LIBS 100Mr. Ed Rossman

Essential Computing Concepts

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Objectives

Describe components of a computer system

Define microprocessor, memory, and auxiliary storage

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Memory

Central processing unit(CPU)

Input

Auxiliary Storage

Auxiliary StorageAuxiliary

Storage

Output

Any Computer System

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The IBM PC

A combined effort between IBM (credibility and marketing), Microsoft (operating system), and Intel (microprocessor); introduced in 1981

The PC was created as an ‘open’ machine enabling independent contractors to develop hardware and/or software to improve it

PC clones quickly followed and the market soon exploded; IBM has a fraction of the market it created

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The PC Today

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Inside the PC

On

Off

All computers are based on the binary number system

A bit or binary digit has one of two values, zero or one

A byte is the smallest addressable unit of memory (8 bits)

ASCII provides for 256(or 28) characters 01000001 – A 01000010 – B etc.

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The central processing unit (cpu) or “brain” of the PC

Original chips were numbered 8086, 80286, 80386, 80486

Pentium is an Intel trademark Clock speed (MHz or GHz) differentiates

chips higher number = faster processing speed

The Microprocessor

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Megs, Gigs, etc.

Clock speed determines how many instructions per second the microprocessor can execute.

A MHz = megahertz; one million cycles/second

GHz = gigahertz; one billion cycles/second

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Random Access Memory (RAM) Transient (erased when power turned off)

Measured in bytes 1 Kilobyte = 210 characters (~1,000 bytes) 1 Megabyte = 220 characters (~1,000,000 bytes) 1 Gigabyte = 230 characters (~1,000,000,000 bytes)

Need 256Mb or 512Mb of RAM Keep multiple programs & data files in memory Graphic-intensive programs demand a lot of memory

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Auxiliary Storage

Floppy Disk No longer standard

Hard (fixed) disk 30 Gb and higher

Removable storage CD-R/CD-RW DVD/DVD-R/DVD-RW Zip disks Thumb/jump drives Tape

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Input Devices

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The Monitor Resolution is expressed in

picture elements or pixels; (800 x 600 or 1024 x 768)

The higher the resolution, the more you can see at one time.

Larger monitors enable you to you run at higher resolutions; e.g., 19” to run 1024 x 768 comfortably

A graphics card speeds processing

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Lower Resolution (800 x 600)

Displays 20 rows and 8 columns

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Higher Resolution (1024 x 768)

Displays 28 rows and 12 columns

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The Printer Ink Jet

Today’s entry level Laser

Top-of-the line Four-in-one functionality

Printer, scanner, fax, copier

Network printer

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Summary Understand components of a computer

system for usage

Begin familiarity with common acronyms and terms

Think about computer as tool for information gathering

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References

Grauer, Robert and Maryann Barber. Essential Computing Concepts. New Jersey: Person Prentice Hall, 2004.

Internet Pioneers. http://www.ibiblio.org/pioneers/index.html

Webopedia. http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/H/HTTP.html