Name: Bernadette DS. Carigma Yr. & Sec.

: BA 1-2

Assignment:
COMPUTER
A programmable electronic device designe
d
to accept data, performprescribed mathema
tical and logical operations at high speed, a
nddisplay the results of these operations.
General purpose machine,
commonly
consisting of digitalcircuitry, that accepts
(inputs), stores, manipulates, and generates
(outputs) data as numbers, text, graphics,
voice,video files, or electrical signals, in
accordance
withinstructions called a program.
PARTS

OF

COMPUTER

System unit
The system unit is the core of a computer
system. Usually it's a rectangular box placed
on or underneath your desk. Inside this box
are many electronic components that
process information. The most important of
these
components
is
the central
processing
unit
(CPU),
or microprocessor, which acts as the
"brain"
of
your
computer.
Another
component is random access memory
(RAM),
which
temporarily
stores
information that the CPU uses while the
computer is on. The information stored in
RAM is erased when the computer is turned
off.
Almost every other part of your computer
connects to the system unit using cables.
The
cables
plug
into
specific ports(openings), typically on the
back of the system unit. Hardware that is
not part of the system unit is sometimes
called a peripheral device or device.

System unit

Storage
Your computer has one or more disk drives
devices that store information on a metal
or plastic disk. The disk preserves the
information even when your computer is
turned off.
Hard disk drive
Your computer's hard disk drive stores
information on a hard diska rigid platter
or stack of platters with a magnetic surface.
Because hard disks can hold massive
amounts of information, they usually serve
as your computer's primary means of
storage, holding almost all of your programs
and files. The hard disk drive is normally
located inside the system unit.

Hard disk drive

CD and DVD drives
Nearly all computers today come equipped
with a CD or DVD drive, usually located on
the front of the system unit. CD drives use
lasers to read (retrieve) data from a CD;
many CD drives can also write (record) data
onto CDs. If you have a recordable disk
drive, you can store copies of your files on

Name: Bernadette DS. Carigma Yr. & Sec.: BA 1-2

blank CDs. You can also use a CD drive to
play music CDs on your computer.

A mouse is a small device used to point to

and select items on your computer screen.
Although mice come in many shapes, the
typical mouse does look a bit like an actual
mouse. It's small, oblong, and connected to
the system unit by a long wire that
resembles a tail. Some newer mice are
wireless.

CD
DVD drives can do everything that CD drives
can, plus read DVDs. If you have a DVD
drive, you can watch movies on your
computer. Many DVD drives can record data
onto blank DVDs.
Tip

If you have a recordable CD or DVD

drive, periodically back up (copy) your
important files to CDs or DVDs. That way, if
your hard disk ever fails, you won't lose
your data.
Floppy disk drive
Floppy disk drives store information
on floppy
disks,
also
called floppies or diskettes. Compared to
CDs and DVDs, floppy disks can store only a
small amount of data. They also retrieve
information more slowly and are more prone
to damage. For these reasons, floppy disk
drives are less popular than they used to be,
although some computers still include them.

Mouse
A mouse usually has two buttons: A primary
button (usually the left button) and a
secondary button. Many mice also have a
wheel between the two buttons, which
allows you to scroll smoothly through
screens of information.

Mouse pointers
When you move the mouse with your hand,
a pointer on your screen moves in the same
direction. (The pointer's appearance might
change depending on where it's positioned
on your screen.) When you want to select an
item, you point to the item and
then click (press and release) the primary
button. Pointing and clicking with your
mouse is the main way to interact with your
computer. For more information, see Using
your mouse.
Keyboard

Floppy disk
Why are these disks called "floppy" disks?
The outside is made of hard plastic, but
that's just the sleeve. The disk inside is
made of a thin, flexible vinyl material.
Mouse

A keyboard is used mainly for typing text

into your computer. Like the keyboard on a
typewriter, it has keys for letters and
numbers, but it also has special keys:

The function keys, found on the top

row,
perform
different
functions
depending on where they are used.

Name: Bernadette DS. Carigma Yr. & Sec.: BA 1-2

The numeric keypad, located on the

right side of most keyboards, allows you
to enter numbers quickly.

The navigation keys, such as the

arrow keys, allow you to move your
position within a document or webpage.

Keyboard

your computer, but having one allows you to

print
e-mail,
cards,
invitations,
announcements, and other material. Many
people also like being able to print their own
photos at home.
The two main types of printers are inkjet
printers and laser printers. Inkjet printers
are the most popular printers for the home.
They can print in black and white or in full
color
and
can
produce
high-quality
photographs when used with special paper.
Laser printers are faster and generally
better able to handle heavy use.

You can also use your keyboard to perform

many of the same tasks you can perform
with a mouse. For more information,
seeUsing your keyboard.
Inkjet

Monitor

printer (left); laser printer (right)

A monitor displays information in visual

form, using text and graphics. The portion of
the monitor that displays the information is
called the screen. Like a television screen,
a computer screen can show still or moving
pictures.
There
are
two
basic
types
of
monitors: CRT (cathode ray tube) monitors
and the newer LCD (liquid crystal display)
monitors. Both types produce sharp images,
but LCD monitors have the advantage of
being much thinner and lighter.

Speakers
Speakers are used to play sound. They can
be built into the system unit or connected
with cables. Speakers allow you to listen to
music and hear sound effects from your
computer.

Computer speakers
Modem
LCD

monitor

(left); CRT monitor (right)

Printer
A printer transfers data from a computer
onto paper. You don't need a printer to use

To connect your computer to the Internet,

you need a modem. A modem is a device
that
sends
and
receives
computer
information over a telephone line or highspeed cable. Modems are sometimes built
into the system unit, but higher-speed
modems are usually separate components.

Name: Bernadette DS. Carigma Yr. & Sec.: BA 1-2

d)

Picoseconds

One
trillionth
second(1/1000000000000).

of

Accuracy
You may work for years before experiencing

Characteristics of Computers
A computer is an intelligent amplifier that
performs the above-mentioned operations in
a much taster, accurate and efficient way.
Thus, it gives us ample time to use it in
matters involving creativity & judgment. The
characteristics possessed by computers can
be listed as follows:
Speed
A computer can add and subtract numbers,
compare letters to determine alphabetic
sequence, move and copy numbers and
letters. As such, there is nothing profound in
these operations. What is significant is the
speed with which computers carry out these
operations. This speed varies from a few
microseconds (millionth of second) to Nano
(billionth of second). For instance, People
would need to do a lot of waiting in queues
for grocery payments, for making telephone
calls, for making travel reservations, etc.
but with the help of computers the
processing can be done in a fraction of a
second. The speed of a computer at
performing a single operation can be
measured in terms of:
a) Milliseconds
second (1/1000)
b) Microsecond
second (1/1000000)

- One thousandth of a
- One millionth of a

c) Nanosecond
- One billionth of a
second (1/1000000000). The speed at which
a computer performs logical operations is
measured in nanoseconds.

Bit

Byte

Kiloby
te

Mega
byte

Giga
byte

8,192

1,024

8,388,60
8

1,048,57
6

1,024

8,589,93
4,592

1,073,74
1,824

1,048,
576

1,024

a system error, such as an updating of the

wrong record or and incorrect addition.
Errors
do
occur
in
computer-based
information but precious few can be directly
attributed to the computer systems. The
vast majority of these errors can be traced
to a program logic error, a procedural error,
or erroneous data. These are human errors.
Hardware errors are usually detected and
corrected by the computer system itself.
Computers are very accurate. They can
perform their hundreds of thousands of
operations with great accuracy. They can
run error less for days at a time.

Reliability
Computer output is generally very reliable,
subject to the condition that the input data
entering the computer should be correct
and the program of instructions should be
reliable and correct. Incorrect input data and
unreliable programs give us computer errors
and wrong results. Hence, the phrase
GARBAGE IN-GARBAGE OUT (GIGO).

Name: Bernadette DS. Carigma Yr. & Sec.: BA 1-2

Storage Capability
Computer systems have total and instant
recall of data and an almost unlimited
capacity to store these data. A typical
mainframe computer system will have many
billions
of
characters,
and
perhaps
thousands of graphic images, stored and
available for-instant recall. When properly
used, a computer can improve the efficiency
of an organization. It provides a fast,
accurate, and reliable device with which to
process data. Similarly, computers enable
companies to provide customers with
instantaneous services, such as airline flight
availability and charge account status. The
result is that these companies can offer far
more customer services than would be
possible without computer. Because various
computer media can store millions of
characters of data in a condensed form.
There is tremendous savings in the storage
area required to maintain the vital records
necessary in a business environment. The
storing capacity of a computer is measured
in terms of bytes, kilobytes and gigabytes.

Automation
Computers are quite capable of functioning
automatically, once the process is given to
the computer. They do not require any
instruction from the operator atany stage of
the
process. Computers can be programmed to
perform a series of complex tasksinvolving
multiple programs. Computers will execute
the programs in the correct sequence,
provided they are programmed correctly.

Diligence

Human beings suffer from physical and

mental fatigue. They cannot perform the
same
task over and over again with the same
speed, accuracy and enthusiasm as in the
first
time. This will affect the performance. Being
a machine, a computer does not suffer from
such weaknesses. The computer is capable
of performing task repeatedly at the same
level of speed and accuracy even if it has to
carry complex operation for a long period of
time.

Versatile
Computers are versatile (can do many types
of jobs). It can carry out processes ranging
from simple mathematical calculations to
highly complex and logical evaluations for
any extended period of time. Computers can
communicate with other computers and can
receive and send data in various forms such
as text, video, etc. This ability of computer
to communicate to one another has led to
the
development
of
computer
networks.Internet, and so on. All this is
possible because of computers and other
related technologies.

Scientific Approach
The entire approach to solving problems is
highly scientific, objective and sequentially
carried out, leaving no room for emotional
and subjective evaluations made by man,
which are sources of potential errors and
unjustified results.

Name: Bernadette DS. Carigma Yr. & Sec.: BA 1-2

Intangible Benefits
There arc many companies that utilize
computers for intangible benefits such as
flexibility, ability to accommodate growth
and the psychological factor that may give
them a competitive edge in attracting
consumers to buy their products or services.

Reduced Cost
With the ever increasing advances being
made in the state of the art. me cost of
computer
equipments
has
dropped
drastically over the years. Hardware costs
have been decreasing at an estimated
annual rate of 25%. Thus. Companies that
at one time could not justify the cost of
acquiring their own computer system may
now find it not only feasible to acquire a
system. But cost effective as well.

SOFTWARE
Software
means computer instructions or data.
Anything that can be stored electronically is
software, in contrast to storage devicesand
display devices which are called hardware.
the programs used to direct the operation
of a computer,as well as documentation givi
ng instructions on how to
use them.
Software is divided commonly into two main
categories:
(1) System software: controls the basic (and
invisible to the user) functions of a
computer and comes usually preinstalled

with the machine. See also BIOS

and Operating System. (2) Application
software: handlesmultitudes of common and
specialized tasks a user wants to perform,
such as accounting, communicating, data
processing, word processing.
HARDWARE
Hardware is the physical aspect of
computers, telecommunications, and other
devices. The term arose as a way to
distinguish the "box" and the electronic
circuitry and components of a computer
from the program you put in it to make it do
things. The program came to be known as
the software.
The mechanical, magnetic, electronic, and
electricaldevices comprising a computer sys
tem, as the CPU, disk drives,keyboard,
or screen.
Peopleware
is a term used to refer to one of the three
core aspects of computer technology, the
other two being hardware and software.
Peopleware can refer to anything that has to
do with the role of people in the
development or use of computer software
and hardware systems, including such
issues as developer productivity, teamwork,
group dynamics, the psychology of
programming, project management,
organizational factors, human interface
design, and human-machine-interaction.
Peopleware refers to the role of people in
the computing process.
While hardware and software make up a
computer system, both are designed to be
used by humans. Therefore, peopleware is
sometimes considered the third component
of computing. Peopleware can refer to many

Name: Bernadette DS. Carigma Yr. & Sec.: BA 1-2

different things, including computer
engineers, programmers, individual
computer users, or groups of people.
Anyone who designs, develops, or uses
computer systems plays an important role
in the computing process and may be
considered peopleware.
A BRIEF COMPUTER HISTORY
The computer as we know it today had its
beginning with a 19th century English
mathematics professor name Charles
Babbage.
He designed the Analytical Engine and it
was this design that the basic framework of
the computers of today are based on.
Generally speaking, computers can be
classified into three generations. Each
generation lasted for a certain period of
time,and each gave us either a new and
improved computer or an improvement to
the existing computer.
First generation: 1937 1946 - In 1937
the first electronic digital computer was
built by Dr. John V. Atanasoff and Clifford
Berry. It was called the Atanasoff-Berry
Computer (ABC). In 1943 an electronic
computer name the Colossus was built for
the military. Other developments continued
until in 1946 the first general purpose
digital computer, the Electronic Numerical
Integrator and Computer (ENIAC) was built.
It is said that this computer weighed 30
tons, and had 18,000 vacuum tubes which
was used for processing. When this
computer was turned on for the first time
lights dim in sections of Philadelphia.
Computers of this generation could only
perform single task, and they had no
operating system.

Second generation: 1947 1962 - This

generation of computers used transistors
instead of vacuum tubes which were more
reliable. In 1951 the first computer for
commercial use was introduced to the
public; the Universal Automatic Computer
(UNIVAC 1). In 1953 the International
Business Machine (IBM) 650 and 700 series
computers made their mark in the computer
world. During this generation of computers
over 100 computer programming languages
were developed, computers had memory
and operating systems. Storage media such
as tape and disk were in use also were
printers for output.
Third generation: 1963 - present - The
invention of integrated circuit brought us
the third generation of computers. With this
invention computers became smaller, more
powerful more reliable and they are able to
run many different programs at the same
time. In1980 Microsoft Disk Operating
System (MS-Dos) was born and in 1981 IBM
introduced the personal computer (PC) for
home and office use. Three years later
Apple gave us the Macintosh computer with
its icon driven interface and the 90s gave us
Windows operating system.
As a result of the various improvements to
the development of the computer we have
seen the computer being used in all areas of
life. It is a very useful tool that will continue
to experience new development as time
passes.

Computer Components:
Computers are made of the following basic
components:
1. Case with hardware inside:

Name: Bernadette DS. Carigma Yr. & Sec.: BA 1-2

1. Power Supply - The power

supply comes with the case,
but this component is
mentioned separately since
there are various types of
power supplies. The one you
should get depends on the
requirements of your system.
This will be discussed in more
detail later
2. Motherboard - This is where
the core components of your
computer reside which are
listed below. Also the support
cards for video, sound,
networking and more are
mounted into this board.

1. Microprocessor - This
is the brain of your
computer. It performs
commands and
instructions and controls
the operation of the
computer.
2. Memory - The RAM in
your system is mounted
on the motherboard.
This is memory that
must be powered on to
retain its contents.
3. Drive controllers - The
drive controllers control
the interface of your
system to your hard
drives. The controllers
let your hard drives work
by controlling their
operation. On most
systems, they are
included on the
motherboard, however

you may add additional

controllers for faster or
other types of drives.

3. Hard disk drive(s) - This is

where your files are
permanently stored on your
computer. Also, normally, your
operating system is installed
here.
4. CD-ROM drive(s) - This is
normally a read only drive
where files are permanently
stored. There are now
read/write CD-ROM drives that
use special software to allow
users to read from and write to
these drives.
5. Floppy drive(s) - A floppy is a
small disk storage device that
today typically has about 1.4
Megabytes of memory
capacity.
6. Other possible file storage
devices include DVD devices,
Tape backup devices, and some
others.

2. Monitor - This device which operates

like a TV set lets the user see how the
computer is responding to their
commands.
3. Keyboard - This is where the user
enters text commands into the
computer.
4. Mouse - A point and click interface
for entering commands which works
well in graphical environments.