Introduction to Computers

Introduction to Computers
 Well Come

To All of You in the First

Session of Introduction to
Computer
Introduction to Computers
Introduction to Computer
• Lecture 1
•Designed for students with
little or no computer
experience

Introduction to Computers
Basic body of Computer

Introduction to Computers
CPU = Brains of the Computer

z The CPU performs actual

calculations
z Is called the operating
system
z Links various hardware
components to one
another
z Loads information into
memory when computer is
turned on
z Accepts data from input or
auxiliary storage devices
z Sends to output or
auxiliary storage device

Introduction to Computers
Operating System - Software
What the CPU uses to run the computer –
gives the computer personality

Types of operating systems:

z UNIX
z LINUX
z Windows 2000
z Windows XP
z Windows ME
z
Without the operating system...your computer is an expensive paperweight!
z Introduction to Computers
Software Programs
Software is the name given to the programs that you install on your
computer so it will perform certain types of activities.

Types of Software Programs:

Microsoft Office 2003

Adobe Photoshop CS
Dreamweaver MX 2004
Architectural Desktop
Windows Media Player
Games

Introduction to Computers
What is Memory?

Memory is how information is stored (also

called Random Access Memory)
•RAM = Random
Access Memory is
measured in
megabytes or
kilobytes
•Temporarily stores
any program being
executed by the
computer
•Divided into
individual storage
locations called BIT
and BYTE

Introduction to Computers
Bits and Bytes (Called Binary)

Information stored on drives is measured in Bits and

Bytes

z A bit = A bit is the smallest unit of data in

a computer. A bit has a single binary value,
either 0 or 1.

z A byte = A group of bits that represent one character

z
z Each alphabet letter consists of 8 bytes
z
z
H E L L O
01001000 01000101 01001100 01001100 01101111

Introduction to Computers
Measuring RAM – Random Access Memory

MEGABYTES KILOBYTES

Megabyte OR Mb = 1,048,576 Kilobytes OR Kb = 1,024 bytes

bytes OR 1 million or 1 thousand characters
characters

GIGABYTES
Gigabyte OR Gb = 1,073,741,824 bytes
OR 1 thousand million bytes OR 1
thousand Megabytes

Introduction to Computers
Types of Drives – also known as Auxiliary storage

A computer drive is where information is stored

Drive Type Size

A: drive 3 ½ Floppy 1.44 Mb

C: drive CPU hard drive 250 Gb
D: drive DVD or CD-ROM 650-700 Mb or 400
floppy disks
E: drive Flash or Thumb 156 Mb, 256 Mb or
512 Mb
F: drive Zip drive 100 Mb, 250 Mb

Note: newer computers are not equipped with zip drives

Introduction to Computers
What is an INPUT device?

Input devices accept data from external sources

•Keyboard
•Mouse
•Scanner
•Microphones
•Fax machine

Introduction to Computers
What is an OUTPUT device?
Output device allows you to see what the computer has
accomplished

•Monitor
•Printer
•Speakers

Introduction to Computers
Terminology
Term Definition How Used

MHz Megahertz = million Clock speed or how fast information is

processed. The higher the clock speed, the
faster the processor
GHz Gigahertz = billion Clock speed or how fast information is
processed. The higher the clock speed, the
faster the processor
Modem Interface between computer and Connects computer to internet
telephone
CPU Central Processing Unit Brains of the computer

RAM Random Access Memory How memory is stored

Mb Megabyte 1 million bytes of information

Kb Kilobyte 1 thousand bytes of information

Memory Temporarily stores program

Auxiliary Storage Storage disks Floppy, Flash, Zip, CD-ROM, DVD

Introduction to Computers