Introduction To Computers
Introduction To Computers
Introduction To Computers
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What Is A Computer?
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Devices that comprise a computer system
Monitor Speaker
(output) (output) System unit
(processor, memory…)
Printer
(output)
Storage devices
(CD-RW, Floppy,
Hard disk, zip,…)
Mouse
(input)
Scanner Keyboard
(input) (input)
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What Does A Computer Do?
Input
Process
Output
Storage
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What Do Computers Do?
Input, Process, Output, & Store
data
Store Data
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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.
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Why Is A Computer So Powerful?
The ability to perform the information
processing cycle with amazing speed.
Reliability (low failure rate).
Accuracy.
Ability to store huge amounts of data and
information.
Ability to communicate with other computers.
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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.
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What Are The Primary
Components Of A Computer ?
Input devices.
Central Processing Unit
(containing the control
unit and the
arithmetic/logic unit).
Memory.
Output devices.
Storage devices.
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Uses of Computer
PC at Home
Common uses for the computer within the home
Computer games
Working from Home
Banking from Home
Connecting to the Web
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Uses of Computer
Office Applications
Stock Control
Stock control is ideal for automation and in many
companies it is now completely computerized. The
stock control system keeps track of the number of
items in stock and can automatically order
replacement items when required.
Accounts / Payroll
In most large organizations the accounts are
maintained by a computerized system. Due to the
repetitive nature of accounts a computer system is
ideally suited to this task and accuracy is
guaranteed.
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Uses of Computer
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Uses of Computer
Games
Educational
On-line banking
Smart ID cards
Supermarkets
Internet
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History of Computers
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Computer System
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COMPUTER SYSTEM
MONITOR
PROCESSOR
KEYBOARD
Storage
devices
PRINTER
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Input Devices
Data are facts, numbers and characters that are
entered into the computer via keyboard.
Other types of input devices are mouse,
joystick, light pens, scanners, camera, etc.
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Computer Input Devices
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Processor Unit
Long term
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Read-Only Memory (ROM)
Memory on the motherboard that is
long term; where the specific
instructions that are needed for the
computer to operate are stored.
This memory is nonvolatile and
your computer can only read from
a ROM chip.
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The instructions remain on the chip
regardless if the power is turned on
or off.
Most common is the BIOS ROM;
where the computer uses instructions
contained on this chip to boot or
start the system when you turn on
your computer.
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Computer Output Devices
Types of
Computers
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Microcomputer
Can be classified into:
Desktop PCs
sits on 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
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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
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Microcomputer Model
Desktop Laptop Notebook
Subnotebook Palmtop
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Microcomputer
Advantages
Small size
Low cost
Portability
Low Computing Power
Commonly used for personal applications
Disadvantages
Low processing speed
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Uses of Microcomputer
Word Processing
Home entertainment
Home banking
Printing
Surfing the internet
etc
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Minicomputer
Medium sized computer
Also called the minis
e.g. IBM36, HP9000, etc
Computing power lies between
microcomputer and mainframe
computer
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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.
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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
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Minicomputer
Advantage
Cater to multiple users
Lower costs than mainframes
Disadvantage
Large
Bulky
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Mainframe
Known as enterprise
servers
Occupies entire rooms or
floors
Used for centralized
computing
Serve distributed users and
small servers in a computing
network
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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
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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.
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Mainframe
Advantage
Supports many users and instructions
Large memory
Disadvantage
Huge size
Expensive
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Supercomputer
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Super Computer
Advantage
Speed
Disadvantage
Generate a large
amount of heat
during operation
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Input Devices
Keyboard.
Mouse.
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The Parts of a Computer System
Hardware
Software
Firmware
User
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A computer's hardware consists of electronic
devices; the parts you can see and touch.
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HD
track
sector
head
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Optical Discs
Use laser technology to read and write
data on silver platters
Compact Disk (CD) can store 650MB to
800MB of information and data. CD-
ROM (Read Only Memory) can only read
data from a CD-ROM.
You can store data on a CD only if you
have a CD Burner and CD-R (writable)
or CD-RW (rewritable) CD.
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DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) is the size
of a regular CD and can be played in
a regular in a DVD movie player.
DVD can store 4.8GB to 8.0GB of
information and data. DVD-ROM is
readable only (a movie DVD).
You can store data on a DVD only if
you have a DVD Burner and
DVD+R/DVD-R (writable)
or DVD-RW
(rewritable) DVD.
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PC Subsystems
Motherboard – The main circuit board
of a microcomputer
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Bringing the Machine to Life –
What is Software?
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Bringing the Machine to Life –
System Software
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Computer Software
Computer software is the key to
productive use of computers.
Software can be categorized into
two types:
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Operating System Software
Word processing
Electronic spreadsheet
Database
Presentation graphics
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Word Processing
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Electronic Spreadsheets
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Database Software
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Presentation Graphics
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