COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS

INTRODUCTION :

CAMARINES SCIENCE ORIENTED HIGH SCHOOL (CSOHS), INC.
New San Roque, Pili, Camarines Sur, Philippines 4418
Computers are everywhere! Anywhere you look and anywhere you go,
there are computers. There are computers and some kinds of it, at home, in
school, and at the office. Today, most appliances and gadgets are computerized,
which means that a program or software runs our cell phones, LCD TVs, cars
and even our watches.
The computer has made a big difference in our lives these days. Let us
get to know it better.

DEFINING THE TERM COMPUTER

LEARNER’S MATERIALS We already have an idea of what a computer is. However, let us study
the definitions of a computer to better understand the concept.

 In the Dictionary computer is a “programmable” and usually electronic device

the can store, retrieve, and process data.
 In the other hand, computer is also defined as “a general purpose machine
COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS the process data according to a set of instructions that are stored internally
either temporarily or permanently.”
 We can conclude form the definitions that computer manipulates data or bits
of information in some way according to some “orders” or instructions and
Prepared by: comes up with some meaningful result or output.

The device and machines that we see in the offices, schools, and homes are
computers because they can process data and information and give us useful
RUSSEL GILMOR C. GARCIA, LPT.
outcomes. A teacher uses a database program in a computer, for example, to
Teacher come up with the average grades of his students; while a businessman uses a
similar machine to know his projected earnings for the coming year.

Computers have develop so fast because of their usefulness. They now appear
in various sizes, shapes, functions, and power, and are used for a variety of pur-
pose and needs.

COMPUTERS ACCORDING TO SIZE AND POWER

Computers are classified in various ways, First, they differ according to

size and power. Computers can be a supercomputer, mainframes, minicomput-
ers, and microcomputers.

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Supercomputers
 A largest and most powerful computer
 Also the most expensive because they are custom-made for the needs of
government and international groups and companies
 Used for very special purpose, like in scientific and engineering applica-
tions, including analysing data from space probes, researching nuclear en-
ergy, creating weather maps, and finding oil.
 Example:
 GRAPE (also known as Gravity Pipe) used for Gravitational computations
 ANTON used for studying molecular dynamic;
 CRAY XT5 considered as one of the world’s most powerful supercomput-
ers, used for various applications that need great ability to process infor-
mation.
 Consider this supercomputers are so powerful that they can analyse weath-
er patterns and come up with a weather map in minutes
 Whereas an ordinary computer can probably come up with the same calcu-
lation in weeks or longer.
Mainframe Computers
 The second group of computers in terms of computing power
 A large computer that can process data at a very high rate of speed.
 Used by big businesses and companies to process and compute large, bulk
amounts of data
 Can handle millions of transactions.
 Typically used for very large data processing such as those of bank trans-
actions, census and consumer statistics, airline ticketing, and large man-
agement and payroll needs.
 You may never see a mainframe computer because it is housed in a large
building somewhere.
 For example, when you withdraw money from your bank account, the bank
most often uses a mainframe computer to accomplish the transaction.
 Can operate NOT as a single computer, but as a number of virtual ma-
chines for it has 16 more CPUs or “Brains” to use for its processing.
 Thus it can effectively replace hundreds of stand-alone computer, providing
more efficiency at the same time.
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Mini computer
 Another type of multi-use machine that is smaller, less expensive, and less
powerful than mainframe.
 It is used in mid-range business and companies for their processing needs.
 Can also support simultaneous applications.
 Unlike mainframes, which are still widely used for their processing power.
 Practically out of use today, except in a few installations and companies.
 They have been replaced by NETWORK SERVERS, which can also do
multi-user and related applications.
Micro computer
 The most popular kind of computers.
 They first appeared in the late 1970s and has then developed into very fast
and powerful machines.
 Can be workstations and personal computers (PCs)
 Workstations are powerful machines usually used by an individual
user at a time.
 Their tremendous computing speed makes them a favourite of scientists,
engineers, and multimedia artists.
 They handle complex data like 3D designs, animation, and image render-
ing, and usually run one particular program such as graphics applications.
 Personal Computer (PCs) the machine used by most people.
 The term” “Personal computer” first appeared in 1981 when international
Business Machine (IBM) launched its IBM Personal Computer Model. Since
then, computers that are for individual use are called personal computer.
 It has become the most used computer in the world.
 especially the recent models, have plenty of computing power for the user.
 This machine which are used in most organizations and homes, have a va-
riety of uses too, be it accounting, word processing, graphics design, data-
base management, and other common applications.
 PCs are either Desktop computer or portable computer.
 Desktop are the one with a monitor and a Central Processing Unit
(CPU) usually placed on a computer table or desk, hence the name.
 You can find desktop in most businesses and companies.
 Previously, all PCs are Desktops, but now there are portable types
 The Portable PCs are the Laptop Computer, a light and small computer that
one can carry to school or work.
 You can rest it on your lap while using, hence the name.
 Previously, all PCs are Desktops, but now there are portable types
 The Portable PCs are the Laptop Computer, a light and small computer that
one can carry to school or work.
 You can rest it on your lap while using, hence the name.
 The laptop size and weight does not reveal its computing power, but some
models are even more powerful and have faster speed than most desktop.
Other portable computers include the notebook computer, which weighs
less than a laptop but is as powerful and can be put inside a briefcase like a
notebook, hence the name; the Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), which are
handheld devices serving as electronic organizers that enable user to communi-
cate and use simple programs like word processing and task scheduling; and
other devices like gaming consoles, mobile phones, and computers in various
gadgets and appliances. Because they are portable, these machines generally
cost more that desktop computers.
COMPUTERS ACCORDING TO PURPOSE
Computers may be used for general or for special purposes.
General – Purpose Computer
 Machines that can be used to perform a variety of functions, or solve differ-
ent problems.
 They can store and execute different types of programs.
 One can sue them for word processing, for creating graphics and drawings,
for games, and a host of other operations.
 Means General Purpose computer is open to new instruction to carry out.
Most mainframes and micro-computers, including PC desktop and laptops are
general – purpose computers. Programs and instructions can be installed in
them, and the user can just choose which programs to run. General purpose
computers can even run two or more programs simultaneously, depending on
the computing power of the machine.
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Special – Purpose Computer
 Designed to perform one specific task.
 Instruction and programs are already installed into it, and there is just one
type of application running.
 This kind of computer is also called dedicated machine, as it dedicates itself
to a particular objective.
Example of special-purpose computers are:
 Chess computers like Deep Blue and Hydra and other games that are dedi-
cated to playing board games;
 Automated Teller Machine (ATM)
 Computerized Cash Registers;
 Gaming consoles like Microsoft Xbox, Nintendo Wii, and PSP that are used
solely for games and video application; and robotic and artificial intelligenc-
es engines.
One class of Special-Purpose Computer is called Embedded Computers
because they are embedded or built-in inside devices or appliances.
Example of this:
 Computer in the Stereos,
 DVD players
 Cell phones
 Ovens
 Digital cameras, cars, computerized traffic lights,
 Even wristwatches.
Embedded computers are almost everywhere, in every place where there
are modern devices and gadgets. Programs or instructions in embedded com-
puters are already etched or permanently placed in the “chip” or hardware itself,
so they cannot be change. These computers are inflexible and cannot be used
for tasks that they are not designed to do.
Knowing about computers and their various kinds is the first step toward
basic computer literacy. It is also important to know, however, how the computer
became the machine that it is known today and how it developed through the
years.