Scribd
Upload
66 views22 pages

Introduction To Computers: Chapter 1, Lecture 2

This document provides an introduction to computer hardware and software. It defines a computer as an electronic device that works digitally using 1s and 0s to execute program instructions quickly. It discusses the main components of a personal computer including the central processing unit (CPU), memory, storage devices, input/output devices, and motherboard. It also distinguishes between computer hardware, the physical components, and software which are the instructions that control the hardware. Common types of software like operating systems and applications are described.

Uploaded by

Suzy Bae
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
66 views22 pages

Introduction To Computers: Chapter 1, Lecture 2

This document provides an introduction to computer hardware and software. It defines a computer as an electronic device that works digitally using 1s and 0s to execute program instructions quickly. It discusses the main components of a personal computer including the central processing unit (CPU), memory, storage devices, input/output devices, and motherboard. It also distinguishes between computer hardware, the physical components, and software which are the instructions that control the hardware. Common types of software like operating systems and applications are described.

Uploaded by

Suzy Bae
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 22

Introduction to Computers

Chapter 1, Lecture 2
Contd.

Computer Hardware
Computer Software
Revision
• A Computer
– Is an electronic device
– Is digital (works with 1’s and 0’s)
– Executes instructions in a program
– Capable of doing complex computations within
short periods of time
• Personal Computer (PC)
– A computer with capabilities that make it useful for
individuals
Hardware and Software

Software

Hardware
Common Types of Software

 System Software
 operating system (OS)
Examples??
 Application Software
 productivity software
 special-purpose programs
Examples??
The Physical Components
• Input devices

• Processing

• Output devices

• Storage devices

• Communications devices
Input Devices

• Keyboard
• Mouse, Touch pad, Joystick
• Touch screen
• Digital Camera, Digital Video
• Microphone, Sound card
• Scanner
• Barcode Reader
Output Devices

• Monitor, Video Adapter Card


• Printer, Laser or Inkjet
• Loudspeakers, Audio Output
• Tactile Feedback, Braille
Common PC Port Types

• Serial - bits flow in a single line


• Parallel - several bits flow at once
• SCSI - can connect up to 8 devices, fast
data transfer
• USB - can connect many devices, has
hot swapping capability
• FireWire - like USB, higher speed & more $
• IrDA - infrared, line of sight
Digital
• Most of the computer system is digital
– It operates only on two voltage levels
• HIGH, 1, or +5V
• LOW, O, or 0V
– It performs operations at discrete time intervals
governed by a clock.
Just an Advice

UNDERSTAND BINARY
Bits and Bytes

 bit = binary digit


the basic unit of information
1 or 0

 byte = 8 bits
enough combinations (28 = 256)
to store essential characters
Big & Way Big Bytes
• Byte is a group of eight bits
for instance --> 0110 0001
• KB(kilobyte) -> 1024 bytes
• MB (megabyte) -> 1024 Kilobytes
• GB (gigabyte) about one thousand MB
or one billion bytes
• TB (terabyte) is about one thousand GB
or one trillion bytes
Motherboard
• Printed circuit board with connectors
slots for
RAM chips

slots for
adapter cards

CPU

ROM chip
CPU
• A device containing millions of electronic parts
• The brain of the computer
– Does all the fundamental computation
– Controls all other components
• Performs computations by executing
instructions in sequence at discrete time
intervals
• Many types are available. Examples??
Memory - RAM

• Closely connected to the CPU


• Stores part of operating system
• Stores part of the application programs
• Stores your files as you work on them
• It is a random access memory (??)
• It is a volatile memory (??)
Primary Storage – Hard disk
• Used for long
term storage
• Size in
Gigabytes
• Magnetic
technology
• Fast access (??)
Secondary Storage - CD/DVD
• *-R - recordable
burn once
• *-RW - rewritable
erase and burn
again
• 650 MB for a CD
• 4.7 GB for a DVD
• 8.5 GB for Dual Layer
DVDs
• In-expensive
Flash memory – USB stick

Flash memory is a non-volatile computer


memory that can be electrically erased and
reprogrammed.

Easy to use and fairly inexpensive.


Nostalgic Storage - Floppy Disks
write protection tab
plastic casing liner
disk
sector hole
spindle hole

read/write opening
sliding metal shutter
Then and Now
1982 - ABC 80 2007 – Macbook Pro

Made in Sweden Made in China


Questions Welcome
• Further Reading
– Try to read about computer hardware and
software, it will help you understand
programming better – somehow.
• Projects and Lab Assignments
– Be dedicated, practice and submit on time.

You might also like