Essential
Computer Concepts
Mohammed Saleem
m.bhat@mu.edu.sa
IT SKILLS -LAB
What Is a Computer?
XP
• A computer is an electronic device that accepts
data and instructions from a user, manipulates the
data according to the instructions, displays the
information in some way, and stores the
information for retrieval later
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What is a computer-continued?
XP
• An electronic device that accepts input,
processes the data and instructions, produces
output from the processing that is useful and
meaningful and stores the results for future use.
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How Does A Computer Know What To
Do?
XP
• It must be given a detailed set of instructions that
tell it exactly what to do.
• These instructions are called a computer program,
or software.
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Types of Computers
XP
• Personal computers (PCs)
– Desktop computers
– Notebook (laptop) computers
– Tablet PCs
• Handheld computers
– PDA (personal digital assistant)
– MP3 players
– Cell phones
• Mainframe computers
• Supercomputers
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Types of Computers
XP
Personal Computers
PDA
Desktop
Notebook
Tablet PC
Super Computers
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Computer Systems
XP
• Includes computer hardware and software
– Hardware refers to the physical components
of a computer
– Software refers to the intangible components
of a computer system, particularly the
programs the computer needs to perform a
specific task
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System Software
XP
• System software manages
the fundamental
operations of your
computer
– Operating system
• System resource
• Multitasking
– Utilities
– Programming Languages
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Application Software
XP
• Application software enables you to perform
specific computer tasks, such as document
production, spreadsheet calculations, and
database management
– Document production software
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Application Software
XP
• Presentation software
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Application Software
XP
– Web site creation and management software
– Spreadsheet software
– Database management software
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Application Software
•
•
•
•
XP
Photo editing software
Multimedia authoring software
Accounting software
Information management software
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XP
Architecture or configuration is the design of
the computer.
Example: what does the computer consist of?
Specification is the technical detail about each
component.
Example: How big is the monitor?
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Processing Hardware
XP
• The motherboard is the
main electronic
component of the
computer
• The microprocessor is
one of the most important
pieces of processing
hardware on the
motherboard
• Cards are removable
circuit boards
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Processing
XP
Microprocessor, also referred to
as processor or CPU (Central
Processing Unit
RAM - Random Access Memory
 Volatile
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Input and Output
XP
• The data or instructions you type into the
computer are called input
• The result of the computer processing your input
is referred to as output and also referred to as
information.
• Peripheral devices accomplish input and output
functions
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Input Devices
XP
• You use an input device, such as a keyboard or a mouse,
to input data and issue commands
– Keyboard
– Pointing device
•
•
•
•
•
Controls the pointer
Mouse
Trackball
Touch pad
Pointing stick
– Scanner
– Touch Screen
– Pen Input
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Output Devices
XP
• Output devices show
you the results of
processing data
– Monitor
• Flat panel
• LCD
• CRT
– Printer
• Laser
• Inkjet
• Dot matrix
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Data Representation
XP
• Binary digits (bits)
• A series of eight bits is called a byte
• ASCII
– American Standard Code for Information Interchange
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Storage Measurements
XP
 Byte = one character
 Kilobyte = approximately 1000 characters
 Megabyte = approximately one million characters
 Gigabyte = approximately one billion characters
 Terabyte = approximately one trillion characters
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Memory
XP
• Random access memory (RAM)
– Volatile memory
– SDRAM
• Cache memory (RAM cache or CPU cache)
• Virtual memory
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Memory
XP
• Read-only memory (ROM)
– BIOS
– Nonvolatile memory
• Complementary metal oxide semiconductor
memory (CMOS)
• Semi permanent memory
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Method of Access
XP
 Sequential access – retrieve data in order.
 Example of media- magnetic tape
 Direct or random access – go directly to required data.
 Example of media- magnetic disk, CD-Rom, DVD
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Storage Media
XP
• A computer file is a named collection of stored
data
• An executable file contains the instructions that
tell a computer how to perform a specific task
• A data file is created by a user
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Storage Media
XP
• Magnetic media
– Hard disk
– Tape
– Floppy disk
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Hard Drive
XP
 Consists of one or more rigid metal platters
coated with a metal oxide material that
allows data to be magnetically recorded on
the surface of the platters
 The number of platters permanently
mounted on the spindle of a hard disk
varies.
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Storage Media
XP
• Optical storage device
–
–
–
–
–
CD
DVD
CD-R
CD-RW
CD-ROM
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Storage Media
XP
• Flash memory
– Flash memory cards
– USB flash storage device
– USB drive (flash drive)
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Data Communications
XP
• The transmission of text, numeric, voice, or video
data from one computer to another or to a
peripheral device is called data communications
– Sender and receiver
– Channel
– Protocol
– Device driver (driver)
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XP
Components of Data Communications
The four essential components of data
communications are:
• Sender
• Channel
• Receiver
• Protocols
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Data Communication
XP
A sender is the computer that originates the
message.
The message is sent over a channel, such as a
telephone
The receiver is the computer at the message’s
destination.
Protocols are the rules that establish the transfer of
data between sender and receiver.
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Networks
XP
A network connects one computer to
other computers and peripherals.
In a local area network (LAN), computers
and peripherals are close to each
other.
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Networks
XP
Each computer that is part of the network
must have a network interface card and
network software.
Then it becomes a workstation.
Any device connected to the network is
called a node.
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Telecommunications
XP
Telecommunications is communicating
over a telephone. In the
telecommunications process, the
modem converts digital signals to
analog signals at the sending site and a
second modem converts them back at
the receiving site.
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Telecommunications
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XP
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The Internet
XP
The Internet is the world’s largest
network.
E-mail and the World Wide Web are two
benefits of the Internet.
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The Internet
XP
A hyperlink is a place on a Web
page allowing you to connect to a
particular file.
http://www.mu.edu.sa
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The Internet
XP
A Web browser is
the communications
software that
allows you to
navigate the
WWW.
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Networks
XP
• A network connects one computer to other
computers and peripheral devices, enabling you
to share data and resources with others
• Network interface card (NIC)
• LAN
• WAN
• WLAN
• PAN
• WiMax
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Telecommunications
XP
• Telecommunications means communicating
over a comparatively long distance using a phone
line or some other data conduit
– Modem
• Digital and analog signals
– DSL
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The Internet
XP
• The Internet is the
largest network in the
world, connecting
millions of people
– Electronic mail
– World Wide Web
• Web page
• Web site
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Security Threats on Your Computer
XP
• Security refers to the steps a
computer owner takes to
prevent unauthorized use of or
damage to the computer
– Malware
• Viruses
– Antivirus software
• Spyware
• Adware
• Firewall
• Phishing
• Pharming
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