IT SKILLS -LAB Essential Computer Concepts

XP CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR2 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? 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. CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR3

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. CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR4

XP Characteristics Of Computer Speed: An instruction can be executed by a computer in a nanoseconds. Storage: Large volume of data can be stored in Tapes, Hard Disks. Accuracy: Calculations carried out by the processor are generally accurate Versatility: computers are used for different jobs like word processing, payroll calculation, internet browsing. CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR5

XP Storage Measurements  Bit Binary digit 0 or 1  Byte = 8 bit(one character)  Kilobyte = 1024bytes (Document)  Megabyte = 1024KB(Floppy disk)  Gigabyte = 1024MB(Compact disk)  Terabyte = 1024GB(Google) CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR6

XP CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR7 Types of Computers Personal computers (PCs) – Desktop computers – Notebook (laptop) computers – Tablet PCs Handheld computers – PDA (personal digital assistant) – MP3 players – Cell phones Mini computers Server Mainframe computer Supercomputers Wearable

XP Types of Computers Personal Computer: Desktop Computers: This type of computer will set up in a permanent location. More power storage and less cost. Laptop computers: Easy to carry everywhere. Rechargeable batteries could be used to power them. Mainframe Computers: Mainframe computer is a huge computer that can fill in a room. Used to perform millions of transactions. It has several gigabytes of storage. Super Computer: High performance computers working in parallel as a single system. High cost. CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR8

XP Types of Computers Work Station: A desktop computer that has a more powerful processor, additional memory and enhanced capabilities for performing a special group of task, such as 3D graphics or game development. Server: A computer that has been optimized to provide services to other computers over a network. It has powerful processors, lots of memory and large hard drives. Mini Computer: Mini computers fall between micro computer and mainframe computer CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR9

XP Types of Computers Wearable: The latest trends in computing is wearable computers. Common computer applications like , database, multimedia are integrated into watches, cell phones. CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR10

XP CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR11 Types of Computers Personal Computers PDA Super Computers Desktop Notebook Tablet PC

XP CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR12 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 CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR13 System Software System software manages the fundamental operations of your computer – Operating system System resource Multitasking – Utilities – Programming Languages

XP CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR14 Application Software Application software enables you to perform specific computer tasks, such as document production, spreadsheet calculations, and database management – Document production software

XP CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR15 Application Software Presentation software

XP CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR16 Application Software – Web site creation and management software – Spreadsheet software – Database management software

XP CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR17 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? CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR18

XP CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR19 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 CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR20 Microprocessor, also referred to as processor or CPU (Central Processing Unit RAM - Random Access Memory  Volatile

XP CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR21 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 CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR22 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 CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR23 Output Devices Output devices show you the results of processing data – Monitor Flat panel LCD CRT – Printer Laser Inkjet Dot matrix

XP CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR24 Data Representation Binary digits (bits) A series of eight bits is called a byte ASCII – American Standard Code for Information Interchange

XP CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR25 Memory Random access memory (RAM) – Volatile memory – SDRAM Cache memory (RAM cache or CPU cache) Virtual memory

XP CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR26 Memory Read-only memory (ROM) – BIOS – Nonvolatile memory Complementary metal oxide semiconductor memory (CMOS) Semi permanent memory

XP CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR27 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 CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR28 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 CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR29 Storage Media Magnetic media – Hard disk – Tape – Floppy disk

XP CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR30 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 CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR31 Storage Media Optical storage device – CD – DVD – CD-R – CD-RW – CD-ROM

XP CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR32 Storage Media Flash memory – Flash memory cards – USB flash storage device – USB drive (flash drive)

XP Information Processing Cycle To understand how a computer functions you must understand the information processing cycle. What is the information processing cycle? The sequence of events in processing information, which includes (1) input :Input—entering data into the computer. (2) Processing—performing operations on the data. (3) Storage—saving data, programs, or output for future use. (4) Output—presenting the results. These processes work together and repeat over and over. CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR33

XP Information Processing Cycle CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR34

XP CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR35 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 CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR36

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. CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR37

XP CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR38 New Perspectives on Essential Computer Concepts 38 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 CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR39 New Perspectives on Essential Computer Concepts 39 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 CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR40 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 CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR41 Telecommunications

XP CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR42 The Internet The Internet is the world’s largest network. and the World Wide Web are two benefits of the Internet.

XP CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR43 A hyperlink is a place on a Web page allowing you to connect to a particular file. tives The Internet

XP CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR44 New Perspectives on Essential Computer Concepts 44 The Internet A Web browser is the communications software that allows you to navigate the WWW.

XP CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR45 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 SAN WiMax

XP Networks LAN: A LAN is Local Area Networks joining computers in a single room, building or site. The data is transmitted directly in binary form through the cable that joins the computers together. (10m-10km): room, building, campus WAN:A WAN is Wide Area network joins computer over a wider area than a LAN. WAN's join computers in different cities, countries or even continents. Distance: ( km) MAN: A Metropolitan area network (MAN) is a large computer network that usually spans a city or a large campus. Distance:(10-100km): city (e.g., cable TV)Metropolitan area network PAN :A personal area network (PAN) is a computer network used for communication among computer and different information technological devices close to one person. Distance: (1-10m) (e.g., wireless network connecting computer, mouse, keyboard, and printer)personal area network CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR46

XP SAN:A storage area network (SAN) is a dedicated network that provides access to consolidated, block level data storage. A SAN typically has its own network of storage devices that are generally not accessible through the local area network by other devices. Used in enterprise and small to medium sized business environments.storage area network Enterprise private network:An enterprise private network is a network built by an enterprise to interconnect various company sites, e.g., production sites, head offices, remote offices, shops, in order to share computer resources.enterprise private network Wireless Network: Any form of communication that does not require the transmitter and receiver to be in physical contact E.g cell Phones, Satellite, Sensor CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR47

XP CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR48 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 CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR49 The Internet The Internet is the largest network in the world, connecting millions of people. “interconnected collection of autonomous computers connected by a single technology” – World Wide Web Web page Web site “network of networks” “collection of networks interconnected by routers” “a communication medium used by millions” , chat, Web “surfing”, streaming media – Electronic mail

XP CAMS-BMET-Perpared by VINOTH KUMAR50 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