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Essential introduction to computers – Part 1

Essential introduction to computers – Part 1. Outline. Computers and computer literacy What is a computer? The information processing cycle Data versus information Components of a computer Input devices The central processing unit The main memory Output devices

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Essential introduction to computers – Part 1

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  1. Essential introduction to computers – Part 1

  2. Outline • Computers and computer literacy • What is a computer? • The information processing cycle • Data versus information • Components of a computer • Input devices • The central processing unit • The main memory • Output devices • Where does the power of a computer come from? • Hardware versus software

  3. Computers and computer literacy • Examples of computers? • Desktop, laptop, palmtop, … • Computer literacy: • Knowledge of the computer components • Knowledge of how a computer works • Knowledge of computer uses

  4. Bell Telephone Labs – Holmdel, NJ

  5. UNIX – Most Popular High End OS Ken invented UNIX in cooperation with Dennis and Dennis invented the C Programming Language Dennis Ritchie Ken Thompson

  6. UNIX – On A PDP-11 In 1971This was Dr. Brown’s First Ever “Personal Computer”.012 MB RAM!

  7. Moore’s Law Says It All

  8. What is a computer? • A computer is a programmable, multiuse machine that: • Accepts input • Processes it • Stores the processing results • Provides output • Communicates with others (For example: Other computers on a network such as the Internet)

  9. A desktop computer and other computer hardware

  10. The information processing cycle • Basic operations of a computer: • Input • Processing • Output • Secondary storage

  11. Data versus information • Data --> Facts • Information --> Meaning

  12. Components of a computer

  13. Components of a computer … • Five major categories of devices • Input devices • System unit -- Processing & memory (CPU & RAM) • Output devices • Storage devices • Communications devices • Note: Input, output, storage, and communications devices are also called peripheral devices

  14. Components of a computer ... • Examples of computer devices: • Input --> Keyboard; Mouse; Scanner • System unit --> CPU; Main Memory • Output --> CRT; Printer; Sound • Secondary storage --> Floppy Disk; Hard Disk; Magnetic Tape; Optical Disc (CD-ROM) • Communications -->Wired; Wireless; Modem

  15. Components of a computer ... – The keyboard • A typical keyboard has: • Standard typewriter keys -- QWERTY • Enter key or Return key • Cursor movement keys • Numeric keys • Function keys -- For frequent tasks • Special-purpose keys -- Backspace, Delete, Insert, Esc, Ctrl, and Alt. • The start key is used for accessing system resources in Windows.

  16. Standard Typewriter Keys Function Keys Numeric Keypad Keys The keyboard ... Special Purpose Keys Cursor Movement Keys

  17. Components of a computer ... – The mouse • The mouse is used with a Graphical User Interface (GUI). • Usage: • Rolled about on a desktop -- Directs a pointer on the screen. • Has a number of buttons (+a wheel). • Can be used to: click on an item or to drag it and drop it. • Types of mice: • Mechanical • Optical • Cordless

  18. Components of a computer ... – The Central Processing Unit CPU carries out instructions retrieved from main memory. C U CPU contains the CU and the ALU ALU Registers

  19. Components of a computer ... – The main memory • Also known as memory, primary storage, internal memory, or Random Access Memory (RAM). • It is the working storage or “working space”. • Holds data, instructions, and intermediate results.

  20. Components of a computer ... – CPU versus main memory

  21. Components of a computer ... – Printers • Impact printers: Dot matrix printers are the most common impact printers. • Non-impact printers: • Ink-jet printers • Laser printers • Measuring the speeds of different printers

  22. Components of a computer ... – Computer screens • Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) screens • Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screens • The pixel is the smallest unit of any screen image • Measuring the resolutions of different computer screens

  23. Where does the power of a computer come from? • Five factors make a computer powerful in carrying out its basic operations: • Speed • Reliability • Accuracy • Storage capacity • Ability to communicate with other computers

  24. Hardware versus software • Hardware  Circuitry and physical components • Software (also programs or computer programs) consist of step-by-step instructions that tell the computer how to perform tasks • Each program is written in a computer programming language • Most computers carry out the instructions of a program in a sequential manner (meaning one instruction after another until the whole program is completed)

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