PERFORM COMPUTER OPERATIONS

INFORMATION SHEET 2.2.1

 LEARNING OUTCOME 1.
• Upon completion of this module, the trainee/student must
be able to:
• Identify different types of a Computer System and its Operating
System
• Identify different parts of a Computer System the Input output
devices
• Identify different kinds and types of Storage devices
 WHAT IS A COMPUTER?
• Computer is an electronic device that is
designed to work with Information
(storing and processing data). The term
computer is derived from the Latin term
‘computare’, this means to calculate or
programmable machine.

• Computer cannot do anything without a

Program.
 WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT
TYPES OF COMPUTERS?
• PersonalCcomputer (PC)
• Desktop
• Laptop
• Netbook
• Personal Digital Assistants
(PDAs)
• Workstation
• Server
• Mainframe
• Supercomputer
• Wearable Computer
 PERSONAL COMPUTER (PC)
• defines a computer designed
for general use by a single
person. While a Mac is a PC,
most people relate the term
with systems that run the
Windows operating system.
PCs were first known as
microcomputers because they
were a complete computer but
built on a smaller scale than
the huge systems in use by
most businesses.
 DESKTOP
• A PC that is not designed for
portability is a desktop
computer. The expectation with
desktop systems are that you
will set the computer up in a
permanent location. Most
desktops offer more power,
storage and versatility for less
cost than their portable brethren.
 LAPTOP
• Also called notebooks, laptops are
portable computers that integrate
the display, keyboard, a pointing
device or trackball, processor,
memory and hard drive all in a
battery-operated package slightly
larger than an average hardcover
book.
 NETBOOK
• Netbooks are ultra-portable
computers that are even smaller
than traditional laptops. The
extreme cost-effectiveness of
netbooks (roughly $300 to $500)
means they're cheaper than
almost any brand-new laptop
you'll find at retail outlets.
However, netbooks' internal
components are less powerful
than those in regular laptops.
 PERSONAL DIGITAL ASSISTANTS
• Personal Digital Assistants (PDA)
(PDAs) are tightly integrated
computers that often use
flash memory instead of a
hard drive for storage. These
computers usually do not
have keyboards but rely on
touchscreen technology for
user input. PDAs are typically
smaller than a paperback
novel, very lightweight with
a reasonable battery life. A
slightly larger and heavier
version of the PDA is the
handheld computer.
 WORKSTATION
• Another type of computer is a workstation. A workstation is simply a
desktop computer that has a more powerful processor, additional memory
and enhanced capabilities for performing a special group of task, such as
3D Graphics or game development.
 SERVER
• A computer that has been optimized to provide services to other
computers over a network. Servers usually have powerful processors, lots
of memory and large hard drives. The next type of computer can fill an
entire room.
 MAINFRAME
• Mainframe computers (colloquially referred to as "big iron”) are computers
used primarily by corporate and governmental organizations for critical
applications, bulk data processing such as census, industry and consumer
statistics, enterprise resource planning and transaction processing.
 SUPERCOMPUTER
• A supercomputer is a computer with a very high-level computational
capacity. As of 2015, there are supercomputers which could perform up-
to quadrillions of floating point operations per second.
The fastest type of computer.
Supercomputers are very expensive and
are employed for
specialized applications that require
immense amounts of mathematical
calculations. For example, weather
forecasting requires a supercomputer.
Other uses of supercomputers include
animated graphics, fluid dynamic
calculations, nuclear energy research, and
petroleum exploration.
 WEARABLE COMPUTER
• The latest trend in computing is wearable computers. Essentially,
common computer applications (e-mail, database, multimedia,
calendar/scheduler) are integrated into watches, cell phones, visors and
even clothing.
 OPERATING SYSTEMS
• What is an Operating Systems (OS)
• the software that supports a computer's basic functions, such as
scheduling tasks, executing applications, and controlling peripherals.

• It is the most important software that runs on a computer. It manages the

computer's memory, processes, and all of its software and hardware.
 TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEMS
• Real-time operating system (RTOS)
• Real-time operating systems are used to control machinery, scientific
instruments and industrial systems. An RTOS typically has very little user-
interface capability, and no end-user utilities, since the system will be a
"sealed box" when delivered for use.
• Single-user, single task (OS)
• As the name implies, this operating system is designed to manage the
computer so that one user can effectively do one thing at a time. The Palm
OS for Palm handheld computers is a good example of a modern single-user,
single-task operating system.
• Single-user, multi-tasking
• This is the type of operating system most people use on their desktop and
laptop computers today. Microsoft's Windows and Apple's MacOS platforms
are both examples of operating systems that will let a single user have
several programs in operation at the same time. For example, it's entirely
possible for a Windows user to be writing a note in a word processor while
downloading a file from the Internet while printing the text of an e-mail
message.
• Multi-user
• A multi-user operating system allows many different users to take advantage
of the computer's resources simultaneously. The operating system must
make sure that the requirements of the various users are balanced, and that
each of the programs they are using has sufficient and separate resources so
that a problem with one user doesn't affect the entire community of users.
Unix, VMS and mainframe operating systems, such as MVS, are examples
of multi-user operating systems.
 PARTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM
• What are the main parts of a
computer?
• 1. Monitor
• 2. Modem
• 3. System Unit
• 4. Mouse
• 5. Speaker
• 6. Printer/Scanner
• 7. Keyboard
• 8. Webcam

• 9. Headset
 MONITOR
• 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.
 MODEM
• 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 high-speed cable. Modems are sometimes built into the
system unit, but higher-speed modems are usually separate components.
 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.
 MOUSE
• A mouse is a small device used to point to and select items on your
computer screen.
• 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.
 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.
 PRINTER/SCANNER
• A printer transfers data from a computer onto paper. You don't need a
printer to use 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.
 KEYBOARD
• 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.
• 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.
 SELF CHECK 2.2.1A
• 1. What is a Computer?
• 2. What are its functions?
• 3. Give the 10 different Types of Computers.
• 4. What is an Operating Systems
• 5. What are the Types of Operating Systems
• 6. Give the main parts of Computer System and write its functions.
 INFORMATION SHEET 2.2.1B
• Input devices:
• Input devices give/enter information into the PC's System Unit.
• Common types of input devices are the following:

• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Trackball
• Joystick
• Scanners
• Digital Cameras
• Web cam
•
• Output devices:
• The CPU sends signals to the output devices. The output devices then
display the information. Common output devices are the following:
• Monitor - It is an output device used for visual display of information.
• Printer - prints the softcopy and produces hardcopy
• Plotter - remarkably large printers for printing posters, blue prints,
etc.
• Speakers - an audio output device
• Headphones - an audio output device
• LCD projector - is a type of video projector for displaying video,
images or computer data on a screen or other flat surface
• What is a storage device?
• A storage device is any computing hardware that is used for storing, porting
and extracting data files and objects. It can hold and store information both
temporarily and permanently, and can be internal or external to a computer,
server or any similar computing device.

• A storage device may also be known as a storage medium.

 TEMPORARY AND PERMANENT
STORAGE DEVICE
• Temporary storage is RAM, or memory, reason it is temporary is that when you
switch the computer off, all information that was stored in memory is now gone. 

• Permanent storage would be the original type of ROM. It was written to once and
could never be changed. That was mainly used for BIOS instructions. While hard
drives are non-volatile, meaning they don't need power to retain their memory,
they are not permanent. 

• Nonvolatile storage is hard drives (both internal and external), CD's, DVDs,
floppies, USB devices (including flash memory), because data that is stored on
these devices remain there until physically changed, or deleted. The data is not
lost when the power is turned off.
• Temporary storage

• Permanent storage
 TYPES OF COMPUTER STORAGE

1. Magnetic storage devices

• Any storage medium that utilizes magnetic patterns to represent information
is considered magnetic media. Good examples of a magnetic media and
magnetic storage are floppy diskette and hard drive.
• Hard Disk Drive (HDD) – It is used to store large amount of data and
information which can be accessed easily. The hard drive is where your
programs are installed and where you save information on your computer.
Lots of storage space means that you can have a wide variety of different
software.
 2. OPTICAL STORAGE DEVICES
• Alternatively referred to as optical media and optical storage, an optical
disc drive (ODD) or optical disk is any storage media that holds content in
digital format and is read using a laser assembly is considered optical
media. The most common types of optical media are Blu-ray, CDs, and
DVDs.
 3. FLASH MEMORY DEVICES

• Flash memory is widely used with cell phones, digital cameras, PDAs and
MP3 players. This type of memory is an integrated circuit that does not
need continuous power to retain the data and is much more expensive
than magnetic storage. Today flash memory is becoming more popular
but its still not yet a practical replacement for large hard drives.
• Jump drive
• Alternatively referred to as a USB flash drive, data stick, pen drive,
memory unit, keychain drive and thumb drive, a jump drive is a
portable drive that is often the size of your thumb that connects to the
computer USB port. Today, flash drives are available in sizes such as
256MB, 512MB, 1GB, 5GB, and 16GB and are an easy way to transfer
and store information.
• Memory card
• Alternatively referred to as a flash memory card, a memory card is a
type of storage media that is most commonly used in digital cameras,
digital camcorders, handheld computers, MP3 players, PDAs, cell
phones, game consoles, and printers, to store pictures, videos, music,
and other data.
 4. ONLINE AND CLOUD
• Another growing method of storing data online and cloud storage, which
is becoming popular as people need to access their data from more than
one device.
• Cloud computing
• A term used to describe services over a network by a collection of servers.
These computers or cloud of computers enable the users visiting to have
access to much faster computers or servers, be able to access programs and
services from anywhere with Internet access often without having to install
other software, and get access to the services from any device capable of
reaching the network or Internet.
 SELF CHECK 2.2.1B
• 1. What are the INPUT and OUTPUT devices of a computer system?
• 2. What is a storage device?
• 3. What are the TWO kinds of Storage device?
• 4. What are the types of computer system's permanent storage device
and give examples on each type.