Basic Computer Skills

Chapter 1
Introduction to Computer

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 Definition of Computer
• A computer:- is an electronic device, operating under the control of
instructions stored in its own memory that can accept data (input), process
the data according to specified rules, produce information (output), and
store the information for future use.

• The term ‘computer’ is derived from the word ‘compute’, which means to
calculate, or to count or to sum up.

• A computer can be defined as a machine (composed of electronic and

electric circuits), which can perform arithmetic operations and logical
decisions with defined pattern of instructions called software. 2
 Function of a computer
Any digital computer carries out five functions in
gross terms:
 Takes data as input.
 Stores the data/instructions in its memory and
use them when required.
 Processes the data and converts it into useful
information.
 Generates the output
 Controls all the above four steps
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Functionalities of a
computer(Contd.)

Processing

Data Information

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 Characteristics of Computer
1.Speed
2.Accuracy
3.Diligence
4.Storage Capability
5.Versatility

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 Characteristics of Computer…
• Speed :The computer can process data very fast, at
the rate of millions of instructions per second.
• Accuracy: Computer provides a high degree of
accuracy.
For example, the computer can accurately give the
result of division of any two numbers up to 10 decimal
places.
• Diligence : When used for a longer period of time,
the computer does not get tired or fatigued. It can
perform long and complex calculations with the same
speed and accuracy from the start till the end.

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 Characteristics of Computer…
• Storage Capability : Large volumes of data and
information can be stored in the computer and also
retrieved whenever required.
A limited amount of data can be stored, temporarily, in
the primary memory. Secondary storage devices like floppy
disk and compact disk can store a large amount of data
permanently.
• Versatility :Computer is versatile in nature. It can
perform different types of tasks with the same ease. At
one moment you can use the computer to prepare a letter
document and in the next moment you may play music or
print a document.
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 Computer Components
Hardware
Software
• Hardware
Computer hardware is the collection of physical
elements "Tangible objects” that constitutes a
computer system.
The actual machinery, wires, transistors, and
circuits … etc.
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Hardware:

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Software
• is a computer programs, instructions
and data which has been written to
carry out a particular task.

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 Computer Units
1.Input Unit
2.Central processing Unit
3.Primary Memory Unit
4.Secondary storage Unit
5.Output Unit

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 Input Devices
• Input device is any peripheral (piece of computer hardware
equipment to provide data and control signals to an
information processing system such as a computer or other
information appliance.

• Input device Translate data from form that humans

understand to one that the computer can work with. Most
common are keyboard and mouse
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Computer Units

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Input Devices

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Example of Input Devices
Keyboard Mouse (pointing device) Microphone
Touch screen Scanner Webcam
Touchpads MIDI keyboard
Graphics Tablets Cameras Pen Input
Video Capture Hardware Microphone Trackballs
Barcode reader Digital camera Joystick
Gamepad Electronic Whiteboard

Note: The most common use keyboard is the QWERTY

keyboard. Generally standard Keyboard has 104 keys
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1) KEYBOARD

Definition:

―Keyboard is an input device that contains keys

user press to enter data or instructions in to the
computer.

You enter most input data into the computer by

using a keyboard. This input method is similar to
typing on a typewriter. 16
KEYS OF KEYBOARD

Computer keyboards include keys that are designed to

perform specific tasks. These keys enable the user to perform
complex tasks easily when using the application. For
example, many applications use a function key to access
online help for the user.

Keyboard keys consist of:

• Alphabetic keys •
Numerical keys
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 Alphabetic keys contain alphabets from A-Z & a-z

 Numerical keys contain numbers 0-9

 Symbols keys contain many symbols like !, @, #, $, % etc

 Functional keys contain f1-f12, design for special purpose will

discuss latter.

 Extra keys contain Esc, Alt, Ctrl, Backspace, Enter etc

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2)MOUSE

Definition:

―Mouse is an input device that fits under palm of hand and

Controls movement of pointer.

The mouse is a palm-size device with a ball built into the

bottom. The mouse is usually connected to the computer by a
cable (computer wires are frequently called cables) and may
have from one to four buttons (but usually two).

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 Mouse come in many shapes and sizes. When you move the
mouse over a smooth surface, the ball rolls, and the pointer
on the display screen moves in the same direction.
 TYPES OF MOUSE

There are three types of mouse:

1.Mechanical mouse

2.Optical mouse

3.Wireless mouse
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A) MECHANICAL MOUSE:
The mouse that contains a metal or rubber ball on its
underside.
When the ball is rolled in any direction, sensors inside the
mouse detect this motion and move the on-screen mouse
pointer in the same direction.

B) OPTICAL MOUSE:
An optical mouse uses a light-emitting (laser) to detect
movement relative to the underlying surface.

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C) WIRELESS MOUSE:
Wireless mice usually work via radio frequencies commonly
referred to as RF. RF wireless mice require two components to
work properly a radio transmitter and a radio receiver.

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3) BIOMETRIC DEVICES

A "biometric device" is any device that measures a

biological function or trait.

It identifies persons seeking access to a computing

system by determining their physical characteristics
through fingerprints, voice recognition, retina
patterns, pictures, weight, or other means.
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5)DIGITAL CAMERA

A digital camera can be used to take pictures. It can be

hooked up to a computer to transfer the pictures from the
camera to the computer. It use light sensitive processing chip
to capture pictures or images.

We can save these images where ever we want can be a CD,

Computer disk, USB drive or can transfer from one computer
to other computer or device.

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6) DIGITAL SCANNER

A scanner is used to copy pictures or other things and

save them as files on the computer. A scanner is
similar to a photocopier, except that instead of
producing a paper copy of the document you place on
it, you get an electronic copy which appears on your
computer screen. This is very important input device
use to convert a hardcopy file (printed paper) to a
softcopy (image or display file).
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Central Processing Unit
• CPU
• known as microprocessor or processor
• It is responsible for all functions and
processes.

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 CPU Components
• The CPU is comprised of three main parts:
1. ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)
2. Control Unit (CU)
3. Registers: Stores the data that is to be
executed next.

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ALU
• Executes all arithmetic and logical operations.

• Arithmetic calculations like as addition,

subtraction, multiplication and division.

• Logical operation like compare numbers, letters,

or special characters

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 Control Unit (CU)
Control Unit (CU): controls and co-ordinates
computer components.
• Read the code for the next instruction to be
executed.
• Increment the program counter so it points to the
next instruction.
• Read whatever data the instruction requires from
cells in memory.
• Provide the necessary data to an ALU or register.
• If the instruction requires an ALU or specialized
hardware to complete, instruct the hardware to 29
Registers
• Registers: Stores the data that is to be
executed next, "very fast storage area".

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Primary Memory
1. RAM.
2.ROM

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 Primary Memory…
1. RAM: Random Access Memory: is a memory scheme
within the computer system responsible for storing
data on a temporary basis, so that it can be promptly
accessed by the processor as and when needed.
• It is volatile in nature, which means that data will be
erased once supply to the storage device is turned
off.
• RAM stores data randomly and the processor
accesses these data randomly from the RAM storage.
• RAM is considered "random access" because you can
access any memory cell directly if you know the row32
 Primary Memory…
2. ROM (Read Only Memory): ROM is a permanent form of
storage.

ROM stays active regardless of whether power supply to it is

turned on or off.

ROM devices do not allow data stored on them to be modified.

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 Secondary Memory
• Stores data and programs permanently
• its retained after the power is turned off
• Main Examples
1. Hard Disk
2. Optical Disk
3. Flash memory

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 Hard Disk
• Called Disk drive or HDD
• stores and provides relatively quick access
to large amounts of data.
• Stores data on an electromagnetically
charged surface or set of surfaces.

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 Optical Disk & Flash
• an optical disc drive (ODD) is a disk drive that
uses laser light to store data.
• There are three main types of optical media: CD,
DVD, and Blu-ray disc

CD “Compact Disk” can store up to 700MB

DVD “ Digital Video Disk “ can store up to 8.4 GB
Blu-ray disc. can store up to 50 GB

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 3. Flash Disk
• A storage module made of flash memory chips.
A Flash disks have no mechanical platters or access
arms, but the term "disk" is used because the data
are accessed as if they were on a hard drive. The disk
storage structure is emulated.
RAM V.s Hard Disk
• What are the differences between RAM as a main
memory and HDD as a Secondary Memory.

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 Output Unit
• An output device is any piece of computer hardware
equipment used to communicate the results of data
processing carried out by an information processing
system (such as a computer)

• converts the electronically generated information

into human-readable form.
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Output devices Examples

Monitor LCD Projection Panels

Printers (all types) Computer Output Microfilm (COM)
Plotters Speaker(s)
Projector
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 Output devices Examples
1. A monitor

LCD: Liquid crystal CRT: Cathode Ray

display most familiar Tube
these days
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 MONITOR/DISPLAY DEVICES

Definition:

―Monitor or display devices are used to get output

on screen. It is like small television and available in
different sizes and specifications. The text which is
displayed on screen is called softcopy (as defined
above).

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Output devices Examples
2. Printer:
• transfers data from a computer onto paper
Printer types:
1-Laser Printer.
2-Ink Jet Printer.
3-Dot Matrix Printer

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3) MULTIMEDIA/PROJECTORS

A Digital Projector/Multimedia is an elector-optical machine

which converts image data from a computer or video source
to a bright image which is then imaged on a distant wall or
screen using a lens system. The cost of a device is not only
determined by its resolution, but also by its brightness.

The projector serves the following purposes:

• Visualization of data stored in a computer for

presentations
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 Computer Classification
• Computers can be classified by size and power
to:
1.Personal computer (PCs)
2.Workstation:
3.Minicomputer
4.Mainframe:
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 Computer Classification
• Personal computer (PCs): a small, single-user computer
based on a microprocessor.

In addition to the microprocessor, a personal computer has

a keyboard for entering data, a monitor for displaying
information, and a storage device for saving data.

• Workstation: a powerful, single-user computer. A

workstation is like a personal computer, but it has a more
powerful microprocessor and a higher-quality monitor.
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 Computer Classification
• Minicomputer: multi-user computer capable of supporting
from 10 to hundreds of users simultaneously.

• Mainframe: powerful multi-user computer capable of

supporting many hundreds or thousands of users
simultaneously.

• Supercomputer: an extremely fast computer that can

perform hundreds of millions of instructions per second.
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 Computer Classification
• Compare between the previous type of
computers based on
• Price
• Processing Speed
• Storage Capacity
• Powerful
• Single-user or Multi-user
• Computer Size
• Companies size
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 Laptop computer
• is a portable computer.
• personal computer that can be easily carried and
used in a variety of locations.
• run the same software and applications in PCs

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 Netbook Computer

• A netbook is a type of laptop that is designed to

be even more portable.

• Cheaper and less powerful than laptops or

desktops.

• They are generally less powerful than other types

of computers, but they provide enough power for
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 Mobile Devices
• A mobile device is basically any handheld
computer.
• It is designed to be extremely portable.
• Some mobile devices are more powerful
• Types:
1.Tablet Computers
2.Smartphones

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 Tablet Computers

• Designed to be portable.

• The most obvious difference is that tablet computers

don't have keyboards or touchpads.

• Best used for tasks like web browsing, watching

videos, reading e-books, and playing games.
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 Tablet Computers
• The most obvious difference is that tablet computers don't
have keyboards or touchpads. Instead, the entire screen is
touch-sensitive, allowing you to type on a virtual keyboard
and use your finger as a mouse pointer.

• Tablet computers are mostly designed for consuming

media, and they are optimized for tasks like web browsing,
watching videos, reading e-books, and playing games

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 Smartphones

• a powerful mobile phone

• designed to run a variety of applications
in addition to phone service.
• Compare it with the tablet?
• Internet access is an important feature
of smartphones. (3G or 4G)(Wi-Fi
Service)

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 Data, Information and Knowledge

Data:
• Facts and figures which relay something specific ,but
which are not organized in any way and which
provide no further information regarding patterns

• unstructured facts and figures

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Data, Information and Knowledge
Information:
• For data to become information, it must be
contextualized, categorized, calculated and
condensed. (Processing)
• it is data with relevance and purpose.
Knowledge:
• Knowledge is closely linked to doing and
implies know-how and understanding.
• Processing Information

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 Data, Information and Knowledge
• Data: symbols

• Information: data that are processed to be useful;

provides answers to "who", "what", "where", and
"when" questions

• Knowledge: application of data and information;

answers "how" questions
Processing data produces information, and
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Data, Information and Knowledge

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