Computer Concepts

Basic Computer Concepts

 A computer is a machine that performs the following four basic operations known as the information
processing cycle (input, processing, storage, output).
o Input – the computer gathers data from users
o Processing – data is converted into information
o Storage – data or information is stored for future use
o Output – data or information is retrieved from the computer

Types of Computers
 The four basic types of computers are supercomputers, mainframes, minicomputers, and microcomputers.
o Supercomputers – fastest, most expensive, large and powerful computers for specialized tasks
such as mathematical calculations, weather tracking, satellite monitoring, etc
o Mainframe – large computers that multitask and often found in business and colleges
o Minicomputers – may be used in medium-sized businesses with smaller data storage
requirements
o Microcomputers – the smallest category of computers that range in size from servers to handheld
devices
 Some of the most common types of microcomputers include desktops, laptop/notebook,
personal digital assistants (PDAs).

Components of an Information System

 The six basic components of a computer information system are hardware, software, procedures, data,
people, and network.
o Hardware – consists of the equipment controlled by the software. Types of hardware devices
(peripherals) include input devices, system unit, storage devices, and output devices.
 Input Devices – the devices used to enter data into the computer for processing. E.g.,
keyboard, mouse, scanner, digital camera, video camera, etc
 System Unit – holds the processing hardware, electrical power supply, disk drives,
circuit cards, ports for connecting other hardware and motherboard (system board). The
system unit has two important parts: processor and memory.
 Processor/Microprocessor /Central Processing Unit (CPU) – the brain of the
computer that controls all the commands and tasks of the computer
o CPUs are measured by the speed at which they are capable of
processing data (measured in megahertz (MHz) – in millions,
gigahertz (GHz) – in billions, terahertz – in trillions, etc)
o The CPU has two main parts: control unit and arithmetic/logic unit.
 Control Unit – obtains instructions from the memory and
interprets these instructions and executes them
 Arithmetic-Logic Unit (ALU) – performs the arithmetic and
logical operations for the computer
 Memory holds data, instructions and information. Two basic types of memory
include RAM and ROM.
o Random Access Memory (RAM) – the volatile part of memory that
stores information temporarily
o Read-Only Memory (ROM) – the nonvolatile part of memory on
which instructions have been prerecorded to help start the computer
and perform other tasks
o Memory is measured by size in bytes, kilobytes (thousands of bytes),
megabytes (millions of bytes), and gigabytes (billions of bytes),
terabytes (trillions of bytes), etc.
 Byte – represents a single character and consists of 8 bits
  Bit – the smallest unit of information in computers that is
made up of 0s and 1s
 Storage Devices – used to store data and information permanently. Data is generally
stored using one of the following forms: magnetic, optical, flash memory.
 Magnetic storage – uses sectors that divide tracks to store data
o E.g. hard disks, tapes, floppy disks, zip disks
 Optical storage – also uses tracks and sectors but data is saved using a laser
beam
o E.g. Compact discs (CDs), digital video discs (DVDs)
 Flash memory – uses solid-state technology which is completely electronic and
has no moving mechanical parts
o E.g. Flash drives (memory sticks), cards used in digital cameras etc
 Storage devices are also measured by size in bytes, kilobytes, megabytes,
gigabytes, terabytes, etc.
 Output Devices – the devices used to display and print processed data (information).
E.g., monitor printer, etc.
 Monitors output soft copy and their resolution identifies the number of pixels
(picture elements) per square inch that appear on a screen
 Printers output hard copy and their resolution is measured in dots per inch
(dpi)
o Software (program) – a set of instructions that direct the computer to accomplish certain tasks
 The two major categories of software are: system software and application software.
 System Software – enables the application software to interact with the
computer hardware. There are 4 types of system software: operation systems,
utility software, device drivers, and programming languages.
 Application Software –”end-user” software that performs useful tasks such as
word processing, desktop publishing, etc. Kinds of application software
include: word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation and
communication software.
o Procedures – rules or guidelines for people to follow when using software, hardware, and data
o Data – the raw facts entered into the computer system for processing to produce information
o Networks – two or more computers connected in some way to share hardware, software
programs, data and other resources
 Each object (computer, printer, etc) connected to a network is known as a node
 Networks fall into two categories: local area networks, wide area networks.
 Local area network (LAN) – link computers within a small geographic area
like a building or group of buildings
 Wide area network (WAN) – link computers separated by a few miles or even
thousands of miles
 Network Topology (Topography) – how computers and other devices are arranged and
connected. The most common topographic layouts include: bus, ring, star, and wireless
networks.

Ports
 A port is where all the peripheral devices connect to the computer to enable data exchange. Types of ports
include: serial ports, parallel ports, universal serial bus (USB) ports, FireWire ports, and connectivity ports.

Introduction to Windows
Windows Fundamentals
 Operating System - set of computer instructions (computer programs) that control the allocation of
computer hardware.
 Windows (uppercase “W”) – an operating system (developed by Microsoft Corporation) with versions
such as Windows 3.x, 95, 98, NT, 2000, XP, Vista, and 7.
  Interface – provides the means for dialogue between the user and the computer.
 Graphical User Interface (GUI) – uses graphics or pictures to represent commands and actions.
Windows Screen Elements
 Desktop – basic screen (GUI) from which Windows and applications are run. Consists of icons, a taskbar,
a Start button, and a mouse pointer.
o Icon – graphical representation used to run a program.
 My Computer icon – an icon that provides access to files and folders on the computer.
 Recycle bin – storage area for files that have been deleted.
o Taskbar – A bar that contains the Start button and other buttons that will activate programs.
 Start button – used to navigate program functions on the desktop.
 Quick launch toolbar – an area to the right of the Start button that contains icons for
commonly used programs.
 System tray – notification area on the right side of the taskbar that keeps you informed
about processes occurring in the background, and displays the time.
o Mouse pointer – the arrow, I-beam, or other symbol that indicates a location, on your screen.
o window (lowercase “w”) – a rectangular area on the screen that is used to display files or
documents.

Parts of a Window
 Title bar – line at the top of a window that contains the name of the application and document, along with
the Minimize, Maximize/Restore Down, and Close buttons.
o Minimize – removes a window from the screen and represent it as a button on the taskbar.
o Maximize/Restore Down – enables a window to take up the whole screen or takes a window back
to the original size before being maximized.
o Close – closes a window from the screen.
 Menu bar – a bar, directly beneath the title bar, that contains commands in words.
o Menu – list of associated commands available from a command in a menu bar or from a list
opened by right-clicking an object (shortcut menu).
 Screen tip – a small box containing the name of a button that pops up when you pause the mouse pointer
over it.
 Toolbar – a bar, directly beneath the menu bar, that contains command buttons with icons.
 Horizontal/vertical scroll bars – helps to move left/right and up/down respectively to view information
that extends beyond the screen.
 Task pane – used to display commonly used tools.
 Status bar – a bar at the bottom of a window that gives additional information about the window.

Creating & Using Files/Folders

 Creating a new folder
 Creating a new file
o File names must exclude the following characters \ / : * ? “ < > |
o File extension – the three-letter ending to a file that identifies the file type. E.g.,
Extension Type of Document
.doc MS Word
.xls MS Excel
.mdb MS Access
.ppt MS PowerPoint
.txt Text Document
.bmp Windows Bitmap Image
.zip WinZip Compressed File

 Select multiple files/folders

 Cut/Paste files/folders
 Copy/Paste files/folders
 Move files/folders
  Rename files/folders
 Delete files/folders
Finding Files/Folders
 Wildcards
o A number of characters (*)
o A single character (?)
 Narrowing a search