Understanding Computers Exploring Computer Concepts Overview Understanding Computers

There are 4 Basic Functions of a computer: The computing system includes several devices that perform the four basic functions of computing: Input – accepts data Processing – processes data Output – produces output Storage – stores operating system and results

Some Basic Terms Hardware - the physical parts of the computer. Software - the programs (instructions) that tell the computer what to do. Data - individual facts like first name, price, quantity ordered. Information - data which has been massaged into a useful form, like a complete mailing address. Default - the original settings; what will happen if you don't change anything.

What makes a computer powerful and determines its cost? Speed - A computer can do billions of actions per second. Reliability - Failures are usually due to human error, one way or another. Storage - A computer can keep huge amounts of data.

What is a computer? http://www.gcflearnfree.org/computerbasics/1 What is a computer – computer basics video

Hardware Hardware: The physical parts of the computer.

Buttons and Ports on the Computer Hardware What is on the front of the computer? http://www.gcflearnfree.org/computerbasics/6 Buttons and Ports on the Desktop Computer video

Back of the computer Interactive http://www.gcflearnfree.org/computerbasics/6.2

Other Types of Ports Interactive demonstration – Practice connecting the different cables http://www.gcflearnfree.org/computerbasics/6.3

1. Input – goes into the computer One Function of a computer is: Input – accepts data

Types of Input Data - raw facts given to the computer. Programs are the sets of instructions that direct the computer. Commands are special codes or key words that the user inputs to perform a task, like RUN "ACCOUNTS." These can be selected from a menu of commands like "Open" on the File menu. They may also be chosen by clicking on a command button. User response is the user's answer to the computer's question, such as choosing OK, YES, or NO or by typing in text, like the name of a file.

Ways to Input (Input Devices) Keyboard Text and Commands Mouse Scanner Microphone Sound Trackball Joystick http://www.gcflearnfree.org/computerbasics/6.4

Inside the Computer What goes on inside of your computer? http://www.gcflearnfree.org/computerbasics/7/print Play the video “Inside a desktop computer”

2. Process – Thinking One Function of a computer is: Process – processes data

Processing Processing is the thinking that the computer does - the calculations, comparisons, and decisions. Machines have to think the hard way. They do one thing at a time, one step at a time. Complex procedures must be broken down into VERY simple steps. Then these steps can be repeated hundreds, thousands or millions of times.

Processing Devices CPU The CPU is a chip inside the computer that receives data from input devices and changes it into a form that you can use. RAM Random Access Memory. It is temporary memory and is lost when the computer is turned off. (READS AND WRITES) ROM ROM is Read Only Memory. ROM contains the instructions that start the computer when it is turned on. ROM is permanent memory. The instruction for devices.

Difference between ROM and RAM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJ4dAFI7xLw#t=101

Inside the Computer Data travels from one device to another through the computer’s motherboard. The motherboard is covered with electronic circuits and switches and connects vital pieces of hardware, such as the CPU and memory. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPRHiQ_vSv4

Software Software - the programs (instructions) that tell the computer what to do.

Computer Applications or APPS http://www.gcflearnfree.org/computerbasics/3

Applications An application is another word for a program running on the computer. Whether or not it is a good application depends on how well it performs the tasks it is designed to do and how easy it is for the user to use. That involves the user interface - the way the user tells the software what to do and how the computer displays information and options to the user.

Word Processing – Word Doc Spreadsheets - Excel Database - Access Common applications Word Processing – Word Doc Spreadsheets - Excel Database - Access Presentations - PowerPoint

3. OUTPUT -produces something One function of the computer Output: produces some type of output from the computer

Output Text documents including reports, letters, etc. Graphics charts, graphs, pictures Multimedia combination of text, graphics, video, audio

Output Devices Monitor Printer Headphones Speakers

Touch Screen Input & output device Touch-sensitive display screen on which a user can make choices by pressing button images Touch Screen

4. Storage – saving One Function of a computer is: Storage – stores operating system and results

Storage Storage refers to the media and methods used to keep information available for later use. Some things will be needed right away, while other won't be needed for extended periods of time. So different methods are appropriate for different uses. Main Memory = Primary Storage

Storage Devices Magnetic media Optical media Flash Media Hard Drive Zip drives Floppy drives Optical media CD-ROM DVD drives Flash Media USB Drives Flash Drives

Auxiliary Storage Devices Jump or Flash Drive External Hard Drive CD DVD Tape

Primary and Secondary Storage RAM: Very fast, but loses data when computer is turned off. ROM: Starts the computer when it is turned on. Does not change after being placed on the Motherboard. Secondary Magnetic Media – Hard Drive: Large, not easily moved from one machine to another. Floppy Disk: Easy to move, but cannot hold much data. Zip, SuperDisk, Jazz: Both large and portable. Optical Media– CD-ROM and DVD: Large, portable, but not all drives can write data to disc.

System Software Operating Systems Utility Programs System software is a catch-all term for the programs that handle the running of your computer's hardware. The two main categories are: Operating Systems Utility Programs

Operating System Between the hardware and the application software lies the operating system. The operating system tells a computer how to do its work. The operating system is a program that conducts the communication between the various pieces of hardware like the video card, sound card, printer, the motherboard and the applications.

Operating System http://www.gcflearnfree.org/computerbasics/2

Most popular operating systems Microsoft Windows Macintosh OS Linux

Computer Programs What is a computer program? Simply put, a computer program is a set of detailed directions telling the computer exactly what to do, one step at a time. A program can be as short as one line of code, or as long as several millions lines of code. The instructions that a programmer writes is called source code.

Computer Programs Most computers are not just digital, but binary, too. That is, they recognize two possible values – on and off. Binary data is represented by 0’s and 1’s. Programmers write the software needed to tell the computer how to carry out instructions. Programmers use a special language called programming language.

Some Examples of Programming Languages ABAP BASIC COBOL C++ FORTRAN Java / JavaScript Lisp Pascal Visual Basic

The Cloud – storage http://www.gcflearnfree.org/computerbasics/4

Computer Communication Computer communication is the transmission of data and information over a communications channel between two computers, which can be several different things. Communications between computers can be as simple as cabling two computers to the same printer. It can be as complex as a computer at NASA sending messages through an elaborate system of relays and satellites to tell a computer on Mars how to drive around without hitting the rocks.

Wireless & Mobile Devices Laptop Small, mobile personal computer that runs on a single battery or AC/DC adapter PDA Personal Digital Assistant; used for calculations, clocks, calendars, games, Internet, email, radio, etc.; characterized by touch screens Tablet Notebook- or Slate-shaped mobile computer; touch screen operated with a stylus or digital pen Smartphone Integrates the functionality of a mobile phone with a PDA Wireless & Mobile Devices

What are the 4 functions of a computer?

4 Basic Functions The computing system includes several devices that perform the four basic functions of computing: Input – accepts data Processing – processes data Output – produces output Storage – stores operating system and results

Basic Networking Terms

Basic Networking Components Server – a computer program that provides services to other computer programs. Network interface card (NIC) – it makes the connection between the computer and the network cable.

Basic Networking Components Router – a device that forwards data packets between computer networks. Switch – an electrical component that interrupts current. Firewall – software or hardware controls incoming and outgoing network traffic.

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