About computers

What is a computer?
The computer is one of the most powerful innovations in human history. With the use of computers, people are suddenly able to perform a staggering amount of computations at dazzling speeds. Information can be crunched, organized, and displayed in the blink of an eye. As technology continues to advance, the computer will no doubt become even more pervasive and in many cases, likely even less recognizable. Computers are a communication tool. You send the computer messages (input), it receives and actions the message (process) and sends a message back to you (output). The messages are retained in the computers memory (storage). Different devices or parts of the computer are used to input, process, output and store information.

How computers work

The basic computer communication cycle

Process

Input

Output

Store

Input

An input device lets you communicate with a computer. A keyboard, a mouse or a touchscreen are examples of input devices The computer case contains the Central Processing Unit which is the main chip in a computer. The CPU processes instructions, performs calculations and manages the flow of information through the computer system. A printer, monitor or speakers are output devices. An output device lets a computer communicate with you.

Process

Output

Store

A storage device keeps a record of communication. Hard drives, CDs, memory (flash) sticks or memory cards are storage devices.

Types of Computers
Super computers
Super computers are extremely fast, large computers which can perform many complex calculations at once. Super computers are predominantly in use in Military or Governmental applications, and are used for computing everything from quantum physics to weather forecasting.

Sixteen racks of IBM's Blue Gene/L supercomputer can perform 70.7 trillion calculations per second.

Personal Computer

This is the type of computer which most people know. A personal computer is defined as a microcomputer, designed for the use of an individual. Personal computers may be in the form of Desktop computers (so called because the computer sits on or stands next to a desk), laptop computers, a hand held computer (a smaller all in one unit which is portable), or as a tablet PC. 2

Desktop computers

Desktop computers are most often found in business offices or educational settings. Desktop housing is fairly large, and has its parts connected by a series of wires. A desktop computer needs to be attached to an electricity supply in order to operate. The monitor, kekyboard or mouse are separate units, which plug into port extensions of electronic boards housed within the computer case. This means that fautly external devices can be replaced as needed. Additionally parts can be replaced inside the housing if faulty; or as technology advances (Computer upgrading). In Laptop computers, the monitor, keyboard and mouse are part of a unit that houses the central processing unit. The computer is powered by a battery pack, and a recharged laptop computer can operate without electricity for a number of hours. This makes laptop computers mobile and compact, thus easy to use. On the down side, if parts such as the screen or keyboard are faulty, the entire laptop needs to be replaced. However as laptop technology improves, problems occur less, and laptops are fast replacing desktop computers as the personal compuer standard.

Laptop computers

Tablet computers

Although Tablet computers were originally favoured for computerized graphic work, they are becoming more popular within business as a whole. A tablet consists of a flat touch screen, which is written on using a special pen, called a stylus, or by using finger touch. A key feature of many tablets is handwriting recognition software, which convert words created with mouse or stylus into digital characters. A number of tablets offer touch screen keyboards, and some have integrated keyboards for typing. There are many different handheld interactive devices that are personal computers. These devices make use of software and electronic hardware to input, process, and store and output information just like larger personal computers. Examples include cell phones, IPODs, GPSs and palmtop computers.

Handheld Computers

Embedded computers

A device which makes use of computer technology to streamline its operations and to offer electronic features is often referred to as an embedded computer. An embedded computer is essentially static in its function, and usually has only a few purposes. ATM machines, petrol pumps, and MP3 players are examples of devices with embedded computers.

Personal computers then and now.

Parts of a personal Computer

(THE VERY BASIC VERSION)

Hardware and software explained

Hardware and software are the two basic parts of a computer system. Hardware is any part of a computer that you can see and touch. Software is a set of electronic instructions that tell a computer what to do. You cannot touch software.

Hardware
The Computer The case refers to the form that houses the hardware elements needed for computing. In a standard PC the case Case
is a large hardened plastic structure, also commonly known as the box. Standard desktop configurations are either a desktop (your monitor sits on top of it) or vertical tower (your monitor sits to the side of it) case.

The Motherboard

In a standard PC, the base element is a motherboard, into which other electronic cards are plugged. These cards will allow you to process particular tasks. Common cards include a sound card or video card. These cards are removable and can be upgraded to suit the user. In smaller PCs and in Laptops, the motherboard has the other cards built in, which make upgrading or replacing individual elements impossible. The Central Processing Unit (or CPU) is the brain of the computer. It contains the chips and processor that do the computing process. The CPU is plugged into the motherboard.

The CPU Memory

Internal computer memory is known as RAM Random Access Memory. Together with the CPU memory enables the computer to carry out the tasks. RAM is short term memory that temporarily stores the instruction that must be processed. Increasing the RAM on a computer makes it able to perform more efficiently and quickly. The hard drive is the long term storage memory of a computer. It can store vast amounts of information. Application programs and the Computers Operating system as well as the Users files are stored on the Hard drive. The larger the hard drive, the more information can be stored. Storage space is measured in megabytes, gigabytes or Terabytes. 5

Hard drive

Peripheral Devices
What are peripheral devices?
Peripheral devise are the computer devices that are attached to the computer externally and transmit messages for processing via a system of cables and ports. Peripheral devices are sorted according to their functions.

Input Devices
Input devices
These allow the user of the PC to send messages to the computer for processing. The monitor or screen, the keyboard and mouse are examples of input devices. most cases. The keyboard is where you input most of your commands by typing, i.e. pressing the keys. When a key is pressed, an electronic board hidden under the keys sends a signal to the CPU. The standard windows keyboard for Desktop computers is a 104 key keyboard, with alphanumeric keys in a particular pattern for typing. This layout has been the standard since the evolution of typewriters. Keyboards in this layout are known as QWERTY keyboards, because the left uppermost row of alphabetical keys spells QWERTY. This keyboard layout can be difficult to learn, although QWERTY 10 finger typists can achieve astounding speeds of input and accuracy. Other keyboard layouts include the Dvorak keyboard and the single hand keyboard. The desktop computer keyboards also include a numeric keypad, F keys, which are programmable function keys and a set of labeled command keys. Laptop computers also make use of the QWERTY layout, but for many models a numeric keyboard is not included, and may be plugged in separately. Handheld PCs commonly use a multi characters telephone keypad.

The Keyboard The Keyboard is connected to the computer with a cable in

QWERTY keyboard layout

The mouse

The Mouse is a device to input commands to your computer. A cursor on the monitor represents the location of the mouse, and clicking a mouse button on a cursor indicated icon, sends an instruction to the computer. The mouses in use today are: Mechanical mouse contains a ball within a sphere containing optical senses. Moving the ball creates light patterns which send signals to the computer. Led mouse also used with a desktop PC, This mouse doesnt contain a ball. Movements of the mouse bounce laser signals to the computer. Trackball mouse. This is seen sometimes used on specialized graphic or embedded computers. It is basically an upside down mechanical mouse. Track pad. Usually seen in Laptops and handheld computers. Signals are sent to the computer via finger or stylus movements across the track pad.

Touch screens

The touch screen has a visual display which responds to the touch of a finger or pressing device called a stylus. It is found on embedded computer screens and hand held computers.

Output devices
Output devices Monitors
Output devices are the devices that are used to display the messages from the PC to the user. Printer, speaker and monitor are examples of the output devices. The Monitor looks like a TV screen. This is where you see the output of your computer. Some computers, like laptops, have built in monitors. Monitor resolution determines the quality of the image it portrays. The two types of monitors available today are CRT and LCD monitors CRT monitors Use Cathode-Ray Tube technology. This technology has been around for about 100 years, and is still in common use in Television Sets. Inside the monitor is a glass tube, containing phosphor dots. When an electron beam makes a pass across the back of the screen it lights up the active screen parts, and content is displayed on the front of the screen in the form of images. LCD monitors Liquid Crystal display monitors contain liquid crystals trapped between sheets of polarized glass. Electric signals cause the crystals to react, passing light through them, so that images are displayed on the screen. CRT monitors have a higher resolution capability than LCD monitors, but because they are big, bulky and heavy; screen LCD monitors are becoming the norm.

Printers

Printed information is output in the form of hard copy. The information is communicated from the computer to a printing device, via the printer software, and appears on paper in the form of text and graphic. A number of printers can be attached to a PC, and the output they provide varies according to the printer capabilities.

Dot Matrix printers These are the oldest form of printers in use today. A ribbon and printer head are used to set recognizable characters and images onto paper in the form of dots positioned closely together, These printers are used in business to print high volume documents, such as invoices. They use continuous feed paper which is rolled through the printer by sprocket feed. They can print in black or in a limited range of colours. Inkjet printers These are ideal for home or business use. Ink is contained in cartridges and is sprayed onto the paper through a system of jets, as determined by communication with the PC and the printer software. Inkjet printers use wet ink, and can print in black and colour.

Laser Printers. They use a heat transfer method to imprint the text and graphic onto the paper with dry ink. They provide a smooth high quality image. Laser printers are extremely fast, and are in high use by Corporates. Laser printers print in black or colour.

Speakers

Speakers may be plugged into a computer that contains a sound card. Program software routes the communication, in the form of audio to the speakers for output. Speakers are routinely used in gaming, music and VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) programs.

Portable storage.

Although the Hard drive can store a lot of information, portable storage is preferred for file back up and mobility. Portable storage can be in the form of External Hard Drives, Disks, Memory sticks or memory cards.

External hard These are portable hard drives that can be plugged into your computer as needed. External hard drives come with Drives

their own casing and plug into a computer with a USB cable. These are often used for back up, or to make mobile large amounts of information. The sizes available match those of fixed hard drives.

CD and DVD drivces

CD or DVD drives are usually fixed into the case of the computer. These are the storage mechanisms. Actual storage of information is on CDs or DVD disks that fit into these drives. You need a special software program to write information from your computer to these disks.

Memory cards and memory sticks

Memory cards and memory sticks are a smaller form of storage. Memory sticks plug directly into the computer via a USB port. They can store all sorts of digital files. The only limitation will be the storage memory available on the stick. . Memory cards work in much the same way as memory sticks. . These are traditionally the cards used in digital cameras, however they may be used to store any type of digital file They differ from memory sticks, in that the card has not got a USB attachment, and must first be inserted into an into a card reader, which has a USB cable attached. Some laptops and handheld devices allow you to plug in the memory card directly into the device. Smaller memory cards used in cell phones are known as Micro cards .

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Access
Access
Access refers to a range of devices that make it possible to communicate between computers and peripherals.

Ports

Ports are located on the back and sides of your computer. These are slots to plug devices into, like mice, keyboards, speakers, external drives, modems, printers, and cameras. Common port names include USB, serial, and Ethernet.

Modem

The Modem is an optional device you can use to connect a PC to other local computers (networked computers) or the Internet. It can be built into the case or stand outside as a peripheral device. Modern modems use wireless technology to send signals between the modem and a computer.

Networking

Networking refers to a system of linking a number of computers together, to communicate and share peripheral devices. LAN, Local Area Network are used when networking is required in a small geographical area. Such as within a single business, and in home environments. A client server network is the newer model of a LAN in use by business today. It has a powerful computer (known as a server) acting as the controlling computer for a number of less powerful computers (known as clients). These computers can access shared files and information stored on the Server. It is the network most in use in industry today. The Internet is a Wide area network, in that an enormous number of computers across the world are connected by telephone lines or radio waves and LANs 11

 Networked computers

Action
Work with a partner. Identify the following in the Lab.: 2 Input devices 1 Processing device 2 Output devices Walk around the room and see how many more hardware computer elements you can identify. Are there any others not on this list? Discuss with your lecturer or tutor.

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Computer Software
Software is a set of electronic instructions that tell a computer what to do. You cannot see or touch software. There are two types of software, namely application software and operating system software.

Application software

Application software is commonly known as a program. Programs are pre-designed with explicit instructions to let you carry out specific tasks. Programs are grouped according to the different tasks you can do with them. These are some of the most popular groups:

Word Processing Helps you create professionallooking documents quickly and programs

efficiently. Popular word processing programs include Microsoft Word, Open Office Writer and web based programs such as Google Docs A spreadsheet program helps you manage personal and business finances. Popular spreadsheet programs include Microsoft Excel and Lotus 1-2-3. A database program helps you manage large collections of grouped information. Popular database programs include Microsoft Access and Borland dBase.

Spread sheet Programs

Database Programs

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Graphic/ presentation Programs

A graphic program helps you develop graphs, illustrations, drawings and even presentations. Adobe illustrator and Microsoft PowerPoint are examples of graphic and presentation programs A loose grouping of programs that carry out personal assistant tasks. E-mail programs, diary and calendar programs; contact management programs and notepad programs fall into this group. Microsoft Outlook and Googles Gmail are examples of these type of programs. A Set of programs bundled together is known as a

Personal Information Management Programs

Software Suites

software suite. A software suite is often a good

investment, as the programs make use of common tools and techniques. E.g. Microsoft Office Professional business suite, contains a Word Processing program (WORD), a spreadsheet program (EXCEL), a database program (ACCESS), a presentation program (POWERPOINT) and a Personal Information program (OUTLOOK), amongst others.

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Operating System Software

What does Operating System software do?
Operating system software controls the overall activity of a computer. The operating system communicates between input commands via the mouse or keyboard, the computer processing hardware and the output device such as the monitor. It also interfaces with any application software that you are using so that the program activities are executed. When you first switch on a computer, the operating system software goes to work and gets the computer ready for you to use. It communicates this state to the user by displaying a special start up screen, known as the desktop. Computers are usually sold with operating software already installed, however you can replace operating software if you want. Because the OS controls the operation of the computer, application programs and all files will need to be re-installed when a new OS is loaded.

Types of operating systems

The original operating software is called DOS (Disk Operating System), referred to as COMMAND PROMPT software, and is mostly keyboard driven. To operate DOS you need to know the commands that the software understands. Today DOS is only in use by computer programmers and technicians. New OS software is called 3rd generation software, and, is operated through a series of icons (descriptive graphics) and menus. This is much easier for computer end-users to work with. There are number different types of operating systems available. Although operating systems may look different, and offer different features, there are a number of basic elements that are common. These include the use of icons, menus and file and folder management systems. Programmers constantly strive to improve and update their operating system. These updates are usually installed automatically when a computer is connected to the internet. Faults in Operating systems are fixed with patches. You 15

will see many versions of Operating systems in use, as new versions of the OS are launched regularly to introduce multiple updates and improvements.

Popular Operating Systems

WINDOWS created and owned by Microsoft Corporation. Used by most businesses

LINUX, a free system created by a community of computer programmers and enthusiasts.

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ANDROID an operating system predominantly used on tablet and mobile devices.

MAC OS and iOS Operating systems used to run Apple computers and mobile devices

Action:
Divide into small groups and discuss the following: What application software have you seen in use? Do you know of any specialized software programs? What software programs do you know how to use? What do you know about the various operating systems? What operating system does TSiBA use? 17

Resources
Check Moodle for the latest recommended resources for this section

Outcomes
At the end of this section you will be able to:
I can do this Explain the communication cycle of a computer Identify the INPUT, OUTPUT, PROCESS and STORAGE devices Distinguish between HARDWARE and SOFTWARE Identify Hardware components of a personal computer Name and describe the function of 5 basic types of application software Understand the role of Operating Systems Identify various Operating Systems

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