Introduction To Computing 1st Year 1st Semester
Introduction To Computing 1st Year 1st Semester
What is Computer?
is a programmable device that stores, retrieves, and processes data. The term
"computer" was originally given to humans (human computers) who performed
numerical calculations using calculators, such as the abacus and slide rule. The term was
later given to a me mechanical device as they began replacing the human computers.
Today's computers are electronic devices that accept data (input), process that data,
produce output, and store (storage) the results.
Destop Computer
Monitor
- is an output device that displays information in pictorial form.
Types of Monitor
CRT – Cathode Ray Tube
LED – Light Emitting Diode
LCD – Liquid Crystal Display
Computer Keyboard
is one of the primary input devices used with a computer. Similar to an electric
typewriter, a keyboard is composed of buttons that create letters, numbers, and
symbols, as well as other functions.
Computer Mouse
- is a handheld hardware input device that controls a cursor in a GUI (Graphical User
Interface) and can move and select text, icons, files, and folders on your computer.
System Unit
- Alternatively referred to as a box, main unit, and system box, a system unit is the case
that contains all the main parts of a computer. Below is a picture of a computer with each of
the main components that help make up a computer.
Charles Babbage
Components of Computer
Software – The application or programs installed on a computer system.
Examples:
Microsoft office
o MS Word
o MS Excel
o MS Powerpoint
Browsers
o Google Chrome
o Microsoft Edge
o Mozilla Firefox
Input Device
What is an input device?
Hardware used to enter data and instructions
Output Device
What is an output device?
Hardware that conveys information to one or more people
System Unit
What is the system unit?
Case that contains the electronic components of the computer that are used to process data
Storage
What is storage?
Holds data, instructions, and information for future use
Storage media
Physical material on which data, instructions, and information are stored
Storage device
Records and retrieves items to and from storage media
Storage
What is a USB flash drive?
Portable storage device
SmaII and lightweight enough to be transported on a keychain or in a pocket
The average USB flash drive can hold about 2 billion characters
Storage
What is a hard disk?
Provides greater storage capacity than a USB flash drive
Most are housed inside the system unit
Computer Software
What is software?
Consists of a series of instructions that tells the computer what to do and how to do it
Also called a program
Computer Software
What is a graphical user interface (GUI)?
Allows you to interact with the software using text, graphics, and visual images such as icons
Controls how you enter data and instructions and how the screen displays information
Computer Software
What is system software?
Program that control or maintain the operations of the computer and its devices
Operating System (OS) is a set of programs that coordinates all activities among computer
hardware devices
Utility Programs allow the user to perform maintenance-type tasks usually related to
managing a computer, its devices or its programs
Computer Software
What is application software?
Programs designed to make users more productive
Word Processing
Spreadsheet
Database
Presentation Graphics
Computer Software
What is a programmer?
Someone who develops software
o Programmer writes the instructions to direct the computer to process data into
information
Categories of Computers
What are the categories of computers?
Personal Computers (desktop)
Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices
Game Consoles
Servers
Mainframes
Supercomputers
Embedded Computers
Personal Computers
What are the two most popular styles of personal computers.
PC and compatibles use the Windows operating system
Apple Macintosh usually uses the Macintosh operating system (Mac OS X)
Personal Computers
What is a desktop computer?
Designed so all of the components fit entirely on or under a desk or table
Consoles
What are game consoles?
Mobile computing device designed for single-player or multiplayer video games
Servers
What types of servers are there?
A server controls access to network resources and provides centralized storage
Mainframe Very powerful, expensive computer that supports thousands of connected users
Supercomputer The fastest, most powerful, most expensive computer. Used for applications
requiring complex mathematical calculations
Embedded Computers
What is an embedded computer?
A special-purpose computer that functions as a component in a larger product
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