The four functions of a computer

KeyboardingFall 2011

Hardware Hardware is the parts of the

computer that you can actually see and touch, such as……

Monitors

Mouse

Keyboard

Ear phones

Scanner

CPU Tower

Trackball

Tablet

SoftwareSoftware are computer instructions or data that can be stored electronically. Software includes all of the programs that are stored on your computer, such as your operating system (Windows). Some of examples of software are:

2 types of software program

While there are thousands of software programs for computers, there are only two main types or categories of software programs:

OPERATING SYSTEM SOFTWAREis a group of programs that lay down the rules for how

a computer will work with other pieces of hardware. The operating system keeps the computer and its parts running smoothly. The two most popular are Windows and Macintosh.

APPLICATION SOFTWAREallow people to do various things on a computer. With

these programs computers can do math calculations, draw pictures, sort files, write letters. Some popular application software is Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop.

The four main functions of a computer are …..

•INPUT•OUTPUT•PROCESS•STORAGE

INPUT

The act of entering data into the computer.

Processing

The manipulation of data by a microprocessor according to instructions given to it by a program or embedded on a

chip.

Two types of memory

RAM- Random Access Memory- Think of RAM like a journal- you can erase and change your data. RAM remembers what you tell it and can even change to remember new information, but when the computer is turned off, it forgets everything you’ve told it!!

ROM- Read Only Memory- is good at remembering, but cannot change its mind! This type of storage or memory is where your software is saved. Think of ROM like reading a library book- lots of information, but you can’t change anything.

Measuring Memory SizeA bit is the smallest unit of measurement within a computer. A bit can only hold one value, either 0 or 1.

Because bits are so small, you usually group them together in groups of 8. These groups are referred to as bytes.

A BYTE contains enough space to hold 1 ASCII character which means one letter or the alphabet.

But how does processing work?

http://www.kids-online.net/learn/c_n_l.html

Click on the link above. Then click on the Click and Lean Novice option. A drawing of the inside of a computer should appear. Click on each number to learn more about each part of component and what it does in the processing function.

Output

Computer generated information that is displayed to the user in some understandable form, such as screen display, printed page or sound.

Storage

Holding information in a more permanent way is called

saving or storing information.

Two types of storage

Primary storage-stored on chips, located on the motherboard. This type of storage or memory holds all the essential information that tells your computer how to be a computer.

Secondary storage- memory that is stored on the hard drive of your computer.

Storage

1 Kilobyte = 1, 024 bytes

This would be enough space to hold one short joke.2 Kilobytes would hold a typed page.

1 Megabyte = 1,048,576 bytes

This would be enough space to hold a small novel.2 Megabytes would hold a high resolution picture.

1 Gigabyte = 1,073,741,824 bytes1 Gigabyte could hold the same amount of paper as a full

size truck bed.

More Storage

1 Terabyte = 1,099,511,627,776 bytes

50,000 trees made into paper and printed.

1 Petabyte = ,125,899,906,842,624 bytes All academic libraries in the United States

1 Exabyte = 1,152,921,504,606,846,976 bytes

Enough space to house all words ever spoken by human beings.