This document provides an overview of computer fundamentals including definitions of key terms like data, information, and data processing. It describes how computers work by taking in data as input, processing it, and producing information as output. The main parts of a computer are also outlined including the central processing unit, memory, storage, and input/output devices. Finally, different types of computers are categorized such as personal computers, workstations, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.
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Computer
Data
Information
Data Processing
How computer works?
Overview of Computer Parts
Types of Computer
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“It is an electronic device that processes data,
converting it into information that is useful to people.”
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Personal Computers (PCs) – Used by only
one person at a time
Also known as microcomputers
Considered to be among the smallest
computers created for people to use
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Data
The collection of raw facts
and figures
It may be in the form of
characters, digits and
symbols
Information
The processed and
organized form of data.
Reprocessed data to get
more result.
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A set of names and addresses written on
student’s admission form
A telephone conversation converted to
electrical signals to be sent down the wires
A song written in sheet music so that it can be
played
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The sorted data for those students in admission form which
have taken computer subject.
Listening the songs
Reading a map from one place to other
What does the number 29061996 mean?
Is it:
A
A
A
A
birthday? (29th June 1996)
bank account number?
club membership number?
telephone number?
Without processing or more information this data
is meaningless.
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Processing has various operations
Calculation
Analysis
Comparison
Manipulation
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Input
Process
Output
• Data is put into the information system. (INPUT)
• The data is processed. (PROCESS)
• Information comes out of the information system.
(OUTPUT)
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We are all used to using manual
information systems.
An example of a manual information
system is a telephone directory.
All we need to know to find a person’s
telephone number in the telephone book
is their name and address. (INPUT)
We look up the name and the address
(PROCESS), and we find their telephone
number. (OUTPUT)
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Input
Process
Output
• Have the name and address. (INPUT)
• Look up the name and address. (PROCESS)
• Find the telephone number. (OUTPUT)
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Computerised information systems have
several advantages over manual
information systems.
These include:
Greater flexibility
Speed
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DVLA – Driver Vehicle Licensing
Authority
The DVLA has a computerised database
about every driver and vehicle in the
country.
This database can be used to find
information about a vehicle or driver
even if the data is incomplete.
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A single computer can store all the
information needed.
By using several terminals different
people can access information at the
same time.
Information is not duplicated.
Information can be transferred to other
computer systems easily.
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As the computer is also a device similar to
the way in which the human brain
functions, the process of calculating the
sum of two values can also be easily
performed by the computer.
=
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Central
Processing
Unit
Primary storage
area for programs
and data that are
in active use
Chip that
executes program
commands
Intel Pentium 4
Main
Memory
Synonymous with
RAM
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Secondary memory
Central
devices provide
Processing
long-term storage
Unit
Hard disks
Floppy disks
ZIP disks
Writable
CDs
Writable
DVDs
Tapes
Information is moved
between main memory
and secondary memory
as needed
Hard Disk
Main
Memory
Floppy Disk
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Monitor
Keyboard
Monitor screen
Keyboard
Mouse
Joystick
Bar code scanner
Touch screen
Central
Processing
Unit
I/O devices facilitate
user interaction
Hard Disk
Main
Memory
Floppy Disk
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Six primary types:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Desktop Computers
Workstations
Notebook Computers
Tablet Computers
Handheld computers
Smart phones
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Desktop computer – a PC designed to sit on
a desk/table
Most common type of computer
Used in schools, homes and offices
Enable people to do their tasks with greater
ease and efficiency
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Used to
Communicate
Produce music
Edit photographs and videos
Play sophisticated games
Used by
Everyone from Preschoolers to Nuclear
Physicists
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Two common designs
Horizontally oriented design
Vertically oriented design
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Specialized, single user computer
Has more power and features as compared to desktop
PC
Workstations have
Large, high resolution monitors
Accelerated graphics handling capabilities
Used by people requiring system with greater-thanaverage speed and power
Scientists
Engineers
Animators
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Approximate shape – 8.5 by 11 inches
Easily fits in a brief case
Also known as laptops
Operate on alternating current or batteries
Are light weight devices – generally less than eight
pounds
Portable devices – mobile computers
Docking Stations
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Newest development with following features
Portable
Full-featured computer
Lighter than Notebooks
Capable of accepting input from stylus or digital
pen
Also capable of accepting input from microphone via special software
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Small devices – Small enough to fit in your
hand
Example: PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)
Capable of connecting to exchange data
with large computers
Input via pen, built-in keyboards, microphone
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Hybrid of cell phone and PDA
Cellular phones with advanced features like:
Web and email access
Special Software
Personal Organizers
Special Hardware
Digital Cameras
Music Players
At times built-in keyboards
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Computers that can handle the needs of
many users at the same time
Used by
Organizations
Businesses
Schools
Commonly found at the heart of organization’s
network
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Types of organizational computers:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Network Server
Mainframe computers
Minicomputers
Supercomputers
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A powerful PC with special software and equipment
that enable it to function as primary computer in a
network
Clusters or Server Farms
Blades
All other computers connect
Provides access to network resources
Often simply a powerful desktop
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Used in large organizations
Where many people frequently need to use
the same data
Terminal – Device through which user
accesses the mainframe’s resources
Dumb Terminal
Intelligent Terminal
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Large, powerful special purpose computers
Can handle processing needs of thousands
of users
Lack flexibility – can perform limited
number of tasks
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Mini – Small size
Called midrange computers
Capabilities somewhere between those mainframes
and personal computers
Can handle much more input and output than PCs can
Can serve dozens or hundreds of users at a time
Used in smaller organizations
Users access through a terminal
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Most powerful computers
Physically largest
Can process huge amount of data – trillions
calculation per second
Ideal for handling large, highly complex
problems
Found in research organizations
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A technician monitors IBM's ASCI White in 2000, then the world's fastest supercomputer, that
is capable of 12 trillion calculations per second. The Department of Energy uses ASCI
White to analyze and protect the nation's nuclear weapons stockpile.
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Uses Computing with high speed communication links to
spread information from one place to other.
All types of equipment or programs that are used in
processing information
World has become a global village
Information can be communicated in any shape such as
Photographs
Movies
Text
Digital diagrams
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