COMPUTER

FUNDAMENTALS
Computer Basics 1

Computer Basic 1 includes two lessons:

 
Lesson 1: Introduction to Computers

Lesson 2: Common              
Computer Terminology
      
Lesson 1 – Introduction to Computer
Objectives
After completing lesson 1, you will be able to:

 Describe the importance of computers in today’s

world.

 Identify the main parts of a computer.

 Identify the steps for starting a computer.

 Identify the different groups of keys on a keyboard.

 Perform different tasks by using a mouse.

 COMPUTER IS. . . .

• A computer is an electronic
device, operating under the
control of instructions (software)
stored in its own memory unit, that
can accept data (input),
manipulate data (process), and
produce information (output) from
the processing. Generally, the term
is used to describe a collection of
devices that function together as a
HISTORY OF
COMPUTERS
 Types of Computers

Types of Computers

Microcomputer Minicomputer Mainframe Supercomputer

Microcomputer

 Canbe classified into:

Desktop PCs
sitson desks, rarely moved, large
and bulky.
Memory capacity, graphics
capacity and software availability
vary from one computer to
another Used both for business
and home applications
 Microcomputer

Portable PCs
Can be moved easily from
place to place
Weight may varies
Small PCs are popular known
as laptop
Widely used by students,
scientist, reporters, etc
Microcomputer Model
Laptop
Desktop Notebook

Subnotebook Palmtop
Microcomputer

 Advantages
 Small size
 Low cost
 Portability
 Low Computing Power
 Commonly used for personal applications
 Disadvantages
 Low processing speed
Uses of Microcomputer

Word Processing
Home entertainment
Home banking
Printing
Surfing the internet
etc
Minicomputer

 Medium sized computer

 Also called the minis
 e.g. IBM36, HP9000, etc
 Computing power lies between microcomputer and
mainframe computer
MiniComputer

 Characteristics
 Bigger size than PCs
 Expensive than PCs
 Multi-User
 Difficult to use
 More computing power than PCs
 Used by medium sized business
organizations, colleges, libraries and
banks.
 Uses of Minicomputer

 Control of Automated Teller Machine (ATMs)

 Payroll
 Hospital patients registration
 Inventory Control for supermarket
 Insurance claims processing
 Small bank accounting and customer details
tracking
 Minicomputer

 Advantage
 Cater to multiple users
 Lower costs than mainframes
 Disadvantage
 Large
 Bulky
Mainframe

 Known as enterprise servers

 Occupies entire rooms or floors
 Used for centralized computing
 Serve distributed users and
small servers in a computing
network
 Main Frame

 Large,fast and expensive computer

 Cost millions of dollar
 e.g. IBM3091, ICL39, etc
 Characteristics:
 Bigger in size than minicomputers
 Very expensive
 Support a few hundred users simultaneously (Multi-Users)
 Difficult to use
 More computing power than minicomputers
 Have to be kept in a special air-conditioned room
 Used in big business organizations and government departments
Areas where mainframes are
used

 Airline reservation
 Big banks with hundreds of branches located all over the
world
 Big universities with thousands of enrollment
 Natural gas and oil exploration companies
 Space Vehicle control
 Weather forecasting
 Animated Cartoon
 Some mainframes are designed to be extremely fast and
called super computers. It is used for space launching,
monitoring and controlling.
Mainframe

 Advantage
Supports many users and instructions
Large memory
 Disadvantage
Huge size
Expensive
Supercomputer

 Fastest and expensive

 Used by applications for
molecular chemistry, nuclear
research, weather reports, and
advanced physics
 Consists of several computers
that work in parallel as a single
system
Super Computer

Advantage
Speed

Disadvantage
Generate a large amount of heat during
operation
 LIMITATIONS OF COMPUTERS

1. The computer cannot correct wrong

instruction
2. It cannot generate information on its
own
3. It cannot come up with original
decision
4. It is subject to breakdown
 WHY COMPUTER FAILS

1.Input errors
2.Errors in instructing a computer
3.Communication gap
4.Lack of manufacturer support
 What Does A Computer Do?

Computers can perform four general

operations, which comprise the information
processing cycle.

 Input
 Process
 Output
 Storage
 What Do Computers Do?

 Input, Process, Output, & Store data

Input Process Output

Store Data
Data and Information
 All computer processing requires data, which is a
collection of raw facts, figures and symbols, such
as numbers, words, images, video and sound, given
to the computer during the input phase.
 Computers manipulate data to create information.
Information is data that is organized, meaningful,
and useful.
 During the output Phase, the information that has
been created is put into some form, such as a
printed report.
 The information can also be put in computer
storage for future use.
How Does a Computer Know what to
do?
 It must be given a detailed list of instructions,
called a compute program or software, that
tells it exactly what to do.
 Before processing a specific job, the computer
program corresponding to that job must be
stored in memory.
 Once the program is stored in memory the
compute can start the operation by executing
the program instructions one after the other.
 The Role of Computers

 In Business and Industry

 In Publication Field
 In Education Field
 In Government Organizations
 In Medical Field
 In Science Field
 In Entertainment Field
 COMPUTER SYSTEM

A computer system consists of three

primary units:
Input units – accept data
Processor unit – processes data by
performing comparisons and
calculations
Output units – present the results
 Input Devices

 Mouse

 Keyboard

 Microphone

 Scanner

 Webcam
 Parts of a Computer
Output Devices
You use output devices to get
feedback from a computer after it
performs a task
 Monitor

 Printer

 Speaker/Headphone
 Parts of a Computer
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
A device that interprets and runs the
commands that you give to the computer.

 Also referred to as the processor.

 Two major brands are Intel and AMD.

 Examples: Intel Core 2 Duo, AMD Turion X2

 Parts of a Computer
Memory
 Memory is where information is stored and
retrieved by the CPU.

 There are two main types of memory:

 Random Access Memory (RAM): It is the main
memory and allows you to temporarily store
commands and data.

 Read Only Memory (ROM): It is the memory

that retains its contents even after the
computer is turned off.
 Parts of a Computer
Motherboard
o Is the main circuit board inside the computer.

o Has tiny electronic circuits and other

components on it.

o Connects input, output, and processing devices

together (CPU, Memory, Hard Drive, DVD Drive)

o Tells the CPU how to run.

 Parts of a Computer
Expansion Cards

 Video Card – is connected to the computer

monitor and is used to display information on the
monitor.

 Network Interface Card (NIC) – is connected to

other computers so that information can be
exchanged between them.

 Sound Card– converts audio signals (microphone or

audio tape) which can be stored as a computer
audio file.
 Parts of a Computer
Storage Devices

 Hard Disk

 Flash Drive

 CD-ROM

 DVD-ROM
 Parts of a Computer
Ports and Connections

 Universal Serial Bus (USB) Port

 FireWire (similar to USB but faster)

 Network Port (Ethernet)

 Parallel Port and Serial Port

 Display Adapter

 Power
 Using a Computer

 To turn on a computer, press the power button on the

system unit.

 Log on to the operating system by your user name and

password.

 Computers allow you to create, modify, and save

files.

 To shut down a computer, click Start, and then, at

the bottom of the Start menu, click Shut Down.
Using a Keyboard
 Using a Mouse

 A mouse is a small device that you can use to

move, select, and open items displayed on your
monitor.

 Most mouse devices have at least two buttons,

left and right.

 Mouse’s action:
 Point
 Double Click
 Left Click
 Right Click
 Click-and-Drag or Drag-and-Drop
 Lesson 2 – Common Computer Terminology
Objectives
 Identify the primary hardware components of a
computer.

 Define an operating system and its role.

 Define the term program.

 Explain what is meant by data.

 Define the term network, and identify the benefits

of networking.

 Define the term Internet.

 Hardware

 Refers to all the physical components of a

computer.

 Includes all input devices, processing devices,

storage devices, and output devices.

 Examples of hardware are:

 keyboard
 mouse
 motherboard
 monitor
 hard disk
 cables
 printer
 Operating Systems

 Is the most important software on the computer

 Controls and manages the hardware connected to your computer

 Provides an interface that helps you to interact with the computer

 Ensures that your computer is functioning properly

 Windows XP is an example of the operation system.

 Can be either text-based or graphics-based.

 Graphics-based operating system help you install hardware or

software with easy-to-use interface.
 Programs

o The hardware and the operating system together are

referred to as a platform.
o Programs, also called applications, use this platform
to perform tasks.
o There are many types of programs:
o Some programs allow you to perform tasks such
as writing letters, doing calculations, or sending e-
mail messages.
o Other programs allow you to create illustrations,
play games, watch movies, or communicate with
other computer users.
 Data

 Programs process data that you provide as input

to your computer.
 Data can be in the form of text, graphics,
audio, or video depending on the type of
program.
 Program processes the data and displays the
output on the screen.
 You can save this output in a file.
 The file can be an audio file, a text file, a
graphics file, or a video file.
 Networks

 Is a group of computers and associated devices

that are linked together to facilitate sharing
information.

 Can also be used to share data and devices

such as printers.

 A typical network has the following three

components:

 Server
 Workstation
 Communication channel
 Networks LAN

 Connects devices within a limited area (home or a

small group of offices)

 Commonly includes computers and shared

resources (printers and scanners)
 Networks WAN

 Is a network that connects devices in

geographically separated areas.

 Is used to connect networks across different

countries.

 The Internet is an example of a WAN.

 Internet

 Internet is a worldwide collection of public

networks that are linked to each other for
information exchange.

 Internet offers a range of services to its users

(file transfers between Internet users and
electronic mail)

 The World Wide Web (WWW), or the Web, is

another service that the Internet provides.

 An intranet is similar to the Web but is accessible

only to authorized users of the organization.
 Bringing the Machine to Life –
What is Software?

 Software is a set of electronic instructions

that tells the computer how to do certain
tasks. A set of instructions is often called a
program.

 When a computer is using a particular

program, it is said to be running or
executing the program.

 The two most common types of programs

are system software and application
software.
 Bringing the Machine to Life –
System Software

 System software exists primarily for the computer

itself, to help the computer perform specific
functions.
 One major type of system software is the operating
system (OS). All computers require an operating
system.
 The OS tells the computer how to interact with the
user and its own devices.
 Common operating systems include Windows, the
Macintosh OS, OS/2, and UNIX .
 Bringing the Machine to
Life - Applications
 Application Software consists of programs that tell a
computer how to produce information
 Application software tells the computer how to
accomplish tasks the user requires, such as creating
a document or editing a graphic image.
 Some important kinds of application software are:
Word processing programs Spreadsheet software
Database management Presentation programs
Graphics programs Networking software
Web design tools and browsers Internet applications
Communications programs Utilities
Entertainment and education Multimedia authoring
 Firmware

 Firmware are programs that

are permanently written and
stored in memory
Computer Software

 Computer software is the key to

productive use of computers.
Software can be categorized into
two types:

 Operating system software

 Application software.
Operating System Software

 Operating system software tells the

computer how to perform the functions of
loading, storing and executing an
application and how to transfer data.
 Today, many computers use an operating
system that has a graphical user interface
(GUI) that provides visual clues such as icon
symbols to help the user. Microsoft
Windows 98 is a widely used graphical
operating system. DOS (Disk Operating
System) is an older but still widely used
operating system that is text-based.
Application Software
 Application Software consists of programs
that tell a computer how to produce
information. Some of the more commonly
used packages are:


 Word processing
 Electronic spreadsheet
 Database
 Presentation graphics
Word Processing

 Word Processing software is used to create and print

documents. A key advantage of word processing software is
that users easily can make changes in documents.
Electronic Spreadsheets

 Electronic spreadsheet software allows the user to add,

subtract, and perform user-defined calculations on rows
and columns of numbers. These numbers can be changed
and the spreadsheet quickly recalculates the new results.
 Database Software

 Allows the user to enter, retrieve, and update data in an

organized and efficient manner, with flexible inquiry and
reporting capabilities.
Presentation Graphics

 Presentation graphic software allows the user to create

documents called slides to be used in making the
presentations. Using special projection devices, the slides
display as they appear on the computer screen.