Intro to Intro to ComputersComputers

Computer Apps 1Computer Apps 1

What is a computer?What is a computer?

Electronic device operating under Electronic device operating under the control of instructions stored in the control of instructions stored in its own memory unit, that can accept its own memory unit, that can accept data (input), manipulate the data data (input), manipulate the data according to specific rules (process), according to specific rules (process), produce information (output) from produce information (output) from the processing, and store the results the processing, and store the results for future use.for future use.

What does this mean?What does this mean?

What do computers do?What do computers do?

Four general operations:Four general operations: InputInput ProcessProcess Output Output StorageStorage

DataData

All computer processing requires data.All computer processing requires data. Data is a collection of raw facts, Data is a collection of raw facts,

figures, and symbols given to a figures, and symbols given to a computer during the input operation.computer during the input operation.

Data can be:Data can be: NumbersNumbers WordsWords ImagesImages Video Video SoundSound

InformationInformation

Data is useless until it is organizedData is useless until it is organized Computers manipulate data to Computers manipulate data to

create informationcreate information Information is data that is organized, Information is data that is organized,

meaningful, and useful.meaningful, and useful. During output: information is put During output: information is put

into some form (printed report or into some form (printed report or saved in computer storage)saved in computer storage)

How does a computer know How does a computer know what to do?what to do?

Computers have instructions.Computers have instructions. These instructions are called These instructions are called

programs or software.programs or software. Computers operate one program Computers operate one program

instruction after another until the instruction after another until the job is complete.job is complete.

Computer ComponentsComputer Components

There are 6 primary components of a There are 6 primary components of a computer.computer.

Input devicesInput devices The processor (control unit and The processor (control unit and

arithmetic/logic unit)arithmetic/logic unit) MemoryMemory Output devicesOutput devices Storage devicesStorage devices Communication devices Communication devices

Input DevicesInput Devices

An input device is any hardware An input device is any hardware component that lets you enter data, component that lets you enter data, programs, commands, and user programs, commands, and user responses into a computer.responses into a computer.

Two main input devices?Two main input devices? KeyboardKeyboard MouseMouse

ProcessorProcessor

aka: Central Processing Unit (CPU)aka: Central Processing Unit (CPU) Interprets and carries out the basic Interprets and carries out the basic

instructions that operate a computerinstructions that operate a computer Made up of two partsMade up of two parts

Control unit (interprets instructions)Control unit (interprets instructions) Arithmetic/logic unit (performs the logical Arithmetic/logic unit (performs the logical

and arithmetic processes)and arithmetic processes)

MemoryMemory

aka: random access memory (RAM)aka: random access memory (RAM) Electronic components that store Electronic components that store

instructions waiting to be executed.instructions waiting to be executed. Memory is usually measured in Memory is usually measured in

kilobytes (KB) or megabytes (MB). kilobytes (KB) or megabytes (MB). 1KB= 1,000 memory locations/ 1KB= 1,000 memory locations/

1MB= 1,000,000 memory locations.1MB= 1,000,000 memory locations. A memory location or byte, usually A memory location or byte, usually

stores one character.stores one character.

Output DevicesOutput Devices

An output device makes information An output device makes information available for use.available for use.

Two main output devices?Two main output devices? PrinterPrinter MonitorMonitor

Storage DevicesStorage Devices

Storage devices are used to store Storage devices are used to store instructions, data, and information instructions, data, and information when they are not being used in when they are not being used in memory.memory.

Examples?Examples? Disks (floppy, CD, DVD)Disks (floppy, CD, DVD) Flash DrivesFlash Drives Hard Drives (Internal and External)Hard Drives (Internal and External)

Communication DevicesCommunication Devices

A communication device is a A communication device is a hardware component that enables a hardware component that enables a computer to send and receive data computer to send and receive data instructions, and information to and instructions, and information to and from one or more computers.from one or more computers.

Main type of communication device: Main type of communication device: Computer SoftwareComputer Software

We will talk about different types of We will talk about different types of computer software tomorrow.computer software tomorrow.