IT SKILLS -LAB Essential Computer Concepts Mohammed Saleem

XP Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.2 What Is a Computer? A computer is an electronic device that accepts data and instructions from a user, manipulates the data according to the instructions, displays the information in some way, and stores the information for retrieval later

XP What is a computer-continued ? An electronic device that accepts input, processes the data and instructions, produces output from the processing that is useful and meaningful and stores the results for future use. Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.3

XP How Does A Computer Know What To Do? It must be given a detailed set of instructions that tell it exactly what to do. These instructions are called a computer program, or software. Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.4

XP Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.5 Types of Computers Personal computers (PCs) – Desktop computers – Notebook (laptop) computers – Tablet PCs Handheld computers – PDA (personal digital assistant) – MP3 players – Cell phones Mainframe computers Supercomputers

XP Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.6 Types of Computers Personal Computers PDA Super Computers Desktop Notebook Tablet PC

XP Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.7 Computer Systems Includes computer hardware and software – Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer – Software refers to the intangible components of a computer system, particularly the programs the computer needs to perform a specific task

XP Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.8 System Software System software manages the fundamental operations of your computer – Operating system System resource Multitasking – Utilities – Programming Languages

XP Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.9 Application Software Application software enables you to perform specific computer tasks, such as document production, spreadsheet calculations, and database management – Document production software

XP Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.10 Application Software Presentation software

XP Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.11 Application Software – Web site creation and management software – Spreadsheet software – Database management software

XP Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.12 Application Software Photo editing software Multimedia authoring software Accounting software Information management software

XP Architecture or configuration is the design of the computer. Example: what does the computer consist of? Specification is the technical detail about each component. Example: How big is the monitor? Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.13

XP Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.14 Processing Hardware The motherboard is the main electronic component of the computer The microprocessor is one of the most important pieces of processing hardware on the motherboard Cards are removable circuit boards

XP Processing Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.15 Microprocessor, also referred to as processor or CPU (Central Processing Unit RAM - Random Access Memory  Volatile

XP Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.16 Input and Output The data or instructions you type into the computer are called input The result of the computer processing your input is referred to as output and also referred to as information. Peripheral devices accomplish input and output functions

XP Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.17 Input Devices You use an input device, such as a keyboard or a mouse, to input data and issue commands – Keyboard – Pointing device Controls the pointer Mouse Trackball Touch pad Pointing stick – Scanner – Touch Screen – Pen Input

XP Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.18 Output Devices Output devices show you the results of processing data – Monitor Flat panel LCD CRT – Printer Laser Inkjet Dot matrix

XP Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.19 Data Representation Binary digits (bits) A series of eight bits is called a byte ASCII – American Standard Code for Information Interchange

XP Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.20 Storage Measurements  Byte = one character  Kilobyte = approximately 1000 characters  Megabyte = approximately one million characters  Gigabyte = approximately one billion characters  Terabyte = approximately one trillion characters

XP Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.21 Memory Random access memory (RAM) – Volatile memory – SDRAM Cache memory (RAM cache or CPU cache) Virtual memory

XP Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.22 Memory Read-only memory (ROM) – BIOS – Nonvolatile memory Complementary metal oxide semiconductor memory (CMOS) Semi permanent memory

XP Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.23 Method of Access  Sequential access – retrieve data in order.  Example of media- magnetic tape  Direct or random access – go directly to required data.  Example of media- magnetic disk, CD-Rom, DVD

XP Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.24 Storage Media A computer file is a named collection of stored data An executable file contains the instructions that tell a computer how to perform a specific task A data file is created by a user

XP Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.25 Storage Media Magnetic media – Hard disk – Tape – Floppy disk

XP Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.26 Hard Drive  Consists of one or more rigid metal platters coated with a metal oxide material that allows data to be magnetically recorded on the surface of the platters  The number of platters permanently mounted on the spindle of a hard disk varies.

XP Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.27 Storage Media Optical storage device – CD – DVD – CD-R – CD-RW – CD-ROM

XP Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.28 Storage Media Flash memory – Flash memory cards – USB flash storage device – USB drive (flash drive)

XP Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.29 Data Communications The transmission of text, numeric, voice, or video data from one computer to another or to a peripheral device is called data communications – Sender and receiver – Channel – Protocol – Device driver (driver)

XP Components of Data Communications The four essential components of data communications are: Sender Channel Receiver Protocols Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.30

XP Data Communication A sender is the computer that originates the message. The message is sent over a channel, such as a telephone The receiver is the computer at the message’s destination. Protocols are the rules that establish the transfer of data between sender and receiver. Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.31

XP Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.32 Networks A network connects one computer to other computers and peripherals. In a local area network (LAN), computers and peripherals are close to each other.

XP Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.33 Networks Each computer that is part of the network must have a network interface card and network software. Then it becomes a workstation. Any device connected to the network is called a node.

XP Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.34 Telecommunications Telecommunications is communicating over a telephone. In the telecommunications process, the modem converts digital signals to analog signals at the sending site and a second modem converts them back at the receiving site.

XP Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.35 Telecommunications

XP Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.36 The Internet The Internet is the world’s largest network. and the World Wide Web are two benefits of the Internet.

XP Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.37 A hyperlink is a place on a Web page allowing you to connect to a particular file. The Internet

XP Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University. 38 The Internet A Web browser is the communications software that allows you to navigate the WWW.

XP Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.39 Networks A network connects one computer to other computers and peripheral devices, enabling you to share data and resources with others Network interface card (NIC) LAN WAN WLAN PAN WiMax

XP Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.40 Telecommunications Telecommunications means communicating over a comparatively long distance using a phone line or some other data conduit – Modem Digital and analog signals – DSL

XP Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.41 The Internet The Internet is the largest network in the world, connecting millions of people – Electronic mail – World Wide Web Web page Web site

XP Computer Engineering and Networks, College of Engineering, Majmaah University.42 Security Threats on Your Computer Security refers to the steps a computer owner takes to prevent unauthorized use of or damage to the computer – Malware Viruses – Antivirus software Spyware Adware Firewall Phishing Pharming