Computer Basic

A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information, or data. It has the

ability to store, retrieve, and process data. Moreover, it is a machine that can be instructed to
carry out sequences of arithmetic or logical operations automatically via computer
programming. Modern computers have the ability to follow generalized sets of operations,
called programs. These programs enable computers to perform an extremely wide range of
tasks. A complete computer including the hardware, the operating system, and peripheral
equipment required and used for full operation can be called a computer system.

Essential Questions
● What are the computer and software type?
● How does a computer operate?

Intended Learning Outcomes

● Learn computer fundamentals and its functions
● Familiarize on computer concepts and operation
The Parts of a Computer

A computer is an electronic device that controls data. It can store, retrieve, and
process data. A computer can be used to type documents, send email, play games, and
browse the Web. Moreover, it can be used to edit or create spreadsheets, presentations,
and even videos. Computers have two things in common: hardware and software.

● Hardware - the part of your computer that has a physical structure, such as the
keyboard or mouse. It also includes all of the computer's internal parts.
● Software - set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do and how to do it.
Examples of software include web browsers, games, and word processors.

Computers have different parts that are crucial for it to work properly as intended.
These are the parts that are important for a computer.

● Motherboard - The motherboard is the computer's main circuit board. It is a thin

plate that holds the CPU, memory, connectors for the hard drive and optical drives,
expansion cards to control the video and audio, and connections to your computer's
ports (such as USB ports). The motherboard connects directly or indirectly to every
part of the computer.
● RAM - RAM is your system's short-term memory. Whenever a computer performs
calculations, it temporarily stores the data in the RAM until it is needed. This short-
term memory disappears when the computer is turned off. If you're working on a
document, spreadsheet, or other type of file, you'll need to save it to avoid losing it.
When you save a file, the data is written to the hard drive, which acts as long-term
storage.
● CPU - The central processing unit (CPU), also called a processor, is located inside
the computer case on the motherboard. It is sometimes called the brain of the
computer, and its job is to carry out commands.
● Hard drive - The hard drive is where your software, documents, and other files are
stored. The hard drive is long-term storage, which means the data is still saved even
if you turn the computer off or unplug it.
● Power supply unit - The power supply unit in a computer converts the power from
the wall outlet to the type of power needed by the computer. It sends power through
cables to the motherboard and other components.

Type of Computers
Most people that hear the word computer, they think of a personal computer such as
a desktop or laptop. However, computers come in many shapes and sizes, and they perform
variation of functions. Computers may be seen almost anywhere, since they are used for
many things or services to this day.

● Desktop Computers - designed to be placed on a desk, and they're typically made

up of a few different parts, including the computer case, monitor, keyboard, and
mouse.
 ● Laptop - battery-powered computers that are more portable than desktops, allowing
you to use them almost anywhere.
● Tablet Computers - handheld computers that are even more portable than laptops.
Instead of a keyboard and mouse, tablets use a touch-sensitive screen for typing and
navigation.
● Server - a computer that serves up information to other computers on a network. For
example, whenever you use the Internet, you're looking at something that's stored on
a server.

Types of Software

Software is a computer program that provides instructions and data to execute a

user’s commands. It is an indispensable part of the machine you cannot see, but it allows
you to use the computer. There are four types of software in which there are two major types
of software: Application software and System software. The other types of software are
Programming software and Driver software.

● Application Software - These types of computer software are productive end-user

programs that help you perform tasks. Moreover, it is also called as non-essential
software. It is installed and operated on a computer-based on the user’s requirement.
There is a number of application software that can be used to perform different tasks.
The number of such apps keeps increasing with technological advances and the
evolving needs of the users.
● System Software - System software aids the user, hardware, and application
software to work and function together. These types of computer software allow a
platform for other software and applications to work in. This is why system software is
needed in managing the whole computer system. System software only runs in the
background of your device, at the most basic level while you use other application
software.
● Programming Software - Programming software are programs that are used to
write, develop, test, and debug other software, including apps and system software.
● Driver Software - Driver software is often classified as one of the types of system
software. They operate and control devices and peripherals plugged into a computer.
Drivers are important because they enable the devices to perform their designated
tasks.
Functions of Computer

The computer does its primary work in a part of the machine we cannot see, a control
centre that converts data input to information output. This control centre, called the central
processing unit (CPU), is a highly complex, extensive set of electronic circuitries that
executes stored program instructions. Computers use two types of storage: Primary storage
and secondary storage. The CPU interacts closely with primary storage, or main memory,
referring to it for both instructions and data. For this reason, this part of the reading will
discuss memory in the context of the central processing unit. Technically, however, memory
is not part of the CPU. Secondary storage holds permanent or semi-permanent data on
some external magnetic or optical medium. The diskettes and CD-ROM disks that you have
seen with personal computers are secondary storage devices, as are hard disks. Since the
physical attributes of secondary storage devices determine the way data is organized on
them. The CPU contains different components, which helps with how computers work.

● Control Unit - The control unit of the CPU contains circuitry that uses electrical
signals to direct the entire computer system to carry out, or execute, stored program
instructions.
● Logic Unit - The arithmetic/logic unit can perform four kinds of arithmetic operations,
or mathematical calculations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. As its
name implies, the arithmetic/logic unit also performs logical operations.
● Memory and Storage - Memory is the part of the computer that holds data and
instructions for processing. Although closely associated with the central processing
unit, memory is separate from it.

How the CPU Executes Program Instructions

Before an instruction can be executed, program instructions and data must be placed
into memory from an input device or a secondary storage device. the central processing unit
performs the following four steps for each instruction:
1. The control unit fetches (gets) the instruction from memory.
2. The control unit decodes the instruction (decides what it means) and directs that the
necessary data be moved from memory to the arithmetic/logic unit. These first two
steps together are called instruction time, or I-time.
3. The arithmetic/logic unit executes the arithmetic or logical instruction. That is, the
ALU is given control and performs the actual operation on the data.
4. The arithmetic/logic unit stores the result of this operation in memory or in a register.
Steps 3 and 4 together are called execution time, or E-time.
The control unit eventually directs memory to deliver the result to an output device or
a secondary storage device. The combination of I-time and E-time is called the machine
cycle. Each central processing unit has an internal clock that creates pulses at a fixed rate to
synchronize all computer operations. A single machine-cycle instruction may be made up of
a substantial number of sub-instructions, each of which must take at least one clock cycle.
Each type of central processing unit is created to understand a specific group of instructions
called the instruction set. Just as there are many variations of languages that people
understand, so each different type of CPU has an instruction set it understands.