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Basics of Computer

Computers follow instructions from both users and programmers to handle tasks flawlessly and fast. They are essentially powerful calculators that use complex math problems to power applications like word processing and games. Hardware runs the software instructions and includes components like the processor, memory, storage drives, ports and accessories needed for input/output. Popular operating systems include Windows and Mac OS which provide functionality and interfaces to manage files and programs. Common applications involve word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentations and games.

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Rigzin Norboo
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310 views

Basics of Computer

Computers follow instructions from both users and programmers to handle tasks flawlessly and fast. They are essentially powerful calculators that use complex math problems to power applications like word processing and games. Hardware runs the software instructions and includes components like the processor, memory, storage drives, ports and accessories needed for input/output. Popular operating systems include Windows and Mac OS which provide functionality and interfaces to manage files and programs. Common applications involve word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentations and games.

Uploaded by

Rigzin Norboo
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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What is a Computer?
Software and Hardware
Hardware Components
Hardware Accessories
Operating System Software
Software Applications
Reference

R 
 
Computers are not very intelligent devices, but they handle instructions flawlessly
and fast. They must follow explicit directions from both the user and computer
programmer. Computers are really nothing more than a very powerful calculator
with some great accessories. Applications like word processing and games are just
a very complex math problem.

   


If you use a player piano as an analogy, the piano can be thought of as the
hardware and the roll of music as the software.
The software a series of very simple computer instructions carefully organized to
complete complex tasks. These instructions are written in programming languages
(like BASIC, PASCAL, C...) to help simplify the development of applications.

The hardware is what sits on your desk and executes the software instructions. The
player piano is useless unless the roll of music has been written correctly.

    



  ^  
^ 

0 A keyboard and mouse are the standard way to interact with the computer. Other
devices include joysticks and game pads used primarly for games.

j

  ^       
^ 

0 The monitor (the screen) is how the computer sends information back to you,
whether it be surfing the web or writing a memo. A printer is also an output device.

    ^   


  
  ^ 

0 Hard disk drives are an internal, higher capacity drive which also stores the
operating system which runs when you power on the computer.

0 "Floppy" disk drives allow you to save work on small disks and
take the data with you.



  00^     


  
 
 ^ 

0 When you use a program, the computer loads a portion of the program from the
hard drive to the much faster memory (RAM). When you "save" your work or quit
the program, the data gets written back to the hard drive.

    00^  ^ 

0 PCs primarily use microprocessors (sometimes called the chip)


manufactured by Intel. The older Intel versions include the 386, 486 and now the
Pentium line.

0 Macintoshes use PowerPC processors by Motorola.

0 Megahertz (MHz) is the internal processor speed in which computer instructions


are performed. The MHz speed does not always indicate the power of the
microprocessor. Newer processors can execute more instructions at the same or
slower MHz. For example, an Intel 486 @100MHz is m  m than a Pentium
@75 MHz (but the MHz is "faster").

     


 

0 Modems allow you to communicate with other computers using a phone line.
Modem speeds are in bits per second (14.4, 28.8 and 56 thousand bits per second
are standard).

j  

0 A CD0ROM drive is a high capacity storage device which lets you read data from
the disk, but not write data back. The speed of the drive (how fast the CD platter
spins) is measured in multiples from the first generation drives. New drives are up
to 24X (or 24 times the first drives), but while the CD spins faster, it is not really
24 times faster in actual output.

  
0 There are different types of printers (laser, ink jet, dot matrix) with differing
quality of output. They are measured in dpi (dots per inch) and ppm (pages per
minute), the higher the better.

 

0 Scanners "digitize" printed material (like photos and graphics) and save it to a
graphic file format (like .GIF or .JPG) for display on the computer.

j   
Operating system software provides a "user interface" for users to manage files,
start programs, customize computer settings, and other tasks. The operating system
also provides the fundamental core computer functionality for programmers.

Intel based PCs use Microsoft Windows version 3.1 (older) or Windows 95 as the
operating system. Macintoshes use the Macintosh operating system.

  
Application software uses the operating system software and provides the real
functionality of a computer. Applications include:

0 Word Processing (MS Word, WordPerfect, Ami...)


0 Spreadsheets (Lotus 123, MS Excel...)
0 Database (DBase, Fox Pro, Oracle...)
0 Presentation (MS PowerPoint, Persuasion...)
0 Internet Browsers (Netscape Navigator, MS Internet Explorer)
0 Games

   
Here are some additional resources for more information on computer basics.

White, Ron. ! 


    Ziff0Davis Press, 1993.

White, Ron. !     Ziff0Davis Press, 1993.

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