Computer 100726

COMPUTER
What is a computer?
A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information, or data. It has the ability to
store, retrieve, and process data. You may already know that you can use a computer to type
documents, send email, play games, and browse the Web. You can also use it to edit or create
spreadsheets, presentations, and even videos.
5 parts of a computer
Whether it's a gaming system or a home PC, the five main components that make up a
typical, present-day computer
include:
A motherboard
A Central Processing Unit (CPU)
A Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), also
known as a video card
Random Access Memory (RAM), also
known as volatile memory
Storage: Solid State Drive (SSD) or Hard
Disk Drive (HDD)
1. Motherboard
What it is: All components of a
computer communicate through a
circuit board called the motherboard, as was mentioned above.
What it does: Think of the motherboard as the glue that holds everything else together.
2. Central Processing Unit (CPU)
What it is: The CPU is often called the "brain" of a computer, thanks to its direct plug
connection to the motherboard, and communication with all of the computer’s other
components.
What it does: Whenever you write a line of code (in Python, Java, C++, or any
other programming language), it's broken down into assembly language—which is a language
that the processor can understand. It fetches, decodes, and executes these instructions.
3. Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
What it is: It's not uncommon to hear gamers obsess over the next new graphics card, as
these graphic cards make it possible for computers to generate high-end visuals like those
found in the many different types of video games.
In addition to video games, though, good graphics cards also come in handy for those who
rely on images in order to execute their craft, like 3D modelers using resource -intensive
software.
What it does: Graphics cards often communicate directly with the display monitor, meaning a
$1,000 graphics card won't be of much use if there isn't a high-end monitor connected to it.
4. Random Access Memory (RAM)
What it is: RAM, also known as volatile memory, stores data regarding frequently accessed
programs and processes. (It's called volatile memory because it gets erased e very time the
computer restarts.)
What it does: RAM helps programs and games start up and close quickly.
5. Storage
What it is: All computers need somewhere to store their data. Modern computers either use a
Hard Disk Drive (HDD) or Solid State Drive (SSD).
What it does: HDDs are made of an actual disk onto which data is stored. The disk is read by a
mechanical arm. (HDDs are cheaper than SSDs, but are slowly becoming more and more
obsolete.)
SSDs (think SIM cards) have no moving parts and are faster than a hard drive, because no
time is spent waiting for a mechanical arm to find data on a physical location on the disk.
BASIC PARTS OF A DESKTOP COMPUTER

The basic parts of a desktop computer are the computer case, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and
power cord. Each part plays an important role whenever you use a computer.
Computer case
The computer case is the metal and plastic box
that contains the main components of the computer,
including the motherboard, central processing unit
(CPU), and power supply. The front of the case usually
has an On/Off button and one or more optical drives.
Computer cases come in different shapes and sizes.
A desktop case lies flat on a desk, and the monitor
usually sits on top of it. A tower case is tall and sits next to
the monitor or on the floor. All-in-one computers come with the internal components built into the
monitor, which eliminates the need for a separate
case.
Monitor
The monitor works with a video card, located inside
the computer case, to display images and text on
the screen. Most monitors have control buttons that
allow you to change your monitor's display settings,
and some monitors also have built-in speakers.
Newer monitors usually have LCD (liquid crystal
display) or LED (light-emitting diode) displays. These
can be made very thin, and they are often called flat-panel displays. Older monitors
use CRT (cathode ray tube) displays. CRT monitors are much larger and heavier, and they take up
more desk space.
Keyboard
The keyboard is one of
the main ways to
communicate with a
computer. There are
many different types of
keyboards, but most
are very similar and allow
you to accomplish the same basic tasks.
Mouse
The mouse is another important tool for
communicating with computers. Commonly
known as a pointing device, it lets you point to
objects on the screen, click on them, and
move them.
There are two main mouse types: optical and
mechanical. The optical mouse uses an
electronic eye to detect movement and is easier to clean. The mechanical mouse uses a rolling
ball to detect movement and requires regular cleaning to work properly.
Mouse Alternatives
There are other devices that can do the same
thing as a mouse. Many people find them easier
to use, and they also require less desk space
than a traditional mouse. The most common
mouse alternatives are below.
Trackball: A trackball has a ball that can rotate

freely. Instead of moving the device like a
mouse, you can roll the ball with your thumb to
move the pointer.
A touchpad—also called a trackpad—is a touch-sensitive pad that lets you control the pointer by
making a drawing motion with your finger. Touchpads are common on laptop computers.
HARDWARE VS. SOFTWARE
Hardware is any part of your computer that has a

physical structure, such as the keyboard or mouse. It also
includes all of the computer's internal parts, which you
can see in the image below.
Software is any set of instructions that tells the hardware

what to do and how to do it. Examples of software
include web browsers, games, and word processors.
OTHER TYPES OF COMPUTERS

Many of today's electronics are basically specialized computers, though we don't always think of
them that way. Here are a few common examples.
• Smartphones: Many cell phones can do a lot of things computers can do, including
browsing the Internet and playing games. They are often called smartphones.
• Wearables: Wearable technology is a general term for a group of devices—including
fitness trackers and smartwatches—that are designed to be worn throughout the day.
These devices are often called wearables for short.
• Game consoles: A game console is a specialized type of computer that is used for playing
video games on your TV.
• TVs: Many TVs now include applications—or apps—that let you access various types of
online content. For example, you can stream video from the Internet directly onto your TV.
PCs and Macs
Personal computers come in two main styles: PC and Mac. Both are fully functional, but they have
a different look and feel, and many people prefer one or the other.
PCs
This type of computer began with the original IBM

PC that was introduced in 1981. Other companies
began creating similar computers, which were
called IBM PC Compatible (often shortened to PC).
Today, this is the most common type of personal
computer, and it typically includes the Microsoft
Windows operating system.
Macs
The Macintosh computer was introduced in 1984,

and it was the first widely sold personal computer
with a graphical user interface,
or GUI (pronounced gooey). All Macs are made
by one company (Apple), and they almost
always use the Mac OS X operating system.
SHORTCUT KEYS
• Copy: Ctrl + C
• Cut: Ctrl + X
• Paste: Ctrl + V
• Maximize Window: F11 or Windows logo key + Up arrow
• Open Task View: Windows logo key + Tab
• Display and hide the desktop: Windows logo key + D
• Switch between open apps: Alt + Tab
• Open the Quick Link menu: Windows logo key + X
• Lock your PC: Windows logo key + L
• Ctrl+Z: Undo
➢ No matter what program you’re running, Ctrl+Z will roll back your last action.
Whether you’ve just overwritten an entire paragraph in Microsoft Word or deleted a
file you didn’t mean to, this one is an absolute lifesaver.
• Ctrl+W: Close
➢ Another shortcut that works just about everywhere, Ctrl+W will close down whatever
you’re viewing. Shut that File Explorer window, browser tab, or open image file
without bothering to hone in on the close button.
• Ctrl+A: Select all
➢ This command lets you highlight all the text in a document or select all the files in a
folder. Hitting Ctrl+A can save you time you’d otherwise spend clicking and
dragging your mouse.
• Alt+Tab: Switch apps
➢ This baby is one of the classic Windows shortcuts, and it can be hugely useful when
you’re running multiple applications. Just press Alt+Tab and you’ll be able to quickly
flick through all your open windows.
• Alt+F4: Close apps
➢ Another old-school shortcut, Alt+F4 shuts down active apps so you can skip the
process of hunting down their on-screen menus. Don’t worry about losing unsaved
work with this command—it will prompt you to save your documents before closing
them.

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COMPUTER

BASIC PARTS OF A DESKTOP COMPUTER

Trackball: A trackball has a ball that can rotate

HARDWARE VS. SOFTWARE

Hardware is any part of your computer that has a

Software is any set of instructions that tells the hardware

OTHER TYPES OF COMPUTERS

This type of computer began with the original IBM

The Macintosh computer was introduced in 1984,

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