Essential Computer Concepts

FIRST COURSE

What Is a Computer?

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A computer is an electronic device that accepts data and instructions from a user, manipulates the data according to the instructions, displays the information in some way, and stores the information for retrieval later

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What is a computer?

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An electronic device that accepts input, processes the data and instructions, produces output from the processing that is useful and meaningful and stores the results for future use.

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How Does A Computer Know What To Do?

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It must be given a detailed set of instructions that tell it exactly what to do. These instructions are called a computer program, or software.

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Types of Computers
Personal computers (PCs)
Desktop computers Notebook (laptop) computers Tablet PCs

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Handheld computers
PDA (personal digital assistant) MP3 players Cell phones

Mainframe computers Supercomputers

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Types of Computers
Personal Computers PDA

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Desktop

Noteboo k

Tablet PC

Super Computers
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Computer Systems
Includes computer hardware and software
Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer Software refers to the intangible components of a computer system, particularly the programs the computer needs to perform a specific task

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System Software
System software manages the fundamental operations of your computer
Operating system
System resource Multitasking

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Utilities Programming Languages

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Application Software
Application software enables you to perform specific computer tasks, such as document production, spreadsheet calculations, and database management
Document production software

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Application Software
Presentation software

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Application Software
Web site creation and management software Spreadsheet software Database management software

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Application Software
Photo editing software Multimedia authoring software Accounting software Information management software

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Architecture or configuration is the design of the computer.

As in, what does the computer consist of?

Specification is the technical detail about each component.

As in, how big is the monitor?

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Processing Hardware
The motherboard is the main electronic component of the computer The microprocessor is one of the most important pieces of processing hardware on the motherboard Cards are removable circuit boards

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Processing
Microprocessor, also referred to as processor or CPU (Central Processing Unit RAM - Random Access Memory
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Input and Output

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The data or instructions you type into the computer are called input The result of the computer processing your input is referred to as output and also referred to as information. Peripheral devices accomplish input and output functions
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Input Devices
Keyboard Pointing device
Controls the pointer Mouse Trackball Touch pad Pointing stick

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You use an input device, such as a keyboard or a mouse, to input data and issue commands

Scanner Touch Screen Pen Input

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Output Devices
Output devices show you the results of processing data
Monitor
Flat panel LCD CRT

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Printer
Laser Inkjet Dot matrix

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Data Representation
Binary digits (bits) A series of eight bits is called a byte

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ASCII
American Standard Code for Information Interchange
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Storage Measurements
Byte = one character Kilobyte = approximately 1000 characters Megabyte = approximately one million characters Gigabyte = approximately one billion characters Terabyte = approximately one trillion characters
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Memory
Random access memory (RAM)
Volatile memory SDRAM

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Cache memory (RAM cache or CPU cache) Virtual memory

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Memory
Read-only memory (ROM)
BIOS Nonvolatile memory

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Complementary metal oxide semiconductor memory (CMOS) Semi permanent memory

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Method of Access
Sequential access retrieve data in order.
Example of media- magnetic tape

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Direct or random access go directly to required data.

Example of media- magnetic disk, CD-Rom, DVD

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Storage Media

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A computer file is a named collection of stored data An executable file contains the instructions that tell a computer how to perform a specific task A data file is created by a user

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Storage Media
Magnetic media
Hard disk Tape Floppy disk

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Hard Drive
Consists of one or more rigid metal platters coated with a metal oxide material that allows data to be magnetically recorded on the surface of the platters The number of platters permanently mounted on the spindle of a hard disk varies.

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Storage Media
Optical storage device
CD DVD CD-R CD-RW CD-ROM

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Storage Media
Flash memory
Flash memory cards USB flash storage device USB drive (flash drive)

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Data Communications

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The transmission of text, numeric, voice, or video data from one computer to another or to a peripheral device is called data communications
Sender and receiver Channel Protocol Device driver (driver)

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Components of Data Communications

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The four essential components of data communications are: Sender Channel Receiver Protocols

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Data Communication
A sender is the computer that originates the message. The message is sent over a channel, such as a telephone The receiver is the computer at the messages destination. Protocols are the rules that establish the transfer of data between sender and receiver.

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Networks
A network connects one computer to other computers and peripherals. In a local area network (LAN), computers and peripherals are close to each other.
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Networks
Each computer that is part of the network must have a network interface card and network software. Then it becomes a workstation. Any device connected to the network is called a node.
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Telecommunications
Telecommunications is communicating over a telephone. In the telecommunications process, the modem converts digital signals to analog signals at the sending site and a second modem converts them back at
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Telecommunications

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The Internet
The Internet is the worlds largest network. E-mail and the World Wide Web are two benefits of the Internet.

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The Internet

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A hyperlink is a place on a Web page allowing you to connect to a particular file. http://www.course.com/newperspectives

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The Internet
A Web browser is the communicatio ns software that allows you to navigate the WWW.
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Networks

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A network connects one computer to other computers and peripheral devices, enabling you to share data and resources with others Network interface card (NIC) LAN WAN WLAN PAN WiMax
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Telecommunications
Telecommunications means communicating over a comparatively long distance using a phone line or some other data conduit
Modem
Digital and analog signals

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DSL

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The Internet
The Internet is the largest network in the world, connecting millions of people
Electronic mail World Wide Web
Web page Web site

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Security Threats on Your Computer

Security refers to the steps a computer owner takes to prevent unauthorized use of or damage to the computer
Malware
Viruses
Antivirus software

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Spyware Adware

Firewall Phishing Pharming

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