BASIC COMPUTER

CONCEPTS
 What is a computer?

An electronic device, operating under the

control of instructions stored in its own
memory unit, that can accept data
(input), manipulate the data according to
specified rules (process), produce
information (output) from the
processing, and store the results for
future use.
 an electronic device designed to manipulate
data in order to achieve a desired result based
on the stored program or instructions

 an intelligent machine that is capable of

connecting and communicating

 a power tool that can be used as basis for

decision making

 a machine that can be programmed to accept

data (input), process it into useful information
(output), and store it (in a secondary storage
device) for safekeeping or reuse.
Why do we need computers ?

• In all aspects of daily living- education, work,

pleasure, entertainment, communication,
marketing , business and the like, computer is
always present.

• Man has to be computer literate because that

is the demand of the time.
Measurements to assess the level of computer literacy

1. Awareness – When you begin to study computers,

you will be aware of their importance, versatility
and pervasiveness in our society.
2. Knowledge - You will learn what computer are
and how they function. This requires knowing
some technical jargons in order to understand the
computer language.
3. Interaction – The best way to understand
computers is to use directly for some simple
applications, like doing research via the internet,
mailing and chatting electronically.
Nature of Computer :

1. Speed – computer provides the processing speed

essential to our fast-paced society

2. Reliability – capable of producing accurate and timely

results

3. Storage Capability – capable of storing tremendous

amounts of data which can be located and retrieved
efficiently
USES OF COMPUTER

Graphics – computers provide picture, representation

of statistical reports, through graphics; better analysis
can be achieved.

Retailing – products ( from meat to magazines) are

packed with zebra-stripped bar code that can be read by
computer scanners at supermarket checkout stands to
determine prices and help manage inventory.

Energy – energy companies use computers to ;ocate

oil,, coal, natural gas and uranium. Electric companies
use computers to monitor vast power networks.
Productivity – more jobs can be performed at almost the same
duration of time. Multi-tasking results to greater productivity.

Decision-making – computer provides up-to-date alternatives

that will make the user select the best option.

Cost-reduction – computer helps us to hold down the cost of

labor, energy and paperwork. As a result, computers help
reduce the cost of goods and services.
Paperwork – paperworks are being reduced
tremendously because of the storage capability of
computers. Transaction printing is minimized
because of on-line processing of remote
terminals/main computers. Only final reports are
needed for print out.

Transportation – computers are used to help run

rapid transit systems, load container ships,
safeguard airport take offs and landings, monitor
air traffic and schedule travel

Law Enforcement – latest innovations in

computerized law enforcement include national
fingerprint files, and computer modeling of DNA,
which can be used to match traces from alleged
criminal body such as blood in a crime scene
Money – computers speed-up record keeping and
allow banks to offer same day service and even do-it-
yourself banking over the phone. Computers have
helped fuel the cashless economy, enabling the
widespread use of credit cards and instantaneous
credit checks by banks and retailers.

Agriculture – farmers can now use small computer to

help with the billing, crop information, cost per acre,
feed combinations and market price checks. Cattle
ranchers can also use computer for information about
livestock breeding and performance.

Government – national government use computer to

forecast weather, manage parks, process immigrants,
produce government security and insurance systems,
give benefit checks and collect taxes. Local govts also
use computer in counting ballots during election
Education – Dept. of Education(DepEd) and CHED
require the integration of computer subjects in every
school level from nursery level to tertiary level, not only
to acquire basic computer literacy but also to become
knowledgeable on information and communication
technology fundamentals.

Home – personal computers are being used at home to

keep records, write letters, prepare budgets, draw
pictures, publish newsletters and connect with others\

Health and Medicine – computers help monitor the

gravely ill at the Intensive Care Unit and provide cross-
sectional views of the body. Physicians can also use
computers to assist in diagnosis. In fact, computers have
shown to diagnose heart attacks correctly more
frequently than physicians
Robotics – computers have paved the way for robots to take
over many of the jobs that are unpleasant or too dangerous
for humans, such as opening packages believed to contain
bombs.

Sciences – scientific researchers have long benefited from

the high-speed capabilities of computers. It can simulate
environments, emulate physical characteristics and allow
scientists to provide proofs in a cost effective manner. Also
many mice ( and other animals have been spared since
computers have taken over their research files

Connectivity – allow person to communicate with other

people who have computers, whether for business or
personal reasons. In addition, computers can give the person
the option of working at their homes instead of in city
offices
What does a computer do?
Processor
Control Unit/Arithmetic Logic Unit

Input
Input Output
Process Devices
Memory
Devices

Output
Storage
Storage Devices
 Input Devices
Any hardware component that allows you
to enter data, programs, commands, and
user responses into a computer
Input Device
Examples
 Keyboard

 Mouse
 Output Devices
Output devices make the information
resulting from processing available for use
Output Device Examples
 Printers
 Impact

 Nonimpact

 Photo

 Display Devices
 CRT

 LCD
 Storage Devices
Removable
 Floppy disk, or diskette
 Compact Disc CD-R, CD-RW,
CD-ROM
 DVDs – DVD-ROM, DVD-R,
DVD-RW, DVD-RAM
 Zip disk
 Flash disk/USB drive
 Tape

Non-Removable
 Hard disk
 System Unit
 The motherboard, or system board, is the main circuit
board of the system unit
 The processor, also called the central processing unit
(CPU), interprets and carries out the basic instructions
that operate a computer
 The control unit interprets the instructions
 The arithmetic/logic unit (ALU) performs the logical
and arithmetic processes
 Memory, also called random access memory, or RAM,
consists of electronic components that store data,
instructions, and information, as needed by the
processor
Communications Devices

A communications device is a hardware

component that enables a computer to
send (transmit) and receive data,
instructions, and information to and from
one or more computers
Communications occur over transmission
media, such as telephone lines, cables,
cellular radio networks, and satellites
 Types of Computers
Supercomputers
and Mainframes
Microcomputers
Desktops

Laptops(Notebooks)
Handhelds
Exercise 1

1. Define computer ( 2 pts)

2. Differentiate the three fundamental characteristics of
computer ( 2 pts)
3. One principal areas of computer use is Education. Explain
how the computer affects education in the Philippines. ( 5
pts)
4. One of the classifications of computers is personal
computer, it is developed for personal use. If you have one
pc, how will you utilize it. ( 5 pts)
5. Enumerate the computer scientists of the four generations
of computers. Have an individual research of the computer
developments.
 COMPUTER SOFTWARE
System software consists of programs to control
the operations of computer equipment
Instructions in the operating system tell the
computer how to perform the functions of loading,
storing, and executing an application program and
how to transfer data
When a computer is turned on, the operating
system is loaded into the computer’s memory from
auxiliary storage, a process called booting
Most computers use an operating system that has
a graphical user interface (GUI)
 Operating System Tasks
Operations Management
 Load, store and execute
programs
 Transfer data

File Management
 Files
 Folder

System Maintenance
 Defragment/Check Disk
 Virus Check

System Monitoring
 Application Software
Word Processing
Spreadsheet
Presentation Graphics
Database
Contact Management
Utility Software – anti-
virus, data backup, and
file compression
Computer Hardware &
Software

Operating
Hardware
System
Software
Applications
 NETWORKS
A network is a collection of computers
and devices connected together so
users can share data and resources
A local area network (LAN) connects
computers in a limited geographic area
A wide area network (WAN) covers a
large geographical area
Networks and the Internet
The world’s largest
network is the
Internet
Most users connect
to the Internet in
one of two ways:
 Internet service
provider
 Online service

provider
 The World Wide Web
One of the more popular segments of the Internet is
the World Wide Web, also called the Web.
A Web page is a document that contains text,
graphics, sound, and/or video and has built-in
connections, or hyperlinks to other Web documents
A Web site is a related collection of Web pages
You access and view Web pages using a software
program called a Web browser
A Web page has a unique address, called a Uniform
Resource Locator (URL)
A hyperlink is a virtual connection to another place on
the Web
 More Internet Terms
Cookies – a text file created by a Web server
and your Web browser, that sits on your hard
drive
Search engine – a Web site containing a
database of web pages and their content
Electronic commerce – conducting business
online, such as shopping or investing.
Portal -- a launching point for browsing online;
one of the most well-known is Yahoo!, where you
can search the Web, shop, chat, check e-mail,
build a Web site, and view news articles.
 Web Browsers

Internet Explorer – built into Windows

Netscape – the oldest browser; an all-
round communications package for the
Internet; free at http://www.netscape.com
Opera – free version available at
http://www.opera.com
 Uniform Resource Locator
(URL)

http://www.yahoo.com
 COMMON APPLICATIONS
E-mail--Send messages to other connected users
Shop for goods and services
Meet and converse with people around the world
 Instant Messaging, such as ICQ, Windows (MSN)

Messenger, and AOL Instant Messenger

 Web browser plug-ins, such as Macromedia Flash and

Shockwave
Access sources of entertainment and leisure, such as online
games, magazines, and vacation planning guides
Access information such as news, maps, airline schedules,
and stock market data
 Electronic Commerce
When you conduct business activities
online, you are participating in electronic
commerce, also known as e-commerce
Business to consumer (B2C) involves
the sale of goods to the general public
Consumer to consumer (C2C) involves
one consumer selling directly to another
Business to business (B2B) provides
goods and services to other businesses
THE END