Computer Skills Lecture Notes PDF

Computer Skills Lecturer: Meznah Al-Quraishi Course Overview What is the Computer Skills Course? Topics Covered: 1. Introduction to computer 2. Windows Operating System 3. Office Applications 4. Internet Course Contents in Blackboard Refe...

Computer Skills Lecturer: Meznah Al-Quraishi Course Overview What is the Computer Skills Course? Topics Covered: 1. Introduction to computer 2. Windows Operating System 3. Office Applications 4. Internet Course Contents in Blackboard Reference Book Course Overview Grading: Grade Distribution Course Work 60% 20% Home Works 20% Quiz 20% Mid Term 40% Final 100% Total ‫‪Policy of late delivering and Absence‬‬ ‫البد من تسليم الواجبات في موعدها المحدد للحصول على الدرجة الكاملة ‪.‬‬ ‫‪-‬‬ ‫إذا تم التغيب عن الكويز البد من إحضار عذر الغياب‪.‬‬ ‫‪-‬‬ ‫إذا تم التغيب عن االختبار الشهري البد من تقديم العذر للقسم للنظر فيه‪.‬‬ ‫‪-‬‬ ‫إذا تأخرتي في تسليم أحد الواجبات فإنه يمكنك تسليمه ولكن تحصلين على درجه أقل‪.‬‬ ‫‪-‬‬ ‫تسليم المطلوب في المعمل هو جزء من المشاركة في المقرر‪.‬‬ ‫‪-‬‬ Outline..  Introduction  Computer Generations  Types of Computers  The main components of personal computers  Memory Measurement Units  Measuring the Performance of Computers  Introduction - The computer skills course aims at developing the students’ skills in using and operating computers. - The period from 1930 – 1950 is considered to be the period in which computers were born. Computer Generations - The history of the computer goes back several decades however and there are five definable generations of computers.  Types of Computers Computers can be classified according to their size into the following types: 1. Super Computer. It is huge in size, has very large storage capacity and has high processing speed. However, such computers are so expensive that only large companies like Saudi Aramco use them. 2. Mainframe Computer. It is used commonly at universities and communication companies. 3. Medium Computer. It has become obsolete. 4. Micro-Computer. It is known as the personal computer (PC). This type of computers comes in different forms such as Desktop and Laptops. Types of Computers cont.. 5. Workstations. Similar to micro-computers in terms of being used by only one person. However, it is more powerful. 6. Control Computer. These computers are used in real time applications.  The main components of personal - computers The personal computer consists of two main components: a) Hardware. b) Software.  A) Hardware. Hardware : refers to the components that tangible parts of the computer which includes: 1- Central Processing Unit(CPU). 2- Memory Unit 3- Input Units 4- Output Units. 5- Storage Devices. 1- Central Processing Unit (CPU). CPU: is the mastermind of the computer. It processes data and performs the arithmetic and logical operations. CPU differ in terms of speed and the capability of dealing with data. The speed of the CPU is measured in MHZ and in GHZ. 2- Memory Unit. Memory: is a collection of electronic circuits which are used to save data and software programs. -There are two kinds of memories: 1) Random Access Memory (RAM). This memory saves the computer data temporarily. It loses the data it holds as soon as the power is disconnected from the computer or in case the computer is shut down. It is read and write memory. 2) Read only Memory (ROM). This memory saves the computer operation data. It does not lose its data when the power is 3- Input Units. -The input units: are the devices which are used to enter data such as texts, signals or pictures into the computer. -The input devices have different forms according to the kind of data they are used to deal with such as: 1) Mouse. 3) Computer Camera. 5) Touch Screen 2) Keyboard. 4) Scanner. 6) Light pen 7) Joystick. 4- Output Units. -The output units: are the devices which are used to display data such as texts, signals or pictures from the computer -The output devices come in different forms according to the type of data they are used to display such as: 1) Visual Display Units (VDU) - Monitors. 2) Printers: There are various types of printers such as laser printer, Dot matrix printer and 5- Storage Devices. Computers contain three types of disk devices : Hard Disk, Floppy Disk and the Compact Disc drivers. Huge amount of data can be stored on these storage devices to retrieved when required. - More details for these devices: 1) The Hard Disk. Hard Disks are characterized by their huge storage capacity for data and high speed in retraining stored data. 2) The Floppy Disk. Floppy Disks are small and light disks with a limited storage capacity 3) The Compact Disc (CD).  Memory Measurement Units Computers are electronic machines that deal with electronic current in two modes(ON: represented by 1 and OFF represented by 0). Computers use the Binary Digit system or BIT in which all characters and symbols are represented as groups that consist of eight bits called bytes. 8 bit = 1 byte Measuring the Performance of Computers The efficiency of computers and their performance depend of the speed of the CPU, the size of the RAM and the storage capacity of the Hard Disk. Any Question