INTRODUCTION TO

COMPUTER
Instructor : Qurat ul ain Alvi
Topic Covered
• Computer Hardware and computer software
• Components of Computer
Computer Hardware
&
Computer Software
Computer Hardware
• The term hardware refers to the physical parts of the computer or includes
anything in the computer that we can touch. It consists of interconnected
electronic device that control everything in the computer.
• Hardware can be divided into four major categories:
Processor

Memory

Input and Output Devices

Storage Devices
Processor
• The complex procedure that transforms data into information (useful and
meaningful data) is called processing. This type of transformation mainly
includes two components —the processor and the memory.
• The Processor acts like the brain of the computer. It organizes and carries
out the instructions given to the computer by the user or the message passed
on by the software. There are various types of processors available in the
market. In PC, we use microprocessor(s) (a number of microprocessors can
also be used in one PC)
Microprocessors
• Microprocessors are made of silicon or some other material and are etched
with many tiny electronic circuits. The microprocessor is plugged into the
circuit board – a hard rectangular board that contains the total circuitry used
to connect the processor to the rest of the hardware. This circuit board is
called the motherboard.
• The term Central Processing Unit (CPU), in real terms, is the processor of the
computer. This “brain” of the computer, without which nothing can be done is
very small in size and occupies just a few square inches of space.
Memory and Storage
• Memory consists of electronic components that store instructions waiting to
be executed and the data needed by those instructions. Although some
forms of memory are permanent, most memory keeps data and instructions
temporarily, which means its contents are erased when the computer is shut
off.
• Storage, by contrast, holds data, instructions, and information for future use.
For example, computers can store hundreds or millions of student names
and addresses permanently.
• A computer keeps data, instructions, and information on storage media.
Examples of local storage media includes hard disks, solid-state drives, USB
(universal serial bus) flash drives, memory cards, and optical discs.
Memory and Storage Cont.
• Hard Disks -- A hard disk is a storage device that contains one or more
inflexible, circular platters that use magnetic particles to store data,
instructions, and information. The entire device is enclosed in an airtight,
sealed case to protect it from contamination.
• USB Flash Drives -- A USB flash drive is a portable flash memory storage
device that you plug in a USB port, which is a special, easily accessible
opening on a computer or mobile device.
• USB flash drives are convenient for mobile users because they are small and
lightweight enough to be transported on a keychain or in a pocket.
Memory and Storage Cont.
• Memory Cards -- A memory card is removable flash memory, usually no
bigger than 1.5 inches in height or width, that you insert in and remove from a
slot in a computer, mobile device, or card reader/writer. With a card
reader/writer, you can transfer the stored items, such as digital photos, from a
memory card to a computer or printer that does not have a built-in card slot.
• Cloud Storage Instead of storing data, instructions, and information locally on
a hard drive or other media, some users opt for cloud storage.
• Cloud storage is an Internet service that provides remote storage to
computer users. Some provide storage for specific types of media, such as
photos, whereas others store any content and provide backup services. A
backup is a duplicate of content on a storage medium that you can use in
case the original is lost, damaged, or destroyed.
Memory and Storage Cont.
• RAM
• The software is loaded into the memory of the computer and runs from there
only. Not only the software or programs, but also all the data is loaded into
the memory for easy access. This memory is called as RANDOM ACCESS
MEMORY (RAM). When one talks about memory one often means RAM only)
• The main thing to be kept in mind while working on the computer is that RAM
is a volatile memory and every things disappears if power goes off or is
turned off abruptly in the middle of work
• The measurement unit of memory is byte.
• The bigger units of bytes are:
• Kilobyte (KB) ~ 1000 bytes [2 10 bytes = 1024 bytes to be precise]
• Megabyte (MB)~ 1000 KB ~ 10,00,000 bytes
• Gigabytes (GB)~ 1000MB ~ 10 ‘KB ~ 10’ bytes
• Nowadays PC’s have 8 to 128 MB of RAM.
Memory and Storage Cont.
• ROM
Read Only Memory holds permanent data or instruction that can only be read,
and nothing can be written on it. Information is permanently recorded in it. It is
nonvolatile memory. ROM contains instructions to get the computer started
when it is switched on. It also holds instructions for the control of the various
peripheral units of the computer, such as graphic display, disk drive etc. The
controls of ROM are built into it at the time of its manufacturing.
Comparison of RAM and Hard Disk
Input
• Users have a variety of input options for entering data into a computer, many
of which involve using an input device.
• An input device is any hardware component that allows you to enter data and
instructions into a computer or mobile device.
• Examples
• Key board
• Mouse
• Scanner
• Microphone
Keyboard
• A keyboard contains keys you press to enter data and instructions into a
computer or mobile device. All desktop keyboards have a typing area that
includes letters of the alphabet, numbers, punctuation marks, and other basic
keys.
Mouse
• A mouse is a pointing device that fits under the palm of your hand
comfortably. With the mouse, you control movement of the pointer and send
instructions to the computer or mobile device.
• A touchpad is a small, flat, rectangular pointing device that is sensitive to
pressure and motion. To control the pointer with a touchpad, slide your
fingertip across the surface of the pad.
Scanner
• A scanner is a light-sensing input device that converts printed text and
images into a form the computer can process. A popular type of scanner
works in a manner similar to a copy machine, except that instead of creating
a paper copy of the document or photo, it stores the scanned document or
photo electronically.
Microphone
• A microphone is an input device that enables you to speak into a computer or
mobile device. Many computers and most mobile devices contain built-in
microphones.
• You also can talk into a headset, which contains both a microphone and a
speaker. Many headsets can communicate wirelessly with the computer or
mobile device.
• A webcam is a digital video (DV) camera that allows you to capture video and
usually audio input for your computer or mobile device.
Output
• Users have a variety of output options to convey text, graphics, audio, and
video many of which involve using an output device.
• An output device is any hardware component that conveys information from
a computer or mobile device to one or more people.
• Examples
• Printer
• Monitor
• speaker
Printers
• A printer is an output device that produces text and graphics on a physical
medium, such as paper or other material. Most printers today print text and
graphics in both black-and-white and color on a variety of paper types with
many capable of printing lab-quality photos.
• A 3-D printer can print solid objects, such as clothing, prosthetics, eyewear,
implants, toys, parts, prototypes, and more. 3-D printers use a plastic
substance that prints in layers to create a 3-D (three-dimensional) model.
Monitor
• A display is an output device that visually
conveys text, graphics, and video
information. Displays consist of a screen
and the components that produce the
information on the screen.
• Some displays have touch screens. Home
users sometimes use a digital television or a
Smart TV as a display. A Smart TV is an
Internet-enabled high-definition television
(HDTV) from which you can use the Internet
to watch video, listen to the radio, play
games, and communicate with others — all
while watching a television show
Speakers
• Speakers, Earbuds, and Headphones Speakers allow you to hear audio, that is,
music, voice, and other sounds. Most personal computers and mobile
devices have a small internal speaker. Many users attach higher-quality
speakers to their computers and mobile devices, including game consoles.
Computer Software
• Although the number of programs available is large and varied, software can
be classified mainly into two categories:
1. System software
2. Application Software
System software
• One main type of system software is the operating system that is required by
the computer to function. System software integrates the computer
hardware components, and also provides the tools to use the software
components in the desired manner and for the day-to-day maintenance tasks
like displaying the list of all the directories and files on the disk.
Application software
• It is the software which turns the computer into a tool for doing some
specific tasks. These are the programs, which cater to various needs of the
users. Application software is written for every type of task, i.e. from word
processing to collecting information on the worldwide web. The complex
programs, such as any word processing package (MS WORD), consist of
many separate programs that are designed to run together. Such a collection
of software programs is known as a software package.
Comparison of Application and
System Software
COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER
Graphical Representation
Components of Computer
Scanner

An input device that can convert the contents of a paper document into a
digital image that can be stored in the computer.
CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the processor
The "brain" of the computer where programs are run. It is one of the most
expensive parts of the hardware. Modern CPUs can perform multiple tasks
simultaneously.
RAM (Random Access Memory)

The computer's high-speed, short-term memory. It temporarily stores data and

Circuit boards that can be inserted to add functionality to a computer system

Converts electricity from the wall into the form that the other computer
components use.
Optical Drive

An input/output device that reads data from and writes data to CDs and DVDs.
Components of Computer Cont.
Hard Drive

An input/output device that serves as the long-term storage memory of the

A circuit board that holds and connects various components of the computer
and allows their communication.
 Speaker
An input/output device that outputs sound from the computer.
Components of Computer Cont.
 Monitor

An input/output device that displays information visually. Generally, monitors are

An input device on which the user can type to communicate with the computer.
(12) Mouse: An input device that allows the user to interact with visual objects
displayed on the monitor.
 External Hard Drive
An input/output device that serves as an extra hard drive used for additional or
backup storage.
 Printer

An output device that can transfer digital data onto paper