Basic Computer Concepts Computer Definition a device that

Basic Computer Concepts Computer Definition Ø a device that accepts input, processes data, stores data, and produces output, all according to a series of stored instructions Ø Information Processing Cycle v v Ø Beginning terms v v v Ø accepts data – input processes data – processing produces output – output stores results – storage Hardware Software Data Information Default Three Functions v v v Speed Reliability Storage Computer Basics

Basic Computer Concepts Computer Types Ø Ø Workstations - intended for business or professional use which are faster than the individual personal computer Palmtop / Handheld - small types of personal computers which are very easy to carry anywhere Tablet PC - a shape of a notebook or a slate with the capabilities of being written on through the use of digitizing tablet technology Main Frame - processes all data input by several hundred users Computer Basics

Basic Computer Concepts Personal Computer Systems Ø Ø computer system usually refers to a computer and all of the input, output, and storage devices that are connected to it Input Devices v v v Keyboard - the primary input device Pointing devices such as mouse, joystick, and game controller - an alternative input device to manipulate on-screen graphical objects and controls Scanner - allows a user to scan hard document, pictures, or graphics to view on a computer Digital Cameras - are used to takes pictures which can be used directly by a computer Microphone - used to put sound into a computer and this needs sound recording software CD/DVD ROM - a drive that uses laser technology to read data that is permanently stored on computer or audio CDs Computer Basics

Basic Computer Concepts Personal Computer Systems Ø Output Devices - used to display information on a screen, can create printed copies or generate a sound v v v Computer Basics Monitors / Display Device - a separate monitor or a flat panel LCD (liquid crystal display) screen Printer - an output device that produces computer-generated text or graphical images on paper a) Dot Matrix b) Ink Jet c) Laser Speakers - Desktop computer’s built-in speakers are mostly limited to playing beeps Sound Card - a small circuit board, is necessary for high-quality music, narration, and sound effects CD Writers - can be used to create and copy CDs Modem - can be used to establish an internet connection using a standard telephone line

Basic Computer Concepts Personal Computer Systems Ø Storage Devices v v v Computer System Unit - the case that holds the main circuit boards, microprocessor, power supply, and storage devices Hard Disk drive - a storage device that can store billions of characters of data and is usually mounted inside the computer’s system unit Floppy Disk drive - reads data from and writes data to floppy disks Computer Basics

Basic Computer Concepts Computer Terminologies Ø Ø Ø Ø Data - the symbols that represent people, events, things, and ideas information - data presented in a format that people can understand use bit - binary codes used by computers consisting of either 1 or 0 byte - eight bits and are used to represent one character - may be a letter, number, or punctuation mark File - a named collection of data that exists on a storage medium, such as a hard disk, a floppy disk, or a CD Data file - files which are regarded as passive, the data does not instruct the computer to do anything Executable file - files which are considered as active, the instructions stored in the file cause the computer to carry out some action Computer Basics

Basic Computer Concepts Information Size Measurements Ø Kilobyte (KB) Ø One kilobyte equals about 1024 bytes v 1 KB is about 140 words, about a half page of typed double-spaced text (words only) Megabyte (MB) Ø One megabyte equals about 1000 KB v One megabyte equals about 1, 000 bytes v One megabyte equals about 500 pages of text, or one large book Gigabyte (GB) v v v One gigabyte equals about 1000 MB One gigabyte equals about 1, 000 KB One gigabyte equals about 1, 000, 000 bytes One gigabyte equals over 1, 000 books of text Computer Basics