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 •Digital Cameras

•Mouse •Web cam
•Trackball •Pen or Stylus
•Joystick •Touch Screen
•Scanners •Touch Pad
• 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.