Computer BasicsComputer BasicsTerminology - Take NotesTerminology - Take Notes

What is a computer?What is a computer?

well, what is the technical definition

A computer is a machine that changes information from one form into another by performing four basic actions.

well, what is the technical definition

A computer is a machine that changes information from one form into another by performing four basic actions.

What are the 4 basic actions that a computer performs?

What are the 4 basic actions that a computer performs?

Input

Processing

Output

Storage

Input

Processing

Output

Storage

Together, these actions make up the information Together, these actions make up the information cycle.cycle.

InputInput

Input is the raw information, or data, that is entered into a computer.

Bits of Data - bit is short for binary digit, a bit can only have two possible values - 0 or 1

Bits into Bytes - bits are combined into groups of eight or more called a byte (example: A is coded as 01000001)

Input is the raw information, or data, that is entered into a computer.

Bits of Data - bit is short for binary digit, a bit can only have two possible values - 0 or 1

Bits into Bytes - bits are combined into groups of eight or more called a byte (example: A is coded as 01000001)

What are examples of input devices?What are examples of input devices?

ProcessingProcessing

Second step of the information processing cycle

the computer does something to the data in this step

computers can process data very rapidly

Second step of the information processing cycle

the computer does something to the data in this step

computers can process data very rapidly

OutputOutput

the output step displays the processed data

to create output, the computer takes the bytes and turns them back into a form you can understand, such as an image on the screen or a printed document

What are some examples of output devices?

the output step displays the processed data

to create output, the computer takes the bytes and turns them back into a form you can understand, such as an image on the screen or a printed document

What are some examples of output devices?

StorageStorage

fourth step in which the computer saves the information

temporary and permanent

without storage, all work is lost

fourth step in which the computer saves the information

temporary and permanent

without storage, all work is lost

What is computer hardware?

What is computer hardware?

Hardware is the physical parts of the computer.

hardware helps with the information processing cycle (input, processing, output, storage)

Lets take a look at the hardware inside the case!

Hardware is the physical parts of the computer.

hardware helps with the information processing cycle (input, processing, output, storage)

Lets take a look at the hardware inside the case!

Inside the CaseInside the Case

Motherboard - main circuit board of the computer, all other hardware devices inside the case connect to the motherboard

Central Processing Unit (CPU) - the CPU is the device that processes the data in the information processing cycle

Motherboard - main circuit board of the computer, all other hardware devices inside the case connect to the motherboard

Central Processing Unit (CPU) - the CPU is the device that processes the data in the information processing cycle

CPU Processing speeds

CPU Processing speeds

Processing speed is measured in Hertz. (Currently, you will see mostly Megahertz or Gigahertz.)

Types of processors - Intel (Pentium or Celeron), AMD (Athlon or Sempron), and more

Processing speed is measured in Hertz. (Currently, you will see mostly Megahertz or Gigahertz.)

Types of processors - Intel (Pentium or Celeron), AMD (Athlon or Sempron), and more

Inside the CaseInside the Case

Primary storage - Temporary

RAM (Random Access Memory) - stores data and instructions while the computer is working

Secondary storage - Permanent

Hard Drive

Floppy Drive, CD Drive, DVD Drive

Primary storage - Temporary

RAM (Random Access Memory) - stores data and instructions while the computer is working

Secondary storage - Permanent

Hard Drive

Floppy Drive, CD Drive, DVD Drive

Storage SpaceStorage Space

Internal and removable storage

Storage is measured in bytes.

Byte = 8 or more bits

Kilobyte = 1024 bytes

Megabyte = approx. a million bytes (1,024,000)

Gigabyte = approx. a billion bytes (1,024,000,000)

Terabyte = approx. a trillion bytes (1,024,000,000,000)

Internal and removable storage

Storage is measured in bytes.

Byte = 8 or more bits

Kilobyte = 1024 bytes

Megabyte = approx. a million bytes (1,024,000)

Gigabyte = approx. a billion bytes (1,024,000,000)

Terabyte = approx. a trillion bytes (1,024,000,000,000)

StorageStorage

Hard Drive - internal - 40GB, 80GB, 160GB, 200GB

Removable

Floppy disk - 1.44MB

CD - 700MB

USB - various (64MB,128MB,512MB,1GB,2GB)

DVD – 4.7GB

Hard Drive - internal - 40GB, 80GB, 160GB, 200GB

Removable

Floppy disk - 1.44MB

CD - 700MB

USB - various (64MB,128MB,512MB,1GB,2GB)

DVD – 4.7GB

Outside the CaseOutside the Case

A peripheral is hardware that is separate but can be connected to the case.

A cable connects the peripheral to the computer.

Connectors

Serial ports, Parallel ports, USB, and more

A peripheral is hardware that is separate but can be connected to the case.

A cable connects the peripheral to the computer.

Connectors

Serial ports, Parallel ports, USB, and more

What is computer software?

What is computer software?

Software includes all of the programs that tell a computer what to do and how to do it.

Types of software: system and application

Software includes all of the programs that tell a computer what to do and how to do it.

Types of software: system and application

System SoftwareSystem Software

System software includes the programs that help the computer work properly.

2 types of system software: operating systems and system utilities

System software includes the programs that help the computer work properly.

2 types of system software: operating systems and system utilities

System Software TypesSystem Software Types

Operating system (OS) - lets the hardware devices communicate with one another and keeps them running efficiently. (Macintosh OS and Windows OS)

Compatibility - the ability of programs written for one operating system to run on a computer with a different operating system.

System Utilities - programs that help the computer work properly (maintenance and repair jobs)

Operating system (OS) - lets the hardware devices communicate with one another and keeps them running efficiently. (Macintosh OS and Windows OS)

Compatibility - the ability of programs written for one operating system to run on a computer with a different operating system.

System Utilities - programs that help the computer work properly (maintenance and repair jobs)

Application SoftwareApplication Software

Application software are programs designed to help you do tasks such as writing a paper or making a graph.

Four Main Categories:

Productivity software

Graphics software

Communication software

Home, education, and entertainment software

Application software are programs designed to help you do tasks such as writing a paper or making a graph.

Four Main Categories:

Productivity software

Graphics software

Communication software

Home, education, and entertainment software

Application SoftwareApplication Software

Custom vs. Off-the-Shelf SoftwareCustom vs. Off-the-Shelf Software

SummarySummary