CHAPTER 1Computer Concept

Overview

• Introduction

• Hardware and Software

• Computer Structure

• Type of computer

Introduction

A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information or data.

• Receives, processes, store data and produce a result (output)

Uses hardware and software

Introduction

• The computers only knows “1” and “0” but it knows how to

combined them into more complex thing.

• Such as :

Photo/picture Movies Games

Hardware is any physical part of the computer which include all the internal

components (motherboard, RAM, NIC) and also the external part such as the

monitor and the keyboard.

Software is any set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do. Such as

web browser, media player or word processor.

HARDWARE SOFTWARE

Hardware

OUTPUT DEVICES

INPUT DEVICES

Software• System Software• Application Software

Application Software• Performs specific tasks:

• Word processing• Calculations• Information storage and

retrieval• Accounting

• Cannot function without the OS (Operating System)

• Written for a specific operating system and computer hardware.

Operating System Software• Loads automatically when

you switch on a computer• Main roles:

• Controls hardware and software • Permits you to manage files • Acts as intermediary between

user and applications

Operating System SoftwareSoftware which manages the overall operation of the

computer system including:• hardware (CPU, RAM, I/O)• security• system interface• application interface

GUI – Graphical User Interface

Windows 3.1

Windows 95/98/XP

GUI – Graphical User Interface

MAC OS

UNIX/LINUX with X-Windows

Software

Software Example

Antivirus AVG, Avast, Norton

Audio / Music program iTune,WinAmp

Database Access, MySQL, SQL

Email Outlook, Thunderbird

Game Madden NFL Football, Quake, World of Warcraft

Internet browser Firefox, Google chrome, IE

Operating System MAC, Windows 7, Windows XP

Type of Computers

Which one is the computer?

Rock Calculator Television

Modern Airplane Washing Machine Computer Workstation

Is a rock a computer?

• Computers must be able to handle input and output

• Does not act or process• Takes no input and produces no output

Is a washing machine a computer?

• Computers input and output information

• Input: dirty clothes• Output: clean clothes• Does not handle information

Is a television set a computer?

• Computers process information by computing new results and answering queries

• Input: information from cables or radio waves

• Output: information as sound and picture

• Does not process information

Is a modern airplane a computer?

• Computers are general purpose because they can perform many different tasks

• Input: information from radio waves

• Output: manipulations to the airplane

• Can only handle specific information necessary for flight control

Is an ordinary calculator a computer?

• Computers are programmable so they can remember sequences of operations

• Input: numbers and mathematical operations

• Output: answer• Handles any numeric task• Cannot remember which buttons are pressed

Definition of a Computer• a general purpose,• programmable,• information processor• with input and output

What can computers do – today?

• Business productivity managers

• Personal information managers

• Spreadsheets

• Database software

• Desktop publishing

• Multimedia encyclopedias

• Simulate the physical world

• Produce a music video

Computer Structure

Processor A part of computer system that is commonly referred as a

‘brains’ of a computer.

Also known as CPU

(Central Processing Unit)

or microprocessor.

Responsible for executing a sequence of stored instruction

called a program.

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

Parts of Processor Control Unit

Make decisions and send the appropriate signal down its line to other parts of the

computer. Controls the timing of operations and controls the instructions sent to the processor.

Arithmetic / Logic Unit (ALU) The ALU carries out arithmetic and logic function. It carries out all the calculation and makes decisions on the data sent to the

processor.

Registers Provide temporary memory storage locations within the processor.

Input, Process, Output (IPO) Input: Involves entering the data and instructions that the computer

needs to carry out a particular task.

Process: is what the computer should to do with the data or

instructions that have been input.

Output: is the set of results which is obtained when the instructions

have been run.

Main Memory

A running program is stored along with its data in the main

memory of the computer.

Main memory is divided up into storage locations each

with its own unique address.

A single storage location can hold one or more bytes of

information.

Main memory size This is the amount of memory allocated to a computer system. Most

modern computers come with a minimum of 3 or 4 Gigabytes of RAM.

There are two different types of memory: RAM and ROM.

RAM or Random Access Memory is volatile. This means that when

the computer is switched off all the contents of the RAM are lost.

ROM or Read Only Memory retains all of its information even when

the computer is switched off.

Backing Storage• Backing storage is used for permanent storage of

programs and data.

• Hard disks and USB flash drives are common forms of

backing storage.

• Magnetic tapes are used in large commercial

organizations to store long term data. Backup copies are

often held on tape.

Define a computer.

What is the basic parts of processor?

What are the different between ROM and RAM?

Illustrate the step cycle of CPU.