Computer Basics

Computer Systems
Definition of a computer

• A computer is a device that

 accepts input

 processes data

 stores data, and

 produces output.
Input
• Input: information provided to the computer
by a person, the environment, or another
computer.

Examples of Input
– words and symbols
– numbers
– pictures
– audio signals from a microphone
– signals from another computer
– temperature, speed, pressures, etc.
from sensors
Input Devices
• Human Direct Input Devices
– Keyboard, mouse, writing tablets, joysticks.
• Human Indirect Input Devices
– Scanners, digital cameras, audio digitizers.
• Automated Sensors
– Alarm switch sensors, weather information
sensors,infrared beams, sound level
sensors.
Processing
• - manipulation of data
– Data are symbols that represent
facts, objects, and ideas
– A computer program or
software is the series of
instructions that tell a computer
how to carry out a processing task
• Examples of Processing
– arithmetic calculations
– sorting a list
– modifying pictures
– drawing graphs
Storage

• Storage - the
area where data
can be left on a
permanent basis
while it is not
needed for
processing
Storage Types
• Primary Storage - Direct Access to
the CPU
– RAM & ROM
• Secondary Storage - Must Be
Loaded into RAM
– Hard disks, Floppy disks, CD and
DVD
• Tertiary Storage - Slow Backup
Medium
– Magnetic tape
Output Devices
• Output - the result produced by a computer
• Output device –displays, prints, or transmits the
results of processing
• Examples of Output
– images on a monitor
– printed documents
– sounds
– signals to device controllers
• Human-Oriented Output Devices
– Display screens, printers, sound/speech
units, LED/LCD readouts, etc.

• Automated Controls
– Automatic fire doors, elevator controls,
alarm horns, HVAC systems, answering
machines, etc.
Computer Categories
Categories of Computers
• Personal Computers

• Handheld Computers

• Workstations
Categories of Computers

• Videogame Consoles

• Mainframes
– (often colloquially referred to as Big Iron
[1]) are computers used mainly by large

organizations for critical applications

• Supercomputers
Mainframes
• Ex. An IBM
zSeries 800
• 90% of IBM's
mainframes have
CICS transaction
processing
software installed
Categories of Computers
• Supercompute
rs
Ex. The Cray-2,
the world's
fastest computer
from 1985 to
1989
Supercomputers
As of May
2008[update], the
IBM
Roadrunner,
located at Los
Alamos
National
Laboratory, is
the fastest
supercomputer
in the world.
Categories of Computers
• Servers
Personal Computer Systems
System Components
• Display Device
(Monitor or LCD
screen)
• System Unit
• CD ROM drive
• Floppy disk drive
• Hard disk drive
• Keyboard
• Mouse
Peripherals
• A peripheral device designates
equipment that might be added to a
computer system to enhance its
functionality
• Examples:
– Printer
– Digital camera
– Scanner
– Joystick
ASSIGNMENT #1

• 3 Brands/Models classified accdg. to the

categories
• 30 Computer Peripherals
Task #1

• Role play of the process flow of a

computer system
– Data
– Input device
– CPU
– RAM
– STORAGE device
– Output device