1. Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th edition
Unit D: Digital Electronics and File Management

2. Objectives Discuss data representation Introduce integrated circuits
Explore processors
Explore computer memory: RAM
Explore other types of computer memory
Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition
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3. Objectives (continued)
Explore file management
Examine folders
Explore computer files
Work with files
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4. Discussing Data Representation
Form in which data is stored, processed, output, and transmitted
Binary number system
Has only two digits: 0 and 1
Digital data
Text, numbers, graphics, sound, and video that has been converted into 0s and 1s
Each 0 or 1 is one binary digit, or bit
Byte: a series of eight bits
Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition
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5. Discussing Data Representation (continued)
Digitized images are a series of colored dots, called pixels
Each pixel is assigned a binary number based on the color of that pixel
Digital sound files
To digitize sound:
Sample an analog sound wave at various points
Convert those points into digital numbers
Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

6. Figure D-3: Digitizing sound
Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition
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7. Introducing Integrated Circuits
Integrated circuit (IC)
An incredibly thin slice of semiconducting material (or semiconductor)
Are packed with microscopic circuit elements
Also called computer chip, microchip, and chip
Chip packages vary in shape and size
DIP (dual inline package)
DIMM (dual inline memory module)
PGA (pin-grid array)
Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

8. Figure D-4: An integrated circuit
Figure D-5: Packaging for integrated circuits
Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

9. Introducing Integrated Circuits (continued)
Integrated circuits are connected to the motherboard
Motherboard: computer’s main circuit board
Processor: one type of chip or integrated circuit
CPU (central processing unit): the main processor in a personal computer
Intel is the world’s largest chipmaker
AMD (Advanced Micro Devices) is Intel’s chief rival in the PC chip market
Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

10. Figure D-6: Chips on a motherboard
Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

11. Exploring Processors Central processing unit (CPU)
Contains the circuitry to perform the central processing tasks of the computer
Clock speed: pace at which processor executes instructions
Bus: electronic pathway that carries electronic signals between electronic parts
Bus speed: identifies how fast electronic signals move along the bus pathway
Word size: number of bits that a processor can manipulate at one time
Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

12. Exploring Processors (continued)
Cache: high-speed memory that a processor can access more rapidly
Instructions for processors
Source code: human-readable version of a program
Translation of source code into 0s and 1s:
Done by a compiler or an interpreter
Overclocking: a technique for increasing the speed of a computer part
Very risky
Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

13. Exploring Computer Memory: RAM
RAM (random access memory)
Holds operating system instructions that control the basic functions of a computer
Also a temporary holding area for:
Program instructions
Data waiting to be processed, displayed, or printed
Results of processing until they can be stored more permanently
Performance of a computer is directly related to how much RAM is available
Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

14. Exploring Computer Memory: RAM (continued)
How RAM works
Content of RAM is changed by changing the charge of capacitors
Capacitors: hold the bits that represent data
RAM differs from hard drive storage
RAM is temporary storage
Important to have the most RAM possible
RAM speed
Faster RAM generally means faster performance
Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

15. Figure D-16: How RAM works
Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

16. Exploring Other Types of Computer Memory
Virtual memory: an area of the hard drive
Used when RAM is reaching its capacity
ROM (read-only memory): memory that holds the computer’s startup routine
Permanent and nonvolatile
RAM is temporary and volatile
Contains the bootstrap program, which:
Tells a computer what to do during the boot process
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17. Exploring Other Types of Computer Memory (continued)
Boot process
Six major events take place:
Power up
Start boot program
Power-on self-test
Identify peripheral devices
Load operating system
Check configuration and customization
Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

18. Exploring Other Types of Computer Memory (continued)
ROM BIOS (basic input/output system)
A small set of instructions stored in ROM
EE PROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory)
A nonvolatile chip that requires no power to hold data
Holds computer configuration settings, such as:
Date and time, hard drive capacity, number of CD/DVD/BD drives, RAM capacity
Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

19. Exploring File Management
Computer file (or file): a named collection of data that exists on a storage medium
Folder: a logical representation of where you store your files on a computer
File specification (or a path): identifies a computer file’s location
Most operating systems provide file management programs
Windows provides Windows Explorer
Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

20. Figure D-24: Files are stored in folders
Figure D-25: A file specification
Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

21. Figure D-26: Windows Explorer
Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

22. Examining Folders To create a new folder: To work with folders:
Use New Folder button of Windows Explorer
To work with folders:
Select the folder(s), then copy, move, rename, or delete
Folder Properties dialog box
Provides general information about files and folders stored in that folder
Folder Options dialog box
Used to view or change a folder’s options
Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

23. Figure D-31: Properties dialog box for My Documents folder
Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

24. Exploring Computer Files
Filename: identifies a file
Must adhere to filenaming conventions
Save and Save As commands
Save command: saves a file using its current name and location
Save As command: allows you to select a name and storage device for a file
File extension (or filename extension)
Separated from main filename by a period
File formats
Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

25. Exploring Computer Files (continued)
Possible reasons for problems opening a file:
Don’t have the software application needed
File might have been damaged
File extension might have been changed
File might use a file format for a newer version of the software than you have
Other information stored with files:
File size
Measured in bytes, kilobytes, or megabytes
File date
Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

26. Working with Files Use descriptive names Maintain file extensions
Group similar files and consider using the default folders
Do not mix data files and program files
Do not store programs or data files in the root directory (C:\) of hard drive
Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

27. Working with Files (continued)
Be aware of storage locations
Organize your folders from the top down
Access files from the hard drive
Follow copyright rules
Delete or archive files you no longer need
Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

28. Talking Points: Is Your Computer Making You Sick?
Radiation risks
Repetitive stress injuries
Can be avoided by following ergonomic guidelines
Ergonomics: study of safe and efficient environments, particularly working environments
Eye strain
Back pain
Sedentary lifestyle
Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

29. Figure D-41: Ergonomic workstation guidelines
Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

30. Summary This chapter introduced: Data representation
Integrated circuits
Computer memory
How computers create and store data in files and folders
Practical information about how to organize and manage files
Issues that may affect the health and well-being of computer users
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