Basics of Computer Tutorial

Basics of Computer

• A computer is an electronic device that receives input, stores or processes the input as per user instructions and provides output in desired format.
• Computers have become an integral part of our lives because they can accomplish easy tasks repeatedly without getting bored and complex ones repeatedly without committing errors.

Desktop

• A desktop is a term commonly used to describe a desktop computer or system unit.
• In an operating system or GUI (graphical user interface), the desktop is a system of organization of icons on a screen.

Status Bar

• A horizontal line of information displayed at the bottom or top of an application window.
• Reports information about the current state of the program or the data contents in the window.

Language

• A computer language is a formal language used in communication with a computer.
• Defined as code or syntax which is used to write programs or any specific applications.

Machine Learning

• A machine can learn to solve a problem by following any one of the following three approaches:
  • Supervised Learning
  • Unsupervised Learning
  • Reinforcement Learning
• Supervised Learning: A technique in which we teach or train the machine using data which is well labeled.
• Unsupervised Learning: Training by using unlabeled data and allowing the model to act on that information without guidance.
• Reinforcement Learning: A part of Machine learning where an agent is put in an environment and he learns to behave in this environment by performing certain actions and observing the rewards which it gets from those actions.

Artificial Intelligence

• A wide-ranging branch of computer science concerned with building smart machines capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence.
• Four types:
  • Thinking humanly
  • Thinking rationally
  • Acting humanly
  • Acting rationally

IoT (Internet of Things)

• A system of interrelated, internet-connected objects that are able to collect and transfer data over a wireless network without human intervention.

Memory Allocation

• A process by which computer programs and services are assigned with physical or virtual memory space.

File Extension

• A three- or four-letter abbreviation that signifies the file type.

Internet Concepts

Internet

• A global network of computing resources.

Web Browser

• An application used to search through information provided in internet.
• Helps to view and navigate through information on the Internet.

Search Engine

• A software system that works to search information on the World Wide Web.
• Examples: Google, Yahoo, and Bing.

WWW

• Stands for World Wide Web.
• The combination of all the resources and users on the Internet that are using the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).

URL

• Stands for Uniform Resource Locator.
• Used to specify addresses on the World Wide Web.

HTTP

• Stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol.
• The protocol being used to transfer hypertext documents that makes the World Wide Web possible.

Keyboard

• A peripheral input device modeled after the typewriter keyboard.
• Uses an arrangement of buttons or keys to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches.

Software

• A set of instructions that drives a computer to do stipulated tasks.
• Can be categorized into two types:
  • System software
  • Application software

System Software

• Operates directly on hardware devices of a computer.
• Provides a platform to run an application.
• Examples: Operating systems such as Windows, Linux, Unix, etc.

Operating System

• Provides the interface between the application software/user and hardware.
• Primary purpose is to keep the system operating in an efficient manner while allowing users access to the system.
• Examples: Windows XP, Vista, Seven, Linux, UNIX, MAC OSX, MAC Lion, etc.

Uses of the Internet

• Can be used to communicate across large or small distances, share information from any place in the world and access information or answers to almost any question in moments.
• Specific examples include:
  • Social media and content sharing
  • E-mail and other forms of communication
  • Education and self-improvement
  • Searching for jobs
  • Online discussion groups and forums
  • Online dating
  • Online gaming
  • Research
  • Reading electronic newspapers and magazines
  • Online shopping, or e-commerce.