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Computers

The document provides an overview of computers, detailing their functions, components, and types. It explains hardware and software distinctions, including system and application software, and classifies computers from personal computers to supercomputers. Additionally, it discusses computer viruses, including types such as viruses, email viruses, Trojan horses, and worms.

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17 views16 pages

Computers

The document provides an overview of computers, detailing their functions, components, and types. It explains hardware and software distinctions, including system and application software, and classifies computers from personal computers to supercomputers. Additionally, it discusses computer viruses, including types such as viruses, email viruses, Trojan horses, and worms.

Uploaded by

leeutshepang
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 PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Introduction

to computers
Business Computer Applications
What is a computer

Functions of a computer
Learning
outcome Components of a computer
s Input and output devices

Hard and softwares


What is a
computer

A computer is an electronic device, operating under


the control of instructions stored in its own memory
that can accept data (input), process the data
according to specified rules, produce information
(output), and store the information for future use1.
Takes data as input

Stores data/instructions in its memory and use


them when required

Functionalities Process the data and converts it into useful


information

of a computer
Generates the output

Controls all the above four steps


How data is processed
Hardware
Computer
consists
of two
compone Software
nts
Hardware

The collection of physical elements that constitute a


computer system
These elements include
Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse Hard disk drive, system
unit (graphics card, sound card, memory,
motherboard and chips
Input
devices
Any piece of computer
hardware equipment to
provide data and control
signals to an information
processing system
Central processing
unit (CPU)
A CPU is brain of a computer. It is responsible for all
functions and processes. Regarding computing power,
the CPU is the most important element of a computer
system.
RAM: Random Access Memory (RAM) is a memory
scheme within the computer system responsible for
storing data on a temporary basis, so that it can be
Computer promptly accessed by the processor as and when
needed.

memory ROM (Read Only Memory): ROM is a permanent


form of storage. ROM stays active regardless of
whether power supply to it is turned on or off.
Output devices
An output device is any piece of computer hardware equipment used to communicate the results of data
processing carried out by an information processing system (such as a computer) which converts the
electronically generated information into human-readable form.
Software is a generic term for organized collections
Software of computer data and instructions, often broken into
two major categories:
System software is responsible for controlling,
integrating, and managing the individual hardware
components of a computer system
Generally, system software consists of an operating
system and some fundamental utilities such as disk
Types of formatters, file managers, display managers, text
editors, user authentication (login) and management
softwares tools, and networking and device control software.

Application software
Application software is used to accomplish specific
tasks other than just running the computer system.
Comparison

System software Application software


1) Microsoft Windows 1) Opera (Web Browser)
2) Linux 2) Microsoft Word (Word Processing)
3) Unix 3) Microsoft Excel (Spreadsheet software)
4) Mac OSX 4) MySQL (Database Software)
5) DOS 5) Microsoft PowerPoint (Presentation Software)
6) Adobe Photoshop (Graphics Software)
Classification of computers
Personal computer: A small, single-user computer based on a microprocessor. In addition to the microprocessor,
a personal computer has a keyboard for entering data, a monitor for displaying information, and a storage device
for saving data.
workstation : A powerful, single-user computer. A workstation is like a personal computer, but it has a more
powerful microprocessor and a higher-quality monitor.
minicomputer : A multi-user computer capable of supporting from 10 to hundreds of users simultaneously.
mainframe : A powerful multi-user computer capable of supporting many hundreds or thousands of users
simultaneously.
supercomputer : An extremely fast computer that can perform hundreds of millions of instructions per second.
Computer viruses
A virus is a small piece of software that piggybacks on real programs. For example, a virus might attach itself to a
program such as a spreadsheet program. Each time the spreadsheet program runs, the virus runs, too, and it has the chance
to reproduce (by attaching to other programs) or wreak havoc.

Viruses: A virus is a small piece of software that piggybacks on real programs. For example, a virus might attach itself to a
program such as a spreadsheet program. Each time the spreadsheet program runs, the virus runs, too, and it has the chance
to reproduce (by attaching to other programs) or wreak havoc.
E-mail viruses: An e-mail virus travels as an attachment to e-mail messages, and usually replicates itself by automatically
mailing itself to dozens of people in the victim's e-mail address book. Some e-mail viruses don't even require a double-
click -- they launch when you view the infected message in the preview pane of your e-mail software [source: Johnson].
Trojan horses: A Trojan horse is simply a computer program. The program claims to do one thing (it may claim to be a
game) but instead does damage when you run it (it may erase your hard disk). Trojan horses have no way to replicate
automatically.
Worms: A worm is a small piece of software that uses computer networks and security holes to replicate itself. A copy of
the worm scans the network for another machine that has a specific security hole. It copies itself to the new machine using
the security hole, and then starts replicating from there, as well.

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