2.1.1.
Introduction to computer
Definition of computers
A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in its own
memory that can accept data (input), process the data according to specified rules, produce
information (output), and store the information for future use. Computer input is called data and
the output obtained after processing it, based on user’s instructions is called information. Raw
facts and figures which can be processed using arithmetic and logical operations to obtain
information are called data.
Lap tops: - Despite its huge popularity, desktops gave way to a more compact and portable
personal computer called laptop in 2000s. Laptops are also called notebook computers or simply
notebooks. Laptops have chips for energy efficiency so that they can conserve power whenever
possible and have a longer life.
Figure [Link]
Servers:- Servers are computers with high processing speeds that provide one or more services
to other systems on the network. They may or may not have screens attached to them. A group
of computers or digital devices connected together to share resources is called a network.
Figure18. Servers
2.4.2. Computer hardware:- includes the physical, tangible parts or components of a computer,
such as the cabinet, central processing unit, monitor, keyboard, computer data storage, graphics
card, sound card, speakers and motherboard. By contrast, software is instructions that can be
stored and run by hardware. Hardware is so-termed because it is "hard" or rigid with respect to
changes or modifications; whereas software is "soft" because it is easy to update or change.
Figure [Link] hardware
External hardware examples
Below is a list of external hardware or hardware that is found outside of your computer that may
be found with a computer.
Keyboard Scanner Projector Printer Speakers
Joystick Microphone Mouse USB thumb driver monitor
Table 1. External hardware
Internal hardware examples
Below is a list of internal hardware or hardware that is found inside your computer and may be
found in a computer.
Table [Link] hardware
Processor (CPU) Modem Video card Sound card
Fan (heat sink) Network card Motherboard Read Only Memory (ROM)
Drive (e.g., DVD, floppy drive, hard drive) Random Access Memory (RAM)
Display monitor
A computer monitor displays images generated by the computer system. Like main memory, it is
a volatile device. When the power is removed, the image is lost. Monitors nowadays, are almost
exclusively LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) monitors are rare and are
now as expensive as LCD monitors.
Figure [Link] hardware
Keyboard
A keyboard is the most common input device. Several kinds of keyboards are available, but they
resemble each other with minor variations. Generally standard keyboard has 104 keys.
The keys are often classified as follows:
Alphanumeric keys – letters and numbers
Punctuation keys – comma, full- stop, semicolon, etc.
Special keys – function keys, control keys arrow keys, cap lock keys, etc.
Figure 21. Keyboard
Mouse
A mouse is an electro-mechanical, hand-held device. It is used as a pointer. It can perform
functions like selecting menu commands, moving icons, and resizing windows, starting
programs, and choosing options. It cannot substitute all keyboard operations.
Figure 22. Mouse
Printer
A printer is a device which is used for printing documents. Some print in black and white, others
color.
Figure23. Printer
Scanner
A scanner is a device that lets you take a copy of a document or image.
Figure 24. Scanner
Modem
A modem is Input and Output device provides communication from your computer to the
Internet.
Figure25. Modem
USB Flash Drives
Also known as a thumb drive, a USB flash drive is a portable hard drive that works with a USB
port. As useful as they are, USB drives are also small and unfortunately easy to lose.
Figure 26. USB flash drive
Hard Drive
The hard drive is where the computer stores data for long-term use. Hard drives have a hard,
disk-shaped platter made of a magnetic material, and use magnets to store data on the platter.
The magnetic material allows the computer to easily erase and rewrite the data whenever it needs
to.
The capacity of the hard drive is determined by how many bytes it can hold. For example, a 40
gigabyte (abbreviated GB) hard drive can hold 40 billion bytes.
Figure27. Hard drive
CD-ROM Drive
There are two types of devices in a computer that use CDs: CD-ROM drive and a CD writer. The
CD-ROM drive used for reading a CD. The CD writer drive can read and write a CD. CD writers
are much more popular are new computers than a CD-ROM drive. Both kinds of CD drives are
called optical disc drives because the use a laser light or electromagnetic waves to read or write
data to or from a CD.
Figure 28. CD ROM drive
The Motherboard
The motherboard, also called the logic board or mainboard, is a board with electrical circuits
printed on it that holds many of the computer's essential components. The electrical circuits
on the board allow the components to receive power and communicate with each other.
A desktop computer motherboard usually contains the CPU and the main memory, and you
can attach graphics and sound cards, memory, and other peripherals to them with cards or
cables. It's also very common for manufacturers to integrate some of these components
directly onto the motherboard itself.
Figure 29. Motherboard
CPU
The CPU, or Central Processing Unit, is the brain of the computer. CPUs do two major
things: performing mathematical and logical operations (in other words, making the
computer do stuff), and retrieving and carrying out instructions from the computer's
memory.
Figure 30. CPU
RAM
RAM, or Random-Access Memory, is a type of computer memory used for short-term data
storage. It is usually an integrated circuit board installed in the motherboard.
Figure [Link]
The Graphics Card
A graphics card, or video card, processes and outputs images to the computer's monitor.
Less expensive graphics card are integrated directly into the motherboard, but more
powerful cards come as a separate component that you can replace without having to change
the entire motherboard.
Figure 32. Graphics Card
The Network Interface Card
A network interface card lets you connect your computer to a network. It can be a local one,
like a LAN, or the Internet if the computer connects to a modem.
Figure 33. Network Interface Card
The Sound Card
A sound card processes and plays sound files. It can work with both the internal and
external speakers to provide sound. Of course, the better the sound card and speakers are, the
better the sound quality.