Introduction to Computers, Anatomy of
Computers, Input and Output Devices
A computer is an electronic device, operating
under the control of instructions stored in its own
memory that can accept data (input), process the
data according to specified rules, produce
information (output), and store the information for
future use. Any kind of computers consists of
HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE.
Introduction to Computers
A computer can be defined as an electronic device capable of processing the data
and producing the information.
The computer system essentially comprises three important parts –
1. Input device,
2. Central processing unit (CPU) and
3. Output device.
The CPU itself is made of three components namely,
1. Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU),
2. Memory unit, and
3. Control unit.
Components of a computer
system
On broad basis, a computer performs the
following tasks:
Input: Sending the data and command to the
computer is known as input.
Processing: Work done by the computer with
the help of hardware and software to produce
results is known as processing.
Output: The result displayed by the computer
is known as output.
Storage: A place to save result inside or
outside the computer is known as storage.
Anatomy of Computers
The following are the parts of a desktop computer.
PowerSupply:
When you plug your power cable into your computer, you are actually plugging into a socket in
the power supply unit that has been fitted inside your case. This component is responsible for
converting the 240 volt AC mains power to low voltage DC power needed by computer
components. The power supply generates +3.3V, +5V, +12V, -5V.
Monitor
Commonly known as a
"screen," the monitor gives
you a visual display of what
your computer is up to.
Monitor displays are
divided into pixels. The
higher the pixel count, the
higher the "resolution."
Resolutions are measured
in Rows x Columns.
Common resolution
settings are 640 x 480, 800
x 600, 1024 x 768, 1280 x
Motherboard
The mainboard which is sometimes called a
motherboard. This is usually the largest circuit-
board in the computer, and every other
component in the computer connects to it.
Central Processing Unit
The Central Processing Unit
(CPU)is usually called either
a CPU or just a Processor.
The CPU is the brain of the
system. It executes all the
program code from the
operating system and the
applications the user runs
and processing of data. It
sends commands to direct
the actions of all the other
components in the
computer.
Main Memory or
Random Access Memory
(RAM)
RAM, which stands for
Random Access Memory, is
the short term memory that
the computer uses to keep
track of what it's doing. If
the computer loses power,
anything stored in RAM is
lost.
Storage Device
Computer storage device is
any type of hardware that
stores data. The most
common type of storage
device, which nearly all
computers have, is a hard
drive.
INPUT AND OUTPUT
DEVICES
Input Devices
Input device is a hardware device that sends
information to the computer.
Mouse
Mouse is a pointer device. The
mouse allows an individual to
control a pointer in a graphical user
interface (GUI). Utilizing a mouse a
user has the ability to perform
various functions such as opening a
program or file and does not
require the user to memorize
commands.
Digital camera
A type of camera that stores the pictures or video it takes
in electronic format instead of using film.
Web Cam
A camera connected to a computer that allows anyone
connected to the Internet to view still pictures or motion
video of a user.
Joystick
A computer joystick allows an individual to easily navigate
an object in a game such as navigating a plane in a flight
simulator.
Keyboard
One of the main input devices used on a computer, a
computer keyboard looks very similar to the keyboards of
electric typewriters, with some additional keys.
Microphone
Sometimes abbreviated as mic, a microphone is a
hardware peripheral that allows computer users to input
audio into their computers.
Scanner
Input device that allows a user to take an image and/or
text and convert it into a digital file, allowing the
computer to read and/or display the scanned object
Output Device
Any peripheral that receives and/or displays output
from a computer. Below are some examples of
different types of output devices commonly found
on a computer.
Monitor
A monitor is a video display screen. Monitor is also
called as Visual Display Unit (VDU) or Video Display
Terminal (VDT).
CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) Monitors are built very
similarly to older (tube) television sets. They are
heavy, bulky, take up a lot of desk space, and emit
radiation.
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) Monitors are thin and
flat. They are light, compact, take up very little desk
space emit no known radiation.
Printer
A printer is an output device responsible for taking
computer data and generating a hard copy of that
data.
Projector Speaker
