1. Computer Basics - Concepts

2. Objectives Define Computers Explore Computer Functions
Computer System & its Parts
Categorize Computers
Introduce Application and System Software
Explore data, information, files, and
File Management

3. A Computer is a device that performs 4 basic operations:
accepts input
processes data
stores data
produces output
all according to a series of stored instructions

4. Information Processing Cycle – IPOS also referred to as IPC
The four operations together –
Input
Processing
Output
Storage

5. Computer Functions Input: the action of receiving the data
Words, symbols, numbers, sound, pictures, program instructions
Process: the action done on the input to obtain information
Program calculates, sorts, and/or modifies data
Output: displaying results of processing
Reports, graphs, documents, pictures
Printer and/or Monitor
Store: Saving of the output for later use
Flash drives, tapes, media cards

6. Computer System consists of:
Hardware: microprocessor
Peripheral devices: input and output
Software: programs
Users

7. System Unit Power Supply Storage Devices Circuit Boards
Computer System: a collection of related components that have been designed to work together.

8. Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Designed to process instructions - on the
input data
ALU
arithmetic logic unit CU
control unit
Microprocessor

9. Platform Microprocessor + Operating system
Mac and PC compatibility is an issue
Mac now uses an Intel chip
Apple computer = Mac platform
Original IBM computer = Windows or PC platform

10. Input Devices Enable to you to enter data into the computer for
processing
Microphones
Scanner
Keyboard
Mouse

11. Output Devices
Enable users to see, hear, feel the results of processing operations
Printer
Monitor
Speakers/sound card

12. Memory - RAM Random Access Memory
Temporary (volatile) holding area for data, application software and operating system
Less storage than disk

13. Memory - ROM Read-Only Memory Permanent on a chip from manufacturer
Holds computer start up routine, which are hard-wired instructions

14. Storage Devices
Hard disk drive
CD-RW
DVD drive
Flash drive

15. Magnetic Storage Magnetizes microscopic particles on medium surface
Permanent, but modifiable
Read-write head
Not very durable
Ex: Hard disk, floppy disk, zip disk and tape

16. Optical Storage
Stores data as microscopic light and dark spots on disk surface
Pits and lands
Uses laser lights
More durable
Ex: CD, DVD, Blu-ray

17. Solid State Storage
Solid-state memory stores persistent data, using a microchip and contain no moving parts
USB flash drive
CompactFlash (CF) cards
high-end digital cameras
MultiMedia cards (MMC)
Smaller; mobile phones, pagers, cameras
SecureDigital (SD) cards
MP3 storage

18. Comparing Storage Devices
Versatility
versatile devices can access data from several different media; i.e., DVD drive – data DVDs, DVD movies, audio CDs, etc.
Durability
mishandling, environmental factors
Speed
access time
milliseconds (ms – thousandths of a second)
random versus sequential access

19. Storage Process Data copied from storage device to RAM
Processed in RAM
volatile (temporary) high speed storage
Data copied back to storage medium (permanent)
Storing data is writing/saving file
Retrieving data is reading/loading/opening file

20. Digital Data Representation
The form in which information is conceived, manipulated and recorded on a digital device.
Uses discrete digits/electronic signals
1,0 (bits - binary digits)
On/Off
Yes/No
Byte = 8 bits

21. Quantifying Bytes and Bits
Bit = b
Nibble = Half of a byte
Byte = B
Kilobyte (KB) (1024 bytes)
Megabyte (MB) (Million bytes)
Gigabyte (GB) (Billion bytes)
Terabyte (TB) (Trillion bytes)

22. Decimal – Binary Values
Prefix
Exponential
Numeric
Binary
Exponent
Kilo
103
1,024
210
Kibi
Mega
106
1,048,576
220
Mebi
Giga
109
1,073,741,824
230
Gibi
Tera
1012
1,099,511,627,776
240
Tebi
Peta
1015
1,125,899,906,842,624
250
Pebi
Exa
1018
1,152,921,504,606,846,976
260
Exbi
Zetta
1021
1,180,591,620,717,411,303,424
270
Zebi
Yotta
1024
1,208,925,819,614,629,174,706,176
280
Yobi

23. Coding Systems Depends on computer ASCII (7 bits)
Extended ASCII (8 bits - current PCs)
EBCDIC (8 bits - older IBM machines )
Unicode (16 bits - good for languages - future)

24. Categorizing Computers
Cost
Usage
Size
Capability
Convergence = integration of technology, on multifunction devices (i.e. smartphones)
Green Computing: eco-friendly: help save energy, efficient
Smart homes: auto control of lighting, heating, cooling, security, entertainment, and appliances

25. Less Powerful Computers
Handheld computer / Tablets
Microcomputer / Workstation
Videogame console

26. More Powerful Computers
Server
Supplies network computers with data
Mainframe
Large, expensive, powerful, many users
Reliability, data security, central control important
Supercomputer
Fastest and most powerful
Supercomputer processing speed of petaflop: over a million billion calculations per second

27. Software Categories
System Software
Application Software

28. System Software
Collection of programs written to provide the infrastructure, basic services, and hardware control that let other programs function properly
Helps the computer monitor itself in order to function efficiently

29. Systems Software: Operating Systems
Integrates and controls the computer’s internal functions and provides a way for the user to interact with the computer
DOS
Windows 7
MAC OS
Unix
Linux (open source software)

30. System Software examples
Device Drivers
Translator between the hardware device & an application program
Device Manager
System Utilities – Utility Programs
Work in tandem with the operating system and perform services that keep the computer system running smoothly
Antivirus protection, managing files
Programming Languages

31. Application Software
Sitting on top of the operating system and uses the computer’s capabilities to perform a task for the user
Word Processing
Spreadsheets
Database
Web browsers

32. Software
Computer program: a set of instructions that tells the hardware how to perform the operations in the information processing cycle to accomplish a task
main executable program (.exe)
Support module
called by the program (.dll)
Data module
Example: a dictionary file or a file that is not supplied by the user

33. License vs. Copyright
Software License: a legal contract that defines the ways in which you may use a computer program.
Copyright: a form of legal protection that grants the author of an original work an exclusive right to copy, distribute, sell and modify that work.
Software piracy: unauthorized copying or distribution
For contract to take effect:
Open a shrink-wrap license product
Agree to an installation agreement

34. Types of Copyrighted Software
Copy-protected: includes mechanisms to ensure no unauthorized copies of it
Shareware: copyrighted software that can be tried before you buy
Freeware: copyrighted software that can be freely copied but not sold for profit (Donationware)
Open Source: source code that is available for all to see & use - that can be changed - sold or free
Public Domain: free from copyright; can be copied, altered and resold – without charge, without acknowledging the source

35. Data: Binary number system to define electronic data 0 or 1 Bit
Byte (8 bits)

36. Data vs. Information Data: Information: Raw facts Used by the computer
Meaningful form
Used by people

37. Files Collection of data on a storage medium Data file (passive)
data.dat
Executable file (active)
pro.exe or pro.app
Filename and extension

38. Compression and Decompression of Files
Compressed files = Zipped files
Lossless compression
Original file is compressed so that it can be completely restored
Zipped files, GIF, PNG (Web only)
Lossy compression
Original file is processed so that some information is permanently removed from the file – eliminate information that is not perceivable
MP3, WMA, Jpeg – Joint Photographic Experts Group
Windows: WAV (Wave Sounds) & BMP (Bitmap) – compression is optional & tend to be very large files
MIDI – Musical Instrument Digital Interface are text files that contain a text-based descript

39. C:\Music\Reggae\Marley One Love.mp3
File Locations
Device drive letters A: C: D:
Directory
Root Directory (C:\)
Subdirectory or folder (C:\Documents)
File specification or Path
File size and date
Absolute file path
Filename extension
Filename
Secondary folder
Primary folder
Drive letter
C:\Music\Reggae\Marley One Love.mp3

40. Deleting Files
Move to Recycle Bin in Windows
Undelete
Empty Bin

41. File Management Helps you organize your computer files
File/Save and File/Open
Utilities like Windows Explorer or MAC Finder
list, find, move, copy, delete, rename
Save vs. Save As

42. File Manager
Program to organize and manage the files stored on devices
Windows Explorer
Mac Finder

43. Physical File Storage Organizes data in an efficient manner
Storage medium formatted into tracks /sectors electronically
File system keeps track of names and file locations.

44. Types
FAT (File Allocation Table) commonly found on disks, flash memory, media cards
NTFS (New Technology File System)
Windows used since Windows NT/XP; uses metadata