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 unit2. CD/DVD drive3. Mouse4. External hard drive5. USB flash drive or jump drive6. Card reader/writer

Parts Continued

1. Modem2. Scanner3. Printer4. Monitor5. Screen (LCD)6. Speakers7. Keyboard8. Microphone

What Do Computers Do?

• Complete information processing cycle through these 4 steps:– Input– Process– Output– Storage

• InputRaw

Data

• Process

(Application)

• OutputInformation

• 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.