Session - 1

Basics Of Computers

Muhammad Sheraz Khan

 A Desktop Machine

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 A Computer System
User
Hardware
Software
User
Software

Hardware

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 A Computer System
(Contd.)
In general, a computer is a machine which accepts
data, processes it and returns new information as
output.

Processing

Data Information

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 Software
Software is set of programs (which are step by step
instructions) telling the computer how to process
data.

Software needs to be installed on a computer,

usually from a CD.

Softwares can be divided into two groups:

- System SW
- Application SW

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Software
(Contd.)
System Software
It controls the overall operation of the system.

It is stored in the computer's memory and

instructs the computer to load, store, and execute
an application.

Examples: Operating System (OS), Translators

DOS, Windows, Unix etc.

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Software
(Contd..)
Application Software
They are Softwares written to perform specific tasks.

The basic types of application software are:

word processing, database, spreadsheet, desktop
publishing, and communication.
Examples: MSOffice, Tally, MSOutlook,

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Characteristics of Using
Computer
Speed: o Computer processes data at a very high
speed. It is much faster than human beings. A computer
can perform billions of calculations in a second.
Computer speed is measured in Mega Hertz (MHz) or
Giga Hertz (GHz). For example, the process of
multiplying 750 and 927 can take one or two minutes if it
is performed by human beings. However, a computer can
perform millions of such calculations within a second..

Reliability: Computer is very reliable. The electronic

components in a modern computer rarely break or fail.

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 Accuracy : Computers can do the calculations
without errors and very accurately.

Storage : Computer can store a large amount

of data permanently. People can use this data
at any time. The user can store any type of
data in the computer. The storage capacity of
computer is increasing rapidly. A computer
can store thousands of books easily..

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 Versatility : Computer is a versatile machine. It can
perform different types of tasks. This is why it is being
used in every field of life. Computer is used in
hospitals, banks, offices, at home. A user can play
games, listen to music, watch movies and use the
Internet using a computer.

Consistency : Computer works in a consistent

way. It does not lose concentration due to heavy
work. It does not become tired or bored.
Computer performs all jobs with equal attention.

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 Communication : Most computers today have
the capability of communicating with other
computers. We can connect two or more
computers by a communication device with
modern computers. Those computers can
share data, information, and communication.

Cost Reductions : We can perform a difficult

task in less time and less cost. For example, we
may have to hire many people to handle an
office. The same work can be performed by a
single person with the help of computer. It
reduces the cost.
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 History of Evolution Of
Computers
Two Eras:
 Mechanical Era (Before 1945)
 Electronic Era (1945 - )

Can be divided into generations.

 First Generation (1945 – 1954)
 Second Generation (1955 – 1964)
 Third Generation (1965 – 1974)
 Fourth Generation (1975 - )

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 Types of
Computers
On the basis of Computing Power & Size:
 Laptop / Palmtop
 Micro Computer / Desktop
 Mini Computer / Mainframe
 Super Computer

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Language of
Computers
Computers only understand the electronic signals.
Either Current is flowing or not.
Current Flowing : ON
Current Not Flowing : OFF
Binary Language
ON : 1
OFF : 0
Bit, Byte, KB, MB, GB

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 Computer Network
A Computer Network is interconnection of
Computers to share resources.

Resources can be : Information, Load, Devices

etc.

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 Types Of Computer Networks
On the basis of Size:
Local Area Network (LAN)
Its a network of the computers locally i.e. in
one room, one building.
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Its a network of the computers spread widely
geographically.

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 Benefits of Computer
Networks
Information Sharing
Device Sharing
Load Sharing
Mobility
Fast Communication
Anywhere Anytime Banking

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 Internet
Internet is a huge network of computer networks.

Internet provides many services:

Email
World Wide Web (www)
Remote Login (Telnet)
File Transfer (FTP)

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 End Of Session #1

ANY Queries ??????

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CPU ( Central Processing
Unit)
• The central processing unit (CPU), also
known as just a "processor”, is the "brain"
of your computer.

• It contains various electronic circuits.

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 VDU (Monitor)
This is the television-like screen where the results of
a computer's tasks are displayed.

Monitors come in all sizes, but most commonly they

are either 15 or 17 inches
(measured diagonally from one corner of the screen
to the opposite corner).

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 Keyboard
The keyboard looks like a typewriter.

It contains all the letters of the alphabet,

numbers and some special symbols.

It operates like a typewriter keypad, but instead

of moving an arm, which strikes the paper, it
sends an electronic impulse to the computer,
which displays a character on the monitor.

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 Mouse
• Its
a device that is used to control the computer.
A cable connects the mouse to the computer.

• When the mouse is moved on a pad, called a

mouse pad, the cursor on the screen moves.

• A cursor is a small symbol displayed on the

computer screen (normally a diagonal arrow that
is used as a pointer) that shows you what the
mouse is referencing on the screen.

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 Printe
r

A printer is designed to output information

from a computer onto a piece of paper.

There are three kinds of printers:

dot matrix, laser, and inkjet.

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 Scanner
A scanner is a device used to copy an image off
paper and convert it into a digital image, which can
be saved as a computer file and stored on a hard
drive.

Scanners can also use a special kind of technology

called Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to read
text from paper and save it as an editable document
file

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 Session # 2
Inside The CPU Cabinet
 A Look Inside.

Floppy

CD

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A Look
Inside ..
power
supply CD-ROM
drive

floppy
drive
cards
hard
drive

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A Look Inside…

Identify all the major components:

Power Supply
Motherboard
Memory
Card Slots
Cards (sound, video, network)
CPU, heatsink and fan
Drives (floppy, hard and CD-ROM)

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What these components do.
 Power Supply – (heart) supplies power to all the circuitry
and devices.

 Motherboard – (body) acts as a manager for everything

on the computer – connects all the other components
together.

 CPU – Central Processing Unit – (brain) this does all the

work of computing.

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 What these components do..
RAM – Random Access Memory – (short-term
memory) holds data and program instructions that
the computer is currently using.

Hard Drive – (long-term memory) holds all of the

information that needs to be stored between uses of
the computer.

Floppy and CD-ROM drives – (mouth/ears) allow you

to give data to the computer and take data away from
the computer.

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What these components do…
Card Slots – (fingers) Allows other components to
be added to the computer.

Video card – (face) Does all of the processing

necessary to get stuff looking nice on screen,
quickly.

Sound card – (vocal cords) Allows sounds from HD

or CD-ROM to be played.

Network Card – (telephone) allows computer to talk

to other computers over a wire.
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 Motherb
oard

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 CPU
CU
• A Single Chip
ALU

Memory
Registers

Examples: Intel Family – Pentium 4, 3, 2, Pentium,

XEON, Itanium
AMD -- Athlon, K62
IBM -- Cyrix
Motorola -- 68000 Series
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 RAM

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 Hard Drive

We won’t remove this.

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 Floppy Drive

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CD-ROM Drive

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 Ribbon Cables

polarized

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Video
Card

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Sound Card

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 Back of
Computer

Remove these screws

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 End of Session # 2

Queries???

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 CPU
The central processing unit or (CPU) is the "brain" of
your computer. It contains the electronic circuits that
cause the computer to follow instructions from
memory.

The CPU contains three main parts, all housed

in a single package (Chip):
Control Unit (CU)
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
Memory

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 Session # 3
Computer Peripherals
 Major Peripherals

 Keyboard
 Mouse
 Hard Disk
 Floppy Disk
 CD ROM
 Printer
 Scanner
 Joystick

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Keyboard
 Keypad contains:
Alphabets
Numbers
Special Symbols
Function Keys

 qwert Keyboard (Typewriter Keyboard).

 On key press it sends a code (ASCII Code) to the CPU.
 Plug N Play device.
 Typical Cost is Rs.300 – Rs.1200

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 Mouse
Pointing & Click Device.

Two / Three Buttons

Wheel / Optical Mouse

Normally Left Click – Select/ Run

Right Click – Popup Menu

Typical Cost is Rs.100 – Rs1000

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 Hard Disk

Magnetic Memory Device.

Non-removable storage device.
Several Circular Magnetic Disks are housed in a
single case.
Data is stored as 1s & 0s.
Typical Capacity is 20 GB -80 GB
Typical Cost is Rs.2200 – Rs6000
Cost/Bit is Low.

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Floppy Disk
 Magnetic Memory Device.
 Removable storage.
 A single circular mylar plastic disk, coated with magnetic
material is packed in a protective plastic casing.
 Typical size is 3.5” & Capacity is 1.44MB
 Typical Costs are:

Floppy Drive -- Rs.300

Floppy Disk -- Rs.10

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CD ROM
 Optical Device.
 Removable Storage.
 Read Only Memory.
 Typical Capacity is 550 Mb – 800MB
 Typical Costs are:
Drive -- Rs.1000
Disk Rs10 – Rs.35
 Related Terms:
CD Writer
WORM
CD RW

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 Printer
Output Device, Produces Hard Copy
Types:
Dot Matrix
Inkjet
Laser
Typical Cost Ranges from Rs.3500 – Rs.2 lacs
Related Terms:
Impact – Non Impact
Ribbon, Cartridge, Toner, Duty Cycle
Major Vendors in India:
HP, Cannon, Samsung, TVS, Epson etc.

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 Scanner
Input Device, Converts a hard copy into a computer
file.
Used to Scan Signatures, Photographs etc.
Optical Device.
Typical Cost Rs.2000 – Rs.5000
Major Vendors in India:
HP, Umax, Cannon
Nowadays Scanners with OCR produces editable
documents.

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 End of Session #3
Queries???

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