Basic Computer Skills Chapter 1

Basic Computer Skills

• This chapter introduces basic computer skills.

Introduction

• No specific information provided.

What is a Computer?

• The word "computer" is derived from the word "compute," meaning "to calculate."
• People use mathematical operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) and formulas for calculations.
• Humans developed machines for doing these calculations more quickly and accurately.

Definition of a Computer

• A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to perform high-speed mathematical or logical operations.

Characteristics of a Computer

• Speed: Calculations that take humans hours can be done in seconds by computers.
• Accuracy: Computers can give results with high accuracy to up to 100 decimal places.
• Diligence: Computers are not affected by tiredness, lack of concentration, or fatigue, so routine tasks are done with the same accuracy.
• Versatility: Computers can be used for many different tasks, from payroll to account management to inventory handling.
• Multi-tasking: Computers can perform multiple tasks at the same time without losing efficiency.
• Power of Memory/Storage: Computers have the ability to store and retrieve large amounts of information for years.

Speed

• Calculations that can take hours for humans take only seconds for computers; computers perform millions of instructions per second.

Accuracy

• Computers calculate with high accuracy, often to many decimal places, within a fraction of a second.

Diligence

• Computers are not affected by fatigue, unlike humans, making them suitable for repetitive tasks.

Versatility

• Computers can be used for many different types of work, not just simple calculations.

Multi-tasking

• Computers can perform multiple tasks at once without compromising efficiency.

Power of Memory or Storage

• Computers can store huge amounts of information, allowing for retrieval at a later time.

No IQ

• Computers are considered dumb machines because they require instructions to perform tasks.
• Computers do not understand the tasks being performed; they execute instructions given by the user blindly but with high speed and accuracy.

No Feelings

• Computers lack feelings, emotions, knowledge, or experience.
• Computers do not get tired and do not distinguish among different tasks or users.

History of Computers

• Early humans developed various systems of counting, such as Babylonian, Greek, Roman, and Indian systems.
• The Indian system of counting is used internationally and forms the basis of the modern decimal system.

Calculating Machines

• People developed mechanical devices for counting called abacuses, invented in Egypt and China.
• The word abacus means "calculating board".

Napier's Bones

• John Napier created an invention (Napier's bones) for multiplying in 1617 AD.

Slide Rule

• Mathematicians developed the slide rule for mathematical operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division during the 16th century in Europe.

Pascal's Adding and Subtraction Machine

• Blaise Pascal invented a machine for addition and subtraction in 1642.
• The invention consisted of gears and cylinders.

Leibniz's Multiplication and Division Machine

• Gottfried Leibniz created a device for multiplication and division in around 1673.

Babbage's Analytical Engine

• Charles Babbage built a mechanical machine for complex mathematical calculations (Analytical Engine) in 1823.
• He is considered the father of computers.

Mechanical and Electrical Calculators

• Mechanical calculators were developed in the early 19th century to perform mathematical computations.
• Electrical motors replaced routine tasks in mechanical calculators to develop an electrical calculator.

Modern Electronic Calculator

• Calculators with electronic tubes were developed in the 1960s.
• Later, transistors replaced bulky electronic tubes, leading to smaller calculators.
• Modern calculators can compute various mathematical functions.

Computer Generations

• The evolution of computers has taken place over the last 50 years.
• The evolution can be classified into five distinct phases called generations of computers.

First Generation Computers

• First-generation computers were large in size.
• Writing programs on them was challenging.

Second Generation Computers

• Transistors replaced bulky vacuum tubes.
• The concept of the Central Processing Unit (CPU), memory, programming language, and input/output units were developed.

Third Generation Computers

• Tiny integrated circuits (ICs) were first introduced.
• Computers grew smaller.
• High-level languages, large memory, and low costs were features of the third-generation computers.

Fourth Generation Computers

• Large-scale integrated circuits (LSIs) were developed.
• Microprocessors were built on single silicon chips.

Fifth Generation Computers

• Computers were designed to think and make decisions, like human beings.
• Artificial intelligence was introduced to enable computers to take decisions.

Classification of Computers

• Various computer types are based on their memory size and speed.
• Microcomputers are a type of computer with low speed and storage capacity.
• Supercomputers are a powerful type of computer used in fields like weather forecasting and aircraft design.

Applications of Computers in Various Fields

• Computers are used for complex calculations and tasks.
• Computers are utilized in a variety of fields, such as tourism, banking, industries, transportation, education, and entertainment.

Identify the Models of Computers

• Hard drives are used for computer storage.
• Some computers use touchscreens for input, rather than keyboards.

Concepts of Hardware and Software

• Computer hardware are the physical components of a computer.
• Examples include monitor, keyboard, hard disk, and mouse.
• Computer software consists of programs that enable the computer to perform tasks.

Physical Components of a Computer

• Motherboards also known as system panel boards, main boards.
• Processing chips, also known as CPUs (central processing units).

Memory

• Memory stores information in computers, either in semiconductor chips or in other physical devices.
• Data can be accessed in a specific order determined by the computer's internal design.

Secondary Memory

• Hard disks, floppy disks, and compact disks (CDs) are types of secondary memory.
• Secondary memory is used for storing data outside the computer main memory.

Floppy Disk Drive

• Floppy Disk drives read and write information on magnetic floppy disks.

Compact Disk Drive

• CD-drives use laser light or electromagnetic waves for reading and writing data onto CDs.

Switched Mode Power Supply

• SMPS refers to the power supply for computers.
• Ports, including serial and parallel ports, USB ports, are used for connecting devices to the computer.

VGA/SVGA/AGP

• Sound cards convert analog audio signals into digital signals that the computer can process and store.
• Network cards enable computers to connect to each other on networks.
• Modems connect computers to the internet.

Input Devices

• Input devices include the keyboard, mouse, scanner, joystick, floppy disks, CDs, and DVDs.
• Input devices capture and convert data input to a form the computers can understand.

Keyboard

• The keys on a keyboard are similar to typewriters with additional function keys, cursor-control keys, and numeric keys.

Mouse

• The mouse's motion translates to pointer movement, enabling navigation in graphical user interfaces.
• Optical and mechanical are two different types.

Scanner

• Scanners optically convert images and text to digital format.

Joystick

• Joysticks are used for controlling video games and other interactive applications.

Output Devices

• Output devices produce information in a form humans can easily understand.
• Monitors, printers, and plotters.

Monitor

• Monitors display information on screens.
• Older CRT (cathode ray tube) monitors are larger; modern flat-panel TFT LCDs (thin-film transistors liquid crystal displays) are more compact and advanced.

TFT-LCD

• TFT-LCDs (thin-film transistor liquid crystal displays) are a type of active matrix liquid crystal display.

LED and OLED

• LED and OLED technologies produce higher-contrast images and better viewing angles compared to LCDs.

Printer

• Printers produce hard copies of digital documents.

Plotter

• Plotters produce large-format graphical outputs, such as maps and engineering drawings.

Operating System

• An operating system controls the overall computer activity.
• It manages files and allows interaction between hardware and software.

This quiz covers the fundamentals of computer skills, including the definition, characteristics, and basic operations of computers. Understand how computers enhance human capabilities through speed, accuracy, and versatility. Perfect for beginners looking to grasp essential computer concepts.