Introduction to Computers The Basics

Many people believe that knowing how to use a computer, is one of the basic skills needed to
succeed in the workplace. In order to use the computer it is necessary to understand how the
computer works.
Hardware
Computer hardware is made up of the equipment used to make up you computer unit. These
parts include your monitor, central processing unit (CPU), keyboard, mouse, printer, and modem.

The computer is an electronic machine that performs the following four general operations:

 Input
 Storage
 Processing
 Output.

Input
The input hardware allows you to enter data into the computer. The primary devices used are the
keyboard and mouse.

Keyboard - The keyboard looks like the typewriter. A numeric keypad is located to the right of
the keyboard. Numeric keys have the same placement as a 10-key calculator, which allow the
operator to enter data rapidly.

Mouse - The mouse is a device that allows you to control the movement of the insertion point on
the screen. The operator places the palm of the hand over the mouse and moves it across a mouse
pad, which provides traction for the rolling ball inside the device. Movement of the ball
determines the location of the I beam on the computer screen. When the operator clicks the
mouse the I beam becomes an insertion point which indicates the area you are working on the
screen. You can also click the mouse and activate icons or drag to move objects and select text.
There are other input devices, such as touch screen, joystick, modem, scanner, and voice
recognition systems.

Processing
The central processing unit or (CPU) is the "brain" of your computer. It contains the electronic
circuits that cause the computer to follow instructions from ROM (read only memory) or from a
program in RAM (random access memory). By following these instructions information is
processed. The CPU contains three parts.
 1. Arithmetic Logic Unit - ALU is where the "intelligence" of the computer is located. It
can add and compare numbers. To multiply 2 x 4 the computer would add 2 + 2 + 2 + 2.
The ALU makes decisions by determining if a number is greater, less, or equal to the
other number. Processing is completed in nanoseconds, which is a billionth of a second.

2. Memory - Two types of memory contained on a chip are RAM (Random Access
Memory) or ROM (Read Only Memory). ROM memory has been installed on your
computer by the manufacturer and can not be altered. ROM is the memory that
determines all the basic functions of the operation of your machine, such as startup, shut
down, and placing a character on the screen. RAM is temporary memory, which displays
the information you are working on. RAM remembers what you see on your screen while
you are working. Today's applications required large amounts of temporary memory,
which may require you to upgrade and add more RAM memory.

3. Control Unit - This is the part of the unit, which directs information to the proper
places in your computer, such as calculation of information by the ALU unit or to store
and print material.

Output
Output devices such as a monitor or printer make information you input available for you to view
or use.

A monitor's front is called a screen with a cathode ray tube (CRT) attached to the screen.
Portable computers use a (LCD) liquid crystal display. Today's super video graphics array
(SVGA) monitors display 256 sharp and clear colors.

Storage
Auxiliary storage devices, also called secondary storage devices, are used to store instructions
and data when they are not being used in memory. Two types of auxiliary storage more often
used on personal computers are floppy disks and hard disks. Also, CD-ROM drives are common.

Floppy Disks - A floppy disk is a circular piece of oxide-coated plastic that stores data as
magnetic spots. Personal computers most commonly use floppy disks that are 3 � inches in
diameter.

Hard Drive - Much like a floppy, the hard disk located inside the computer case is made of a
stack of rotating disks, called platters. Data is recorded on a series of tracks that have been
divided into sectors. Most computers have one hard drive, located inside the computer case. If a
computer has one hard drive, it is called drive C. If a computer has additional hard drives, they
are called drives D, E, and so on. A hard drive stores your programs. When you buy a new
program, you must install the program files to your hard drive before you can use the program. A
hard drive stores your data files such as documents spreadsheets, and graphics.
CD-ROM Storage - Since each CD-ROM can store 600 million bytes of data or 300,000 pages
of text, they are today's answer to make you computer feel like a machine twice its size. Because
of its external storage, you can use your machine to access an encyclopedia, games, graphics,
and a variety of sources that use large amounts of memory.

Bits and Bytes

A computer stores data in units called bits and bytes. Computer chips called integrated circuits
have one of two states, off or on. Therefore, a system was developed that used only two
numbers, 0 and 1. Zero representing off and 1 representing on. You can think of this as a sort of
light switch. Each switch is called a bit.

Software
Computer productivity is determined by programs which are step by step instructions telling the
computer how to process data. Software can be divided into two groups, system and application.

System software - The operation of your computer is controlled by system software. As you boot
the computer, the system software is stored in the computer's memory which instructs the
computer to load, store, and execute an application.

Examples of system software are Windows 95 and Windows 98 which use a graphical user
interface (GUI) that provides visual clues (icons) to help the user. DOS, another disk operating
system, is text based and not user friendly.

Professional programmers write a variety of application software to satisfy needs of the public
who wants to perform specific tasks on their computers. The basic types of application software
are word processing, database, spreadsheet, desktop publishing, and communication.

Word Processing - Word processing is the most commonly used software in schools, home, and
business. A key advantage of word processing software is that users can make changes such as
spelling, margins, additions, deletions, and movement of text. A beginning computer student
should learn word processing, as it is the basis of most software. Once you have learned how a
word processor functions, you will be able to learn other software quicker.

Database Software - Database software allows us to store and manipulate large quantities of data
using the computer. For example, a database can sort the names, addresses, grades and activities
for all of the students in a school. It would be possible to add or delete data and produce printed
reports using the database.

Spreadsheet Software - Spreadsheets store numeric data that can be used in calculations. A
spreadsheet is used to store a teachers grades and then calculate student averages. The primary
advantage of a computerized spreadsheet is its ability to redo the calculations should the data it
stores be changed. Calculations can be made automatically as formulas have been preset into the
spreadsheet.
Desktop Publishing - Desktop publishing applications allow the user to create newspapers,
newsletters, brochures, and similar types of publications. It is similar to word processing except
it allows the user to use text, graphics, pictures, lines, shapes, patterns, and borders. Desktop
publishing requires more skill and computer knowledge of design and layout.

Presently a user can purchase an integrated program. This means that a single program performs
all applications and allows data to be transferred from one application to another. Microsoft
Office 97, Works, and ClarisWorks are examples of integrated software. Each application
includes a word processing, data base and spreadsheet section of the software.

There are numerous other applications available. There are software programs that can be used
by musicians to produce musical scores and play them on a synthesizer, programs that assist an
architect in designing a building, programs that produce the special effects that you see in
movies, and programs that allow e-mail or electronic mail. Every line of work you can think of
has had applications developed, which can ease or enhance its effectiveness and consistency.

Communications
Computers can be connected to multimedia, such as sound graphics, photographs, and video
equipment to manipulate, input, and generate output, but special software is required.

If a personal computer is within 1,000 feet of another computer, a cable can directly connect it. If
the devices are more than 1,000 feet, the electrical signal weakens. Then a modem is used. A
computer is designed to process data as digital signals, individual electrical pulses grouped
together to represent characters. Telephone equipment was designed to carry voice, which is
made up of a continuous electrical wave called an analog signal. The purpose of a modem is to
send the converted digital signals of a computer to analog signals to send and then convert the
analog signals it receives to digital to send the message back to the computer. A modem may be
a part of the computer or a stand-alone device that is connected to the computer and phone line.

Modems can transmit data at rates from 1,200 to 56,200 bits per second (bps) for the personal
user.

Summary
Computers are rapidly changing and changing the world we live in. We used to talk about the
changes made in one generation. Now we see changes from year to year. However, all computers
have several parts in common:

 input devices which allow data and commands to be entered into the computer
 a means of storing commands and data
 a central processing unit which controls the processing
 a means of returning the processed information in the form of output
In general, a computer is a machine which accepts information, processes it and returns new
information as output.

As you become familiar with software and hardware you will have a better understanding of
technology for business ad for you home. Technology is the vast field and learning it will be a
life long process.

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