1. Computer Basics CHAPTER 1

2. What is a computer?  A computer is a machine that changes information from one form into another by performing four basic actions.  Input- is the raw information or data that is entered into a computer

3.  Bit- bit is short for binary digit  Bit is a basic unit of data a digital computer can understand  Each bit is a digit or number  A bit can only have two possible values– 0 or 1  Bits are combined into groups of eight or more.  Each group is called a byte.  Byte- a group of 8 or more bits

4.  Processing- the second step of the information processing cycle  In this step the computer does something to the data  Program- the instructions given to the computer to do with the processing

5. Output  The third step is output  Output- The result of a computers processing  Printer  Monitor

6. Storage  The fourth operation  Storage is where the computer saves the information  USB  Disk  Cloud Storage- online storage offered by various websites

7. Random Access Memory  RAM- where the computer holds data while it is working

8.  Central Processing Unit- the part of the computer that processes the data  Random Access Memory- area where data and instructions are stored while the computer is working

9.  Hardware- the physical parts of the computer  Software- Program that tells the computer what to do  Utility Software- Program that does maintenance or repair tasks

10.  SCSI and USB connectors connect several peripherals at the same time  Programs and files created on Macintosh and windows operating systems format files differently  Data in RAM is lost when the computer is turned off  Communication software is used to connect t the internet and send emails  Off-the-shelf software is less expensive than custom software, because publishers sell more units