LESSON 1:

KNOWING
COMPUTER
persentation by
JULIAN JOSEPH G. DELA CRUZ
COURSE INSTRUCTOR
 INTRODUCTIONS
Computer and the Internet have
become essential tools helping
educators ease up their jobs; while
learners are able to adapt to a
modern approach to learning.
 BASIC APPLICATIONS OF COMPUTERS

Home Media field Entertainment Industry Education

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Government Banking Training Arts Science &

Engineering
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 COMPONENTS OF A
COMPUTER SYSTEM

Storage
Input

Processing
Output
components that help users enter data and commands
into a computer system. Data can be in the form of
numbers, words, actions, command, etc. The main
function of input devices is to direct commands and
data into computers. Some of the example of input
devices are keyboard, mouse, barcode readers,
Magnetic Ink Character Readers (MICR), Optical
Character Readers (OCR), touchscreens (e.g.
smartphones, ATM).
after receiving data and commands from
users, a computer system now has to
process it according to the instructions
provided. Here, it has to rely on a component
called the central processing unit.
 once a user enters data using input devices, the
computer stores this data in its memory unit. This data
will now remain here until other components of CPU
process it. The memory unit uses a set of pre-
programmed instructions to further transmit this data to
other parts of the CPU.

(a.1) Primary Memory - Primary memory holds only

those data and instructions on which the computer is
currently working. It has a limited capacity and data is
lost when power is switched off

(a.1.1) RAM (Random Access Memory) – responsible for storing data on a temporary basis, so
that it can be promptly accessed by the processor as and when needed. d. It is volatile in nature,
which means that data will be erased once supply to the storage device is turned off.
RAM is considered "random access"
(a.1.2) ROM (Read Only Memory) – a permanent form of storage. ROM stays active regardless of
whether power supply to it is turned on or off. ROM devices do not allow data stored on them to
be modified.
o(a.2) Secondary Memory –This type of memory is also known
as external memory or non-volatile. Secondary memory is
known as the backup memory and Computer may run without
it. It is slower than the main memory.

(a.2.1) Hard drive – a hard disk stores and provides relatively

quick access to large amounts of data on an
electromagnetically charged surface or set of surfaces.

(a.2.2) Optical disk drive (ODD) – an optical disk drive is a disk

drive that user laser light as part of the process of reading or
writing data to or from optical discs. Some drives can only read
from discs, but recent drives are commonly both readers and
recorders, also called burners or writers. Compact discs, DVDs,
and Blu-ray discs are common types of optical media which
can be read and recorded by such drives. Optical drive is the
generic name; drives are usually described as "CD" "DVD", or
"Bluray", followed by "drive", "writer", etc.

(a.2.3) Flash disk – a Flash disk is a storage module made of

flash memory chips. Flash disks have no mechanical platters or
access arms, but the term “disk” is used because the data are
accessed as if they were on a hard drive.
 Comparison between Main memory (RAM)
and Secondary memory (Hard disk)
RAM
Memory
Smaller amount (typically 500MB-6GB)
Temporary storage of files and programs
A little like your real desktop – has only your
current work on it (which could be ruined by a
spill of Coke or coffee!)
Contents disappear when you turn off power to
the computer and when the computer crashes.
Consists of chips (microprocessors)
When you want to use a program, a temporary
copy is put into RAM and that is the copy you
use.
Hard Disk
(Hard Drive)
Storage
Much larger amount (typically 80GB to 1000 GB)
Permanent storage of files and programs
Like a file cabinet – has long-term storage of work
Contents remain when you turn off the power to the
computer (they don’t disappear unless you purposely
delete them), and when the computer crashes.
Consists of hard disks (platters)
Holds the original copy of the program permanently.
(a.3) Cache Memory - Cache memory is a very high-
speed semiconductor memory which can speed up the
CPU. It acts as a buffer between the CPU and the main
memory. The advantages of cache memory are as
follows:

• Cache memory is faster than main memory.

• It consumes less access time as compared to main
memory. • It stores the program that can be executed
within a short period of time.
• It stores data for temporary use. The disadvantages of
cache memory are as follows:
• Cache memory has limited capacity. • It is very
expensive.
 this part of the CPU performs arithmetic operations. It
does basic mathematical calculations like addition,
subtraction, division, multiplication, etc. Further, it can
even perform logical functions like the comparison of
data.

(3) Control Unit

this unit is the backbone of computers. It is responsible for
coordinating tasks between all components of a computer
system. The control unit collects data from input units and
sends it to processing units depending on its nature. Finally, it
also further transmits processed data to output units for users.
Control unit controls and co-ordinates computer components:
1. Read the code for the next instruction to be executed.
2. Increment the program counter so it points to the next
instruction.
3. Read whatever data the instruction requires from cells in
memory.
4. Provide the necessary data to an ALU or register.
5. If the instruction requires an ALU or specialized hardware to
complete, instruct the hardware to perform the requested
operation.
the third and final components of a computer system is
the output unit. After processing of data, it is converted
into a format which humans can understand. After
conversion, the output unit displays this data to users.
Some of the examples of output devices include
monitors, screens, printers, and speakers. Thus, output
units basically reproduce the data formatted by the
computer for users’ benefit.
Hardware – the term hardware refers to mechanical device that makes up computer.
Computer hardware consists of interconnected electronic devices that we can use to control
computer’s operation, input, and output. Examples of hardware are monitor, modem, system
unit, mouse, speakers, printer, keyboard, hard disk, etc.
System Unit - The system unit (see Figure 2 number 3) is the case that contains all the
electronic components of any computer system. The electronic components are considered
internal hardware seeing that they are inside the system unit and you cannot see when you
look at the computer. These components inside the system unit are what process the data
and really makes the computer work. Internal components are as follow:
a) Power Supply – converts electricity into the current works for the computer. When the
computer is turned on the power supply allows converted electricity to travel to other
components inside the computer
. (b) Microprocessor – or the Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the processor or brain of the
computer. The CPU controls information and tells the other components inside the computer
what to do.
(c) Microprocessor fan – is also known as CPU fan on top of a computer processor. It helps
pull and blow hot air off the processor, helping keep it cooler.
(d) RAM & ROM – RAM stands for random access memory. This memory holds the
information you are working with while the computer is turned on. Once you turn the
computer off all the information that was in RAM will be gone. ROM stands for read only
memory. This memory holds information that you can only read, but not erase. Information in
ROM is built in and is always there even when the computer is turned off.
(e) Video Card – the video card handles the graphics that you see on the monitor
(f) Sound Card – the sound card operates the sound that you hear from the speaker.
(g) Modem card – allows computers to communicate with each other.
(h) Motherboard –is the circuit board that holds the main internal components of the
computer together.
(i) Hard Disk Drive – is the device that reads information that is on disk. Hard disk is hidden
inside the computer. (j) CD/DVD - Short for Compact Disc Read-Only Memory, a CD-ROM is
an optical disc containing audio or software data whose memory is read-only. Short for
Digital Versatile Disc Read-Only Memory (DVD-ROM), a DVD-ROM is a readonly digital
versatile disc (DVD) commonly used for storing large software applications. It is like a CD-
ROM but has a larger capacity. A DVD-ROM stores around 4.38 GB of data. A CD-ROM usually
stores 650 MB of data. A CD/DVD rom drives are accessible from the front of the system unit.
(Hardware Components - Computer hardware is a collection of several
components working together. Some parts are essential, and others are
added advantages. Computer hardware is made up of CPU and
peripherals as shown in image below
Software – A set of instructions that drives computer to do stipulated tasks is called a program.
Software instructions are programmed in a computer language, translated into machine language,
and executed by computer. Software can be categorized into two types, System software and
Application software.
(a) System software operates directly on hardware devices of computer. It provides a platform to run
an application. It provides and supports user functionality.
Examples of system software include operating systems such as Windows, Linux, Unix, etc.
(b) An Application software is designed for the benefit of users to perform one or more tasks.
Examples of application software include Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Oracle, etc.
Differences between Software and Hardware:
Data processing is the re-structuring or re-ordering of data
by people or machine to increase their usefulness and add
values for a particular purpose. Data processing consists of
the following basic steps - input, processing, and output.
These three steps constitute the data processing cycle.
1. Input − In this step, the input data is prepared in some convenient
form for processing. The form will depend on the processing machine.
For example, when electronic computers are used, the input data can
be recorded on any one of the several types of input medium, such as
magnetic disks, tapes, and so on. Examples of input data may be
employee name, department, rate per day, number of days worked.
2. Processing − In this step, the input data is changed to produce data
in a more useful form. For example, pay-checks can be calculated from
the timecards or rate per day multiplied by the number of days worked;
or a summary of sales for the month can be calculated from the sales
orders.
3. Output − At this stage, the result of the proceeding processing step is
collected. The particular form of the output data depends on the use of
the data. For example, output data may be pay checks for employees.
 IECT stands for Information Electronics and Communication Technology. The
applications of IECT are as follows −
• E-governance
• Multimedia and Entertainment

E-governance Electronic governance is application of Information Electronics and

Communication Technology in running an effective governance
system for people. Communication refers to sharing of information
between parties like common people, government, business, etc.
Almost every government sector has changed to IECT like rail
reservation system, gas subsidy disbursal, etc.

Multimedia and
Entertainment
Multimedia refers to combination of text, audio, video, graphics,
animation, etc. It is one of applications of IECT. Multimedia is used to
improve quality of presentation by incorporating information sharing,
usage of graphics and animation, motion capture, etc.