Lesson 1 The Computer System I. The Elements of Computer System A computer system is a collection of entities that are designed to receive, process, manage, and present information in a meaningful format. It has 3 elements that will make a computer really useful. Elements of a Computer System Hardware Software Peopleware 1.Hardware refers to the physical, tangible computer equipment and devices which provides support for major functions such as input, process, output and storage. Components of Computer Hardware Input Device Output Device Process Device Storage Device A. INPUT DEVICES are composed of a device that accepts data and instructions from the user or from another computer system Keyboard www.google.com Mouse Scanner Microphone A.1. Keyboard A computer keyboard is an input device used to enter characters and functions into the computer system by pressing buttons, or keys. It is the primary device used to enter text A.2. Mouse The mouse is another input device used to point and select objects on the computer monitor. Using the mouse and keyboard in combination allows the computer user substantial latitude in how to accomplish a wide variety of tasks. A.3. Scanner A scanner is use to capture a source document and converts printed data or images into an electronic data format that a computer can store or process as required. A.4. Microphone Microphone is used to input sound that is then stored in a digital form. It is used for various applications such as adding sound to a multimedia presentation or for mixing music B. OUTPUT DEVICE is any piece of computer hardware that displays results after the computer has processed the input data that has been entered. Monitor www.google.com Printer Speaker Projector B.1. Monitor A monitor is an electronic visual computer display that includes a screen, circuitry, and the case in which that circuitry is enclosed. B.2. Printer The printer is a device use to print texts and pictures. B.3. Speaker A computer speaker is an output hardware device that produces sound B.4. Projector A projector is an output device that projects an image onto a large surface, such as a white screen or wall. C. PROCESS DEVICE is the computer’s circuitry in the system unit. It plays an important role in processing operations. It is used to process data, using instructions from the program. C1. Motherboard / Mainboard / System Board – is the main circuit board of a computer. It contains all the circuits and components that run the computer. C2. CPU (Central Processing Unit) - The processor is the main “brain” or “heart” of a computer system. It performs all of the instructions and calculations that are needed and manages the flow of information through a computer. C3. RAM – (Random Access Memory) RAM is volatile, meaning it holds data only when the power is on. When the power is off, RAM's contents are lost. C4. Video Card/GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) - also called a display card, graphics card, display adapter, or graphics adapter is an expansion card which generates a feed of output images to a display device (such as a computer monitor). SYSTEM UNIT The system unit, also known as a "tower" or "chassis," is the main part of a desktop computer. It encloses the motherboard, CPU, RAM, video card, and other internal components. www.google.com Other Internal Components of the System Unit a. Power Supply Unit (PSU) - Installed in the back corner of the PC case, next to the motherboard. It converts 220/110 (standard house power) into DC voltages that are used by other components in the PC. b. Heat sink (also commonly spelled heatsink) 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. c. Optical Drive - An optical drive is a storage device that uses lasers to read data on the optical media. There are three types of optical drives: Compact Disc (CD), Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) and Blu-ray Disc (BD). D. STORAGE DEVICE stores data and programs. These hold data, information, and programs permanently. D.1 Magnetic Storage D.2 Optical Drive D.3 Flash Memory Blu-Ray Solid State Drive CD Memory Card DVD USB Flash Drive Hard Disk Drive Floppy Disk D.1. Magnetic Storage D.1.1. Hard Disk Drive (HDD) - also known as hard drive, is a magnetic storage device that is installed inside the computer. The hard drive is used as permanent storage for data D.1.2. Floppy Disk - is a removable data storage magnetic medium that housed in a rigid plastic cartridge measuring 3.5 inches square and about 2millimeters thick. Also called a "3.5-inch diskette," it can store up to 1.44 megabytes (MB) of data. D.2. Optical Storage D.2.1. BD (Blu-ray Disc) – is simply called as Blu-Ray, a digital optical disc data storage format. It was designed to supersede the DVD format, and is capable of storing several hours of video in high definition. D.2.2. CD (Compact Disc) - also called optical disc is a nonmagnetic, polished metal disk used to store digital information. The disc is read by the CD- ROM. D.2.3. DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) - an optical disc technology with a 4.7 gigabyte storage capacity on a single-sided, onelayered disk, which is enough for a 133minute movie. D.3 Flash Memory D.3.1. Solid State Drive – is a storage medium that uses non-volatile memory D.3.2. Memory Card – is a solid-state electronic flash memory data storage device used with digital cameras, handheld and tablet/mobile computers and other electronics. D.3.3. USB flash drive - is a plug-and-play portable storage device that uses flash memory and is lightweight enough to attach to a key chain. A USB drive can be used in place of a floppy disk, Zip drive disk, or CD. 2. Software – this term refers to the collection of electronic instructions that tells the computer what to do. It is a computer program that is installed in your computer. The diagram below shows the classification of software. Software Application Software System Software Operating System Utility Programs Kinds of Computer Software A. System Software coordinates the activities and functions of hardware and software. It controls the operations of computer hardware and provides an environment or platform for all the other types of software to work in. It is the most basic type of software in any computer system, which is essential for other programs, applications and the whole computer system to function. A.1. Operating System – is the program that, after being initially loaded into computer by a boot program, manages all the other programs in a computer. Examples– Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Ubuntu A.2. Utility Programs – are small, powerful programs with a limited capability, they are usually operated by the user to maintain a smooth running of the computer system. B. Application Software is a computer program that performs a specific task. (Application software examples – MS Office, OpenOffice, Media Players, MS Access, educational software, media development software, Antivirus software, etc.) 3. Peopleware – the most important element of a computer system is its users. The following types of people interact with a computer system: a. System Analysts - are people who design the operation and processing of the system. b. System Programmers – are people who write codes and programs to implement the working of the system. c. System Operators – are people who operate the system and use it for different purposes. Also called the end users like students, teachers, and other professionals. III. HOW THE COMPUTER WORKS? Data are raw facts about things, events, or activities that are captured, recorded, and stored on the computer. These can be in the form of words, numbers, or pictures. Data become information when these have been arranged or organized to be of use and to have meaning to the user. INPUT – in this step, data are entered into the computer through input devices, such as keyboard and mouse. PROCESS – is the computer’s method of analyzing, managing, or manipulating data. The data entered into the computer undergo changes. The Central Processing Unit (CPU) directs the operation of the input and output devices to create the needed information. OUTPUT – You get the output once the computer is finished processing the data. It could be displayed on the monitor, printed on paper, or heard through speakers. STORAGE – The processed data are kept for future use. We use Hard Disk Drive to store the information. IV. Common Computer Applications Used in Performing Computer Related Duties 1. Microsoft Office Application – is a package application developed by Microsoft and is intended to be used in offices and schools. a. MS Word – A word processing application used for creating documents such as letters, brochures, activity programs, and learning activities. b. MS Excel – is a spreadsheet program ideal for entering, calculating, and analyzing numeric data such as sales figures, sales taxes, and students’ grades. c. MS PowerPoint – is a presentation tool that uses graphical approach to presentation in the form of slides. Its primary function is to help a presenter deliver its presentation effectively. 2. Photo Editing Software – is commonly used in editing and enhancing photos that would give you an excellent output. 3. Video Editing Software – is used to edit movies or video clips. 4. Web Browsers – is an application used to access information on the World Wide Web. Web browsers interpret and display HTML web pages, applications, JavaScript, and other content hosted on web servers in the form of text, pictures, audio, and video. Search Engine is a program that enables the users to search for documents or information on the World Wide Web. How to search information on the World Wide Web? 1.lick a browser that you want to use – Chrome, Firefox or Edge 2. Type the search engine that you want to use in the web browser’s URL (Uniform Resource Locator) and press the Enter key. • To bookmark a page, just click the star icon on the right side of the browser. 3. Use the search tab or the address bar of your search engine to find information on the web. 4. When searching for an information on the web, the results are categorized – All, Images, Videos, Maps, News, More, Activity: Search Me Directions: In this activity, you will apply your Internet browsing and Internet search skills. Complete the following activities and write your answers in a 1whole sheet of paper. 1. Select a search engine and search for information on uses of the Internet. Use at least three different keywords to search for the information. Bookmark one Web page that you think is relevant. Keywords used: __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ URLS for the first three results on the search page: __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ URLS bookmarked by you with your reason for bookmarking the Web site _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 2. Go to http://www.xe.com/ and find the exchange rate of 1 US Dollar ($) in peso. Exchange rate for 1 $ = ____ 3. Go to www.wikipedia.com and find an article on a prominent person who was in the news recently. Name of the Person: ________ Wikipedia Link: ______
