Learn Computer - Introduction to Computers Article One

Thanks to all people who contact me through my phone and email...Many of you asked me about computers and here is the first step i am putting forward.

Let us start with questions and answers follow 

What is a computer ?
A computer is an electronic device that manipulates data.A computer can also be defined as an electronic device that is capable of  receiving,processing, outputting and storing data.


 How does it manipulate data ?
A computer manipulates data through the using a set of instructions.For instance for a letter to appear on the Monitor/screen the user types a letter on the keyboard and the process that takes place is shown on after the CPU interprets it.

Basically a computer does four (4) tasks 
i) Input
ii)Process
iii)Output
iv)storage.

From the basic tasks is where the definition of a computer can be well derived.

What is the importance of computer is our daily lives?
Computers actually do ease work for people and in some cases have even taken up jobs people do.
Importance of computers include the following;

• For typesetting work 
• For Entertainment like watching movies,playing games,listening to music.
• For keeping records.
• For creation of employment opportunities like secretaries, IT personnel, Internet Cafe attendants 
• For Business Creations like IT Institutes, Internet Cafes, 
• For security purposes like managing premises,Buildings with CCTV (Closed Circuit Televisions)
• For Faxing 
• For online Telephone calls like Google Talk,Skype,Yahoo messenger ,
• For online Conferences 
• For Sending messages like the use of email.
• For Educative purpose like the http://ulaker-alexander.blogspot.com/ 
• For surfing the internet to gain knowledge like Google Search engine
• For Teleworking 
• For Banking like online banking eg HSBC 

Generally the importance of the computer are many and the list is endless .

To know more about the computer let us look at its parts.
A computer has four 4 main parts 
i) Keyboard
ii)Mouse
iii)Monitor
iv)CPU
In details let us look at these main parts as Input devices,Output devices,System Unit and Storage.
What are Input Devices?
These are devices used to enter data into the computer.For Example the Keyboard ,Mouse,Stylus,Scanner,Digital camera,Floppy diskettes,CD/DVD ROM s,Floppy Drives ,Microphone to mention but a few.

What are Output devices?
These are devices used to display processed data from the computer.Data processed can be presented in two ways that is as Soft copy on the Monitor and Hard copy through a printer.Examples of Output devices are Printer,Monitor,Digital cameras,Fax machine,Speakers,Modems Flash disks,Floppy Diskettes.

The Monitor of a computer come in two common types 
Cathode Ray Tube CRT
Liquid Crystal Display unit  LCD

There are some devices that work as both input and output like the modems, digital cameras, Floppy Diskettes, Head Phones with a microphone and Speaker.

The System Unit (CPU) 
The System Unit is a very important  part of the computer component controls all the functions within the computer and without it the computer system fetch and execute  cycle can not be broken down well.

• It is the main brains of the computer
• It controls all the functions within the computer

There are three main components of the central processing unit.

1. The Control Unit 
2. The Arithmetic and Logic Unit 
3. The Memory/Storage

·  The Control Unit
The control unit of the CPU contains circuitry that uses electrical signals to direct the entire computer system to carry out, or execute, stored program instructions. Like an orchestra leader, the control unit does not execute program instructions; rather, it directs other parts of the system to do so. The control unit always will communicate with both the arithmetic/logic unit and memory.

The Arithmetic/Logic Unit
The arithmetic/logic unit (ALU) contains the electronic circuitry that executes all arithmetic and logical operations.

The arithmetic/logic unit can perform four kinds of arithmetic operations, or mathematical calculations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. As its name implies, the arithmetic/logic unit also performs logical operations. A logical operation is usually a comparison. The unit can compare numbers, letters, or special characters. The computer can then take action based on the result of the comparison. For instance if you wanted to know the difference between the CRT and LCD Monitor you can simple ask in Google Engine CRT Vs LCD and the Logic Unit will jump into action.



Memory and Storage
Memory is also known as primary storage, primary memory, main storage, internal storage, main memory, and RAM (Random Access Memory). Different people usually interchange. Memory is the part of the computer that holds data and instructions for processing. Although closely associated with the central processing unit, memory is separate from it. Memory stores program instructions or data for only as long as the program they pertain to it in operation.

 Note 
         This Article will be changed over time with pictorals to further explain all the Text included with this post.

The Article is targetted for a fresh computer beginner without any basic knowledge of Computing as in the future i will also include Intermediate and Advanced Lessons on Computing.

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