Computers

In this topic we're going to study the fundamental parts of computers and what functions they have In general terms, the function of computers is to take in data that is inputted by peripherals (keyboard, mouse, stylus etc), process this data using a programme (software) and send it to the exterior again using another peripheral (printer, monitor, storage disk etc.)

What is a computer?
Computers are not intelligent; they are tools that follow instructions perfectly and quickly. They follow instructions from the user and from the computer programmer. Applications (word processors, video games, etc.) are sets of instructions.

Types of Computer How many types of computer do you know? The use of computers is so widespread that many different types of computer have appeared. Some are easy to transport, some aren't. Desktop computer. This is the most used type of computer in offices. It's big and heavy. It's the cheapest but it consumes lots of energy. Laptop computer. Because lots of people want these computers, production costs have gone down and they are more commonly used in the home. They use less energy but they are a bit more expensive. Media Center. You can watch tv, see photos, connect to the internet etc. PDA (personal digital assistant). It's possible uses are limited by its size. It is commonly used when mobility and space are important.

Computers: Parts

Computers are composed of two important parts: hardware and software. Hardware is the electronic or physical parts of the computer. That is, it is the parts you can touch. Examples are: The motherboard that contains the microprocessor, the RAM, the sound card etc. The power supply whose job is to supply the correct amount of current and tension to the different parts of the computer. The hard disk, where the programmes are stored. The entry and exit peripherals like the mouse and keyboard The exit peripherals like the monitor. Others, like the router, are used to both receive and send data by internet.

Motherboard
In the picture we can see a PC motherboard. The following elements are important to mention. 1. The processor support where the processor which does the most important jobs in the computer is housed.

In the right, you can see a microprocessor from a computer. It undertakes the mathematical and logical functions of the programmes, as well as other functions. Depending of the speed and on the number of integrated transistors the microprocessor is more or less powerful. That is, it can do more jobs in less time. This part works so hard that it needs a heatsink next to its own fan.

Memory
Memory stores information. There are various types of memory in the computer:

Fixed memories
They normally stay inside the computer.

1. Hard disc: Also called hard drive, it is a set of rigid discs with a magnetic surface.

It stores all your programs and files. Advantages: It can store a large amount of data (today around 1 TB). We can save and erase the information when we want. Disadvantages: It is relatively slow: compared to other types of memory, it takes longer to read and write information.

2. RAM (Random Access Memory):

This is a green plastic card with chips. The RAM is installed in a slot on the mother board. Mother boards have empty slots so that we can add more RAM if we want. The RAM stores the applications and files that we are using. Advantages: It stores (writes) and retrieves (reads) quickly. Disadvantages: We lose the work if there is an electrical power cut. Small memory capacity (around 6GB) compared to the hard disk.

Portable memories
They are easy to connect and disconnect from the computer. Also, they are easy to carry. CDs, DVDs: We call them optical memories because they use light to work. Advantages: Cheap. Disadvantages: Not good to rewrite. Pen drives, memory cards: They store the information in chips. Advantages: Rewritable. Quick. Disadvantage: More expensive than a CD or a DVD.

The BIOS
Short for Basic Input - Output System is the first programme to work when the computer is turned on. It uses data to find out what the system's hardware configuration is. The BIOS is stored in ROM ( short for read-only memory ).

Connectors

Most motherboards have the following connectors

A parallel port, mainly for connecting old printers A serial port. It was used for connecting old periphericals USB ports, for connecting more recent peripherals VGA connector for connecting a monitor. Line-In, Line-Out and microphone, for connecting sound speakers or a microphone. These connectors are included in the sound card.

Graphics card
The graphics card looks similar to the RAM. It is also a green plastic card with chips. It defines the format of the graphics and helps the processor to process the graphics faster. We need a powerful graphics cards to play video games, to watch movies and for graphic design.

Peripherals
Peripherals are elements of communication between the computer and the outside world (including ourselves). A driver is a file that tells the operating system how data should be exchanged between the peripherals and the computer.

Drivers are different for every peripheral and every operating system. A driver for a digital camera in Windows won't work in Linux. Nowadays it is very easy to connect a peripheral to a computer because computer systems recognise them easily (plug and play) and if it needs you to incorporate the driver, it will tell you using a menu.

Entry peripherals
Entry peripherals give information to the computer: keyboard, mouse, microphone, thermostat

Exit peripherals
The computer uses the exit peripherals to give information to us or to an actuator: screen, speakers, printer, light bulb, motor A peripheral can be both entry and exit; an example is the router to connect to the internet. The router receives information from the internet and sends information to the internet.

1 Which two components of the hardware look similar?. 2 Which type of memory do you think would be best to store:
a) A collection of films. Explain why. b) A letter that you are writing. Explain why.

3 What is the difference between entry and exit peripherals?

Software
Software is the part of the computer that we cant touch. It is the logic that the computer follows. The programmer writes instructions. A set of instructions is a program. When we use a program, the computer follows the instructions in the program.

The Operating System (OS)

There is one OS per computer; not more, not less. The OS defines the internal logic for the functioning of the computer. To program the OS, we must know which are the components of the hardware and how they are connected. For example, when we tell the computer to switch off, the OS decides to first close the applications, then to transfer all data from the RAM to the HD, and finally to switch itself off. It is stored in the hard disc (the applications are also stored in the HD). It can manage multiple applications at the same time. It has a graphic display, so we can interact with the computer using a mouse. It can connect to the internet. Today, the most common operating systems are those sold by Microsoft: Windows Vista, Windows 7 Microsofts Windows has a long history which started with the OS called DOS (Disc Operating System). Apple Macintosh is another company which offers an OS for computers. The Mac is preferred by graphic designers and artists. LINUX is a free OS. Free means that users dont have to pay to use it, and that programmers can modify the OS as they like. There are also various OS for mobile telephones.

The Applications
Sometimes we call them programs, but any piece of software is a program, including the operating system. Applications are programs that we use to do things on the computer; they are our tools. You probably know a lot of them already: Word or Writer (word processor), Excel or Calc (spreadsheet), Access (database), PowerPoint or Impress (presentations), FIFA 11 (game), Messenger (telecommunication software), Autocad or QCAD (CAD) An application suite is a group of applications in a package. For example: Open Office, Microsoft Office or iWork09. Application suites normally include a word processor, a spreadsheet, a web browser and other applications. The applications in the suite have a common user interface so that the user can easily learn how to use all of them. The different applications of an application suite can interact with each other. So we can, for example, insert a spreadsheet in a word processor document. From: Bilingual Section IES Pedro de Valdivia Technology 1-2 ESO Gonzalo Morillo Dez