introduction to computers. what is a computer?computer
TRANSCRIPT
Introduction to Computers
What is a computer?
What does a computer do?
Power of a Computer• Speed• Reliability• Bits and Bytes• Accuracy• Storage
Process
Storage
Input
Output
Raw Data
Information
Computer Components
CPU – Central Processing Unit
• Control Unit and Arithmetic /Logic Unit
• Memory - – ROM
• Read Only• BIOS • Remains on power off
– RAM• Random access• Empties on shut off
Input Devices
• Keyboard• Mouse• Magnetic Card• Scanner• Stylus• Touch Screen• Card Scan• Biometric
Out Put Devices
• Monitor– CRT– LCD
• Printer– Impact / dot matrix– Inkjet– Laser
• Speaker
Computer Storage
• Floppy Disk – 1.4 MB• Hard Disk - Gigabytes• CD
– CD ROM, CD-R, CD-RW– 650 MB
• DVD – 4.7-17 GB
Data Size
Bit 1,0
Byte 11010110 = 1 character
Kilobyte - KB 1000 bytes
Megabyte - MB 1million bytes
Gigabyte – GB 1 billion bytes
Memory
• RAM – random access memory– Stores information temporarily– Like the desktop or workbench– Data is erased on powerdown
• ROM – read only memory– In the CPU and other places– Remains the same – rarely changed– Remains upon powerdown
Software
• System Software – controls the operation of the computer
• Must boot up to start – loads operating system into memory
• GUI – graphical user interface – DOS– Windows, 3.11, 98, ME, XP,
XP Pro, 2000
Application Software
• Application Software – software that tells the computer how to produce information – office– games– finance– diagnostic– business– utilities – anti virus, pop up blockers, etc.
Word Processing Software
• MS Word, Corel…• For working with
text• Easy to make
changes / corrections
• Combines with other software
Spreadsheet Software
• Calculations• Charts• Eliminates
recalculation• MS Excel
Database Software
• Stores Data of all kinds for easy access
• MS Access, Schoolmaster,
• Produces reports of the information
• Law Enforcement
Networks and the Internet
• Network– Computers linked
together– Sharing of hardware,
software, data, information
• LAN – local area network
• WAN – wide area network
• Internet
Internet / WWW
• World’s largest network
• Web Pages• Web Site• URL – uniform
resource locator – unique address