Overview Understanding Computers Exploring Computer Concepts.

Overview Understanding Computers

Exploring Computer Concepts

There are 4 Basic Functions of a computer: The computing system includes

several devices that perform the four basic functions of computing:

Input – accepts data Processing – processes data Output – produces output Storage – stores operating

system and results

Some Basic Terms Hardware - the physical parts of the

computer. Software - the programs (instructions) that

tell the computer what to do. Data - individual facts like first name, price,

quantity ordered. Information - data which has been

massaged into a useful form, like a complete mailing address.

Default - the original settings; what will happen if you don't change anything.

What makes a computer powerfuland determines its cost? Speed - A computer can do billions of

actions per second. Reliability - Failures are usually due

to human error, one way or another. Storage - A computer can keep huge

amounts of data.

What is a computer?

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What is a computer – computer basics video

Hardware

Hardware: The physical parts of the computer.

Buttons and Ports on the Computer Hardware

What is on the front of the computer?

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Buttons and Ports on the Desktop Computer video

Back of the computer

Interactive

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Other Types of Ports

Interactive demonstration – Practice connecting the different cables

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1. Input – goes into the computerOne Function of a computer is:Input – accepts data

Types of Input Data - raw facts given to the computer. Programs are the sets of instructions that

direct the computer. Commands are special codes or key

words that the user inputs to perform a task, like RUN "ACCOUNTS." These can be selected from a menu of commands like "Open" on the File menu. They may also be chosen by clicking on a command button.

User response is the user's answer to the computer's question, such as choosing OK, YES, or NO or by typing in text, like the name of a file.

Ways to Input (Input Devices) Keyboard

Text and Commands

Mouse Scanner Microphone

Sound Trackball Joystick

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Inside the Computer

What goes on inside of your computer?

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Play the video “Inside a desktop computer”

2. Process – Thinking

One Function of a computer is:Process – processes data

Processing

Processing is the thinking that the computer does - the calculations, comparisons, and decisions.

Machines have to think the hard way. They do one thing at a time, one step at a time. Complex procedures must be broken down into VERY simple steps. Then these steps can be repeated hundreds, thousands or millions of times.

Processing Devices CPU

The CPU is a chip inside the computer that receives data from input devices and changes it into a form that you can use. RAM

Random Access Memory. It is temporary memory and is lost when the computer is turned off. (READS AND WRITES)

ROM ROM is Read Only Memory. ROM contains the

instructions that start the computer when it is turned on. ROM is permanent memory.

The instruction for devices.

Difference between ROM and RAM

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Inside the Computer

Data travels from one device to another through the computer’s motherboard.

The motherboard is covered with electronic circuits and switches and connects vital pieces of hardware, such as the CPU and memory.

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Software Software - the programs (instructions) that

tell the computer what to do.

Computer Applications or APPS

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Applications

An application is another word for a program running on the computer. Whether or not it is a good application depends on how well it performs the tasks it is designed to do and how easy it is for the user to use. That involves the user interface - the way the user tells the software what to do and how the computer displays information and options to the user.

Common applications

Word Processing – Word Doc

Spreadsheets - ExcelDatabase - AccessPresentations - PowerPoint

3. OUTPUT -produces somethingOne function of the computerOutput: produces some type of output from the computer

Output

Text documents including reports, letters, etc.

Graphicscharts, graphs, pictures

Multimediacombination of text, graphics, video, audio

Output Devices

MonitorPrinterHeadphonesSpeakers

TOUCH SCREEN

Input & output device

Touch-sensitive display screen on which a user can make choices by pressing button images

4. Storage – saving

One Function of a computer is:Storage – stores operating system and results

Storage

Storage refers to the media and methods used to keep information available for later use. Some things will be needed right away, while other won't be needed for extended periods of time. So different methods are appropriate for different uses.

Main Memory = Primary Storage

Storage Devices Magnetic media

Hard Drive Zip drives Floppy drives

Optical media CD-ROM DVD drives

Flash Media USB Drives Flash Drives

Auxiliary Storage Devices

Jump or Flash Drive External Hard Drive CD DVD Tape

Primary and Secondary StoragePrimaryRAM: Very fast, but loses data when computer is turned off.ROM: Starts the computer when it is turned on. Does not change after being placed on the Motherboard.

SecondaryMagnetic Media – Hard Drive: Large, not easily moved from one machine to another.

Floppy Disk: Easy to move, but cannot hold much data.

Zip, SuperDisk, Jazz: Both large and portable.Optical Media– CD-ROM and DVD: Large, portable, but not all drives can write data to disc.

System Software

System software is a catch-all term for the programs that handle the running of your computer's hardware. The two main categories are:

Operating Systems

Utility Programs

Operating System Between the hardware and the

application software lies the operating system.

The operating system tells a computer how to do its work.

The operating system is a program that conducts the communication between the various pieces of hardware like the video card, sound card, printer, the motherboard and the applications.

Operating System

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Operating Systems

Most popular operating systemsMicrosoft WindowsMacintosh OSLinux

Computer Programs

What is a computer program? Simply put, a computer program is a

set of detailed directions telling the computer exactly what to do, one step at a time. A program can be as short as one line of code, or as long as several millions lines of code.

The instructions that a programmer writes is called source code.

Computer Programs Most computers are not just digital,

but binary, too. That is, they recognize two possible values – on and off. Binary data is represented by 0’s and 1’s.

Programmers write the software needed to tell the computer how to carry out instructions. Programmers use a special language called programming language.

Some Examples of Programming Languages ABAP BASIC COBOL C++ FORTRAN Java / JavaScript Lisp Pascal Visual Basic

The Cloud – storage

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Computer Communication Computer communication is the

transmission of data and information over a communications channel between two computers, which can be several different things.

Communications between computers can be as simple as cabling two computers to the same printer. It can be as complex as a computer at NASA sending messages through an elaborate system of relays and satellites to tell a computer on Mars how to drive around without hitting the rocks.

WIRELESS & MOBILE DEVICES

Laptop Small, mobile personal computer that runs on a single battery or AC/DC adapter

PDAPersonal Digital Assistant; used for calculations, clocks, calendars, games, Internet, email, radio, etc.; characterized by touch screens

TabletNotebook- or Slate-shaped mobile computer; touch screen operated with a stylus or digital pen

Smartphone

Integrates the functionality of a mobile phone with a PDA

What are the 4 functions of a computer?

4 Basic Functions

The computing system includes several devices that perform the four basic functions of computing:

Input – accepts data Processing – processes data Output – produces output Storage – stores operating

system and results

Basic Networking Terms

Basic Networking Components Server – a computer program that

provides services to other computer programs.

Network interface card (NIC) – it makes the connection between the computer and the network cable.

Basic Networking ComponentsRouter – a device that forwards

data packets between computer networks.

Switch – an electrical component that interrupts current.

Firewall – software or hardware controls incoming and outgoing network traffic.

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