1702923359491-Basics Computer Literacy-3.pdf

Chapter 1: Computer Fundamentals Part 1: COMPUTERS AND OPERATING SYSTEMS A. What is a Computer? A computer is an electronic device that receives data (input), processes data, stores data, and produces a result (output). A computer’s basic parts are made up of the system unit, keyboard,...

Chapter 1: Computer Fundamentals Part 1: COMPUTERS AND OPERATING SYSTEMS A. What is a Computer? A computer is an electronic device that receives data (input), processes data, stores data, and produces a result (output). A computer’s basic parts are made up of the system unit, keyboard, monitor and mouse. Figure1.1. Figure 1.1: Basic Parts of a Computer B. Computer system A computer system is made up of multiple electronic components that consist of four broad categories, serving in the information processing cycle. Figure 1.2. Figure 1.2: The Information Processing Cycle 6   Input: Those components helping the user to key in the data to the computer, like keyboard, mouse and touchscreen.  Processing: Those components moving and processing the data inside the computer, like CPU, memory, sound card, and other components inside the system unit.  Storage: Those components storing the software and data until it is needed, like hard drive, USB flash drive and optical device.  Output: Those components providing the results of processing to the user, like the monitor, projector, and printer. C. Characteristics of Computers Characteristics of computers are as follows:  High Speed: computers are very fast and can calculate large amount of data, they can perform millions or billions of calculations in a fraction of a second (i.e. microsecond, nanosecond or picosecond).  Storage: computers use different types of memory storage to keep data and information. Some storage can keep large amount of data and other storage can recall the data very fast.  Accuracy: computers are completely accurate; this means they make calculations those are 100% error free. Computers error usually come from a data input error or a software error.  Reliability: computers are reliable machines, where the hardware and software components perform consistently according to their specifications for a long period. They are also designed to be easily maintained.  Versatility: computers are very versatile and can perform multiple tasks simultaneously with equal ease.  Diligence: computers do not have any human traits, therefore, they do not feel any tiredness or lack of concentration. They can work continuously without errors, with the same speed and accuracy.  Resource sharing: computers can connect to other devices and share their resources or vice versa. They can connect to printers and share with others. A computer’s hard drive can also be shared with other computers. 7 D. Benefits and Usage of Computers Computers are powerful and useful tools and provides many useful benefits, such as its capability to produce high quality task within a short span of time. Computers can be used to learn a wide range of skills those are important in today’s technological world. The general benefits and uses of computers are as follows:  Business: companies are making computers part of their business organization. They are used for payroll, sales, budget planning, financial, management information system, etc.  Banking: banks are dependent on computers. They offer online transaction facilities to track bank records such as loans, account statements, interest charges, credit cards and other services. They provide Automated Teller Machine (ATM) and Cash Deposit Machine (CDM) for faster financial operations and 24-hours availability.  Government: computers play an important role in government. They are used in different areas of the government such as passport and visa systems, driving licensing, traffic systems, national ID system and many more.  Military: computers are widely used in defense and today most military weapons have computerized control systems.  Heath Care: hospitals use computers to keep patients health records and medicine history. Most of the equipment used in the hospital laboratories have computerized control systems.  Education: computers have provided a lot of benefits in the education system. They are vital tools in the E-learning system, student information system, teacher and student evaluation system and others.  Communication: communication is a way of conveying the messages. Today’s computer technologies help people to communicate easily. E-mail, chatting and video conferencing are the most commonly used applications in communication.  Home Computer: every home uses computers in different ways, such as entertainment, Internet connectivity, security system and even household appliances are operated by computer systems. 8