What Is a Computer

1
What Is a Computer?
2
What is a Computer?

• A specialized electrical device that performs
  three basic steps Input, Process, and Output.

3
What is Input?

• Input is a description of any method that directs
  information, or data, into the PC from an
  external source. A structured input device, such
  as a disk, keyboard, mouse, modem, or scanner, is
  used to direct the data into the computer.

4
What is Process?

• Process is the modification of the data input by
  a program.

5
What is Output?

• Output is the result of the program's execution
  and modification of the data.

6
What are the four basic components of a computer?

• CPU (Central Processing Unit) The "brain" of the
  computer system. It interprets and executes
  instructions defined by the software. The
  microprocessor type determines the computer's
  speed and the software it can utilize.

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Basic Components of a Computer cont

• RAM (Random Access Memory) is the computer's
  temporary "workspace" where data and program
  instruction are stored and processed.

8
Basic Components of a Computer cont

• I/O (Input/Output) is the state of data flowing
  into and out of the computer system via input and
  output devices. An input device can also
  function as an output device, e.g., a floppy
  diskette, and hard drive.

9
Basic Components of a Computer cont

• Storage is accomplished by a hard (fixed) disk
  drive. It provides the computer with a means of
  permanently recording modifications to data.

10
What are the three types of processing?

• Calculation, Comparison, and Copying.

11
What is meant by Calculations?

• Calculation is when the computer performs a
  mathematical operation, such as adding,
  subtracting, multiplying, or dividing, one data
  set with another.

12
What is Comparison?

• Comparison is accomplished when the computer
  analyzes and evaluates data by matching it with
  sets of known data.

13
What is Copying?

• Copying is when the computer moves data to create
  any kind of report or listing in any order.

14
What is Standard Input?

• Standard input is defined as any input from a
  keyboard console. The computer expects the
  principal source of input to come from the
  keyboard, but there are other valid input types.

15
What are other types of Input?

• CD-ROM - Compact disk with read-only memory (ROM)

• Floppy diskette-Removable storage media on
  which programs and data files
  are stored.

• Hard Drive-Mass-storage device on which
  programs
  and data files are stored.

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Types of Input cont

• Joy Stick-Specialized mouse device with extended
  functions
• for game playing.

• Keyboard-The most commonly-used input device
  that is
• comprised of the keys that allow you to type the
  letters of the
• alphabet, numbers, and special characters. The
  keyboard
• also includes numbered function keys and
  dedication function
• keys which performs various functions depending
  on the
• loaded software.

• Modem-accepts and converts data via telephone
  lines.

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Types of Input cont

• Mouse-used mostly in graphical environments to
  select
• commands and options.

• Network-a series of computers connected via
  network
• cables, adapter cards, and software for the
  purpose
• of data exchange.

• Scanner-optically converts graphics and text into
  electronic form.

• Touch pad-specialized monitor device consisting
  of a flat,
• pressure-sensitive pad.

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Types of Input Cont

• Touch Screen-specialized monitor device that
  translates tactile
• input into electronic form.

• Trackball-specialized mouse device consisting of
  a trackball
• mounted on a base and connected to
  electro-mechanical circuits.

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What is Output?

• Output includes computer-generated information
  that is
• displayed on a monitor or printed. Sound,
  data transfer over
• telephone lines, and network connections also
  qualify as output.

• Output can also be described as information that
  is transferred
• form internal storage to external storage by a
  computer or that is delivered in
  response to instructions.
• This definition includes the various devices
  involved in
• transferring or recording the information or
  the process of
• transferring the data.
• Standard Output is by default sent to the
  computer monitor for
• display.

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Other Output devices

• Floppy Diskette-Removable storage media on which
  programs
• and data files are stored.

• Hard Disk Drive-Mass-storage device on which
  programs
• and data files are stored.

• Modem-accept and converts data via telephone
  lines.

• Network-a series of computers connected via
  network cables,
• adapter cards, and software for the purpose of
  data exchange.

• Printer-Printed output

• Sound-Produced from system or multimedia system
  speakers

• Tape-storage and backup

• Video-video imaging.