Unit 1—Computer Basics Lesson 1 Understanding Computers and Computer Literacy.
Unit 1: Computer Basics
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Transcript of Unit 1: Computer Basics
UNIT 1: COMPUTER BASICSComputer Applications
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WHAT MAKES A COMPUTER A COMPUTER?
A computer is an electronic device that Receives data: Information, such as text,
numbers, or graphic images, is entered into the computer.
Processes data: The computer will change the data from what was entered into the result the user wants.
Stores data: The information is stored in the computer’s memory.
Produces a result: A final display of the information that was entered can be printed or displayed on a monitor.
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THE PROCESSING CYCLE OF A COMPUTER
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WHY ARE COMPUTERS SO POPULAR? Computers perform functions very quickly. Computers produce accurate and reliable
results. Computers store large amounts of data. Computers are versatile and cost-effective. Computers are becoming more powerful and
more useful every day.
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HOW COMPUTERS ARE USED TODAYComputers are used every day for News: Newspapers and television news
stations post breaking news, and weather can be accessed on demand on the Internet.
Shopping: Millions of people use the Internet every day to purchase goods and services.
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HOW COMPUTERS ARE USED TODAY (CONT.) Homework: Students have instant access to
research and information and use word-processing and other software applications for assignments.
Managing businesses: Businesses use computers to maintain inventory records, print invoices, track financial information and personnel records, advertise online, and many other tasks.
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TYPES OF COMPUTERS Supercomputers: The
largest and fastest computers that are used by government agencies and large corporations to process tremendous volumes of data. Video
Mainframes: Large, very expensive machines that can support thousands of users; used by large corporations.
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TYPES OF COMPUTERS Minicomputers: Larger than a
desktop and much more expensive, but can support many users
Microcomputers: Commonly called personal computers or desktop computers. Personal computers also includeDesktop computersNotebook (laptop) computers“Smart Phones”, iPad, & iPod
Touch
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OTHER COMPUTING DEVICES Microprocessors are computer chips that
perform special functions to process information.
These computer chips help many kinds of equipment perform more efficiently and effectively: Household appliances Calculators, cellular telephones, and digital
cameras Game systems Automobiles Industrial equipment
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COMPUTER SYSTEMS A computer system is a combination of parts
working together: Hardware: The physical devices such as
keyboard, monitor, CPU, and so on Software: Operating systems and application
programs Data: The information entered into a
computer to be processed People: The users who enter the data and use
the resulting output
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COMPUTER NETWORKS A network consists of multiple computers
connected to each other to share data and resources.
Local Area Network (LAN): A computer network located in a small area, such as one building or department.
Wide Area Network (WAN): A network made up of several LAN’s in a city, region, or across the world.
Networks at in schools, businesses, and people’s homes.
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A TYPICAL NETWORK LAYOUT
INSIDE THE COMPUTER…
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THE MOTHERBOARDThe motherboard is a circuit board
inside the computer’s plastic case. It contains integral components including
The central processing unit or CPU RAM & ROM Expansion ports and slots
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DIAGRAM OF A MOTHERBOARD
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THE CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT
The CPU is a tiny chip that acts as the brains of a computer.
Also called the processor. Intel & AMD are the 2 biggest makers of processors
The rate of speed is measured in gigahertz (GHz).
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TYPES OF COMPUTER MEMORY
There are two types of memory found on a motherboard:
RAM: Random Access Memory
ROM: Read-Only Memory RAM
chip
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RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY (RAM) RAM is short-term, temporary memory where
data is processed while a program is running. The more programs you have running, the
more RAM you are using. This type of memory loses any data it holds if
the computer is shut down.
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READ-ONLY MEMORY (ROM) ROM is permanent memory placed on the
motherboard by the manufacturer and contains instructions, such as BIOS ROM, that tell the computer how to start itself.
This data cannot be accessed or modified by application programs.
The contents of this memory are not lost when the computer is shut down.
HOW INFORMATION IS STORED Data is stored in a computer in binary
format as a series of 1s and 0s. Every 1 or 0 is a bit of information.
Data is stored in a series of 8-bit combinations called a byte.
8 bits (01101101) = 1 byte
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HARD DRIVE Hard disks are large-capacity and fast-access
storage devices. Most data on a computer is stored here. Hard disks are usually built into the
computer’s case. Early computers had a storage capacity of
about 20MB, but now hard drives of 60GB or more are common.
HARDWAREPhysical parts of the computer that you can see and touch
SOFTWAREInstructions for the computerPrograms
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INPUT AND OUTPUT DEVICES Input devices: enable a user to input
data and commands to the computer to be processed.
Output devices: enable the computer to give or show you the results of its processing.
Some devices, such as a modem, can perform both input and output operations.
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EXAMPLES OF INPUT DEVICES Keyboard Mouse Voice recognition devices Scanners Joysticks
Cell phone Touch display screen Digital cameras Video camera
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ONE OUTPUT DEVICE — PRINTERS The most popular types of printers are
Laser: Produce images using the same techniques as copier machines
Ink-Jet: Use fine nozzles to spray ink onto the page as the paper passes through
Dot matrix: Work similarly to a typewriter in that ink is transferred to the paper by some part of the printer striking a ribbon to transfer an image.
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OTHER OUTPUT DEVICESMonitorProjectors Speakers
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STORAGE DEVICES A place to save and store files Examples:
Hard drive (can’t take with you)Flash driveFloppy diskCDiPod
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TYPICAL PC PORT ARRANGEMENT
USB (UNIVERSAL SERIAL BUS)Most popular type of plug on computers
Used for printer, keyboard, mouse, scanner, iPod, flash drives and many more
VIRUSA program created to cause harm to other computers
Viruses can be used to ruin a computer or steal personal information
How can you get a virus?
HACKERSomeone that breaks into
computer networks or steals personal information
Could be someone that creates a virus
FIREWALLA program to prevent hackers from stealing information from your computer
Sometimes it needs to be disabled to install new programs
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TYPES OF SOFTWAREThere are literally thousands of software
programs you can buy, but all of them can be grouped into one of two categories:
Applications software Systems software
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APPLICATIONS SOFTWARE Application software consists of programs
that were created to perform a specific task. Application software is also called
productivity software.
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APPLICATIONS SOFTWARE (CONT.) The most common types of application
software areWord-processing programsSpreadsheet softwarePresentation softwareDatabase softwareWeb browsersGames
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SYSTEMS SOFTWARE Systems software refers to the programs
that are used to manage computer system resources.
Systems software coordinates and controls the resources and operations of the computer itself.
The three categories of systems software areOperating systemsUtility programsLanguage translators
GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE (GUI) Having
graphics and icons on the screen to click
On older computers, you used to have to type commands. No icons!