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Session 1: Classification of Computer and Computer Components

This document provides an overview of computer components and classification. It defines a computer and lists its key characteristics such as speed, accuracy, attentiveness, versatility and lack of feelings. The document describes different types of computers including supercomputers, mainframes, mini-computers, and personal computers. It distinguishes between hardware and software. Hardware components include the computer case, CPU, monitor, keyboard, disk drives, memory, and printers. Software is divided into operating system software and application software. The operating system directs all computer activities and helps users interact with hardware. Application software performs specific tasks.

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28 views32 pages

Session 1: Classification of Computer and Computer Components

This document provides an overview of computer components and classification. It defines a computer and lists its key characteristics such as speed, accuracy, attentiveness, versatility and lack of feelings. The document describes different types of computers including supercomputers, mainframes, mini-computers, and personal computers. It distinguishes between hardware and software. Hardware components include the computer case, CPU, monitor, keyboard, disk drives, memory, and printers. Software is divided into operating system software and application software. The operating system directs all computer activities and helps users interact with hardware. Application software performs specific tasks.

Uploaded by

Nash Kevin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SESSION 1

Classification of Computer and Computer


Components
Learning Tasks
• Define the term computer
 Explain characteristics of a computer
 Explain classification of computer
 Describe the main parts of the computer
(input, storage, process, output)
 Distinguish between hardware and software
 Differentiate between computer application
programs and operating systems
What is computer?
 A computer is an electronic device, operating
under the control of instructions stored in its
own memory, that can accept data, process
the data according to specified rules, produce
results, and stores the results for future use.
Computer Definition…
 Computers can process data into information
which conveys meaning and is useful to
people.
Characteristics of a Computer

• Speed
As you know computer can work very fast. It takes only few seconds
for calculations that we take hours to complete.
• Accuracy
The degree of accuracy of computer is very high and every calculation is
performed with the same accuracy. The errors in computer are due to human
and inaccurate data.
• Attentiveness
A computer is free from tiredness, lack of concentration, fatigue, etc. It can
work for hours without creating any error. If millions of calculations are to be
performed, a computer will perform every calculation with the same accuracy.
Due to this capability it overpowers human being in routine type of work.
Characteristics of a Computer cont....

• Versatility
It means the capacity to perform completely different type
of work. You may use your computer to listen music while you play a game.
• No Intelligent Quotient (IQ)
Computer is a dumb machine and it cannot do any work
without instruction from the user. It is you to decide what you want to do and
in what sequence. So a computer cannot take its own decision as you can.
• No feeling
It does not have feelings or emotion, taste, knowledge and
experience. Thus it does not get tired even after long hours of work. It does not
distinguish between users.
Characteristics of a Computer cont....

• Storage
The Computer has an in-built memory where it can store
a large amount of data. You can also store data in secondary storage devices
such as floppies, which can be kept outside your computer and can be carried
to other computers.
• Power of Remembering
Computer has the power of storing any amount of information or data. Any
information can be stored and recalled as long as you require it, for any numbers of
years. It depends entirely upon you how much data you want to store in a computer
and when to lose or retrieve these data.
Types of Computers
• Supercomputers...are used to process very
large amounts of information
Supercomputers
Types of Computers…
• Mainframes...are the type of computer that
support thousands of user connected to it
simultaneously
Mainframes
Types of Computers…
• Mini-Computers...are type of computer that are
in between mainframe and workstation
• Can be used by hundreds of users connected to it
simultaneously
Mini computer
Types of Computers…
• Workstations: are the special computers
designed for technical or scientific
 applications.
• Intended primarily to be used by one person
at a time. 
Workstations
Types of Computers
 Personal Computers (Continued)
Personal Computers...also known as
PC’s...are smaller and less powerful
than the others.
 They are used in homes, schools, and
small businesses.
Micro Computer (Pcs)
Types of Computers
There are 2 main types of PCs

Desktop
Portable (Notebook/ Laptop, Hand-Held)
Parts of a Computer
 There are two basic parts that make up a
computer...
Hardware Software
Hardware
 Hardware is basically anything that
you can touch with your fingers.
Computer Case
CPU (central processing unit...Pentium chip)
Monitor
Keyboard & Mouse
Disk Drive, Zip Drive, CD-ROM, DVD,
Hard Drive
Memory (RAM)
Speakers
Printer
Hardware (Continued)
 There are four categories of hardware

 Input Devices
 Output Devices
 Storage Devices
 Central Processing Unit
Input Devices
 Input basically means getting data into the
computer to be processed.

Keyboard, Mouse,
Trackball, Touch Pad
Light Pen, Laser Scanner,
Pointing Stick
Touch Screen,
Bar Code Reader, Scanner
Microphone, Joystick
Output Devices
 Output basically means getting data out of
the computer.

 Monitor
 Printer
 Speakers
 Headphone
 Fax
 projector
Storage Devices
 A storage device is a place to keep
data that has been processed so that it
can be retrieved at a later time to be
used again.

 Hard Disk
 Floppy Disk
 CD’s, DVD’s
 Magnetic Tape
 Flash Memory
 Jump Drive
Software
 Software are the programs and applications
that tell the computer what to do and how
to look.
Two Types of Software
 Application
Software

 Operating System
Software
Operating System Software

 Directs all the activities and sets all


the rules for how the hardware and
software will work together.
 It also help the user to interact with
hardwares
Examples
DOS, Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, XP, Vista,
Windows 7
Unix, Linux,
MAC system OS 6,7,8,9,10
Operating Systems: GUI
 GUI stands for Graphical User Interface
Uses pictures (icons) to represent files, folders,
disk drives, modems, printers, etc.
GUI’s were created to make using a computer
easier, more interesting, non-threatening
to inexperienced users.
A mouse allows users to point at something and
click to make it work. With command line
you have to have all of the commands to
make your programs work.
Here is an example of a GUI
Command Line Operating Systems
DOS is an example of a command line
operating system.

On the next slide, Notice that there are no:


 Icons (pictures)
 Colors
 Mouse Pointer
 Buttons
 You have to memorize commands in order
to use this text based operating system.
Application Software
 Programs that work with operating system software
to help the computer to do specific types of work.
 example; microsoft word, microsoft excel and
powerpoint

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