Basics of Computers Introduction
Being a modern-day kid you must have used, seen, or read
about computers. This is because they are an integral part
of our everyday existence. Be it school, banks, shops,
railway stations, hospital or your own home, computers are
present everywhere, making our work easier and faster for
us. As they are such integral parts of our lives, we must
know what they are and how they function. Let us start with
defining the term computer formally.
The literal meaning of computer is a device that can
calculate. However, modern computers can do a lot more
than calculate. Computer is an electronic device that
receives input, stores or processes the input as per user
instructions and provides output in desired format.
Input-Process-Output Model
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.
The processes that can be applied to data are of two types
−
Arithmetic operations − Examples include
calculations like addition, subtraction, differentials,
square root, etc.
Logical operations − Examples include comparison
operations like greater than, less than, equal to,
opposite, etc.
The corresponding figure for an actual computer looks
something like this −
The basic parts of a computer are as follows −
Input Unit − Devices like keyboard and mouse that
are used to input data and instructions to the computer
are called input unit.
Output Unit − Devices like printer and visual display
unit that are used to provide information to the user in
desired format are called output unit.
Control Unit − As the name suggests, this unit
controls all the functions of the computer. All devices
or parts of computer interact through the control unit.
Arithmetic Logic Unit − This is the brain of the
computer where all arithmetic operations and logical
operations take place.
Memory − All input data, instructions and data interim
to the processes are stored in the memory. Memory is
of two types – primary memory and secondary
memory. Primary memory resides within the CPU
whereas secondary memory is external to it.
Control unit, arithmetic logic unit and memory are together
called the central processing unit or CPU. Computer
devices like keyboard, mouse, printer, etc. that we can see
and touch are the hardware components of a computer.
The set of instructions or programs that make the computer
function using these hardware parts are called software.
We cannot see or touch software. Both hardware and
software are necessary for working of a computer.
Characteristics of Computer
To understand why computers are such an important part of
our lives, let us look at some of its characteristics −
Speed − Typically, a computer can carry out 3-4
million instructions per second.
Accuracy − Computers exhibit a very high degree of
accuracy. Errors that may occur are usually due to
inaccurate data, wrong instructions or bug in chips – all
human errors.
Reliability − Computers can carry out same type of
work repeatedly without throwing up errors due to
tiredness or boredom, which are very common among
humans.
Versatility − Computers can carry out a wide range of
work from data entry and ticket booking to complex
mathematical calculations and continuous astronomical
observations. If you can input the necessary data with
correct instructions, computer will do the processing.
Storage Capacity − Computers can store a very large
amount of data at a fraction of cost of traditional
storage of files. Also, data is safe from normal wear
and tear associated with paper.
Advantages of Using Computer
Now that we know the characteristics of computers, we can
see the advantages that computers offer−
Computers can do the same task repetitively with same
accuracy.
Computers do not get tired or bored.
Computers can take up routine tasks while releasing
human resource for more intelligent functions.
Disadvantages of Using Computer
Despite so many advantages, computers have some
disadvantages of their own −
Computers have no intelligence; they follow the
instructions blindly without considering the outcome.
Regular electric supply is necessary to make computers
work, which could prove difficult everywhere especially in
developing nations.
Booting
Starting a computer or a computer-embedded device is
called booting. Booting takes place in two steps −
Switching on power supply
Loading operating system into computer’s main
memory
Keeping all applications in a state of readiness in case
needed by the user
The first program or set of instructions that run when the
computer is switched on is called BIOS or Basic Input
Output System. BIOS is a firmware, i.e. a piece of
software permanently programmed into the hardware.
If a system is already running but needs to be restarted, it
is called rebooting. Rebooting may be required if a
software or hardware has been installed or system is
unusually slow.
There are two types of booting −
Cold Booting − When the system is started by
switching on the power supply it is called cold booting.
The next step in cold booting is loading of BIOS.
Warm Booting − When the system is already running
and needs to be restarted or rebooted, it is called
warm booting. Warm booting is faster than cold
booting because BIOS is not reloaded.
Basic Parts of a Computer
The basic parts of a desktop computer are the computer
case, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and power cord. Each part
plays an important role whenever you use a computer.
Computer case
The computer case is the metal and plastic box that contains the main
components of the computer, including the motherboard, central processing unit
(CPU), and power supply. The front of the case usually has an On/Off
button and one or more optical drives.
Computer cases come in different shapes and sizes. A desktop case lies flat on a
desk, and the monitor usually sits on top of it. A tower case is tall and sits next
to the monitor or on the floor. All-in-one computers come with the internal
components built into the monitor, which eliminates the need for a separate case.
Monitor
The monitor works with a video card, located inside the computer case, to
display images and text on the screen. Most monitors have control buttons that
allow you to change your monitor's display settings, and some monitors also
have built-in speakers.
Newer monitors usually have LCD (liquid crystal display) or LED (light-emitting
diode) displays. These can be made very thin, and they are often called flat-
panel displays. Older monitors use CRT (cathode ray tube) displays. CRT
monitors are much larger and heavier, and they take up more desk space.
Keyboard
The keyboard is one of the main ways to communicate with a computer. There
are many different types of keyboards, but most are very similar and allow you
to accomplish the same basic tasks.
Mouse
The mouse is another important tool for communicating
with computers. Commonly known as a pointing device, it
lets you point to objects on the screen, click on them,
and move them.
There are two main mouse types: optical and mechanical. The optical mouse
uses an electronic eye to detect movement and is easier to clean. The mechanical
mouse uses a rolling ball to detect movement and requires regular cleaning to
work properly.
Mouse alternatives
There are other devices that can do the same thing as a mouse. Many people
find them easier to use, and they also require less desk space than a traditional
mouse. The most common mouse alternatives are below.
Trackball: A trackball has a ball that can rotate freely.
Instead of moving the device like a mouse, you can roll
the ball with your thumb to move the pointer.
Touchpad: A touchpad—also called a trackpad—is
a touch-sensitive pad that lets you control the
pointer by making a drawing motion with your
finger. Touchpads are common on laptop
computers.
Buttons and Ports on a Computer
Introduction
Take a look at the front and back of your computer case and count the number
of buttons, ports, and slots you see. Now look at your monitor and count any
you find there. You probably counted at least 10, and maybe a lot more.
Each computer is different, so the buttons, ports, and sockets will vary from
computer to computer. However, there are certain ones you can expect to find
on most desktop computers. Learning how these ports are used will help
whenever you need to connect something to your computer, like a new printer,
keyboard, or mouse.
Front of a computer case
Optical Disc Drive
Often called a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, this lets your computer read CDs
and DVDs.
Power Button
The power button is used to power the computer on and off.
Audio In/Audio Out
Many computers include audio ports on the front of the computer case that allow
you to easily connect speakers, microphones, and headsets without fumbling with
the back of the computer.
USB (Universal Serial Bus) Port
Most desktop computers have several USB ports. These can be used to connect
almost any type of device, including mice, keyboards, printers, and digital cameras.
They will often appear on the front and back of the computer.
Back of a computer case
The back of a computer case has connection ports that are
made to fit specific devices. The placement will vary from
computer to computer, and many companies have their own
special connectors for specific devices. Some of the ports
may be color coded to help you determine which port is
used with a particular device.
Click the buttons in the interactive below to become familiar
with the back of a computer.
Monitor Port
This is where you'll connect your monitor cable. In this example, the computer has
both a DisplayPort and a VGA port. Other computers may have other types of
monitor ports, such as DVI (digital visual interface) or HDMI (high-definition
multimedia interface).
Ethernet Port
This port looks a lot like the modem or telephone port, but it is slightly wider. You
can use this port for networking and connecting to the Internet.
Serial Port
This port is less common on today's computers. It was frequently used to connect
peripherals like digital cameras, but it has been replaced by USB and other types of
ports.
Expansion Slots
These empty slots are where expansion cards are added to computers. For
example, if your computer did not come with a video card, you could purchase one
and install it here.
Power Socket
This is where you'll connect the power cord to the computer.
PS/2
These ports are sometimes used for connecting the
mouse and keyboard. Typically, the mouse port is
green and the keyboard port is purple. On new
computers, these ports have been replaced by USB.
Other types of ports
There are many other types of ports, such as FireWire,
Thunderbolt, and HDMI. If your computer has ports you
don't recognize, you should consult your manual for more
information.
Now you try it! Practice connecting the cables with the
interactive game below.
Peripherals you can use with
your computer
The most basic computer setup usually includes
the computer case, monitor, keyboard, and mouse, but you
can plug many different types of devices into the extra ports
on your computer. These devices are called peripherals.
Let's take a look at some of the most common ones.
Printers: A printer is used to print documents,
photos, and anything else that appears on your
screen. There are many types of printers,
including inkjet, laser, and photo printers. There
are even all-in-one printers, which can also scan
and copy documents.
Scanners: A scanner allows you to copy a physical
image or document and save it to your computer as
a digital (computer-readable) image. Many scanners
are included as part of an all-in-one printer, although
you can also buy a
separate flatbed or handheld scanner.
Speakers/headphones: Speakers and headphones
are output devices, which means they send
information from the computer to the user—in
this case, they allow you to hear sound and music.
Depending on the model, they may connect to
the audio port or the USB port. Some monitors
also have built-in speakers.
Microphones: A microphone is a type of input
device, or a device that receives information from
a user. You can connect a microphone to record
sound or talk with someone else over the Internet.
Many laptop computers come with built-in
microphones.
Web cameras: A web camera—or webcam—is a type of
input device that can record videos and take pictures.
It can also transmit video over the Internet in real time,
which allows for video chat or video conferencing with
someone else. Many webcams also include a
microphone for this reason.
Game controllers and joysticks: A game controller is
used to control computer games. There are many other
types of controllers you can use, including joysticks,
although you can also use your mouse and keyboard to
control most games.
Digital cameras: A digital camera lets you capture
pictures and videos in a digital format. By connecting
the camera to your computer's USB port, you can
transfer the images from the camera to the computer.
Mobile phones, MP3 players, tablet computers, and
other devices: Whenever you buy an electronic device,
such as a mobile phone or MP3 player, check to see if
it comes with a USB cable. If it does, this means you
can most likely connect it to your computer.
Inside a Computer
Inside a computer
Have you ever looked inside a computer case, or seen
pictures of the inside of one? The small parts may look
complicated, but the inside of a computer case isn't really all
that mysterious. This lesson will help you master some of
the basic terminology and understand a bit more about what
goes on inside a computer.
Motherboard
The motherboard is the computer's main circuit board. It's a
thin plate that holds the CPU, memory, connectors for the
hard drive and optical drives, expansion cards to control the
video and audio, and connections to your computer's ports
(such as USB ports). The motherboard connects directly or
indirectly to every part of the computer.
CPU/processor
The central processing unit (CPU), also called a processor, is
located inside the computer case on the motherboard. It is
sometimes called the brain of the computer, and its job is to
carry out commands. Whenever you press a key, click the
mouse, or start an application, you're sending instructions
to the CPU.
The CPU is usually a two-inch ceramic square with a silicon
chip located inside. The chip is usually about the size of a
thumbnail. The CPU fits into the motherboard's CPU socket,
which is covered by the heat sink, an object that absorbs
heat from the CPU.
A processor's speed is measured in megahertz (MHz), or
millions of instructions per second; and gigahertz (GHz), or
billions of instructions per second. A faster processor can
execute instructions more quickly. However, the actual
speed of the computer depends on the speed of many
different components—not just the processor.
RAM (random access memory)
RAM is your system's short-term memory. Whenever your
computer performs calculations, it temporarily stores the
data in the RAM until it is needed.
This short-term memory disappears when the computer is
turned off. If you're working on a document, spreadsheet, or
other type of file, you'll need to save it to avoid losing it.
When you save a file, the data is written to the hard drive,
which acts as long-term storage.
RAM is measured in megabytes (MB) or gigabytes (GB).
The more RAM you have, the more things your computer can
do at the same time. If you don't have enough RAM, you may
notice that your computer is sluggish when you have several
programs open. Because of this, many people add extra
RAM to their computers to improve performance.
Hard drive
The hard drive is where your software, documents, and
other files are stored. The hard drive is long-term storage,
which means the data is still saved even if you turn the
computer off or unplug it.
When you run a program or open a file, the computer copies
some of the data from the hard drive onto the RAM. When
you save a file, the data is copied back to the hard drive. The
faster the hard drive, the faster your computer can start
up and load programs.
Power supply unit
The power supply unit in a computer converts the
power from the wall outlet to the type of power needed by
the computer. It sends power through cables to the
motherboard and other components.
If you decide to open the computer case and take a look,
make sure to unplug the computer first. Before touching the
inside of the computer, you should touch a grounded metal
object—or a metal part of the computer casing—to
discharge any static buildup. Static electricity can be
transmitted through the computer circuits, which can
seriously damage your machine.
Expansion cards
Most computers have expansion slots on the motherboard
that allow you to add various types of expansion cards.
These are sometimes called PCI (peripheral component
interconnect) cards. You may never need to add any PCI
cards because most motherboards have built-in video,
sound, network, and other capabilities.
However, if you want to boost the performance of your
computer or update the capabilities of an older computer,
you can always add one or more cards. Below are some of
the most common types of expansion cards.
Video card
The video card is responsible for what you see on the
monitor. Most computers have a GPU (graphics processing
unit) built into the motherboard instead of having a separate
video card. If you like playing graphics-intensive games, you
can add a faster video card to one of the expansion slots to
get better performance.
Sound card
The sound card—also called an audio card—is responsible
for what you hear in the speakers or headphones. Most
motherboards have integrated sound, but you can upgrade
to a dedicated sound card for higher-quality sound.
Network card
The network card allows your computer to communicate
over a network and access the Internet. It can either connect
with an Ethernet cable or through a wireless connection
(often called Wi-Fi). Many motherboards have built-in
network connections, and a network card can also be added
to an expansion slot.
Bluetooth card (or adapter)
Bluetooth is a technology for wireless communication over
short distances. It's often used in computers to
communicate with wireless keyboards, mice, and printers.
It's commonly built into the motherboard or included in
a wireless network card. For computers that don't have
Bluetooth, you can purchase a USB adapter, often called a
What is a laptop computer?
A laptop is a personal computer that can be easily moved and used in a variety
of locations. Most laptops are designed to have all of the functionality of a
desktop computer, which means they can generally run the same software and
open the same types of files. However, laptops also tend to be more expensive
than comparable desktop computers.
How is a laptop different from a desktop?
Because laptops are designed for portability, there are some
important differences between them and desktop computers.
A laptop has an all-in-one design, with a built-
in monitor, keyboard, touchpad (which replaces the mouse),
and speakers. This means it is fully functional, even when no
peripherals are connected. A laptop is also quicker to set up,
and there are fewer cables to get in the way.
You'll also have to the option to connect a regular mouse,
larger monitor, and other peripherals. This basically turns
your laptop into a desktop computer, with one main
difference: You can easily disconnect the peripherals and
take the laptop with you wherever you go.
Here are the main differences you can expect with a laptop.
Touchpad: A touchpad—also called a trackpad—is
a touch-sensitive pad that lets you control the
pointer by making a drawing motion with your
finger.
Battery: Every laptop has a battery, which allows you to
use the laptop when it's not plugged in. Whenever you
plug in the laptop, the battery recharges. Another
benefit of having a battery is that it can provide backup
power to the laptop if the power goes out.
AC adapter: A laptop usually has a specialized
power cable called an AC adapter, which is
designed to be used with that specific type of
laptop.
Ports: Most laptops have the same types of ports found
on desktop computers (such as USB), although they
usually have fewer ports to save space. However, some
ports may be different, and you may need an adapter
in order to use them.
Price: Generally speaking, laptops tend to be more
expensive than a desktop computer with the same
internal components. While you may find that some
basic laptops cost less than desktop computers, these
are usually much less powerful machines.
Mobile Devices
What is a mobile device?
A mobile device is a general term for any type of handheld computer. These
devices are designed to be extremely portable, and they can often fit in your
hand. Some mobile devices—like tablets, e-readers, and smartphones—are
powerful enough to do many of the same things you can do with a desktop or
laptop computer.
Tablet computers
Like laptops, tablet computers are designed to be portable. However, they
provide a different computing experience. The most obvious difference is that
tablet computers don't have keyboards or touchpads. Instead, the entire screen
is touch-sensitive, allowing you to type on a virtual keyboard and use your finger
as a mouse pointer.
Tablet computers can't necessarily do everything traditional computers can do.
For many people, a traditional computer like a desktop or laptop is still needed
in order to use some programs. However, the convenience of a tablet computer
means it may be ideal as a second computer.
E-readers
E-book readers—also called e-readers—are similar to tablet computers, except
they are mainly designed for reading e-books (digital, downloadable books).
Notable examples include the Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook, and Kobo.
Most e-readers use an e-ink display, which is easier to read than a traditional
computer display. You can even read in bright sunlight, just like if you were
reading a regular book.
You don't need an e-reader to read e-books. They can also be read
on tablets, smartphones, laptops, and desktops.
Smartphones
A smartphone is a more powerful version of a traditional cell phone. In addition
to the same basic features—phone calls, voicemail, text messaging—
smartphones can connect to the Internet over Wi-Fi or a cellular network (which
requires purchasing a monthly data plan). This means you can use a smartphone
for the same things you would normally do on a computer, such as checking
your email, browsing the Web, or shopping online.
Most smartphones use a touch-sensitive screen, meaning there isn't a physical
keyboard on the device. Instead, you'll type on a virtual keyboard and use your
fingers to interact with the display. Other standard features include a high-
quality digital camera and the ability to play digital music and video files. For
many people, a smartphone can actually replace electronics like an old laptop,
digital music player, and digital camera in the same device.