Basic

Computer
Concepts
By Charisse Ira Tagarino
Lesson Objectives
AT THE END OF THE SESSION, THE STUDENTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

• Relate the development of computing and computing devices

• Describe the development of computing devices, their
capabilities and limitations
• Define basic concepts on computer such as computer, data
processing, data and information
• Explain the different components of computer systems
• Discuss basic troubleshooting techniques and proper use of
hardware and software
• Describe the role of each component in the functionality of the
computer
Imagine Life Without
Computers
"Think about your day. List 3 things
you did today that involved computers
or digital devices."
Evolution
of
Computin
g
What is computing?

Computing is the process of using computer technology to complete a

given goal-oriented task. Computing may encompass the design and
development of Software and Hardware systems for a broad range of
purposes - often structuring, processing and managing any kind of
information - to aid in the pursuit of scientific studies, making
intelligent systems, and creating and using different media for
entertainment and communication.
 Evolution of Computing

1 2 3 4 5
FIRST SECOND THIRD FOURTH FIFTH
GENERATIO GENERATIO GENERATIO GENERATIO GENERATIO
N
1940 – 1956
N
1956 – 1963
N
1964 – 1971
N
1972 – 2010
N
2010 Onwards

Vacuum Tubes Transistors Integrated Circuits Microprocessors Artificial Intelligence

First Generation (1940 – 1956)
The 1940s saw the emergence of
electronic computers, including the
ENIAC (Electronic Numerical
Integrator and Computer) and the
EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable
Automatic Computer). These
machines used vacuum tubes and
punched cards for data processing.
These first-gen computers relied on
‘machine language.’
These computers were limited to
solving one problem at a time. Input
was predicated on punched cards and
paper tape. Output emerged on
printouts.
Second Generation (1956 – 1963)
In 1947, the invention of the transistor by
Bell Labs revolutionized computing.
Transistors replaced bulky vacuum tubes,
making computers smaller, faster, and
more reliable.

Second-gen computers still count on

punched cards for input/printouts.
The language emerged from a binary
language to a symbolic (‘assembly’)
language. This meant programmers could
discover instructions in words.
Until 1965, computers were only used by
mathematicians and engineers in a lab
setting. Programma 101 changed
everything by offering the general public
a desktop computer that anyone could
use. Some say that this invention
solidified the idea of a personal
computer.
Third Generation (1964 – 1971)
Third-generation computers started using
integrated circuits instead of transistors.
An the integrated circuit (IC) is a
semiconductor material that contains
thousands of transistors.

Because of IC, the computer becomes

more reliable and fast, requires less
maintenance, is small in size, is more
affordable, and generates less heat. You
can see in the image above how multiple
IC racks are used to power a computer.

The third generation computers

significantly reduce the computational
time. In the second generation, the
computational time was microsecond,
which was decreased to the nanosecond.
In this generation, punch cards were
replaced by mouse and keyboard.
Fourth Generation (1972 – 2010)

Intel’s 4004 microprocessor marked a

pivotal moment in computing history. It
was the world’s first commercially
available microprocessor and laid the
groundwork for the personal computer
revolution.

When Steve Jobs introduced the

first Macintosh computer in 1984,
Consumer Reports called it a “dazzling
display of technical wizardry.”
Fourth Generation (1972 – 2010)

The release of the IBM

Personal Computer, powered
by Microsoft’s MS-DOS
operating system, marked the
beginning of the personal
computer era. It set industry
standards and paved the way
for the advancements of PCs.
Fourth Generation (1972 – 2010)

• World Wide Web (1991)

Tim Berners-Lee’s invention of the World
Wide Web revolutionized communication
and information access. The web made the
internet user-friendly and accessible to the
masses.
• Mobile Computing (2000s-Present)
The advent of smartphones and tablets
transformed computing into a complete
mobile experience, with powerful handheld
devices becoming integral to daily life.
Fifth Generation (2010 Onwards)
This is the computer generation that we
use. We know that computer devices with
artificial intelligence technology are still in
development.
Still, some of these technologies are
emerging and being used, such as voice
recognition or ChatGPT.
AI is an authenticity made possible by
adopting parallel processing and
superconductors. In the future, computers
will be revolutionized again by quantum
computation, molecular, and
nanotechnology.
The
Computing
Profession
Computing professionals perform a
variety of tasks: They write
specifications for
new computer systems, they design
instruction pipelines for superscalar
processors, they diagnose timing
anomalies in embedded systems, they
test and validate software
systems, they restructure the back-
end databases of inventory systems,
they analyze
packet traffic in local area networks,
and they recommend security policies
for medical
Computer Engineers

Computer engineers work with the hardware and software aspects of

systems
design and development. They often work as part of a team that
designs new
computing devices or computer-related equipment. Computer
hardware engineers usually design, develop, test, and supervise the
manufacture of computer hardware— such as chips or device
controllers.
Network Specialist

The rapid spread of computer networks has resulted in the increase of

requirement of specialists responsible for the security and
administration of the networks they design and implement systems
that keep networks functioning smoothly.
Their duties may be planning and installation of the hardware and
software that comprise the network, addition – deletion of files to the
network server, maintaining the peripherals connected to the network,
troubleshooting problems
Software Computer Programmers

Computer programmers write, test, and maintain the programs or

software. They also conceive, design, and test logical structures for
solving problems by computer.
Programmers are of two broad types:
1. Applications programmers
They usually focus on business, engineering, or science. They write
software to handle a specific job they may also revise existing
packaged software.
2. Systems Programmers
The Computer Systems software such as Operating System, Compilers
Database Administrators (DBA)

They are the keepers of database accuracy, efficiency, maintenance

and
development. The DBA function requires Database Planning,
requirements gathering and conceptual design, logical design and
transaction design, physical design and implementation, testing and
debugging. Database operations and maintenance, installation,
conversion and migration, training and support are also their work
activities. They should be able to communicate well, verbally and in
writing. Database administrators may advance to managerial and
leadership positions.
Quality Assurance (QA)

QA, when applied to web sites, is the process of enforcing quality

control
standards and working to improve the processes that are used in
producing the website and its components, infrastructure and content.
When well implemented, a website should see progressive
improvement in terms of both lessening rate of defects andgeneral
increase in site usability and performance.
The Computer
System
✓ Hardware
✓ Software
✓ Peopleware
Computer System

A computer system is a collection of hardware and software that

performs specific tasks. The term “system” refers to the
interconnection of individual components, which work together
to perform an overall task or set of tasks.
Hardware

Computer hardware is a collective term used to describe any of the

physical components of an analog or digital computer.

Computer hardware can be categorized as being either internal or

external components. Generally, internal hardware components are
those necessary for the proper functioning of the computer, while
external hardware components are attached to the computer to add
or enhance functionality.
Internal
Hardware
Devices
• Motherboard. This is a printed circuit board that holds the
central processing unit (CPU) and other essential internal
hardware and functions as the central hub that all other
hardware components run through.

• CPU. The CPU is the brain of the computer that processes and
executes digital instructions from various programs; its
clock speed determines the computer's performance and
efficiency in processing data.

• RAM. RAM -- or dynamic RAM -- is temporary memory storage

that makes information immediately accessible to programs; RAM
is volatile memory, so stored data is cleared when the computer
• Hard drive. Hard disk drives are physical storage devices that
store both permanent and temporary data in different formats,
including programs, OSes, device files, photos, etc.

• Solid-state drive (SSD). SSDs are solid-state storage devices

based on NAND flash memory technology; SSDs are non-volatile,
so they can safely store data even when the computer is
powered down.

• Optical drive. Optical drives typically reside in an on-device

drive bay; they enable the computer to read and interact with
nonmagnetic external media, such as compact disc read-only
• Heat sink. This is a passive piece of hardware that draws heat
away from components to regulate/reduce their temperature to
help ensure they continue to function properly. Typically, a heat
sink is installed directly atop the CPU, which produces the most
heat among internal components.

• Graphics processing unit. This chip-based device processes

graphical data and often functions as an extension to the main
CPU.

• Network interface card (NIC). A NIC is a circuit board or chip

that enables the computer to connect to a network; also known
as a network adapter or local area network adapter, it typically
External
Hardware
Devices/
Peripheral
Devices
INPUT DEVICES
• Mouse. A mouse is a hand-held pointing device that moves a
cursor around a computer screen and enables interaction with
objects on the screen. It may be wired or wireless.

• Keyboard. A keyboard is an input device featuring a standard

QWERTY keyset that enables users to input text, numbers or
special characters.

• Microphone. A microphone is a device that translates sound

waves into electrical signals and supports computer-based audio
communications.
• Touchpad. A touchpad is an input device, external or built into a
laptop, used to control the pointer on a display screen. It is
typically an alternative to an external mouse.

• USB flash drive. A USB flash drive is an external, removable

storage device that uses flash memory and interfaces with a
computer through a USB port.

• Memory card. A memory card is a type of portable external

storage media, such as a CompactFlash card, used to store
media or data files.
OUTPUT DEVICES
• Monitor. A monitor is an output device similar to a TV screen
that displays information, documents or images generated by the
computing device

• Printer. Printers render electronic data from a computer into

printed material.

• Speaker. A speaker is an external audio output device that

connects to a computer to generate a sound output.

• Headphones, earphones, earbuds. Similar to speakers, these

devices provide audio output that's audible only to a single
Software

Software is a set of instructions or data that tells a computer how to

operate. Unlike physical hardware, which consists of the tangible
components of a computer (like the CPU, hard drive, and RAM),
software is intangible—it exists as code, enabling computers to
perform specific tasks. These range from system operations to
specific applications like word processing, scripts, or browsing the
web.
Application Software

Application software, also known as “apps,” is designed to help

users accomplish specific tasks. For example, productivity tools like
Microsoft Office, web browsers like Internet Explorer, and Chrome,
and multimedia software like Adobe Photoshop. Accordingly,
applications are essential for day-to-day computer use, as they allow
users to perform targeted activities like creating documents,
browsing the web, and editing images.
Types of Application Software

• Productivity Software: It enables tasks such as document

creation and presentations.
• Database Software: Manages large amounts of data efficiently.
It’s also known as database management software (DBMS)
• Entertainment Software: Includes games, streaming, and music
applications.
• Educational Software: Designed for teaching or learning.
• Web Browsers: Applications for internet browsing.
• Email Programs: This software is used in emails and programs
such as Outlook or Gmail.
System Software

System software is essential for managing the core functions of a

computer, tablet, mobile phone, or other devices. In other words,
this includes operating systems (such as Windows, macOS, or Linux)
that manage hardware resources and utility programs that perform
maintenance and optimization tasks. TCP/IP is part of all major
operating systems and it allows computers to communicate over
networks.
Types of System Software

• Operating Systems: Control hardware resources and provide

users with an interface.

• Utilities: This code performs maintenance tasks like disk cleanup

and also security scans.

• Firmware: Embedded code in devices that enables

communication with the operating system (BIOS).
Peopleware

Peopleware can refer to anything that has to do with the role of

people in the development or use of computer software and
hardware systems, including such issues as developer productivity,
teamwork, group dynamics, the psychology of programming, project
management, organizational factors, human interface design and
human–machine interaction.