TMS11

32 Computer
Fundamentals
and
PC Applications
Department of ICT, Faculty of Technology
University of Ruhuna - 2023
01.
Introduction
to
Computers
Objective
01
Identify and describe the
important details about the
computer system considering it’s
pverview.
Computers
What is a Computer?
● Anything that transforms information in a purposeful way.
● General purpose device that can be programmed to carry out
a finite set of arithmetic or logical operations .
● Programmable machine that receives input, stores and
manipulates data, and provides output in a useful format.
● A device that takes in raw data as input and processes it and
provides information as the output, computer also can store data
and information
Functional Organization of a
Computer
Store

Input Process Output

Computer Hardware
● Parts you can see and touch
● Electronic and mechanical equipments that make up a
computer
● Categorization:
• Processor, memory and integrating
devices
• Input devices and output devices
• Storage devices
The Processor
● Central Processing Unit (CPU)
○ Receives data from input devices
○ Processes data ,produces information and provides
an output
○ Stores information in storage device
○ Controls the various devices of a computer

● carries out the instructions of a computer program by

performing the basic arithmetical and logical,
input/output operations of the system
Memory
Two basic types:
● Random Access Memory (RAM)
○ Main memory is also referred as the RAM by many
○ Device that temporary store data
○ RAM can be read from and also written into
○ Volatile: lose their content when the power is turned off
○ Main types: SRAM and DRAM
● Read Only Memory (ROM)
○ A type of memory which can be read from
○ Non-volatile
○ BIOS (Basic Input Output System) ROM – the most common ROMs in
the computer
○ Read only
Input and Output Devices
● Devices that are used to interact with the user
Input Devices Output Devices
Any device that can feed data or Output information to the user
information to a computer All information which is outputted
Helps the user to provide can either be seen, heard or felt
commands to the processor - display information: Monitor
- keyboard, mouse or trackball or LCD panel and projectors
and joystick - audible output : Speakers
Processor receives data and - can be felt feedback joystick
information via input devices
- microphone, scanner and
digital cameras
Storage Devices
● Punch cards: a card with holes punched representing 1s and 0s
● Magnetic storage devices: hard disk , floppy disk, external
hard disks, ZIP disk, magnetic tape
● Optical storage devices: CD ROM , DVD ROM
● Semiconductor memory: RAM, flash-drive , Memory stick
Integrate Together...
• The processor, Memory, Input / Output devices and storage
devices need to be integrated together to function.
• These components must be placed
on a board called the Main-board
or the Motherboard
Expansion cards & other
components
• Some additional circuit boards may be required to integrate
additional devices if they are already not embedded into the
motherboard
● These circuits are commonly referred to as cards
● They are plugged into expansion slots available on the motherboard
● Modem, sound card, network card, interface card
Cables to connect devices
● There are additional cables that are required to connect
devices
● Some of the most common cables are;
○ Hard disk and floppy drive ribbon cables
○ CD/DVD drive analog audio cable
○ Video cable
○ Printer cable
○ USB cables
○ FireWire cables
Technologies to connect
devices
● There are technologies to connect computers to external
devices
● Create direct connection between the computer and the
external device
● Some of the most common technologies:
○ Blue-tooth (wireless)
○ Wi-Fi (wireless)
Chassis and Power supply
● All the components of a computer system
require power to function
● power supply unit(PSU) provide the power
● Computer systems are encased in an enclosure.
● Chassis provide the enclosure
● Additional cables are required to connect the power supply to
the wall power outlet
● power cables
● Cables are required to connect devices to the power supply
● power connectors
Software
● Machine language
○ lowest level programming language
○ directly executed by the computer
○ every processor or processor family has its own machine code
instruction set
● Assembly language
○ implements a symbolic representation of the binary machine codes
○ specific to a certain physical (or virtual) computer architecture
● High level programming language
○ more portable across platforms
Eg: C/C++, Java, Visual Basic
Software
● Two fundamental types,
○ System software
○ Application software
● System software
○ control the system hardware and interact with application software
○ manage and integrate a computer's capabilities
○ operating system and utilities
● Application software
○ help the user to perform single or multiple related specific tasks
○ there are thousands of application software in the world
Operating Systems
● Master control program
○ manages hardware and provides services for efficient execution of
application software
● Some of the most popular Oss :
○ Disk Operating System (DOS)
○ Linux (Distributions: Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, RedHat, Taprobane
(SriLankan))
○ Windows(Win98,WinMe,Windows 2000,Windows XP, Windows 7,
Windows 8)
○ Mac OS :GUI based OS by Apple for their Macintosh machines
○ UNIX (Unix System V, Solaris, SCO)
Computers are powerful...
● Speed
● Accuracy
● Storage
● Communications
● Computers allow users to generate correct information quickly,
hold the information so it is available at any time, and share the
information with other computer users.
Are computers smarter?
● Analyze new and unfamiliar situations
● Experiment with different approaches until find the best way
to move forward
● Recognize patterns
● Make conclusions from observations
● Computers rely on sets of pre-installed instructions

Independent Thoughts Creativity Generation of New ideas

Thanks!
Do you have any questions?
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