INFO-TECH COMPUTER
TRAINING CENTER
Introduction to Computers
2 CHAPTER 1
WHAT’S COMPUTER
A computer is an electronic machine that
processes raw data to give information as output.
How Work The Computer
The computer
first, Accepts data such as raw facts, figures, and symbol
then, Processes data into information
(Data that is organized, meaningful, and useful )
finally, Produces and stores results
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PARTS OF THE COMPUTER SYSTEM
• Computer systems have four parts
• Hardware
• Software
• Data
• User
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PARTS OF THE COMPUTER SYSTEM
• Hardware
• Mechanical devices in the computer
• Anything that can be touched
• Software
• Tell the computer what to do
• Also called a program
• Thousands of programs exist
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PARTS OF THE COMPUTER SYSTEM
• Data
• Pieces of information
• Computer organize and present data
• Users
• People operating the computer
• Most important part
• Tell the computer what to do
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INFORMATION PROCESSING CYCLE
➢Steps followed to process data
• Input
• Processing
• Output
• Storage
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ESSENTIAL COMPUTER HARDWARE
• Hardware categorized into four types
1. Input device
2. Output device
3. Processor
4. Storage
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ESSENTIAL COMPUTER HARDWARE
What is an input device?
➢ Hardware used
to enter data
and instructions
✓ E.g.;-Keyboard,
Mouse, scanner, pc
camera, mice
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ESSENTIAL COMPUTER HARDWARE
What is an output device?
➢ Hardware that
conveys
information
to a user
✓ E.g. Monitor,
Printer, Speaker,
projector
Some devices are
input and output
Touch screens
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ESSENTIAL COMPUTER HARDWARE
• Storage devices
❑ Hold data and programs permanently
❑ Magnetic storage
• Floppy and hard drive
• Uses a magnet to access data
❑ Optical storage
• CD and DVD drives
• Uses a laser to access data
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ESSENTIAL COMPUTER HARDWARE
• Memory devices
❑ Stores data or programs
❑ Random Access Memory (RAM)
• Volatile
• Stores current data and programs
• More RAM results in a faster system
❑ Read Only Memory (ROM)
• Permanent storage of programs
• Holds the computer boot directions
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ESSENTIAL COMPUTER HARDWARE
• Processing devices
• Brains of the computer
• Manipulate the data
• Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• Carries out instructions
from the program
• Most computers have several processors
• Processors made of silicon and copper
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SOFTWARE RUNS THE MACHINE
• Tells the computer what to do
• Reason people purchase computers
• Two types
➢ System software
➢ Application software
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SOFTWARE RUNS THE MACHINE
• System software
❑ Most important software
❑ Operating system
• Windows XP, windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10 ……
❑ Network operating system (OS)
• Windows Server 2003
❑ Utility
• Symantec AntiVirus
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SOFTWARE RUNS THE MACHINE
• Application software
• Accomplishes a specific task
• Most common type of software
• MS Word, MS Excel, MS power point, Etc….
• Covers most common uses of computers
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COMPUTER DATA
• Fact with no meaning on its own
• Stored using the binary number system
• Data can be organized into files
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COMPUTER USERS
• Role depends on ability
• Setup the system
• Install software
• Mange files
• Maintain the system
• “Userless” computers
• Run with no user input
• Automated systems
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CHARACTERISTICS OF
COMPUTER
Basic Characteristics of Computer
• Speed
• Accuracy
• Diligence
• Reliability
• Remembrance Power
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CHARACTERISTICS OF
COMPUTER
• Memory
• Logical
• Versatility
• Automation
• Consistency
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CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS
• There are different types of computers which
are classified based on different categories of
characteristics and are described below:
1. Classification based on purpose
2. Classification based on method of operation
3. Classification based on functionality
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CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS
1. Classification based on purpose
According to the purpose or application it provides, a
computer can be classified in to two:-
1. General purpose and
2. Special purpose computers
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CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS
1. General purpose
These computers have the ability to perform a wide range of tasks. The
computers have the ability to store numerous programs.
• E.g. Computers that you use
• Home
• Office
• Schools are general purpose computers
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CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS
1. Special purpose computers
This includes computers which are design to handle a specific problem
or to perform a single task.
• These computers are used for
Airline reservation,
Satellite tracking, and
Air traffic control.
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CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS
1. Classification based on method of operation
Based on the way they process data, computers are classified in to
three:-
1. Analog computers
2. Digital Computers and
3. Hybrid Computers
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CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS
1. Analog computers
• Are devices which operate by measuring. They deal with continues
variable. They do not compute directly with numbers, rather, they
operate by measuring physical magnitude such as pressure
temperature, voltage, current and etc. It is continuous fluctuation of
voltage over time.
• E.g. Thermometer, voltmeter, speedometer
• Generally, they are computers designed for specific purpose.
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CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS
2. Digital Computers
• They operate directly upon numbers (or digits) that represent
numbers, letters, or other special symbols.
• Digital computer is a computing device in which data is represented by
discrete numerical quantities which represented by discrete voltage
states (0s and 1s). They have very high accuracy and speed than analog
ones.
• E.g. Personal Computers
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CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS
3. Hybrid Computers
• The best features of analog and digital computers can be
combined into a single device to form a hybrid computer.
• It processes the information by collecting input data with
analog method, converts it into digital quantities, processes
the digital values and provide the output in analog form.
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CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS
3. Classification based on functionality
• Depending on the functionality (size, speed, cost and performance),
computer can be divide in to four categories as described below
• Classification based on functionality
1. Supercomputer
2. Mainframes
3. Minicomputer
4. microcomputers
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LIMITATIONS OF COMPUTERS
• Computers do not provide their
own inputs unless people provide
it with the inputs
• Computer can not foresee,
i.e. it can make plans based on
information but it can't predict for its success
• Interpretation of data and implementation of decisions is always
left for humans.
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30
CHAPTER 1
END OF CHAPTER
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CHAPTER 2
31 INTRODUCTION TO NETWORK
AND INTERNET
• What is a network?
• Collection of computers and devices connected together
Communications
Device Communications
Media
Satellites
Enables a Cables
connection Telephone Cellular
between lines radio
computers One type is
a modem
INTRODUCTION TO NETWORK
AND INTERNET
• Why do we need network?
To share
Resources
Hardware
devices
Software
programs To save
Data
time
Information and
money
INTRODUCTION TO NETWORK
AND INTERNET
What is a server?
➢Manages the
resources on
a network
➢A client accesses
the resources
on the server
INTRODUCTION TO NETWORK
AND INTERNET
What is the Internet?
Worldwide collection of networks that connects millions of
computers
INTRODUCTION TO NETWORK
AND INTERNET
Why do users access the Internet?
▪ Communications
▪ Information
▪ Shopping
▪ Banking and Investing
▪ Classes
▪ Entertainment
INTRODUCTION TO NETWORK
AND INTERNET
What is the World Wide Web (WWW)?
Billions of documents, called Web pages, available to anyone
connected to the Internet
A Web site is
a collection of
related Web pages
A Web page contains
text, graphics, sound,
video, and links to You can share
other Web pages information by
creating Web pages
or posting photos on
a photo community
