INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
ABOUT COMPUTERS
 WHAT DOES A COMPUTER DO?
• Performs four basic operations:
– Input
– Process
– Output
– Storage
• These operations comprise the INFORMATION PROCESSING
CYCLE:
– Changing data into useable information and storing it for
future use.
– All computer processing requires data.
• DATA is a collection of unprocessed items
 INFORMATION PROCESSING
• Putting data in useable form is INFORMATION PROCESSING
• The system or group of devices and procedures that
changes data into a useable form is called an INFORMATION
SYSTEM
• Data that enters the system is known as INPUT
• Data in useful information that leaves the system is known
as OUTPUT or processed information
• Steps set up to make sure everything that should be done to
the data is called PROCESSING

INPUT PROCESSING OUTPUT

 1ST STEP --- INPUT
• Data to be processed or RAW DATA
• Raw data written on forms is known as
SOURCE DOCUMENTS
 2ND STEP ---- PROCESSING
• Calculating arithmetic, making comparisons
(graphs & charts), sorting in desired order
• Each step toward the desired result MUST
be completed in a specific and correct
order or desired results will not occur
 3rd STEP --- OUTPUT

• Information displayed to the user on the

monitor or paper
• Output can be stored on a storage device
such as a diskette
 COMPUTER HARDWARE
• Equipment that makes up the computer
hardware fit into five categories:
– INPUT DEVICES
– PROCESSOR
– AUXILIARY STORAGE
– MAIN MEMORY
– OUTPUT DEVICES
• Setup remains same regardless of computer
size
 FIVE CATEGORIES
MAIN
MEMORY

INPUT OUTPUT
DEVICES PROCESSOR DEVICES

AUXILIARY
STORAGE
 INPUT UNIT
• Accepts data from outside world.
• Converts data into binary form acceptable to the
machine.
• Send data in binary form to computer for further
processing.
 INPUT DEVICES

• Used to feed data into the computer

– Keyboard – most common
– Mouse – selects, moves or draws items on
screen
 THE SYSTEM UNIT
• Computer system unit that receives and carries out the series of
instructions known as a PROGRAM
• The MOTHERBOARD, sometimes called the system board, is the main circuit
board of the system unit.
– The processor, memory and expansion slots are some of the electronic
components that are attached to the motherboard.
– The sound card and video card are adapter cards that enhance the
system with add-on products.
• All systems regardless of size have a PROCESSOR or CPU -central processing
unit
• Processing circuits are in one piece known as an integrated circuit “chip”.
• Other “chips” support the work of the processor chip in a variety of ways.
 MAIN MEMORY
• Data/instructions processed by a computer do not
remain on the processor “chip”.
• Data/instructions are stored in memory chips.
• Memory consists of “chips” on a memory module
that fits in a slot on the motherboard

• Groups of memory chips make up main memory or

main storage.
• Data being processed spends most of its time in
memory.
 MAIN MEMORY CONT’D
• Data/instructions are stored as electronic
impulses in specific locations in memory.
• Memory is like a post office with mail boxes
• These mailboxes have a number known as its
NUMERIC ADDRESS.
• A memory chip may be either RAM or ROM
memory.
 MAIN MEMORY CONT’D
• RAM (Random Access Memory) is used as
temporary storage while processing is done
– This memory is “volatile” --- its contents are lost when the
computer is turned off.
– Amount of RAM is measured in units called “bytes”
• One byte is amount of memory to store one character – typically
in “kilo” (1,000), “mega” (million), or “giga”(billion) – 512Mg
represents 512 million characters
• ROM (Read only memory) holds data permanently
– “nonvolatile” – its contents are not lost when the
computer is turned off.
– Stores instructions to start computer and since it is “Read-
Only” new information cannot be added to this type of
memory
 STORAGE DEVICES
• Auxiliary storage devices hold data outside the memory of the computer as long as
the user needs.
• Four common types of storage devices are:
– Magnetic disks (two types – floppy and hard disks)
– Optical discs – CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD – written on and read by a laser
– Tape – primarily used for long-term storage and backup
– Miniature mobile storage media (USB flash drives)
• Disks have to be FORMATTED (dividing the disk into “tracks” and “sectors” so the
computer can locate the information on the disk)
• A diskette is made of flexible, magnetic plastic and frequently referred to as a
“floppy”. The diskette is 3.5” and holds 1.44Mg of data.
• Recently CD’s have become a storage device for new computers that have CD
“burners” which records or “burns” data onto round, 4.5” disks that hold 600Mg or
more of data.
 OUTPUT DEVICES
• A computer MUST have at least one output device
• It records, prints, or displays information into
useable form.
• The most frequently used output devices are the
Video Display or Monitor and the Printer.
– Inkjet printers
– Laser printers
– Speed of printers determined by number of ppm – pages
per minute
 SYSTEM SOFTWARE
• Hardware is the physical equipment parts of the
computer.
• There are steps to follow to process data entered
into a computer. These steps are known as a
Program.
• Programs in general are known as Software.
– Control the operations of computer equipment
• There are 3 basic categories of software:
– Operating System Software
– Utility Software
– Application Software
 Need For Operating System
To make computer system convenient to use
To use computer hardware in an efficient
manner
It decides
How to do?
What to do?
When to do?
 Functions of Operating System
• Processor Management
– Keep track of processor
– Decide which job should use the processor
– Allocate Processor
– De-allocate Processor
• File Management
– Keep track of files
– Decide which job should use the file and for what purpose
– Allocate the file for use
– De-allocate file after use
 OPERATING SYSTEM SOFTWARE
• Consists of programs necessary to keep the
hardware functioning.
• It sets up and maintains communication between
the processor, auxiliary storage, input devices,
and output devices.
• It controls copying of data and feeds data to the
processor
• When computer is turned on, the operating
system is loaded from the auxiliary storage. This
process is called “BOOTING”
• Most operating systems have GUI (graphical user
interface) or icon symbols to help user.
 UTILITY SOFTWARE
• A Utility program is a program that performs
routine jobs.
• Usually part of the system’s software, but can
be bought separately with additional
capabilities.
– Firewall software and Virus Protection software
– Norton’s Disk Doctor
– Scandisk and Defragmenter (part of the system that
is used frequently to “clean” the hard drive and fix
errors)
 Anti Virus e.g., Norton,
File Management tools
Compression tools
Disk Management tools ( Disk Cleanup, Disk
Fragmentor, Backup)
 APPLICATION SOFTWARE
• Programs designed to solve specific problems for the user.
• Application software are available for almost any task
imaginable.
– Computerized banking (Quicken, QuickBooks)
– Word Processing, spreadsheet, database programs
– Graphing programs
– DeskTop Publishing programs
• Integrated software combines several of these into one
program
– Microsoft Office Suite
– Corel WordPerfect Suite
 APPLICATION SOFTWARE

Word Processor
Presentation tools
Spreadsheet Package
Database Management System
Business Software ( ex: School Management System,
Inventory Management System, Payroll System, Financial
Accounting, Hotel Management, Reservation System)