AN INTRODUCTION

TO
COMPUTERS

What is a Computer?
A machine that can be programmed to accept

data (input), process it into useful

information (output), and store it away (in
secondary storage devices) for safekeeping
or later reuse
Process is directed by software but performed

by the hardware

Who are the Users?

Any

individual
who
operates a computer to
accomplish a task either
at:

Home

Office

Business

etc

Users Examples
Data Entry Operator (DEO) type data into a machine-

readable format
Computer Operator monitor the computer
Computer Programmer write, test, implement, and

maintain programs
Systems Analyst plan and design computer systems
Network Administrator oversees the network
Chief Information Officer (CIO) department manager

who makes strategic decisions relating to the flow of

information in the organization

Q1

Components of Computer

Hardware
Software

Hardware
Those components of a computer that has
physical existence and can be touched

Software
Set of instructions and commands
that directs the hardware to do a
required task and produce the desired
results also known as Program

Computer Characteristics
Speed

Reliability

Storage capability

10100011

I 10T

Classifications of Computers
Use the computer that fits your needs

Based upon

Size
Speed
Cost
Portability
Number of simultaneous users supported
Available software
Typical use

Types of Computers

Super Computers
Mainframe Computer
Mini Computer
PC/ Desktop/ Micro Computer
Laptop Computer
Notebook Computer
etc

Computers Applications
Graphics

Agriculture

Education

Government

Energy

The Home

Law Enforcement

Health and Medicine

Transportation

Robotics

Money

Training and Paperwork

Computer System
Processor (CPU)

Memory
Peripheral equipment

Connected to the computer by a

cable

Input Devices
Output Devices
Storage Devices

Other

Input and Output

The User Connection

Q1

Input

Users submit input data

Data is converted into electronic form

Input Devices
Keyboard

Mouse
Trackball

Touchpad
Pointing stick
Digital Cameras
Optical-mark readers
Bar-code readers
Scanners
etc

Output
Users get processed information
Types
Screen soft copy
Printer hard copy
Sound
Graphics

Monitor
Data that is entered appears on the screen
Screen is part of the monitor

Pixel and Resolution

Pixels (or picture element) - tiny dots that

compose a picture
Resolution - the number of pixels displayed

on the screen (the higher the resolution, the

closer together the dots)
Size - 14 / 17 / 19 / 21 inches etc.

Graphics Standards
SVGA (Super VGA)
Resolution 800 x 600, 1024 x 768, 1280 x 1024,
1600 x 1200 pixels
16 million colors
XGA (Extended Graphics Array)
High resolution
Supports more colors

Printer
Produces information on paper
Orientation
Portrait
Landscape

Methods of printing
Impact
Non-impact

Impact Printers

Line printer

Dot-matrix printer

One line at a time

One character at a time

Example
Line printer prints One line at a time

Line printer prints One line at a time

Line printer prints One line at a time
Dot-matrix printer: One character at a time
Dot-matrix printer: One character at a time
Dot-matrix printer: One character at a time

Non-impact Printer
Laser Printer
Ink-jet Printer

Laser Printer

Transfers images to paper

Prints one page at a time
600-1200 dpi High quality
Speed

Personal laser printers: 8-10 ppm

Network laser printers: 35-50 ppm
High-volume laser printers: up to 1000 ppm

Black and white / color

Ink-jet Printer
Spray ink at paper

Black and white / color

Excellent graphics
Good quality
Slower than laser

How to Choose a Printer?

Choose based upon:
Speed
Quality
Black and White vs Color
Price

Sound

Creates multimedia output

Multiple sound effects

Speakers are used

The Central Processing Unit

What Goes on Inside the Computer

Q2

Inside the Computer

CD-ROM
CPU
Expansion slots

Floppy drive
Hard disk
Memory chip

Motherboard
Power supply

Back of the Computer

Cooling Fan

Mouse Connector

Power Supply

Parallel Printer Port

Keyboard Connector

Video Connector

Motherboard
Microprocessor chip
Memory chips

Connections to other parts of

the hardware
Additional chips may be
added math coprocessor

Storage Devices
Hard Disk
Floppy Disk
CD-ROM Disk
DVD-ROM Disk

The CPU
The CPU stands for Central Processing Unit
When circuits are built into a single silicon chip,

the chip is referred to as a microprocessor.

The CPU Function

CPU processes information and performs all the

necessary arithmetic calculations.

The CPU is like the brain of the computer

The CPU Size

Chip size is x inch

Contains millions of transistors

Information
Information comes in many forms

2
Text

Pictures

Numbers

Sounds

Computers store information in digital form

i.e. 0 and 1

Bit Basics

A bit (binary digit)

On

is the smallest unit of information

can have two values: 1 or 0
can represent numbers, codes,
or instructions

Bit, Nibble, Byte

BIT
Binary DigIT
On/off circuit
1 or 0

Nibble
4 bits
BYTE
8 bits
Store one alphanumeric character

Measuring Storage Capacity

Terms used to describe file size or memory size:

Byte
Kilobyte (KB)
Megabytes (MB)
Gigabytes (GB)
Terabytes (TB)

= 8 bits
= 1 Thousand Bytes
= 1 Million Bytes
= 1 Billion Bytes
= 1 Trillion Bytes

Memory
An area where data/ information are
stored

Types of Memory
Primary Memory
Secondary Memory
Registers

Q2

Primary Memory
Many Names
Primary storage
Primary memory
Main storage

Internal storage
Main memory

Types of Main Memory

RAM

Random Access Memory

ROM

Read Only Memory

RAM
RAM (Random Access Memory):

is used to store program instructions and

data
temporarily

unique addresses and data can be stored in

any location

will not remain if power goes off (volatile)

ROM
ROM (Read-Only Memory):

information is stored permanently on a chip.

contains startup instructions and other
permanent data.
Cannot be changed by the user
Nonvolatile

Other types of Primary Memory

PROM
EPROM
EEPROM

Cache Memory
etc

Secondary Storage
Long-term storage

Non-volatile

Secondary Storage Devices

Magnetic Disk

Hard disk (40, 60, 80 GB etc)

Zip Disks (250 MB)
Floppy Diskette (1.44 MB)

Optical Disks

CD-ROM (700 MB = 450 standard Floppy Disks)

CD-R (WORM: Write Once, Read More)
CD-RW (Read-Write More)
DVD-ROM (4.7 GB to 17 GB)

Secondary Storage Benefits

Compressed storage

Diskette about 500 printed pages

Optical disk about 500 books

Economy

Savings in physical storage costs

Savings in the speed and convenience of
storing and retrieving data

Data Compression
Why use?
Squeeze big files onto small disks
Speed up data transfer of files
Techniques
Remove all extra space characters
Substitutes a smaller data string for a
frequently occurring set of characters
Software uses formula to determine how to
compress
Must be decompressed

Networking
and
Data Communication

Q3

Network
Definition
A system that uses communications equipment to
connect computers and share their resources.

Types
Local area network (LAN) connects computers in
close proximity

Metropolitan area network (MAN) connect

computers between buildings in the same geographic
area

Wide area network (WAN) connects computers over

great distances

Data Communications

Send and receive information over

communications lines

Basic Components
Sending device

Communications link
Receiving device
Protocol

Modem
Modulate
Convert from digital to analog
Demodulate
Convert from analog to digital
Speeds up to 56,000 bps (56K)

Types of Modems

Direct-connect
External
Internal
PCMCIA
Personal Computer Memory Card International Association
Used in Notebook and Laptop computers

Network Media

Twisted pair cable

Coaxial cable
Fiber optic cable
Wireless

Network Topology
Physical layout
Star
Ring
Bus
Node any device

connected to the
network, e.g.

Server
Computer
Printer
Other peripheral

Q2

Star
Central hub
All messages routed through hub
Hub prevents collisions

Node failure no effect on overall network

Hub failure network fails

Ring
Travel around circular connection in one

direction
Node looks at data as it passes

Addressed to me?
If not my address, Pass it on

No danger from collisions

Node failure network fails

Bus
Single pathway

All nodes attached to single line

Collisions result in re-send
Node failure no effect on overall network

NIC
Network Interface Card
Connects computer to the wiring in the

network
Handle

Sending
Receiving
Error checking