1
Introduction to
Computer
2 Computer
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
It used to work with information or compute.
It is derived from the Latin word "computare"
which means to calculate.
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4 Functionalities of a computer
Any digital computer carries out five functions in gross
terms:
Takes data as input.
Stores the data/instructions in its memory and use
them when required.
Processes the data and converts it into useful
information.
Generates the output
Controls all the above four steps
Functionalities of a
5
computer(Contd.)
Processing
Data Information
6 Computer Components
Hardware
Software
7 Hardware
Computer hardware is the collection of
physical elements”Tangible objects”
that constitutes a computer system.
The actual machinery, wires, transistors,
and circuits … etc.
8 Hardware:
9 Software
Computer Programs
instructions and data
10 Computer Units
[Link] Unit
[Link] processing Unit
[Link] Memory Unit
[Link] storage Unit
[Link] Unit
11 Input Devices
Input device is any peripheral (piece of
computer hardware equipment to provide
data and control signals to an information
processing system such as a computer or
other information appliance.
Input device Translate data from form
that humans understand to one that the
computer can work with. Most common
are keyboard and mouse
12 Computer Units
13 Input Devices
14 Example of Input Devices
Keyboard Mouse (pointing device) Microphone
Touch screen Scanner Webcam
Touchpads MIDI keyboard
Graphics Tablets Cameras Pen Input
Video Capture Hardware Microphone Trackballs
Barcode reader Digital camera Joystick
Gamepad Electronic Whiteboard
Note: The most common use keyboard is the QWERTY keyboard.
Generally standard Keyboard has 104 keys
15 Central Processing Unit
CPU
known as microprocessor or processor
It is responsible for all functions and processes
16 CPU Components
The CPU is comprised of three main parts
1. ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)
2. Control Unit (CU)
3. Registers: Stores the data that is to be
executed next.
17 ALU
Executes all arithmetic and logical operations.
Arithmetic calculations like as addition,
subtraction, multiplication and division.
Logical operation like compare numbers,
letters, or special characters
18 Control Unit (CU)
Control Unit (CU): controls and co-ordinates computer
components.
Read the code for the next instruction to be executed.
Increment the program counter so it points to the next
instruction.
Read whatever data the instruction requires from cells in
memory.
Provide the necessary data to an ALU or register.
If the instruction requires an ALU or specialized hardware to
complete, instruct the hardware to perform the requested
operation.
19 Registers
Registers: Stores the data that is to be
executed next, "very fast storage area".
20 Primary Memory
1. RAM.
[Link]
21 Primary Memory
1. RAM: Random Access Memory: is a memory scheme
within the computer system responsible for storing data
on a temporary basis, so that it can be promptly
accessed by the processor as and when needed.
It is volatile in nature, which means that data will be
erased once supply to the storage device is turned off.
RAM stores data randomly and the processor accesses
these data randomly from the RAM storage.
RAM is considered "random access" because you can
access any memory cell directly if you know the row
and column that intersect at that cell.
22 Primary Memory
2. ROM (Read Only Memory): ROM is a
permanent form of storage. ROM stays
active regardless of whether power supply
to it is turned on or off. ROM devices do
not allow data stored on them to be
modified.
23 Secondary Memory
Stores data and programs permanently
its retained after the power is turned off
Main Examples
1. Hard Disk
2. Optical Disk
3. Flash memory
24 Hard Disk
Called Disk drive or HDD
stores and provides relatively quick
access to large amounts of data.
Stores data on an electromagnetically
charged surface or set of surfaces.
25 Optical Disk & Flash
an optical disc drive (ODD) is a disk drive that uses
laser light to store data.
There are three main types of optical media: CD, DVD,
and Blu-ray disc
CD “Compact Disk” can store up to 700MB
DVD “ Digital Video Disk “ can store up to 8.4 GB
Blu-ray disc. can store up to 50 GB
26 3. Flash Disk
A storage module made of flash memory chips. A
Flash disks have no mechanical platters or access
arms, but the term "disk" is used because the data
are accessed as if they were on a hard drive. The disk
storage structure is emulated.
27 RAM V.s Hard Disk
What are the differences between RAM
as a main memory and HDD as a
Secondary Memory.
28 RAM V.s Hard Disk
29 Output Unit
An output device is any piece of
computer hardware equipment used to
communicate the results of data
processing carried out by an information
processing system (such as a computer)
converts the electronically generated
information into human-readable form.
30 Output devices Examples
Monitor LCD Projection Panels
Printers (all types) Computer Output Microfilm (COM)
Plotters Speaker(s)
Projector
31 Output devices Examples
1. A monitor
CRT: Cathode Ray Tube
LCD: Liquid crystal display most
familiar these days
32 Output devices Examples
2. Printer:
transfers data from a computer onto paper
Printer types:
1-Laser Printer.
2-Ink Jet Printer.
3-Dot Matrix Printer
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Software
Software is a generic term for organized
collections of computer data and
instructions, often broken into two major
categories two major categories:
1. system software
2. application software
34 System software
Known as Operating System
is responsible for controlling, integrating,
and managing the individual hardware
components of a computer system
Windows is an example of OS.
example of System Software:
1) Microsoft Windows
2) Linux
3) Unix
4) Mac OSX
5) DOS
35 Application software
is used to accomplish specific tasks other than just running the computer
system.
It may consist of:
a single program, such as an image viewer;
a small collection of programs (often called a software package) that work closely
together to accomplish a task, such as a spreadsheet or text processing system;
a larger collection (often called a software suite) of related but independent
programs and packages that have a common user interface or shared data format,
such as Microsoft Office,
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