Introduction to
Computer
Prepared by:
Md. Golam Rashed
Lecturer
Dept of ICE, RU
Cell: 01712998151
E-mail:
[email protected]
What is a Computer?
A computer is an electronic device
that accepts input, processes it
according to a series of instructions
(called computer programs or
software), and produces output.
What is a Computer System?
• A complete computer
system consists of four
parts
1. Hardware
2. Software
3. Users
4. Data
Hardware
► The physical devices that make up the
computer are called hardware
► A computer’s hardware consists of
interconnected electronic devices
Hardware (cont..)
Input Process Output
Proces Outpu
Input
s t
Keyboard CPU Monitor
Mouse
RAM Printer
Scanner
ROM Projector
Web Cam
Cache Speaker
Microphone
Barcode Storage etc
Reader
Processor
► The processor is the
hardware that organizes
and carries out instructions
that come from either the
user or the software
► Also call Computer’s
Brain
► In a personal computer, the
processor usually consists
of one or more
microprocessors.
► The term Central
Processing Unit (CPU)
refers to the computer’s
Motherboard
► Rigid rectangular card
containing the circuitry
that connects the
processor to the other
hardware is called a
motherboard.
► Motherboard is an
example of a circuit
board
► In most personal
computers, many
internal devices such
as video cards, sound
cards, disk controllers
are housed in the
motherboard.
Memory
► Memory of a computer is hardware
that is used to store programs and
data
► There are many types of memory.
RAM (random Access Memory)
ROM (Read Only Memory)
Cache memory
► Themost common type of memory is
the Random Access Memory (RAM)
Random Access Memory
(RAM)
► Data can be both written to and
read from the memory.
► It is important to note that the
RAM is volatile
► Size of RAM determines a
computer’s speed and power
► The more RAM a computer has,
the more data and programs it
can store and it can perform tasks
faster.
Units of Measure for
Computer Memory
► The basic unit of computer memory is
“Byte”
► Bigger units of measure of memory
are
Kilobyte (KB) --- one thousand bytes
Megabyte (MB) --- one million
Gigabyte (GB) --- one billion
Terabyte (TB) --- one trillion
Petabyte(PB)
Input/Output Devices
►A computer would be useless if it
cannot take data from its users and
after processing it return the results.
► An input device is used to accept
data and instructions from the user or
from another computer system
► An output device is used to return
processed data to the user or to
another computer system
Common Input Devices
► Keyboard
► Mouse
► Touchpad
► Scanners
► Digital cameras
► Joysticks
► Microphone
► Trackballs
Common Output Devices
► Monitor
The most commonly used output device
Types of monitors
► Cathode ray tube (CRT)
► Flat-panel display (LCD)
A touch screen is an example of a device which acts
as both input and output device.
► Printers
Used to produce hard copy or printed output
Types of printers
► Dot matrix printers
► Ink jet printers
► Laser printers
► Speaker
► Projector
Storage
► A computer needs a place to store program
files and related data when they are not in
use.
► Storage is used to store programs and data
permanently
► Storage is similar to electronic file cabinet
► There is more space in storage than in
memory.
► Contents are retained in storage when the
computer is turned off.
► Storage is very slow when compared to the
memory
► Storage is cheaper than the memory.
Storage (Cont..)
► Twocomponents of
storage are Device and
medium
Hard disk drive and hard
disk
Diskette drive and
Diskettes or floppy disks
CD-ROM drive and
Compact disks (CDs)
► Compact Disk-Read-Only
Memory (CD-ROM)
► CD-Recordable (CD-R)
► CD-Rewritable (CD-RW)
DVD (Digital Video Disk)
player and DVD
USB flash drive
Software
► A set of instructions that makes the
computer perform tasks (also called
computer program)
► Two categories of software
1. System software
Programs primarily for the computer’s use,
helping it to perform tasks and manage its
own resources like operating systems,
network management systems, device
drivers, compilers
2. Application software
Programs developed for the users,
enabling them to perform tasks such as
word processors, library systems, Student
Information System (SIS) etc.
Users and Data
► Users
People who use the computer and interact with it
► Data
Data consists of individual facts or bits of
information like cell phone number, date of birth
of a person, etc.
The Computer reads and stores data of all kinds
(words, numbers, images, or sound) in digital
form
Within computer, data is organized into files
The case…
and
…
Inside the computer case
All hardware components are either located on the motherboard or
directly or indirectly connected to it because they must all
communicate with the CPU
A typical motherboard contains areas for computer memory, CPU,
AGP, PCI and more.
Computer memory has a big effect on system performance.
Pictured above is SIMM memory, or single in-line memory
module, which is a type of RAM memory module.
DIMM, or dual in-line memory module, has a 64-bit path to
memory chips, whereas the SIMM has only a 32-bit.
SODIMM, or small outline dual in-line memory module, is made
with integrated circuits and is about half the size of DIMM
modules.
A microprocessor -- also known as a CPU or central processing
unit -- is a complete computation engine that is fabricated on a
single chip.
64-bit processors have entered the mainstream, such as this
eight-generation Athlon processor.
The basic input-output system BIOS is the first thing you see when
you turn on your computer. BIOS gives important instructions to the
computer hardware on the next page.
A hard disk is a sealed aluminum box, which has been opened in
this photo. The controller electronics are attached to one side,
controlling the read/write mechanism and the motor that spins the
platters.
This hard drive has three platters, also called hard disks, and six read/write heads.
The arm on a hard disk holds the read/write heads and has
to be incredibly fast and precise. There is one arm per
read/write head, and all of them are lined up to form one
unit.
Figure 1-18 Two IDE devices connected to a motherboard
using both IDE connections and two cables
An AGP, or accelerated graphics port, allows the operating system to
designate RAM for use by the graphics card (like the one above) on the fly.
Like a motherboard, a graphics card is a printed circuit board that
houses a processor and RAM.
PCI Express or PCIe eliminates the need for the AGP by accepting more
data and supplying more power to video cards.
This PC power supply has been removed from its PC case. The
small, red switch at right, above the power-cord connector, is for
changing line voltages in various countries.
PC power supplies use switcher technology to convert the AC input
to lower DC voltages. The 3.3- and 5-volts are typically used by
digital circuits, while the 12-volt is used to run motors in disk drives
and fans.
Figure 1-10 A motherboard provides ports for common I/O devices
Cabling
The motherboard receives its power from the power
supply by way of one or more connections located
near the edge of the board or near the processor
This firmware chip contains flash ROM and CMOS
RAM; CMOS RAM is powered by the coin battery
located near the chip
