What is a computer?   A computer is a programmable electronic device that accepts data and performs operations on that data. Types of Computers         Notebook: Portable computer Desktop: Used at a single location Mainframe: supports hundreds of users simultaneously Supercomputers: performs complex calculations rapidly (used by scientists and engineers) What is the Motherboard?   This is the main circuit board that connects all the other internal components, such as the CPU, RAM, Expansion cards and memory. What is the Microprocessor?           Is the brains of the computer Controls all functions of the computer Performs arithmetic and logic operations It is also called the CPU, Central Processing Unit The speed of the processor is measured in gigahertz (GHz) Information Processing Cycle The information processing cycle refers to the basic tasks a computer follows when presented with data. A computer performs 4 major functions 1.  2.  3.  4.  Input: Enter data into the computer Storage: Save data, programs, or output for future use Process: Perform operations on the data Output: Present the results Step 1: Input     A computer takes in information, known as input. Input devices are devices used to enter information or instruction into the computer             Keyboard Mouse Microphone Scanner Digital Camera Stylus These are also known as peripheral devices Step 2: Storage   A computer stores the information in order to remember it. It uses the following storage devices:   Hard Drive (main storage device)   Optical drive (Compact disks) These are also   USB drive (flash disks) peripheral devices   DVD/Blu-ray disks Bytes What is capacity?   Number of bytes (characters) a storage medium can hold Kilobyte (KB) 1 thousand Megabyte (MB) 1 million Gigabyte (GB) 1 billion Terabyte (TB) 1 trillion Petabyte (PB) 1 quadrillion Exabyte (EB) 1 quintillion Zettabyte (ZB) 1 sextillion Yottabyte (YB) 1 septillion Step 3: Processing   A computer looks at the data and reacts to it.   This is known as processing Step 4: Output A computer sends processed data out of the computer. It uses the following output devices:       Monitor Printer Speakers Hardware The Physical parts of the computer that you can actually touch Software What is software:     Å set of instructions that tell the hardware what to do. Also called a program There are two types of software: Application software: Programs used to complete tasks Examples: -Microsoft Office Adobe Photoshop System software: coordinates instructions Between software and Hardware. Examples: -Operating system -Utility programs File Name Extensions File Name Extensions contd. Operating Systems   The OS is a large program made up of many smaller programs that control how the CPU communicates with other hardware components.   Apple Macintosh uses   PC and compatibles the Macintosh operating use the Windows system (Mac OS X). operating system. More expensive and has Windows 7 is the latest fewer software available version What does the OS do?         Provides a user interface in order to interact with the computer Manages the CPU Manages memory and storage Manages hardware and peripheral devices MAC User Interface Windows User Interface Types of Memory   Random Access Memory (RAM)   Read-Only Memory (ROM) Random Access Memory Machines running windows 7 must have at least 1GB of RAM. For peak performance, it is recommended that you have 2GB Read-Only Memory Storage What is storage?   Holds data, instructions, and information for future use   Storage medium is physical material used for storage   Also called secondary storage Storage: Hard Drive What is a hard drive?   The primary device for permanent storage   It is a High-capacity storage stored inside your computer (60 to 500 GB) Windows 7 requires at least 20GB of hard drive capacity. hard disk mounted in system unit Storage: Optical Disks What is an Optical Disk?   Disks that use laser to store and read data   Data is saved to Compact disks (CDs), Digital Video disks (DVDs), or Blu-ray disks (BDs)   All forms of optical media come in pre-recorded, recordable, and re-writable forms Storage: CD-ROM What is a CD-ROM?           Compact disc read-only memory Cannot erase or modify contents Typically holds 700 MB of data Commonly used to distribute multimedia and complex software It’s an optical disk- uses lasers to read data Storage: Compact Discs What are CD-Rs and CD-RWs?   Optical disks that use laser to read/write data   Typically holds 700 MB CD-R (compact disc-recordable) Cannot erase disc’s contents. You can only write Onto it once CD-RW (compact disc-rewritable) Erasable disk you can Write on Multiple times Storage: DVD Disks What is a DVD-ROM (digital versatile disc-ROM or digital video disc-ROM)?     Stores databases, music, complex software, and movies It can hold up to 4.7 GB of data Storage: Blu-ray Disks What is a Blu-ray (BDs) disks?       Stores databases, music, complex software, and movies Blu-ray are currently the fastest optical devices on the market It can hold up to 50 GB of dada, thus allowing to store high definition (HD) movies. Storage: Flash Drive What is a USB Flash Drive?             Plugs in a USB port on a computer or mobile device An alternative way of storing portable data Functions as a portable hard drive Sometimes referred to as USB drive, thumb drive or jump drive Storage capacities up to 64 GB May eventually make the floppy disk obsolete Storage: Flash Memory Card What is a Flash Memory Card?       Tiny, removable memory cards that let you transfer digital data between your computer and devices such as digital camera, PDA’s, video cameras, and smart phones It is the size of a postage stamp It can hold up to 32 GB of data What is a Port?       A port is a place through which a device can attach to a computer so that data can be exchanged. Many ports are located on the back of a computer The most popular port is USB, connecting a wide range of devices such as keyboards, mouse, printers, external hard drives, smart phones, digital cameras and more.