Technology Literacy Hardware

Hardware – Categories of Computers Technology Literacy Hardware – Categories of Computers

Types of Computer Components Categories of Computers Computers are categorized based on usage and the cost as well as the size: Supercomputers Mainframes Servers Personal computers and mobile devices

Types of Computer Components Supercomputers – have processing power that can handle complex jobs beyond the scope of other computer systems. They are the fastest computers. Some of the task may include: Breaking code Molecular modeling Atmospheric modeling Climate predictions

Types of Computer Components Mainframes – provide centralized storage, processing and management of large amounts of data. Supercomputers are used to crunch large amounts of data, but mainframes are used to process and store business transactions. Sped is measured in millions of instructions per second (MIPS). Task Include: Scheduling airline reservations Managing bank transactions Updating databases for management control

Types of Computer Components Servers – stores network data and responds when requested by other computers in the network. It allows other computers in a network to share resources. Types of servers are: Applications server Print server Email Server

Types of Computer Components Personal Computers and mobile devices – are designed to meet the needs of an individual user and is generally connected to the Internet. Some types are: Desktop Laptop Mobile devices

Hardware – Basic Parts and Functions of a Computer Technology Literacy Hardware – Basic Parts and Functions of a Computer

Basic Parts and Functions of a Computer Basic Parts and Function of a Computer No matter the size or use for a computer, all computers contain the same basic types of components. Hardware is the physical components of the computer and there are four major parts and the associated functions: Input device – accepts data input Memory – store data Processor – process data Output device – produce output

Basic Parts and Functions of a Computer Input – The input function translate data from human world into computer data. Examples of input are: adding words and nu8bers into documents Setting the temperature in a thermostat containing an embedded computer Activating a sensor in a computerized alarm system Scanning a photograph Recording a video with a cell phone Loading an MP3 file Sending text, email, tweet Recording your voice

Basic Parts and Functions of a Computer Storage – is where data is kept by the computer so the information can be viewed,, played or otherwise used. Data can be stored on hard disk drive, flash memory cards, thumb drives or other external drive.

Basic Parts and Functions of a Computer Storage – Memory is part of the computer that stores information for immediate processing. It can be volatile (erased when power is turned off) or involatile (kept when power is turned off). There are two types of memory: Random-access memory Read-only memory

Basic Parts and Functions of a Computer Random-access memory (RAM) - is memory that can be changed. Hardware hold the instruction that the processor can immediately use. When programs are used, constantly changing programs are loaded into RAM. Ram is volatile.

Basic Parts and Functions of a Computer Read-only memory (ROM) – is memory that cannot be changed. It contains static information the computer will always need to operate. It contains instructions that will tell the system what steps to take during start-up It holds information even when power is off (involatile)

Basic Parts and Functions of a Computer Measuring Memory – the capacity of memory is measured in how many bytes it can hold. One byte (8 bits) holds enough memory for for one character.

Basic Parts and Functions of a Computer Processing – of the data takes place between the input and the output. It is the transformation of input data and acting on the data. Processing consist of additions and decisions. The results of these two instructions are called a data set.

Basic Parts and Functions of a Computer Central Processing Unit – gets coded instructions, decodes them and then runs (executes) them. The CPU is also called the microprocessor or chip. Some computers contain several of them.

Basic Parts and Functions of a Computer Arithmetic/Logic Unit (ALU) – holds data temporarily that is being processed and handles all arithmetic operations. Also performs logic task, such as comparing values to see which is greater or where bits do not match up. Can perform complex task.

Basic Parts and Functions of a Computer Control Unit – gets instruction from the list directed by the program being run. Decodes Instructions Executes Instructions Places the results in the ALU Getting, decoding and running one instruction is one cycle. CPU speeds are measured in how many cycles are performed in 1 second. The rating of the CPU called clock speed

Basic Parts and Functions of a Computer Motherboard – The CPU and memory are mounted on a larger printed circuit board called the motherboard. It connects all of the hardware in the computer and provides the electrical connections. It also contains expansion slots to connect other hardware.

Basic Parts and Functions of a Computer

Basic Parts and Functions of a Computer Output – is data provided to the user. The most common types are monitors, printers, and speakers.

Basic Parts and Functions of a Computer Operating System (OS) – is software that manages all of the devices, as well as locates and provides instructions to the CPU. Windows, Linux and Mac OS are examples of operating systems.

Basic Parts and Functions of a Computer Operating System (OS) continued. Before the operating system can run, the computer must go through boot procedures to get the basic functions started and the OS loaded. Booting or bootstrapping describes using a small program to get the computer running and the OS loaded. It contains firmware, that holds instruction for initializing the hardware and loading the main OS.

Basic Parts and Functions of a Computer Operating System (OS) continued. Six events take place when a Windows computer boots up, starting when the power is turned on: The power light comes on, the fan starts, and electricity is sent throughout the hardware components. The CPU follows the instructions set up in ROM. The CPU performs test on the computer’s critical internal system The CPU finds all connected peripheral devices, checks their setting, and alerts the user if there is any problem. The CPU loads the OS from the hard drive to the RAM The OS reads a file that contains configuration data to tell it what windows to open, icons to display, or programs to run.

Hardware – Input and Output Devices Technology Literacy Hardware – Input and Output Devices

Input and Output Devices Input Devices and Their Functions Keyboard – a device for inputting textual and numeric data. It is the most basic input device for user interface

Input and Output Devices Input Devices and Their Functions Pointing Device – a device that allows the user to control the movement of the cursor, or pointer on the screen.

Input and Output Devices Input Devices and Their Functions Touchscreen – a device that senses applied pressure and sends signals to the CPU

Input and Output Devices Input Devices and Their Functions Input Image Devices – are used to digitize images so they can be used by the computer. To digitize means to convert from a physical form, such as a photograph, into data a computer can use. Text-Input Devices – are generally image-input devices used with software to convert the image to text that can y used by the computer

Input and Output Devices Input Devices and Their Functions Audio-Input Device – convert sounds into data that can be used by the computer. Digitized sound can be used for audio playback or voice commands. By use of a microphone. Audio-Output Device – converts data in the computer into (analog) sounds. By use of a speaker.

Input and Output Devices Output Devices and Their Functions Monitors – a device that provides a display output

Input and Output Devices Output Devices and Their Functions Projectors – an output device that collects video data from a computer and projects the images onto a separate screen.

Input and Output Devices Output Devices and Their Functions Printers – transforms computer information into a physical form, most commonly a picture or a text document.

Hardware – Storage Devices Technology Literacy Hardware – Storage Devices