Computer Basics and Hardware

What is a Computer?

• A computer is an electronic device that takes in input, processes it, and produces output.

Fixed vs Programmable Computers

• Fixed computers are designed to perform a single task and cannot be changed.
• Programmable computers can be reprogrammed to perform different tasks.

Calculators vs Computers

• Calculators are designed to perform mathematical calculations.
• Computers are designed to perform a wide range of tasks, including calculations, data processing, and storage.

Input and Output

• Input devices: keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone, etc. (devices that send data to the computer)
• Output devices: monitor, printer, speaker, etc. (devices that receive data from the computer)

RAM vs ROM

• RAM (Random Access Memory): volatile memory that temporarily stores data while the computer is running.
• ROM (Read-Only Memory): non-volatile memory that permanently stores data.

Secondary Storage

• Necessary to store data when the computer is turned off.
• Types of secondary storage: hard drives, solid-state drives, flash drives, CDs, DVDs, etc.
• Technologies used: magnetic, optical, solid-state.

CPU

• Components:
  • ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit): performs arithmetic and logical operations.
  • Busses: connections between components.
  • Clock: controls the timing of operations.
  • Registers: small amounts of memory built into the CPU.
  • Control Unit: manages the flow of data.

Operating System

• Role:
  • Managing Memory: allocating and deallocating memory for programs.
  • Program execution: running programs and managing their execution.
  • Managing Input and Output: handling input/output operations.
  • Managing User Interface (GUI): providing a user-friendly interface.
  • Managing Communication: managing communication between devices and programs.

Binary

• A binary number system using only 0s and 1s.
• Conversion:
  • Denary to Binary: converting decimal numbers to binary.
  • Binary to Denary: converting binary numbers to decimal.

Binary Maths

• Adding three binary numbers together:
  • Performing binary addition using the rules of binary arithmetic.

Data Sizes

• Units of measurement:
  • Bit: the smallest unit of measurement.
  • Nibble: 4 bits.
  • Byte: 8 bits.
  • Kilobyte: 1024 bytes.
  • Megabyte: 1024 kilobytes.
  • Gigabyte: 1024 megabytes.
  • Terabyte: 1024 gigabytes.

What is a Computer?

• A computer is an electronic device that takes in input, processes it, and produces output.

Fixed vs Programmable Computers

• Fixed computers are designed to perform a single task and cannot be changed.
• Programmable computers can be reprogrammed to perform different tasks.

Calculators vs Computers

• Calculators are designed to perform mathematical calculations.
• Computers are designed to perform a wide range of tasks, including calculations, data processing, and storage.

Input and Output

• Input devices: keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone, etc. (devices that send data to the computer)
• Output devices: monitor, printer, speaker, etc. (devices that receive data from the computer)

RAM vs ROM

• RAM (Random Access Memory): volatile memory that temporarily stores data while the computer is running.
• ROM (Read-Only Memory): non-volatile memory that permanently stores data.

Secondary Storage

• Necessary to store data when the computer is turned off.
• Types of secondary storage: hard drives, solid-state drives, flash drives, CDs, DVDs, etc.
• Technologies used: magnetic, optical, solid-state.

CPU

• Components:
  • ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit): performs arithmetic and logical operations.
  • Busses: connections between components.
  • Clock: controls the timing of operations.
  • Registers: small amounts of memory built into the CPU.
  • Control Unit: manages the flow of data.

Operating System

• Role:
  • Managing Memory: allocating and deallocating memory for programs.
  • Program execution: running programs and managing their execution.
  • Managing Input and Output: handling input/output operations.
  • Managing User Interface (GUI): providing a user-friendly interface.
  • Managing Communication: managing communication between devices and programs.

Binary

• A binary number system using only 0s and 1s.
• Conversion:
  • Denary to Binary: converting decimal numbers to binary.
  • Binary to Denary: converting binary numbers to decimal.

Binary Maths

• Adding three binary numbers together:
  • Performing binary addition using the rules of binary arithmetic.

Data Sizes

• Units of measurement:
  • Bit: the smallest unit of measurement.
  • Nibble: 4 bits.
  • Byte: 8 bits.
  • Kilobyte: 1024 bytes.
  • Megabyte: 1024 kilobytes.
  • Gigabyte: 1024 megabytes.
  • Terabyte: 1024 gigabytes.