Computer Basics By: Nicole Hayes

Purposes of Computers Business – Track inventory. – Calculate payroll. – Maintain databases. Personal – Surf the web. – Do homework. – Correspondence

What is a computer? A computer is an electronic device, operating under a set of instructions in its own memory, which accepts input, processes that data, and produces results which can be stored.

Parts of the Computer System Define in your own words, each of the following parts: 1.Hard drive or central processing unit 2.CD/DVD drive 3.Mouse 4.External hard drive 5.USB flash drive or jump drive 6.Card reader/writer

Parts Continued 1.Modem 2.Scanner 3.Printer 4.Monitor 5.Screen (LCD) 6.Speakers 7.Keyboard 8.Microphone

What Do Computers Do? Complete information processing cycle through these 4 steps: – Input – Process – Output – Storage Input Raw Data Process (Applic ation) Output Inform ation Storage

Data vs. Information Data is basically text, numbers, images, audio or video. – JB123 – XS123 Information is when you take this data and make it meaningful and useful. Book ID Number JB123 XS123

What Makes Computers So Useful? Fast Reliable Accurate Manage and store large amounts of information easily. Easy to transfer information to others.

How Does A Computer Know What To Do? Computers follow a program or “software”. – This is basically a set of written instructions that tells a computer what to do. – It includes a start, instructions, and a stop.

Computer Components Input devices Processor Memory Output devices Storage devices Communication devices

Computer Components

Input Devices Any hardware component that allows you to enter data, programs, commands, and user responses into a computer. – Keyboard, mouse, digital camera, scanner, microphone, stylus

Input Devices

System Unit Case which contains the electronic components of the computer used to process data. Also called a chassis. Contains the motherboard. – The main circuit board.

Parts of the System Unit Central Processing Unit – Interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate the computer. Control Unit – Interprets instructions. Arithmetic/logic unit – Performs the logical and arithmetic processes.

Memory Random Access Memory (RAM) – Electronic components which temporarily store instructions, data and information. – Amount of memory is measured in bytes. Byte holds one character (such as one letter). Kilobyte (KB) = 1000 bytes Megabyte (MB) = 1 million bytes Gigabyte (GB) = 1 billion bytes

Output Devices Make information resulting from processing available for use. – Printers, LCDs, speakers.

Storage Devices Storage devices are used to store information, data and instructions when they are not being used in memory. – Disks (floppy, CDs, DVDS) – Flash drives – Hard drive

Communication Devices A hardware component that allows a computer to send and receive information, data, etc. – Modems, telephone lines, satellites.