INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

Certificate First Year, Sec Semester, 2013 Lecture 1

Computer Hardware

By Mr. Khalid. A. Mohamed

COMPUTER SYSTEM

System: is the set of interrelated elements that works together in an integrated manner to achieve a stated goal. The computer system comprise the five (5) elements. Hardware Software Data Procedures User

COMPUTER DEFINITION

A computer is a multipurpose electronic machine (device) that is capable of accepting data, storing the data, processing the data and finally outputting the processing data (information) through its output devices in a form that is usable by human being. A computer is an electronic device that can input data, processing data to information, storage and output information. A computer is advice which capable of accepting data, storing data, processing data as required and retrieve the desire results into output devices. A computer is a machine used to store data and information.

INFORMATION AND DATA

Data is a "raw facts It needs to be processed before it can be turned into something useful. Data comes in many forms - numbers, words, symbols, events etc. Information is data that has been processed in such a way as to be meaningful to the person who receives it. Data processing Is the process where data is transformed into information

HOW A COMPUTER WORKS

Data is entered into the computer through the input devices such as keyboard then it received by the main memory (RAM) which stores it temporary as it wait to be processed, it them sent to the CPU for processing and finally its outputted through the output devices like monitor.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

Advantages of computer Process data faster: It can perform different types of processing such as addition, subtractions, multiplication and division in short time. It can also perform logical functions of comparing two numbers and decide which one large. More accuracy: Means provide results with any error. It can process large amount of data and generate error free results. Computer can perform millions of operation in a second without any error.

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Easier to access information: Computers work at a very high speed and are much faster than human being. It can perform billions of calculations in a second Storage: Computer can store a large amount of data of any type (such as text, graphics, pictures, audio and video files) easily and permanently. User can use them at any time. Recreation: Computer provide recreation facilities such as games, movies etc.

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Communication: Computers have the capability to communicate with each other, if they are connected together by using communication devices such as modem. These computers can share data, instructions and information. The connected computers are called network. Flexibility: Computers are flexible as they can do work of other machines such as radio and phone

DISADVANTAGES OF COMPUTERS

Unemployment: The job that can be done by 100 people is being done by one person using the computer within a short time. Expensive/Cost: The initial cost is higher such as purchasing computer, training costs and maintenance cost. It may effect to the destruction of your eye sight due to radiation. A computer can only perform operations programmed or instructed by a person. It destroys your social life and interactions with humans if you do not maintain the balance.

BASIC FUNCTION OF COMPUTER

The basic functions of any computer, no matter the type and size summarized into four basic operations, these are common to all computers and operations. Input Before computer perform any function, must have data to work with. Input is a data you put into the computer, these includes keyboard, mouse, scanner etc are available for entering data. Processing Processing includes the various operations that computer performs on a given set of data which includes classifying, sorting, calculating, recording, summarizing, combining and separating. This functions is directed and controlled by application programs

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Output After the computer processes the data, it presents it in an intelligible from the user. This function is called output, and generally involves other computer components such as Monitors, Printers that display the data. Storage Storage involves recording the data in some form that can be found and used again. Usually data/information stored on some form of magnetic such as hard disk, floppy disk, flash disk, CD, DVD etc, has been added as storage methods.

COMPONENT OF COMPUTER

There are two main components of computer: Computer Hardware Computer Software

COMPUTER HARDWARE

Physical equipment used to perform computing task (i.e. devices such as Motherboard, CPU, Disks, Tapes, Modem, Keyboard, Mouse etc) in operation. Physical devices and peripherals that computer used to perform computing tasks such as CPU, Disk, Tapes, Modem etc. Physical components that make up a computer system.

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THE FOUR MAIN TYPE OF COMPUTER HARDWARE ARE:

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Input devices: enable users to enter data into the computer for processing. Data, Information and programs are entered into the computer through Input devices such as the keyboard, mouse, disks, or through other computers via network connections or modems connected to the Internet. CPU (central processing unit): performs actual processing of data, according to instructions from programs. Data and programs are stored in primary and secondary memory, and moved to and from CPU as required. The BIOS or basic input/output system controls the dialogue between the various devices

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Memory: is the physical devices used to store programs or data on a temporary or permanent basis for use in a computer or other digital electronic device. There is two main types of memory that are: Random Access Memory (RAM) is the "working memory" in a computer. This memory has the ability to access (or address) any storage location at any time without regard to which location was accessed. RAM is vital to the CPU; from RAM the CPU gets all the program instructions and data to task. RAM loses the information stored in them if power to the computer is turned off.

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ROM (Ready Only Memory): a type of memory chip which data and programs can be permanently stored. ROM is usually a fixed amount; that you cannot add to or subtract from the amount of ROM a system is designed to have. The ROM generally contains the basic instructions for data Input and Output. The ROM may also contain the basic computer boot procedures and instructions.

C ONT Output devices: Any device that display information or data

to the user either in soft copy or hard copy ( i.e. monitor, speakers etc. )from a computer. Since most information from a computer is output in either a visual or auditory format, the most common output devices are the monitor and speakers. Storage devices: is a hardware device capable of holding information. All information on computers is stored in files and size of a file is measured in bytes. A byte is approximately one character (letter 'a', number '1', symbol '?' etc....).

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A byte is made up of 8 bits. A bit is simply an on or an off signal which passes through the computers circuitry. Every piece of software can be broken down into a series of on or off signals or it's Binary Code. About a thousand bytes is a kilobyte (Kb). About a million bytes is a megabyte (Mb). About a billion bytes is a gigabyte (Gb). About a trillion bytes is a terabyte (Tb) Everything in computers must be divisible by 8 so a kilobyte is actually 1,024 bytes.

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Disk are a common way of transporting information such as bringing files home from work or sharing files. Floppy disks have become less useful as file sizes increase and Compact disks (CDs), Flash drives and Digital Video Devices (DVDs) are becoming more popular. Most software is sold on a CD. Internal Hard disks are the most common storage device. Compact disks or CDs can store large amounts of information. One disk will store 650 Mb. DVD disks can store 4.5 Gb on standard disk, 8 Gb on a dual layer disk and 16 Gb on a blue-ray disk. Digital recorders allow you to store large files, such as movies, on a single disk.

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Hard disks store the majority of information on today's modern computer. Some of the first hard disk stored 10 to 40 Mb. Today the standard hard disk stores 150 Gb or more (this number is constantly increasing). Information can be stored and deleted as necessary. As files get larger the speed that hard disks can read and write become more important. Flash drive or thumb drives range in size. Floppy disk or diskette comes in two basic sizes; 5.25 inch and 3.5 inch. Both have a low and high density versions though 3.5 inch high density disks are the most common though many modern computers are being sold without floppy disk drives.

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There are many other storage devices including tapes, 3.5 inch diskettes, Zip disks, VCR tape. Information is stored in an electromagnetic form much like a cassette or video tape.

THE END.

Questions..!