Digital Literacy

Computer Basics/Class

Notes

EQ: What are the parts and features of a computer

functions and components of operating systems, programs, and networks?(combined EQ for this review)

Lesson 1: Introduction to ComputersWhat Is A Computer?

•A computer is an electronic device that receives data, processes data, stores data, and produces a result (output).

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What Is AComputer System?

• Hardware: the tangible, physical equipment that can be seen and touched such as:• Computer Case• Monitor• Keyboard and Mouse• Disk Drive• Speakers

• Software: the intangible set of instructions that tells the computer what to do; know as programs or software programs. Two types: • Systems/Operating System• Applications

• Data: information entered into the computer to be processed, which consists of the following:• Text, numbers, sounds, and

images

• People: the users of the computers who enter the data and use the output.

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Parts of a Computer: INPUT Devices

• Input Device: hardware that allows you to communicate with your computer.

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•Output device: hardware that allows your computer to communicate with the user

Parts of a Computer: OUTPUT Devices

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CPU: Central Processing Unit

The device that interprets and runs the commands that you give to a computer. It is the control unit of the computer.

Also known as the Processor

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System Components• Central Processing Unit (CPU): the microprocessor, the brains of the

computer.• Housed on a tiny silicon chip• Chip contains millions of switches and pathways that help your computer make

important decisions.• CPU knows which switches to turn on and which to turn off because it receives its

instructions from computer programs (software).• CPU has two primary sections:

• Arithmetic/logic unit• Control unit

• Arithmetic/logic unit (ALU): performs arithmetic computations and logical operations; by combining these two operations the ALU can execute complex tasks.• Arithmetic operations include addition, subtractions, multiplication, and division.• Logical operations involve comparisons.

• Control Unit: is the “boss” and coordinates all of the CPU’s activities. • Uses programming instructions, it controls the flow of information through the

processor by controlling what happens inside the processor.• We communicate with the computer through programming languages.

• COBOL, C++, or VisualBasic.net, HTML, Java Script for example.

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System ComponentsMemory: found on the motherboard; short term and long term.

• Random Access Memory (RAM): memory on the motherboard that is short term; where data, information, and program instructions are stored temporarily on a RAM chip or a set of RAM chips.• When the computer is turned off or if there is loss of power, what ever is stored in RAM

disappears.• This memory know as the main memory and is considered volatile.• The computer can read from and write to RAM.

• Read-Only Memory (ROM): memory on the motherboard that is long term; where the specific instructions that are needed for the computer to operate are stored.• This memory is nonvolatile and your computer can only read from a ROM chip.• The instructions remain on the chip regardless if the power is turned on or off.• Most common is the BIOS ROM; where the computer uses instructions contained on this

chip to boot or start the system when you turn on your computer.

INTEL: Introduction to Computers Lesson 4: How Computers Store Information

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• Motherboard: Main circuit board inside the computer where all components are attached.

• Expansion Slots: an opening on the motherboard where a circuit board or expansion board can be inserted.

Examples: • Additional Memory• Video Cards• Modem Cards• Sound Cards• Network Internet Card (NIC)

System Components1.2 E

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Network Internet

Card NIC

CD Drive

Hard DriveROM

Power Box

MemoryRAM

Motherboard

Microprocessor CPU

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Parts of a Computer: STORAGE Devices

• Storage device: allows you to store or retrieve information

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Serial and Parallel Ports

USBsUniversal Serial Bus

PORTS . . . to connect!

Phone/Ethernet

Power Source

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EQ: What is the Processing component of the IPOS Cycle?

• Part I. Systems Software:A group of programs that coordinate and control the resources and operations of a computer system.– Enables all components of the computer

system to communicate.

•Part II. Applications Software: Programs that work with the OS software to help you use your computer to do specific types of work.

Types of Processing

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Systems SoftwareA group of programs that coordinate and control

the resources and operations of a computer system.

PC-Compatibl

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MACS

WindowsWin 95 Win 98

Win 2000 Win XP

Win 7

OS Mac System 6 System 7 OS X Snow Leopard

•Operating System (OS): provide an interface between the user or application program and the computer hardware.

PC- Intel ProcessorMac-Motorola Processor

Lesson 2/Operating System

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GUI (graphical user interface): graphical symbols (icons) represent files, disks, programs, and other objects.Windows

MAC

WindowsMAC

OS can run Parallel on MACs

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Part 2. Data Communications• The technology that enables computers to communicate• The transmission of text, numeric, voice or video data from one

machine to another.• Popular examples:• Internet, electronic messages (e-mail), faxes, and electronic or online

banking• Four components:• Sender: the computer that is sending the message.• Receiver: the computer receiving the message.• Channel: the media that carries or transports the message. (telephone

wire, coaxial cable, microwave signal, or fiber optic)• Protocol: the rules that govern the orderly transfer of the data sent.

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SenderChannel

Receiver

ReceiverChannel

Sender

Sender-sends message

Channel-path message travel

Receiver-receives message

Protocol-An agreed-upon format for transmitting data between two devices. Example: Text . Images . Sound

WAN Wide Area Networklocal area networks (LAN) are expanded to include several local area networks within a city, state, region, territory,

country, continent, or the world.

LAN Local Area NetworkComputers connected close location-

same building/same department

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• Modem: allows you to use your computer to communicate with other computers.

Data Communications

Sender

ReceiverChanne

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Data Communications• Network: when computers are connected to other

computers

• They can share information and sometimes hardware (printers)

• Local Area Networks (LAN): computers connected together in a relatively close location such as in the same building or department.• The data and software for these computers are stored on a central

computer called the file server.

• Wide Area Networks (WAN): when local area networks are expanded to include several local area networks within a city, state, region, territory, country, continent, or the world.

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WAN Wide Area Networklocal area networks (LAN) are expanded to include several local area networks within a city, state, region, territory,

country, continent, or the world.

LAN Local Area NetworkComputers connected close location-

same building/same department

Network:

When computer are connected to other computers that can share information and sometimes

hardware (printers)

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Types of ComputersE

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The Space Shuttle Columbia Supercomputer

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Used to do things like predict hurricanes and navigate satellites

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Mainframes and minicomputers:

used by business, government and school systems to process large amounts of information.

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Personal Computers• Desktop computer: designed to be used on a

desktop.• Notebook/Tablet computer: designed to be used

on a desktop but still small enough to be portable.• Laptop computer: designed to be small enough

and light enough to be used on your lap.

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Additional Typesof Computers

• PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants): a handheld device that is often used in conjunction with a desktop or other PC.• May have a special keyboard, some use a pen or stylus for entering data- Data can be transferred to a desktop or laptop computer

• Web TV: provides easy access to the Internet without having to have a traditional computer.• Enables you to connect to the Internet and usually includes a

keyboard or other device for entering and selecting data.

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Role of Memory• A collection of

electronic circuits, which can be on or off (open or closed).• -These two states of the

circuit are represented by two digits, 0 and 1.

• Called the Binary System

• Combining bits (0 and 1), you can represent any character or number

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Bits to Bytes

1 bit is either a 1 or a 0 (on/off)

8 bits (combination of 1s and 0s) = 1 byte 01010100

1 byte 01010100 = 1 character T

BYTE Size Approx. Size Example of Storage Capacity

KB-Kilobyte 1,024 bytes 1 email/1 document

MB-Megabyte 1-million bytes 1 textbook

GB-Gigabyte 1-billion bytes HUGE storage/video storage

TB-Terabyte 1-trillion bytes Government/School Files

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Application SoftwareSoftware designed for specific tasks

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•Categories• Business • Communications• Graphics and Multimedia• Education and Reference• Entertainment and Leisure• Integrated Programs

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Business Software• Word Processing (WORD)

• program that allows you to create, edit, and print text documents• Report, flyer, memo

• Spreadsheet (EXCEL)

• Numbered Rows and Lettered Columns

• Intersection of them = cell• Grade book, financial info

• Database (Access)

• Lets you set up an electronic filing systems• Enter text and numbers• Find, search, and printer

info in different ways• Address book, Card

Catalog

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Applications Software

• Communications• Works with your

modems or network hardware and allows your computer to communicate with other computers.• Exchange computer

files and email . Internet

• Graphics Software- uses pictures or images to help communicate messages. • Multimedia: - combines text, graphics,

animation, video, and audio.• Clip art:

- graphical images to be added to documents• Desktop Publishing:

- uses both pictures and words to give you the ability to create documents•Newsletters and brochures

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Applications Software• Education &

Reference• Available on many

topics• Help• Easier• Quicker• Examples: AR,

Encyclopedia, etc.

• Entertainment & Leisure• Fun• Games and simulations• Tests your skills• Interactive

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Integrated Software• Combine several

software applications into one program- “Bundle”.Include:• Business (WP . DB . SS)

• Communications• Graphics and Multimedia• Education and Reference• Entertainment and Leisure

• Examples:• MS OFFICE• Lotus SmartSuite

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