BASIC

COMPUTER
CONCEPTS
 WHAT IS COMPUTER ?
Computer is an electronic device.
Can store large amounts of data.
Can performing operations on data.
Performing given function on the data &
displays the result as output.
Process data whenever needed.
Known from ‘to compute’
 WHAT IS PROCESS?

Computer works on data as per programmed is called

process.

Processing means operations like…..

 Calculations,

Outputting data,

 Communicating with others computer etc.

 HARDWARE VS. SOFTWARE

Hardware
• The computer equipment
• Includes printers, monitors, disk drives, etc.
Software
• Programs which tell the computer what to do
• Examples - word processing, gradebook,
tutorials, games, etc.
 COMPUTER HARDWARE
• Case • Keyboard/mouse
• Power switch • Network card
• Reset switch • Modem
• Hard drive • Sound card
• Floppy • Video card
• CD/DVD • RAM
• Motherboard
Ports
• USB port • Fan
• Cables
THE BASIC SYSTEM INCLUDING
KEYBOARD, MOUSE AND
MONITOR AND SYSTEM UNIT.
INPUT DEVICES - MONITOR
A computer monitor is an
output device that displays
information in pictorial or
textual form. A discrete
monitor comprises a visual
display, support electronics,
power supply, housing,
electrical connectors, and
external user controls.
 INPUT DEVICES - MOUSE
• Controls cursor on
screen

• May be mechanical or
optical

• Most models have a

“wheel” for scrolling
 INPUT DEVICES - KEYBOARD

A keyboard is for putting information

including letters, words and numbers into your
computer. You press the individual buttons on
the keyboard when you type.
 SYSTEM UNIT
What is system unit of a
computer?
A system unit is the part of a
computer that houses the
primary devices that perform
operations and produce results
for complex calculations. It
includes the motherboard, CPU,
RAM and other components, as
well as the case in which these
devices are housed.
WHAT IS IN THE BOX? SYSTEM
UNIT
 CPU
CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT
The CPU is the brain of a computer, containing
all the circuitry needed to process input, store
data, and output results.
 CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT

• Also called CPU, processor or

microprocessor
• Is the “brains” of the computer
• Performs all computer operations
WHAT IS IN THE BOX?
MOTHERBOARD
TYPICAL PARTS OF A
MOTHERBOARD.
 CABLING
For items in or
attached to a system
to work properly
they must be
Securely connected.
TYPES OF COMPUTERS – PERSONAL
COMPUTERS
19 (PC)

• Also called
Microcomputers
• Available in desktop size,
notebook size and handheld
• Can be IBM, IBM
Compatible or Apple
 CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS
 Personal computer :

 A single-user computer
 Can be useful at School, Home, etc.
 Known as Micro Computer
 Laptop, Desktop
 Workstation :
 A powerful, single-user computer.
 A workstation is like a personal computer, but it has
a more powerful microprocessor
 higher-quality monitor.
 Can be found in companies etc.
 21
TYPES OF COMPUTERS -
MINICOMPUTERS

• Size of filing cabinet

• Used by small and medium size companies
and institutions
• Operated by computer specialist
• Terminals allow many people to use
22 TYPES OF COMPUTERS -
MAINFRAMES
• Very powerful
• Very fast
• Used by large corporations and
governmental agencies
• Operated by computer specialist
 23 TYPES OF COMPUTERS-
SUPERCOMPUTERS
• Most powerful
• Fastest
• Most expensive
• Several million dollars each
• Used only by
• Governmental agencies
• Large international corporations
24
INTERNAL MEMORY - RAM

• RAM - Random Access Memory

• CPU can access any location as quickly as any
other
• Can not only read current info but also write
new info
• Very important in determining capabilities of
the computer system
• Computer should have at least 256 megs - 512
preferred (can add to later)
25
INTERNAL MEMORY - ROM

• ROM - Read Only Memory

• Can read info Stored in ROM
• Can not write new info into ROM

• Used for “internal workings” of computer

• Buyer is not very concerned with ROM

26
EXTERNAL MEMORY
27
FLOPPY DRIVES

• Comes in 5 1/4” and 3 1/2”

• All systems now only have 3 1/2”

• HD - High density - comes on all current systems

• 3 1/2” - 1.44 megs
28
HARD DRIVES

• Built into machine

• Made up of stack of platters
• Can store much more than floppy
drives
• 40 gigabytes should be minimum
• Can access info much faster than
floppy drive
29
CD ROM

• Same as music CDs

• Are read only
• Can store over 650 megs
• All programs now only sold on CD
• Make multimedia possible
• Come in different speeds - 20x, - 50x
30
DVD-ROM

• Digital Video Disk

• Can store up to 17 GB

• Can store full-length movies

• Can also read CD-ROM disk

31
CD-RW & DVD-RW DRIVES

• Allows you to write to disk

• Useful for
• Data backup
• Storage of large files
• Recording music and other multimedia files
• DVD-RW
• Allows you to write to both CD and DVD disk
• Still somewhat expensive
32
STORAGE DEVICES - OTHER

• USB drive
• Very popular – 64-512 MB

• Tape drive
• Similar to cassette tape
• Used for backup

• Zip drive
• 100 MB to 2 GB capacity
• Everyday use and backup
33
DRIVES - BUYING ADVICE

• 40 gigabyte hard drive

• One 3 1/2” high density floppy drive

• CD-RW drive

• DVD not yet essential but useful

PORTS
34

• Connects computer to another device

• Parallel port
• Used primarily by printers

• Serial ports
• Modem, mouse, etc.

• SCSI - chain devices

• USB –may be needed for
• Digital Cameras
• Mp3 players
• Other devices
NETWORKS
35
• Connects computers
• LAN - Local Area
• WAN - Wide Area
• Wireless
• Allows sharing of
programs, files, printers,
etc.
• Server is “main”
computer
 ACTIVITY
•PASS THE
MESSAGE
37
•Computer Software
Parts of computer, which can not be
touch is called software.
• Operating System Software : Windows,
MAC, Linux
• Application Software : MS
Office, Photoshop, Media Player
• Internet Browser Software : Internet
Explorer, Google Chrome,
Mozilla Firefox, etc.
39
APPLICATIONS SOFTWARE

• Helps you to accomplish a certain task

• Examples
• Word processing - memos, reports, etc.
• Spreadsheets - budgets, etc.
• Database - search, sort, select data
• Educational - simulations, practice
• Graphics - charts, diagrams
• Desktop publishing - pamphlets, etc.
 PC SOFTWARE
CHARACTERISTICS

• User-friendly
• Easy
• Minimum training and
documentation needed to use
 WORD PROCESSING
• Uses
• Memos
• Reports
• Correspondence
• Minutes of meetings
• Anything to be typed
• Functions
• Create
• Edit
• Format
• Store
• Print text and graphics
 DESKTOP PUBLISHING

• Uses
• Newsletters
• Reports
• Brochures
• Functions
• Handles high-level publishing needs
 ELECTRONIC SPREADSHEETS

• Uses
• Comparing mortgage interest rates
• Preparing budgets
• Tracking weight loss
• Functions
• Manipulates numbers in rows and columns
• Recalculates the results when a number is
changed
• What if?
ELECTRONIC SPREADSHEETS
 DATABASE MANAGEMENT
• Uses
• Keep track of a large number of related facts
• Query the data for specific information
• Retrieve information in a variety of ways
• Functions
• Store data
• Update data
• Manipulate data
• Retrieve data
• Print data in many forms
• Report on data in a variety of ways
 GRAPHICS
• Uses
• Maps
• Graphs
• Charts
• Helps to
• Compare data
• Spot trends
• Make decisions
• Visual information is more compelling
 PRESENTATION GRAPHICS
• Uses
• Sales tool
• Demonstrate a product
• Show cost/benefit projections on charts
• Present audio/video testimonials from satisfied
customers
• May contain
• Text
• Graphics
• Audio
• Video
 COMPUTER ART
• Use software to
• Produce art
• Express ideas
• Graphic artist
• Artistic ability
• Computer skills
• Produces computer art
 COMMUNICATIONS
• Communicate from home with computer at
office
• Access data stored in another computer in
another location
• Stock exchange updates
• Weather information
 COMMUNICATIONS

• Provides method for

communicating between
computers
• Most likely way to
connect is via the
Internet
• Use a browser to access
the Internet
INTEGRATED APPLICATIONS

• Combine basic word processing,

spreadsheet, and graphics
capabilities
• More limited than a suite
• Easier to learn and use
 SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT
FOCUS

• Ease of use
• Personal use programs
• Personal time organizers
• To-do list makers
• E-mail programs
• Internet access
BASIC COMPUTER
CONCEPTS

THANK
YOU