Computer Basics Diagram

Computer System A complete working computer that has all of the necessary parts to make the computer function. Hardware Software

Hardware The physical components of the computer. The actual equipment you can see and touch.

Hardware Peripheral A peripheral is an external piece of hardware that is important, but not necessary for a computer system to work.

Hardware Input Devices Processing Output Devices Storage Devices

Input Devices Hardware that enables a computer user to enter data and programs into a computer.

Input Devices Hardware that enables a computer user to enter data and programs into a computer. Keyboard

Input Devices Hardware that enables a computer user to enter data and programs into a computer. Keyboard Mouse

Input Devices Hardware that enables a computer user to enter data and programs into a computer. Keyboard Mouse Scanner

Input Devices Hardware that enables a computer user to enter data and programs into a computer. Keyboard Mouse Scanner Microphone

Input Devices Hardware that enables a computer user to enter data and programs into a computer. Keyboard Mouse Scanner Microphone Barcode Reader

Input Devices Hardware that enables a computer user to enter data and programs into a computer. Keyboard Mouse Scanner Microphone Barcode Reader Webcam

Processing The main parts of a computer system that process information.

Processing The main parts of a computer system that process information. CPU Central Processing Unit The CPU is often called the “brains” of the computer.

Processing The main parts of a computer system that process information. CPU Central Processing Unit The CPU is often called the “brains” of the computer. ROM Read Only Memory ROM is permanent internal memory that cannot be changed.

Processing The main parts of a computer system that process information. CPU Central Processing Unit The CPU is often called the “brains” of the computer. ROM Read Only Memory ROM is permanent internal memory that cannot be changed. RAM Random Access Memory RAM is temporary memory that can be changed.

Output Devices Hardware that represents data as either hard copy or soft copy after is has been processed by the computer.

Output Devices Monitor Hardware that represents data as either hard copy or soft copy after is has been processed by the computer. Monitor Represents data as “soft copy.” Some common monitors are CRT or flat-panel.

Output Devices Monitor Printer Hardware that represents data as either hard copy or soft copy after is has been processed by the computer. Monitor Represents data as “soft copy.” Some common monitors are CRT or flat-panel. Printer Represents data as “hard copy.” Some common printers are laser or inkjet.

Output Devices Monitor Printer Speakers Hardware that represents data as either hard copy or soft copy after is has been processed by the computer. Monitor Represents data as “soft copy.” Some common monitors are CRT or flat-panel. Printer Represents data as “hard copy.” Some common printers are laser or inkjet. Speakers

Storage Devices Needed for permanently storing important information such as computer programs, files, and data.

Storage Devices Magnetic Storage Needed for permanently storing important information such as computer programs, files, and data. Magnetic Storage Hard Disk Floppy Disk Videotape Plastic or metal platters that are coated with oxide and store data magnetically.

Storage Devices Magnetic Storage Optical Storage Needed for permanently storing important information such as computer programs, files, and data. Magnetic Storage Hard Disk Floppy Disk Videotape Plastic or metal platters that are coated with oxide and store data magnetically. Optical Storage CDs DVDs A storage medium on which data is recorded and read by two lasers

Storage Devices Magnetic Storage Optical Storage Needed for permanently storing important information such as computer programs, files, and data. Magnetic Storage Hard Disk Floppy Disk Videotape Plastic or metal platters that are coated with oxide and store data magnetically. Optical Storage CDs DVDs A storage medium on which data is recorded and read by two lasers USB Storage

IBM leased this machine for $35,000 a year. In September 1956 IBM launched the 305 RAMAC, the first computer with a hard disk drive (HDD). The HDD weighed over a ton and stored 5MB of data. IBM leased this machine for $35,000 a year.

WAN – Wide Area Network Computers are in a larger geographical area. Computers that are connected in order to share information and resources. The main computer on a network is called a file server. LAN – Local Area Network Computers are in close proximity to each other. WAN – Wide Area Network Computers are in a larger geographical area.

A set of instructions or programs that tell a computer what to do. Software A set of instructions or programs that tell a computer what to do.

Software Operating System or Platform Applications or Programs

Operating System or Platform This type of software manages RAM, controls peripheral devices, manages file operations (saving, opening, deleting, renaming, etc.), monitors system performance, and provides a user interface Operating System or Platform

Operating System or Platform DOS & Windows This type of software manages RAM, controls peripheral devices, manages file operations (saving, opening, deleting, renaming, etc.), monitors system performance, and provides a user interface Operating System or Platform Windows is a GUI OS environment that works with DOS. It uses icons and menus to make computers easy to use. You can multitask with Windows. DOS & Windows DOS is a command-line interface OS. It is not very user-friendly!

Operating System or Platform DOS & Windows Macintosh This type of software manages RAM, controls peripheral devices, manages file operations (saving, opening, deleting, renaming, etc.), monitors system performance, and provides a user interface Operating System or Platform Windows is a GUI OS environment that works with DOS. It uses icons and menus to make computers easy to use. You can multitask with Windows. DOS & Windows DOS is a command-line interface OS. It is not very user-friendly! Macintosh Macintosh computers have their own operating system.

Operating System or Platform DOS & Windows Macintosh This type of software manages RAM, controls peripheral devices, manages file operations (saving, opening, deleting, renaming, etc.), monitors system performance, and provides a user interface Operating System or Platform Windows is a GUI OS environment that works with DOS. It uses icons and menus to make computers easy to use. You can multitask with Windows. DOS & Windows DOS is a command-line interface OS. It is not very user-friendly! Macintosh Macintosh computers have their own operating system.

Other Operating Systems: This type of software manages RAM, controls peripheral devices, manages file operations (saving, opening, deleting, renaming, etc.), monitors system performance, and provides a user interface Operating System or Platform Windows is a GUI OS environment that works with DOS. It uses icons and menus to make computers easy to use. You can multitask with Windows. DOS & Windows DOS is a command-line interface OS. It is not very user-friendly! Macintosh Macintosh computers have their own operating system. Other Operating Systems: Linux, UNIX, OS/2

Application Software or Programs Programs that allow users to perform specific tasks.

Application Software or Programs Programs that allow users to perform specific tasks. Word Processing Letters, reports, text

Application Software or Programs Programs that allow users to perform specific tasks. Word Processing Letters, reports, text Spreadsheets Numbers

Electronic Presentations Application Software or Programs Programs that allow users to perform specific tasks. Word Processing Letters, reports, text Spreadsheets Numbers Slide Shows Electronic Presentations

Electronic Presentations Application Software or Programs Programs that allow users to perform specific tasks. Word Processing Letters, reports, text Spreadsheets Numbers Slide Shows Electronic Presentations Browser World Wide Web

Electronic Presentations Application Software or Programs Programs that allow users to perform specific tasks. Word Processing Letters, reports, text Spreadsheets Numbers Slide Shows Electronic Presentations Browser World Wide Web Database Large collections of data

Electronic Presentations Application Software or Programs Programs that allow users to perform specific tasks. Word Processing Letters, reports, text Spreadsheets Numbers Slide Shows Electronic Presentations Browser World Wide Web Database Large collections of data Real Player & Media Player Multimedia

Virus A small computer program or piece of code that is put on a computer (usually without the user knowing about it) that is destructive to the computer.