Computer Concept

New Perspectives on

Essential Computer Concepts Fundamentals of Computer Applications

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Course Objectives

At the end of the course, you will understand: • The components of a computer system • The different types of computers • Microcomputer hardware and its functions • Data representation and the ASCII code •

• Hardware and software used to establish a network connection • Internet, e-mail, and World Wide Web • System software • Popular application software

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What is a Computer? A computer is a device that: • • • •

Accepts input Processes data Stores data Produces output

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What is a Computer? A Computer System is made up of: • Hardware - the physical components • Software - the programs or lists of instructions • Peripherals - the additional components • Peopleware - the person who uses the computers 4

Computer? Architecture or configuration is the design of the computer. As in, what does the computer consist of? Specification is the technical detail about each component. As in, how big is the monitor?

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Works

The hardware, software, and you work together to complete assigned tasks. 6

Works The data you type into the computer is called input. The result of the computer processing your input is called output. 7

Types of Computers The categories of computers are: • Personal or microcomputers – Desktop – Notebook or Laptop

• Hand-help or PDAs • Mainframes • Supercomputers 8

Computers

Personal computers

are used for general computing tasks and fit the needs of most users 9

Computers

Hand-held computers

fit in the palm of your hand and run on batteries. 10

Computers Mainframes are used by companies to provide centralized storage, processing, and management for large amounts of data.

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Computers

Supercomputers are the largest and fastest of computers, and can process an enormous volume of data.

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Computer Hardware Computer hardware includes: • • • •

Input devices Output devices Processing hardware Storage devices and media • Network Devices 13

Computer Hardware Some input devices are: • • • • •

Keyboard Mouse Wireless pointer Touch pad Track ball

A w i r e l e s s m o u s e 14

Computer Hardware Output devices are: Monitors and Printers are common output devices.

CRT monitors and LCD

(or flat panel display) monitors are two types of monitors. 15

Computer Hardware Factors that influence a monitor’s quality are: • Screen Size • Resolution • Dot Pitch

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Types of Printers include: Laser

A printer that produces very high-quality print. One of the chief characteristics of laser printers is their resolution –(how many dots per inch - dpi) they lay down. The available resolutions range from 300 dpi at the low end to 1,200 dpi at the high end.

Ink Jet

A type of printer that works by spraying ionized ink at a sheet of paper. Magnetized plates in the ink's path direct the ink onto the paper in the desired shapes. 17

Types of Printers include: Dot Matrix

A type of printer that produces characters and illustrations by striking pins against an ink ribbon to print closely spaced dots in the appropriate shape. Dot-matrix printers are relatively expensive and do not produce high-quality output

MultifunctionAll in One

A multifunction printer that prints, faxes, copies and scans. 18

Computer Hardware • Multimedia devices are peripheral devices that include text, graphics, sound, animation, and video.

• Speakers and sound cards are

common multimedia output devices 19

Computer Hardware • The most important computer function is data processing. • Processing hardware is used to process data.

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Processing Hardware • Computers interpret every signal as “on” or “off.” • 1 (“on”) and 0 (“off”) are referred to as bits. • Eight bits is a byte. Each byte represents a unique character. 21

Data Representation Storage and memory capacity is the amount of data the storage device can handle. • Kilobyte (KB) is about one thousand bytes • Megabyte (MB) is about one million bytes • Gigabyte (GB) is about one billion bytes 22

Processing Hardware • The two most important components of personal computers hardware are the microprocessor and memory. • These two factors directly affect the computer’s price and performance. 23

The Microprocessor • The microprocessor is an integrated circuit or chip on the main circuit board inside the computer.

• Its speed is determined by: – – –

Clock speed Word size Cache size 24

Memory Computer memory is a set of storage locations of the main circuit board. There are four types of memory: • Random access memory (RAM) • Virtual memory • Read-only memory • Complementary metal oxide semiconductor memory (CMOS)

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Memory RAM is temporary memory that is constantly changing while the computer is on. Virtual memory is extra memory that simulates RAM if more is needed. 26

Memory Read-only memory (ROM) is the permanent storage location for a set of instructions the computer uses. CMOS memory is semipermanent information about where essential software is stored. 27

Memory

A storage device receives data

from RAM and writes it on a storage medium. Later, it can be read and sent back to RAM. 28

Storage Devices Data is stored as files. Executable files tell computers how to perform specific tasks. Data files are created by the user, usually with software.

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Storage Devices Files are kept on storage devices. These are: • Magnetic storage devices - referring to the storage of data on a magnetized medium. Magnetic storage uses different patterns of magnetization in a magnetizable material to store data and is a form of non-volatile memory. The information is accessed using one or more read/write heads. • Optical storage devices - referring to the storage of data on an optically readable medium. Data is recorded by making marks in a pattern that can be read back with the aid of light. A common modern technique used by computers involves a tiny beam of

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Storage Devices Some common magnetic storage devices are: • Floppy disks • Hard disk drives • Tape drives • Zip drives

A floppy disk

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Storage Devices Some common optical storage devices are: • • • •

CD-ROM drives DVD drives CD-R drives CD-RW drives 32

Storage Devices CD-ROMs are for “read-only” access.

CD-R drives allow you to record data on a CD-R disk. CD-RW drives allow you to write data on a CD-RW disk and access and modify data. 33

Data Communications Data Communication s is the transmission of text, numeric, voice, or video data from one computer to another. 34

Data Communications The four essential components of data communications are: – – – –

Sender Channel Receiver Protocols

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Data Communications A sender is the computer that originates the message. The message is sent over a channel, such as a telephone. 36

Data Communications The receiver is the computer at the message’s destination. Protocols are the rules that establish the transfer of data between sender and receiver. 37

Data Bus The data bus is the communication between microprocessor, RAM, and the peripherals. 38

Data Bus An external peripheral device has a port or cable that connects it to the computer. Each port connects to a controller card, which plugs into expansion slots. The transmission protocol is handled by a device driver. 39

Data Bus Microcomputers have several types of ports:

• Parallel • Serial • Small computer system interface (SCSI) • Musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) • Universal serial bus (USB) 40

Data Bus A parallel port transmits data eight bits at a time, and is often used to connect a nearby printer.

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Data Bus A serial port transmits data one bit at a time, and often connects a mouse, keyboard, or modem. 42

Data Bus A SCSI

connection can allow many devices to use the same port, and are popular on Macs and notebooks.

MIDI cards

are used to record and play back musical data.

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Data Bus Computer expansio n ports

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Data Bus USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports replace numerous connectors with one plug and port combination. The device you install must have a USB connector.

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