Session 1

Computer Basics

Version 1.0 © 2011 Aptech Limited.

Uses of Computers

 A computer allow users to store information in various formats and process it

to perform different actions:

Process complex data

Access information remotely

Watch movies for entertainment.

Computer Basics / Session 1

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Terminology

Software Hardware
Is a program that enables the Are physical components of a computer
computer to operate

Computer Basics / Session 1

Version 1.0 © 2011 Aptech Limited. 3
Terminology

 Operating System (OS)


Is collective software that integrates various
software programs

Acts as an interface between the user and
the computer

Manages interaction between software
and hardware resources

Example - Microsoft Windows is an operating system

Computer Basics / Session 1

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Terminology

 Data

Any fact concerning people, things etc

Example - Numbers entered by the user are data for the calculator program

 Booting

Is a process by which the operating system loads and starts when the computer is
turned on

Computer Basics / Session 1

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Terminology

 Units of Memory

A Bit or binary digit:

Is the smallest unit of data that can be stored on a machine

Can have only one of the two possible values, 0 or 1

Is not suitable to measure data in large quantities
Bytes:
1Byte=8Bi



Are series of bits
ts


Units of Speed
kHz, MHz, GHz

Computer Basics / Session 1

Version 1.0 © 2011 Aptech Limited. 6