The Riverside School
Jan 28, 2015
The Riverside School
What is a Computer ?
A ‘compute’-r is a device which ‘compute’-s
to compute = to calculate, to make sense
Parts of a Computer
There is no such particular part known as the ‘computer’
The ‘computer’ is a collection of many parts working together
The computer is divided into two categories – mainly known as ‘hardware’ and ‘software’
Hardware & Software
The physical parts of a computer which you can see and touch are collectively called the ‘hardware’
E.g. keyboard, cd-rom drive
The programs or instructions sent to the hardware are called the ‘software’
E.g. Microsoft Word, Internet Explorer
The external hardware
Functions of the hardware The computer hardware can again be
divided into ‘input’ and ‘output’ devices
An Input device feeds data into the computer
E.g. keyboard, mouse, scanner
An Output device displays or receives data from the computer
E.g. monitor, printer
INPUT – process - OUTPUT Any activity on a computer is an
input - process - output sequence E.g.
Sugarcane >>>> Factory >>>> Sugar
Question (input) add 5 + 2 ------------------------------------------process---------------------------------------------------Answer (output) = 7
Data & InstructionsA computer requires data and instructions to work on.
E.g. to print the name and address of a person,
the following data has to be provided:Name of Person, Address of Personthe instruction given to the computer will
be: Print name and address of Person Input – name and address-process of reading data-Output – Printout of name and address
System Unit
The system unit is the main part of a computer
All other parts of the computer connect to the system unit using cables
Parts of the System Unit
CPU The CPU is the Central Processing
Unit of the computer It is also known as the ‘processor’ in
the computer The CPU is the ‘brain’ of the
computer which computes calculations and instructions received from the RAM
Central Processing Unit
CPU is divided into 2 parts
a)Control – it manages the complete processing activities
b)Arithmetic & Logical Unit (ALU) – does all the arithmetical and logical calculations
Parts of the System Unit
MemoryAll data or input instructions must be first stored into the memory to be processed by the CPU
The types of Memory are:a)Primary (internal) Memoryb)Secondary (external) Memory
Memory is also referred as StoragePrimary (internal) StorageROM – Read Only memory
Contains permanent computer information. It cannot be used for storing data. Data in ROM Memory does not get lost even if the computer is switched off.
RAM – Random Access MemoryContains temporary data. The contents inside RAM get erased as soon as the computer is switched off.
Secondary (external) storage
Internal Storage (ROM & RAM) is always limited. In everyday computer use, all programs or data cannot be stored permanently stored into internal memory.
To store data permanently, external memory is used. E.g. tape disc, hard drive, pen drive, floppy, CD, DVD
Types of Storage
Each computer has one or more Disk Drives.
Disk drives – or disks - are devices which store information on a metal or plastic disk.
The disk preserves the information even when your computer is turned off.
Types of StorageHard Disk
The hard disk is a large capacity disk which is normally located inside the system unit.On the inside, it is a stack of platters with a magnetic surface. Because a hard disk can store huge amounts of data and information, it usually serves as your computer’s main data storage.
Types of Storage
Floppy Disk
Floppies or diskettes, are less popular than they used to be.They store very little information compared to CD’s or DVD’s and are easily damaged in daily use.The inside is a thin flexible material whereas the outside is hard plastic.
Types of StorageCD or DVD diskCD – Compact diskDVD – Digital Versatile DiskCDROM – Compact disk Read only
MemoryIt’s main use is for loading new programs onto the hard disk. A CD Drive uses lasers to read information from a CD or to write information onto a CD.A DVD is similar to a CD but has larger capacity compared to the CD.
Assignments
Give one example of the input-process-output activity
Describe the uses of a Pen Drive. How is it different from the other disks – hard disk, floppy disk and CD ?
Parts of the System Unit
Motherboard
The motherboard is theprimary circuit board inthe computer.
Its function is to provide electrical and logical connections for all the components of the computer to communicate with each other.
Motherboard
Motherboard or Mainboard include the following:
Socket for connecting the CPU Slots for connecting the RAM Slots for ‘expansion cards’ Power connector Connectors for input & output
devices
Parts of the System Unit
Expansion cards or expansion boards are small circuit boards that can be connected onto the motherboard.
Expansion cards can consist of graphic cards, sound cards, network cards or any other internal or external connectivity.
Parts of the System Unit
Power Supply
It’s function is to power up the computer.
It provides power to the motherboard, hard disk, cd-rom drive, floppy drive and any other component that requires power within the System Unit.
Parts of the System Unit
A CD-ROM or DVD-ROM Drive is used for reading data from a CD or DVD disk.A CD-RW (re-writeable) or DVD-RW drive is used for writing data to a blank CD or DVD disk.A floppy drive is used for reading or writing data onto a floppy disk.All drives contain mechanical parts and require power for a read-write operation.
Types of Computers
Super ComputersSuper Computers are most powerful computers. They can process huge amounts of data very quickly.
Mainframe ComputersMainframe computers are less powerful than super computers. They can handle several amounts of input, output and storage.
Types of Computers
Workstations and Server ComputersA server computer or server, is basically intended to run for an extended time, under heavy workload and is often unattended by users. Servers contain faster or more processors, more RAM and more or larger hard disks compared to the desktop computer.
Types of Computers Personal Computers or PC
They are smaller computers normally found at home, office or classroom. PC is more widespread because of it’s size and affordable price. The laptop is also a personal computer which is just smaller in size.
PDA or Handheld ComputersPersonal Digital Assistants are also called pocket computers which can fit into the pocket and are used for emailing, word processing, video recording, etc.
Assignments
Bring any one part of the system unit from home and provide a brief description for it.
Describe the different types of computer monitors that we have at school.
Describe the different types of computer printers that we have at school.