Computer

• COMPUTER is an electronic machine that

follows a set of instructions in order that it
may be able to accept and gather data and
transform these into information.
• Information Processing System
 Computer vs Calculator
• Computers and calculators originated from the same source
• share similar features
• both are programmable electronic devices
• able to complete basic math operations,
• computers are more complex and can perform multiple calculations at the
same time.
• A calculator can work only with numbers. But so can a computer.
• Modern calculators are extremely fast in carrying out complex
calculations. But so are computers.
• Then what is the difference between the two?
• calculators can carry only one function at a time.
• Even when you need to solve a small problem, you need to press a
number of buttons to arrive at the solution.
• A computer is capable of carrying out many operations without
assistance.
• Computer programs are series of instructions that are given to
computers
• Can perform complex calculations without assistance with
them
 Computer vs Calculator
• On the other hand, you need to keep on pushing buttons
• to solve even easy math problems when using a calculator.

• The word computer has become very broad in modern times and has come to
include smart devices such as Smartphone, MP3 players, desktops, laptops.
• These devices all have also basic calculator that can perform simple math
operations
• but they are capable of many more operations which are beyond the
capacity of a calculator.
 Information Processing System

• DATA is a collection of independent and

unorganized facts.
• INFORMATION is the processed and organized
data presented in a meaningful form.
• DATA PROCESSING is the course of doing
things in a sequence of steps.
 PROCESSING
SYSTEM

DATA INFORMATION
 Functions of an Information Processing
System
1. It accepts and gather data. (INPUT)
2. It processes data to become information.
(PROCESSING)
3. It stores data and information. (STORE)
4. It presents information. (OUTPUT)
 Three Major Components of an
Information Processing System

• HARDWARE is the tangible part of a computer

system.
• SOFTWARE is the non-tangible part that tells
the computer how to do its job.
• PEOPLEWARE refer to people who use and
operate the computer system, write computer
programs, and analyze and design the
information system.
Major Parts of a Computer

Dr. Muhammad Yousaf Hamza

 Parts of a computer
Hardware
Software
 BASIC PC HARDWARE
• HARDWARE is the tangible part of a computer
system.
 Software
• Instructions that tell the computer how to
process data into the form you want.
• Software and programs are interchangeable.
• Two major types:
– System and Applications
 Computer Hardware
Physical parts of the computer, including
processor and memory chips, input/output
devices, tapes, disks, modems, cable, etc.
 Computer Parts

• There are many parts

that work together to
make a computer
work.
Parts of a Computer
 A Common Computer
“The Box”
CRT Display CD-ROM Drive

Floppy
Disk
Drive

Keyboard

Mouse
Basic parts-
Basic Parts-
Mother Board
 The von Neumann architecture

CPU
Input Device Output Device
ALU CU

Main memory Secondary

(RAM) storage
 The von Neumann architecture
• Central Processing Unit (CPU): the “brain” of the machine.
– CU: Control Unit
– ALU: Arithmetic and Logic Unit
• Carries out all basic operations of the computer
• Examples of basic operation: adding two numbers, testing to see
if two numbers are equal.
• Main memory (called RAM for Random Access Memory): stores
programs and data
– Fast but volatile
• Secondary memory: provides permanent storage
• Human-computer interaction: through input and output devices.
– keyboard, mouse, monitor
– Information from input devices is processed by the CPU and may be
sent to the main or secondary memory. When information needs to
be displayed, the CPU sends it to the output device(s).
Basic Parts
 Basic Parts-01
CPU Inside a CPU
 CPU

• The Central Processing

Unit
 Processor

• The CPU – The chip or

chips that interpret
and execute program
instructions and
manage the functions
of input, output, and
storage devices.
 Computer Case

• Contains the major

components of the
computer. It helps
protect them.
 Monitor

• A display screen to
provide “output” to
the user. It is where
you view the
information your are
working on.
 Video Card

• Connects the computer to

the monitor. It is a circuit
board attached to the
motherboard that
contains the memory and
other circuitry necessary
to send information to the
monitor for display on
screen.
 Keyboard

• Used to enter
information into the
computer and for
giving commands.
 Mouse

• An input device operated

by rolling its ball across a
flat surface. The mouse is
used to control the on-
screen pointer by pointing
and clicking, double-
clicking, or dragging
objects on the screen.
 Touchpad

• A pressure-sensitive
and motion sensitive
device used in place of
a mouse.
 CD Rom Drive

• The drive that plays

CDs and reads data
that has been stored
on the CD.
 CD

• Compact Disk – A type

of optical storage
device.
 Floppy Disk Drive

• A device that holds a

removable floppy disk
when in use;
read/write heads read
and write data to the
diskette.
 Hard Disk

• Magnetic storage
device in the
computer.
 RAM

• Random Access Memory

RAM is a computer’s
temporary memory, which
exists as chips on the
motherboard near the
CPU. It stores data or
programs while they are
being used and requires
power.
 Memory Unit
• Where the programs and data
are stored .
– READ ONLY MEMORY (ROM)
contains the pre-programmed
computer instructions such as
the Basic Input Output System
(BIOS).
– RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY
(RAM) is used to store the
programs and data that you will
run. Exists only when there is
power.
 Printer

• An output device that

produces a hard copy
on paper. It gives
information to the
user in printed form.
 Barcode Reader

• An input device that

converts a pattern of
printed bars into a
number that a
computer can read.
They are often used
by businesses to
quickly input price and
product information.
 Scanner

• A device that allows

pictures to be placed
into a computer.
 Microphone

• Allows the user to

record sounds as input
to their computer.
 Speakers

• Used to generate or
reproduce voice,
music, and other
sounds.
 Sound Card

• Connects the speakers

and microphone to
the computer.
 Modem

• The place where the

computer is
connected to the
phone line.
 Network Card

• A circuit board that

connects the
computer to the rest
of the network usually
using special cables.
 Basic hardware of a PC system
• Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• Memory Unit
• Input Devices
• Output Devices
• Secondary Storage Devices
 Central Processing Unit

• Brain of the computer.

• It directs and controls the entire computer
system and performs all arithmetic and logical
operations.
 Input Devices
• Allows data and programs to be sent to the
CPU.
– Keyboard
– Mouse
– Joystick
– Microphone
– Webcam
– Scanner
– Monitor
 Two Types of Mouse

• Mechanical - a type of
computer mouse that has a
rubber or metal ball on its
underside and it can roll in
every direction.
• Optical: This type uses a
laser for detecting the
mouse's movement.
 Other Pointing Devices

• Trackball

• Touch pad

• Touch Screen
• Joystick – input device for
computer games

• Light Pens – light-sensitive

penlike device

• Stylus – penlike device

commonly used with tablet
PCs and PDAs.
 Scanning Devices
• Optical scanners
• Card readers
• Bar code readers
• Character and mark recognition devices
 Image Capturing Devices

• Digital Video Cameras

 Output Devices
• Media used by the computer in displaying its
responses to our requests and instructions.
• Monitor
• Audio Speakers
• Printer
 Dot matrix
printer

Laser Inkjet printer

printer