Computer Basics

General Science and Ability

By
Mian Shafiq

The Role of Computers

In Business and Industry

In Publication Field

In Education Field

In Government Organizations

In Medical Field

In Science Field

In Entertainment Field

Hardware and Software: The Basics

IT is any computer-based tool that:

People use to work with information

Support the information and information-processing
needs of an organization

Hardware physical aspects of computers,

telecommunications, and other information
technology devices

Example: Keyboard, monitor

Software -a general term for the various kinds

of programs used to operate computers and
related devices

Example: Microsoft Excel

Six Categories of Hardware

Input Device
Output device
Storage device
Central processing unit (CPU)
Telecommunications device
Connecting device

Parts of a Computer
1.

Input Devices (Keyboard, Mouse, etc.)

2.

Output Devices (Monitor, Speakers, etc.)

3.

Central Processing Unit (CPU) and memory

4.

Motherboard (Circuit Board)

5.

Expansion Cards (Video Card, Sound Card, or

NIC)

6.

Hard Drive Ports and Connections (USB,

Firewire, etc.)

Parts of a Computer
Input Devices

Mouse

Keyboard

Microphone

Scanner

Webcam

Parts of a Computer
Output Devices

Monitor

Printer

Speaker/Headphone

Parts of a Computer
Central Processing Unit (CPU)

A device that interprets and runs the

commands that you give to the computer.

Also referred to as the processor.

Two major brands are Intel and AMD.

Examples: Intel Core 2 Duo, AMD Turion X2

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

CPU - the actual hardware that interprets and executes

the program instructions and coordinates how all the other
hardware devices work together.
Control unit - interprets software instructions and tells
the other hardware devices what to do, based on the
software instructions
Arithmetic/logic unit (ALU) - performs all arithmetic
operations and all logic operations
CPU Speed
Megahertz (MHz) - the number of millions of CPU
cycles per second
Gigahertz (GHz) - the number of billions of CPU cycles
per second

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Parts of a Computer
Memory

Memory is where information is stored

and retrieved by the CPU.

There are two main types of memory:

Random Access Memory (RAM): It is
the main memory and allows you to
temporarily store commands and
data.

Read Only Memory (ROM): It is the

memory that retains its contents even
after the computer is turned off.

Read only memory

Random access memory

Read-only memory or ROM is also

a form of data storage that
cannot be easily altered or
reprogrammed

Random access memory or RAM is a

form of data storage that can be
accessed randomly at any time, in
any order and from any physical
location.
RAM is a volatile memory

ROM is a permanent memory

ROM
stores
the
programme RAM allows the computer to read
required to initially boot the data quickly to run applications. It
computer. It only allows reading. allows reading and writing.
The types of ROM include PROM, The two main types of RAM are static
EPROM and EEPROM.
RAM and dynamic RAM.
ROM is the memory that comes
with computer that is pre-written
to hold the instructions for
booting up the computer.

RAM is the memory available for the

operating system, programmes and
processes to use when the computer
is running.

ROM will retain data without the RAM requires a flow of electricity to
flow of electricity (e.g. when retain data (e.g. the computer
computer is powered off).
powered on).

Parts of a Computer
Storage Devices

Hard Disk

Flash Drive

CD-ROM

DVD-ROM

Software

Software contains the instructions that

the hardware executes to perform an
information processing task
Without the aid of software, the
computer hardware is useless
Two categories of software

Application
System

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Application Software

Application software is used for specific

information processing needs, including:
Payroll
Customer

relationship management
Project management
Training
Word processing and many others

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Application Software (continued)

Personal productivity software :

used to perform personal tasks such as
writing a memo, creating a graph, or
creating a slide presentation
Examples:
Microsoft

Word
Microsoft Excel
Internet Explorer
Quicken
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Programs
o The hardware and the operating system
together are referred to as a platform.
o Programs, also called applications, use this
platform to perform tasks.
o There are many types of programs:
Type of Software

Sample Task

Web browsers

Conduct Internet research

Instant messaging

Communicate with friends

E-mail

Send a file to your teacher

Word processing

Write a letter, paper, or essay

Presentation

Create a slide show

Spreadsheet

Make calculations

Database

Organize and access large amounts of information, such as

at a library

System Software

System software controls how the various

technology tools work together along with the
application software

Operating System controls application

software and manages how the hardware
devices work together
Example:

Microsoft Windows XP Home,

Mac OS, Linux

Utility
Uninstaller

software, spyware software

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Operating Systems

Some popular operating systems are:

Microsoft Windows - for PCs

Mac OS - for Apple computers
Linux - for very large network computers
Handheld operating systems - for PDAs,
MP3 players, and cell phones

What

Is a GUI?
Nearly all modern operating systems use a
graphical user interface (GUI). This lets
users click on images or text on the screen
instead of having to type commands.

Hardware

Software

Tangible parts of the computer Collection of instructions that

form hardware
enables a user to interact with
the computer.
Hardware starts functioning once To deliver its set of instructions,
software is loaded.
Software
is
installed
on
hardware.
Hardware
stays
at
steady Software needs constant testing
reliability level in useful life.
after upgrades.
Hardware
failure
is
random. Software failure is systematic.
Hardware does have increasing Software does not have an
failure at the last stage.
increasing failure rate.
Hardware wears out over time.
Hardware can be classified into
input, storage, processing, and
output devices.
Its
examples
are
CD-ROM,
monitor, printer, video card,
scanners, routers and modems.

Software does not wear out over

time.
Software can be classified into
System software, Programming
software,
and
Application
software.
Its examples are Quick books,
Adobe
Acrobat,
Internet
Explorer , Microsoft Word ,

Computer Categories

Personal digital assistant

(PDA):
a small hand-held computer
that performs simple tasks
Notebook computer:
a fully functional computer
designed to be carried around
Tablet computer:
a pen-based computer that
provides the screen capabilities
of a PDA with the functional
capabilities of a notebook

Computer Categories (continued)

Desktop computer
Minicomputer - designed to meet the computing
needs of several people simultaneously in a small
to medium-size business environment
Mainframe computer - designed to meet the
computing needs of hundreds of people in a large
business environment
Supercomputers - the fastest, most powerful,
and most expensive type of computer

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Data
Programs process data that you provide as input
to your computer.
o

Data can be in the form of text, graphics, audio,

or video depending on the type of program.
o

Program processes the data and displays the

output on the screen.
o

You can save this output in a file.

The file can be an audio file, a text file, a

graphics file, or a video file.
o

Bits
Bits

are the individual zeros and ones that are stored

by computers.
A Bit can have two different states (0 or 1), and is a
single digit long.
Any system that has two states can be thought of as
a bit:
0 or 1
off or on
yes or no
true or false
high or low
open or closed

Bytes
A

Byte is a group of eight Bits grouped together.

Questions