Module 1

Ameer Hamza
[email protected]

Lecturer
Department of Computer Science & IT
The University of Lahore
Sargodha Campus
BS Computer Science in 2011
MS Computer Science in 2016
From University of Sargodha
Teaching Experience (6 years)
 Introduction – (Yours)
• Name
• Last Degree, College and City
• Area of Interest
• Aims and goals for life?
• Where you see yourself in future
– Industry?
– Academia?
– Research?
– Development?
– Any where else?
• What you expect to learn?

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 Grading Criteria
(4) Quizzes*: 08
(4) Assignments +Presentation*: 32
Mid Exam: 20
Final Exam: 40
Total: 100
*Online through slate

Fill and Submit the Google Form for contact details.

https://forms.gle/p3PXpuxWvb4rABjV7

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 Course Structure
• This course is divided into three parts.
➢ Basic Computer Fundamentals
➢ Essential required skills
➢ Freelancing (optional)
• Course Material:
➢ Recommended Text book: Digital Literacy,
Handouts compiled by Virtual University of
Pakistan.
➢ Additional Resources: Computer Proficiency License
Course (Recorded Video Lectures and MCQs based
assessments. URL: https://cpl.vu.edu.pk

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 Module 1:
Computer Basics
What is a computer?
➢ Computer is an electronic device that takes
data, instructions and information as input and
produce output (information) after processing
it.

➢ It is a machine that processes thousands of

instructions in less than a second and produces
outputs as instructed or programmed.

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 Advantages of computers
1. Efficiency
Machines are more efficient than humans. They can
perform millions of calculations with less effort in
no time.
2. Reliability
Work done by computer is more reliable than one
done by humans. Computers perform according to
the instructions given to it that makes output or
results produced by these more accurate and
reliable. For example, a computer can do millions of
error free calculation in less than a second.

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 Advantages of computers
3. Storage
Computers give you an advantage of storing large
amount of data in one place. For example, you can store
the data of whole library in one computer.

4. Fast results
Computers are capable of doing many difficult tasks in
very short time. Every day the processing speed of
computers is increasing to make them work faster.
Latest computers are capable of performing thousands
of instructions and calculation in less than a minute
which used to take hours with old PCs.

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 Basic terms for computer
Input
Whatever goes into the computer is called
input. For example, text, graphics, sounds, etc.
In everyday life, the example for input is a
voting slip in a ballot.
Input Devices
An input device is any peripheral (piece of
computer hardware equipment) used to provide
data and instruction to a computer for example,
keyboard and microphone. Everyday life example is
a hand that is used to put the voting slip in a ballot
box. Thus hand is an input device for ballot box.

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 Basic terms for computer
Output
Anything that comes out of a computer is called
output. For example sound of a playing video in
computer is the output.
Output Devices
An output device is a hardware used to get the
output from the computer. For example,
headphones are output device and used for
listening sound in computer.

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 Basic terms for computer
Processing
Computer is given the data and instruction as input,
which is processed to create output in the form of
information. Data is a raw form of symbols,
numbers, images, etc., whereas information is an
organized, meaningful and useful form of the data.
For example, some data (student roll number,
name, total marks, obtained marks etc.) from the
mid exam is entered. Computer process the data
and creates a report of passing and failing students.
This report is more organized and useful for us, and
thus information rather than just data.

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 Basic terms for computer
Storage
Storage, also referred as memory, is the ability
of a computer to store data, information or
instructions. It can save digital data on RAM,
hard disks or removable memory.
Storage Devices
Storage devices are used to store data when
they are not being used in memory. The most
common types are USB drive, hard disks and
CD-ROM and DVD.

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 Basic terms for computer
Hardware
Hardware refers to the physical elements of a
computer. Examples of hardware in a computer are
the keyboard, the monitor, the mouse and the
processing unit.
In contrast to software, hardware is a physical
entity, while software is a non-physical entity.
Hardware and software are interconnected, without
software; the hardware of a computer would have
no function.

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 Basic terms for computer
Software
How does a computer use its hardware?
The term software refers to programs or sets of
instructions that the computer uses to perform
computer operations. Software can also be
described as a collection of routines, rules and
symbolic languages that direct the functioning of
the hardware. Software is capable of performing
specific tasks, as opposed to hardware which only
perform mechanical tasks what they are
mechanically designed for.
We can think or write instructions but cannot touch
them.

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 Characteristics of software
• Software is intangible (you cannot hold it
like hardware).
• It is weightless.
• It does not exist as a hardware.
• Software is used to operate the computer.

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 Types of Computers
Super Computers
Super Computers are the fastest computers,
and because of their speed and memory, are
capable of performing operations that would
not be practical for PCs or mainframes.
Advantages of Super Computers
High Speed, Most Accurate, Most Expensive
Examples
Titan-Computers, k-Computers and Tianhe-2

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 Types of Computers
Mainframe Computers
Mainframes are computers where all the processing
is done centrally, and the user terminals are called
"dumb terminals" since they only input and output
(and do not process).
Mainframes are computers used mainly by large
organizations for critical applications, typically bulk
data processing such as a census.
Examples
PTC, PIA, Banks and other organizations in
Pakistan use mainframe computers.

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 Types of Computers
Servers
A server is a central electronic machine that
exchange data with all linked machines.
Examples
Dell, HP and Acer
Game Console
Game Console is a device that allows one or more
person to play game. These are portable devices.
Examples
Microsoft XBOX 360, Nintendo WII and Sony Play
Station.

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 Types of Computers
Microcomputers
PC is an abbreviation for a Personal Computer, it is
also known as a Microcomputer. Its physical
characteristics and low cost are appealing and
useful for its users. Throughout the 1970s and
1980s, home computers were developed for
household use, offering some personal productivity,
programming and games, while somewhat larger
and more expensive systems (although still low-
cost compared with minicomputers and
mainframes) were aimed for office and small
business use.
Examples
HP, Dell, IBM and Apple Macintosh

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 Types of Computers
Mobile Computers
A portable computer is a small personal computer
designed for mobile use. A portable computer
integrates all of the typical components of a
desktop computer, including a display, a keyboard,
a pointing device (a touchpad, also known as a
trackpad, or a pointing stick) and a battery into a
single portable unit.
Examples
Laptop computers and Netbook.

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 Types of Computers
Mobile Devices
Mobile device is a computing device that can set in
hand easily. It has less computing power than
personal computers.
Examples
Book Reader, Digital Camera and Smartphones.
Embedded Computers
An embedded computer is a small and less
computing power device that can be fixed as
component in any product.
Examples
DVD Player, Digital TV and Photo Copy Machine.
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 Hardware
Computer Hardware
Hardware refers to the physical elements of a
computer. Examples of hardware in a computer are
the keyboard, the monitor, the mouse and the
processing unit.

System Unit
It refers to the box that encapsulates the processor,
motherboard, cd drives, hard drives, memory, ports
etc.

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Term related to the system
unit
Following are the terms for external parts of
computer casing.
Computer casing is the box that houses the
computer.
Power button is used to switch on the computer
Lights show the running status of the computer
CD ROM is the input device used to read data from
CDs.
USB Disk is a small, portable flash memory that
plugs into a computer’s USB port.

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 Ports and Pin Sockets
It is an interface that links computer with the
monitor and other peripherals.
Power Connector is a socket used to supply power to
the computer
Power Cable is used to supply power to the monitor
USB Port is a point of connection between a computer
and other electronic devices such as (a) webcam,
scanner, printer, mouse and keyboard.
Keyboard Port is a socket used to connect keyboard to
the computer
Mouse Port is a socket use to connect a mouse to the
computer.

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 Ports and Pin Sockets
Serial Port is a socket on a computer that is used to
connect scanner, mouse etc. It got 9pins.
Parallel Port is a socket at the back of the computer to
connect printer. It got 25 holes.
Pin Sockets are used to connect speakers, microphone.
Drive Bay is a place where hard drives are installed
using screws
Power Supply provides power to processors, mother
board etc.
Mother Board holds together the central processing
unit (CPU), memory and connectors for input and output
devices.

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 Ports and Pin Sockets
Processor is a brain of computer and does all the
processing.
Fan is used to cool down the processor to avoid it from
being damaged
RAM Chip is random access memory used by computer
system to keep the running program here.

Interface cards
Sound card is the interface used to produce sound via
speakers
Lan card is used to develop a network (more than one
computer connected to each other)

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 How does computer work?
Following diagram explain how a computer works in
a very generic form. Data goes into memory as
input and from there it goes for processing. After
processing, it goes back to memory, from memory
it is sent as output or it is stored.

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 Input Devices
Keyboard
It is an input device to give computer some input.
It is like pen in writing. It is called keyboard
because it is comprised of a board with keys
installed. Every key sends unique information to the
computer.
Process of key pressing
A keystroke is a single press of a key on a keyboard

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 Keyboard types
There are different types of keyboards. Standard
keyboard is the most commonly used keyboard.
Key arrangement can be different for these
keyboards. Some may have special keys for other
tasks than just typing. These special keyboards are
usually used for multimedia purposes like video
editing, sound design etc.
Basic Keyboard keys
There are usually 104 keys on standard keyboard.
Pressing the key once and releasing it is called a
keystroke.

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 Keyboard keys
Character keys
These are used to enter alphabetic characters.
These characters become uppercase when pressed
with shift key or caps lock is on.
Numeric keys
There are 10 numbers or numeric keys (1, 2, 3 to 9
and 0) on standard keyboards. These are used in
the same fashion as typewriters’ keyboard to enter
numbers. These become symbols or punctuation
marks when pressed with the shift key.
For example: Shift+8 print * and Shift+4 print $

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 Keyboard keys
Special keys
Shift, ALT and Control (Ctrl) keys are special keys
and when pressed with other keys, perform special
operations. For example, Ctrl+C will copy the
selected file or text, shift+ character key will print
that character in capital.
Escape keys
It is used to escape/exit from certain type of
applications.

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 Keyboard keys
Function keys
F1, F2, …. F12 are called function keys. These are
used for different purposes. For example, F5 is used
to refresh the web page in internet browser. F1 will
open help window.
Arrow keys
There are four keys (arrow keys) for cursor
navigation.
Left arrow key, Right arrow key, Up arrow key,
Down arrow key.

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 Keyboard keys
Numeric keypad
On the right side, a separate area is reserved for
numeric keys, mathematical operational keys (+ , -
, * , /) , enter, dot and Num Lock key.
Space Bar
It is horizontal wide key, in the lowermost row. It
generates space between two characters.
Punctuation keys
These are keys to enter punctuation and are
located on the right side of alphabet keys.

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 Keyboard keys
Enter key
Enter or return key cause cursor to go to next line, form
or window to perform its default function.
Application key
It launches the menu with the keyboard rather than the
usual right mouse button.
Toggle keys
Caps lock, Num lock and Scroll lock keys are toggle
keys. At the top right corner, there are three small lights
to show the status of these locks. When pressed one,
corresponding light is turned on.

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 Keyboard keys
The keys on the numeric keypad act as numbers
and dot. When this key is pressed again and the
corresponding num lock key light is switched off,
the key act as arrow keys, home key, pg up, pg
down and end keys.
Characters become capital when the caps lock is
on.
Scroll key modifies the functionality of arrow keys.
When the scroll lock is on, the arrows keys would
scroll the window instead of moving the cursor.

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 Keyboard keys
Print screen key
It is the key which is used to save (capture) all the
contents of the screen in a temporary area.
Insert key
Key use to insert or overwrite character(s) within a
word is called Insert key. The key acts as toggle
key. If it is in the insert state than any character
pressed while the cursor is placed within a word
gets inserted. If the key is pressed and it is in the
overwrite state than any character pressed while
the cursor is placed will get overwritten.

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 Keyboard keys
Home key/End key
It is used to go to start (home key) or end (end
key) of the document.
Page up key/Page down key
It is used to go to previous (page up key) or next
(page down key) page.
Delete key
The key used to delete characters.
Backspace key
The key used to delete the preceding characters.

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 Keyboard keys
Non-Typing Keys
Alt, Ctrl and shift keys are non-typing keys. They
don’t print anything when pressed. These when
pressed with other keys, modify the usual operation
of that key. For example, Alt + F4 close the active
window.
Tab key
Tab key is a typing key and used to put more than
one space within characters or words.

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 Other Input Devices
Microphone
Microphone is used to input the sound to computer.
It is used in motion pictures, radio and television
broadcasting etc.
Scanner
Scanner is a device that scans images, papers etc.
To store them in computer for later use.
Digital camera/Web cam
These are input devices that input still images or
video to computer.

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 Summary
• What is a computer? How is it used in our daily
life? Advantages of computer.
• Basic computer terms, e.g., storage, output,
input, etc. Types of computer.
• Various hardware components of computer.
System unit, lights, buttons on it, front panel
• Port such as serial ports, parallel ports, USB
ports, Pin sockets
• Drive Bay, Power supply, Motherboard, Card
slots, RAM slots, Processor, Fan
• What is keyboard? What is its use? Keyboard
types. Standard keyboard keys.
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