Computer Fundamentals
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What Is A Computer?

An electronic device that receives
data, processes data, stores data,
and produces a result (output)
• Classified by size, speed and application
• Uses hardware and software
• Comes in different types
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Hardware

The tangible, physical equipment of the
computer that can be seen and touched
such as:
• Computer Case-houses inside components
• Monitor-CRT or LCD
• Keyboard-contains numbers and letters like a
typewriter
• Mouse-right click for special functions
• Disk Drives-floppy, hard, CD, DVD, Flash
• Speakers
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PARTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM
Monitor
Speaker
Keyboard
Computer Case
(Processor inside)
CD-ROM/DVD
Drive
Mouse
Printer
Floppy Disk
Drive
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Input Devices

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Keyboard
Mouse
Joystick
Touchpad

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Touch Screen
Bar Code Reader
Scanner
Microphone
Digital Cameras
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Output Devices

Monitor: screen that displays information
such as text, numbers, and pictures.
• Softcopy

Printer: gives you information from the
computer in printed form.
• Hardcopy

Speakers: allow you to hear voice, music,
and other sounds from your computer.
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Processing Device

Central Processing Unit (CPU)-known as the heart or “brain” of
the computer and is responsible
for processing the information
that has been entered into the
computer
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Which Storage Device Holds
The Most Information?
Flash, Jump,
Thumb Drive
CD-ROM DISC
640 MB
1 GB and up
DVD DISC
17 GB
HARD DRIVES
80 GB and above Terabyte =
1000 GB
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What Are Peripherals?

A peripheral device is one that is attached to a computer in
order to expand its ability to perform more tasks

Are generally external
Some of the more common devices are printers, disk drives, scanners,
microphones, speakers, and cameras
The devices can be input and output devices
Some input devices are: mouse, joystick, keyboard, scanner
Some output devices are: monitor, projector, speakers
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Software

The intangible set of instructions that tells the
computer what to do; known as programs or
software programs.
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Types of Software

Operating System Software
• Sets the rules for how computer hardware
and application software work together,
controls the operation of the computer.
• Example:

Windows XP, VISTA, Windows 7
Application Software
• Lets you accomplish specific tasks based on
your needs.
• Examples:
MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS
Works
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Operating System
Software Tasks

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Boots (starts up) the computer
Formats disks
Creates folders
Saves and retrieves files
Moves and copies files
Every Computer Has Operating System
Software!
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Application Software

Software that works with the operating system to meet a
specific need or perform a specific task

Examples:
MS Word—for word processing documents
MS Excel—for math calculation spreadsheets
MS PowerPoint—for slide presentations
MicroType—for learning to type correctly
Internet Explorer—for accessing the Internet
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Virus/Anti-Virus
Software
Programs that are written to
damage/destroy computers are called
viruses.
Anti-Virus software has to then be
written to prevent (kill) the damage
that virus software can do.
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WHAT DOES IPOS
STAND FOR?
 Input

Enters data into the
Sends data out of the
computerReceives Data

Processing
Changes data into
Output
computer

Storage
Saves for use later
usable form
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How The IPOS Cycle Works
INPUT
PROCESSING
OUTPUT
STORAGE
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