UNIT 1: COMPUTER BASICSComputer Applications

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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.

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THE PROCESSING CYCLE OF A COMPUTER

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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.

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HOW COMPUTERS ARE USED TODAYComputers 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.

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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.

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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.

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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 includeDesktop computersNotebook (laptop) computers“Smart Phones”, iPad, & iPod

Touch

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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

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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

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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.

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A TYPICAL NETWORK LAYOUT

INSIDE THE COMPUTER…

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THE MOTHERBOARDThe 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

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DIAGRAM OF A MOTHERBOARD

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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).

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TYPES OF COMPUTER MEMORY

There are two types of memory found on a motherboard:

RAM: Random Access Memory

ROM: Read-Only Memory RAM

chip

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

HARDWAREPhysical parts of the computer that you can see and touch

SOFTWAREInstructions for the computerPrograms

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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.

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EXAMPLES OF INPUT DEVICES Keyboard Mouse Voice recognition devices Scanners Joysticks

Cell phone Touch display screen Digital cameras Video camera

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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.

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OTHER OUTPUT DEVICESMonitorProjectors Speakers

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STORAGE DEVICES A place to save and store files Examples:

Hard drive (can’t take with you)Flash driveFloppy diskCDiPod

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TYPICAL PC PORT ARRANGEMENT

USB (UNIVERSAL SERIAL BUS)Most popular type of plug on computers

Used for printer, keyboard, mouse, scanner, iPod, flash drives and many more

VIRUSA 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?

HACKERSomeone that breaks into

computer networks or steals personal information

Could be someone that creates a virus

FIREWALLA program to prevent hackers from stealing information from your computer

Sometimes it needs to be disabled to install new programs

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TYPES OF SOFTWAREThere 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

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APPLICATIONS SOFTWARE Application software consists of programs

that were created to perform a specific task. Application software is also called

productivity software.

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APPLICATIONS SOFTWARE (CONT.) The most common types of application

software areWord-processing programsSpreadsheet softwarePresentation softwareDatabase softwareWeb browsersGames

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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 areOperating systemsUtility programsLanguage translators

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!