Computer basics :Computer basics


What is a Computer? :What is a Computer? An electronic device that stores, retrieves, and processes data, and can be programmed with instructions. A computer is composed of hardware and software, and can exist in a variety of sizes and configurations.


Hardware & Software :Hardware & Software The term hardware refers to the physical components of your computer such as the system unit, mouse, keyboard, monitor etc. The software is the instructions that makes the computer work. Software is held either on your computers hard disk, CD-ROM, DVD or on a diskette (floppy disk) and is loaded (i.e. copied) from the disk into the computers RAM (Random Access Memory), as and when required.


Types of Computers :Types of Computers Mini and Mainframe Computers Very powerful, used by large organisations such an banks to control the entire business operation. Very expensive! Personal Computers Cheap and easy to use. Often used as stand-alone computers or in a network. May be connected to large mainframe computers within big companies.


Hardware Components :Hardware Components Input Devices "How to tell it what to do“ Output devices "How it shows you what it is doing"


INPUT DEVICES :INPUT DEVICES The Mouse The Keyboard Scanners


Input devices :Input devices Touch Pads Speakers Joysticks


OUTPUT DEVICES :OUTPUT DEVICES VDU Printers Plotters Speech synthesizers


Storage Devices :Storage Devices Hard disk drives Floppy disk CD-ROM or DVD Disks


Memory :Memory RAM - Random Access Memory ROM – Read Only Memory


How Computer Memory Is Measured :How Computer Memory Is Measured Bit Byte Kilobyte Megabyte Gigabyte


Microprocessors -- "The brain of the computer” :Microprocessors -- "The brain of the computer”


Some of the FactorsThat Impact on a Computer's Performance :Some of the FactorsThat Impact on a Computer's Performance RAM size CPU speed Hard disk speed and capacity


Software Component :Software Component Operating systems software Applications software


Information Network :Information Network LAN (local Area Network) WAN (Wide Area Network)


Uses of Network :Uses of Network single printer may be used by several person In a similar way other devices such as modems or scanners can be shared. Even more useful is the ability to share information when connected to a network.


Uses of Computer :Uses of Computer PC at Home Computer games Working from Home Banking from Home Connecting to the Web Computers in Education


Uses of Computer :Uses of Computer Office Applications Automated Production Systems Design Systems Stock Control Accounts / Payroll


Uses of Computer :Uses of Computer Computers in Daily Life Accounts Games Educational On-line banking Smart ID cards Supermarkets Working from home (Tele-working) Internet


Now Let us start our Computers :Now Let us start our Computers Thank you for your time!