ITCL REVIEWER.pdf

ITCL REVIEWER Lesson 1 COMPUTING DEVICES - A computing device is a machine that can be programmed to carry out sequences of arithmetic or logical operations (computation) automatically. Modern digital electronic computers can perform generic sets of operations known as programs...

ITCL REVIEWER Lesson 1 COMPUTING DEVICES - A computing device is a machine that can be programmed to carry out sequences of arithmetic or logical operations (computation) automatically. Modern digital electronic computers can perform generic sets of operations known as programs. These programs enable computers to perform a wide range of tasks. A computing device can consist of a standalone unit or several interconnected units. It can also be a device that provides a specific set of functions, such as a phone or a personal organizer, or more general functions such as a laptop or desktop computer. DIFFERENT TYPES OF COMPUTING DEVICES Personal Computers - A personal computer (PC) is a multi purpose microcomputer whose size, capabilities, and price make it feasible for individual use. Personal computers are intended to be operated directly by an end user, rather than by a computer expert or technician. Unlike large, costly minicomputers and mainframes, time sharing by many people at the same time is not used with personal computers. DIFFERENT TYPES OF COMPUTING DEVICES (Categories of personal computers) Desktop Computers - These are the most common type of personal computer. They are typically large and bulky, and they are designed to be placed on a desk or table. Desktop computers offer the most computing power and flexibility, and they are often used for gaming, video editing, and other demanding tasks. All-in-One Computer - all-in-one computer is a type of personal computer that has all of its components integrated into a single unit, including the monitor, the computer case, the motherboard, the CPU, the RAM, the hard drive, and the optical drive. This makes all-in-one computers more compact and space-saving than traditional desktop computers Laptop Computers - Laptop computers are smaller and more portable than desktop computers. They are designed to be carried around with you, and they are often used for work, school, or entertainment. Laptop computers offer less computing power than desktop computers, but they are still capable of handling most tasks. Notebook Computers - Notebook computers are a type of laptop computer that is even smaller and more portable. They are often called ultrabooks or ultraportables. Notebook computers offer the least computing power of the three types of personal computers, but they are also the lightest and most portable.  Workstation Computers - Workstations are high-powered computers that are designed for professional use. They are often used by engineers, architects, and other professionals who need a lot of computing power for their work. Workstations are typically more expensive than other types of personal computers. Tablet Computer - Tablet computers are touchscreen devices that are smaller than laptops. They are often used for browsing the internet, checking email, and watching videos. Tablet computers do not offer as much computing power as laptops, but they are more portable and easier to use. Hand-held Computer - Handheld computers are small, portable computers that are designed to fit in your hand. They are often used for tasks such as playing games, checking email, and browsing the internet. Handheld computers do not offer as much computing power as other types of personal computers, but they are very portable and convenient. Smartphones - Smartphone computers are mobile phones that also function as personal computers. They are typically equipped with a touchscreen display, a keyboard, and a variety of software applications. Smartphone computers are used for a variety of tasks, including making calls, sending text messages, browsing the internet, checking email, and playing games. OTHER TYPES OF COMPUTING DEVICES Supercomputers - A supercomputer is a computer with a very high level of performance compared to a general-purpose computer. The performance of a supercomputer is commonly measured in floating-point operations per second (FLOPS) instead of million instructions per second (MIPS). Mainframe Computers - Mainframes are also very powerful computers, but they are not as powerful as supercomputers. Mainframes are used for large-scale data processing and transaction processing. They are also used to host critical applications, such as banking systems and air traffic control systems. Mainframes are typically more expensive than personal computers or servers, but they are more reliable and can handle more users and transactions. E-Book Reader Devices - An e-book reader is a device that is used to read electronic books (e-books). E-book readers typically have a large, high-resolution screen that is easy to read in bright sunlight or low light. They also have long battery life, so you can read for hours without having to recharge. Multimedia Computers - A multimedia computer is a computer that is designed to handle tasks involving multimedia content, such as playing videos, viewing images, and listening to music. Multimedia computers typically have a high-quality display, a powerful processor, and a large amount of memory.  Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) - A personal digital assistant (PDA) is a handheld device that was popular in the early 2000s. PDAs typically had a touchscreen display and could be used for tasks such as scheduling appointments, taking notes, and managing contacts. PDAs were the predecessors to smartphones, and they were often seen as a luxury item. Lesson 2 COMPUTER COMPONENTS - Inside every computing device, no matter the size and power, you will find many of the same components. The components vary by size, complexity, and computing power; but these components are what make the item function as a computing device. Having a basic understanding of the components’ features and functions will help you select the right device for the job. PARTS OF THE INTERNAL COMPUTER Motherboard - It is the personal computer component that acts as the backbone for the entire computer system. Sometimes called the system board or mainboard, it consists of a large, flat circuit board with chips and other electrical components on it using various connectors. Some components are soldered directly to the board, and some components connect to the board by using slots or sockets. The motherboard is the main circuit board of the computer. It connects all of the other components together and provides the electrical connections they need to function. Common problems of motherboard - Power issues - Overheating - Short circuit - Incompatible components - Damaged components - BIOS or firmware errors Tips to prevent motherboard issues - Use good PSU - Keep well-ventilated - Avoid incompatible components - Handle with care - Update BIOS regularly Central Processing Unit (CPU) - it is the brain of the computer and is responsible for carrying out the instructions of the computer programs. Also called “Processor”. The CPU is made up of millions of transistors that are arranged in a complex circuitry. A processor's speed is measured  in megahertz (MHz), or millions of instructions per second; and gigahertz (GHz), or billions of instructions per second. A faster processor can execute instructions more quickly. However, the actual speed of the computer depends on the speed of many different components—not just the processor. - The gold you see on the CPU is only a thin plating that is applied to the pins to protect them from corrosion and improve their conductivity. Gold is a good choice for plating CPU pins because it is a very malleable metal that can be easily shaped. It is also a good conductor of electricity, which helps to ensure that the pins make good contact with the motherboard. The amount of gold used in a CPU is very small. A typical CPU may only contain about 0.1 to 0.3 grams of gold. This is not enough to make the CPU valuable, and it is not worth extracting the gold from old CPUs. AMD & INTEL PROCESSORS - AMD CPUs are a better value for money, while Intel CPUs offer better performance for gaming at high resolutions. However, there are many other factors to consider when choosing a CPU, such as your budget, the type of work you will be doing, and the other components in your computer. - Ryzen 5 5600X: This is a mid-range CPU that offers excellent value for money. It has 6 cores and 12 threads, and it is based on the AMD Zen 3 architecture. - Ryzen 9 5900X: This is a high-end CPU that offers great performance for gaming and productivity. It has 12 cores and 24 threads, and it is also based on the AMD Zen 3 architecture. - Intel Core i5-12600K: This is a mid-range CPU that offers good performance for gaming and productivity. It has 6 cores and 12 threads, and it is based on the Intel Alder Lake architecture. - Core i9-12900K: This is a high-end CPU that offers the best performance for gaming and productivity. It has 16 cores and 24 threads, and it is also based on the Intel Alder Lake architecture. Power Supply Unit - The power supply unit in a computer converts the power from the wall outlet to the type of power needed by the computer. It sends power through cables to the motherboard and other components. Common problems of PSU - Overheating - Power Surges - Short Circuits - Faulty Capacitors - Damaged Components - Old age Tips to prevent problems of PSU - Use high qual PSU - Keep well-ventilated  - Avoid using power strips or extension cords - Use surge protector - Inspect regularly - Replace if old or damaged Random Access Memory - RAM is your system's short-term memory. Whenever your computer performs calculations, it temporarily stores the data in the RAM until it is needed. This short-term memory disappears when the computer is turned off. If you're working on a document, spreadsheet, or other type of file, you'll need to save it to avoid losing it. When you save a file, the data is written to the hard drive, which acts as long-term storage. RAM is measured in megabytes (MB) or gigabytes (GB). The more RAM you have, the more things your computer can do at the same time. If you don't have enough RAM, you may notice that your computer is sluggish when you have several programs open. Because of this, many people add extra RAM to their computers to improve performance. TYPES OF RAM - DDR1: was the first generation of DDR RAM. It was introduced in 2000 and was superseded by DDR2 in 2003. DDR1 has a data rate of 266 MHz to 400MHz. - DDR2: was the second generation of DDR RAM. It was introduced in 2003 and was superseded by DDR3 in 2007. DDR2 has a data rate of 400 MHz to 800MHz. - DDR3: was the third generation of DDR RAM. It was introduced in 2007 and was superseded by DDR4 in 2014. DDR3 has a data rate of 800 MHz to 2133MHz. - DDR4: is the fourth generation of DDR RAM. It was introduced in 2014 and is the current generation of DDR RAM. DDR4 has a data rate of 1600 MHz to 3200MHz RAM problem symptoms - Blue screen of death - Random crashes - Performance issues: - Corrupted data Hard Disk Drive - The hard drive is where your software, documents, and other files are stored. The hard drive is long-term storage, which means the data is still saved even if you turn the computer off or unplug it. When you run a program or open a file, the computer copies some of the data from the hard drive onto the RAM. When you save a file, the data is copied back to the hard drive. The faster the hard drive, the faster your computer can start up and load programs. Solid State Drive - is a type of storage device that uses flash memory to store data. SSDs are much faster than traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) and are becoming increasingly popular as the price of SSDs has decreased. SSDs work by storing data in flash memory cells. Flash  memory is a type of non-volatile memory, which means that it does not lose its contents when the power is turned off. SSDs are also much more durable than HDDs and are less susceptible to physical damage. HDD vs SSD - Speed SSD is faster - Durability SSD is more durable - Noise SSD works silently - Power consumption SSD consumes less power - Cost SSD is more expensive - Capacity SSD has less capacity than HDD Common problems of SSD/HDD - Physical damage - Overheat - Head crashes - Bad sectors - Firmware corruption - Old age Symptoms of bad SSD/HDD - Fail to boot - Makes noises - Slow - Data lost Tips to prevent bad SSD/HDD - Back up data - Use surge protector - Keep cool - Defragment HDD - Run disc check regularly - Replace old EXPANSION CARDS - Most computers have expansion slots on the motherboard that allow you to add various types of expansion cards. These are sometimes called PCI (peripheral component interconnect) cards. You may never need to add any PCI cards because most motherboards have built-in video, sound, network, and other capabilities. However, if you want to boost the performance of your computer or update the capabilities of an older computer, you can always add one or more cards. Below are some of the most common types of expansion cards. - Video Card The video card is responsible for what you see on the monitor. Most computers have a GPU (graphics processing unit) built into the motherboard instead of having a separate video card. If you like playing graphics-intensive games, you can add a faster video card to one of the expansion slots to get better performance. - Sound Card The sound card also called an “audio card” is responsible for what you hear in the speakers or headphones. Most motherboards have integrated sound, but you can upgrade to a dedicated sound card for higher-quality sound. - Network Card The network card allows your computer to communicate over a network and access the Internet. It can either connect with an Ethernet cable or through a wireless connection (often called Wi-Fi). Many motherboards have built-in network connections, and a network card can also be added to an expansion slot. - Bluetooth Card Bluetooth is a technology for wireless communication over short distances. It's often used in computers to communicate with wireless keyboards, mice, and printers. It's commonly built into the motherboard or included in a wireless network card. For computers that don't have Bluetooth, you can purchase a USB adapter, often called a dongle. - Flash Drive A flash drive is a small, portable storage device that uses flash memory to store data. It is typically connected to a computer or other device via a USB port. Flash drives are often referred to as pen drives, thumb drives, or jump drives. Flash drives are very popular because they are small, lightweight, and easy to use. They are also relatively inexpensive, making them a good option for storing and transferring data. - Multi Card Reader and Writers A multi-card reader is a device that can read multiple types of memory cards, such as SD cards, microSD cards, CompactFlash cards, and XQD cards. This allows you to transfer photos, videos, and other files from your camera or other device to your computer quickly and easily. Multi-card readers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and they can be connected to your computer via a USB port. Some multi-card readers also have built-in card readers for reading magnetic stripe cards, such as credit cards. - Cooling Fan A cooling fan is a device that uses rotating blades to move air and cool an object. It is commonly used in computers, electronics, and other devices to prevent them from overheating - Liquid Cooling System A liquid cooling system is a type of cooling system that uses a liquid to transfer heat away from a component. The liquid is typically water or a mixture of water and antifreeze. The liquid is circulated through the system by a pump, and it absorbs heat from the component as it flows through. The heated liquid is then cooled in a radiator, and the cooled liquid is then circulated back to the component. - Heat Sink A heat sink is a passive heat exchanger that transfers the heat generated by an electronic or a mechanical device to a fluid medium, often air or a liquid coolant, where it is dissipated away  from the device, thereby allowing regulation of the device's temperature. In computers, heat sinks are used to cool CPUs, GPUs, and some chipsets and RAM modules. Lesson 3 PORTS A port is a hardware interface that you can use to connect devices to a computer. The port transfers electronic signals between the device and the system unit. The port is either an electrically wired socket or plug, or it can be a wireless transmission device. Ports can vary by: shape; color according to coding standards; the number and layout of the pins or connectors contained within the port ; the signals the port carries; and the port’s location. Ports exist for both internal and external devices. A computer port is also called a “Communication Port” as it is responsible for communication between the computer and its peripheral device. COMPUTER CONNECTOR TYPES - Connector gender In computer connectors, the term "gender" refers to the physical shape of the connector. A male connector has a protruding pin or pins, while a female connector has a hole or holes to receive the pins. The two genders are designed to mate together to create an electrical connection. - Computer connections are the physical links between a computer and other devices. They allow the computer to communicate with other devices and share data. - In addition to the physical connections, there are also software connections that allow computers to communicate with each other. These software connections are often used to share files, printers, and other resources. Computer connections are essential for allowing computers to function and communicate with each other. They are the backbone of the modern computing world. PS/2 Connector Ports and Connectors - PS/2 connector is developed by IBM for connecting mouse and keyboard. It was introduced with IBM’s Personal Systems/2 series of computers and hence the name PS/2 connector. PS/2 connectors are color coded as purple for keyboard and green for mouse. PS/2 is a 6-pin DIN connector.  Serial Ports Connection - A serial port is a physical interface that allows a computer to communicate with other devices one bit at a time. It is one of the oldest types of interfaces and was once commonly used to connect printers, external modems, and other peripherals to a PC. Serial ports are also known as RS-232 ports, and they are standardized by the EIA/TIA-232-F standard. Parallel Port Connector - A parallel port is a type of interface found on early computers (personal and otherwise) for connecting peripherals. The name refers to the way the data is sent; parallel ports send multiple bits of data at once (parallel communication), as opposed to serial communication, in which bits are sent one at a time. To do this, parallel ports require multiple data lines in their cables and port connectors and tend to be larger than contemporary serial ports, which only require one data line. Parallel ports are also known as Centronics ports, after the company that originally designed them. They are typically identified on IBM compatible computers as LPT (line printer) ports. For example, LPT1 might be used for a printer and LPT2 might be used for a scanner. The parallel port uses a 25-pin (DB-25) connector. The pins are numbered 1 to 25, starting at the top left corner of the connector. The most commonly used pins are 2 through 9, which are used to send data. Power Supply Port Connectors - P1 (PC Main/ ATX connector) The primary task of the Power Supply Unit (PSU) is to provide your motherboard with power. This is done via the 20-pins or 24-pins connector. - Berg Connector Used to supply power to floppy disk drives and some tape drives - P4 (EPS connector)  At some point in time the motherboard’s pins were no longer sufficient to provide the processor (cpu) with power. With overclocked cpu’s drawing as much as 200W a need to provide power directly to the CPU was created. Nowadays it is the P4, or EPS connector, to provide the cpu with power. - PCI-E connector (6 pin/6+2 pin) The motherboard can provide a maximum of 75W through its PCI-E interface slot. Faster dedicated graphics cards require much more power. To solve that issue the PCI-E connector was introduced. - Molex (4 pin) Molex connectors have been around for a very long time and can deliver 5V (red) or 12V (Yellow) to hardware peripherals. In the past these guys were often used to connect Hard drives, CD-ROM players, etc. Even some graphics cards like the Geforce 7800 GS were equipped with Molex. However their power draw is limited so nowadays most of their purpose has been replaced by PCI-E cables and SATA cables. All that is left is powering case fans. - SATA connector The SATA connector is the guy that made the Molex obsolete. All modern DVD-players, hard disk drives and SSD’s are powered by SATA power. - USB port connector A USB port connector is a type of connector that is used to connect USB devices to a computer or other host device. USB stands for Universal Serial Bus, and it is a standard interface that allows devices to be connected and disconnected easily. - USB Type-A port is a 4 pin connector. There are different versions of Type – A USB ports: USB 1.1, USB 2.0 and USB 3.0. USB 3.0 is the common standard and supports a data rate of 400MBps. USB 3.1 is also released and supports a data rate up to 10Gbps. Usually, but not all the time, the USB 2.0 is Black color coded and USB 3.0 is Blue. USB 3.0, also called SuperSpeed USB, is the latest USB standard released in November 2008. It features a maximum transfer rate of 5.0 Gbps. It is 10 times faster than the USB 2.0 standard, has enhanced power efficiency, and is backward compatible with USB-enabled devices currently in use. USB cables have a maximum distance before performance suffers. To work around this, one or more hubs can be used to create a chain to reach the necessary cable length. USB 1.1 has a maximum cable length of 3 meters, while USB 2.0’s maximum length is 5 meters. In each case, a maximum of five hubs can be used to extend the cable length. The maximum cable length is not specified in the USB 3.0 specification. COMMON TYPES OF USB CONNECTOR USB-A - This is the most common type of USB connector. It is rectangular in shape and has four pins. USB-A connectors are typically found on computers, hubs, and other devices that provide USB ports.  USB-B - This type of connector is often used for printers, scanners, and other devices that require more power than a USB-A connector can provide. USB-B connectors are rectangular in shape and have five pins. USB-C - This is a newer type of USB connector that is becoming increasingly common. It is reversible, so you don't have to worry about plugging it in the wrong way. USB-C connectors can be used for both data transfer and power delivery. - The port of USB Type – C consists of 24 pins. The latest USB Specifications (USB4) is an USB-C only specification i.e., only USB type C devices can be used with USB4 specifications. Micro-USB connector - This type of connector is often used for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Micro USB connectors are smaller than USB-A and USB-B connectors. Mini USB connector - This type of connector is similar to a micro USB connector, but it is slightly larger. Mini USB connectors are often used for cameras and other devices.  Firewire Connector - FireWire is a high-speed serial bus interface standard developed by Apple Computer. It was originally known as IEEE 1394, but is now more commonly referred to as FireWire. FireWire is used to connect a wide variety of devices to a computer, including: Digital video cameras External hard drives Scanners Printers Audio devices Musical instruments Thunderbolt Connector - Thunderbolt is a high-speed interface that is designed to connect a wide variety of devices to a computer. It was developed by Intel and Apple, and it is based on the PCI Express (PCIe) and DisplayPort standards. Thunderbolt connectors are reversible, so you don't have to worry about plugging them in the wrong way. They can be used for both data transfer and power delivery. Thunderbolt can transfer data at speeds of up to 40 Gbps, which is much faster than USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 and FireWire 800. It can also be used to connect multiple devices to a single port, using a daisy chain configuration. Thunderbolt is supported by a wide variety of devices, including computers, external hard drives, displays, and docks. It is a good choice for connecting devices that require high data transfer rates, such as external hard drives and high-resolution displays. Audio Ports connector - Audio ports are used to connect speakers or other audio output devices with the computer. The audio signals can be either analogue or digital and depending on that the port and its corresponding connector differ. Surround Sound Connectors or 3.5 mm TRS Connector It is the most commonly found audio port that can be used to connect stereo headphones or surround sound channels. A 6 connector system is included on the majority of  computers for audio out as well as a microphone connection. The 6 connectors are color coded as Blue, Lime, Pink, Orange, Black and Grey. These 6 connectors can be used for a surround sound configuration of up to 8 channels. THREE MAIN TYPES OF AUDIO CONNECTOR 3.5mm audio jack - This is the most common type of audio connector. It is used for headphones, microphones, and speakers. The 3.5mm audio jack is a small, round connector with two or three rings. The two-ring connector is used for headphones and speakers, while the three-ring connector is used for microphones. RCA connector - This type of connector is used for connecting audio devices to home theater systems and other audio equipment. The RCA connector is a set of two connectors, one for audio and one for video. The audio connector is the smaller of the two and is usually colored red or white. The video connector is the larger of the two and is usually colored yellow Optical Audio Connector - This type of connector is used for connecting audio devices to digital audio receivers and other audio equipment. The optical audio connector is a small, rectangular connector with a plastic tab on one side. It is used to transmit digital audio signals. 3-pin XLR connector - Three-pin XLR connectors are by far the most common style, and are an industry standard for balanced audio signals. The great majority of professional microphones use the XLR connector. In previous years, they were used for loudspeaker connections, for instance by Trace Elliot in its bass enclosures. VGA connector - Video graphics Array. It is a standard analog video interface that was introduced in 1987 by IBM. VGA is still widely used today, but it is gradually being replaced by digital interfaces such as HDMI and DisplayPort. VGA connectors are trapezoidal in shape and have 15 pins. The pins are arranged in three rows of five pins. The first row of pins is used for the horizontal sync signal, the second row of pins is used for the vertical sync signal, and the third row of pins is used for the video data. VGA can support resolutions up to 1920x1200 pixels. It is a relatively simple and inexpensive interface, which is why it is still widely used today. However, it is not as versatile as digital interfaces and it does not support high resolutions or refresh rates. DVI connector - Display Visual Interface. It is a standard digital video interface that was introduced in 1999. DVI is still widely used today, but it is gradually being replaced by newer standards such as HDMI and DisplayPort. DVI connectors are rectangular in shape and have 24 pins. The pins are arranged in four rows of six pins. The first row of pins is used for the horizontal sync signal, the second row of pins is used for the vertical sync signal, the third row of pins is used for the video data, and the fourth row of pins is used for the auxiliary data. DVI can support resolutions up to 2560x1600 pixels. It is a versatile interface that can be used with a variety of devices, including computers, monitors, projectors, and TVs. - There are three types of DVI connectors based on the signals it can carry: DVI-I, DVI-D and DVI-A. DVI-I is a DVI port with integrated analogue and digital signals. DVI-D supports only digital signals and DVI-A supports only analogue signals. Mini DVI connector - Mini-DVI port is developed by Apple as an alternative to Mini-VGA port and is physically similar to one. It is smaller than a regular DVI port. It is a 32 pin port and is capable of transmitting DVI, composite, S-Video and VGA signals with respective adapters. Micro DVI connector - Micro-DVI is a proprietary video output port introduced by Apple in 2008 on the original MacBook Air. It is a smaller version of the standard DVI connector and has 17 pins. Micro-DVI can support resolutions up to 1920x1200 pixels. Micro-DVI connectors are not widely used and are being phased out by Apple in favor of the newer Thunderbolt standard. If you have a device with a Micro-DVI port, you can use an adapter to connect it to a standard DVI monitor or TV. DisplayPort Connector - Display Port is a digital display interface with optional multiple channel audio and other forms of data. Display Port is developed with an aim of replacing VGA and DVI ports as the main interface between a computer and monitor. The latest version DisplayPort 1.3 can handle a resolution up to 7680 X 4320. The Display Port has a 20 pin connector, which is a very less number when compared to DVI port and offers better resolution. Mini display port - Mini DisplayPort (mDP) is a miniaturized version of the DisplayPort standard. It was introduced in 2008 and is used on a variety of devices, including laptops, external monitors, and projectors. Mini DisplayPort connectors are rectangular in shape and have 12 pins. The pins are arranged in two rows of six pins. The first row of pins is used for the data, the second row of pins is used for the clock, and the third row of pins is used for the ground. Mini DisplayPort can support resolutions up to 4096x2160 pixels and refresh rates up to 60Hz. It can also support audio, including surround sound. Component Video Connector - Component Video is an interface where the video signals are split into more than two channels and the quality of the video signal is better that Composite video. Like composite video, component video transmits only video signals and two separate connectors must be used for stereo audio. Component video port can transmit both analogue and digital video signals. The ports of the commonly found Component video uses 3 connectors and are color coded as Green, Blue and Red. S-video connector - S-Video or Separate Video connector is used for transmitting only video signals. The picture quality is better than that of Composite video but has a lesser resolution than Component video. The S-Video port is generally black in color and is present on all TVs and most computers. S-Video port looks like a PS/2 port but consists of only 4 pins. Out of the 4 pins, one pin is used to carry the intensity signals (black and white) and other pin is used to carry color signals. Both these pins have their respective ground pins. HDMI - High-definition multimedia interface. It is a standard digital video and audio interface that was introduced in 2002. HDMI is the most popular video interface in use today and is supported by a wide variety of devices, including computers, televisions, Blu-ray players, and game consoles. HDMI connectors are rectangular in shape and have 19 pins. The pins are arranged in three rows of six pins. The first row of pins is used for the data, the second row of pins is used for the clock, and the third row of pins is used for the ground. HDMI can support resolutions up to 8K (7680x4320 pixels) and refresh rates up to 120Hz. It can also support audio, including surround sound. Lesson 4 PERIPHERAL DEVICES - A peripheral device, also known as an auxiliary device (External Devices), is any hardware device that is connected to a computer or other digital device but does not contribute to the computer's primary function, such as computing. Peripheral devices are used to input, output, or store data. INPUT DEVICES Keyboard - A keyboard is an input device that allows users to input text and symbols into the computer. It is the most common input device. Standard keyboards are rectangular in shape and have 84, 101, or 104 keys. Mouse - A mouse is an input device that allows users to point and click on objects on the screen. It is the second most common input device. Natural/ergonomic keyboard - usually split the keyboard in half so each hand can comfortably use its own set of keys. Built-in wrist rests are common, and some ergonomic keyboards also have an integrated pointing device such as a trackball or touchpad. Trackball mouse - is a type of pointing device that uses a ball to control the cursor on the screen. The ball is located on the top of the mouse and is moved with the fingers or thumb. The movement of the ball is then translated into cursor movement on the screen. - Inventor Douglas Engelbart holding the first computer mouse, showing the wheels that make contact with the working surface. Track point - is a small, red pointing stick located in the middle of the keyboard. Stylus pen - is a pen-shaped instrument that is used to interact with a touchscreen device or graphics tablet. It is typically made of plastic or metal and has a tip that is made of rubber, plastic, or glass. Touchpad - A touchpad is an input device that is found on laptops and other portable devices. It allows users to point and click on objects on the by moving their fingers on the touchpad Scanner - A scanner is an input device that scans documents and images into the computer. Microphone - A microphone is an input device that records sound into the computer. Webcam - A webcam is an input device that captures video and images from the computer. Game controller - A game controller is an input device that is used to play games. It allows users to control the game by moving the controller or pressing buttons. Barcode reader - A barcode reader is an input device that scans barcodes into the computer. MECHANICAL INPUT DEVICES - use physical movements to input data into the computer. Examples of mechanical input devices include keyboards, mice, and touchpads. OPTICAL INPUT DEVICES - Optical input devices use light to input data into the computer. Examples optical input devices include scanners and webcams. ELECTRICAL INPUT DEVICES - Electrical input devices use electrical signals to input data into the computer. OUTPUT DEVICES Monitors - Monitors are used to display text, graphics, and video. They are the most common output device for computers. Printers - Printers are used to create hard copies of documents and images. There are many different types of printers available, including inkjet printers, laser printers, and thermal printers. Speakers - Speakers are used to play audio. They can be internal speakers, which are built into the computer, or external speakers, which are connected to the computer via cables or Bluetooth. Headphones - Headphones are used to listen to audio privately. They can be wired or wireless. Projectors - Projectors are used to display images on a large screen. They are often used for presentations or for watching movies. Head-mounted Display - HMDs are devices that are worn on the head and display images in front of the user's eyes. They are often used for virtual reality or augmented reality applications Braille Display - Braille displays are used by people who are blind or visually impaired to read text. They convert text into a series of raised dots that can be felt by the user's fingers. GPS devices - GPS devices are used to determine the user's location. They can be used for navigation, tracking, or other applications. INPUT/OUTPUT DEVICES Flash drive - also known as a USB drive, thumb drive, or pen drive, is a portable data storage device that uses flash memory. It is a small, lightweight device that can be easily plugged into a USB port on a computer or other device. External Hard Disk - An external hard drive might connect to your computer via USB or FireWire. Some external hard drives come encased in an enclosure and others use an internal hard drive, placed in a docking unit. Memory card is a small, portable storage device that uses flash memory to store data. It is commonly used in digital cameras, smartphones, and other electronic devices. Fax machine is a device that scans a document and converts it into a digital signal that can be transmitted over telephone lines to another fax machine. The receiving fax machine then prints out a copy of the document. Lesson 5 COMPUTER SOFTWARE - Computer software is a set of instructions, data, or programs that run on a computer to perform specific tasks. It is the intangible part of a computer system, in contrast to the hardware, which is the physical components of the system. Software is essential for computers to function, as it provides the instructions that tell the hardware what to do. Without software, computers would be nothing more than useless hunks of metal and plastic. System Software - is responsible for managing the computer's hardware and resources, and providing a platform for application software to run on. Examples of system software include operating systems, device drivers, and firmware. Application Software - is used to perform specific tasks for the user, such as word processing, web browsing, and playing games. Examples of application software include Microsoft Word, Google Chrome, and Minecraft. Application software is divided into 4 categories: Productivity Software, Collaboration Software, Utility Software, Specialized Software. Other types of computer software: Utility software is used to perform specific maintenance and support tasks on the computer system. Examples of utility software include antivirus software, disk defragmenters, and system backup software.  Middleware is software that acts as an intermediary between system software and application software. It is often used to connect different applications or to provide services to multiple applications. Examples of middleware include web servers, application servers, and messaging servers. Programming software is used to develop new software applications. Examples of programming software include compilers, interpreters, and IDEs (integrated development environments). Collaboration software is a type of software that helps teams and individuals to work together on projects, share information, and communicate with each other in real time, regardless of their physical location. Productivity software is a type of software that is designed to help users to be more productive in their work or personal lives. It can do this by providing tools to help users to manage their time, tasks, and files more effectively. It can also help users to communicate and collaborate with others more easily. Specialized software is software that is designed for a specific task or industry. It is often more complex and feature-rich than general-purpose software, and it can be more expensive. However, specialized software can offer significant benefits, such as increased efficiency, accuracy, and productivity. Examples of productivity software: Office suites: Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, LibreOffice, Zoho Office Suite, Apple iWork Project management: Asana, Trello, ClickUp, Wrike, Monday.com Communication and collaboration: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Chanty, Twist Note-taking: Evernote, Notion, OneNote, Bear, Obsidian Time tracking: Toggl, Clockify, Harvest, TimeCamp, TickTick Email clients: Outlook, Gmail, Spark, Airmail, Mailspring File sharing and storage: Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud, Box Personal information managers (PIMs): Outlook, Google Calendar, Any.do, Todoist, Remember The Milk PDF software: Adobe Acrobat, Foxit Reader, Nitro PDF, Nuance Power PDF, PDFelement Examples of collaboration software: Communication and collaboration: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Chanty, Twist Project management: Asana, Trello, ClickUp, Wrike, Monday.com Document and content management: Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, SharePoint, Confluence File sharing and synchronization: Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud, Box Video conferencing: Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Cisco Webex, Skype for Business Whiteboarding and brainstorming: Miro, Mural, Stormboard, Jamboard, Lucidchart Code collaboration: GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, Mercurial  Examples of utility software: Antivirus and security software: Norton, McAfee, Kaspersky, Bitdefender, ESET File management software: Total Commander, WinRAR, 7-Zip, FileZilla, TeraCopy Disk management software: Acronis Disk Director, Paragon Partition Manager, EaseUS Partition Master, GParted, MiniTool Partition Wizard System optimization software: CCleaner, IObit Advanced SystemCare, Glary Utilities, AVG TuneUp, Ashampoo WinOptimizer Backup software: Acronis True Image, Veeam Backup & Replication, EaseUS Todo Backup, Paragon Backup & Recovery, AOMEI Backupper Other utility software: PDF readers, video converters, screen recorders, system information tools, file recovery software, etc. Operating software, also known as an operating system (OS), is a software that manages computer hardware and software resources and provides common services for computer programs. The operating system is an essential component of the system software in a computer system. Application programs usually require an operating system to function. The operating system acts as an intermediary between the computer user and the computer hardware. It provides a platform for application software to run on, and it manages the computer's hardware resources, such as the CPU, memory, and disk storage. The operating system also provides a number of essential services to application software, such as file management, memory management, and process management. Some of the most popular operating systems include: Microsoft Windows macOS Linux Android iOS A web browser is a software application that allows users to access the World Wide Web. It is used to view web pages, which are documents written in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Web browsers also allow users to interact with web pages by clicking on links, filling out forms, and playing videos. Web browsers are essential for accessing the internet and using its many resources. They are also used for a variety of other tasks, such as browsing social media, shopping online, and watching streaming video. Some of the most popular web browsers include: Google Chrome Microsoft Edge Mozilla Firefox Apple Safari Opera A search engine is a software program that helps users find information on the World Wide Web. It works by crawling the web, which means that it visits and indexes every web page that it finds. The search engine then uses this index to match user queries with the most relevant web pages. Google, Bing, Yahoo, Baidu and Yandex.