Basic Computer Course

What is a Computer?
👉 Definition:
A Computer is an electronic device that takes data (input), processes it, and gives useful
information (output).

👉 Simple Meaning:
It helps us do work like writing, calculating, drawing, watching videos, playing games.

Hardware
👉 Definition:
Hardware is the physical part of the computer that we can see and touch.

👉 Examples:
Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, CPU, Printer, Scanner.

Software
👉 Definition:
Software is a set of instructions (program) that tells the computer what to do.

👉 Examples:
MS Word, MS Excel, Paint, Browser (Google Chrome), Games.

Input Devices
👉 Definition:
Input Devices are used to give data or instructions to the computer.
 👉 Examples:
Keyboard, Mouse, Scanner, Microphone, Camera.

Output Devices
👉 Definition:
Output Devices are used to show the result or information from the computer.

👉 Examples:
Monitor, Printer, Speakers, Projector.

FULL FORMS OF COMMON TERMS

Term Full Form Simple Meaning / Use
CPU Central Processing Unit Brain of the computer, does all processing.
RAM Random Access Memory Temporary memory, helps programs run fast.
ROM Read Only Memory Permanent memory, stores important data.
USB Universal Serial Bus Port to connect devices like pen drives.
UPS Uninterruptible Power Supply Gives backup power if electricity goes.
WWW World Wide Web Collection of websites on internet.
HTTP Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Transfers web pages over internet.
ISP Internet Service Provider Company that provides internet service.
LAN Local Area Network Connects computers in small area.
WAN Wide Area Network Connects computers over large distances.
IP Internet Protocol Unique address for each internet device.
PDF Portable Document Format Format to share documents safely.
URL Uniform Resource Locator Address of a website.
VPN Virtual Private Network Helps browse internet privately.
HTML Hyper Text Markup Language Language used to create websites.
AI Artificial Intelligence Computers that can think and learn.
BIOS Basic Input Output System Starts computer and loads OS.
OS Operating System Software that runs computer (Windows, Linux).
GUI Graphical User Interface Allows use of computer via icons & pictures.
LCD Liquid Crystal Display Flat screen monitor or TV.
HDD Hard Disk Drive Stores data permanently in computer.
SSD Solid State Drive Fast storage device for modern computers.
VGA Video Graphics Array Connects monitor to computer.
LED Light Emitting Diode Used in display screens and lights.
CAD Computer Aided Design Software for designing objects/machines.
 Term Full Form Simple Meaning / Use
Information and Communication
ICT Use of tech to share information.
Technology
IoT Internet of Things Everyday devices connected to internet.

SHORTCUT KEYS
Shortcut Key Function Generation / Usage Simple Meaning
Ctrl + C Copy Basic / All Copy selected text or object.
Ctrl + X Cut Basic / All Remove and copy selected item.
Ctrl + V Paste Basic / All Paste copied/cut item.
Ctrl + Z Undo Basic / All Cancel last action.
Ctrl + Y Redo Basic / All Repeat last undone action.
Ctrl + A Select All Basic / All Select entire content.
Ctrl + P Print Basic / Office Print document/file.
Ctrl + S Save Basic / All Save current file.
Ctrl + O Open Basic / All Open existing file.
Alt + F4 Close Window Basic / All Close the current window.
Ctrl + N New file/document Office / Notepad / Paint Create new file/document.
Ctrl + F Find Office / Notepad Search for text.
Ctrl + H Replace Office / Notepad Replace found text.
Ctrl + B Bold text Office / Word Make text bold.
Ctrl + I Italic text Office / Word Make text italic.
Ctrl + U Underline text Office / Word Underline the text.
Ctrl + E Center align Office / Word Align text to center.
Ctrl + L Left align Office / Word Align text to left.
Ctrl + R Right align Office / Word Align text to right.
Ctrl + Shift + > Increase font size Office / Word Make text bigger.
Ctrl + Shift + < Decrease font size Office / Word Make text smaller.
Ctrl + M Insert new slide PowerPoint Add a new slide.
F5 Start slideshow PowerPoint Begin slideshow from start.
Start slideshow from Begin slideshow from current
Shift + F5 PowerPoint
current slide slide.
F2 Edit selected cell Excel Edit the selected cell.
Ctrl + Shift + L Apply/Remove filter Excel Add or remove filter to data.
Windows Key Open Start menu Windows OS Open the Start menu.
Alt + Tab Switch windows Windows OS Switch between open apps.
PrtSc Screenshot Windows OS Capture screen image.

COMPUTER GENERATIONS
 Generation Timeline Technology Used Simple Meaning / Use
1st Gen 1940 - 1956 Vacuum tubes Very large, slow computers using vacuum tubes.
Smaller and faster than first generation, used
2nd Gen 1956 - 1963 Transistors
transistors.
Integrated Circuits
3rd Gen 1964 - 1971 More compact, faster computers using IC chips.
(IC)
Computers became personal (PC), very fast and
4th Gen 1971 - Present Microprocessors
small.
5th Gen Present & Beyond Artificial Intelligence Smart computers using AI & supercomputers.