Lesson 5.

2
Computer hardware and software

Types of computers
Personal computer (pc) - a computer used by one person at a time
Computers can be grouped by size, purpose, and number
of users.

Type of computer Number of Size Typical user/purpose

user at one
time

Personal computer One Fits on a desk, Used by individuals for

(pc) on a lap, or in organizing information,
(microcomputer) a hand creating products, and
entertainment

Minicomputer Several to Occupies part Used by small to medium-

hundreds of a room sized organizations, such
as schools

Mainframe (super Thousands Room-sized Used by large

computer) corporations and
government agencies

Pcs and macs

Personal computers are grouped by the software they use:
 Pc - uses the microsoft windows operating system
 Mac - uses the macintosh operating system
Examples of personal computers are:
 Desktops
 Laptops
 Mp3 players
 Personal digital assistants (pdas)

Central processing unit (cpu) - a microprocessor, or tiny computer chip, that

receives and carries out all the instructions given to a computer.
How does my computer work?
The “brain” of a computer is the central processing unit (cpu). When the cpu
receives and carries out an instruction, it has completed one cycle.
Computer’s speed = number of cycles completed in one second
Cycles are measured in:
  Megahertz (mhz) = millions of cycles per second
 Gigahertz (ghz) = billions of cycles per second

Bit – the smallest unit of computerized data

Byte - the building block for all information that flows through a computer.
Bits, bytes, and binary numbers
Bits and bytes are small pieces of computerized data that communicate commands
to a computer’s cpu:
 A bit is either a 1 or a 0 (binary digits).
 A byte contains eight bits.
Each letter in the english language is represented by one byte.
How big is a terabyte?
Common storage units:
 Kilobyte (kb) = 1,000 bytes
 Megabyte (mb) = 1,000 kb, or 1 million (1,000,000) bytes
 Gigabyte (gb) = 1,000 mb, or 1 billion (1,000,000,000) bytes
 Terabyte (tb) = 1,000 gb, or 1 trillion (1,000,000,000,000) bytes
Some similarities and differences between mainframe computers and personal
computers:
Some similarities are:
 Both have a central processing unit (cpu).
 Both read only 1s and 0s.
 Both recognize and process bits and bytes.
 For both, speed is determined by cycles per second.
Some differences are:
 Mainframes are very large. Pcs can be very small.
 Mainframes can be used by thousands of people at once. Pcs can only
be used by one person at a time.
 Mainframes are used by corporations and government agencies. Pcs
are used by individuals, like students!
Your computer may use hardware like the components shown here.

Hardware - the collection of physical pieces, or components, that make up a

computer.
Hardware can be inside or outside the computer:
 The cpu and hard drive are inside the computer.
 The keyboard, monitor, and printer are outside the computer and must
be connected by cables.
What are input and output devices?
Input - information that is entered into a computer.
Information flows between you and your computer through input and output
devices. Examples of input devices are:
 Keyboard
 Mouse
 Scanner
 Digital camera
 Joystick
Output - information that a computer produces and delivers back to the user.
Examples of output devices are:
 Monitor
 Printer
 Speakers

Read-only memory (rom) - memory that permanently stores data and that cannot
be erased or changed.

Random-access memory (ram) - temporary memory that a computer uses to store

data and process information while working in a program. It is erased when the
computer is turned off.
When do i use ram and rom?
When you use your computer to perform any type of task, you are using two types
of memory:

Type of memory What does it do? When is it used?

Read-only memory Stores permanent When you turn a

(rom) information like telling the computer on or off
computer how to start up

Random-access Stores temporary When you start and use

memory (ram) information when you are software
working in a file

Storage device - computer equipment used to store data. Examples of storage

devices are hard drive, network server, floppy disk, cd, dvd, and usb flash drive.
How is information stored?
When you save a file, you move the information from ram to a storage device. The
type of storage device depends on how much space is needed. Music and video files
require more storage space than text files.

Rom:
 Stands for read-only memory
 Is permanent memory
 Works when you turn a computer on or off
 Stores data even when a computer is turned off
Ram:
 Stands for random-access memory
 Is temporary memory
 Works when you start and use software
 Stores data only while a computer is on
Software - a set of instructions, also called a program or application, that tells a
computer how to perform tasks.
Operating system (os) - software that controls all the other software programs and
allows a computer to perform basic tasks.
Software is the set of instructions that lets you “talk” to your computer. Software
translates commands into bits and bytes. Different types of software have different
functions:
 Operating system (os) software - makes your computer work
 Application software - lets you do different tasks on your computer
 Utility software - helps you maintain your computer and keep it in
good running condition
How do i use software?
 It is important to choose the right software program for the type of task you
want to do:

What is an operating system?

The operating system (os) controls all other software and allows the hardware
devices to work properly. Some popular operating systems are:
 Microsoft windows - for pcs
 Mac os - for apple computers
 Linux - for very large network computers
 Handheld operating systems - for pdas, mp3 players, and cell phones
What is a gui?
Nearly all modern operating systems use a graphical user interface (gui). This lets
users click on images or text on the screen instead of having to type commands.
 Type of software Sample task

Web browsers Conduct internet research

Instant messaging Communicate with friends

E-mail Send a file to your teacher

Word processing Write a letter, paper, or essay

Presentation Create a slide show

Spreadsheet Make calculations

Database Organize and access large amounts of information,

such as at a library

Network - a group of computers connected together, often through a central server,

using telephone lines, cables, satellite links, radio, and/or other communication
devices.
A computer network is a group of computers connected together. Networks allow
people to share:
 Information
 Hardware
 Storage devices
 Internet connections
A network allows you to send data back and forth between different computers,
servers, storage devices, and shared output devices:

The internet is the biggest network there is. Types of networks are:
 Local-area network (lan) - covers a small area, such as a school or
office
 Wide-area network (wan) - covers a large geographic area, such as an
international corporation
 Intranet - lets people within an organization or business share
information

Some activities for which you might use computer networks

Possible answers include:
 Send and receive e-mail
 Surf the internet
 Access the school library
 Share information
 Share documents
 Share hardware, such as printers and scanners
 Share internet connections

Rom would let you turn your computer on and start the operating system.
Ram would let you use software, such as word processing, to perform tasks.
Application software, such as word processing software, would let you create a text
document.
Storage devices would let you save files without having to print them on paper.
The cpu receives input, interprets its meaning, and responds by processing it.
Similarly, the human brain receives input from the sense organs via the central
nervous system, interprets its meaning, and responds.

Importance of understanding the hardware components of your computer

Possible answers include:
 To care for your computer properly
 To avoid problems with your computer
 To know what equipment you need for different tasks
 To make the most of what your computer has to offer
 To know the fun things you can do!

Three places where you can save a file after you are done working with it.
Possible answers include:
 Hard drive
 Network
 Desktop
 Floppy disk
 Compact disc (cd)

Purpose of application software. Name two types of software you might use during a
normal day.
The purpose of application software is to let you do tasks on your computer. During
a normal day, you might use the following types of software:
 Web browser
 Instant messaging
 E-mail
 Word processing
 Presentation
 Spreadsheet
 Database
Computers come with different hardware and software options because they are
used by many different people for many different purposes. Possible users include:
 Individuals like you!
 Small to medium-sized organizations, such as schools or offices
 Large corporations and government agencies
Possible purposes include:
 Collecting, organizing, processing, and distributing information
 Creating products such as word processing documents, presentations,
spreadsheets, and databases
 Making web sites, graphics, and animations
 Taking pictures
 Recording and editing videos
Lesson 5.12
HISTORY OF COMPUTERS

1943
• The first digital computer, called “COLOSSUS MARK I” was built.
• Bell laboratories was working on the development of a computer
• 2 scientists at the University of Pennsylvania, J. Presper Eckert and John
Mauchly, later founders of Eckert-Mauchly Corporation.
• 1950 The Remington Rand Corporation bought Eckert and Mauchly ‘s
company.
• 1951 The first large scale commercial computer system called the “UNIVAC-
I” was marketed.

1955
• The Sperry Corporation merged with the Remington Rand forming the giant
“Sperry Rand Corporation”.
• The 1st Commercial Application was run when General Electric (GE)
processed its payroll on UNIVAC.
• This year the age of business computing was born.
• The American recognized the value of the machine that this could do
thousands of repetitive mathematical calculations
• The Sperry Corporation merged with the Remington Rand forming the giant
“Sperry Rand Corporation”.
• The 1st Commercial Application was run when General Electric (GE)
processed its payroll on UNIVAC.
• This year the age of business computing was born.
• The American recognized the value of the machine that this could do
thousands of repetitive mathematical calculations
• In response companies such as
• BELL labs,
• National Cash Register (NCR),
• Burroughs,
• and International Business Machine (IBM)
• began to develop their business computer products.
• Today, these early computers are called First generation computers.

First Generation Computers

• Used vacuum tubes as a design
• These computers ran hot and required a great cooling.
 • Vacuum tubes got hot easily, and when they get hot, they failed regularly
• physically huge (one computer took up a large room), but their power was
much less than that of the average desktop computer of the 1900’s.
• Used vacuum tubes as a design
• These computers ran hot and required a great cooling.
• Vacuum tubes got hot easily, and when they get hot, they failed regularly
• physically huge (one computer took up a large room), but their power was
much less than that of the average desktop computer of the 1900’s.

2nd Generation Computers

• They use transistors instead of vacuum tubes. This meant less heat, improved
reliability, and much greater speeds.
• access speeds were measured in millionths rather than thousandths of a
second (microseconds).
• quite large, but transistors were smaller and more durable than vacuum
tubes.
• They also allowed for the development of much more powerful computers.

Third Generation Computers

• In this generation, they used microminiature, solid state components.
• Third generation CPU access speeds were measured in billionths of a seconds
(nanoseconds) IBM 360 these were the classic computers in this generation
IBM 370
60GHz
60KHz
60MHz

THE RISE OF THE MODERN PERSONAL COMPUTER

• November 1972 Intel Corporation introduced the first commercial
microprocessor, called “Intel 8008”
• This invention made the PC, also known as a microcomputer possible.

2 teenaged boys
• Steve Jobs & Steve Wozniak
• They share their intense interest in electronics. They bought microprocessor
for $ 25 and build a very simple computer called “APPLE”
May of 1976
• They introduced their first computer at a meeting of the Homebrew
computer club, at which, PAUL TERRYL president of The BYTE shop chain
ordered 50 units. The Apple computer Company and the first PC were born.

Classes of computer
• Analog computer
• Digital computer
• Hybrid computer
• Analog computer: Analog computer operates on continuous physical or
electrical magnitudes, measuring, ongoing continuous analog quantities such
as voltage, current, temperature and pressure.
• Digital computer: Digital computer operates on discrete discontinuous
numerical digits using the binary numbering system. It represents data using
discrete values for all data. most of the computers use in the health care
industry for charting and decision support are digital computers.
• Hybrid Computers: Hybrid Computers as its name implies, contains features
of both the analog and the digital computer. It is used for specific
applications, such as complex signal processing and other engineering-
oriented applications. It is also found in some monitoring equipment that
converts analog into digital ones for data processing

Types of Computers
• Supercomputer
• Mainframe
• Microcomputer
• Handheld
• Supercomputers This is a computational-oriented computer designed for
scientific applications requiring gigantic amount of calculations
• Mainframes. This is the fastest, largest, and most expensive type of computer
used in corporations for processing, storing and retrieving data
• Microcomputers or Personal Computer (PC) Desktops can serve as stand-
alone workstation and can be linked to a network system to increase the
capabilities.
• Handheld Computers Handheld computers are small, special function
computers and some have claimed to have almost the same function and
processing capabilities as the standard desktop microcomputer
Computer Hardware Fundamentals
• Central processing unit (CPU)
• Motherboard
• Memory
• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Diskettes
• Universal Serial Bus (USB):
• Hard drive
• CD- ROM