Computer.

A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions

stored in its own memory.
Is a machine that can be programmed to accept data ( input). Process it into
useful information ( output) and store it for reuse.
Data and Information
Data is a collection of unprocessed items, which can include text, numbers,
pictures, audio and video.
Information data that have been processed. It is organized, meaningful and
useful.
Hardware (HW)
Refers to the physical components of a computer.
These are the electronic and mechanical devices that consists your computer,
some times built in and others are added peripherals.
These hardware component include: input devices, output devices system
unit, storage devices and communication devices.
Software (SW)
Also called a program, is a series of instructions that tells the computer
what to do and how to do it
Two categories of software are System Software and Application
Software
Supercomputer . Fastest, most powerful and most expensive computer.
Capacity and speed: more than 135 trillion instruction per second.
Use/rs: Used in medicine, aerospace, automotive design, banking, weather
forecast, nuclear energy research, and petroleum exploration
Mainframe. Is a large, expensive powerful computer that can handle hundreds
and thousands of connected users simultaneously.
Capacity and speed: Provide centralized processing and storage, used for
large database systems terminals, servers and even mainframes can
access data and information from the mainframe
Use/rs: major corporations use mainframe in their business activities,
universities, municipalities, system analyst, programmers, database
administrators, account administrators.
Network Computers
1. Server: controls access to the hardware, software and other resources on a
network
Use/rs: small to medium size corporations in a local area network, network
administrators, programmers and system analyst

2. Terminals/ Network Computer: sometimes known as thin clients or dumb

terminals. Provide access to a servers, mainframe via a network and have
little, if any, computing capacity of their own.
• Personal Computers. can perform all of its input,
processing, output and storage activities by itself. A
personal computer contains a processor, memory and
one or more input, output and storage devices.
• Capacity and Speed: MB to GB, can store from several
hundreds to trillions of data.
• Laptop Computers.Portable, personal computer
designed to fit on a user's lap. Are thin and lightweight
yet can be powerful as the average desktop computer.
The main feature of a laptop is its portability.
• PDA. Personal Digital Assistant. The smallest of all
computers. Their main task is to maintain a diary and
keep contact lists.
Chapter II. Hardware in Detail

As mentioned Hardware is the physical component of a

computer, this chapter will discuss the different hardware
components in detail.

Components of Computer

System Unit. It is a case that contains electronic components of a

computer that are used to process data.

Motherboard. Main circuit board the of the system unit, which has
some electronic components attached to it and others built into
it.

Two Main Components of Motherboard:

• Processor also called the CPU
• Memory
3.) Processor or Central Processing Unit (CPU). The
primary processing device which interprets and
executes program instructions and manages the
functions of input, output, storage devices and
additional peripherals connected to the computer.

It is oftentimes referred to as the brain of the computer.

On a personal computer, all functions of the processor
usually are on a single chip.
Parts of a Processor/CPU:
Control unit. It directs and coordinates most of the operations in the
computer. It loads and interprets individual instructions that
comprise a computer program. Instructions read are in language
called machine code which are series of 1’s and 0’s.
It is also in charge of getting the data needed by the instructions and
obtains the results of the processing after the instruction has been
processed.
Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU). Performs arithmetic, comparison
and other operations. Operations include basic calculation and
logical comparison.
On-board cache memory: Because the CPU can perform its
operations much faster than data can be transferred from RAM,
many CPUs have on-board cache memory. Data and instructions
can be loaded into cache before they are actually needed. When
they are needed, the transfer is much faster than it would have been
if RAM had been used.
Speed of the CPU. The CPU operates as a result of
electronic pulses sent to it by another device on the
motherboard called the system clock. The speed of a
CPU is measured by the maximum number of pulses or
ticks, it is able to handle. This is measured in MHz
(megahertz) or millions of pulse per second or GHz
(gigahertz) billion of pulses per second. A good personal
computer will use a CPU with a clock speed of over 2
GHz. This means it receives 2 000 000 000 million
pulses every second from the CPU.

Hertz= one cycle per second

Mega = million
Giga = billion
4.) Memory. Consists of electronic
component that store instructions waiting
to be executed and data needed by those
instructions, most memory keeps data
temporarily, which means its contents are
erased when power is switched off.
General Categories of Memory

Primary memory is the memory that is intimately associated with the actual
working of the computer. This includes memory that holds the start-up
routines as well as the current program and data it is working with. There
are various forms of primary memory: RAM, ROM and Cache memory.
Secondary memory consists of the various devices that are able to store data
and programs even when the power is off. This includes devices such as
hard drives, floppy drives, tape drives, CD drives and DVD drives.
RAM or Random Access Memory holds the current running program and its
associated data. Its content is lost when power is turned off.
ROM or Read Only Memory contains certain key routines (small programs).
One example, is the set of start-up routines. These take control of the
computer when yours witch on and ensure that the computer boots-up.
Booting-up is the process of starting the computer up so that it is able to
load and run computer programs.
Types of ROM

1. MROM ( Mask Programmed ROM)- programmed at the

factory Example: Integrated Circuits

1. PROM ( Programmable ROM) – can be custom made

by the user, but programmed only once using special
circuitry. Examples: Video Game Console,
Electronic Dictionaries
2. EPROM ( Erasable Programmable ROM) – can be
erased and reprogrammed by using ultraviolet light and
special external circuitry external to the computer.
3. EEPROM electronically Erasable PROM can be erased
and reprogrammed by special circuitry within the
computer.
Cache memory is very high speed memory that is used by the CPU in executing the
individual instructions of the program. It is used to hold items such as instructions
that are next in line to be executed and data that is likely to be needed by the
CPU.

Basic Units of Data Storage: It is important to realize that the term digital computer
refers to the fact that ultimately the computer works in what is called binary.
Humans work in tens (because we have 10 fingers). To use the jargon humans
work in base 10. A digital computer uses the numbers 0 and 1 (or on and off if you
prefer). When we talk about computer storage, either the amount of memory
(RAM) or the hard disk capacity we are talking about numbers which are multiples
of 0 or 1.

Bit. All computers work on a binary numbering system, i.e. they process data in ones or
zeros. This 1 or 0 level of storage is called a bit. Often hardware is specified as a
32-bit computer, which means that the hardware can process 32 bits at a time.
Software is also described as 16 bit, 32 bit or 64 bit software.
Byte. A byte consists of eight bits.
Kilobyte. A kilobyte (KB) consists of 1024 bytes.
Megabyte. A megabyte (MB) consists of 1024 kilobytes, approximately 1,000,000 bytes.
Gigabyte. A gigabyte (GB) consists of 1024 megabytes, approximately 1,000,000,000
bytes.
Terabyte. A terabyte (TB) consists of approximately 1,000,000,000,000 bytes.
Files. Data and programs are stored on your disk
as files. There are different types of files, such
as the files in which you store your data, the files
which contain your programs and also files used
to store your operating system (such as
Microsoft Windows).

Directories (folders). Directories or folders are

used to group files with a similar theme together.
Input Devices

Input. Is any data and instruction

entered into the memory of the
computer.

Input Device. Is any hardware component

that allows users to enter data and
instruction into the computer.
Variety of Input Devices:
Keyboard. An input device that contains keys that users
press to enter data into a computer. It allows users to
type alphabet, numbers and other characters.
A keyboard usually has 101-104 keys.

Pointing Device. Allows user to control a pointer on the

screen.

Mouse. Fits comfortably under the palm, use to control the

movement of a pointer. Operates by clicking and
dragging.
Example: optical mouse, laser mouse, air mouse
Trackball. A stationary pointing device with a ball on its top
or side. Operates by rotating the ball
Touchpad. Is a small. Flat. Rectangular pointing device that
is sensitive to pressure and motion. Operates by sliding
fingertips and tapping the surface. Most laptops have
touchpad that allows user to control the movement of the
pointer.
Light pen. A handheld input device that can detect the
presence of light. Operates by pointing the light on the
screen and pressing a button.

Touch Screen. Touch sensitive display device. Operates

by touching the areas of the screen

Scanners. A light sensing device that reads printed text

and graphics and translates the result into a form that
the computer can process.

Audio Input. Users enter voice, sound input via devices

like microphones and audio recorders.

Video Input. The process of capturing full motion images

and storing them on a computer. Digital cameras and
web cameras capture this video inputs.
6. ) Output Devices.
Output. Is data that has been processed into useful form. Users view,
print or hear the different out put through different devices.
Output Device. Is any hardware component that conveys information
to one or more people.

Display Devices
CRT Monitors. A display monitor that contains a Cathode Ray Tube,
a large sealed glass tube .
CRT
LCD Monitor
LCD Monitors. Also called flat panel monitor, uses liquid crystal
display to produce images. They produce sharp and flicker free
images.
 Printer. An output device that produces text and graphics on a
physical medium such as paper.
Non-Impact Printers. Forms text and graphics without actually
striking the paper.
Ink Jet Printers. This is a type of printer that produces text and
graphics by spraying tiny drops of liquid ink onto a piece of paper.
Impact Printers. Forms characters and graphics on a
piece of paper by striking a mechanism against an inked
ribbon that physically contact the paper.
Dot Matrix Printer. This impact printer produces printed
images when tiny wire pins on a print head mechanism
strike an inked ribbon, when the ribbon presses against
the paper it creates dots that form the images.
Storage Device. The hardware component that
write data to and read data from storage media.
Storage Media. Physical material on which
data is stored.
Two Main Categories of Storage Medium
1. Magnetic Storage. Uses different patterns of
magnetization to store data and is a form of
non-volatile memory. The information is
accessed using one or more read/write heads
2. Optical Storage. Data is recorded by making
marks in a pattern that can be read back with
the aid of light. A common modern technique
used by computers involves a tiny beam of
laser light precisely focused on a spinning disc.
Types of Magnetic storage
Diskettes( Floppy Disk. ). A removable magnetic disk, encased in a
plastic sleeve. Capacity is 1.44 MB
Hard Disk. A magnetic storage device, it is a stack of aluminum
platters, each coated with iron oxide enclosed in a hard disk drive.
Capacity: hundeds of MB to GB and even TB
Types Optical storage
CD ROM. Compact Disc read Only Memory, users can read but cannot
write or record on it. Holds 650 to 1GB of data.
CD-R. A multisession disk on which users can write but not erase the
data stored on it.
CD-RW. An erasable multisession disk
DVD ROM. Digital Versatile Disk Read Only Memory. It is a high capacity
optical Disk on which users can read but not write or erase.
• VD R. Users can write but not erase stored data.
• DVD-RW. Users can write and erase contents, but the whole contents
of the DVD must be erased before writing new data on it.
• DVD+RW. Randomly stores data where users can write and erase
data without deleting all the contents of the DVD, it is like a large
floppy disk.
Capacity: DVD can hold up to maximum of 17GB
Other modern storage devices includes, zip drives, pc cards,
express cards and flash drive.
• Software. Also called programs. These are set of instructions or code to
be executed by the CPU, designed to help users solve problems or perform
tasks.
Types of Software
• 1. System Software. Programs that control the operation of a computer
and its devices.
.
• 2. Application Software. Any computer program used to create or process
data as text document. Spreadsheets, graphics, and so on.

• Two types of System Software:

– Operating System. Is a set of programs that coordinates all the
activities among the computer hardware devices. It provides a means
for users to communicate with the computer and other software.
Example. Windows XP, Vista, Mac OS, LINUX
– Utility Software. Allows a user to perform maintenance- type tasks
usually related to managing the computer and its devices or its
programs. Example: Recovery software, Back-up Utility, drivers
Types of Application Software

Word Processing Software. A word processing program (such as Microsoft

Word) allows you to produce letters, memos, etc., easily. You can easily
mail merge a list of names and addresses to produce mass mailers,
individually addressed to customers or subscribers
Spreadsheets. Allows users to organize data in rows or columns and perform
calculations on the data. Columns and rows are collectively knows as
worksheet.
Database. An application software that allows user to create, access, and
manage database. It allows user to add, change, view, or delete data from a
database and create reports based from the data in the database.
Presentation Software. It allows users to create visual aids fro presentation to
communicate ideas, messages and other information to a group of people.
Web browsing. Applications used to view and interact with the World Wide
Web (WWW).
Web Authoring. These applications allow almost anyone to create a web site,
quickly and easily.
Graphics and Multimedia Software. Sophisticated software that allow users
to manipulate graphics and multimedia data and produces output their work
demands.
Chapter IV. Information Networks

Networks. Collection of computers and devices connected together,

often wirelessly, via communication devices or transmission media,
allowing the sharing of resources.
Node/s. A computer connected to a network.
Classification of Networks:
1. Local Area Network (LAN). Is a network that connects computers
and other peripherals in a limited area. Each computer or device,
called a node often share resources such as printers, large hard
disk and programs.
2. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN). A high speed network that
connects Local Area Network in a metropolitan area such as a city
or a town. Includes one or more LAN but covers a smaller area than
WAN.
3. Wide Area Network (WAN) . A network that covers a large
geographic are such as a city or the world using a communication
channel tat combines many types of media such as telephone lines,
cables and radio waves.
Intranet, Extranet, Internet
Intranet. It is a LAN or a Wan that uses TCP/IP
protocols but exclusively belongs to a corporation. It is
only accessible only the organization’s workers.
Extranet. It is an Intranet that can be accessed by
outside users over the Internet. The user log-on using a
valid user identification to be able to use the resources in
the network.
Internet. The Internet is a global network of
interconnected networks started by and for the US
military to enable them to 'survive' a nuclear war. Later
adopted by the educational system, and now exploited
by the commercial world.
• Web Page. It is a document formatted with Hypertext Markup
Language Tags (HTML)
• Web Site. A collection of Web Pages
• URL’s. Every Web page has a unique address, called a uniform
resource locator, or URL (pronounced as spelled: U-R-L)
• Example : http://www.glencoe.com/
• Hyperlinks. A hyperlink is a part of the Web page that is linked to a
URL
• Web Search Tools. Directories- enables you to search information
by selecting categories of subject matter. It separates subjects into
general categories.
• Search Engines. Lets you search for information by typing one or
more words.
• Metasearch Engines. Uses multiple search engines simultaneously
to look up sites.
What is PSTN?
• PSTN (or Public Switched Telephone Network) is the technical name for the
public telephone system. It is based on traditional 'copper wire' technology
and can transmit analogue voice data.
What is PSDN?
• PSDN (or Public Switched Data Network) is simply the technical name for the
telephone system in use today.
What is ISDN?
• Stands for "Integrated Services Digital Network." ISDN dates back to 1984,
and allows much faster transfer rates than when using modems. Using ISDN,
you can transfer 64 Kbit or 128 Kbit of data per second.
What is ADSL?
• Short for 'Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line'. A more recent technology
which allows more data to be sent over existing copper telephone lines, but
requires a special ADSL modem.
• ADSL allows data transfer rates of ranging from 0.5 to 8 Mbps when
receiving data (called the downstream rate) and from 16 to 640 Kbps when
sending data (called the upstream rate).
What is DSL?
• Refers collectively to all types of 'Digital Subscriber Lines', the two main
categories being ADSL and SDSL. DSL technology allows faster data
transfer while still using copper wires (as opposed to optic fibre cables).
Some more terms: analogue, digital, modem, transfer rate,(measured in
bps – bits per second).
• CPU – Central Processing Unit
• ALU- Arithmetic Logc unit
• RAM – Random Access Memory
• ROM- Read Only Memory
• PROM- Programmable Read Only Memory
• EPROM Erasable Read Only Memory
• EEPROM electronically Erasable Programmable read Only Memory
• MROM ( Mask Programmed ROM)
• BIOS – Basic Input Output System
• LAN – Local Area Network
• WAN – Wide Area Network
• MAN- Metropolitan Area Network
CD ROM Compact Disk Read Only Memory
DVD Digital Versatile Disk
HTTP-Hyper Text Transfer Protocol
HTML- Hypertext Mark Up Language
WWW- World Wide Web
URL- Uniform Resource Locator
DSL- Digital Subscriber Line
ADSL- Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line
ISDN-Integrated Services Digital Network
PSDN (or Public Switched Data Network) is
PSTN (or Public Switched Telephone Network)