Computer Basics

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Computer Basics

• Terminology - Take Notes

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What is a computer?

• well, what is the technical definition
• A computer is a machine that changes information
  from one form into another by performing four
  basic actions.

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What are the 4 basic actions that a computer
performs?

• Input
• Processing
• Output
• Storage

Together, these actions make up the information
cycle.
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Input

• Input is the raw information, or data, that is
  entered into a computer.
• Bits of Data - bit is short for binary digit, a
  bit can only have two possible values - 0 or 1
• Bits into Bytes - bits are combined into groups
  of eight or more called a byte (example A is
  coded as 01000001)

What are examples of input devices?
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Processing

• Second step of the information processing cycle
• the computer does something to the data in this
  step
• computers can process data very rapidly

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Output

• the output step displays the processed data
• to create output, the computer takes the bytes
  and turns them back into a form you can
  understand, such as an image on the screen or a
  printed document
• What are some examples of output devices?

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Storage

• fourth step in which the computer saves the
  information
• temporary and permanent
• without storage, all work is lost

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What is computer hardware?

• Hardware is the physical parts of the computer.
• hardware helps with the information processing
  cycle (input, processing, output, storage)
• Lets take a look at the hardware inside the case!

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Inside the Case

• Motherboard - main circuit board of the computer,
  all other hardware devices inside the case
  connect to the motherboard
• Central Processing Unit (CPU) - the CPU is the
  device that processes the data in the information
  processing cycle

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CPU Processing speeds

• Processing speed is measured in Hertz.
  (Currently, you will see mostly Megahertz or
  Gigahertz.)
• Types of processors - Intel (Pentium or Celeron),
  AMD (Athlon or Sempron), and more

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Inside the Case

• Primary storage - Temporary
• RAM (Random Access Memory) - stores data and
  instructions while the computer is working
• Secondary storage - Permanent
• Hard Drive
• Floppy Drive, CD Drive, DVD Drive

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Storage Space

• Internal and removable storage
• Storage is measured in bytes.
• Byte 8 or more bits
• Kilobyte 1024 bytes
• Megabyte approx. a million bytes (1,024,000)
• Gigabyte approx. a billion bytes
  (1,024,000,000)
• Terabyte approx. a trillion bytes
  (1,024,000,000,000)

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Storage

• Hard Drive - internal - 40GB, 80GB, 160GB, 200GB
• Removable
• Floppy disk - 1.44MB
• CD - 700MB
• USB - various (64MB,128MB,512MB,1GB,2GB)
• DVD 4.7GB

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Outside the Case

• A peripheral is hardware that is separate but can
  be connected to the case.
• A cable connects the peripheral to the computer.
• Connectors
• Serial ports, Parallel ports, USB, and more

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What is computer software?

• Software includes all of the programs that tell a
  computer what to do and how to do it.
• Types of software system and application

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System Software

• System software includes the programs that help
  the computer work properly.
• 2 types of system software operating systems and
  system utilities

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System Software Types

• Operating system (OS) - lets the hardware devices
  communicate with one another and keeps them
  running efficiently. (Macintosh OS and Windows
  OS)
• Compatibility - the ability of programs written
  for one operating system to run on a computer
  with a different operating system.
• System Utilities - programs that help the
  computer work properly (maintenance and repair
  jobs)

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Application Software

• Application software are programs designed to
  help you do tasks such as writing a paper or
  making a graph.
• Four Main Categories
• Productivity software
• Graphics software
• Communication software
• Home, education, and entertainment software

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Application Software

• Custom vs. Off-the-Shelf Software

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Summary