1. Objectives
Define Computer and Identify the Four Basic Computing Functions
Identify the Different Types of Computers
Describe Hardware Devices and Their Uses
Prepared by: Izzedin Matar & Suhair Al-Haj Hassan

2. Objectives Identify Types of Software and Their Uses
Describe Networks and Define Network Terms
Identify Safe Computing Practices
Prepared by: Izzedin Matar & Suhair Al-Haj Hassan

3. Define Computer and Identify the Four Basic Computing Functions
Benefits of becoming computer fluent
Attractive to potential employers
Makes you a knowledgeable consumer
Easier to select the right computer for your needs
Puts you in a better position to understand and use the technology of tomorrow
Prepared by: Izzedin Matar & Suhair Al-Haj Hassan

4. Define Computer and Identify the Four Basic Computing Functions
Computer is a programmable electronic device that can input, process, retrieve, and store data
A computer takes data and converts it into information
Data
Represents a single fact or idea; can be word, number, sound, picture
Information
Data processed so it can be presented in a meaningful and organized way
Prepared by: Izzedin Matar & Suhair Al-Haj Hassan

5. Define Computer and Identify the Four Basic Computing Functions
Information processing cycle of a computer
Input – Computer gathers data or allows a user to add data
Processing – Data is converted into information
Output – Data or information is retrieved from the computer
Storage – Data or information is stored for future use
Prepared by: Izzedin Matar & Suhair Al-Haj Hassan

6. Identify the Different Types of Computers
Although computers come in a variety of sizes and shapes, the basic components required to complete the information processing cycle must be present in them all
There are four basic types of computers: supercomputers, mainframes, minicomputers, and microcomputers
Prepared by: Izzedin Matar & Suhair Al-Haj Hassan
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7. Identify the Different Types of Computers
Supercomputers –
Large, powerful computers devoted to specialized tasks
Fastest and most expensive of all computers
Perform sophisticated mathematical calculations, track weather patterns, monitor satellites, and perform other complex, dedicated tasks
Prepared by: Izzedin Matar & Suhair Al-Haj Hassan

8. Identify the Different Types of Computers
Mainframe computers –
Large computers often found in businesses and colleges, where thousands of people use the computer to process data
They Multitask, as they can perform more than one task at the same time
This capability is one of the primary ways mainframes differ from supercomputers
Prepared by: Izzedin Matar & Suhair Al-Haj Hassan

9. Identify the Different Types of Computers
Mainframe computers –
Stores vast amounts of data using a variety of storage devices
Early mainframe computers were very large and required separate rooms to house them
Today’s mainframe computers are significantly smaller
Prepared by: Izzedin Matar & Suhair Al-Haj Hassan

10. Identify the Different Types of Computers
Minicomputers –
Used in medium-sized businesses that have smaller data storage requirements than businesses using mainframe computers
Are less common now because of the increased capabilities of microcomputers
Desktop computers that sit on your desktop, floor, table, or other flat surface and have a detachable keyboard, mouse, monitor and other pieces of equipment
Prepared by: Izzedin Matar & Suhair Al-Haj Hassan

11. Identify the Different Types of Computers
Microcomputers –
Are the smallest of the four categories of computers and the one that most people typically use
Range in size from servers that have a storage capability of minicomputers (and small mainframes) to handheld devices that fit in your pocket
Prepared by: Izzedin Matar & Suhair Al-Haj Hassan

12. Identify the Different Types of Computers
Microcomputers – smallest type of computers
Desktop computers sit on your desktop, floor, table, or other flat surface and have a detachable keyboard, mouse, monitor and other pieces of equipment. Also called Personal Computers (PCs)
Notebook computers, also called laptops, which are mobile
Tablet computers, similar to notebooks but screen can be written on with a special pen called a stylus
Personal digital assistants (PDAs) or handheld computers contain calendars, contact information, and many can also play music, take photos, access the Internet, and make phone calls
Prepared by: Izzedin Matar & Suhair Al-Haj Hassan

13. Identify the Different Types of Computers
Figure 1.2 –
Prepared by: Izzedin Matar & Suhair Al-Haj Hassan
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14. Understand the Terms Intelligent and Dumb Terminal
An intelligent terminal, for example a PC: -
Performs a lot of the processing locally
You could use a PC, linked to a mainframe
A dumb terminal: -
Has very limited processing capabilities itself, but allows you to connect to a large powerful computer such as a mainframe.
When you process your data from the dumb terminal, it is the mainframe at the other end of the network that is performing all the calculations.
Prepared by: Izzedin Matar & Suhair Al-Haj Hassan

15. Describe Hardware Devices and Their Uses
Hardware is the computer and any equipment connected to it
Hardware devices are the physical components of the computer
Items such as the monitor, keyboard, mouse, and printer are also known as peripherals because they attach to the computer
Prepared by: Izzedin Matar & Suhair Al-Haj Hassan

16. Describe Hardware Devices and Their Uses
The computer itself is known as the system unit, and contains many of the critical hardware and electrical components
The system unit is sometimes referred to as the tower, box, or console
Prepared by: Izzedin Matar & Suhair Al-Haj Hassan

17. Describe Hardware Devices and Their Uses
Figure 1.3 –
Prepared by: Izzedin Matar & Suhair Al-Haj Hassan
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18. Describe Hardware Devices and Their Uses
System Unit
If you remove the cover from the system unit, you find several key components inside
One of the most essential components is the microprocessor chip, also known as the central processing unit (CPU)
The CPU is located on the motherboard, a large printed circuit board to which all the other circuit boards in the computer are connected
Prepared by: Izzedin Matar & Suhair Al-Haj Hassan

19. Describe Hardware Devices and Their Uses
System Unit
The CPU is the brain of the computer and is responsible for controlling all the commands and tasks the computer performs
Two main parts – the control unit and the arithmetic logic unit (ALU)
The control unit is responsible for obtaining instructions from the computer’s memory, and then interprets and executes them
Prepared by: Izzedin Matar & Suhair Al-Haj Hassan

20. Describe Hardware Devices and Their Uses
System Unit
Arithmetic logic unit, or ALU, performs all the arithmetic and logic functions for the computer
Handles addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, and also makes logical and comparison decisions
This allows the CPU to perform tasks such as sorting data alphabetically or numerically, and filtering data to locate specific criteria
Prepared by: Izzedin Matar & Suhair Al-Haj Hassan

21. Describe Hardware Devices and Their Uses The Motherboard
Figure 1.4 –
Prepared by: Izzedin Matar & Suhair Al-Haj Hassan
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22. Describe Hardware Devices and Their Uses
Motherboard/system board
Main computer circuit board; connects all components
CPU
Gets data from memory and processes it
Memory (RAM) chips
Temporary holding area where data is stored – RAM means Random Access Memory
Prepared by: Izzedin Matar & Suhair Al-Haj Hassan

23. Describe Hardware Devices and Their Uses
System Unit
The CPU’s power is measured by the speed at which it can process data, known as the clock speed
Clock speed is measured in either megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz), depending upon the age of the CPU
Prepared by: Izzedin Matar & Suhair Al-Haj Hassan

24. Describe Hardware Devices and Their Uses
System Unit
Memory is another critical computer component found within the system unit
Two types of memory: ROM and RAM
ROM, or Read Only Memory, is prerecorded on a chip
Information on a ROM chip can’t be changed, removed, or rewritten
Nonvolatile memory -- it retains its contents even if the computer is turned off
ROM is used to store critical information such as the program used to start up, or boot the computer (Like ROM- BIOS)
Prepared by: Izzedin Matar & Suhair Al-Haj Hassan

25. Describe Hardware Devices and Their Uses
System Unit
The second type of memory is RAM
RAM acts as the computer’s short-term memory and stores data temporarily as it is being processed
RAM is considered to be volatile because this memory is erased when the computer is turned off
The more tasks your computer performs at the same time, the more memory is used
Prepared by: Izzedin Matar & Suhair Al-Haj Hassan

26. Describe Hardware Devices and Their Uses
System Unit
Installing new memory is one of the cheapest and easiest upgrades
RAM is usually measured in gigabytes (GB)
For newer systems, a minimum of 1 GB to 4 GB is recommended
Prepared by: Izzedin Matar & Suhair Al-Haj Hassan