Multimedia devices are peripheral devices that include text, graphics, sound, animation, and video.

• Speakers and sound cards are common multimedia output devices


XPComputer Hardware

• The most important computer function is data processing.

• Processing hardware is used to process data.


XPProcessing Hardware

• Computers interpret every signal as “on” or “off.”

• 1 (“on”) and 0 (“off”) are referred to as bits.

• Eight bits is a byte. Each byte represents a unique character.


XPData Representation

Storage and memory capacity is the amount of data the storage device can handle.

• Kilobyte (KB) is about one thousand bytes• Megabyte (MB) is about one million bytes• Gigabyte (GB) is about one billion bytes


XPProcessing Hardware

• The two most important components of personal computers hardware are the microprocessor and memory.

• These two factors directly affect the computer’s price and performance.


XPThe Microprocessor

• The microprocessor is a silicon chip designed to manipulate data.

• The speed of the microprocessor is the most important factor in determining the performance of the computer system


XPMemory

Computer memory is a set of storage locations on the motherboard.

There are three main types of memory:• Random access memory (RAM)

– Virtual memory

• Read-only memory• Flash memory


XPMemory

RAM is temporary memory that is constantly changing while the computer is on. RAM holds all programs and data while they are being used.

Virtual memory is extra memory that simulates RAM if more is needed.


XPMemory

Read-only memory (ROM) is the permanent storage location for a set of instructions the computer uses at startup.

FLASH memory is semi-permanent information about where essential software is stored.


XPMemory

A storage device receives data from RAM and writes it on a storage medium. Later, it can be read and sent back to RAM.


XPStorage Devices

Data is stored as files.

Executable files tell computers how to perform specific tasks.

Data files are created by the user, usually with software.


XPStorage Devices

Files are kept on storage devices.

There are:Magnetic storage devices.Optical storage devices.Electronic storage devices.


XPStorage Devices

Some common magnetic storage devices are:

• Floppy disks• Hard disk drives• Tape drives• Zip drives

A floppy disk


XPStorage Devices

Some common optical storage devices are:

• CD-ROM drives• DVD drives• CD-R drives• CD-RW drives


XPStorage Devices

CD-ROMs are for “read-only” access.

CD-R drives allow you to record data on a CD-R disk.

CD-RW drives allow you to write data on a CD-RW disk and access and modify data.


XPData Communications

Data Communications is the transmission of text, numeric, voice, or video data from one computer to another.



The four essential components of data communications are:

• Sender• Channel• Receiver• Protocol



A sender is the computer that originates the message.

The message is sent over a channel, such as a telephone.



The receiver is the computer at the message’s destination.

Protocols are the rules that establish the transfer of data between sender and receiver.


XPData Bus

The data bus is the communication medium between microprocessor, RAM, and the peripherals.


XPData Bus

An external peripheral device has a port or cable that connects it to the computer.

Each port connects to a controller card, which plugs into an expansion slot.

The transmission protocol is handled by a device driver.


XPData Bus

Microcomputers have several types of ports:• Parallel• Serial• Small computer system interface (SCSI)• Musical instrument digital interface (MIDI)• Universal serial bus (USB)• Firewire


XPData Bus

A parallel port transmits data eight bits at a time, and is often used to connect a nearby printer.


XPData Bus

A serial port transmits data one bit at a time, and often connects a mouse, keyboard, or modem.


XPData Bus

A SCSI (“scuzzy”) connection can allow many devices to use the same port, and are popular on Macs and some notebooks.

MIDI cards are used to record and play back musical data.


XPData Bus

Computer expansion ports


XPData Bus

USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports replace numerous connectors with one plug and port combination. The device you install must have a USB connector.


XPNetworks

A network connects one computer to other computers and peripherals.

In a local area network (LAN),computers and peripherals are close to each other.


XPNetworks

A client/server network is a networkwith a file server. A file server acts as the central storage location.

A network without a file server is a peer-to-peer network. All of the computers are equal.


XPNetworks


XPNetworks

Each computer that is part of the network must have a network interface card and network software.

Then it becomes a workstation.

Any device connected to the network is called a node.


XPTelecommunications

Telecommunications is communicating over a telephone line. In the telecommunications process, the modem converts digital signals to analog signals at the sending site and a second modem converts them back at the receiving site.


XPTelecommunications


XPThe Internet

The Internet is the world’s largest network.

E-mail and the World Wide Web are two benefits of the Internet.


XPThe Internet

A hyperlink is a place on a Web page allowing you to connect to a particular file.

http://www.course.com/newperspectives


XPThe Internet

A Web browser is the communications

software that allows you to navigate the WWW.


XPComputer Software

Software is the instructions and data that direct the computer to accomplish a task. It can refer to a single program or a package.


XPSystem Software

System software helps the computer carry out its basic operating tasks.

Application software helps the user carry out a variety of tasks.


XPSystem Software

The four types of system software are:• Operating systems• Utilities• Device drivers• Programming languages


XPApplication Software

Application software enables you to perform specific tasks. Application software includes:

• Document production software• Spreadsheet software• Database management software• Graphics and presentation software



Document production software includes word processing, desktop publishing, and Web authoring software that assist you in writing and formatting documents.



It often has grammar and spell-checking, thesaurus, search and replace, and template features.



With spreadsheet software, you can create formulas that perform calculations. Spreadsheet software creates worksheets with columns and rows. The intersection of a column and row is a cell.



Database management software creates structured databases to contain information.

Graphics and presentation software allow you to create illustrations, diagrams, and charts to be presented or transmitted. Most allow you to include graphics.



Multimedia authoring software allows you to record digital sound files, video files, and animations that can be included in presentations and other documents.

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