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Intro 2 Computers

A computer is an electronic device that can accept data as input, process the data according to programmed instructions, produce output, and store results for future use. It has 6 main parts: input devices, a processor, memory, output devices, storage devices, and communication devices. The processor performs calculations and notifies other parts to take action. Memory temporarily stores instructions for the processor. Storage, such as hard disks, securely keeps data and information even when the computer is off.

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a_h_goldstein
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41 views

Intro 2 Computers

A computer is an electronic device that can accept data as input, process the data according to programmed instructions, produce output, and store results for future use. It has 6 main parts: input devices, a processor, memory, output devices, storage devices, and communication devices. The processor performs calculations and notifies other parts to take action. Memory temporarily stores instructions for the processor. Storage, such as hard disks, securely keeps data and information even when the computer is off.

Uploaded by

a_h_goldstein
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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BASIC COMPUTER

INFORMATION
What
is a
computer?
A Computer
 An electronic device, operating under the
control of instructions stored in its own
memory, that can:
– Accept data (input)
– Process the data according to specified rules
(process)
– Produce results (output)
– Store the results for future use (storage)
6 parts
1. Input devices
2. The processor
3. Memory
4. Output devices
5. Storage devices
6. Communication devices
Components
The Processor
 CPU- Central Processing Unit
performs the system's calculating and
processing
Carries out basic instructions that operate a
computer
Notifies other parts of the computer ti take
action when needed
Installed on main circuit board to talk to
other parts of the computer.
 Random Access Memory
that temporarily stores instructions from the
CPU waiting to be executed by the
processor
 Read Only Memory
Can be read but not written on
Does not need power
 What is the full name of your CD drive?
Why?
input, storage

A hardware (a peripheral)
device that sends
information into the CPU.

Without input devices a


computer would not allow for
interaction and would be much
like a TV.
Ouput

A hardware (a peripheral) device


that shows information into the
CPU.
Storage
A location where information can be
held permanently or temporarily

A computer commonly has two types


of storage: internal and external.

What are examples of internal storage?


What are examples of external storage?
Storage Devices
• A storage device is used to store instructions,
data, and information when they are not being
used in memory
– Magnetic disks use magnetic particles to store items
on a disk’s surface
• Formatting
• Track
• Sectors
• Portable storage medium
Storage Devices
• A hard disk is a storage device that contains
one or more inflexible, circular platters that
magnetically store data, instructions, and
information
– Head crash
– Backup
Storage Devices
• A smart card stores data n a thin
microprocessor embedded in the card
Communication Devices
• A communications device is a hardware
component that enables a computer to
send and receive data, instructions, and
information to and from one or more
computers
– Transmission media
Computer software
• System software consists of programs to
control the operations of computer equipment
– Operating system
• Microsoft Windows Vista
• Microsoft Windows XP
• Apple Mac OS X
• Linux
– Booting
– Graphical user interface (GUI)
• Icon
Software
• Application software consists of
programs designed to make users more
productive and/or assist them with
personal tasks
– Word processing
– Spreadsheet
– Database
– Presentation graphics
Data Representation
.- A
 Bit- one binary digit
-… B
 1 Byte= 8 bits -.-. C

 Morse code
 ASCII code
0100 0001 A
0100 0010 B  Unicode
0100 0011 C  Which is better? Why?
Windows
 Operating System
 Among your team, take a poll of computing
devices each person uses on a regular basis
along with the activities they use the devices
for, such as sending text messages on a cell
phone, writing documents on a laptop, reading
electronic books on a book reader such as
Kindle, and so on. Come up with the perfect
device or smallest combination of devices that
you would need to own to perform all these
activities.
 Research two careers of your choice that you
are pursuing or may pursue. Determine how
computers are used in those careers.
 Describe the types of general purpose
computers (i.e. desktop, laptop, netbook) you
use on a regular basis. Select the computer
you own or the one you use the most (at work
or a public computer such as in a library or an
Internet café). What improvements would you
like to see made to the computer that would
make it more valuable to your everyday use?

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