INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER 3 ELEMENTS OF COMPUTER

COMPUTER – 1. HARDWARE
• An electronic device that helps people • refer to all machinery and equipment in
perform different tasks. a computer system.
• a programmable, multiuse machine that • devices in the computer that can be seen and
process or accept data into information. touch.
• A device that manipulates data according • objects that you can actually touch, like disks,
to a set of instructions. disk drives, display screens, keyboards,
printers, boards, and chips
COMPUTER SYSTEM
• refers to all components that contribute in
making the computer a useful tool. A. Input Device – is a peripheral device through
• combination of hardware, software & which data entered is transformed into machine
storage
Ex. Keyboard, Mouse, Scanner, Fax Machine,
DATA – consists of raw facts and figures that are Pointing Device, USB & etc.
processed into information.
B. Memory
INFORMATION – data that has been summarized for • an area of a computer which stores data
decision making. • Enables a computer to store, at least
temporarily, data and programs.
TYPES OF COMPUTER • main memory (RAM), electronic, fast, volatile,
1 MICROCOMPUTER (Portable Computer or expensive, holds data currently in use.
Personal Computer) • made up of many general purpose storage
 the PC is the most common type of locations. Parts of the memory
computer used in the office, and is also now
widely used in many homes Types of Memory

Examples: Desktop computers, video game consoles, 1. RAM – Random Access Memory
laptop computers, tablet PCs, (temporary)

2. MINICOMPUTER • is the temporary memory where the

 a multiprocessing system capable of computer read data for the current processing
supporting from 4 to about 200 users task.
simultaneously. • It holds the data that is being manipulated
by the CPU until it is moved to a permanent
 midsized computer. In size and power, memory store such as a disk.
minicomputers lie between workstations and • Example: when you create a document
mainframes (such as a letter), the document is stored in
your computer’s RAM until you save it to disk.

3. MAIN FRAME
 large and expensive computer capable of 2. ROM – Read Only Memory (Permanent)
supporting hundreds, or even thousands, of
users simultaneously • the computer can read its contents but
 often used by large corporate and cannot write to the contents of memory.
government data processing departments • holds permanent information such as the
software that enables the components in your
computer to communicate with each other. It
cannot usually be deleted or overwritten.

C. CPU – Central Processing Unit

• CPU is an acronym that stands for central
processing unit.
 • responsible for performing all of the • Programmers also conceive, design, and
mathematical calculations that are required for test logical structures for solving problems by
a computer to function properly. computer.

• CPU as the "brains" of a computer.

3. User / Operator – use the program.

Component of CPU:

a. CU – Control Unit. It controls the flow 3. SOFTWARE

of the information • collection of data
b. ALU – Arithmetic Logic Unit. It • program install in the computer that tells the
performs all mathematical and logical functions. hardware what to do
• Programs and data that a computer uses

Kinds of Software Program

D. OUTPUT DEVICE – is a device that receives 1. System Program – it helps the computer
and/or displays output from a computer perform essential operating tasks.
Ex. Monitor Printer
ex. MS Windows, Visual Basic & etc.
2. PEOPLEWARE
2. Application Program – a software that
• refer to anything that has to do with the role of has been developed to solved a particular
people in the development or use of computer problem, perform useful work and provide
software and hardware systems entertainment.

Kinds of Peopleware: ex. Word, excel, powerpoint, & etc.

1. System Analysts
•responsible for researching, planning,
coordinating and recommending software
and system choices to meet an
organization's business requirements
•the one identifies problem and find solution
to the problem and designing the solution.

A systems analyst performs the following tasks:

• Interact with the customers to know their

requirements

• Interact with designers to convey the possible

interface of the software

• Interact/guide the coders/developers to keep track of

system development

• Perform system testing with sample/live data with

the help of testers

• Implement the new system

• Prepare High quality Documentation

2. Programmer
• Computer programmers can write, test,
debug, and maintain the detailed instructions,
called computer programs, that computers must
follow to perform their functions.