Introduction to Computer

Definitions: A programmable machine that accepts input, processes it according to specified rules or instructions, and produces output. an electronic device that stores, retrieves, and processes data, and can be programmed with instructions.

Computer Evolutions
The First Generation: 1946-1958 (The Vacuum Tube Years)
ENIAC, the Mark 1, and the IAS computer

The Second Generation: 1959-1964 (The Era of the Transistor)

Mainframes

The Third Generation: 1965-1970

(Integrated Circuits - Miniaturizing the Computer)

Mainframes , Minicomputers The Fourth Generation: 1971-Today (The Microprocessor) Mainframes, Minicomputers, Microcomputers The Fifth Generation: 2000-Today (Artificial Intelligence, AI)

Component of Computer System

A computer system consists of hardware and software Hardware / Component

is the physical equipment such as the case, floppy disk drive, keyboard, monitor, printers, webcam

Software

a program that is used to operate the computer system.

Basic Components of a Computer

INTERNET

INPUT DEVICE

CPU
(Central Processing Unit)

OUTPUT DEVICE

STORAGE
PRIMARY SECONDARY

Computer Hardware

COMPONENT OF COMPUTER
Input Device A device that feeds data into a computer, such as a Keyboard, mouse, joystick, and webcam.

CPU The central processing unit, or CPU, is the part of the computer that executes software programs, including the Operating system. Also call the brains of the computer.

COMPONENT OF COMPUTER
Storage Store the data Two parts of storage: Primary Storage and Secondary Storage

Output Device Anything that comes out of computer Output devices include Display screens, loudspeakers, and printers.

CPUs have three basic parts

1. The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) does all of the mathematics in a computer does all of the logic comparisons of values some common logic comparison symbols = equal to < less than > greater than <= less than or equal to >= greater than or equal to <> not equal

2. The Control Unit directs the flow of information into the CPU and/or memory or storage controls which instructions the CPU will do next

3. Registers Used to store data and instructions inside the processor Size of the registers can affect the speed and performance of the processor

Parts of Computer Storage

1.Primary storage
Main internal storage of a computer . Primary storage is used to store data that is likely to be in active use.
2 types of primary storage:

RAM (random Access Memory)

  

Temporary memory is a volatile the information is lost after the power is switched off.

ROM (Read Only Memory)

  

Permanent storage data stored in ROM cannot be modified is not volatile, but is not suited to storage of large quantities of data because it is expensive to produce.

2.Secondary storage A storage medium that holds information until it is deleted or overwritten. For example :
floppy

disk drive hard disk drive

Stand-alone Computer
A computer that does not have any connection or link to other computer.

Printer

Stand-alone Computer

Scanner

Computer Network
A computer network, often simply referred to as a network, is a collection of hardware components and computers interconnected by communication channels that allow sharing of resources and information.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_network

Different between Stand-alone and Network Computer

Stand-alone computer - is one which does not communicate with any other computer. All its applications and resources are available on the same computer. Network computer - is one which communicates with other computers. It can share resources like disk drives, printers and files http://www.ComputerFreeTips.com

Network link
The computers on a network may be linked through cables, telephone lines, radio waves, satellites, or infrared light beams.

Types of Network
i.

local-area networks (LANs) : The computers are geographically close together (that is, in the same building). wide-area networks (WANs) : The computers are farther apart and are connected by telephone lines or radio waves. campus-area networks (CANs): The computers are within a limited geographic area, such as a campus or military base. metropolitan-area networks MANs): A data network designed for a town or city. home-area networks (HANs): A network contained within a user's home that connects a person's digital devices.

ii.

iii.

iv.

v.

Advantages of Computer Network

File Sharing Printer / Peripheral Sharing Internet Connection Sharing Multi-Player Games Internet Telephone Service Home Entertainment

Introduction to Software
Computer software, or program provide the instructions for telling a computer what to do and how to do it. The two types of software are : i. Operating systems Software ii. Applications software.

Operating System Software

Open the following URL: http://www.gcflearnfree.org/computerbasics/2

Application Software
- General designation of computer programs for performing user tasks

Examples : Word Processor Spreadsheets Presentation Project Management Web Browsers

Function of Operating System

Procedures to Start your computer
Locate

the Power Button and push the button Wait until the desktop is displayed

Procedures to Shutdown your computer

Locate

shutdown button on the taskbar Click on the Shutdown Button wait until all the lights on the system unit is fully extinguished

Use Desktop Envirnment

File Management
Introduction to Operating System Shell File management tools:
Copy Rename Move Delete

files and folders