FIRST COURSE Essential Computer Concepts

New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 2 Objectives Compare the types of computers Describe the components of a computer system Describe input and output peripheral devices Examine data representation and the ASCII code Define memory and storage Identify the hardware and software that are used for data communications and to establish a network connection

New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 3 What Is a Computer? A computer is an electronic device that accepts information and instructions from a user, manipulates the information according to the instructions, displays the information in some way, and stores the information for retrieval later

New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 4 Types of Computers

Computer Hardware Central Processing Unit - also called “The Chip”, a CPU, a processor, or a microprocessor Memory (RAM) Storage Devices Input Devices Output Devices View an animated illustration on how integrated circuits or “chips” are made. how integrated circuits how integrated circuits

New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 6 Computer Systems Includes computer hardware and software – Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer – Software refers to the intangible components of a computer system, particularly the programs, or lists of instructions, the computer needs to perform a specific task The design and construction of the hardware of a particular computer is referred to as its architecture or configuration The technical details about each component are called specifications

New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 7 Processing Hardware The motherboard is the main electronic component of the computer. The microprocessor, or CPU, is one of the most important pieces of processing hardware on the motherboard Cards are removable circuit boards

New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 8 Input and Output The data or instructions you type into the computer are called input. The result of the computer processing your input is referred to as output. Peripheral devices - accomplish input and output functions.

New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 9 Input Devices You use an input device, such as a keyboard or a mouse, to input data and issue commands, examples: – Keyboard Ergonomic – Pointing device Controls the pointer Mouse – Scroll wheel Trackball Touch pad Pointing stick – Scanner

New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 10 Output Devices Output devices show you the results of processing data – Monitor Flat panel LCD CRT – Printer Laser Inkjet Dot matrix

Types of Devices Digital versus Analog A digital device uses discrete data. Each bit of information is separate from each other bit. -Ex: Numbers or digits. Most computers today are digital. Their circuits have only two possible states, such as “Off” and “On” or “0” and “1”. Intel's website Intel's website

New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 12 Data Representation Binary digits (bits) A series of eight bits is called a byte – Kilobyte (KB or K) – Gigabyte (GB) – Terabyte (TB) ASCII – American Standard Code for Information Interchange

New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 13 Binary is like Braille, except that you have 8 dots, instead of 6

Types of Devices Digital versus Analog An analog device operates on continuously varying data. Continuously varying data has an infinite number of possible states.

Types of Devices Digital versus Analog A digital thermometer will give a specific numerical reading when used to measure someone’s body temperature. An old fashioned mercury thermometer’s reading of someone’s body temperature could be interpreted differently by different users.

New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 16 Memory Random access memory (RAM) – Volatile memory – SDRAM Cache memory (RAM cache or CPU cache) Virtual memory

Memory (RAM) RAM or Random Access Memory “Waiting room” for computer’s CPU. Holds instructions for processing data, processed data, and raw data. Ram is measured by: – Capacity (in Megabytes or Gigabytes) – Speed (in Nanoseconds)

Memory (RAM) Amount of RAM installed will determine. – Which software applications will run (efficiently)? – How many software applications can be open simultaneously (multitasking ability)? RAM upgrades are cost-effective and easy to install. Check your computer manual for RAM type (DIMM, SDRAM) and speed (100, 90ns).

New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 19 Memory Read-only memory (ROM) – BIOS – Nonvolatile memory Complementary metal oxide semiconductor memory (CMOS) Semi-permanent memory

New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 20 Storage Media A computer file is a named collection of stored data An executable file contains the instructions that tell a computer how to perform a specific task, usually ends with “.exe” A data file is created by a user

New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 21 Storage Media Magnetic media – Hard disk

New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 22 Storage Media Flash memory – Flash memory cards – USB flash storage device – USB drive (flash drive)