Introduction to Computers

Section 1ASection 1A

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Definition of a Computer

A computer is an electronic device used

to process data, converting the data into

information that is useful to people

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Computers Consist of Four Parts

Hardware

Software

Users

Data

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Hardware

Mechanical devices that make up the

computer

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Processing

The procedure that transforms raw data into

useful information is called processing

The processor and memory perform this

transformation

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Processor

The computer’s brain, which organizes

and carries out instructions from either

the user or the software

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Motherboard

Rigid rectangular card containing the

circuitry that connects the processor to

the other hardware

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Circuit board

Motherboard is an example of a circuit board

Attached to the motherboard are many smaller circuit boards that house many internal devices

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Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Refers to a computer’s processor

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Memory

When you launch a program, it is

loaded into and run from memory

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Random Access Memory (RAM)

Determines a computer’s speed and

power

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Memory Measurements

Kilobyte (KB)

Megabyte (MB)

Gigabyte (GB)

Terabyte (TB)

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Input Devices

Accept data and instructions from the

user or from another computer system

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Most Common Input Devices

Keyboard

Mouse

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Output Devices

Return processed data to the user or to

another computer system

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Most Common Output Devices

Monitor

Printer

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Storage

Holds data permanently

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Storage Terms

Magnetic disk

Read/write heads

Disk drive

Hard disk or hard drive

Diskette drive

Diskettes or floppy disks

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Storage Terms Continued

CD-ROM drive

Compact disks (CDs)

Compact Disk-Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM)

CD-Recordable (CD-R)

CD-ReWritable (CD-RW)

Digital Video Disk (DVD)

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Software

A set of electronic instructions

consisting of complex codes, or

programs, that make the computer

perform tasks

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Examples of Software

System software

Application software

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Five Computer Categories

Supercomputers

Mainframe computers

Minicomputers

Workstations

Microcomputers, or personal computers

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The Internet Started Out As ARPANET

In 1969, the Advanced Research Projects Agency

(ARPA) of the U.S. Department of Defense created

the Internet when it connected the computers at

universities and defense contractors. This system

was called ARPANET.

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The Internet Today

The Internet today is a cooperative community of over

100 million computer users connected worldwide.

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World Wide Web

Accessed through the Internet, the

World Wide Web lets users view

specially formatted documents

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Web Browsers

A Web browser is computer software that lets

you navigate the Web

First you connect to the Internet, then you

launch the browser, then you view Web

pages

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URL’s

Every Web page has a unique address,

called a uniform resource locator, or

URL (pronounced as spelled: U-R-L)

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Hyperlinks

A hyperlink is a part of the Web page

that is linked to a URL

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Web Search Tools

Directories

Search Engines

Metasearch engines

Site-specific search tools

Section 1ASection 1A

Introduction to Computer Introduction to Computer SystemsSystems

Hardware