Computer Basics For Kids
Computer Basics For Kids
Computer Basics For Kids
Chapter
COMPUTER BASICS
OBJECTIVES
Computer is an electronic machine
ááUses of computers
that works according to the
ááCharacteristics of computers
instructions given by us. The usage
of computer has grown in the past ááIPO cycle
few years. ááInput, Output and Storage devices
ááHardware and Software
USES OF COMPUTERS
Computers play an important role in our everyday life. Let us look at some of
the areas in which computers are used.
CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTERS
A computer has certain characteristics that make it different from other
machines.
• Speed. A computer can perform large number of
calculations quickly.
INPUT DEVICES
The input devices allow you to communicate with the computer. They are
used to enter data and instructions. For example, keyboard, mouse, scanner,
microphone are input devices.
➤ ➤ Keyboard
The computer keyboard has many keys on it. You can type or enter data by
pressing various keys on the keyboard. You will learn more about the keyboard
in the next chapter.
• Double-click. When you quickly press and release the left mouse button
twice, it is called double-click. Double-clicking opens the window or a program
related to the clicked item.
For example, when you double-click the My Computer icon, it opens the My
Computer window.
• Drag-and-drop. Drag-and-drop is used to change the position of an item.
For example, you can use drag-and-drop to change the position of an icon on the
desktop.
QUICK QUESTION
1. Match the following.
I II
(i) a computer works by following this cycle (a) double-click
(ii) device for copying text from paper onto computer (b) microphone
(iii) quickly pressing the left mouse button twice (c) keyboard
(iv) records the voice (d) IPO cycle
(v) an input device used for typing (e) drag-and-drop
(vi) to change the position of an object (f) scanner
CPU
CPU stands for Central Processing Unit. CPU is called the
brain of a computer. CPU is responsible for processing the data
given by the user. The process of changing the entered data
into meaningful information is known as processing. CPU is
always kept inside a box called the CPU box. All the parts of
Fig 1.17 CPU box
the computer are connected to the CPU box through wires.
CPU is made up of three main parts.
They are: Quick Fact
1. Arithmetic and Logical Unit (ALU) Charles Babbage
2. Control Unit (CU) is known as
the Father of
3. Memory Unit Computers.
➤ ➤ Memory Unit
CPU stores all the data and instructions that need to be processed in the memory
unit. The memory unit then passes this data and instructions to the ALU or CU.
OUTPUT DEVICES
The output devices are used to display the results of processing to the user.
For example, monitor, printer, speakers are output devices.
➤ ➤ Monitor
Monitor looks like a TV screen. The actions that you perform using a mouse or
a keyboard are displayed on a monitor. You can also view pictures and cartoons
using the monitor.
Monitor is also known as VDU. VDU stands for Visual Display Unit.
There can be two types of monitors.
1. Cathode Ray Tube monitors (CRT)
2. Thin Film Transistor monitors (TFT)
➤ ➤ Printer
A printer transfers the information that you see on a monitor onto papers. The
printed paper is called the printout. Some printers can print only in black and
white while others can print in any colour.
There are various types of printers available in the market. For example,
dot-matrix printer, inkjet printer and laser printer. Of these, laser printers work
very fast compared to other printers.
Fig 1.20 Laser printer Fig 1.21 Inkjet printer Fig 1.22 Dot-matrix printer
➤ ➤ Speakers
You can listen to music and sound effects using speakers.
You may need to store the results of processing so that you can use them later.
The devices used for storing data are known as secondary storage devices or
storage media.
➤ ➤ Hard Disc
Hard disc is the main storage device of a computer. It is
present inside the CPU box. It can store large amounts of
data. All the work done on a computer can be stored on the
hard disc. Later in the book, you will learn to save your
work on the hard disc.
Fig 1.24 Hard disc
QUICK QUESTION
2. Who am I?
(a) I am the brain of a computer. ― P ―
(b) I give you output on paper. ― R ― ― T ― ―
(c) I am an output device that displays pictures. M ― ― ― T ― ―
(d) I perform arithmetic and logical calculations. ― L ―
(e) I control other parts of the computer. ― O ― ― R ― L UNIT
(f ) I can store lots of movies for you. ― V ―
➤ ➤ Hardware
Hardware refers to the physical parts of a computer that you
can touch and feel. All the devices that we have discussed such as
keyboard, monitor, CPU, hard disc are examples of hardware.
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MS Paint
Fig 1.28 Example of software
Recap Time
ááA computer is a very useful electronic machine that works according to the
instructions given by us.
ááComputers are used at many places like homes, schools, banks, offices, hospitals and
for scientific research.
ááA computer works by taking input, processing it and giving the output. This is known
as Input-Process-Output (IPO) cycle.
ááCPU is responsible for processing the data given by the user.
ááThe input device is used to receive data or instructions from the user.
ááThe output device is used to display the results of processing.
ááThe storage devices, such as, hard disc, CD, DVD and pen drive are used for storing
and transferring data.
ááH ardware refers to the physical parts of a computer that you can touch and feel.
ááSoftware is a set of programs or instructions given to a computer to perform a task.
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2 Tick (✓) the correct statement and cross (X) out the wrong one.
(c) It is very difficult to carry a pen drive because of its large size.
(e) The Control Unit (CU) of CPU performs the mathematical and
logical operations.
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4 Find the odd one out. One has been done for you.
5 Give the full form of the following. One has been done for you.
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Activity Time
1 Visit your school computer lab and make a list of
the various hardware devices present in the lab.
Then classify the hardware devices into input,
output and storage devices.
2 Write the names of software programs used
by you. (Hint: Games that you play are also
examples of software)
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