WHAT IS A COMPUTER?

| IT’S PARTS

A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information or data. It has the ability to store, retrieve,
process, produce output data.

Computer’s 7 essential parts:

1. Case - a big plastic box that houses, stores everything. It provides mechanical support and protection
for internal elements such as the motherboard, disk drives, and power supplies, and controls the flow
of cooling air over internal components.
2. Motherboard - is the body that everything plugs into. It is a board with integrated circuitry that
connects the other parts of the computer including the CPU, the RAM, the disk drives.
3. Power Supply - is the part of the computer that plugs into the wall and provides all of the other parts
with the electricity needed to do their thing. It sends power through cables to the motherboard and
other components.
4. CPU (Central Processing Unit) - is located inside the computer case on the motherboard. It is
sometimes called the brain of the computer, and its job is to do things and to carry out commands.
Whenever you press a key, click the mouse, or start an application, you're sending instructions to the
CPU. Basically everything that happens in your computer goes through your CPU.

5. GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) - figures out how all the data is supposed to look on your
monitor. [HARD DRIVE - RAM - CPU - 3D WORLD - GPU]
6. RAM (Random Access Memory) - it stores the exact same kind of data as your Hard Drive, but it
has small space for data and RAM provides quick accessibility. RAM stores the code and data that
are being actively accessed by the CPU. For example, when a web browser is opened on the
computer it takes up memory; this is stored in the RAM until the web browser is closed.
7. Hard drive (Disk Drive) - store everything that you have installed and the data that goes along with
those programs.. The hard drive is long-term storage, which means the data is still saved even if you
turn the computer off or unplug it. While a Hard Drive can store lots of data, it is bad at accessing
that data quickly.

HARDWARE

Computer hardware - includes the physical parts of a computer, such as the case, central processing unit
(CPU), monitor, mouse, keyboard, computer data storage, graphics card, sound card, speakers and
motherboard.

● Internal hardware devices include motherboards, hard drives, external slots, power supply and
RAM. The internal hardware parts of a computer are often referred to as components.
● External hardware devices include monitor, keyboard, mouse, speaker, printer and scanner.
External hardware devices are usually called peripherals.
SOFTWARE

Software - is a set of instructions and documentation that tells a computer what to do or how to perform a
task by hardware. Hardware is so-termed because it is "hard" or rigid with respect to changes, whereas
software is "soft" because it is easy to change.

Software includes all different software programs on a computer, such as application and system software.

● System software:
System software serves as a base for application software. It controls the basic (and invisible to the
user) functions of a computer and comes usually preinstalled with the machine. Examples of system
software: Operating Systems (Windows, UNIX, MacOS, etc.), game engine, etc.
● Application software:
Application software is intended to perform specific tasks. Examples of Application software:
Wordprocessor, Spreadsheet, Database, Graphics program, Internet Browser, Email and others.

BIOS (BASIC INPUT/OUTPUT SYSTEM)

BIOS is the program a computer's microprocessor uses to start the computer system after it is powered on. It
also manages data flow between the computer's operating system (OS) and attached devices, such as the
hard disk, video adapter, keyboard, mouse and printer.

INPUT/OUTPUT DEVICES

Input devices allow you to enter information into a computer for further storage and processing as well as.
Output devices are used to retrieve information from a computer. For instance, a keyboard or computer
mouse is an input device for a computer, while monitors and printers are output devices.

Input devices allow the user to enter information into the system, or control its operation. Most personal
computers have a mouse and keyboard, but laptop systems typically use a touchpad instead of a mouse.
Other input devices include webcams, microphones, joysticks, and image scanners.

Output devices are designed around the senses of human beings. For example, printers, monitors display
text that can be read, speakers produce sound that can be heard.

TRANSISTOR

A transistor is a type of semiconductor device that can be used to

conduct and insulate electric current or voltage. A transistor can act as
a switch or gate for electronic signals, opening and closing an
electronic gate many times per second. To complete tasks on your
computer transistors switch on and off 5 billion times per second.
They commonly act as a sort of very small light switch, each switch
can be turned on and off. Computer scientists represent a switch that’s
turned on with 1 and a switch that’s turned off with the number 0.
These two types are:
● Bipolar junction transistors (BJT)
● Field Effect Transistors (FET).

LOGIC GATES

Logic Gates are the building blocks of computer circuits. They accept input and produce output according to
a set of logical rules. Logic gates are used diodes or transistors acting as electronic switches.
TRUTH TABLES:

Output comparison of 1-input logic gates. Output comparison of 2-input logic gates.

INPUT OUTPUT

INPU OUTPUT A B AND (*) NAND OR (+) NOR XOR NXOR

T
0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1
A BUFFE INVERTER
R 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 0

0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 0

1 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 1

BINARY NUMBERS:

Computer systems use binary numbers – that just means they are in base two. Using two as the base is really
convenient and flexible, because we need only two 'symbols' and there are so many ways we can represent
them: zero/one, on/off, up/down, high/low, positive/negative, etc.

In binary, the columns are (from right to left) 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and so on. Using a zero means we exclude
that column's quantity, and a one means we include it.

So the binary number 10110 is the quantity 16 + 4 + 2 = 22. Each binary

digit (a one or a zero) is called a bit. The largest five-bit binary number is
11111 = 16 + 8 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 31.

Signed magnitude:
The first technique for encoding signed numbers is called signed magnitude. Where having the sign bit set to
'1' means the magnitude is interpreted as negative. Thus, 0110 is +6 whereas 1110 is -6. In this system, the
largest positive number is 0111 = +7 and the most negative number is 1111 = -7.
One of the unfortunate effects of this representation is there are two ways to write zero: 0000 and also 1000.
There is no such thing as negative zero, so this doesn't really make sense.
Two's complement:
The second way to represent signed quantities is called two's complement. Below is the interpretation of
4-bit two's complement. All we need to do compared to normal unsigned numbers is negate the value of the
left-most bit. It's also relatively easy to negate a number – that is, to go from +6 to -6 or from -3 to +3. Here
are the steps:
1. First, flip all the bits. That is, all the zeroes become ones and all the ones become zeroes.
2. Next, add one.

For example here is how we produce -6 from +6:

HEXADECIMAL NUMBERS:

Hexadecimal is base sixteen, so we use the symbols 0–9 and then A to

represent ten, B for eleven, and so on up to F for fifteen. The values of
the columns are:

So a hexadecimal number like 2A5C has the value 2×4096 + 10×256 +

5×16 + 12×1 = 10844 in base ten.

MEMORY

Computer memory is an internal or external system that stores data and instructions on a device. The CPU,
which reads and executes instructions, selects specific cells to read or write data depending on the task the
user is asking the computer to do.
In general, computer memory is of three types:
● Primary memory
● Secondary memory
● Cache memory

PRIMARY MEMORY

It is also known as the main memory of the computer system. It is used to store data and programs or
instructions during computer operations. It uses semiconductor technology and hence is commonly called
semiconductor memory.

● RAM (Random Access Memory): It is a volatile short-term memory. Volatile memory stores
information based on the power supply. If the power supply fails, all the data and information on this
memory will be lost. RAM is used for booting up or starting the computer. t is the fastest type of
memory. RAM stores the currently processed data from the CPU and sends them to the graphics unit.
RAM is of two types:
 1. SRAM (Static RAM) - uses
transistors and the circuits of this
memory are capable of retaining
their state as long as the power is
applied.
2. DRAM (Dynamic RAM) - is
made of two components,
transistors and capacitors, which
require a recharge every few
seconds to retain its data. It also
loses data when it loses power and
has volatile memory.

● ROM (Read Only Memory): It is a non-volatile and permanent memory. It doesn’t depend on the
device to be turned on in order to save data. It’s also accessed by the CPU. ROM is an essential chip
with permanently written data/programs, we can only read the programs/data that is stored on it. The
information stored in the ROM in binary format.

1. PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory)- can be programmed only once by the user and read
many times. PROM is also nonvolatile memory. The difference between a ROM and a PROM is that
a ROM comes with pre-written by the computer manufacturer whereas PROM manufactured as
blank (пустой) memory. The user uses a PROM program to put the required contents into the
PROM. Its content can’t be erased once written.
2. EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) - is another type of ROM chip that users
can write data on as well as erase old data and reprogram it. You can erase the current data by using
ultraviolet (UV) for nearly 40 minutes. After you've erased the data, you can use the PROM
programmer to reprogram it. `
3. EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) - Here the written contents
can be erased electrically. You can delete and reprogramme EEPROM up to 10,000 times. Erasing
and programming take very little time, nearly 4-10 ms (milliseconds). In addition, you can erase data
while the chip is still inside the computer, whereas EPROM chips need to be taken out of the
computer to erase it.

SECONDARY MEMORY

It is a non-volatile memory and used to store a large amount of data/information. The data or information
stored in secondary memory is permanent, and it is slower than primary memory. A CPU cannot access
secondary memory directly. The data/information from the auxiliary memory is first transferred to the main
memory, and then the CPU can access it. There are many types of secondary memory that individuals use in
their devices. You can store data from a computer onto external memory, remove it from the device and
connect it with another compatible device to transfer data.
● HDD (Hard Disk Drive) - It is a rigid magnetic circular disc/platter that stores data permanently, as it is
a non-volatile storage device. The hard disk is located within a drive unit on the computer's
motherboard. The information records on the surface by rotating the disks and writing through the
read/write heads.
● SSD (Solid-state Drive) - is a data storage and retrieval device that is non-volatile. It’s faster, makes no
noise (since it doesn’t have any moving parts like a hard drive), uses less electricity. As the cost of SSD
has come down, it has become an ideal replacement for a standard hard drive in desktop and laptop
computers. It is also suitable for notebooks, and tablets that don't require lots of storage.
● Floppy Disk – A floppy disc refers to a magnetic disc housed in a square plastic container. It is
primarily used to store information and then transfer it from one device to another.
● SD Card – A Secure Digital Card (SD Card) is commonly used to store data in portable devices such as
cell phones and cameras. It comes in a variety of capacities, including 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 GB. You
can access the data present in the SD card by removing it from the device and inserting it into a
computer using a card reader.
● Optical Disks: It’s a laser-based storage medium that can be written to and read. It is reasonably priced
and has a long lifespan. The optical disc can be taken out of the computer by occasional users. For ex:
● CD (Compact Disc) - these are circular disks that use the optical rays for reading and writing the
data. Besides, the storage capacity of a compact disk is around 700MB. A CD can be of three types
as follows:
➔ CD-ROM (Compact Disk – Read Only Memory) − The data on these CDs are recorded by
the manufacturer. Proprietary Software, audio or video are released on CD-ROMs.
➔ CD-R (Compact Disk – Recordable) − Data can be written by the user once on the CD-R. It
cannot be deleted or modified later. It is possible to read the written data as many times as
desired.
➔ CD-RW (Compact Disk – Rewritable) − Data can be written and deleted on these optical
disks again and again.
● DVD (Digital Versatile/Video Disc) – It resembles a CD, but it has a larger storage capacity; up to
4.7 GB of data can be stored. To use a DVD on a computer, a DVD-ROM drive is required. Video
files, such as movies or video recordings, are commonly saved on DVDs, which may be played with
a DVD player. DVDs are 20 times faster than CDs.
➔ DVD-ROM (Read-Only): The manufacturer writes the data on the DVD-ROM, and the
users can only read it; they cannot create new data on it. For example, a movie DVD has
already been written by the maker, and we can only watch it; we cannot add new data to it.
➔ DVD-R (Writable): You can write data on a DVD-R, but only once. It is not possible to
remove data that has been written onto it; it can only be read.
➔ DVD-RW (Rewritable or Erasable): This type of discs can be erased, written, or recorded
multiple times.
● Blu-ray Disc – It resembles a CD/VD, but it has a high storage capacity of up to 54 GB. Hence, it
stores HD videos and other multimedia. Besides, it uses blue rays which are of a shorter wavelength
which allows more storage of data.
DIFFERENCES

FLOPS

FLOPS stands for Floating Point Operations Per Second. It is a unit of measurement used to quantify the
performance of a computer system, particularly in terms of its ability to perform floating-point calculations.

BINARY REPRESENTATION OF SOUND

Amplitude controls how loud the sound is and the frequency controls the pitch.
● Wavelength: Distance between peaks of a wave.
● Frequency: Number of waves per second.
● Amplitude: Height of a wave.
Sound waves are analogue and therefore they need to be converted into binary in order for a computer to be
able to process them. To do this, the computer must convert the waveform into a numerical representation
so that the waveform can be stored digitally. For this, we use an Analogue-to-Digital Convertor (ADC). The
quality and size of the file is affected by two factors - sample rate and bit rate.

● The sample rate refers to the number of samples taken every second and that the greater the
frequency of the samples, the better the sound quality.
● The bit rate refers to the number of bits used to store each sample and that the more bits that are
sampled, the better the accuracy of the file but also the greater the filePI size.

MOUSE

A mouse is something you push along your desktop to make a cursor (pointing device) move on your screen.
So what a mouse has to do is figure out how much you're moving your hand and in which direction.

● Optical Mouse:
○ An optical mouse uses an LED (light-emitting diode) to light up the surface and the light bounces
straight back up off the desk into a photocell (photoelectric cell).
○ It tracks movement by capturing images of the surface and detecting changes in reflected light.
○ Works well on most surfaces but may face challenges on highly reflective or glossy ones.
● Laser Mouse:
○ A laser mouse employs a laser diode to generate a laser beam for surface illumination. A laser is
much more powerful than an LED light.
○ It captures more detailed and accurate images compared to optical sensors, providing precise
tracking.
○ Generally performs well on a wide range of surfaces, including glossy or uneven ones.

PIXELS

Pixels are tiny dots that make up digital images. Each dot has a colour, and they form a grid to create
pictures. Cameras use pixels to capture light, and screens use them to show colours. More pixels mean
clearer images. Resolution decides how sharp an image is, and file formats save pixel information. In simple
terms, pixels are the building blocks of digital pictures.

Resolution:
● Definition: Resolution refers to the number of pixels contained in an image or displayed on a screen.
It is often expressed as the total number of pixels in the horizontal and vertical dimensions
(1920x1080 for Full HD).
Pixel:
● Definition: A pixel, short for "picture element," is the smallest unit of an image or display. It is a tiny,
individual point that carries colour and contributes to forming the overall image. The combination of
pixels creates the visual content on screens or in digital images.
Relationship:
● Connection: Resolution is directly tied to the number of pixels. Higher resolution means more pixels,
which generally results in a clearer and more detailed image. Pixel density, determined by the
resolution, influences the sharpness and quality of visual content on displays such as monitors, TVs,
or digital images.

KEYBOARD

Key Matrix:
● The key matrix is a grid of circuits or switches that are organised in rows and columns within a
keyboard.
● Each key on the keyboard is associated with a specific intersection point in the key matrix.
Keyboard:
● A keyboard is an input device that allows users to input data into a computer or other devices.
● The key matrix within the keyboard is responsible for registering and transmitting key presses to the
connected computer or device.
Relationship:
● The key matrix enables the functionality of the keyboard by providing a structured grid where each
key is positioned at a unique intersection point.
● When a key is pressed, the corresponding circuit in the key matrix is activated, signalling the
computer to interpret the specific keypress and perform the associated action.

The interface is the connection pathway between the keyboard and the computer. It encompasses the
physical connectors (e.g., USB) and communication protocols that allow the transmission of signals when
keys are pressed or released. This enables the computer to interpret and respond to user input from the
keyboard.