CSCA0101 Computing Basics

CSCA0101
COMPUTING BASICS

Chapter 2
Basic Computer Configuration

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CSCA0101 Computing Basics
Basic Computer Configuration

Topics:
Basic Operations
Computer Components
Computer Categories

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Basic Computer Configuration
Computing Terminology
Data
Data is anything in a form suitable for use with a
computer.

Information
Refer to processed data.

Program
Computer instructions.

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Three Basics Kind of Computer

Computer

Analogue Digital Hybrid

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Three Basics Kind of Computer

Analogue Computer

Analog computers are used to process analog data.

Analog data is of continuous nature and which is not
discrete or separate.
Such type of data includes temperature, pressure,
speed weight, voltage, depth etc.
These quantities are continuous and having an
infinite variety of values.

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Three Basics Kind of Computer

Digital Computer

A Digital Computer works with digits to represent

numerals, letters or other special symbols.
Digital Computers operate on inputs which are ON-
OFF type and its output is also in the form of ON-
OFF signal.
Normally, an ON is represented by a 1 and an OFF
is represented by a 0.
A digital computer can be used to process numeric
as well as non-numeric data.

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Three Basics Kind of Computer

Hybrid Computer

A hybrid is a combination of digital and analog

computers.
It combines the best features of both types of
computers, i-e. It has the speed of analog computer
and the memory and accuracy of digital computer.
Hybrid computers are used mainly in specialized
applications where both kinds of data need to be
processed. Therefore, they help the user, to process
both continuous and discrete data.

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Computer Operations
The computer is an electronic machine that performs
the following five basic operations:
Input
Process
Output
Store
Control

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Computer Operations
Input

It is the process of capturing or acquiring the

information, or it is the process of accepting data or
information, by using input the computer can do any
process.
Information or data that is entered into a computer or
computer device using an input device.

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Computer Operations
Input

Data is gathered
Manually
Automatically
Both

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Computer Operations
Types of Computer Input

Data
the raw facts given to the computer.
Programs
the sets of instructions that direct the computer.
Commands
special codes or key words that the user inputs
to perform a task.
User response
the user's answer to the computer's question.
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Computer Operations
Processing

It is the transformation process to convert the input

into output.
A process is an instance of running a program.
It cause the computer to follow instructions from the
Memory.
Perform by Central Processing Unit (CPU).

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Computer Operations
Processing

The CPU has three parts:

Arithmetic / Logic Unit (ALU)
Control Unit
Input / Output Unit (I/O)

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Computer Operations
Processing

Arithmetic / Logic Unit (ALU)

The part of a computer that performs all arithmetic

computations, such as addition and multiplication,
and all comparison operations.

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Computer Operations
Processing

Control Unit

The control unit is the circuitry that controls the flow

of data through the processor, and coordinates the
activities of the other units within it.

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Computer Operations
Processing

Input / Output Unit (I/O Unit)

The computer components that control input and

output devices.

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Computer Output

It is the result, which comes from the transformation

process or it is the outcome of the process.
Anything that comes out of a computer.
Example:
Report
Music
Graphic
Video clip

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Types of Computer Output

Hard copy
Printed on paper or other permanent media.
Soft copy
A soft copy is the unprinted digital document
file.
Displayed on screen or by other non-permanent
means.
It can be transported from one computer to
another.

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Types of Computer Output

Hard copy Soft copy

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Categories of Output

Text documents
reports, letters, memo.
Graphics
charts, graphs, pictures
Multimedia
combination of text, graphics, video, audio

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Computer Operations
Storing

It is the process of storing or retaining the data or

information or instructions, so that the user can
retain and retrieve it whenever required.
Capability to store information after processing.
Storage are used to store programs and data when
they are not being used in memory.

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Computer Operations
Controlling

It is the process of directing the manner and

sequence in which all the operations are to be
performed.

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Hardware vs. Software

Hardware is any part of your computer that has a

physical structure, such as the computer monitor
or keyboard.
Software is any set of instructions that tells the
hardware what to do. It is what guides the hardware
and tells it how to accomplish each task.

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Basic Computer Components

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Basic Computer Components

System Unit

The system unit is the core of a computer system.

The most important of these components is the
central processing unit (CPU), or microprocessor,
which acts as the "brain" of your computer.
Another component is random access memory
(RAM), which temporarily stores information that the
CPU uses while the computer is on.
Almost every other part of your computer connects to
the system unit using cables.

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Basic Computer Components

Computer Case

Where all of the components are stored.

The computer case serves mainly as a way to
physically mount and contain all of the actual
computer components.
Cases typically come bundled with a power supply.
Two types of casing:
Tower
Desktop

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Computer Case

Two types of casing:

Tower
Desktop
Desktop and tower computers are two different
styles of computer case that use desk space in
varying ways.
Desktop computers are designed to lay flat on the
desk, while towers stand upright.

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Computer Case

Tower casing Desktop casing

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Basic Computer Components

Power Supply

Used to sends power to all of the

other hardware so they can
operate.
Two types of power supply:
AT (Advanced Technology)
ATX (Advanced Technology
Extended)

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Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The CPU, or the Central Processing

Unit, is the brain of the computer and
the single most important chip in the
computer.
The CPU performs the system's
calculating and processing.

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CPU Fan

Any fan inside a computer case used for cooling

purposes.

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Computer Memory

Also known as Random Access Memory (RAM)

Computer memory is used to store information in
electronic devices.

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Motherboard

The main circuit board of the computer.

All key internal and external components of the
computer plug into the Motherboard.

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Motherboard

Components directly attached to the motherboard

include:
CPU
Chipset
Random-Access Memory (RAM)
Read-Only Memory (ROM)
BIOS (Basic Input Output System)
Buses
Ports

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Motherboard

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Motherboard

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Hard disk

It used to store computer data

and program.
It can hold more data and are
faster than floppy disks.

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Optical Disc Drive

An optical storage technology that

stores and plays back data.
Some drives can only read from
discs, but recent drives are
commonly both readers and
recorders.

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Video card

A board that plugs into a personal

computer to give it display
capabilities.
The display capabilities of a
computer, however, depend on
both the logical circuitry (provided
in the video adapter) and the
display monitor.

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Sound card

A circuit board that plugs into your Motherboard that

adds audio capability to your computer, providing
high quality stereo output to the speakers.

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Modem

Short for modulator-demodulator.

A modem is a device or program
that enables a computer to
transmit data over, for example,
telephone or cable lines.

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Monitor

The part of a computer that allows you to see what

the computer is processing.

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Other Components

Input Devices
Keyboard, mouse
Output Devices
Printer, speakers
Operating System
Windows, MacOS, Linux

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Computer Categories
What makes a computer powerful?

Speed
A computer can do billions of actions per second.
Reliability
Failures are usually due to human error, one way
or another.
Storage
A computer can keep huge amounts of data.

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Computer Categories
Mobile Computer
Microcomputer
Minicomputers
Mainframes
Supercomputer

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Mobile Computer

Mobile computing is humancomputer interaction

by which a computer is expected to be transported
during normal usage.
Being able to use a computing device even when
being mobile and therefore changing location.
Portability is one aspect of mobile computing.

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Computer Categories
Mobile Computer

Example:
Personal digital assistant
Smartphone
Tablet computer
Ultra-Mobile PC
Wearable computer

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Computer Categories
Mobile Computer

PDA Smartphone Tablet PC

Wearable Computer
Ultra-Mobile PC

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Microcomputer

A microcomputer is a small,
relatively inexpensive computer
with a microprocessor as its
central processing unit (CPU)
A small, single-user computer
based on one microprocessor.
Microcomputers are designed to
be used by individuals.

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Types of Microcomputer

Tower PC
Mid-Tower PC
Mini-Tower PC
Server
Workstation
Personal computer (PC)
Desktop
Laptop

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Desktop Vs. Laptop

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Desktop Vs. Laptop

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Laptop vs. Notebook vs. Netbook
Laptop Notebook Netbook
Size Laptops mostly Notebooks Netbooks are
come in handy generally come in usually very small in
sizes ranging from the sizes of real size, ultra-portable
the large briefcase notebooks to the devices that replace
sizes to small handy near PDA sizes. bulkier laptops.
portables (the (Exceptions occur
screen normally as some
goes from 10.2 manufacturers
inches to 19 inches market their laptops
in diameter). as notebooks)

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Laptop vs. Notebook vs. Netbook
Laptop Notebook Netbook
Physical A laptop usually A Notebook weighs A netbook weighs
characteristic weighs between 1.4 less than 5 pounds between 0.9 Kg to
to 5.4 Kgs. (3 to12 and is 3 inches or 1.4 Kg.
pounds) less in thickness

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Laptop vs. Notebook vs. Netbook
Laptop Notebook Netbook
Processing capacity Laptops are usually Notebooks Netbooks usually
associated with nowadays come in have a lower speed
higher processing laptop processor This can
power than configurations, but cause a degraded
notebooks. the size factor experience when
Normally 1-8 GB wears off as it doing more
RAM. becomes more intensive tasks such
powerful, and the as watching movies
sense of notebook or playing games.
is gone. Intel AtomTM and
Intel CeleronTM
processors.

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Laptop vs. Notebook vs. Netbook
Laptop Notebook Netbook
Usages Primary usage is primary usage is The prime focus is
mobility and mobility and internet access and
replicates the usage personal computer hence web
of a personal with extra durability browsing and
computer with extra emailing gain
durability. significance here.

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Laptop vs. Notebook vs. Netbook
Laptop Notebook Netbook
Accessories Can be present in Not integrated. Can Netbooks usually do
an integrated be externally not have integrated
fashion. attached though. DVD drives so that
they can be kept
lighter.

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Laptop vs. Notebook vs. Netbook

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Workstation

A powerful, single-user
computer.
It has a more powerful
microprocessor and a
higher-quality monitor.
Can be used as server
computers that supply files to
client computers over a
network.

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Workstation Usages

Engineering applications (CAD/CAM)

Desktop publishing
Software development
Other types of applications that require a moderate
amount of computing power and relatively high
quality graphics capabilities.

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Minicomputer

A midsized computer.
In size and power,
minicomputers lie between
workstations and mainframes.
A minicomputer is a
multiprocessing system
capable of supporting
hundreds users
simultaneously.

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Mainframes
A very large and expensive
computer capable of supporting
hundreds, or even thousands, of
users simultaneously.
In some ways, mainframes are more
powerful than supercomputers
because they support more
simultaneous programs.
But supercomputers can execute a
single program faster than a
mainframe.
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Mainframes

These computers are capable of handling and

processing very large amounts of data quickly.
Mainframe computers are used in large institutions
such as government, banks and large corporations.

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Supercomputer

The fastest type of computer.

Supercomputers are very
expensive and are employed for
specialized applications that
require immense amounts of
mathematical calculations.
An extremely fast computer that
can perform hundreds of millions
of instructions per second.

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Supercomputer

Usages:
focused on performing tasks involving intense
numerical calculations such as weather
forecasting, fluid dynamics, nuclear simulations,
theoretical astrophysics, and complex scientific
computations.

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