Introduction to Computers

Personal Computing 10

What is a computer?

• Electronic device

• Performs instructions in a program

• Performs four functions– Accepts data– Processes data– Outputs information– Stores results

A Few Terms

• Hardware – all the physical components

• Software – the operating system and programs

• Data – the raw facts the computer processes

• Information – data that has been organized

Input

• Everything entered into the computer– Data– Programs– Commands– User input – keystrokes, mouse clicks, joystick

buttons

Input Devices

• Keyboard

• Mouse

• Joystick

• Scanner

• Digital Camera

• Microphone

• Touchscreen

Processing

• Similar to human’s thinking

• Execute complex tasks

• One simple step at a time

• Using bits and bytes of data

Processing components

• Microprocessor

• Motherboard

• Main Memory (RAM)

• Secondary Memory (Hard Drive)

• Operating System

• Application

Microprocessor

• Silicon Chip– CPU– ALU– ROM (read only memory)– Intel, AMD

The Power of a Computer

• Speed– System clock rate (i.e. 2.4 GHZ)– Bus width– Word size (32 bit; 64 bit)

• Reliability

• Storage– RAM (1 GB)

Output

• Data that has been turned into useful information

• Hard Copy

• Soft Copy

Output Devices

• Printer

• Monitor

• Data Projector

• Speakers

• Headphones

• Machine tape

Storage

• The means of storing information/data for future use

• Main memory (RAM) - volatile

• Secondary memory – non volatile– Input (storing data and programs)– Output (storing processed data)

Storage Devices

• Magnetic– Floppy disks– Hard disks– Magnetic tape– Zip disks

Storage Devices

• Optical– CDs– DVDs

• Flash– Memory cards– USB drives or thumb drive

• Smart cards and Optical cards

Types of Computers

• PC (personal computer)

• Desktop

• Tower

• Notebook or laptop

• Tablet PC

• Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)

• Workstation

Types of Computers

• Main frame

• Supercomputer

• Distributed or Grid Computing

• Server

• Mini-computer

Networking

• Transmission of data between two or more computers over a channel

• Communication channels– Network cable

– Coaxial

– Telephone lines

– Fiber optics

– Satellite transmission

– Microwave

– Wireless

Networking

• Signals– Analog – wave form

– Digital – stream of bits

• Modem– Translates analog into digital and the reverse

• Digital Modem– Connects one medium of transmission to connect to

another (i.e. coaxial to network cable)

Networks

• Share files

• Share printers and other peripherals

• Run programs remotely

• Local Area Network (LAN)

• Wide Area Network (WAN)

Network Communication

• Protocol– common language that allows devices to talk to

each other– Internet protocol (IP), file transfer protocol

(FTP), hypertext transfer protocol (FTP)

Network Components

• Server

• Workstations

• Router (Firewall)

• Switch (Hub)

• Cable

Software

• BIOS• Operating System• Utilities• Security• Applications

– Word processing– Spreadsheets– Games

Parts of a Computer

• On the front– Floppy drive– CD Rom Drive– CD Burner– DVD drive– Power button– Reset button– USB ports

Parts of a Computer

• Around the back– Power plug

– Fan

– PS/2 ports - keyboard/mouse

– Sound card ports

– Video card port

– Network Interface port

– Parallel Port

– USB Ports

Parts of a Computer

• Inside the box– Drive bays

– Access slots

– Motherboard

– Hard drive

– Peripheral card

– Network Interface Card

– Power Supply

– Ribbon cable